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A thin white mist permeated the mountain forest, and the chirping of insects at night suddenly vanished without a trace, an eerie atmosphere descending, chilling people to the bone.
"Don't be afraid, the earth retains the sun's aura; demons dislike that scent."
"There are ten of us here; the advantage is mine!"
"Hmm, as long as we cooperate!"
The new swordsmen remaining in the clearing comforted each other, knowing that demons wouldn't appear until deep into the night.
Kanzaki Aoi's beautiful eyes were filled with worry, wondering how Kamihara Tetsuya, who had entered the forest, was faring.
Kaigaku's heart was tense; this feeling reminded him of the first time he encountered a demon when he was a child.
In the end, he betrayed the temple that had taken him in to secure his survival.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
A figure as crimson as blood emerged from the depths of the forest, light footsteps echoing, brushing past the roadside weeds, as if stepping on everyone's hearts.
The eyes of the dozen new swordsmen in the clearing were drawn to it.
As their pupils reflected that figure,
it was as if they saw a rising Crimson Moon, enveloped in a strange and terrifying aura.
One new swordsman murmured, "Long red hair tied up, wearing blood-colored samurai armor, and a demon mask made of white bone..."
These words were like a cold wind striking their faces, making them feel the pain of a knife cut.
Their 36-degree bodies couldn't feel a trace of warmth.
"Yasuo!"
They had heard the rumors before, about Yasuo, a special demon capable of seizing Blood Demon Arts from other demons, to be treated as an Upper Moon.
Now, he appeared openly before them.
"Why would an Upper Moon-level demon appear in the Final Selection?"
"What a joke, I'm not here to die!"
"Where are the Pillars?"
...
The new swordsmen stepped back, their faces pale.
In a beginner's quest, a big boss suddenly appeared, instantly turning it into hellish difficulty.
One person shouted, "What are you standing around for? Run!"
The others instantly reacted; with them being mere rookies, dealing with the demons in Purple Wisteria Mountain was already extremely difficult.
Facing an Upper Moon-level Yasuo, their fate would only be slaughter!
Everyone only regretted not having two more legs, fleeing towards the outskirts of the forest, ready to give up. This insane Final Selection, whoever wants to participate can participate!
Kamihara Tetsuya activated his Sharingan, locking onto Kaigaku. This guy had sensed danger the moment he appeared and immediately fled.
But how could he run just because he wanted to?
Bang!
Kamihara Tetsuya pushed off with his legs, moving incredibly fast, launching himself forward like a rocket.
Using the identity of "Yasuo," he no longer had any reservations, fully unleashing the power of his demon physique.
Whoosh!
Kamihara Tetsuya, swift as a phantom, dashed through the night, catching up to Kaigaku in the blink of an eye.
"Damn it!"
Kaigaku's face was distorted; so many people were fleeing, yet he was singled out.
Seeing this, the others didn't overthink it, only feeling fortunate that Yasuo hadn't targeted them. They dared not look back, fleeing even more desperately.
"Second Form: Rice Spirit!"
Kaigaku spun around, drew his nichirin blade, and swung it forcefully, unleashing a lightning-shaped five-strike combo with immense pressure.
Whoosh!
Kamihara Tetsuya didn't dodge or evade, directly pressing down with his large hand. His palm touched the dazzling golden lightning blade, instantly getting cut, blood splattering.
Seeing this, Kaigaku's face lit up with joy.
However, his joy lasted only for an instant.
Bang!
Kamihara Tetsuya forcefully broke through, enduring the Thunder Breathing blade, grabbing Kaigaku's head with his large hand, and smashing it hard onto the ground, causing a violent tremor.
Kaigaku's eyes rolled back, nearly losing consciousness.
Blood flowed down, turning him into a blood-soaked mess.
Kaigaku said in terror, "Lord Yasuo, spare my life; I will surely be useful to you."
"Heh heh!"
Kamihara Tetsuya's face beneath the demon mask gave a cold smile, then he mercilessly punched down.
Bang!
Kamihara Tetsuya's fist landed on Kaigaku's head, releasing a torrent of heavy force. His skull shattered, and his entire head burst open like a watermelon.
Blood splattered, and a strong smell of blood diffused.
In the last moment before his death, Kaigaku still had a look of disbelief, that he had died just like that.
Soul Manipulation - Reaper!
Kamihara Tetsuya casually reaped Kaigaku's soul; he was still somewhat interested in Thunder Breathing.
Kamihara Tetsuya slowly stood up, covered in Kaigaku's blood. Combined with the deterrent effect of the Crimson Moon, the blood moon behind him seemed to shine even brighter!
Making the new swordsmen's scalps tingle.
"Lord Yasuo, I will follow you forever!"
"Eat them all!"
"I'm claiming that girl!"
...
From the depths of the forest, a large group of demons charged out, howling. They had long been eyeing the people in this clearing.
However, Kamihara Tetsuya was too powerful for them to provoke, and then a supremely powerful Yasuo suddenly appeared.
Through the exclamations of the new swordsmen, they seemed to understand that this demon named Yasuo was infamous in the outside world, an Upper Moon demon recognized by the Demon Slayer Corps.
With such a powerful demon leading them, what more did they have to fear?
Purple Wisteria Mountain once again entered battle royale mode.
Many demons targeted Kanzaki Aoi, who was one of the few girls among the new swordsmen.
In this territory, she was as rare as a giant panda.
Kanzaki Aoi gripped her nichirin blade tightly, as if only this blade could give her a sense of security.
Boom!
Suddenly, a dazzling cold light flashed, and Kanzaki Aoi instinctively closed her eyes.
In less than a breath, when she opened her eyes, she was stunned by the sight before her: all the demons in front of her had been cut into pieces, blood and flesh splattering everywhere.
Soul Manipulation - Controller - Kamanue!
Kamihara Tetsuya's eyes were cold; he instantly acquired Kamanue's Blood Demon Art.
"Blood Demon Art: Whimsical Metamorphosis!"
Kamihara Tetsuya's right hand transformed, extending into a long, slender blade, fully forty meters in length.
The slender blade emitted a dangerous cold light. Kamihara Tetsuya lightly swung it, sweeping across, slaughtering the demons like autumn wind sweeping fallen leaves, pushing forward unopposed.
These demons were unimaginably weak; after their bodies were destroyed, their consciousness blurred, making it difficult to resist soul reaping.
An endless stream of souls entered Kamihara Tetsuya's body.
The soulless demons fell to the ground, their eyes vacant, waiting to be incinerated by the sunlight when dawn broke.
At the shrine halfway up the mountain.
The two Ubuyashiki children heard the screams from deep within the mountains and frowned.
"Yasuo... Yasuo... Yasuo..."
A Kasugai Crow landed on a stone, making sounds.
The two children exchanged glances, seeing surprise in each other's eyes; it was Yasuo who had intruded into Purple Wisteria Mountain.
The wisteria flowers planted near Purple Wisteria Mountain could ward off ordinary demons, but they had almost no effect on Twelve Kizuki-level demons.
"Sister?" Kiriya Ubuyashiki asked.
Ubuyashiki Nichika calmly said, "It's alright. The Kasugai Crow has informed Father, and the Pillars will come. Besides, there's that talented young man still in Purple Wisteria Mountain!"
The Kasugai Crow spread its wings and flew high, disappearing into the night.