Traveling Through Multiple Realms: The Supporting Character's Counterattack

Chapter 64 Strange Man Blocks the Way

"When you reach this level, no matter how fast the enemy moves, in your mind's mirror, they are like the moon reflected in still water, their trajectory clearly discernible. No matter how strong the defense, in your eyes, it is woven from countless 'lines' and 'principles.' You only need to find the most crucial 'line' and touch it gently to completely disintegrate it. You may even touch upon more profound realms, such as severing the 'cause' of energy flow and severing the 'effect' of spatial constraints."

At this point, Atomic Samurai shook his head slightly: "Those later things are beyond my reach; they are merely deductions based on the principles of 'Water Mirror.' Perhaps, they are already sword techniques close to 'divine realm.'"

He looked at Iai, his gaze intense: "I am informing you of this realm today not so that you can master it immediately, but to point you in the right direction. Your unique insight may be the key to unlocking the 'Water Mirror.' Remember, there is no single path to the highest sword realm. My 'Water Mirror' is my path; you need to find your own 'mirror' and 'water.'"

"Now, close your eyes and relax your mind. I will guide you spiritually to experience what it means to have a 'still mind like water and a clear mirror'."

Iai closed his eyes as instructed, suppressing all distracting thoughts.

The next moment, he felt an incomparably pure, condensed, yet vast, thought, like a gentle stream or a sharp sword, slowly invading his senses.

There was no murderous intent, no oppression, only an extreme clarity.

Under the influence of this thought, Iai felt as if his thoughts had been plunged into a clear, calm, and undisturbed pool.

The sounds from the outside world, one's own breathing, and even the power flowing within one's body all transform into subtle ripples in the pool, clearly discernible yet unable to disturb the tranquility of the pool itself.

He "saw" the trajectory of dust particles falling in the air, "heard" the slight trembling of muscle fibers as his disciples practiced swordsmanship in the distance, and "felt" the faint resonance between the metal molecules in his hand as he cut through steel.

Everything slowed down, yet felt incredibly real.

A sense of enlightenment, of understanding and controlling everything, arises spontaneously, but this feeling itself is also contained by a state of mind as still as water, without the slightest arrogance.

This state lasted only a few breaths before the Atomic Samurai's will receded like the tide.

Iai suddenly opened his eyes, panting heavily, with fine beads of sweat on his forehead, but his eyes were filled with unprecedented shock and ecstasy.

Although it was only a fleeting experience, the magic of that "water mirror" realm has left an indelible mark on his heart.

"How does it feel?"

"Atomic Samurai asked, his face slightly pale, clearly indicating that the mental guidance he had just undergone had taken a toll on him."

"Incredible, Master, this is the 'Water Mirror'..."

Iai's voice trembled slightly, "Disciple, it seems I have seen a new door."

Atomic Samurai nodded with satisfaction: "It's good that you felt it. Remember this feeling and keep practicing it in your future training. There is no end to the pursuit of swordsmanship. Your future achievements may surpass my imagination."

He waved his hand: "That's enough for today. Go and reflect on it."

"Yes! Thank you very much, Master, for your guidance!"

Iai bowed deeply, his heart filled with gratitude and boundless anticipation for the future.

Leaving the inner room, Iaijutsu strolled along the corridor of the dojo, the night sky dotted with stars.

The Atomic Samurai's "Water Mirror" realm opened a door for him to a higher level.

"A calm mind, like still water, and a clear mirror, reflects reality and transcends definitions..."

Iai muttered to himself, a determined light shining in his eyes.

How should I hone my "mirror"? How will my "water" cease to flow?

……

The afternoon sun shone through the sparse clouds, casting a dappled golden glow on the woods on the outskirts of G City.

Iai changed out of his usual iconic samurai outfit, wearing a simple dark hooded sweatshirt and casual trousers, with a mask on his face, and went out alone.

More than a month has passed since the terrifying, ghost-level disaster in G City.

