At the same time, deep within the Infinity Castle.
Muzan was sitting among a pile of discarded experimental equipment, flipping through a book with a gloomy expression.
Suddenly, Nakime's shared vision forcibly intruded into his brain.
When he saw the girl with the bamboo tube in her mouth standing intact under the scorching sun through that eyeball, Muzan's brain went briefly blank.
Immediately after, an ecstasy that could not be described in words instantly drowned out all his reason.
"The sun... She has overcome the sun!"
Muzan stood up abruptly, the book in his hand falling to the ground.
Because of his extreme agitation, his body involuntarily deformed. Large patches of dark red keratin appeared on the surface of his fair skin, and his arms faintly showed a tendency to turn into sharp bone whips.
"It's been a thousand years!"
He had hidden like a thief who couldn't see the light for a thousand years, searching for that elusive blue spider lily for a thousand years.
And now, that key to perfection, that vessel that could make him a true ultimate creature, had appeared alive right before his eyes.
As long as he devoured that special individual, he could complete the final defect in his genes.
"No need to look for the flower anymore! As long as I eat that demon named Nezuko, I can overcome the sun! Become the perfect ultimate creature!"
Muzan's eyes were bloodshot, and a suppressed, beast-like growl emanated from his throat.
"Nakime. Stop all meaningless peripheral reconnaissance. Gather all the eyeballs and focus on searching for the exact location of the Ubuyashiki Estate."
"Once I lock onto the coordinates of the Ubuyashiki Estate, I will drag you annoying swordsmen, along with that demon named Nezuko, into this Infinity Castle."
Once inside the Infinity Castle, the reorganization and inversion of space would be entirely up to his will. He could easily separate the demon slayers and drain their stamina with endless demons.
"On my turf, even that monster will have to obediently wait for death."
—
In the training camp deep within the mountain canyon, the grim atmosphere that had persisted for days was enough to set the air ablaze.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The deafening sound of metal clashing echoed over the open rocky ground, sending sparks flying in every direction.
Sanemi's eyes were wide open, his hands gripping his nichirin blade tightly, as violent cyan currents of air swirled around the edge of his sword.
The windmill-shaped Demon Slayer Mark on his right cheek had fully manifested. With every breath, the color of the mark deepened, providing him with a continuous source of explosive power.
Wind Breathing, Eighth Form: Primary Gale Slash!
Sanemi's figure transformed into a whirlwind sweeping across the ground, lunging forward at a speed the naked eye could barely track, his blade aiming straight for his opponent's throat.
Facing this fierce attack capable of shredding rock, Giyu, standing opposite him, had no intention of backing down.
On his usually expressionless face, a deep blue, wave-like mark had emerged on his left cheek. His eyes were calm, his breathing long and steady, and he swung his deep blue nichirin blade upward from below.
Water Breathing, Tenth Form: Constant Flux!
A massive water dragon spiraled out in the wake of his blade, colliding fiercely with the cyan wind blade.
Boom!
A shockwave exploded outward, instantly sending gravel flying. The ordinary members watching from the sidelines were forced to retreat repeatedly by the residual power, unable to even open their eyes.
The two separated upon contact, each sliding back several meters. After stabilizing their footing, they pointed their sword tips at each other again, panting heavily, yet the Demon Slayer Marks on their bodies remained stable, not fading despite the intense exertion.
"Stop."
A calm voice cut through the lingering sound of wind and water vapor, reaching the ears of everyone present.
Yamada sat on a large, severed dead tree, tossing a small pebble in his hand.
Hearing the command, Sanemi and Giyu immediately sheathed their blades. The Demon Slayer Marks on their faces slowly faded as their breathing slowed, hiding back beneath their skin.
"Not bad. You can toggle them at will without losing control."
Yamada tossed away the pebble, jumped off the dead tree, and swept his gaze across the area.
The hellish training over the past month had yielded remarkable results.
Not far away, Gyomei sat cross-legged under the pounding waterfall, the rock-like Demon Slayer Mark on his arms flickering in and out of view.
Kyojuro and Tengen were sparring, with marks appearing on their foreheads and the corners of their eyes, respectively.
Obanai and Muichiro were engaged in extreme evasion training on plum blossom stakes, marks reflecting off each other on their bodies.
Even Mitsuri, who possessed the most unique constitution, could trigger the pink heart-shaped Demon Slayer Mark near her collarbone while wielding her soft sword.
What surprised Yamada slightly was Shinobu, who stood by the corridor holding a basin of water.
Under the repeated refinement of Yang Release Chakra, the muscle fibers that had previously limited Shinobu due to her petite stature had undergone a transformative reshaping.
Although her strength could still not compare to Kyojuro and the others, her speed had reached a terrifying level. Just yesterday, while attempting to pierce a specially made steel plate, she had successfully manifested a purple butterfly Demon Slayer Mark on the side of her neck.
Every Hashira had awakened their Demon Slayer Mark.
This was, without a doubt, the most elite subjugation squad in the history of the Demon Slayer Corps.
"After a month of nourishment from Yang Release, your bodies have fully adapted to the burden brought by the Demon Slayer Mark. Even if you fight with the Demon Slayer Mark activated for three days and three nights, as long as your head doesn't fall off, you won't die."
Yamada walked to the center of the training ground and gathered all the Hashira.
Everyone quickly gathered around, and the three up-and-coming talents—Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke—also crowded into the outer circle.
The three of them had also successfully awakened their Demon Slayer Marks a few days prior and were currently in their peak state of energy.
***
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