A person in Japan, a sword that soars to immortality.

Chapter 161 Lotus, how about we make a bet?

Within Taiyi's body, in the space of the Yuzhen Pass acupoint.

While he was meditating in the dark void, his ears suddenly twitched.

Sensing the change, Taiyi did not open his eyes, but instead slowly raised the corners of his mouth into a smile, feeling at peace.

What are you doing now!

Lian, who was watching him closely, naturally noticed his subtle movements and immediately stood up, asking him anxiously.

Why should I tell you?

With his eyes narrowed, Taiyi caught a glimpse of the other person's agitated expression, and inwardly snorted before continuing his meditation.

Though he didn't say it aloud, he knew exactly what was going on.

Could it be that I've encountered true energy from the same source as mine this time?

Although he had been in this enclosed space for more than 20 years, Taiyi did not go crazy or despair.

Despite Lian's sarcasm and relentless attacks, he remained steadfast in his Daoist convictions, never wavering in the slightest.

Years are immeasurable in the void, but from the moment he entered, Taiyi kept track of time.

During this time, Lian said many things that shook his confidence, such as that if the soul is not refined into a Yang spirit, it will also disintegrate.

It is said that once the physical body is in dire straits and stops absorbing spiritual energy from the outside world, the acupoints and spaces within the body will collapse into singularities, and everything inside will be destroyed.

However, Taiyi completely ignored Lian's words, treating them as nonsense.

A good mindset brings good luck. About a year later, the system notification sounded in his mind again.

[Soul Power +4]

The quantity was small, but it was enough for Taiyi to perceive the outside world in that instant.

Although it was only for a moment, he saw himself holding the blood-dripping greatsword, the Mortal Blade, and at his feet was a corpse that had been cut in two.

Although he didn't know what happened, after analyzing it, he roughly guessed that he was able to temporarily break through the spatial constraints and feel his own body because of the Mortal Blade in his hand—the Open Gate.

A knife that can be used to sacrifice souls has many effects that target the soul.

The souls of the beings killed by the open door are absorbed by the blade.

If the holder then wishes to open the gates of the underworld, the array within the blade will automatically activate, connecting with the underworld.

If the holder subconsciously wants to increase their soul power, then the absorbed soul power will be sent into the acupoint space of the Jade Pillow Pass by the sword.

"As expected of a magical artifact crafted by Sakura Dragon, it even has this function."

In this world, it's estimated that only Sakura Dragon can connect the power of the soul to the acupoint space, breaking through the physical body's blockage.

As more and more things happened, Taichi's attention to Sakura Dragon increased to a new level.

"So, Sakura Dragon was outmaneuvered by the White Serpent God? And was even wounded by the wolf?"

"I reckon these things only happen in games."

With hope, Taiichi became even more convinced that he could recover sooner.

In fact, without external communication, Taiyi estimates that in another 70 years, he will be able to reach the minimum requirement for his soul to break through the acupoint space, which means his soul power will reach 25.

He didn't die; his body simply sealed his soul to prevent it from collapsing.

The physical body in reality is still undergoing breathing exercises, and naturally, the power of one's soul is also increasing normally.

He didn't tell Lian any of these things. After all, in this closed acupoint space, watching Lian make faces at him every day was one of the few pleasures he had.

Say whatever you want, because whatever you say is wrong; you're just a clown.

He was meditating just now, and his ears twitched involuntarily. It wasn't because his soul was moving, but because when his physical body encountered the same kind of true energy, the resonance of the true energy temporarily reduced the degree of sealing on his soul.

This allowed him to once again experience the external environment and understand his recent situation.

"Hehe, this is getting more and more interesting. So it's already the era of Jia Mao."

The instant he sensed the outside world, he heard a name: Kondo Isami.

If I'm not mistaken, in this era, the only samurai who can use true qi is Kondo Isami of the Shinsengumi, who specializes in the Tennen Rishin-ryu swordsmanship.

As for why he possessed true qi, Taiyi didn't care at all.

Because he already knew the most crucial information: that the current era was the end of the Edo period.

"The most prominent feature of this period was chaos, utter chaos."

"And chaos equals slaughter."

"Hehe, you blind fool, come closer to me so I can absorb more soul power."

Taiyi slowly opened his eyes, and an invisible killing intent swept outwards, causing Lian's soul to tremble involuntarily.

Because of the decline in the shogunate's rule, coupled with the Black Ships incident, in which Commodore Perry of the United States Navy led four ironclad warships to force open the gates of Japan, the various domains of this era saw the weakness of the shogunate.

Once a tiger is found to be sick, old, or unable to fight, the other bloodthirsty beasts that have been eyeing its territory will seize the opportunity to attack.

"But my outfit looks a bit familiar, like that guy Douma's."

She pursed her lips, thinking that if some lazy bum were in her situation, they would probably be happily sealed away forever.

"Lian," Taiyi suddenly spoke up, addressing Lian, who looked on with surprise, "How about we make a bet?"

Ok?

With her brows furrowed, Lian stared intently at Taiyi, unable to understand why he had made a bet with her.

You wretched brat, what else do you have to bet with me on?

Given that you haven't yet condensed your primordial spirit, in a few hundred years, your soul will disintegrate on its own, and then this body will be mine.

What are you betting with me on? Who has bigger eyes?

Seeing that the person opposite him didn't speak but instead had eyes full of disdain, Taiyi shook his head and chuckled:

"What I'm betting with you is that within twenty years at most, I will be able to refine my divine soul to the level of a primordial spirit."

"impossible!"

Taiyi raised his hand, signaling the other party to calm down, and then continued:

"Don't be so quick to dismiss it. We're just sitting here anyway, so why not find something interesting to do?"

Huh~

A cold smile appeared on her lips. Lian crossed her arms in front of her chest, carefully examined Taiyi, and then said in a low voice:

"Okay, we can gamble. What happens if you win? And what happens if you lose?"

"Very good." Taiyi clapped his hands, a look of satisfaction on his face. Then, a confident glint appeared in his eyes, and he said firmly:

"I have won, and you will become my apprentice from now on."

"If I lose, I'll give you everything."

"So, do you dare to accept?"

what!

In an instant, due to her anger, Lian's soul suddenly trembled.

“A thousand years younger than me, yet you want to be my master.”

"Alright, alright, Taiichi, let me see how you'll beat me!"

Lian said through gritted teeth.