Lu Li listened intently as Jigoro Kuwajima explained the theoretical mechanics of Thunder Breathing and demonstrated each of the distinct forms.
He had to admit, Jigoro was an absolute 'gold-medal instructor'. There was a very good reason he was able to train a powerhouse like Zenitsu. The old man explained the complex core principles of Thunder Breathing using simple, easily digestible analogies, and when he physically demonstrated the forms, he deliberately slowed down specific movements to ensure Lu Li could perfectly observe the kinetic essence of the strike.
Three hours later. Zenitsu was currently being repeatedly whacked with Jigoro's wooden cane, desperately trying to perfectly execute the First Form of Thunder Breathing. Meanwhile, Lu Li sat cross-legged on the grass nearby, his eyes closed, deeply meditating on the profound mechanics of the Breathing Style.
"Gramps! I really can't do this! If you send me to the Final Selection, I'm genuinely going to die! You don't want me to die, do you?!"
After practicing for a while, Zenitsu inevitably broke down crying again. He truly possessed absolutely zero self-confidence and was completely convinced a demon would eat him during the Selection.
"Zenitsu. You must believe in your own strength. I firmly believe you have refined the First Form to absolute, flawless perfection. Even if you only know one single technique, it doesn't matter," Jigoro said earnestly. The way he looked at Zenitsu was less like a strict master looking at a disciple, and more like a loving grandfather looking at his grandson. The deep bond between them was undeniable.
"But, Gramps..."
Zenitsu did view Jigoro as his true grandfather and respected him profoundly from the bottom of his heart. He genuinely didn't want to disappoint the old man. But he was also terrified of death, and he deeply internalized the belief that he was a pathetic weakling who only knew a single move.
Setting aside Senior Brother Lu for a moment, Zenitsu also had a second senior martial brother named Kaigaku. Kaigaku had successfully mastered every single form of Thunder Breathing except the First Form. Zenitsu deeply respected him.
In Zenitsu's mind, only a prodigy like Kaigaku possessed the necessary qualifications to inherit Gramps' legacy and become the next Roaring Hashira. Trash like him wasn't worthy.
Naturally, Zenitsu also held immense respect for Senior Brother Lu. Even though Lu Li hadn't managed to grasp Thunder Breathing despite years of effort, Zenitsu still viewed him as an incredibly strong figure.
To Zenitsu, Senior Brother Lu was like an immovable mountain—heavy, reliable, and exuding a massive sense of security. Because Lu Li possessed innate, terrifying physical strength, Zenitsu felt he was already a formidable fighter even without a Breathing Style.
Furthermore, Zenitsu knew Lu Li was incredibly hardworking. He had never once slacked off in his training; he just hadn't managed to find the internal 'click' to activate the breathing yet.
"Wait..."
Jigoro abruptly stopped lecturing Zenitsu. He turned his head and stared intensely at Lu Li. Just a moment ago, he had distinctly felt the faint, crackling signature of Thunder Breathing radiating from Lu Li's body. It was an unmistakable 'sign'.
"Let us conclude today's physical training here. Zenitsu, you may go down the mountain and relax. Adjust your mental state and prepare yourself for the Selection," Jigoro instructed. He wanted the training ground to be absolutely quiet so Lu Li could fully focus on his meditation. This time, it genuinely seemed like a breakthrough was imminent.
Hearing this, Zenitsu desperately wanted to throw a tantrum and refuse to attend the Selection, but seeing Senior Brother Lu in deep meditation, he swallowed his complaints and quietly slipped away down the mountain.
More time passed. Lu Li remained seated on the grassy hill. The surrounding peach blossoms bloomed vibrantly, their petals drifting gently in the wind. As a cool breeze brushed past his face, Lu Li took a deep, deliberate breath.
His chest cavity visibly expanded. A savage, feral grin slowly spread across his face, revealing his blindingly white teeth. To Jigoro's absolute, overwhelming joy, faint arcs of golden lightning began to crackle and spark across Lu Li's skin.
A massive volume of superheated, steam-like breath aggressively rushed out from between Lu Li's teeth, taking the shape of two white dragons that coiled around his body before shooting up into the sky.
BZZT—! CRACKLE—!
The violent, aggressive sound of surging electricity echoed loudly as thick arcs of golden lightning continuously jumped across Lu Li's body. He slowly stood up. He could physically feel his cardiovascular system synchronizing with this new, explosive breathing rhythm, causing his core strength to continuously surge.
Lu Li looked at Jigoro and grinned. "Teacher. I've mastered it."
Lu Li held deep respect for anyone willing to impart martial arts knowledge to him, but in his heart, he only recognized one true "Master." Therefore, he politely addressed Jigoro as "Teacher."
"Finally... Finally!"
Seeing the dense electrical aura wreathing Lu Li's body, Jigoro was overwhelmed with emotion. When Lu Li had suddenly requested to attend the Final Selection alongside Zenitsu a few days ago, Jigoro had been deeply worried. Now, all his fears had completely vanished.
After ten agonizing years of failing to grasp Thunder Breathing, even a man as patient as Jigoro would be lying if he said he hadn't felt a sliver of disappointment.
