The Star Train's Journey Through the Heavens

Chapter 180 Sword Debate on March 7th

"Without embarking on the path of destiny, the upper limit of internal strength is only about the same as the upper limit of domineering aura."

"Domineering aura is somewhat similar to a special variant of external martial arts that develops from the outside in. The higher one's physical talent, the faster one can cultivate it. And since people in this world generally have strong physiques, cultivating domineering aura is much easier than cultivating internal martial arts."

"Internal cultivation is merely another direction for those with weaker constitutions and whose domineering aura is destined to be unable to reach its limit. It shouldn't have any significant impact," Meng Huaifeng said after a moment's thought.

"That's good, I don't want to be lectured by Sister Himeko." March 7th stuck out her tongue.

"Sister March, Brother Huaifeng, I won't teach this to anyone else," Guina said gratefully to the two of them.

"It doesn't matter, just don't spread it on a large scale. Internal energy is more malleable and easier to control and change, but it may be slightly inferior to domineering energy in terms of pure destructive power and defensive power. Don't always compare your weaknesses with others' strengths, try to discover your own strengths," Meng Huaifeng advised.

"Yes, I understand, thank you." Kuina seemed thoughtful. To have reached this level of swordsmanship at such a young age, Kuina's talent was not lacking.

However, in order to motivate her, Koushirou always criticized her weaknesses, which made her work hard to make up for them, but she neglected her strengths.

Without internal strength, Koushirou's actions weren't actually wrong.

After all, domineering aura is the strongest power in this world, and the strength of domineering aura depends on physical constitution.

With internal energy, Kuina can at least no longer be limited by her physical constitution if she wants to become the strongest.

Whether it can become the strongest remains to be seen.

Just like the textbook is there, but not everyone can get a perfect score.

Neither Meng Huaifeng nor San Yueqi had actually practiced internal energy cultivation.

Meng Huaifeng, having previously admired internal energy cultivation, researched it online after returning to the Beng Tie world and found several cultivation methods for internal energy in the train's knowledge base.

It was probably recorded casually by an anonymous traveler while exploring a certain world.

After some research, Meng Huaifeng demystified internal energy, finding it utterly incomparable to that of the Fate Walker.

He's already a pioneer on his own path, why would he need to learn internal skills instead?

Meng Huaifeng was interested, so on March 7th he also joined in the fun and picked up a book to read, and then just left it to gather dust among the train tickets.

Under the guidance of Meng Huaifeng and Yun of March 7th, Gu Yina began her first internal energy cultivation.

Two people dare to teach, and one person dares to learn.

Meng Huaifeng can observe Guina's information at any time, and he also has the Cloud Chanting Technique as a backup.

Before long, Kuina successfully cultivated her first strand of internal energy.

Compared to Armament Haki, which can be applied to parts of the body immediately after being mastered and provides considerable defense.

A wisp of internal energy is truly pitifully weak.

But internal energy has far more uses than domineering aura; it enhances the five senses, increases speed, and strengthens the body...

Having already learned how, Kuina curiously sensed the warm current within her body and continuously controlled its flow.

When the device was moved to the ears, hearing improved slightly; when the device was moved to the eyes, vision became much farther.

Then, in no time at all, she used up all that little bit of internal energy.

Having already learned how to cultivate, Kuina did not continue cultivating. After all, she couldn't just let the benefactor who taught her such amazing power wait idly.
Guina recounted her experiences to the two of them.

His own dream, his father's neglect and disapproval, Zoro's rapidly increasing strength and relentless pressure, and his gradually developing body.

An invisible pressure made the girl feel suffocated.

Meng Huaifeng and Sanyueqi could both tell that even though the girl's will was firm, a trace of hesitation inevitably appeared in her heart.

There are no ordinary women who can become top-tier powerhouses on the high seas.

Can she really become the world's strongest?

What makes her the strongest?
Although March 7th comforted her that women can also be the strongest, this simple sentence could not dispel her doubts at all.

"Hmph, I'm not pretending anymore, I'm laying my cards on the table. In this world, I am the strongest swordsman!" March 7th said, hands on her hips.

March 7th wanted to give Kuina a pillar of support so that she could regain her confidence.

Kuina looked at March 7 with suspicion, for March 7's behavior and mannerisms showed no trace of a swordsman or a strongman.

He didn't even have a knife on him!
"Don't you believe me? Kuina, what do you think of your father's strength?" March 7th asked.

"I don't know either, it should be... really amazing, right?" Kuina asked uncertainly.

"Let's go, let your father judge whether I have the strength of the strongest swordsman." March Seven pulled Kuina towards the dojo.

