Chapter 223: Blooming Radiance

Words : 1139 Updated : Oct 13th, 2025

Chapter 223: Blooming Radiance "Your own thirteenth form...?" Yoriichi muttered as he watched the change in Riezel's expression. In fact, just like Riezel had said, he had always thought that the thirteenth form he created couldn't really be considered a new sword form. It was merely a cycle formed by the twelve forms of Sun Breathing, which anyone who could use the first twelve forms could accomplish. Given this, how could it be considered a new sword form? For this reason, even though he created this so-called thirteenth form during his encounter with Muzan, he never named it. In his eyes, it was just an application of the twelve forms of Sun Breathing. He had indeed considered creating a truly new sword form, but the idea was fleeting. It couldn't be helped. After all, he had just finished his once-in-a-lifetime battle with Muzan, which ended with Muzan's escape, leaving him with a lifetime of regrets. Moreover, to make matters worse, not only had his own brother fallen and become a demon, but he had also killed the Master they had served, resulting in his banishment from the Demon Slayer Corps and leaving him completely isolated. From that moment on, he lived aimlessly like a wandering ronin, his life resembling that of a walking corpse. In that kind of situation, how could he have the mind and leisure to create a new sword form? However, the young man before him seemed to have achieved something that he never could in his lifetime. *Click* Under Yoriichi's gaze, Riezel slowly sheathed his sword, placing Hermit back in its scabbard. However, not only did the blazing flames swirling around his body not extinguish, but they also became even fiercer and more intense, wrapping around Hermit at his waist. Soon enough, as if compressed into the scabbard, all the flames around him were absorbed into it. Riezel lowered his body, one foot forward and the other back, assuming a charging stance. He gripped the scabbard in one hand and the sword hilt in the other. Seeing this posture, Yoriichi immediately realized. "Iai?" Iai, or Iaijutsu, was the art of drawing a Japanese sword, a technique that increased the power and speed of a slash by utilizing the friction of drawing the sword to achieve a kill in one strike. In fact, the first form of Thunder Breathing, known as the fastest and most explosive of the five fundamental breathing styles, 'Thunderclap and Flash', was also an Iai technique. At this moment, Yoriichi wondered if Riezel's true thirteenth form could also be an Iai technique. 'I see, so that's why he said one final strike...' Yoriichi thought to himself. Iai naturally involved only one strike since it aimed for an instant kill—one strike to defeat the opponent and one strike to win. Once the sword was drawn, there was only one slash. If it failed, there were no follow-up moves. In other words— 'As long as I can block this strike, I win.' Yoriichi immediately lowered his body and gripped his sword with both hands. At the same time, the transparent sheen in his eyes grew more intense. At this moment, Yoriichi pushed the Transparent World to its limits. 'See through it!' Yoriichi's mind was consumed by this single thought, but soon enough, he felt a sudden shiver run through his body. He realized that Riezel's breathing intensity had suddenly risen several levels. He could feel that the air absorbed into Riezel's lungs transformed into strength, flowing into his limbs, organs, and every cell, causing the power within his body to surge several times! *Whoosh!* Suddenly, as a surge of flames erupted from Riezel's body, they flowed toward the sword at his waist, pouring into the scabbard, and making it emit a sharp whine. Before long, the intense heat and pressure instantly exploded from Riezel's body, sweeping in all directions like a hurricane. "Sun Breathing - Thirteenth Form..." Such a swift slash was surprisingly beyond the comprehension of Yoriichi, who had mastered the Transparent World since childhood. No choice. Such a mighty slash could even cut through not just ordinary iron but even first-class special equipment from the world of Danmachi. Riezel's ultimate strike, combining extreme speed and power, left no room for evasion, reaction, defense, or resistance—an ultimate final strike. It was Riezel's thirteenth form of Sun Breathing—named 'Blooming Radiance'. "Perfect." Yoriichi praised without hesitation, then felt it wasn't enough so he added again. "And flawless..." Clearly, to receive such praise from the founder of the breathing style himself showed how astonishing the thirteenth form of Riezel's Sun Breathing was. Yoriichi displayed an unprecedentedly satisfied expression. "Seeing Sun Breathing bloom with such potential and brilliance at the end of my life, I have no regrets..." "Blooming Radiance is indeed a very fitting name." "You will surely use it well." Yoriichi's tone brightened, losing its previous calm but remaining optimistic. "..." Riezel fell silent for a moment, then mustered the last of his strength to turn around and bow to Yoriichi in gratitude. "Thank you very much for fulfilling my unreasonable request till the end." Without Yoriichi, he wouldn't have learned Sun Breathing. Without learning Sun Breathing, he wouldn't have been able to evolve it and attain staggering power that spanned a level, as well as the capability to continuously strengthen himself permanently with the help of 'Total Concentration - Constant', gaining more possibilities for growth. As such, Riezel's bow was expected and understandable, as it was a gesture of gratitude for Yoriichi's help. "No need." Yoriichi calmly shook his head. "You took on the responsibility I had unilaterally assigned, making up for my regrets in life. It should be me thanking you, right?" As soon as he finished speaking, his body began to fade into a ghostly shape. "Now, I can finally go find my wife..." Before long, the wounds on Yoriichi's body gradually vanished, shimmering like a mirage, swaying along with the surrounding scenery. Seeing this, Riezel smiled faintly. "Don't worry, you and your wife will have a bright future." "You'll both reincarnate into a peaceful era and meet again, tying the knot once more." "When that time comes, you'll surely live a safe and happy life." "I guarantee it." Riezel's words were not without reason. After all, this was what happened at the end of the original work. "Is that so...?" Yoriichi seemed lost in thought, his expression softening into a genuine smile of happiness as he imagined such a future. "If it really is that way, then that would be wonderful..." With these words, Yoriichi finally vanished with a smile on his face. He vanished along with the dream, slowly disappearing from Riezel's view.

Chapter 223: Blooming Radiance

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