This area is filled with wandering demons.
Of course, their level is far inferior to the Twelve Kizuki, and they pose no threat to Bai Ye.
However, Bai Ye isn't interested in the demon-slaying missions in the neutral zone. Exchanging one hundred and twenty demons for a single blue-quality item is far too inefficient.
But this is typical of the neutral zone. The mission difficulty here is relatively low. If one could easily obtain good items, 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 Rumble-Rumble Fruit.
There was no question about its power, given its gold quality.
However, his two techniques were a bit too monotonous. In a real fight, he would purely rely on overwhelming power.
But the good news was that the proficiency was increasing at a decent rate. At least, the initial stage of proficiency was increasing rapidly. After killing thirty demons, Bai Ye's proficiency had risen above 500, just half short of being full.
However, this was only the initial surge. As proficiency increased, it would naturally become harder to raise later.
There was also some bad news...
Bai Ye had traded away both the Frost Sword and the famous Bloodthirsty Blade, reducing the number of weapons available for synthesis and significantly lowering the rate of improvement for the Gate of Babylon.
"It seems that besides relying on the gacha machine, I need to acquire a few more weapons for synthesis to supplement the Gate of Babylon."
Bai Ye pondered for a moment, then prepared to return to the neutral zone.
Bai Ye intended to stay in the neutral zone for a couple more days.
Primarily, he wanted to wait for the results from the Evil Spirit Group. If the Blood War Gathering Immortals' Villa yielded substantial gains, Bai Ye was confident that Gao Ming would approach him soon.
"Mr. Bai Ye."
Upon returning to the ancient town, Bai Ye was about to find an inn to sleep when he heard someone call his name.
Turning around, he saw the trio of Tanjiro Kamado and his companions. These three were likely the legendary protagonists, always acting together.
Bai Ye smiled and said, "You guys just got back too? Went demon-slaying again?"
Bai Ye had an excellent attitude towards Tanjiro Kamado, after all, he was the one who helped him draw the Rumble-Rumble Fruit!
If he could draw one more golden item card Bug for him someday, wouldn't that be wonderful!
Gacha Machine: "You're dreaming."
"Yes!" Tanjiro Kamado smiled and said, "We're planning to report back. What about you, Mr. Bai Ye?"
Bai Ye replied, "I just got back from demon-slaying too."
Tanjiro Kamado asked, "Mr. Bai Ye, with such powerful strength and your willingness to slay demons, why don't you join the Demon Slayer Corps? I even think you have the potential to become a Pillar."
Bai Ye said, "I'm just a traveler, and I'll be leaving soon, so it's best not to."
The Nine Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps were quite interesting to Bai Ye.
However, the phrase "former" needed to be added before it.
After obtaining the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, Bai Ye now dared to confront any of the lower-ranked Pillars. The Twelve Kizuki of the Demon King were also within his reach; he didn't need to take the top few Upper Moons seriously.
Moreover, there wasn't much in this area that attracted Bai Ye.
The Demon Slayer Corps' breathing techniques, while formidable when cultivated to their limit, still required practice and, in essence, proficiency.
Since that was the case, why couldn't Bai Ye simply focus on improving his Rumble-Rumble Fruit?
As for the demons, the most precious things were undoubtedly the Demon King's blood and powerful Blood Demon Arts.
However, the Demon King wasn't easy to kill, unless the proficiency of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit could be raised by several levels.
Most importantly...
Bai Ye didn't want to become a demon.
Therefore, the Demon King's blood and Blood Demon Arts held no allure for Bai Ye.
Tanjiro Kamado didn't insist and nodded, saying, "That's a real shame."
At that moment...
"Hey, you guys up ahead!"
A voice called 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. His hair was silvery-white.
Tanjiro Kamado blinked in surprise. "Isn't that Tengen Uzui, the Sound Hashira!"
Tengen Uzui took a step forward with astonishing speed, appearing before them in almost an instant.
Tengen Uzui asked, "Are you heading back to headquarters?"
Tanjiro Kamado nodded. "Yes."
"Don't go back," Tengen Uzui said. "I'm short of people here and need some help. All of you, come with me!"
Tanjiro Kamado hesitated. "That's against regulations. Our squad..."
The Pillars had their own exclusive squads, and becoming a squad member of a Pillar required a stricter vetting process. Tanjiro Kamado and his companions did not yet have that qualification.
However...
"Stop nagging," Tengen Uzui said impatiently. "A man should act with flamboyance."
After speaking, Tengen Uzui didn't wait for Tanjiro Kamado and his companions to agree. He grabbed Inosuke and Zenitsu and hoisted them onto his shoulders.
"Let me down, you scoundrel! Let me down!"
Inosuke immediately began to struggle, but Tengen Uzui ignored him and turned to run.
In an instant, Tengen Uzui had already run more than ten meters before turning 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 surprise and pointed at himself. "Me too?"
"You have received a hidden mission."
"Assist Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui in investigating the Entertainment 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.
As long as he wasn't working for free!
Thinking this, Bai Ye exchanged a glance with Tanjiro Kamado and quickly followed.
Leaving the ancient town with Tengen Uzui, they proceeded southwest.
After passing the surrounding fields and a barren area, they still hadn't reached their destination. Tengen Uzui directly procured a carriage to continue their journey.
Only then did Bai Ye realize that this hidden mission might take much longer than he had initially imagined.
Tanjiro Kamado couldn't help but say, "Mr. Uzui..."
"Lord, you must call me Lord," Tengen Uzui said. "That title is more flamboyant."
Tanjiro Kamado said helplessly, "Lord Uzui, where exactly are we going?"
"The Entertainment District," Tengen Uzui replied. "Yoshiwara Entertainment District."
Tanjiro Kamado and the other two 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, utterly bewildered, then looked at Bai Ye. "Bai Ye, do you know?"
"You can think of it as..." Bai Ye smirked, "a paradise for men?"