Boom!
Outside Inazuma's coast, Ling Feng, clad in his star-patterned armor, maneuvered through the thunderstorm.
Uncertain of the storm's true power, Ling Feng donned the star-patterned armor as a precaution.
Boom!
Several bolts of purple lightning descended upon Ling Feng.
The star-patterned armor pulsed with light, effortlessly repelling them.
"It seems the storm's power here doesn't exceed the early Golden Core stage, likely within this range."
Ling Feng felt no damage, indicating the power was within the armor's dissipation capabilities.
However, a Golden Core-level storm was enough to deter many.
"Then, today, I'll try to break through the third level of the Lightning Body Refinement Art, 'Drawing Lightning into the Body'."
The first two levels focused on tempering and forging the body with lightning, while the third level would allow him to initially harness lightning power, granting immunity to low-intensity lightning attacks.
Ling Feng concealed his star-patterned armor and hovered in the air, enduring the lightning strikes with his bare body.
He also prepared healing pills, ready to consume them if he couldn't withstand it.
Time flowed slowly. In the blink of an eye, an hour had passed.
"Lightning Body Refinement Art achieved minor completion!"
Ling Feng, radiating confidence, floated within the thunderstorm, blue lightning flowing across his body.
In the cultivation world, lightning was classified into several types.
Purple lightning was incredibly violent and destructive, primarily for combat.
Red lightning was heretical and demonic, a variation of purple lightning with unique abilities.
Black lightning was death and annihilation, extremely destructive.
Golden lightning was righteous, possessing purification and destructive capabilities.
Blue lightning was the foundation of all, while white was merely the lowest tier.
Of course, there were other colored lightning, each with its own attributes and abilities.
He was currently dealing with blue lightning, which, if unchanged, would gradually evolve into purple lightning.
This purple lightning was different from Teyvat's Electro element, as Teyvat's Electro originated from this very purple lightning.
"It's time to leave. If I stay too long, the Electro Archon might notice, and that would be troublesome."
His objective achieved, Ling Feng lingered no longer. He transformed into a bolt of lightning and sped away into the distance.
Ling Feng returned to the Kamisato Estate by noon.
Kamisato Ayaka was practicing her swordsmanship in the courtyard, while Ling Feng stood by, watching quietly.
It wasn't until Ayaka finished a set of movements that she noticed Ling Feng leaning against the wall.
"Ling Feng, you're back. Did anything happen outside?"
Upon seeing Ling Feng's return, Ayaka felt an inexplicable happiness.
"Nothing much, just went for a walk. Are you practicing your sword?"
"Yes, I've been practicing the way of the sword since I was young."
"Practicing alone must be boring. Let me spar with you."
"Okay."
Subsequently, the two stood in the center of the courtyard, each holding a wooden sword.
In Inazuma, both swords and sabers were collectively referred to as swords.
"Ayaka, do you want to attack first, or should I?"
Ling Feng ran his hand over the sword, giving it a light swing to gauge its weight, then assumed a stance.
"Ling Feng, you go first."
Kamisato Ayaka also took her stance, replying with seriousness. She was a strong-willed woman.
"Then be careful."
Since Ayaka had said so, he should show her the respect she deserved.
Ling Feng's figure flickered, and with a single sword strike, he was in front of Ayaka's face in an instant.
Kamisato Ayaka was startled.
This speed... it's so fast!
Clang!
Fortunately, her reaction speed was not bad. She blocked in time and then forced Ling Feng back with a strike.
Ling Feng smiled slightly. That strike was just a probe; the real show was yet to come!
Clang, clang, clang!
The courtyard echoed with the sound of wooden swords colliding.
Ling Feng was not going all out. He suppressed his strength to guide Ayaka and simultaneously practice the Carefree Sword Art.
The two took breaks and sparred, and soon evening arrived.
Ling Feng and Kamisato Ayaka sat side-by-side on the veranda, like a couple, gazing at the rock garden and stream. Two broken wooden swords lay on either side.
"Phew... Ling Feng, you're so amazing."
"Not at all, I'm still far from being a true expert."
He truly didn't consider himself powerful.
He had only attained the Sword Heart, understanding the reason behind his sword.
He was still a considerable distance from the threshold of Sword Intent.
To be precise, it should be Blade and Sword Intent, as he possessed not only a Sword Heart but also a Blade Heart.
Hearing this, Kamisato Ayaka smiled gently, her hands supporting her on the floor.
"Anyway, I feel like you're already very strong, Ling Feng. Thank you for sparring with me all afternoon and guiding me."
"No need for formalities, we're friends."
"Ling Feng, what is your world like?"
"My world? If there's a chance, I'll take you to see it."
"I'd love that."
...
A few days later, Ling Feng stood by the roadside, observing the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed Statue being constructed in front of Tenshukaku.
By now, many God's Eyes had already been embedded into the statue.
These God's Eyes were all confiscated by the Shogunate forces in recent days, of various colors, representing almost all seven elements.
In a daze, Ling Feng suddenly saw a very familiar figure walking towards Tenshukaku.
Brown hair, crimson attire, a scarf fluttering in the wind.
And those unwavering eyes.
"It's you. Has the story reached this stage already?"
Ling Feng, with his arms crossed, quietly watched the person's back. He could sense the heaviness in each step.
His determination to continue, even knowing the potential for death, was admirable.
The cherry blossoms on the surrounding trees seemed to be performing a final farewell.
