After hearing Lady Amane's words, the Hashira finally understood how important the Mark was.
Lady Amane looked at Su Chen and bowed to him. "Please, Master Su Chen, would you kindly tell everyone the conditions for awakening the Mark?"
Su Chen was a little surprised by her bow. He didn't expect her to be so formal. Since he had already agreed to Kagaya Ubuyashiki, he had no reason to hide anything.
The next moment, Su Chen stood up. "Alright, I'll explain."
Su Chen then repeated the details of what happened on Mount Natagumo, but he also mixed in information from the "original story" that he remembered.
It could be said that he explained the Mark completely.
[You are currently explaining the Mark. During your explanation, you gain insight, and your understanding of the Mark deepens further.] [Your Mark has reached the stage of appearing with a single thought.] [Your Mark has evolved, and your physical abilities have been greatly enhanced.]
Su Chen was stunned for a second. He didn't expect to get an upgrade just from talking.
Feeling the changes inside his body, Su Chen's Mark quickly began to spread. The black, cloud-like patterns, looking like strange tadpoles, spread from his neck. In just a few moments, they covered Su Chen's entire body.
Then, with a single thought from Su Chen, the Marks quietly disappeared.
This scene shocked all the Hashira present. If Lady Amane hadn't warned them earlier, they might have thought it was a Blood Demon Art.
"So this is the Mark? It truly is very similar to a demon's pattern," one Hashira said. It was the first time he had seen such a strange sight on a human.
The other Hashira were thinking about the information in Su Chen's words.
"A heart rate over 200 beats per minute? And a body temperature of 39 degrees?"
As a doctor, Shinobu Kocho was the first to ask, "Can a person still move in that state? That's a matter of life and death."
"Yes," Su Chen nodded. "That is the key. That demon I met forced me into a life-or-death situation, which is why I awakened it."
"If you wish to try," he continued, "whether you live or die will depend on your own resolve."
The Hashira fell silent.
They all understood the meaning behind his words. Su Chen had only awakened the Mark after facing a life-or-death situation. His resolve was just as strong as anyone's in this room.
"Isn't that pretty easy to achieve?" Shinazugawa nodded thoughtfully, as if he didn't see the difficulty.
But this was immediately shot down by the Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka. "I truly don't know what your simple mind is thinking, to actually believe such a thing would be easy."
Shinazugawa said angrily, "What did you say?!"
"He's right," Su Chen cut in, speaking before Giyu could. "Your mind is indeed quite simple."
"You brat!" Veins bulged on Shinazugawa's forehead. He was clearly in a real rage.
"Please, everyone, quiet down."
Lady Amane's words made the room silent again. But what she said next was another alarm for everyone.
"The Mark also has... side effects."
Obanai asked in confusion, "What are they?"
Lady Amane's reply was hesitant. "It's..."
"It takes your lifespan in advance," Su Chen said, having no plan to hide it from them. "Everyone who awakens the Mark doesn't live past 25 years old." All the people here were Hashira; none of them were afraid of death.
However, these words still caused the expressions of the Hashira to freeze instantly.
Such a powerful side effect shocked everyone.
At the same time, they were curious about Su Chen. He said those words without any reaction. Su Chen had already awakened the Mark, which meant he was fated to die before he turned 25.
Wasn't he afraid?
"As long as we can defeat Muzan Kibutsuji, what is this small price?"
"If the side effects are that severe, then how splendid will I be when I awaken the Mark? This is truly exciting!"
The Flame Hashira and Sound Hashira were the first to react. They did not back down. Instead, they were happy that they might gain such powerful abilities.
This touched Su Chen. Although he knew the original plot well, he was still moved by the Hashira's resolve.
The next moment, the other Hashira all showed expressions of relief. Since the Mark was so powerful, it was only natural for it to have such a bad side effect.
So, the next step was a competition to see who could awaken the Mark first.
The Hashira all turned their gazes to Su Chen. Their sharp, bright eyes were completely different from before.
Since Su Chen had already awakened the Mark, whoever got his help would gain a head start! Su Chen was now no different from a valuable treasure.
"In that case, I'll take Su Chen back with me!" the Flame Hashira said with a hearty laugh.
"No, it must be me! I have three wives at home; we can surely entertain Mr. Su Chen splendidly!" Tengen Uzui flamboyantly rushed directly in front of Su Chen.
The Mist Hashira stopped him. "I think Su Chen and I are about the same age, so Su Chen would probably prefer me."
"Or how about coming to my house? I have cream cakes there!" The Love Hashira, who had been silent, spoke up with a blush. She also looked very hopeful for Su Chen's reply.
Seeing this, Obanai Iguro showed a gloomy expression. "Come to my place. I can properly discipline Su Chen."
Only Shinazugawa looked displeased.
He still felt that Su Chen's awakening of the Mark was just an accident. This kid probably hadn't even held a Nichirin Sword, so how could he be as amazing as Lady Amane said he was?
Unless Su Chen defeated him, he would never acknowledge him.
Thinking this, Shinazugawa spoke up. "Although everyone thinks the Mark is strong, that doesn't mean he has the strength to become a Hashira. This kid probably hasn't even held a blade, has he?"
Shinazugawa's words immediately made everyone else remember. They had almost forgotten Kagaya Ubuyashiki's words about making him a Hashira.
The next moment, Shinazugawa knelt before Kagaya Ubuyashiki. "Master, I acknowledge Su Chen's talent. But I do not believe he should be given a Hashira-level position! The Demon Slayer Corps' rules for so many years have always put strength and contribution first. If Su Chen can become a Hashira simply by awakening the Mark, then it would be unfair to the resolve of the ordinary swordsmen! Does Su Chen even have the resolve to slay demons?"
Su Chen narrowed his eyes.
He knew this was just Shinazugawa's personality, but anyone would feel uncomfortable being underestimated like this. It seemed he would have to properly 'educate' this guy.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki spoke. "Since Sanemi does not agree with my decision, then Su Chen and Sanemi will have a competition two months from now. If Sanemi still cannot acknowledge Su Chen by then, then Su Chen will participate in the selection exam."
"I refuse," Su Chen suddenly said.