This area is teeming with wandering demons.
Of course, their level is far below that of the Twelve Kizuki, so they pose no threat to Bai Ye.
However, Bai Ye isn't interested in demon-slaying missions in the neutral zone. With only one blue-quality item for every one hundred and twenty demons, the efficiency is simply too low.
But this is consistent with the nature of the neutral zone. The mission difficulty there is relatively low. If good items could be easily obtained, only an idiot would explore dangerous areas or enter forbidden zones.
Bai Ye's reason for killing demons is still to test the capabilities of the Goro Goro no Mi.
There's no question about its power, given its gold quality.
However, the two techniques are indeed a bit monotonous. In a real fight, it would purely rely on raw power to crush opponents.
But the good news is that the proficiency is increasing at a decent pace. At least, the proficiency for the first stage is growing quickly. After killing thirty demons, Bai Ye's proficiency has risen to over 500, just half of what's needed to max it out.
However, this is only the initial surge. As proficiency increases, it will undoubtedly become harder to improve later on.
There's also some bad news...
Bai Ye has traded away the Frost-Piercing Sword and the Famous Blade Bloodthirsty. With fewer weapons available for synthesis, the number of items he can upgrade in the Gate of Babylon has significantly decreased.
"It seems that besides relying on the gacha machine, I'll need to acquire a few more weapons for synthesis to supplement the Gate of Babylon."
Bai Ye pondered this for a moment, then decided to return to the neutral zone.
He plans to stay in the neutral zone for a couple more days.
The main reason is to wait for the results from the Evil Spirit Group. If the Blood Battle at Ju Xian Manor yields significant gains, Bai Ye is confident that Gao Ming will approach him soon.
"Mr. Bai Ye."
Upon returning to the old town, Bai Ye intended to find an inn and continue sleeping, when he heard someone call his name.
Turning around, he saw the trio of Tanjiro Kamado, Inosuke Hashibira, and Zenitsu Agatsuma. These three must be the legendary protagonists, always acting together.
Bai Ye smiled and said, "You guys just got back? Been slaying demons again?"
Bai Ye's attitude towards Tanjiro Kamado is exceptionally good. After all, this is the person who helped him draw the Goro Goro no Mi!
If he were to draw another one for him later, and get another golden item card Bug, wouldn't that be wonderful!
Gacha machine: "You're dreaming."
"Yes!" Tanjiro Kamado smiled. "We plan to report back. What about you, Mr. Bai Ye?"
Bai Ye replied, "I just got back from slaying demons myself."
Tanjiro Kamado said, "Mr. Bai Ye, with such immense strength and willingness to slay demons, why don't you join the Demon Slayer Corps? I even believe you have the potential to become a Hashira."
Bai Ye stated, "I'm just a traveler and will be leaving soon, so I'll have to pass."
The Nine Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps are indeed very interesting to Bai Ye.
However, the phrase "used to be" needs to be added before it.
After obtaining the Goro Goro no Mi, Bai Ye now dares to confront any of the lower-ranked Hashira. He also feels the same about the Twelve Kizuki under the Demon King, except for the top few Upper Moons. The rest, Bai Ye doesn't even bother to regard.
Moreover, this area doesn't have much that truly attracts Bai Ye.
The Demon Slayer Corps primarily offers breathing techniques. While powerful when cultivated to their limit, breathing techniques still require cultivation, which boils down to proficiency.
Given this, isn't it better for Bai Ye to simply focus on improving his Goro Goro no Mi?
As for the demons, the most valuable things are undoubtedly the Demon King's blood and powerful blood demon arts.
But the Demon King isn't easily killed unless the proficiency of the Goro Goro no Mi can be raised by several tiers.
Most importantly...
Bai Ye doesn't want to become a demon.
Therefore, the Demon King's blood and blood demon arts hold no allure for Bai Ye.
Tanjiro Kamado didn't insist and nodded, "That's a real shame."
Just then...
"Hey, you few ahead!"
A voice rang out from behind Bai Ye and the others.
Turning around, they saw a tall, white-haired man appear behind them. He wore a sleeveless vest, had two swords on his back, and a diamond-studded forehead protector on his brow, with silver-white hair.
Tanjiro Kamado blinked in surprise. "That looks like Tengen Uzui, the Sound Hashira!"
Tengen Uzui took a step forward with astonishing speed, appearing before them in 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-handed here and need some help. You all come with me!"
Tanjiro Kamado hesitated. "That's against the rules. Our team..."
The Hashira have their own exclusive squads, and there are stricter qualifications to become a member of one. Tanjiro and the other two don't yet meet those criteria.
However...
"Stop rambling," Tengen Uzui said impatiently. "A man should act with flair."
After saying this, Tengen Uzui, without waiting for Tanjiro and the others' agreement, grabbed Inosuke and Zenitsu and slung them over his shoulders.
"Let me go, you brute! Let me go!"
Inosuke immediately began to struggle, but Tengen Uzui ignored him and ran off.
In an instant, Tengen Uzui was more than ten meters away. He then turned back to look at Tanjiro Kamado and Bai Ye.
"Hurry up," Tengen Uzui urged. "Don't dawdle, we're running out of time!"
Bai Ye stared in disbelief and pointed to himself. "I'm included?"
"You've received a hidden mission."
"Assist the Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui in investigating the pleasure district, find the hidden demons, mission reward: Sound Breathing x1."
As soon as Bai Ye asked, he saw the hidden mission appear.
Bai Ye immediately had no objections.
With a hidden mission, Bai Ye didn't care if he was a member of the Demon Slayer Corps or not.
As long as he wasn't working for free!
Thinking this, Bai Ye exchanged a look with Tanjiro Kamado and quickly followed.
Leaving the old town with Tengen Uzui, they headed 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 ask, "Mr. Uzui..."
"Master, you should call me Master," Tengen Uzui corrected. "That word is more flamboyant."
Tanjiro Kamado said reluctantly, "Master 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 began to cough violently, almost choking on his own saliva.
"What kind of place is that?" Tanjiro Kamado asked, looking utterly bewildered, then turned to Bai Ye. "Bai Ye, do you know?"
"You can think of it as..." Bai Ye's lips curled slightly. "A man's paradise?"