...
In Tenshukaku, Hatamoto Commander Naoe Hisamasa saw a person walking directly towards the entrance, and moreover, a Vision wielder, so he immediately stepped forward to block him.
"Halt! Tenshukaku is a restricted area. Unauthorized personnel are forbidden entry!"
The person glanced at him and said with a flat expression.
"I wish to issue a 'Challenging Duel' to Kujou Sara."
Naoe Hisamasa's expression changed upon hearing this. A 'Challenging Duel' – how long had it been since one had occurred?
"Please wait a moment, I will go and summon General Kujou."
Naoe Hisamasa didn't say anything further and immediately went to summon Kujou Sara.
The person looked at Tenshukaku, a hint of suicidal intent in their eyes.
Soon, the news of someone issuing a Challenging Duel spread through the streets and alleys.
On the street, a white-haired youth wearing a kasa that concealed his face felt a sharp pain in his chest upon hearing the news.
It was as if something momentous was about to happen.
A voice from the past suddenly echoed in his mind.
"Have you heard of the 'Immortal Blade'?"
"That blade might not be unreachable."
"There will always be creatures on this earth who dare to face the might of the thunder!"
The white-haired youth looked in the direction of Tenshukaku. A voice from the depths of his being told him.
If he didn't go, he would surely regret it for the rest of his life.
"Is that you? Have you prepared yourself..."
Without hesitation, the white-haired youth sprinted towards Tenshukaku.
...
An incense stick later, Kujou Sara arrived at the Tenshukaku gate. Seeing the youth waiting there, she approached and asked.
"Is it you who issued me a 'Challenging Duel'?"
"That is correct."
The person turned around, looking at Kujou Sara, their voice solemn and without a trace of hesitation.
"In that case, follow me."
Kujou Sara's voice was devoid of emotion, extremely stern.
The person cast one last look at Inazuma City before resolutely following Kujou Sara.
The two walked towards Tenshukaku, one after the other. The duel was not to take place at the gate, but in front of Tenshukaku.
Upon arriving at Tenshukaku, Kujou Sara asked the youth to wait while she informed the general of the matter.
Not long after, the great doors of Tenshukaku slowly opened, and two figures appeared before the youth.
One of them was, of course, Kujou Sara.
Behind her stood a woman in a purple kimono, her gaze indifferent as she looked at him.
She was the supreme ruler of Inazuma – the Electro Archon.
"Begin."
The Electro Archon spoke with cold detachment.
Then, the youth and Kujou Sara stood on the vast open ground before the gate, facing each other with a long blade and a longbow.
Crackle, crackle!
Instantly, lightning flashed and thunder rumbled before Tenshukaku!
Ling Feng stood high in the sky in the distance, his form concealed, watching the fierce battle unfolding before Tenshukaku.
Despite both wielding God's Eyes, the youth maintained the upper hand, while Kujou Sara was slightly at a disadvantage.
Suddenly, the situation reversed.
"Cheng!"
Kujou Sara seized an opening in the youth's defense and loosed an arrow imbued with violent Electro energy.
Although the youth reacted swiftly, his skin was still grazed by the arrow.
In a battle of experts, every move was deadly.
With this strike, the youth began to fall behind, being suppressed by Kujou Sara.
The two exchanged blows faster and faster, with Electro energy being used furiously. The battle entered its climax.
Before Tenshukaku, Kujou Sara again spotted an opening in the youth's defense.
"Lightning Flash!"
Kujou Sara moved as if teleporting, dodging the youth's thunderous strike. An arrow filled with lightning power shot through the air.
Clang!
The arrow was deflected by the youth.
"It's over! Thousand Bolts of Lightning!"
Instantly, Kujou Sara's God's Eye shone with a radiance like ten thousand suns.
Rumble!
Kujou Sara waved her hand, and terrifying thunder descended from the heavens, instantly striking the youth.
Crackle, crackle!
After the furious thunder struck, over a dozen more lightning bolts followed in rapid succession, striking continuously within a three-meter radius.
The youth was sent flying by several lightning strikes, almost tumbling down the steps before the Tenshukaku gate.
"Hoo..."
Fortunately, his long blade pierced the wooden planks just in time. He crouched on the ground, covered in wounds, breathing heavily.
Purple lightning continued to flicker on his body.
Kujou Sara lowered her bow; the duel was over, the victor decided.
Stomp... stomp... stomp...
At some point, the Electro Archon produced a long katana, crackling with terrifying Electro energy.
The youth spat out a mouthful of blood, looking at the Electro Archon approaching step by step.
There was no fear in his eyes, only that resolute gaze, and a slight smile played on his lips.
This was precisely why he had come!
"Raiden!"
"Ah!"
Facing the descending blade, the youth roared. The God's Eye at his waist immediately shone, the symbol of Electro spinning wildly.
"There will always be creatures on this earth!
Who dare to face the might of the thunder!"
Bang!
With a thunderous roar, a torrent of violent Electro power poured out.
Blood trickled from the youth's lips, his legs trembled, yet he did not fall. He held his blade aloft, resisting with all his might.
"Ah!!!"
Crack!
Suddenly, the long blade shattered!
Seeing this, the youth closed his eyes, his smile still on his lips.
"No!"
Kazuha, who had arrived late, let out a heart-wrenching cry upon witnessing this scene.
"Ignite!!!"
A brilliant crimson light descended from the heavens!