The city's ability to recover is astonishing. The neighborhoods that were once reduced to ruins have been completely transformed, showing no trace of the battle. Only occasionally, news replays remind people of the existence of that disaster.

Iai himself also underwent a complete transformation in the past month or so.

The completion of his soul, the fusion of his powers, the teacher's unreserved instruction... all of this allowed him to grow at an astonishing pace.

In particular, the "Water Mirror" realm taught by Atomic Samurai was like opening a door to the highest hall of swordsmanship before him.

These past few days, he has been almost completely absorbed in cultivation, relying on his extraordinary comprehension to repeatedly savor and simulate the profound state of "a mind as still as water and a will as clear as a mirror" that his teacher had guided him into.

The progress is significant.

In a state of deep meditation and complete focus, he could occasionally briefly touch the edge of that realm—everything around him seemed to slow down, the flow of air, the swaying of leaves, and even the crawling of insects in the soil were as clear as the lines on his palm.

It is a transcendent perception that goes beyond the five senses and directly points to the essence of things.

However, this state is extremely unstable, like trying to catch the moon's reflection in water; the moment you lose focus, it vanishes completely.

He was never able to actively and steadily enter the "Water Mirror" state, let alone use it in the fierce battles where life and death hung in the balance.

"Haste makes waste..."

Iai stopped, looked up at the azure sky through the intertwined branches, and gently exhaled.

He knew that the path of cultivation requires a balance of tension and relaxation; excessive tension would be counterproductive.

After more than a month of almost secluded intensive training, my mental tension has reached its limit. It's time to relax and allow my mind and body to settle and absorb new knowledge.

So he decided to put down his sword for the time being, and like an ordinary person, step out of the dojo and experience the long-lost atmosphere of the marketplace.

He first frequented the busiest commercial district in G City, watching the throngs of people, listening to street performers, and tasting the delicious food at roadside stalls.

The hustle and bustle of the city made him feel a kind of ordinary yet real vitality, as if pulling him back from the mysterious realm of pursuing ultimate power to the mundane world.

After exploring the city, he strolled over to this grove of trees on the outskirts of town.

In stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city, here you can only hear the rustling of leaves in the wind, the occasional clear bird song, and the soft sound of your footsteps crunching through fallen leaves.

This tranquility allowed his chaotic thoughts to gradually settle down.

He wandered aimlessly, feeling the breath of the grass and trees, enjoying this rare tranquility.

Although this world is full of eccentrics and dangers, nature itself still maintains its timeless rhythm and tranquility.

However, this peace did not last long.

When Iai reached a relatively open clearing in the woods, he paused slightly.

Even without using Observation Haki, his heightened senses, far exceeding those of ordinary people, brought about by the completion of his soul, allowed him to detect a subtle yet malevolent aura.

This aura, like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, had been silently following him for some distance, and became increasingly brazen as he moved away from the city and into the woods.

Iaido's expression remained calm, as if he hadn't noticed anything. He simply turned slowly to face the empty, tree-lined path behind him and spoke in a soft but clear voice:

"You've been following me for so long, come out now."

His voice echoed through the silent woods.

The words had barely left his mouth—

boom!

A chilling, viscous, and terrifying killing intent, almost tangible, erupted from the dense forest behind them like a burst dam, instantly engulfing the entire clearing.

The temperature seemed to drop several degrees, and even the sunlight seemed to dim.

Accompanied by a teeth-grinding, metallic-sounding "crackling" noise, a strange figure slowly emerged from behind a giant tree.

It was a strange, humanoid figure, wearing a long black apron, thin in build but exuding an extremely dangerous aura.

Its entire body, including its head and most of its face, was wrapped in white bandages that were stained and looked as if they had never been changed, revealing only a pair of bloodshot, scarlet eyes filled with madness and a bloodlust.

What is most striking is its arms—below the elbows, they are not human hands, but two long swords that gleam with a cold metallic light.

Monster Association - Demon-level monster "Cut King" makes his appearance!