One person: Lu Jin, do I look like your master?

He turned his head slightly and gestured to Tianyin beside him.

Tenon understood and took out a carefully preserved scroll from the wide sleeve of her kimono, respectfully handing it to Ubuyashiki Kagaya.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki slowly unrolled the paper scroll, facing the seven people in the courtyard.

Although his vision was blurred and he could not see the details of the portrait, he could feel seven sharp, knife-like gazes that instantly converged upon him.

“A while ago, a child came looking for me at the former water pillar, Urokodaki Sakonji’s place.”

Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice clearly reached everyone's ears.

"And he claimed that he went to Mount Sagiri to find the Demon Slayer Corps because he was guided by... a 'sage'."

This word, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirred up strong ripples in the hearts of the seven pillars.

Almost the instant he heard the word, apart from Kyōmei Himejima, who was still chanting sutras with his eyes closed, and Giyū Tomioka, whose expression did not change much.

The other pillars all showed obvious disapproval and deep doubt on their faces, their brows furrowed tightly.

A demon's plot!

This is the first thought that flashes through most people's minds.

A mocking sneer curled at the corner of Shinazugawa Sanemi's lips, his eyes growing even more ferocious, as if he had already seen through the demon's clumsy tricks.

In his view, this was simply an insult to intelligence.

Uzui Tengen stroked his chin, his sharp eyes beneath his ornate headband as he pondered whether this was some new type of Blood Demon Art or mind control, intended to infiltrate the Demon Slayer Corps.

Obanai Iguro's neck brace twitched slightly. His narrow eyes narrowed, filled with distrust, and he muttered to himself:

"The idea of ​​immortals is vague and ethereal, more like a lie used by evil spirits to deceive people."

Although Kyojuro Rengoku still stood ramrod straight, a hint of doubt lingered in his booming voice:

"Hmm! My lord! The idea of ​​a 'celestial being' is simply unbelievable! This could very well be a trap set by a demon!"

Even the usually gentle Kanae Kocho frowned slightly, her warm smile fading, replaced by caution and worry.

"My lord, this matter does indeed sound strange. That child... could he be possessed by a ghost, or be under some kind of illusion?"

Yoshiyuki Tomioka remained silent, but his gaze fell on the portrait, as if he were examining it closely.

Although Himejima Gyomei was blind, he could clearly sense the suspicion and hostility emanating from his colleagues. He clasped his hands together and said in a deep voice:

"Namo Amitabha Buddha... Gentlemen, please listen to what our lord has to say."

The atmosphere in the courtyard instantly shifted from doubt to high vigilance and skepticism because of the word "immortal".

Everyone tends to believe that this must be another cruel and cunning plan by the demons against the Demon Slayer Corps, or against the boy and his family who were caught up in it.

Having fought against cunning ghosts for years, they have long been accustomed to examining any event that defies common sense from the worst possible perspective.

Chapter 10 The Demon Slayer Corps' Reactions

Kagaya Ubuyashiki was not surprised by the almost undisguised suspicion and wariness of the pillars in the courtyard; instead, he showed a gentle smile of understanding.

This reaction is perfectly normal. If Urokodaki Sakonji hadn't guaranteed it with his own reputation in the letter and explained the confirmation process in detail, even he himself would have found it hard to believe when he first heard about it.

He gently raised his hand, signaling everyone to calm down, and continued to explain in his always soothing voice:

“I understand your concerns. At first, I also thought this matter was too mysterious.”

His voice clearly reached the ears of each pillar.

"But based on the description of the boy named Kamado Tanjiro, and the subsequent confirmation by Mr. Urokodaki Sakonji, there are several key points worth noting."

He paused, making sure everyone's attention was focused.

"According to the boy, that being descended by 'breaking through space' and can 'control flames at will,' changing their shape and even 'flying through the air.'"

Kagaya Ubuyashiki listed these abilities that defied common sense.

"More importantly, Mr. Urokodaki personally took the child to confirm the 'ghost's' scent. The result was clear—that being did not possess the slightest trace of the filth or evil aura of a 'ghost'."

