[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong-":3,"chapter-this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-85":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","This Pillar in Demon Slayer Is Extremely Strong but Overly Cautious",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2336011,4566,"Chapter 85","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-85",85,"\u003Cp>Yan Meng stood on the train’s cab, sensing that things were not going well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So far, there was no sign of any spiritual core being destroyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seems like it’s not going well~ Not a single spiritual core has been shattered yet…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whatever. At least I’ve successfully delayed time—close enough to completion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also part of Yan Meng’s plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had tampered with the tickets; once the conductor cut them, the technique would activate, forcing people into deep sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this time, he fused himself with the Infinite Train, making all passengers and demon slayers effectively trapped inside his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he could swallow all two hundred passengers and demon slayers in the carriages at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once he completed Muzan’s task, he would receive Muzan’s blood as a reward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His strength would surge dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he could request Muzan to challenge an Upper Moon demon to a blood duel, getting closer to Muzan himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Yan Meng was ecstatic, his face flushed, feeling as if all of this were a dream!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sui Zi stared at Zero before her, overwhelmed by an inexplicable pressure, unsure how to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if she wanted to destroy his spiritual core now, the chance was already lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Zero was thinking hard about how to break free from this dream and return to reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dream may be beautiful, but it is still just a dream!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To live forever in a dream—what difference is there from being a living corpse?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you seen the face of the person you mentioned?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I… I have seen him…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then describe his appearance to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Helplessly, Sui Zi could only truthfully describe the man’s appearance and key features.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero took pen and paper and drew the man’s likeness based on her description, then analyzed it with his [Analytical Glasses].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This might reveal a way to escape the dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the portrait based on Sui Zi’s description was complete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He showed it to her and asked: “Is this what he looks like?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sui Zi glanced at it once and was stunned—it wasn’t just similar, it was identical!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-yes… that’s exactly him…” Sui Zi replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After confirmation, Zero activated his [Analytical Glasses] to analyze the portrait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Analyzing… Analysis complete]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Name: Yan Meng—Dream Demon]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Gender: Male]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Age: Over 100 years]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Rank: Lower Moon One of the Twelve Kizuki]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Superior: Muzan Kibutsuji]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Blood Demon Art: Forced Sleep Whisper, Forced Sleep Gaze]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Special Ability: Dream Rope]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Note: The blood demon art of “Yan Meng” forcibly induces sleep and dreaming in opponents, allowing control over dream figures and objects. Only suicide within the dream can awaken the victim.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Profile: …]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So that’s how it is…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the [Analytical Glasses] data, Zero now knew exactly what to do next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was still one problem: what to do with Sui Zi?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How do you plan to leave my dream?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He said that if I destroy the dream’s master’s spiritual core, I’ll automatically wake up…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah… how ridiculous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can I ask you something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ask.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why leave the dream? Here, you can have everything you want, reunite with your family—isn’t that wonderful?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sui Zi blurted out everything she wanted to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero smiled faintly and replied: “A dream is still just a dream—no matter how long you sleep, you must wake up. If you remain lost in this dream, you’re no different from a corpse. Even if you’re alive, you’re merely a living corpse trapped in illusion. The past is past. Facing reality is what you must do. All you can do now is live well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words echoed repeatedly in Sui Zi’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A dream is just a dream… I can’t go back…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, a dream is just a dream—even if things change, the past cannot be reclaimed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if a mental lock had opened, Sui Zi finally understood something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the dream, she could reunite with her family—but what of reality?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What must be faced, must be faced. Escaping reality is only self-deception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing this, Sui Zi felt a heavy burden lift, and tears spilled freely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, flames suddenly ignited on Zero’s wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames enveloped his entire body in an instant, yet caused him no harm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Zero transformed into a new form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He held a Sun Wheel Scythe, wore a white trench coat and metal boots, and his hair had grown long and white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was his appearance after three years in the Demon Slayer Corps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this… Nezuko’s blood demon art? Is she waking me up… Good girl, thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero also noticed Sui Zi’s figure on the bed gradually fading, clearly preparing to leave his dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she departed, Sui Zi said to Zero: “Thank you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she vanished into the dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero prepared to leave his dream too—but before he did, he had one thing to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rose, contact Luo Li.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Yes, Creator.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Luo Li arrived in Zero’s room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zero, why did you call me? Huh? Why do you look like this…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before she finished speaking, Zero pulled Luo Li into his arms and kissed her deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling the warmth and breath of his lips, Luo Li slowly closed her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she didn’t understand what had happened, in this moment, her heart was filled with pure happiness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long moments passed before their lips parted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Li cupped Zero’s face, gazing at him with tender eyes brimming with love.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even though it’s just a dream, seeing you again has made me so happy. Luo Li, wait for me to return!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Li didn’t understand why he said this—his words made it clear he was leaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Li didn’t understand why he said those things; from his words, she sensed he was leaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry—I must leave. This is the only way I can truly see you again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Zero prepare to depart, Luo Li clung to him tightly, unwilling to let go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Helpless, he forcibly broke free from her embrace and turned toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Helpless, she forcibly broke free from Luo Li’s embrace and turned to walk toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero did not turn back at her cry—he kept running outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached the rooftop, gazing down at the view below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But time was running out—he had to leave!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yan Meng, though you let me see my beloved again, my dream is not something a lowly trash like you can invade!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then drew one of the [Dark Alloy Model Four] blades and pressed it to his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Suicide ends the dream and returns me to reality… Hah, Yan Meng, don’t underestimate the hot-blooded sons of Huaxia!