The only reason he had finally agreed to let Lu Li attend the Selection was partly because he hoped the two martial brothers could protect each other, and partly because he theorized Lu Li might actually require the life-or-death pressure of real combat to trigger a breakthrough.
He never imagined that just a few days before the Selection began, Lu Li would actually succeed. It was a miraculous, joyous surprise.
"I must also thank you, Teacher, for your years of patient guidance and cultivation," Lu Li said respectfully.
Piecing together the context clues from Zenitsu and Jigoro's dialogue, Lu Li had deduced his systemic background: he was an individual who had trained on this mountain for a decade without successfully learning a Breathing Style.
Only a man as profoundly kind, patient, and forgiving as Jigoro Kuwajima would tolerate a disciple failing for ten straight years without kicking them out.
It was a profound tragedy that Jigoro had poured so much love and patience into a certain ungrateful, treacherous snake—a snake that would ultimately cause this kind old man's death.
"As long as you've learned it, everything is fine. Now I can finally rest easy regarding the upcoming Selection," Jigoro said, his voice thick with pride. "You know how Zenitsu is. Even though I firmly believe his mastery of the First Form is exceptional, he completely lacks confidence. In the future, please look after your junior brother."
Jigoro actually had a third disciple named Kaigaku. Kaigaku had successfully passed the Final Selection last year and was currently an active Demon Slayer.
However, Jigoro knew Kaigaku possessed an incredibly arrogant, aloof, and abrasive personality. Asking him to look out for Lu Li and Zenitsu would be practically impossible, so Jigoro didn't even bother mentioning him.
"Don't worry, Teacher," Lu Li replied. He glanced up at the sky. The sun was beginning to set. "Has Zenitsu not returned yet?"
"That foolish boy. He's probably playing around down in the village and completely lost track of time," Jigoro grumbled, though his expression was entirely fond.
"I'll go down and check on him. I'll pick up some ingredients for dinner while I'm at it," Lu Li offered.
He was genuinely slightly worried about Zenitsu. If Zenitsu managed to accidentally die before the Final Selection even started, Lu Li's Main Mission would instantly fail.
Lu Li had already deduced the Terminus Space's penalty logic. Because the first phase of this Main Mission was objectively incredibly easy, the penalty for failure was absolute: Eradication.
Therefore, he had to keep a very close eye on Zenitsu over the next few days. If Zenitsu was casually assassinated by an Explorer from the Muzan Faction, Lu Li would die a horribly unjust death.
And the possibility of a Muzan Faction Explorer attempting to assassinate Zenitsu was entirely plausible.
The current Zenitsu was in his absolute weakest, pre-debut state. Considering the Difficulty ceiling of this Mission World, it wouldn't be surprising if a Tier 2 Explorer had been deployed here. For a Tier 2 Explorer, assassinating the current Zenitsu would be effortless.
Even a top-tier Tier 1 Explorer could likely pull it off. He had to remain vigilant.
"Mmm. That's a good idea. I'll head inside and start boiling the rice," Jigoro nodded, suspecting nothing. He simply assumed Lu Li was eager to share the joyous news of his breakthrough with his junior brother.
Meanwhile, at the base of the mountain.
The spring peach blossoms were in full bloom, filling the air with a sweet, fragrant scent. The gentle spring breeze elevated everyone's spirits.
Having just descended the mountain, the beautiful scenery temporarily allowed Zenitsu to forget the impending terror of the Final Selection. He happily skipped into the village, planning to buy some sweet pastries to share with Gramps and his senior brother.
As he approached the local market, he noticed a small group of teenage boys—all clearly Demon Slayer trainees from other Cultivators—gathered together, chatting and laughing. Curious, he walked closer to greet them, but his expression instantly darkened when he heard what they were discussing.
"Hahaha! Did you guys hear? That legendary ten-year 'Mt. Momo Squatter' is actually participating in the Selection this year!"
"I was shocked when I heard! That guy named Lu Li is way older than us, right? Rumor has it he's been stuck on that mountain for a full decade and still hasn't managed to learn a Breathing Style!"
"Is he really that much of a pathetic loser? It took me two years to learn my Breathing Style and I already feel weak. That guy has been leeching off his master for ten years without learning a damn thing? What a parasite!"
"Heh. If you ask me, Lord Jigoro finally ran out of patience and is just throwing the trash out. You can't just keep feeding a useless freeloader forever, right?"
"Hahaha! True. But you gotta admit, that loser is insanely lucky. Lord Jigoro is a former Hashira! Imagine receiving personal instruction from a Hashira and still failing to learn a Breathing Style. What an absolute waste. I wish I could have trained under Lord Jigoro."
"Seriously. What a piece of trash. Completely wasting Lord Jigoro's teachings..."
Before the buzz-cut teenager could finish his sentence, he was violently interrupted.
A yellow blur suddenly shot forward, and a fist slammed squarely into the boy's nose. Zenitsu stood there, his face twisted in absolute, burning fury.
"Don't you ever talk about Senior Brother Lu like that! Senior Brother Lu is NOT a loser!"
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