Facing the Sword Saint at his peak, rigid and predictable moves were a fatal flaw.
While such predictable swordplay might go unnoticed against lesser opponents, Chun Hei found himself at a significant disadvantage against Isshin in his prime, having failed to adapt.
With each death, the count of his failures mounting, Chun Hei gradually understood that the peak-phase Sword Saint was specifically designed to counter rigid movements and ingrained combat habits.
Be it a quick slash after a parry, a flanking maneuver to attack blind spots, or the ponderous Ashina techniques—all the combat patterns Chun Hei had developed in earlier stages now served only as hindrances to overcoming Isshin.
Against the one-handed Sword Saint, Chun Hei was utterly outmatched.
His combos, his feints, his abilities—all were countered, his strategies laid bare.
Instead, Isshin emerged as the one who could gauge the situation and predict his every move.
Not only was Chun Hei constantly suppressed, but his strength and attack power paled in comparison to Isshin's peak form.
The sword techniques, as weighty as mountains and as imposing as peaks, coupled with an impenetrable defense, radiated an aura of despair.
"Cannot be rigid, cannot be rigid..."
Chun Hei chanted to himself, abandoning all semblance of structured offense. His skill combinations became erratic, his next move driven by whatever tactic first sprang to mind.
No planning, no setup, just one word: "Charge!"
He aimed to shift his mindset, to reach a state where technique was superseded by instinct.
He realized that Isshin at his peak was unlike any boss he had faced before; this Isshin was specifically designed to counter rigid formations.
It was as if a true Sword Saint had returned, his adaptability exceeding any artificial intelligence.
Unless...
Unless the designer had utilized massive amounts of player data to collect combat habits and traits from all players, and then used them for Isshin's training. But the sheer scale of such a task seemed insurmountable for Ling Jing.
Yet, in reality, it had been achieved.
At least, judging by Chun Hei's reactions, it had been achieved perfectly.
The once methodical Chun Hei, after countless deaths, began to embrace a more aggressive approach.
Proactive offense, fearless of life or death!
This was Chun Hei's sword path!
If one health bar wasn't enough, then three!
If one life wasn't enough, he'd wager another!
If one attempt yielded no progress, he'd simply try again!
Since his enlightenment, Chun Hei's death count had surged.
Ten times...
Fifteen times...
Twenty times...
...
One hundred times...
It wasn't until his one hundred and thirty-fifth attempt, after pushing the Immortality Sever to its limits, that Chun Hei, in a desperate flurry of unrefined attacks, managed to shave off one health bar from the peak Sword Saint's formidable defense and dazzling swordplay.
At this moment, the viewers who had been holding their breath all evening could no longer contain themselves.
The barrage of comments exploded, like a celebration.
'oooohhh!!!'
'I feel like I've been hesitating to defeat for hours.'
'Finally, some progress, so strong!!'
'I'm numb, the necessary condition for success: persistence!'
'Quick, clear the path!'
...
"Hmph! Hahhhhhhh!!" Isshin roared, a gust of bloody mist erupting outwards as his health bar diminished.
Boom!!!
The mist of blood, like a nuclear blast, sent the critically wounded Chun Hei flying to his demise!
[Noob]
Despite his intense focus on the game, Chun Hei's inexperience against the peak Sword Saint's second phase resulted in a minor setback.
"This... is this the Blood Smoke Technique?"
Chun Hei could barely believe that the technique allowed him to detonate his own blood to inflict massive damage.
"His blood is even boiling!!"
Truly the peak Isshin, his fighting spirit was chillingly formidable.
Having lost a health bar, not only did he not falter, but his desire to fight was further ignited.
At this moment,
Chun Hei couldn't help but lament how good it was to be young!
Especially after witnessing the frail state of the elder Isshin, the peak Isshin, brimming with life and vigor, was truly courageous!
"Come on, Sekiro!"
Isshin, pulling out a seven-foot-long pickaxe from nowhere, combined with his three-foot-seven-inch black Immortality Sever in his right hand, truly unleashed his power in the second phase.
Clang clang clang!!!
Clang clang clang!!!
The true Ashina style of swordsmanship was revealed!
Even as his mind struggled to keep pace with the speed of his deaths, after repeatedly falling to the pickaxe, Chun Hei finally understood the abilities of the peak Sword Saint in his second phase—
Master of All Weapons!
True Weapon Master!
When he first faced the Tengu, the understanding of Ashina swordplay he displayed had given Chun Hei a sense of transcendence.
But he had never witnessed it firsthand, and its true power remained a question in his mind.
Now, seeing it, Chun Hei had an epiphany!
This was the true Sword Saint, a master of all weapons.
Be it swords, spears, sabers, axes, halberds, or even lightning techniques, the peak Isshin could certainly pull off some flashy moves.
Resurrected, Chun Hei looked up at the sky filled with flashing lightning. So this was the prelude.
Lightning...
Lightning...??!
Suddenly,
Chun Hei's eyes lit up. As the "Lightning Reversal Prince," Isshin daring to use lightning in battle was essentially offering him a free meal!
As long as he successfully executed a lightning reversal, this skill, almost guaranteed to hit the caster, would be his advantage.
Clang clang clang!!!
The Sword Saint's attack rhythm drastically increased after Chun Hei's resurrection. Various weapons, combat techniques, and formations poured down like a torrential storm, ceaselessly battering Chun Hei's fragile body.
*Puff!!*
[Death]
"Haha, hesitation leads to defeat, Sekiro!"
Falling once again to the eight-foot-long spear, Chun Hei stubbornly made his way back to the reeds.
The peak Sword Saint in his second phase exhibited an incredibly aggressive offensive, his weapons showing no mercy.
Whenever an opportunity arose to finish off his opponent, he did not hesitate!
Any minor misstep could lead to a swift defeat!
Despite this,
Chun Hei continued to fall, to rise, to fall, to rise.
An unyielding fighting spirit seemed to reside within him, and the word "surrender" was absent from his vocabulary.
Perhaps it was perseverance that paid off, or perhaps his elusive talent had kicked in.
Gradually, Chun Hei began to keep pace with Isshin's attack rhythm in the second phase.
The sounds of clashing steel, once chaotic, started to find a rhythm.
And then, slowly, Chun Hei discovered faint opportunities for counter-attacks amidst the defensive gaps.
*Clang clang!!*
Effortlessly parrying the fiery sword Isshin slammed down, Chun Hei seized the moment during Isshin's weapon switch to launch a counter-attack.
Now!!!
*Swoosh—!!*
His body blurring like a streak of light, Chun Hei instantly flashed to Isshin's side. Planting his feet firmly, the Immortality Sever, imbued with his boundless fighting spirit, descended.
*Scrape—*
*Click click click!!*
What was that sound??
A sudden sound, like a bullet being chambered, made Chun Hei pause slightly.
As his gaze locked onto the Sword Saint, Isshin executed a subtle backstep, easily creating distance, and then...
To the utter astonishment of everyone watching the stream, he produced a gun!
Yes!
Chun Hei was certain he hadn't misread it!
It was a standard, ancient, all-black firearm!
In that instant,
Chun Hei's mind went blank, a thousand unanswered questions swirling in his head.
*Bang bang bang bang—!!!*
The firearm spat fiery red snakes, and to Chun Hei's utter disbelief, sent him back to his great-grandmother.
[Noob]
??????
!!!!!!!
...