Chapter 56: The Special Training of the Stone Breathing

The temple where Gyomei Himejima practiced was a long way from the Butterfly Mansion.

Chuyang had assumed the two of them would take a train, but to his surprise, Gyomei intended to walk all the way back!

"Your physique is extraordinary, which demands a harsher tempering!"

This was the reason Gyomei gave Chuyang.

Yet Chuyang suspected the man simply wanted to save a bit of money on train fare.

"An ascetic monk, huh..." The mere thought of this anti-human concept made Chuyang's scalp tingle slightly, and Gyomei was undoubtedly the epitome of that lifestyle.

Among the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Muichiro Tokito possessed the greatest swordsmanship talent, while Gyomei Himejima possessed the greatest physical talent.

Gyomei had originally been an ordinary monk practicing in a temple, having never received any initiation into a Breathing Style.

Yet he was able to battle demons into the dawn as a mere mortal and even inflict fatal injuries upon them. This level of physical talent was practically unprecedented throughout the entire Demon Slayer world, which was precisely why Gyomei had struggled for so long to find a suitable successor.

The sword techniques he had forged based on his own unique conditions were simply impossible for ordinary people to cultivate.

After walking for a full day and night, Gyomei led Chuyang deep into a remote mountain forest.

As they reached the halfway point of the mountain, Chuyang finally spotted a solitary temple standing there.

Desolate and dilapidated.

Living in a place like this, running into a demon would be far more difficult than avoiding one.

Upon stepping inside, however, Chuyang discovered that the interior was not nearly as bad as he had imagined.

The temple was not large, but it was clean and tidy; even the fallen leaves in the courtyard had been neatly swept and piled to one side.

It was evident that Gyomei was quite diligent in his daily life.

Gyomei lit all the lamps in the temple.

Being blind, it mattered little to him whether the lamps were lit or not; he did this entirely out of consideration for Chuyang.

Once the lamps were lit, the small temple even felt somewhat cozy.

"Tomorrow, you will officially begin your swordsmanship training. Let me give you a warning beforehand: the stronger your physical talent, the more severe the shackles you will encounter during the cultivation of a Breathing Style."

Gyomei said slowly in the bright lamplight: "Breathing Styles, also known as Total Concentration Breathing, are special techniques created by humans to combat demons. They are used to strengthen the cardiopulmonary function, allowing the blood to contain a large amount of oxygen in a short period of time to enhance physical performance."

Chuyang nodded, indicating that he understood.

In truth, owing to the limitations of his own understanding, Gyomei had omitted another aspect.

Breathing Styles also had a certain stimulating effect on adrenaline.

Otherwise, relying solely on increasing the oxygen content in the blood would make it difficult to elevate human athletic capability to the level of demons.

Gyomei continued: "Breathing is an instinct of human survival and also a necessary condition, but not everyone knows how to breathe correctly. Next, I will teach you the proper breathing method."

Chuyang listened with rapt attention as Gyomei expounded upon the cultivation method of the Breathing Style.

Having shared talents with his "selves" from other worlds, with Chuyang's current memory and comprehension abilities, he only needed Gyomei to explain it once for the contents to be deeply etched into his mind.

Gyomei was about to continue with a detailed explanation when he suddenly noticed that Chuyang's chest was already rising and falling rhythmically like a bellows.

A faint stream of white air circulated in and out of Chuyang's nose and mouth—this was a sign that the Breathing Style was operating correctly.

Gyomei's pupils abruptly constricted.

In all his years with the Demon Slayer Corps, he had never heard of anyone entering the Total Concentration Breathing state so quickly.

Chuyang's breathing was exceptionally steady and powerful, which was a distinct characteristic of Stone Breathing.

Gyomei stood guard quietly by the side. Beginners attempting breathing for the first time could never sustain it for long because their hearts and lungs could not endure the prolonged stimulation.

Only through continuous training could one lengthen their breathing duration.

Eventually, one would achieve "Total Concentration Constant," meaning keeping the body in a constant state of breathing.

On the other end, whenever Chuyang felt he was reaching his limit, a surge of vitality would well up within his body to nourish his heart and lungs, feeling just like gulping down iced water in the dead of summer, refreshing and invigorating.

Remaining in the breathing state for an extended period, Chuyang not only felt no discomfort, but actually began to enjoy it.

Time ticked by minute by minute...

Gyomei, standing quietly on guard, sensed that something was amiss. Chuyang had remained in the breathing state for far too long, vastly exceeding the average level. Based on past experience, he should have exited this state long ago.

Yet, strangely enough, Chuyang showed no signs of discomfort whatsoever, and his complexion even appeared rosier than before, leaving Gyomei completely baffled.

Gyomei could only silently chant a Buddhist phrase, sitting quietly in meditation while keeping a portion of his attention on Chuyang to respond to any sudden emergencies at a moment's notice.

It was not until dawn that Chuyang finally broke the breathing state and stretched comfortably.

At this moment, Gyomei slowly opened his unseeing eyes and asked softly, "How do you feel? Is there any discomfort in your body?"

Chuyang sensed his physical condition and replied, "My whole body feels warm, and there is no discomfort at all."

Feeling the aura emanating from Chuyang, which was much stronger than before, Gyomei nodded in gratification. "Being able to master the Breathing Style so quickly proves that your affinity for Stone Breathing is exceptionally high. This will save us a great deal of time, allowing us to focus our energy on the cultivation of sword techniques."

Seeming afraid that Chuyang might be too eager for quick success, Gyomei reminded him once more, "Although your initial breathing duration was longer than others, you must remain mindful. If you feel any physical discomfort, you must interrupt the Breathing Style immediately."

"I understand," Chuyang asked with high spirits, "Then when shall we begin practicing sword techniques?"

Gyomei pressed his palms together and said in a low voice, "I originally intended to let you rest, but given your current state, you certainly won't be able to sleep. So let us begin right now."

"Swordsmen who cultivate Stone Breathing have always possessed vastly greater strength than those of other styles. Consequently, ordinary Nichirin Swords are not suitable for us."

At this point, Gyomei paused. "You don't seem to know what a Nichirin Sword is yet, do you?"

Chuyang replied, "I saw one when I was rescued, and I've also seen injured swordsmen with them at the Butterfly Mansion. However, everyone's Nichirin Swords seem to be different?"

Gyomei nodded. "The style of a Nichirin Sword varies from person to person. Once you officially become a swordsman of the Demon Slayer Corps, you will also possess your own Nichirin Sword."

"The material of a Nichirin Sword differs from that of ordinary blades. It is forged from a mineral called Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand, which is capable of absorbing sunlight, thus allowing it to inflict effective damage upon demons."

"From ancient times until now, regardless of the demon, their fear of the sun remains absolute."