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a roar, he slashed his own throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He roared loudly and slashed his own throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood sprayed—Zero’s form vanished from the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Infinite Train.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero opened his eyes, awakening from the dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced beside him: Rengoku, Inosuke, and Shinobu were still asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Tanjiro and Nezuko were gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A burned rope still tied his wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, it had been severed by Nezuko’s blood demon art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.” A girl’s voice came from behind Zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero turned around—he knew who it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zero turned his head and knew who it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sui Zi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind her, she carried another unconscious girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hurry and find a place to hide.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm, you… be careful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Sui Zi carried the other girl out of the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet shortly after Sui Zi left, as Zero prepared to awaken the others, the infinite train carriage transformed into an entirely different scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage walls were wrapped in disgusting fleshy membranes, with slimy tentacles extending outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inoosuke also awoke at this moment, leaping up and smashing through the ceiling, shouting his battle cry: “Charge Straight Ahead!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zenitsu, though still asleep, unleashed his power at this instant—his body turned into a golden lightning bolt, surging forward!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the surroundings, reeking of demon stench, Zero felt a wave of nausea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Disgusting!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drew his Nichirin Scythe and tightened his grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nichirin Scythe—Hekito Manifest!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shuu!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blur flashed past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Nichirin Scythe in his hand spun at an unbelievable speed, reducing every tentacle it touched into fragments!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just a few breaths, he slashed back and forth a thousand times within the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bam!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The violent attacks caused the Infinite Train to shudder violently, nearly derailing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aaaahhhhh!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A piercing scream echoed inside the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s going on?” Enmu asked, confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Enmu’s body had merged with the Infinite Train, Zero’s attacks—combined with the effect of Hekito—sent searing, soul-rending pain through him!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His regeneration ability was also restricted!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, in the frontmost carriage, Tanjiro was also fighting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The earlier collision had thrown him off balance; he rolled into another carriage, smashing a large hole through the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s happening?! Is the demon attacking?!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No time to think—he saw the tentacles lashing out again, grabbing sleeping passengers, preparing to devour them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro rose, grabbed his Nichirin Blade once more, and severed every tentacle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the carriage aisle was too narrow—he couldn’t fully unleash his strength!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap… tap… tap…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyojuro Rengoku also awoke at this moment. Seeing what had happened, he felt it was his failure as a Pillar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm…~ During my nap, this happened~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would’ve thought, who would’ve thought~ I, a Pillar, am truly useless~ If there were a hole here, I’d crawl right in!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shuu!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bam! Bam! Bam!…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyojuro Rengoku swung his Flame Blade, slashing rapidly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage ignited as if on fire, causing another violent collision that nearly derailed the train again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro had just pulled his head out of the door when he rolled over again, landing flat on his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What now?! Another violent jolt like before—is the demon really launching an attack?!” Tanjiro thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tanjiro!” Kyojuro Rengoku appeared before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mr. Rengoku!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tanjiro, I’ll be brief: before I came here, Zero and I have already struck countless times—the demon cannot regenerate for now!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The train has eight carriages. Zero and I will protect the last seven; the remaining one is guarded by the demon girl Nezuko and the blond boy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You and the boar-headed boy find the demon’s neck and cut it off!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But, Mr. Rengoku, the demon has merged with the train…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter what form the demon takes, as long as it’s a demon, it has a neck! Zero and I will monitor the carriages—you must hold firm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Kyojuro Rengoku’s serious expression, Tanjiro understood what he must do next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I understand!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, Kyojuro Rengoku vanished from Tanjiro’s sight, joining Zero to protect the final seven carriages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Incredible! He disappeared in an instant… No no! Now’s not the time to think about that, idiot! I must find the demon’s neck!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He picked up his Nichirin Blade and headed toward the train’s front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The closer he got to the front, the stronger the demon’s stench became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Inoosuke! Inoosuke, where are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro called out as he advanced toward the front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut up!” Inoosuke’s voice came from outside the roof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On top?” Without hesitation, he climbed up to meet Inoosuke and search for the demon’s neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it! That big-eyed gurgling bastard dared to order me around! And that black-and-white bird-wing guy ignored me… but those two… are incredibly strong!! It’s infuriating, aaaaaah!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inoosuke’s inner frustration boiled over as he ran, shouting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Inoosuke, we must find the demon’s neck and cut it off!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know already!! And I’ve found it! Thanks to my Seventh Style, I located its weak point—yeeehaaah!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro suddenly remembered—Inoosuke’s Seventh Style could sense everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plus, the wind was too strong, scattering the scent—he couldn’t detect it himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Inoosuke said it was ahead, Tanjiro trusted him completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Tanjiro climbed onto the roof, joined Inoosuke, and together they headed toward the train’s front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inoosuke arrived first at the train’s front, swung his twin blades, and split open the roof of the locomotive cab.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside stood a conductor!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who are you? What are you doing here?! Get… get out right now!” the conductor barked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inoosuke ignored him—he sensed the demon’s neck was right here!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his twin blades and brought them down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, numerous arms burst forth from within the cab, attacking Inoosuke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inoosuke had to retreat, swinging his blades to strike the arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there were too many—he couldn’t react fast enough; his hands and feet were seized and pinned down by other arms, immobilized!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Water Breathing. Seventh Style. Twisting Vortex!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tanjiro arrived just in time, twisting his body and spinning his Nichirin Blade, severing every arm and rescuing Inoosuke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The force of this strike further destroyed the cab.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enmu’s neck was wounded, and he let out another horrific scream.\u003C\u002Fp>",2086,"2026-06-20T21:22:22.338Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a779b8cca4a13234c0eb34835a3400a12a2effa6e2991ae6563803586ccbd43d","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-86","this-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--chapter-84",128,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthis-pillar-in-demon-slayer-is-extremely-strong--cover.jpg"]