When the dormant power within Luo En finally awoke, allowing him to stably wield the Breathing Technique, he began a deeper exploration—integrating Water Breathing with the ice power of his own magic.
The sword energy, like flowing water, became more agile and ethereal, while the power of ice imbued his slashes with a distinctly different sharpness, carrying an aura that could freeze all things.
The flowing water slashes, combined with the ice blade attacks, merged to create a power far exceeding that of a single Breathing Technique, making it much more threatening.
From that day forward, ever since he mastered this crucial step, Luo En's progress was astonishingly rapid.
In a short time, he thoroughly integrated the foundation of Water Breathing with the characteristics of his magical ice blade, and began to create moves unique to him.
Urokodaki Sakonji stood not far away, silently watching Luo En beneath the waterfall.
His breathing beneath the tengu mask showed a hint of imperceptible disorder.
That slash was no longer the pure aquamarine color of Water Breathing.
As Luo En's blade cut through the water curtain, a biting white frost instantly condensed along the sword's path, and countless tiny ice crystals burst forth in the air.
The chill even penetrated the waterfall, making Urokodaki Sakonji feel a touch of cold—a sight that could not hide the surprise in the eyes of this knowledgeable former Water Hashira.
Previously, Luo En had performed excellently in all his training, but he had never been able to grasp the Breathing Technique.
Urokodaki once had doubts in his heart:
"Is this child not suited for Water Breathing?"
"Perhaps he should be recommended to other trainers, or perhaps he should be persuaded to join the support team."
Now, those doubts vanished, replaced by a deeper shock and a glimmer of... hope.
This child had not only mastered the Breathing Technique but, in such a short time, had forged a unique and unprecedented path of his own.
Now, Luo En could, in such a short time, derive a unique path suited to him from the basic Breathing Technique.
Urokodaki Sakonji was also very pleased by this; given time, he was very likely to become the next "Hashira" supporting the Demon Slayer Corps!
However, Urokodaki was not in a hurry to send Luo En immediately to the Final Selection. He believed Luo En needed time to solidify his foundation and, more importantly, to create and perfect techniques that truly suited his characteristics.
At the same time, he also wanted to see the growth of his other disciple, Tanjiro.
A few days later, under the guidance of Sabito and Makomo, Tanjiro also unknowingly succeeded in splitting the giant boulder.
Urokodaki also decided to let them both participate in this Demon Slayer Corps' Final Selection.
Not only had Tanjiro completed the difficult task he had set, but also for Luo En, who had the potential to become the next Hashira.
Despite so many years passing, all of Urokodaki's disciples, except Tomioka Giyu, had fallen in the Final Selection.
Even if he didn't want to see any more children die there, he was still willing to believe that they could pass the selection and return alive.
Perhaps, Luo En could sever the nightmare that had plagued him for years.
To celebrate the successful completion of their training, that night's dinner was exceptionally lavish.
Looking at the two who were about to depart, he once again solemnly admonished them, detailing the cunning and cruelty of demons, as well as their special "Blood Demon Arts."
After dinner, Urokodaki Sakonji took two fox masks from a cabinet and gave them to Luo En and Tanjiro.
"These are Ward of Fortune masks. To protect you from calamity, this old man has cast a spell upon them. Remember... come back alive."
Tanjiro solemnly accepted it, while Luo En looked at Urokodaki-sensei and spoke:
"Urokodaki-sensei,"
His voice was calm yet firm,
"We... will come back alive."
He specifically emphasized the word "we."
Urokodaki's body stiffened, and he finally just gave a heavy nod:
"Remember, be careful in all things!"
Luo En looked at the mask in his hand and thought of the Hand Demon that had existed in Fujikasane Mountain for many years, captured by Urokodaki Sakonji when he was young.
This Hand Demon, by some unknown means, had evaded the Demon Slayer Corps' purges of Fujikasane Mountain and had remained hidden within it.
Harboring hatred for Urokodaki Sakonji, it used these fox masks to hunt down Urokodaki Sakonji's disciples every time.
It used this method to get revenge on Urokodaki Sakonji, who had captured it.
However, such a powerful demon should not have appeared in the Demon Slayer Corps' Final Selection assessment, and it was precisely for this reason that Urokodaki-sensei's disciples repeatedly fell in the Final Selection.
Whether to avenge the fallen or to repay Urokodaki-sensei's kindness in teaching him, this Hand Demon should no longer exist!
The next morning, with Mount Sagiri shrouded in mist, Luo En and Tanjiro shouldered the nichirin blades gifted by Urokodaki-sensei and set off on the road to Fujikasane Mountain.
As for Nezuko, who had been in a deep sleep ever since arriving at Mount Sagiri, Tanjiro entrusted her to Urokodaki Sakonji's care.
When the two arrived at the foot of Fujikasane Mountain, night had already fallen, and they saw the wisteria flowers blooming across the mountain in the night.
It was as if they were enveloped in a light purple ocean, glowing with an eerie light under the moonlight, a truly beautiful sight.
Luo En also knew that the wisteria flowers here bloomed year-round, defying logic, though he didn't know why this was the case.
But it was not easy for the Demon Slayer Corps to find such a place to set up the Final Selection.
It was precisely because of the wisteria flowers blooming all over the mountain that the demons captured by Demon Slayer Corps members were imprisoned within Fujikasane Mountain and unable to escape.
The two followed the stone steps upwards, reaching an open platform halfway up the mountain, much like the clearing in front of a shrine.
Many young men and women who had come to take the assessment had already gathered on the platform, each carrying a sword, with various expressions.
Luo En's gaze swept across the crowd, seeing Zenitsu Agatsuma, curled up in a corner, with golden hair and a terrified expression, and also Kanae Kocho, expressionless with vacant eyes.
Familiar faces, yet so real at this moment.
Just as Luo En and Tanjiro were observing the people around them, two children, almost identical except for their hair—one black, one white—came out carrying lanterns:
"Everyone!"
A clear voice rang out, carrying a composure beyond their age,
"Thank you all for gathering here tonight to participate in the Demon Slayer Corps' Final Selection."
"Many demons, captured alive by Demon Slayer swordsmen, are imprisoned in this Fujikasane Mountain..."
Listening to the two children, each taking turns to introduce matters concerning Fujikasane Mountain, and explaining that from this point upwards there were no wisteria flowers that demons disliked, and that everyone's assessment was to survive in this area for seven days.
Luo En's gaze involuntarily lingered on the black-haired child.
Had he not known beforehand, he would have been completely unable to discern its gender.
With that delicate, doll-like face, he couldn't tell at all that the black-haired child was a boy, even its voice sounded more like a girl's.
The Ubuyashiki family's curse is truly peculiar! Not only must they combine with the bloodline of the Shinto priests.
Moreover, boys are usually frail and sickly, and must be raised as girls until they are thirteen years old.
"Now,"
The two children concluded in unison, bowing deeply,
"We wish you all, good fortune in battle!"
Then they retreated to both sides, clearing the path to the forest on the mountain.
When the path to the dark forest was cleared, most people were still hesitating and observing.
"Then, I'll go ahead! Take care, Tanjiro!"
Without waiting for Tanjiro's response, Luo En's figure flickered, and he was the first to rush into the area separated by the wisteria flowers.
For him, merely surviving seven days in Fujikasane Mountain was no longer the primary goal, as this assessment no longer posed much difficulty for Luo En.
Luo En's goal from the start was not "survival," but "hunting"!
He wanted to take the initiative, to try his luck and see if he could find that Hand Demon as soon as possible. Rather than passively waiting for danger to arrive, he would actively step into the darkness and completely eliminate this hidden threat of the Final Selection!