Muzan was hit with multiple debuffs, which completely put him at a disadvantage in the ensuing battle.
Muzan couldn't fight at all.
His strength and speed were continuously weakened, and Qingshui was already on par with him in those aspects. With the battle armor, Qingshui could even barely overpower Muzan in terms of strength.
In terms of speed, Qingshui now essentially had spatial abilities, allowing him to teleport to multiple fixed points. If Muzan's attacks weren't wide-ranging, area-of-effect strikes, he would be in an even worse state, unable to even parry.
Meanwhile, a few miles from where the two were fighting, in a hall lined with countless giant pillars, Kokushibo watched the swordsman before him. He silently drew Demon Cry God Slayer, a weapon formed from his own flesh and blood.
"A body forged like adamantine, tempered by a thousand trials. In these three hundred years, I've never seen a Hashira achieve such a feat."
Kokushibo's six golden eyes gazed at Himejima Gyomei, the Stone Hashira, who stood before him.
"And you, a newly born breathing style? It's not weak."
Demon Cry God Slayer casually and swiftly swung out a sword around his body.
"Moon Breathing, First Form: Dark Moon - Evening Palace."
"Serpent Breathing, Second Form: Venomous Fangs of the Narrow Head!"
Unbeknownst to Kokushibo, Iguro Obanai had stealthily moved behind him and launched a sneak attack. However, Kokushibo blocked it and immediately counterattacked.
A clear clang rang out from the center where the two swords met, causing a slight change in Kokushibo's expression.
To so easily parry his counterattack, this Hashira seemed to be no simple opponent.
A Red Blade... No, he hasn't activated his Demon Slayer Mark, and his strength is far from enough to activate a Red Blade. It must have been achieved through some unknown means.
Judging by his reaction speed, he must have also comprehended the Transparent World.
And this thing strapped to his arm, which burns his skin and suppresses his power—is it some kind of lamp that can simulate sunlight?
In just a single exchange, Kokushibo analyzed a great deal of information.
His combat experience was also extremely rich; to say he was battle-hardened would even be an understatement.
If the other Hashira also had a similar setup, it would be enough to pose a certain threat to him.
"As expected of Upper Rank One, his strength is terrifyingly immense!"
Iguro Obanai's hand, gripping the Serpent Blade, trembled slightly.
A Fluorescent Lamp Flashlight was strapped to his arm, pointing in the same direction as his blade tip.
This was the most suitable flashlight placement discovered by the Demon Slayer Corps members after numerous attempts.
"Iguro, I'll take the main offense, you provide diversion!"
Himejima Gyomei also activated his Fluorescent Lamp Flashlight. The broadaxe and flail connected by a chain in his hands clashed, forming a Red Blade, and he charged towards Kokushibo.
In another corridor, Rengoku Kyojuro had encountered and slain Susamaru, the newly promoted Upper Rank Four, and then met Kamado Tanjiro in that same corridor.
Tanjiro had also just killed a newly promoted Lower Rank Demon.
Lower Rank Six, the Swamp Demon.
His growth rate was much faster than in the original timeline.
Just last year, under Rengoku Kyojuro's guidance, he had fully mastered Flame Breathing and Constant Breathing, and learned the first few forms of Sun Breathing, possessing combat power close to that of a Class-A Swordsman.
Now, a year later, his strength had significantly improved again. He had fully mastered all forms of Sun Breathing, and his base stats had basically reached the standard of a Hashira.
In terms of talent, he was actually very gifted. After all, in the original timeline, at fifteen, he possessed relatively strong abilities among the Hashira and grew overnight into a super powerhouse capable of holding off Muzan for a long time.
It was just that Water Breathing was too incompatible with him, which to some extent affected his early development speed.
With two Sun Breathing Hashira-level swordsmen joining forces, it was clear that the opponent they were about to face would not be simple.
As if background music had started playing, a muscular, pink-haired male Demon with blue demon markings on his body and an open shirt appeared before them.
"Splendid! You two have very strong fighting spirit. I like it very much!"
His golden demon eyes, which read "Upper Rank Two," gazed at Rengoku Kyojuro and Kamado Tanjiro with excitement.
After Doma's death, Akaza, who was originally Upper Rank Three, had taken over the position of Upper Rank Two.
"Destructive Kill: Compass Needle!"
An intricate twelve-pointed snowflake pattern appeared beneath Akaza's feet.
"Sun Breathing, Fourth Form: Fake Rainbow!"
"Sun Breathing, Seventh Form: Solar Heat Haze!"
Rengoku Kyojuro and Tanjiro launched a combined attack at that moment.
In another exceptionally spacious courtyard, weeds grew thick among the broken moss. An old man, no bigger than a rat, clutched his head and huddled in a pile of weeds next to a wall hole in the corner of the courtyard.
"Shizugawa, it's useless to cut off their heads at the same time! They seem to be merging!"
In the center of the courtyard, Tokito Muichiro was slightly out of breath as he spoke to Shinazugawa Sanemi beside him.
"Who cares! I'll just cut off the head of every Demon I see! If they don't die after their head is cut off, I'll chop them into pieces and see if they still won't die!"
Shinazugawa Sanemi gripped his green Nichirin Blade and fiercely glared at Zohakuten, who had formed from the merging of the Four Emotion Demons, in front of him.
Tokito Muichiro frowned slightly.
He still felt something was off and calmed his mind.
If I could master the Transparent World, I should be able to easily discover the enemy's true weakness.
But he was still a step away from that realm, perhaps he would gain insight during a battle against an Upper Rank.
In a women's boudoir further away, Uzui Tengen held his now glowing red Nichirin Blades, staring ahead with a serious expression.
"As expected, it's not that simple. If Upper Rank Four was only this strong, it would be too embarrassing."
"Oni-chan! Avenge me!"
Daki held her head, reattached it, and yelled at Gyutaro, who was holding his blood-red mantis scythes and standing in front of her.
"As a big brother, of course I won't let anyone who bullies my little sister get away with it. Especially not someone so tall and handsome, it really makes me want to kill you!"
Gyutaro's ugly face twisted into a menacing grin at Uzui Tengen.
"A Demon this ugly is quite rare, but don't worry, as the God of Flashiness, I will magnificently slice off your head!"
The Nichirin Blades spun rapidly in Uzui Tengen's hands, and under his charge, they attacked Gyutaro.
"Sound Breathing, Fourth Form: Constant Resounding Slashes!"
"Blood Demon Art: Rampant Arc!"
Meanwhile, in other locations
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