The area was populated with many wandering demons.
Of course, their level was far inferior to the Twelve Kizuki, posing no threat to Bai Ye.
However, Bai Ye wasn't interested in demon-slaying missions in the neutral zone; a hundred and twenty demons for a single blue-quality item was far too inefficient.
But this was in line with the characteristics of the neutral zone. The mission difficulty there was relatively low. If good items were easily obtained, only an idiot would explore dangerous areas or enter forbidden zones.
Bai Ye's reason for killing demons was still to test the abilities of the Goro Goro no Mi.
The power was undeniable, evident by its gold quality.
However, his two techniques were indeed a bit monotonous; in a real fight, it would be a pure power-based push.
Still, the good news was that the proficiency improvement speed was quite good, at least the first stage of proficiency increased rapidly. After killing thirty demons, Bai Ye's proficiency had already surpassed 500, just half more to reach completion.
But this was only the initial surge. As proficiency increased, it would certainly become harder to gain more.
There was also some bad news...
Bai Ye had traded away both the Ning Shuang Sword and the famous blade Shi Xue, reducing the number of weapons available for synthesis and significantly decreasing the quantity of weapons added to the Gate of Babylon.
"It seems that besides relying on the gacha machine, I'll need to get a few more weapons for synthesis to supplement the Gate of Babylon."
Bai Ye mused for a moment and then prepared to return to the neutral zone.
Bai Ye planned to stay in the neutral zone for another two days.
The main reason was to wait for the results from the Evil Spirit Group. If the Blood Battle at Ju Xian Zhuang yielded substantial gains, Bai Ye believed Gao Ming would approach him soon.
"Mr. Bai Ye."
Upon returning to the old town, Bai Ye intended to find an inn to sleep again when he heard someone call his name.
Turning around, he saw the trio of Tanjiro Kamado, Inosuke Hashibira, and Zenitsu Agatsuma. These three were likely the legendary protagonist group, always acting together.
Bai Ye smiled and said, "You guys just got back too? Went demon-slaying again?"
Bai Ye's attitude towards Tanjiro Kamado was exceptionally good. After all, this was the person who helped him draw out the Goro Goro no Mi!
If he could get another pull from the gacha machine and obtain another gold-quality item card Bug, wouldn't that be wonderful!
Gacha Machine: You wish.
"Yes!" Tanjiro Kamado smiled. "We're planning to report back. What about you, Mr. Bai Ye?"
Bai Ye replied, "I just got back from slaying demons too."
Tanjiro Kamado said, "Mr. Bai Ye, with such immense strength and your willingness to slay demons, why wouldn't you join the Demon Slayer Corps? I even believe you have the potential to become a Hashira."
Bai Ye responded, "I'm just a traveler. I'll be leaving soon, so it's best not to."
The Nine Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps were indeed very interesting to Bai Ye.
However, the word "once" would need to be added before that sentence.
After obtaining the Goro Goro no Mi, Bai Ye now dared to confront head-on those among the Nine Pillars who were considered lower-tier. The Twelve Kizuki under the Demon King were also similar; except for the top few Upper Moons, Bai Ye didn't take the rest seriously.
Moreover, there wasn't much in this area that held Bai Ye's interest.
The Demon Slayer Corps primarily offered breathing techniques. While extremely powerful when cultivated to their limit, breathing techniques also required cultivation, which essentially meant proficiency.
Since that was the case, why shouldn't Bai Ye diligently improve the Goro Goro no Mi?
As for demons, the most precious things were undoubtedly the Demon King's blood and powerful blood demon arts.
However, the Demon King was not easy to kill, unless the proficiency of the Goro Goro no Mi could be increased by several stages.
Most importantly...
Bai Ye did not want to become a demon.
Therefore, the Demon King's blood and blood demon arts held no allure for Bai Ye.
Tanjiro Kamado did not press the issue and nodded, "That's truly a pity."
At this very moment...
"Hey, you guys up ahead!"
A voice rang out from behind Bai Ye and the others.
Turning around, a tall, white-haired man appeared behind them. He wore a sleeveless vest, had twin swords on his back, a diamond-studded forehead protector, and silver-white hair.
Tanjiro Kamado blinked in surprise. "This looks like Tengen Uzui, the Sound Hashira!"
Tengen Uzui took a step forward, his speed astonishingly fast, reaching them in almost an instant.
Tengen Uzui asked, "Are you heading back to headquarters?"
Tanjiro Kamado nodded. "Yes."
"Don't go back," Tengen Uzui declared. "I'm short on people here and need help. All of you, come with me!"
Tanjiro Kamado hesitated. "This isn't by the rules. Our squad..."
The Hashira had their own exclusive squads, and becoming a squad member required stricter vetting. Tanjiro and the other two did not yet qualify.
However...
"Stop your whining," Tengen Uzui said impatiently. "A true man should act with flair."
After speaking, Tengen Uzui ignored whether the trio agreed and grabbed Inosuke and Zenitsu, slinging them over his shoulders.
"Let me go, you bastard, let me go!"
Inosuke immediately struggled, but Tengen Uzui paid him no mind and ran off.
In an instant, Tengen Uzui had covered more than ten meters and then turned to face Tanjiro Kamado and Bai Ye.
"Hurry up," Tengen Uzui urged. "Don't dawdle, we're running out of time!"
Bai Ye pointed at himself in bewilderment. "I'm included?"
"You have received a hidden mission."
"Assist Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui in investigating the pleasure district, find the hidden demons, and the mission reward: Sound Breathing x1."
The moment Bai Ye asked, he noticed the hidden mission had appeared.
Bai Ye immediately had no objections.
With a hidden mission, Bai Ye didn't care whether he was a member of the Demon Slayer Corps or not.
As long as he wasn't working for free!
Bai Ye thought to himself, exchanged a glance with Tanjiro Kamado, and then quickly followed.
After leaving the old town with Tengen Uzui, they traveled southwest.
After passing the surrounding fields and a desolate area, they still hadn't reached their destination. Tengen Uzui directly summoned a carriage to continue their journey.
Only then did Bai Ye realize that this hidden mission might take much longer than he had anticipated.
Tanjiro Kamado couldn't help but say, "Mr. Uzui..."
"Lord, you must call me Lord," Tengen Uzui corrected. "That word is more flamboyant."
Tanjiro Kamado said helplessly, "Lord Uzui, where exactly are we going?"
"The pleasure district," Tengen Uzui replied. "The Yoshiwara pleasure district."
The trio of Tanjiro Kamado didn't understand, while Bai Ye started coughing violently, nearly choking on his own saliva.
"What kind of place is that?" Tanjiro Kamado asked, looking bewildered, then turned to Bai Ye. "Bai Ye, do you know?"
"You can think of it as..." Bai Ye smirked. "A man's paradise?"