"Oh, okay." A hint of anticipation flashed in Guina's eyes.

She doesn't actually need to prove she's the strongest; as long as she can defeat her father, she can regain her confidence.

He always says that girls are inherently inferior to boys!

After the train crew left, Koushirou returned to his room.

Upon opening the welcome gift from the train crew, one item was some exquisite, unfamiliar food that smelled delicious.

This is for my daughter.

The other item is... a sword manual?
Koushirou flipped through the pages with great interest.

The sword manual is not profound, but it is completely different from the swordsmanship popular in this world.

"It seems a bit too formalistic. How can the way of the sword be limited to just one move or one stance?"

Koushirou muttered to himself, mentally rehearsing each move.

"Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful." A glint suddenly flashed in Koushirou's eyes: "This is not the way of the sword, it is the intent of the sword. A complete set of sword techniques is a kind of intent of the sword, a majestic and profound intent of the sword. As long as you persevere in your practice, even if you are not very good at understanding, you can comprehend the intent of the sword!"

"Although it doesn't quite fit my own Isshin-ryu style, by analogy, I might be able to create a similar sword technique to help my disciples comprehend the core essence of Isshin-ryu."

Koushirou fell into deep thought, and time passed swiftly like water.

"Dad, I'm back."

Kuina's voice came from outside, waking Koushirou.

Koushirou stepped out of the inner room and found two other people besides his daughter.

"Miss March, Brother Huaifeng, you've come too. Thank you for your gifts; I've benefited greatly from them," Koushirou said in thanks.

March 7 blinked and looked at Meng Huaifeng. "What did you give me? I don't know."

"It's good that you've made a gain. Congratulations, Master." Meng Huaifeng didn't know exactly what the gift was, but he still offered his congratulations.

"I wonder why you've come back?" Koushirou asked.

On March 7th, I looked around and realized it was quite late; all the disciples at the temple had already gone home.

"I've come to learn swordsmanship from you, sir," March 7 said somewhat embarrassedly. Was this considered a challenge to the dojo?
"Oh, alright. I sensed earlier that Miss March was also a swordsman." Koushirou agreed. If she could give away such a sword manual, her swordsmanship must be different from the mainstream, quite unique, right?

Koushirou couldn't help but feel a surge of curiosity and fighting spirit.

The two stood facing each other in the center of the Taoist temple. On March 7th, she reached out, and the glass sword appeared in her hand.

Koushirou gripped the hilt of his sword and relaxed.

"..."

A fine layer of sweat suddenly appeared on Koushirou's forehead.

“Miss March, there’s no need to fight anymore. I concede defeat,” Koushirou suddenly said.

"Huh?" March 7th was stunned, and the fighting spirit that had just risen vanished without a trace.

"Dad, why did you admit defeat?" Guina asked, puzzled.

“Miss March, you, and the breath of your sword, tell me that you are very strong, extremely strong. Even if I were ten times stronger, I would not be a match for you,” Koushirou said with a wry smile.

"Breathing?" March 7 tilted his head slightly, then suddenly exclaimed urgently, "It's a sword, a sword, not a knife!"

“Is there any difference? Everything has its own breath, and this is the foundation of my Isshin-ryu style. If Miss San-ki is interested, I can teach you,” Koushirou explained.

"Of course there's a difference, a huge difference!" March 7th thought to himself.

"Is Sister March the strongest in the world?" Kuina asked impatiently.

“…Yes.” Koushirou nodded in agreement without much hesitation.

In his perception, even the world's most vicious criminal didn't feel as good as March 7th.

Kuina was thrilled. It turned out that girls really could become the strongest!

March 7th obviously cannot be counted among ordinary girls, or even among people in this world.

But the train crew will definitely connect the two worlds after they leave.

At that time, people in this world will also be able to embark on their destiny, and their innate physical attributes will no longer limit them.

So it can't really be considered lying to her.

"This feels a bit like starting strong but ending weakly," March 7th said, scratching his head.

“If Miss March is willing to suppress her strength and use an ordinary sword, I would be very willing to learn from her,” said Koushirou.

"No problem, I'll suppress my power." March 7th perked up again, put the glass sword back in the ticket, and took an ordinary weapon from the weapon rack next to him.

Holding the knife in his hand, March 7 frowned deeply: "Isn't there one like my sword?"

"No." Koushirou shook his head, suddenly thinking of the moves in that sword manual. Although there were many slashing moves, there were also many thrusting, slashing, shaking, and flicking moves.

Such a move is indeed easier to execute with a double-edged blade.

