Chapter 44: Joining the Demon Slayer Corps

In the silent night, the coachman's voice suddenly rang out, breaking the surrounding tranquility: "Everyone, we cannot continue on this path. I'll leave the rest to you to walk forward."

Hearing this, Lin Yi gently lifted the carriage curtain and looked out.

He saw a winding, ancient staircase leading deep into the mountainside.

Though the steps had weathered many seasons, they were not overgrown with weeds, clearly indicating regular maintenance.

The entire path was hidden within a dense forest, appearing like a secret passage leading to an unknown distance.

The surrounding woods were lush and green, echoing the continuous mountain ranges to outline a vast, desolate landscape.

As the night deepened, a light breeze brushed through the treetops, making a rustling sound.

The sound seemed exceptionally clear in the silent night.

Aside from the occasional howl of an animal, there were no signs of human life in the vicinity.

Lin Yi took the lantern from the coachman. The dim, yellowish light flickered in the dark night like a lighthouse at sea, illuminating the winding path ahead for the group.

Leading Old Wolf and the others, Lin Yi stepped steadily up the ancient stone stairs toward the mountain peak.

Along the way, hidden defenses followed them like shadows, concealed deep within the woods and the shadows of the rocks, vigilantly watching everything around them.

Only when they saw the design of the lantern in Lin Yi's hand did their tense nerves relax slightly.

The carved patterns on the lantern were secret marks known only to insiders, proving the identity and purpose of Lin Yi's group.

After about twenty minutes of arduous trekking, Lin Yi's group finally arrived beside a grand residence.

Built against the mountain, the residence was magnificent, standing on the mountainside like an ancient castle.

The gates of the mansion were tightly closed, with exquisite patterns and mysterious designs carved into the tall doors.

The stone steps in front of the gate were clean and tidy, and the lush trees on both sides added a touch of vitality to the residence.

Their eyes appeared quite lifeless, much like two exquisite dolls.

As the night breeze blew, their white hair fluttered in the wind, creating a sharp contrast with the surrounding darkness and appearing somewhat eerie.

"Welcome. Father has been waiting inside for some time." The voices of the two white-haired lolis were crisp and melodious, echoing through the night sky like silver bells.

They led Lin Yi and his group into the magnificent residence.

Inside the room, it was brightly lit, with warm yellow light spilling over exquisite furniture and magnificent decorations.

The Master of the Demon Slayer Corps sat in the center of the room, surrounded by several Hashira-level members kneeling around him.

The moment Lin Yi's group stepped into the room, everyone's gaze focused on them simultaneously, like searchlights.

"What? Did these people really kill Lower Moon Four?" The personality of the Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa, was as direct as his breathing style. He made no effort to hide his doubt, bluntly questioning the strength of Lin Yi's group.

In his view, the strength of Old Wolf and the others was not outstanding; even against a not-so-powerful Lower Moon demon, they did not look like they possessed enough combat power to defeat the opponent.

Although the other Hashira did not speak, their expressions betrayed similar thoughts.

They scrutinized Lin Yi's group, their eyes filled with obvious suspicion and distrust.

Without his sword drawn, Lin Yi's temperament was far too peaceful, making it difficult for anyone to associate him with a powerhouse capable of killing a member of the Twelve Kizuki.

The atmosphere in the room thus became somewhat subtle and tense.

"Sir, please take a seat here. I have some issues with my eyes and cannot see very far."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice was gentle and polite as he pointed to a cushion beside him, gesturing for Lin Yi to sit down.

Obanai Iguro's white snake, Kaburamaru, around his neck appeared exceptionally uneasy.

It had always been Iguro's capable assistant, but at this moment, it acted as if it had encountered a natural predator.

The white snake's body kept retreating into Iguro's collar, attempting to escape the person that filled it with dread.

This fear did not stem from a powerful aura emanating from Lin Yi, but from an instinctive intuition.

"Mr. Lin, please restrain your aura a little. Kaburamaru is frightened by you." Kagaya Ubuyashiki coughed twice, a trace of blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"The Master is no ordinary person either, to actually be able to perceive my aura," Lin Yi remarked, his tone carrying a hint of surprise.

Watching this scene, the surrounding Hashira's doubts deepened.

Although they could not perceive Lin Yi's aura, judging from the Master's reaction and Lin Yi's behavior, this young man was clearly not a simple figure.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki smiled and shook his head, saying, "I am merely an ordinary person. Due to my lack of senses, I am simply somewhat sensitive to auras." His tone was humble and calm, showing no arrogance for being able to see through Lin Yi's aura.

In Kagaya Ubuyashiki's world of perception, everyone's aura was like a unique color, interwoven into a complex painting.

He could clearly perceive the auras of the others in the room; they were bright or dim, but all presented a normal color, like the various colors of life intertwined.

However, when his perception attempted to touch Lin Yi's aura, it was as if he had encountered a profound abyss.

His perception was like a stone thrown into it, yet it failed to stir even a single ripple; there was not even the slightest response.

Lin Yi's aura was like a black hole, swallowing all of his perception and preventing him from peering into its mysteries.

"I wonder if you would be willing to join the Demon Slayer Corps?" Kagaya Ubuyashiki formally extended the invitation to Lin Yi.

Although Lin Yi's background was suspicious, Kagaya Ubuyashiki did not care about that. The formation of the Demon Slayer Corps did not look at one's origins; they cared about only one thing: whether the person had the ability to kill demons.

"I can."

"Good. Then you shall be the new Hashira of my Demon Slayer Corps." A relieved smile appeared on Kagaya Ubuyashiki's face.

As Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice fell, the notification sound of the Reincarnation Paradise rang out at the opportune moment.

[Hunter has completed Main Quest (1): Faction Selection. This quest has no rewards. Subsequent quests are now unlocked.]

[Main Quest (2): Demon Slayer Member.]

Difficulty Level: LV.3.

Quest Brief: Quickly rise in rank within the Demon Slayer Corps to prepare for subsequent quests.

Quest Information: Gain contribution by killing demons to increase rank. Requirement: Reach the rank of Kinoe (甲) member.

Time Limit: Twenty days.

Quest Rewards: 1 Attribute Point, 1500 Paradise Coins.

...

[Hunter has successfully joined the Demon Slayer Corps. Faction Contribution system is now active.]

[Current Rank: Hashira. Demon Slayer Corps Contribution: 0/X. Contribution can be obtained by killing demons or completing other tasks. Once the contribution is full, your rank can be increased.]

[Contribution can also be used to purchase items within the Demon Slayer Corps.]

[Hunter has completed Main Quest (2): Demon Slayer Member. Obtained 1 Attribute Point, 1500 Paradise Coins.]

[Main Quest (3): Eliminate the Demon King.]

Difficulty Level: LV.5.

Quest Brief: Engage in a decisive battle with Muzan Kibutsuji's faction and eliminate more than half of the Demon King's contractors.

Quest Information: Survival of the fittest.

Time Limit: Thirty days.

Quest Rewards: Return Eligibility.

Due to Lin Yi's bug-like existence, Main Quest 2 was skipped directly.

To balance the progression of the game, the Reincarnation Paradise had to merge the time of Main Quest 2 into Main Quest 3 to prevent other contractors from lacking preparation time.

(End of Chapter)