In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.
During those fifteen days, Xia Feng trained in Insect Breathing with Shinobu Kocho every morning.
With the foundation of Advanced Swordsmanship and Advanced Physique Enhancement, Xia Feng's learning speed astonished Shinobu.
Sometimes she could not help but think—
If she had possessed talent like Xia Feng's, perhaps her sister wouldn't have died…
During training, Xia Feng also helped Shinobu discover several areas where her sword techniques could be improved.
Although Insect Breathing was powerful, it was still a sword style Shinobu had personally developed for her physique.
Creating a sword style on her own proved Shinobu's extraordinary talent.
But it also meant that the style inevitably contained imperfections.
After listening to Xia Feng's suggestions, Shinobu was shocked.
She had never imagined that someone encountering Insect Breathing for the first time could possess an even deeper understanding of it than she did.
With Xia Feng's advice, she improved three techniques.
Her overall combat strength increased by at least twenty percent.
Shinobu couldn't help feeling emotional about it.
If she hadn't decided to teach Xia Feng her sword style in the first place, she would never have gained such unexpected rewards.
And so,
During dinner on the fifteenth day, Shinobu made a decision.
"Wait… you want to teach me Flower Breathing?"
Xia Feng looked surprised at the determined Shinobu in front of him.
Insect Breathing was her personal sword style.
Whether she taught it to someone or not was entirely her choice.
But Flower Breathing was different.
It was a true school of swordsmanship.
Derived from Water Breathing, it balanced offense and defense.
Xia Feng had already experienced its strength firsthand while sparring with Kanao Tsuyuri.
Yet Shinobu was willing to teach even this technique to him?
Shinobu nodded.
"Xia Feng, after spending these days together, I trust your character."
"Flower Breathing is my sister's legacy. Since she's no longer here, I'll make the decision in her place and pass it on to you."
Xia Feng thought about it briefly and didn't hesitate.
"I'll use it well."
Shinobu smiled softly.
"Mm."
At that moment, a notification rang in Xia Feng's ear.
[System Notification: Shinobu Kocho's favorability increased. Trust level reached. Reward: One Gold Card Draw.]
This time, Xia Feng wasn't surprised at all.
Given the relationship between him and Shinobu now, if her favorability still hadn't increased, he might have suspected that someone had replaced her.
Since he had the reward, he immediately used it.
[System Notification: Drawing… Drawing successful! Congratulations! You obtained the Golden Title — Master Blacksmith!]
[System Notification: Master Blacksmith — When equipped, grants master-level forging skills. The user can even craft weapons and equipment with special attributes.]
Oh?
Seeing the description, Xia Feng's eyes lit up.
Forging skills were exactly what he needed.
As a swordsman, a reliable weapon was essential.
Ordinary blades broke easily.
Even Giyu Tomioka, Tanjiro's senior disciple, had broken a sword in battle before.
At present, the strongest blade shown in the manga was probably the one Tanjiro discovered inside the swordsmith training doll.
But Xia Feng believed that was Tanjiro's destined opportunity.
He had no intention of stealing it.
Relying on knowledge of the story to steal someone else's opportunity simply wasn't Xia Feng's style.
Instead, he decided that before the Final Selection, he would find a way to forge a blade for himself.
He looked at Shinobu.
"Shinobu, do you know where I can find Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand?"
Shinobu blinked.
"Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand… the ore used to make Nichirin Blades?"
"I'm not entirely sure, but I know the Swordsmith Village has a lot of it."
"The Swordsmith Village…"
Xia Feng rubbed his chin.
It looked like he would need to find a chance to visit.
But if he remembered correctly, the Swordsmith Village was one of the Demon Slayer Corps' most heavily protected locations.
Without the proper identity or connections, it would be impossible to reach.
While Xia Feng was thinking, Shinobu smiled.
"Now that you mention it, you've already mastered a sword style. It's about time you obtained your own Nichirin Blade."
"Coincidentally, my sword also needs maintenance."
"How about we find time in the next few days and go to the Swordsmith Village together?"
Xia Feng looked surprised.
"I'm allowed to go too?"
Shinobu smiled.
"Of course. Xia Feng, you're a member of the Butterfly Estate now."
Xia Feng suddenly understood.
If Shinobu hadn't reminded him, he might have forgotten he had such a convenient identity now.
Soon, the two of them walked into the courtyard.
Kanao was practicing swordsmanship there.
When she saw Xia Feng and Shinobu come out together, she stopped and looked over.
"Lady Shinobu, Xia Feng, did something happen?"
Shinobu puffed her cheeks slightly.
"Kanao, you can just call me Sister. Don't keep calling me 'Lady' all the time."
Kanao's face instantly turned red.
She lowered her head and hesitated for a moment.
Then softly said,
"Shinobu… Sister."
Shinobu immediately broke into a soft and delighted smile.
"Good girl, good girl."
Standing nearby, Xia Feng watched with great appreciation.
The atmosphere was bright and beautiful…
Unfortunately, he suddenly felt like a third wheel.
His good mood dropped slightly.
Shinobu turned and looked at him again.
"Kanao, I've decided to teach Flower Breathing to Xia Feng."
She informed Kanao very seriously.
Although Flower Breathing was her sister's legacy, the one currently practicing it was Kanao.
So Shinobu believed Kanao's opinion was very important.
If Kanao couldn't accept it, she would find another breathing style for Xia Feng.
But when Kanao heard her words,
Her eyes lit up with excitement.
"Really?"
She looked at Xia Feng.
"Xia Feng will practice Flower Breathing with me?"
When Shinobu instinctively nodded—
Kanao seemed to glow with happiness.
She lifted her face toward Xia Feng and smiled brightly.
"Xia Feng and I… have another bond now."
Seeing her reaction, Shinobu and Xia Feng exchanged glances.
Both of them smiled.
After inheriting Flower Breathing, Xia Feng's training finally entered the proper path.
For a swordsman with a traditional style like him, Insect Breathing felt somewhat unconventional.
Flower Breathing suited him far better.
With the foundation of Insect Breathing, Xia Feng learned Flower Breathing extremely quickly.
Within just a few days, he had already mastered the beginner techniques of the style.
Once this was confirmed—
Shinobu selected a day when she had no missions and announced that they would depart for the Swordsmith Village.