Before March 7th could even look at him for help, several codes flashed through Meng Huaifeng's mind, and the knife in March 7th's hand transformed into a sword.

Devil Fruit power? The thought flashed through Koushirou's mind.

March 7th smiled at Meng Huaifeng and returned to the dojo with a lively demeanor.

Knowing that March 7th was much stronger than himself, Koushirou didn't hold back and charged straight at March 7th.

On March 7th, he unleashed the swordsmanship taught by Kagami-ryu, a style both elegant and deadly, as he clashed with Koushirou.

Koushirou didn't have a fixed style of movement, but he had his own intentions as he moved. He squinted and closed his eyes even tighter, making it unclear whether he closed them completely or left a barely visible slit.

Amidst the flashing blades and glints of cold light, the two clashed purely in swordsmanship, without employing any fancy abilities.

Even though March Seven had suppressed his power to a level similar to that of Koushirou, he still suppressed him instantly.

They had to further reduce their strength to barely keep Koushirou afloat.

The swordsmanship of the Mirror School is actually the Cloud Riding Swordsmanship. However, as the Mirror School's strength and understanding of swordsmanship have increased, it has been continuously improved, making it more powerful and more suitable for its own style.

However, the foundation of his swordsmanship is still the Cloud Cavalry Swordsmanship.

Many of the iconic special sword techniques of the Immortal Ship are actually derived from the Cloud Rider Sword Technique, and even Su Chang practiced the Cloud Rider Sword Technique.

These sword techniques are more powerful, but they either rely on a certain weapon, a certain bloodline, or are influenced by the power of fate, and are not universal.

It has to be the Cloud Rider Sword Technique, which is powerful and suitable for anyone to learn.

"clang!"

The battle ended with Koushirou's sword being broken.

The sword of March 7th stopped at Koushirou's chest.

Koushirou wiped his forehead and said, "What exquisite swordsmanship! If it weren't for Miss San-yue's leniency, I would have lost long ago."

“Your sword is also quite good; it gives me a special feeling,” March 7th replied, sheathing his sword.

While March 7th possesses formidable strength, capable of killing countless Koushirous with a single sword strike, his understanding of swordsmanship may not necessarily surpass that of Koushirou.

The reason why Koushirou was suppressed by the same force was because of the exquisite swordsmanship of the Kagami-ryu school, not because of Mitsuki Shichi himself.

After all, if you really count it, she has only been learning swordsmanship for less than a year.

"Miss March, what do you think a sword is?" Koushirou asked.

“Master Jingliu once told me that a sword is a sword, a weapon that determines life and death, and is only used to kill,” March 7 replied.

"Such a bloodthirsty nature. But that's your teacher's opinion, not your own." Koushirou sighed. He had already realized that although Sangetsu-shichi was strong, he was still only learning other people's swordsmanship, with very little of his own understanding.

“Miss March, your swordsmanship is indeed exquisite, but your killing intent is extremely strong and chilling. Forgive my bluntness, but it is not suitable for you.”

“You don’t have that much bloodlust, nor that ruthless decisiveness. Otherwise, this sword technique would be several times more powerful!” Koushirou said.

"Ah? So that's how it is. No wonder I always felt that I was so much inferior to Master Jingliu and Brother Yanqing." Koushirou's words made San Yueqi realize something, like a wake-up call.

How could you not know your own personality? And think about Master Jingliu's personality and experiences; the two are completely opposite.

It's perfectly normal that she couldn't unleash the full power of the swordsmanship she created for herself.

No wonder my swordsmanship seemed to improve rapidly when I fought Karl, but it seems to have regressed afterwards. (March 7th scratches his head.)

Meng Huaifeng nodded in realization. No wonder Jingliu's murderous swordsmanship was far more controlled than lethal in Sanyue's hands. So that's where the problem lay.

"Then what should I do?" March 7th asked humbly.

"What do you hope your sword will be used for?" Koushirou asked without answering.

“Hmm…” March 7 thought about it seriously for a moment and said, “Protecting our partners is not the point. Whether we kill people or not is irrelevant. But I hope to be able to help everyone in critical moments.”

"Haha, your personality is quite suitable for my Isshin-ryu swordsmanship, but your swordsmanship is exquisite, far surpassing Isshin-ryu, so I won't embarrass myself by showing off."

"However, I can teach you the principles of Isshin-ryu swordsmanship, and then you can use these principles to gradually adjust this swordsmanship to suit yourself."

“There’s always an end to learning swordsmanship; everyone eventually has to forge their own path. You can try to take that step, young lady,” Koushirou said with a smile.

(End of this chapter)