"The demonstration of martial prowess is complete."

Feng Bujue arrived at the martial arts tournament just as a battle on the arena concluded. The bronze lion statue beside the ring announced in a bestial tone…

"The victor, Yagyu Swordshadow. The loser, Sanada Yukimura."

This was a match ended by surrender. Sanada, unable to break through Yagyu's defenses after a prolonged assault, recognized his opponent's superior skill and chose to concede.

"Yagyu-senpai's cultivation is truly exceptional. Sanada is in admiration," Sanada said, stepping forward and bowing to Yagyu after the result was declared.

"Hmm…" Yagyu Swordshadow, with his eyes closed and hands behind his back, slowly turned away. "You are too kind, Sanada-kun." As he walked off the stage himself, he didn't forget to offer his opponent a face-saving remark.

But… to be honest, Yagyu was just being polite… Everyone strong in attendance could see that Sanada's strength was not on the same level as Yagyu's. Although Sanada was exceptionally valiant wielding his Flame Spear Susano-o, his realm was still stuck at the level of wielding weapons, using techniques with set forms. Compared to the "Sword Saint's" realm of techniques born from the heart, unburdened by form, where ten thousand swords return to the origin, he was far behind…

"Next match…" After the two had left the arena, the announcing statue continued, "By… Kurogane Jin, against… Tachibana Ukyo."

As the words fell, two figures each stepped out from the crowd…

The first to step onto the arena was clad in a light-colored kendo uniform, with a black cloak draped over it, a katana at his waist.

He was tall and stern-faced, with long, bleached blond hair that fell to the back of his neck. His every movement exuded the air of a conqueror, and even a single glance was enough to suffocate his opponent.

He was Kurogane Jin, like an unyielding vajra. In his universe, he was the strongest swordsman with the name "Thousand-Man Slayer", and even when afflicted with an incurable disease and nearing his end, he had never tasted defeat.

And the one who slowly walked onto the arena after him… wore a white kimono top and blue pleated hakama (similar to a long skirt, a style of Hanfu that was introduced to Japan during the Wei and Jin dynasties), also with a katana at his waist.

He was slender and handsome, with long blue hair draped over his shoulders. His expression appeared gentle, peaceful, yet exuded a sense of aloofness…

He was Tachibana Ukyo, like a rose sculpted from ice. In his universe, he was a sickly but genius swordsman, and even with tuberculosis ravaging his body and nearing his demise, he still walked alone with his sword, seeking the ultimate flower that grew in the depths of the Demon Realm for the sake of his one true love.

"Holy crap…" Watching the two walk onto the arena one after the other, Feng Bujue couldn't help but complain from below the stage, "They actually put these two old sickos together… this is going to be a good show."

Naturally, Jue-ge wasn't the only one interested in this "show." At that moment, Sword Lord Twelve Hates, Wind Trace, Yagyu Swordshadow, and all the other swordsmen present had already sensed the sword intent emanating from the two on stage.

It could be said that a silent, invisible battle… had already begun.

"Like Rain." At this moment, one who usually preferred to remain silent among the spectators… spoke, "What do you think of this battle?"

The one who asked the question was Wind Trace, his tone like a teacher examining a student.

"Victory or defeat within three moves, life or death within a breath," Like Rain replied to the question almost without thinking.

"Hmm…" Wind Trace muttered upon hearing this.

There was no change in the expression on his face, and he made no comment on Like Rain's words, but Like Rain could sense… that "Teacher Wind" was very satisfied with this answer.

Just as they were talking, the two on the arena had gradually approached each other, stopping at a very subtle distance.

"Mubao-ryu, Kurogane Jin," Kurogane Jin stood tall, looking at Tachibana Ukyo, who was slightly shorter than him.

"Shinmuso Itto-ryu, Tachibana Ukyo," Tachibana Ukyo calmly met his opponent's powerful gaze and replied indifferently.

After introducing themselves, the two fell silent once again.

"Not affected by my aura at all, calm as still water, a terrifying guy…" Kurogane Jin said to himself after a few seconds.

"Invulnerable from head to toe, like a sword demon… As a swordsman, I am fortunate to be able to fight someone like this in my lifetime," Tachibana Ukyo also gave his opponent a very high evaluation in his heart.

Clack—clack—

The two men's hands grasped their sword hilts almost simultaneously.

"I have died once before," Kurogane Jin broke the silence before attacking.

"I, too, have died once before," Tachibana Ukyo replied.

"I did not die by the sword."

"I also did not die by the sword."

"How tragic."

"How lamentable."

"In this alternate dimension, I have been given a second chance."

"This space-time has given me a second life."

"I will defeat Orochi, and with my sword… expand the Way of Musou once more, and rule the world."

"I will defeat Orochi, correct space-time, and return to the side of my beloved."

"Those who defy me… shall perish."

"Those who stand in my way… shall die."

That was all they had to say.

From that moment on, they were no longer "men," but the embodiment of the sword.

The sound of swords was their language; sword techniques were their wisdom; sword intent was their will.

Chi ying——

The sound of blades being drawn from their scabbards, overlapping, heralded the start of the battle.

Tachibana Ukyo was a master of iaido (a technique of instantly drawing the sword to kill the enemy), and the instant he drew his sword, his ultimate move was unleashed.

With a flicker of his body, the move *Yume Kasumi Ran* was instantly unleashed.

On the other side… Kurogane Jin remained still after drawing his sword. The "peerless" swordsman, facing the almost supernatural iaido technique before him, was visibly shaken!

*Datsuryoku*, *Kotengaeshi*, two styles in an instant, striking first after moving last.

Ping——

The clash of swords scattered dust and sand, the passing of shadows brought forth a mist of blood.

Victory or defeat, life or death, was decided within these three moves, this one breath…

A moment later, a gentle breeze swept through, and the killing intent dissipated.

Blood poured from the left lung of Tachibana Ukyo, for there, a hole had appeared.

Blood also sprayed from Kurogane Jin's chest, for there, a slash had appeared.

The two swordsmen fell at the same time.

"The demonstration of martial prowess is complete," the voice of the bronze lion statue rang out, "The losers, Kurogane Jin, Tachibana Ukyo."

In these past few days, there weren't many who had fought to a double KO or even mutual destruction on the arena, but there had been some…

Unfortunately… this martial arts tournament had no concept of a "draw". If both sides lost consciousness at the end, they would both be judged as losers.

"Next match…" This time, the statue didn't even wait for the two to leave the arena before announcing, "By… Crazy Dragon Laughs, against… Mad Detective Feng Bujue."