Time rewinded slightly. As Li Xing and Yagyu Jubei moved to the other side of the woods, Kyojuro and the others were no longer visible, and no one would disturb their duel.
"Li Xing, a strong one, draw your blade! Choosing this graveyard is quite fitting for you."
Li Xing drew his Nichirin blade, his grip tightening. Under the pressure, the blade slowly turned crimson. A Hekito! In Demon Slayer, a Hekito greatly enhances damage against demons, and being struck by one also severely hinders their regeneration.
"Yagyu Jubei, you are truly arrogant. You've chosen my grave before we've even fought. Did you ever consider that this might be your own tomb?"
Yagyu Jubei's expression remained blank. "Other than Lord Muzan and Lord Kokushibo, no one has ever been able to slay me, and that includes you. Even if you reach that transparent world, you cannot kill me. Instead, surviving my Meiya will be a difficult feat." httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"Enough talk, let us fight!"
Li Xing drew his sword and leaped, sun and moon illuminating the battlefield. This was what Muzan considered heavenly retribution, but this world would never see such a thing. Thus, Li Xing was the demons' retribution.
"Sun Moon Breathing, First Form, Circular Dance of the Dark Moon!"
Over these past three months, Li Xing had not only comprehended his own sword techniques but also integrated his breathing style. The power of his integrated breathing style was worlds apart from before. This Yagyu Jubei was a formidable demon, even stronger than Doma. The sheer oppressive aura emanating from him could terrify an ordinary person to death.
"A most excellent swordsmanship. I acknowledge your skill, but you will still die here!" Yagyu Jubei smiled faintly, drawing his katana, Meiya, and unleashing a powerful slash. A blade energy imbued with intense killing intent shot towards Li Xing.
"God-Slayer Saber Slash!"
The moment Li Xing's Nichirin blade met the energy, it shattered. A single strike managed to break the Nichirin blade and inflict a gash on Li Xing's face. Had Li Xing not dodged in time, his head would have been cleaved in two. Yagyu Jubei was the strongest demon Li Xing had ever encountered.
"Yagyu Jubei, you truly have no regard for blades. You managed to destroy my Hekito. Then, allow me to show you true swordsmanship!" With that, Li Xing materialized his Nebula, but unlike before, it now came with a scabbard.
"Oh? You survived. I underestimated you. Your Nichirin blade is gone, how will you fight me? What! You have another sword hidden! Not bad, not bad. Let's continue then!" Before Yagyu Jubei could finish speaking, Li Xing struck him across the face with Nebula. However, Yagyu Jubei showed no anger, maintaining his condescending and arrogant demeanor.
"God-Slayer Saber Slash! Eight Consecutive Strikes!"
Yagyu Jubei unleashed eight rapid slashes. To an observer, it appeared as a single, ordinary drawing-out of the blade. If one were to let their guard down, they could easily fall victim to this technique.
"Such swift swordsmanship!" Although Li Xing had anticipated Yagyu Jubei's technique, witnessing it firsthand still filled him with shock.
"Heavenly Origin Drawing!" Li Xing concentrated his power in his waist, assuming an Iaijutsu stance, and rapidly drew his sword, slashing forward. This technique, originally practiced with his Nichirin blade, was now named Heavenly Origin Drawing.
With Li Xing's strike, space and time seemed to halt. Simultaneously, eight blade energies were annihilated. A whooshing sound echoed in Yagyu Jubei's ears. Li Xing suddenly appeared behind him, Nebula still dripping a drop of blood.
"Li Xing, you are strong. I retract my earlier statement. You are one of the top powers in this world. Why not become a demon?" Yagyu Jubei's arm had been severed by Li Xing, but it regenerated instantly. A sense of admiration bloomed within him.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. No wonder you'd come with Akaza. You have similar interests. I'm sorry, but I still have attachments to this world. Becoming a demon would mean losing too much," Li Xing clearly expressed his stance.
Yagyu Jubei, however, perceived an emotion in his words. He grew angry. The strong were solitary; they needed no superfluous things.
"You are mistaken, Li Xing. As a strong individual, one must cast aside many things. Family, love, friendship; those so-called bonds will only be your stepping stones. Sever those things. Once you have severed those superfluous matters, you will discover you have been walking the wrong path. I eagerly await it. I hope our next battle will excite me even more."
After uttering these words, Yagyu Jubei vanished into the darkness, clearly deeming this moment unsuitable for further engagement with Li Xing. He believed Li Xing needed to sever his bonds and become stronger.
"It is precisely because I have those I must protect that I will become stronger than you!" Li Xing disagreed with Yagyu Jubei's words and declared loudly into the darkness, regardless of whether he could hear.
Time was running out. He needed to return and save Brother Rengoku. Li Xing could only let Yagyu Jubei depart.
...
Returning to the battlefield between Akaza and Kyojuro, Akaza had already completely disengaged from Kyojuro and was hastily fleeing into the woods as dawn was approaching.
Just then, Tanjiro saw Akaza attempting to escape. He grabbed his Nichirin blade and threw it at Akaza, striking him precisely in the back.
"Coward! Don't run! Don't you dare run away!" Tanjiro yelled into the forest.
Akaza glanced back, a question in his mind: "What is this brat saying? Is his brain empty? I am not afraid of you Demon Slayers. I only fear the sun. The outcome is already decided. Kyojuro will succumb to exhaustion and die soon."
Tanjiro remained persistent, shouting with all his might, "We Demon Slayers always fight demons in the advantageous darkness of the night! We are beings of flesh and blood. Our wounds do not heal quickly, and severed limbs do not regrow!"
"Don't run! You bastard! You coward! What right do you have to compare yourself to Mr. Rengoku? Mr. Rengoku did not lose to you! Mr. Rengoku prevented you from killing anyone. Mr. Rengoku protected everyone! This battle, Mr. Rengoku won. You lost!"
Seeing this scene, Li Xing's heart ached. Tears welled in his eyes. Was he too late? Was Brother Rengoku still going to die? Could he not change the narrative in this world?
"Xing, do not make a hasty judgment. Kyojuro Rengoku has not yet drawn his last breath. You can use your vital energy to activate his cells, preventing him from turning into a demon and also allowing him to survive."
Li Yun's words brought Li Xing to a realization. Of course. He was another Heavenly Dao in this world. Could he not save an ordinary person? He definitely could. He could save Brother Rengoku.
Li Xing rushed to Kyojuro's side, cut his own palm, and forced a drop of his blood into Kyojuro's mouth.
Kyojuro, confused, asked, "Li Xing, what are you doing? There's no need to inflict unnecessary wounds upon yourself."
"I am saving you. You cannot die now. Muzan is still alive. You cannot die. Drink my blood!"
Although Kyojuro didn't fully understand Li Xing's words, he drank Li Xing's blood. Suddenly, he felt a surge of strength, as if his vitality had greatly increased.