This statement instantly froze the atmosphere in the courtyard; Shinobu Kocho's fan stopped mid-air, Mitsuri Kanroji unconsciously took half a step back, and even the usually volatile Sanemi Shinazugawa instinctively tensed his body.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki cleared his throat, breaking the silence: "Mr. Allen, it's not that we don't trust you, it's just..."
"Just worried about losing control?" Allen interrupted him, a slight smirk playing on his lips: "You've seen my strength; you should know that even if Muzan gains immunity to sunlight, he's nothing more than a slightly more durable punching bag in front of me."
Mitsuri Kanroji mumbled softly: "But, but those demons killed so many of our comrades."
Allen's gaze turned to her: "That's why you should be even more grateful that with me here, you won't sacrifice any more comrades."
He surveyed everyone, his voice calm and powerful: "I could easily crush Muzan and his Upper Ranks, but that would be too boring. Wouldn't it be more interesting to let them struggle in despair, watching hope within reach yet forever unattainable?"
Shinobu Kocho's pupils contracted slightly; for the first time, she saw something chilling in the eyes of this young man who always wore a smile.
Sanemi Shinazugawa clenched his fists, knuckles white: "This is toying with them?"
"Exactly." Allen admitted frankly: "Like a cat toying with a mouse. Don't you think it's fair to let those demons who feast on humans also experience being toyed with?"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki was silent for a moment, then suddenly chuckled: "Mr. Allen, you are even more... decisive than I imagined."
He turned to the other Pillars: "Everyone, I believe we can trust Mr. Allen's judgment."
"After all..." Kagaya Ubuyashiki glanced at Allen: "Without him, we might never have found Muzan's hiding place."
Sanemi Shinazugawa gritted his teeth unwillingly, but eventually nodded: "Hmph, have it your way, but if those demons dare to harm humans, I will never stand by and do nothing!"
Allen shrugged: "Don't worry, they don't have the guts."
Just then, Uzui Tengen strode in from the other end of the corridor, his flamboyant headpiece sparkling in the sunlight: "Oh my, everyone's here! I have some super flashy news to tell everyone!"
He dramatically waved his arms: "Apparently, Mr. Allen single-handedly stormed Muzan's lair last night! How about that, isn't it a surprise?"
Mitsuri Kanroji nodded excitedly: "Mhm, mhm, we already know, and Mr. Allen defeated Muzan and all the Upper Ranks!"
Uzui Tengen's eyes widened, and he looked Allen up and down: "That's truly too flashy! As expected of Mr. Allen!"
Allen shook his head helplessly: "Are all you Demon Slayer Corps members this exaggerated in your reactions?"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki explained with a smile: "After all, Muzan has been the Demon Slayer Corps' greatest enemy for a thousand years. For someone to suppress him so easily is indeed unbelievable."
Shinobu Kocho suddenly spoke: "Mr. Allen, you just said you would let Muzan and the others obtain the blue spider lily. How exactly will you do that?"
"You don't need to worry about the specific details; I have my methods." Allen waved his hand. He knew that Tanjiro and his sister knew the location of the blue spider lily, and even ate it like wild vegetables... The sun set, and the last ray of sunlight disappeared. Allen stood in the center of the courtyard, arms crossed, waiting quietly.
Muzan and the Upper Rank demons were already lined up, their faces still showing traces of yesterday's fear, but their eyes gleamed with desire—a craving for the blue spider lily.
"Lord Ancestor." Muzan bowed respectfully, his perfectly tailored suit showing no sign of the dishevelment from being beaten into a bloody mist last night, "We are ready."
Allen's gaze swept over the demons, a slight smile on his lips: "I hope you can last a little longer today."
Before his words finished, his figure suddenly vanished. Kokushibo's six eyes widened simultaneously, and his katana instinctively left its sheath.
"Bang!"
A heavy punch landed on Kokushibo's abdomen, making his entire body arch. Allen's voice echoed in his ear: "So weak."
"Moon Breathing, Seventh Form: Mirror of Misfortune, Moonlit Reflection!" Kokushibo endured the intense pain and counterattacked, countless crescent-shaped slashes erupting outwards.
Allen did not dodge, allowing the slashes to land on him, yet they couldn't even scratch his clothes. He grabbed Kokushibo's throat with one hand and lifted him high: "Is this the result of your centuries of training? It seems to be nothing special."
"Lord Ancestor, spare me!" Kokushibo struggled to squeeze out a few words, his six eyes filled with terror.
Allen casually tossed him aside and turned to the other Upper Ranks: "Come at me all at once; don't disappoint me."
A sinister glint flashed in Muzan's eyes, and he suddenly erupted: "Blood Demon Art: Black Blood Thorns!"
Countless black thorns shot out from the ground, while Akaza and Douma attacked from both sides. Gyutaro's blood scythe and Daki's sashes sealed off the sky, and Gyokko hid in the distance, releasing poisonous mist and swimming fish.
Facing the all-around attack, Allen simply closed his eyes gently.
"Asura Mode."
In an instant, an astonishing aura erupted from Allen's body, his muscles slightly bulging, his eyes glowing red. He stood still, and the mere shockwave shattered all attacks.
Asura Mode, after enduring the siege of Tornado's four and the events of Demon Slayer, had reached sixty-three percent. A few more days of punching bags and it would soon complete its evolution.
"Now that's more like it." Allen nodded in satisfaction, then suddenly appeared in front of Douma: "But it's still far from enough."
"Blood Demon Art: Crystalline Divine Child!" Douma hastily summoned an ice Buddha, but Allen's punch pierced through its chest.
"Flashy and useless." Allen commented, casually tearing Douma's upper body in half.
Seeing this, Muzan's face grew even paler. He gritted his teeth, his entire body's muscles twisting and expanding as he entered his full demon transformation: "Lord Ancestor, please enlighten me!"
A flicker of interest crossed Allen's eyes: "Finally serious?"
Muzan's sharp claws tore through the air, moving so fast they created a sonic boom, but Allen remained unhurried, catching the deadly blow with just two fingers.
"The force isn't bad." Allen commented: "But the technique is terrible."
He twisted his wrist, and Muzan's arm immediately contorted and deformed. The intense pain made Muzan scream, but he quickly recovered.
"Continue." Allen beckoned with his finger.
The training continued until dawn. Muzan and the others had been beaten into bloody mist countless times by Allen, and the entire mansion was unrecognizable, with collapsed walls, shattered floors, and bloodstains and severed limbs everywhere.
Allen stood in the center of the ruins, his breathing as steady as ever. He looked at the groaning demons on the ground, nodding in satisfaction: "You're more durable than yesterday. Very good, you've made great progress."
Muzan struggled to his feet, his suit long gone: "Thank you for your guidance, Lord Ancestor."
Allen walked up to him, looking down at the Demon King: "Do you know why you are so weak?"
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