Shinjuro was initially reluctant to share his demon-slaying experiences, but under the influence of alcohol and Ryan's guidance, he quickly succumbed.
Not only did Ryan buy him drinks, but he also listened intently to Shinjuro boast about his glorious deeds. Who could resist that?
As Shinjuro recounted his years of slaying demons, he seemed to return to the past, to a time when his wife was still alive, and when he was full of youthful vigor.
With each story, Shinjuro's spirits lifted, and he gradually stopped rejecting Ryan, finding him more and more agreeable.
Thus, a week passed, and Shinjuro truly regarded Ryan as his disciple, even proactively offering to engage in combat training with him, though fine wine remained indispensable.
Paying a bit of money for wine to spar with a Flame Pillar? Was there really such a good deal?
Ryan immediately agreed, and he soon found himself immensely grateful for his decision. He had always held the belief that as long as he added enough points, slaying demons would be an easy task.
But it was only after formally sparring with the Flame Pillar that he realized how terribly wrong he was.
No matter which form of Flame Breathing he used, his opponent could counter and break through with the most basic swordsmanship techniques. That feeling was incredibly frustrating, as if all his hard-learned Flame Breathing was for naught.
After being utterly defeated over a dozen times, Ryan lay flat on the ground, deeply realizing the importance of combat experience.
Combining this with Shinjuro's demon-slaying experiences, he finally understood that slaying demons wasn't just about the mastery of techniques; footwork, anticipation, timing, rhythm control, and so on, were all crucial factors influencing victory or defeat. A weakness in any one of these could lead to death.
And these could not be mastered through adding points; they required real combat to be truly understood.
To compensate for his lack of practical experience, Ryan would bring wine every other day thereafter, and Shinjuro would first beat him up, then drink and boast about his heroic past. In this way, the two were perfectly willing.
As days passed, the relationship between master and disciple became increasingly harmonious.
However, Ryan constantly getting beaten wasn't ideal, especially since Shinjuro used a scabbard to hit him, which was quite infuriating.
Today, Ryan came here once again, determined to change the status quo and surprise his good master.
Entering the courtyard, he drew his katana, its metallic gleam dazzling in the sunlight.
Some time ago, he had informed Henry Yanguang, the master of Hegu, about his reconciled relationship with the Flame Pillar and his own progress in strength. Henry Yanguang was delighted to hear this and generously gifted him a treasured good blade.
And this time, he intended to let his opponent witness his astonishing progress.
The improvement in strength didn't refer to the wooden sword being replaced by a katana, but rather to Flame Breathing.
**Host:** Ryan
**World:** Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
**Age:** 15 years old
**Skill Point Progress:** 41.32%
**Abilities:** Basic Swordsmanship (Level 2), Flame Blade Swordsmanship (Level 2), Flame Breathing (Level 2)
Yesterday, Ryan used his two stored skill points to raise Flame Breathing to Level 2, reaching the stage of mastery.
After practicing privately, he could clearly feel that the burden the Breathing Technique placed on his body had decreased, and the six forms were executed more smoothly, with significantly increased power.
If he had to give a review, it would be five-star.
Speaking of which, he could have added points half a month ago, but there was a reason for the delay.
If he had immediately added points right after mastering Flame Breathing, achieving mastery within a day, Ryan's progress would have been too far beyond common sense, attracting unnecessary trouble.
After half a month of settling in and practical combat, such progress was now acceptable. While still a bit genius, there were even more talented individuals.
For example, Muichiro Tokito in the original work became the Mist Pillar in just two months after joining the Demon Slayer Corps.
What kind of probability is a Pillar? It's an honor achieved by reaching the pinnacle of strength. In Ryan's understanding, the Breathing Technique would need to be at least Level 4.
Thinking about it this way, reaching Level 2 in half a month really wasn't much.
"Boy, aren't you ready yet?" Shinjuro said impatiently, his words interrupting Ryan's thoughts.
"Sorry, sorry, let me just…"
Before he finished speaking, Ryan charged forward.
"First Form: Unknowing Fire!"
"Hmph, just playing some petty tricks. Your opening is still so stale…"
Before Shinjuro could finish his taunt, his eyes narrowed.
Ryan suddenly lunged forward again, unleashing even greater power.
"Fifth Form: Flame Tiger!"
In a blink of an eye, the tip of his opponent's blade, carrying a tiger-shaped flame, arrived at his chest.
So fast, so fierce! When did this kid train his Flame Breathing to this extent!
Ignoring his shock, Shinjuro quickly drew his nichirin blade.
"Clang!"
In the nick of time, Shinjuro blocked Ryan's swift attack with his blade.
In his haste, his body couldn't help but retreat a few steps.
"Big brother is amazing!" Kanao, standing nearby, couldn't help but exclaim. This was the first time Ryan had made Shinjuro retreat during their training, and also the first time he had made the Flame Pillar draw his nichirin blade.
Ryan's spirits lifted. A surprise attack, taking advantage of his opponent's underestimation, was indeed effective, but this level was far from enough; he couldn't give his opponent a chance to react.
"Second Form: Rising Scorching Sun!"
The fiery red blade struck again from below, and Shinjuro couldn't help but take another large step back, narrowly dodging it.
But at this moment, his nichirin blade was also parried by Ryan's upward slash, leaving an opening.
What a chance!
As the Second Form of Flame Breathing ended, the katana was perfectly raised above his head. Ryan immediately followed with a downward chop, cutting forward. He didn't use a Breathing Technique form again, as that would be half a beat too slow. At this moment, speed was more important than power.
And indeed, it was.
This downward chop was just the most basic swordsmanship, but precisely because it lacked any flashy moves, the attack was faster and more direct, instantly arriving before Shinjuro's eyes.
The wind from the blade swept across his face, seemingly carrying the sharpness of a keen edge, causing a stinging pain.
Shinjuro hadn't felt this unfamiliar pain in a long time, and precisely because of this, he completely sobered up from his slightly tipsy state.
What a good kid, to make me so disheveled!
After sobering up, he calmly gazed at the blade so close to him, and the dim light in his eyes, long absent, finally reignited.
The next moment, Shinjuro displayed the true strength of a Flame Pillar.
"Fourth Form: Blooming Flame Undulation!"
A massive fiery vortex appeared before Ryan. The attack that should have struck his opponent's chest was deflected, striking the nichirin blade. Then, propelled by his opponent's technique, he was uncontrollably thrown high into the air by the vortex.
Why is it like this again!
But this time, the Flame Pillar was serious. Ryan flew even higher than he had half a month ago.
"Big brother!"
Seeing her big brother Ryan fall from the sky, Kanao quickly came to the rescue, and so…
Ryan was once again carried in a princess carry by the little girl.