Allen stood in the center of the ruins, looking at the panting Muzan and his demons: "That's enough for today."
Muzan struggled to get up: "Thank you, Ancestor, for your guidance."
"Remember this," Allen turned and walked towards the door.
"True strength isn't built on shortcuts, but on taking one step at a time. My current power is entirely due to my own diligent training, understand?" Allen said without a hint of guilt.
Returning to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, Allen found the Pillars undergoing the basic training he had suggested. Sanemi Shinazugawa was doing push-ups, drenched in sweat, Shinobu Kocho was diligently swinging her sword, and even the usually elegant Uzui Tengen was running.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki saw Allen return and smiled, nodding: "Mr. Allen, your advice is very effective."
Allen was noncommittal: "I hope they can keep it up."
Thus, days passed. Muzan and the Upper Ranks' strength advanced by leaps and bounds under Allen's training, while the Demon Slayer Corps Pillars also continuously broke through their limits with basic training.
One week later, that night, Allen stood in the center of the ruins, looking with satisfaction at Muzan and the Upper Rank demons, who were struggling to reassemble themselves.
After a week of high-intensity "training," the strength of these demons had indeed significantly improved, but more importantly, his Asura Mode had finally completed its evolution.
The corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up. Next, he would begin to acquire the abilities he had set his sights on, one by one.
"Ancestor," Muzan barely finished reassembling, knelt on one knee, his voice filled with unprecedented reverence.
"Have we made any progress?"
Allen's lips curved slightly: "Not bad. At least you can make me use a little more strength now."
Kokushibo's six eyes opened simultaneously, bloodshot: "This is all due to Ancestor's excellent guidance. A mere week of training has surpassed decades of arduous cultivation."
Douma climbed out of the pool of blood, still wearing his fake smile: "Oh my, Ancestor's punches are getting heavier and heavier, aren't they?"
Allen ignored their flattery and slowly walked in front of Muzan: "Muzan, how long have you yearned for the blue spider lily?"
Muzan's body visibly trembled, and a hint of fanaticism flashed in his eyes: "A thousand years... a full thousand years!"
"Very good," Allen nodded: "Get ready. When the blue spider lily blooms, I will bestow it upon you all."
These words were like a thunderclap. All the Upper Rank demons suddenly looked up, their eyes gleaming with disbelief.
"Re-really?" Hantengu's voice trembled. This astonishing news made even his usually timid self forget to hide.
Muzan was even more agitated, trembling all over: "Ancestor! Are you saying—"
Allen looked at Muzan's face, twisted with excitement, and gently nodded: "When have I ever lied to you? Prepare to receive my grace."
Muzan immediately prostrated himself: "Ancestor, please rest assured! We will definitely prove our worth!"
"Very good," Allen's lips curved in satisfaction: "Then, I'll see you tomorrow."
With that, his figure disappeared into the night, leaving behind a group of incredibly excited demons.
Returning to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, Allen found Kagaya Ubuyashiki waiting for him in the courtyard.
"Mr. Allen," Kagaya Ubuyashiki said gently: "You seem to be in good spirits. Is your plan nearing completion?"
Allen casually sat on the veranda: "Yes, Muzan and his demons have made significant progress."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki nodded thoughtfully: "It seems your training has been very effective for them."
Allen chuckled: "Indeed, now they can at least take a few more punches."
Just then, Shinobu Kocho gracefully walked over, carrying a freshly brewed pot of tea: "Mr. Allen, please have some tea."
Her movements were elegant and composed, but Allen keenly noticed a slight tremor in her fingertips.
"Thank you," Allen took the teacup and deliberately asked: "You seem very nervous?"
Shinobu Kocho's smile froze for a moment, then returned to normal: "Why would I be? It's just that training has been a bit tiring lately."
Allen took a sip of tea, his gaze turning to Sanemi Shinazugawa, who was sweating profusely at the other end of the courtyard: "It seems everyone is very motivated."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki said softly: "Since you gave us training advice, the Pillars' strength has indeed improved."
"It's not enough," Allen put down his teacup, his voice calm: "With their current strength, they can't even touch one of Muzan's fingers."
Shinobu Kocho's pupils contracted slightly: "Is Muzan really that strong?"
Allen looked at her: "Much stronger than you imagine. However..."
He deliberately paused, watching Shinobu Kocho's tense expression: "In front of me, he doesn't even have the right to stand."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki cleared his throat: "Mr. Allen, regarding the blue spider lily..."
"It's probably close to blooming," Allen interrupted him: "Once the blue spider lily blooms, I will have Muzan and his demons consume it."
Shinobu Kocho couldn't help but ask: "Are you really going to let Muzan gain immunity to sunlight?"
Allen didn't answer directly, but instead asked: "What do you think it would feel like for a monster who has hidden in the darkness for a thousand years to finally see the sun, only to discover that he still cannot escape my grasp?"
The teapot in Shinobu Kocho's hand almost dropped. She finally understood Allen's true intention – not simply to eliminate Muzan, but to make him experience the deepest despair.
For the first time, she found this smiling presence so unfamiliar. Had he been planning all of this since he first met Muzan? If so, this young man was truly terrifying... A thoughtful expression appeared on Kagaya Ubuyashiki's face: "I see. That is indeed more cruel than simply killing him."
"Cruel?" Allen's lips curled into a cold smile: "To deal with demons, one must use demonic methods."
Over a month later, it was the height of summer.
Allen stood in a secluded mountain valley, surrounded by rare blue flowers, shimmering with a dreamy azure glow under the midday sun. He bent down, picked a blue spider lily, and gently twirled it between his fingers.
"It's finally blooming," he murmured to himself, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. For over a month, Allen had been dangling promises before Muzan and his demons, and today, they were finally coming to fruition.
Once Muzan and his demons consumed the blue spider lily, Allen could begin to imprison them in the Infinity Castle, where they would be used as daily punching bags. Of course, his evolution of the Infinity Castle also had a selfish motive; perhaps he could directly bring Muzan and his demons back to the One-Punch Man world and establish his own organization.
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