Chapter 168: Muzan Kibutsuji and Yoriichi Tsugikuni: Fate at the Helm

"A flower that shares an incomparably profound connection with Muzan Kibutsuji."

"The Blue Spider Lily, is it?"

The dream flower Muzan Kibutsuji pursued for a thousand years, the legendary sole remedy capable of allowing him to completely overcome his weakness to sunlight; within the worldview of Demon Slayer, Muzan Kibutsuji searched for it his entire life yet never succeeded in obtaining his wish.

And now, precisely because of the connection between the two, the Blue Spider Lily directly contains the power of Muzan Kibutsuji;

To the extent that, while possessing Muzan's nearly immortal body, terrifying regenerative abilities, extraordinary vitality of five brains and seven hearts, and the capacity to freely alter his bodily structure, he need not fear sunlight like Muzan, nor must he hide in shadows merely to survive.

If Muzan Kibutsuji is a "being infinitely close to perfection," then he is unquestionably a "perfect being"!

"Hahahahaha!"

Zhou Ming suddenly burst into loud laughter, his voice echoing through the empty room, carrying a sense of exhilaration.

He was finally no longer an ordinary person envying others, but had become a holder of a Heavenly Treasure whom others would envy.

Although Muzan Kibutsuji might not be considered strong compared to those from the worlds of One Piece, Naruto, or Bleach, this does not mean he is weak.

With a nearly eternal life and the ability to create demons, even in the real world, he was confident he could establish a vast organization involving every level of society.

The real world has no Demon Slayer Corps, no Nichirin Blades, and certainly no monsters like Yoriichi Tsugikuni—at least, not for now.

Although even stronger existences are present, for him who now possesses no weaknesses, do they truly possess the ability to kill him?

Even if those he recruits know his power originates from Muzan Kibutsuji, what of it if they also know they will be bound by him?

Humanity's longing for immortality and pursuit of power have never ceased because of so-called "costs."

Vampires have so many restrictions, yet people still flock to them eagerly, do they not?

The supercharged mental capacity brought by five brains operating simultaneously allowed him to rapidly analyze the current situation.

This world has powerhouses like Elder Zhong and Ye Xuan, and official organizations like the Tianshu Bureau; acting rashly would clearly be unwise.

But equally, he is long no longer an ordinary person—even if his power level might not yet reach Tier Three, in terms of threat, he feared even Tier Four powerhouses would have to regard him with caution.

As for immortality? That is something even Tier Five existences would likely find unattainable!

As for the option of joining the Tianshu Bureau, he had never even considered it.

Tell them he had obtained the power of Muzan Kibutsuji but would not harm humanity?

Who would believe that?

Even if they believed him, all that awaited him would be endless surveillance and restrictions.

Because he possesses this capability.

Moreover, for him as he is now, even if he joined the Tianshu Bureau, what could the Tianshu Bureau possibly offer him?

For the first time, he clearly felt the mindset behind "Ye Xuan's" refusal to join the Tianshu Bureau.

As an ordinary person, the Tianshu Bureau seemed "unreachable" to him, but now that his strength had grown, the Tianshu Bureau appeared to him as merely that.

"However..."

Zhou Ming suddenly reined in his laughter, his gaze turning profound; although he was confident that no one, not even Elder Zhong or Ye Xuan, could kill him in his state of having no weaknesses, who could truly guarantee it?

The temperature of Ryūjin Jakka, comparable to the sun's core; the potential "counter" against him possessed by the Flame Dragon Armor; the sealing that could be enacted upon him as the Geo Archon...

Rashly exposing himself was by no means a wise move.

"First adapt to the power, then make plans."

Zhou Ming said softly, turning his gaze toward the bright sunlight outside the window, his heart filled with ease.

At the same time, on the other side of the city.

Li Li Shuyang was practicing swordsmanship in his own backyard.

The sixteen-year-old youth stood tall and straight, a black jacket casually draped over a nearby railing; in his hand, he gripped a wooden sword, each slash executed with terrifying precision, the blade cutting through the air with a faint hum.

Though it was merely ordinary practice, it subtly carried a suffocating sense of oppression.

Suddenly, his movements halted.

The wooden sword hung suspended in midair; the youth's usually calm eyes suddenly sharpened like blades as he whipped his head around, gazing toward a certain direction in the city, while an intense feeling of disgust surged unbidden in his chest.

It was a hostility that felt almost instinctual, as if his blood were boiling, his marrow trembling, and every cell in his body screaming:

—Kill him.

"... What?"

Li Li Shuyang himself was startled by this sudden murderous intent; he looked down at his slightly trembling hand, finding that the wooden sword had actually been crushed until cracks appeared.

The youth took a deep breath, attempting to calm his heartbeat, yet found that restlessness lingering; ever since inheriting the legacy of "Yoriichi Tsugikuni," this was the first time he had experienced such intense emotional fluctuations.

Something... had appeared.

Something absolutely shouldn't exist, something nauseating.

Silently, he picked up his jacket, his fingers unconsciously brushing against his waist; in the legacy of "Yoriichi Tsugikuni," a Nichirin Blade should have been there; although true demons did not exist in reality, right now, his instincts, inherited from the strongest swordsman of the Demon Slayer world, were sounding a frantic alarm.

"I must go confirm this."

The youth murmured softly, his eyes dreadfully calm.

Late night, Chaoyang City, Tianshu Bureau.

"Alarm, alarm, abnormal spiritual energy fluctuation detected."

"Alarm, alarm, abnormal spiritual energy fluctuation detected."

"Alarm, alarm, abnormal spiritual energy fluctuation detected..."

On the monitoring screen, the red curve representing energy waveforms was jumping wildly; the monitor quickly pulled up satellite imagery, revealing that the landscape lake in the center of the park was boiling strangely, with trees around it fallen in a radial pattern, as if swept by some kind of shockwave.

"What's the situation?"

Chen Zhen, the duty squad leader, shoved open the command room door and rushed to the main control console in three long strides.

"Abnormal spiritual energy fluctuation detected on the south side of Chaoyang Park; the peak has reached 28,000 spiritual power units and is about to break through the Tier Three threshold!"

The monitor reported immediately.

"Chaoyang Park?"

"There are our stationed personnel there; ask them about the situation on the scene."

As the communicator connected, the hurried panting of the stationed personnel came through.

"Reporting to the squad leader!"

"There are two holders of Heavenly Treasures fighting here! A guy wielding a blade, and a... and a monster that can regenerate flesh and blood!"

"They move too fast; I can't... I can't even see clearly."

Suddenly, a deafening explosion rang out from the other end of the communicator, followed by the roaring crash of falling trees.

"You said two holders of Heavenly Treasures are fighting?!"

Chen Zhen let out an incredulous voice, but an unnatural flush rose on his face; he glanced around, and every member of the Tianshu Bureau in the duty room was the same as him, their eyes flashing with excitement.

If it were a beast tide or an attack by mutated creatures, they would never react this way.

But what has appeared in Chaoyang Park at this moment?

Two holders of Heavenly Treasures!

And they are top-tier holders with spiritual energy fluctuations approaching the Third Rank!

(End of this chapter)