His gaze swept over the crowd, and although his vision was blurry, he could sense the changes in their auras.

When the key point of "not a ghost" was emphasized, the level of skepticism in the air seemed to decrease somewhat.

For the Pillars who rely on their senses to fight, the direct evidence of "smell" is more convincing than any description, especially when it comes from Urokodaki Sakonji, who also has a keen sense of smell.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice became more solemn, even carrying a hint of unwavering conviction that he himself could hardly articulate, stemming from his innate intuition.

"I know this still sounds unbelievable, like a fairy tale."

However, I have a strong feeling that the existence of this 'immortal' is very likely real.

Furthermore, His arrival might...become an unexpected...key turning point in the thousand-year-long dark battle between our Demon Slayer Corps and Muzan Kibutsuji.

These words, imbued with the unique spirituality of the Ubuyashiki clan—a glimpse into the depths of fate—caused a brief silence among the Pillars.

Even the most skeptical Sanemi Shinazugawa merely frowned and did not immediately refute.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki handed forward the portrait he had been holding up.

"When you are out on missions, please keep a close eye on the people in the painting."

Regardless of His purpose in appearing, finding Him or learning more about Him may be crucial.

Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Pillar standing at the front, stepped forward and respectfully accepted the portrait.

His sharp gaze swept across the drawing paper like a hawk's, firmly imprinting the image of the black-haired, white-clad figure with a calm and detached expression into his mind.

Although one may still disagree in their heart, the lord's order is not to be questioned.

"Yes, my lord."

He responded in a deep voice and passed the portrait to Uzui Tengen beside him.

Regardless of their inner thoughts, since their lord had spoken and given a relatively reasonable explanation, it became one of their duties to pay extra attention to the person in the painting while carrying out their mission.

Afterwards, except for the Stone Pillar Himejima Gyomei, who was blind and unable to see, and continued chanting sutras with his eyes closed, the other pillars passed the portrait around in turn.

Giyu Tomioka glanced at it silently, his eyes still indifferent; Obanai Iguro scrutinized it carefully, as if trying to find any flaws that might be a disguise or illusion.

Kyojuro Rengoku watched very intently and said loudly, "Hmm! I've got it!"

Kanae Butterfly, with a gentle scrutiny, memorized the face in the portrait; Tengen Uzui commented, "A rather gorgeous face."

After the portraits were circulated, the Pillars had a brief exchange on routine matters such as the recent activities of the demons and possible traces of the Twelve Demon Months.

Subsequently, the emergency meeting convened due to the "immortal" matter came to an end.

With different thoughts in mind, the Pillars left headquarters one after another, returning to their respective areas of responsibility and missions.

After the meeting, Kagaya Ubuyashiki did not stop. Knowing that his personal strength was limited, he issued another order.

This also prompted the numerous Kasugai crows within the Demon Slayer Corps, responsible for relaying information and conducting reconnaissance, to keep a close eye on the "sage" depicted in the painting during their daily flights.

An invisible, far-reaching search network has been quietly deployed.

This place is less like the Pillar's residence and more like a sanatorium filled with the fragrance of herbs and the vitality of life.

Kanae Kocho, who had just returned as a flower pillar, took off her haori, which was covered in the dust of the outside world, and her younger sister Shinobu Kocho came to greet her with a cup of freshly brewed herbal tea with calming effects.

At this time, Shinobu Kocho was still young and had not yet experienced the immense grief that could change a person's character.

Her face held the curiosity and frankness unique to young girls, unlike later on when she always used a gentle smile to cover up the sharpness and sorrow in her heart.

"Sister, this Zhuhe meeting was so urgent, what were they talking about?"

Shinobu handed the tea to her sister and asked impatiently.

Although she is not yet a Pillar, as the Flower Pillar's sister and an important member of the Butterfly Mansion, she is extremely concerned about the affairs of the Demon Slayer Corps.

Kanae took the warm teacup, feeling the warmth from her palm, and looked at her sister's inquisitive eyes, pondering for a moment.

The matter of the "immortal" should be a top-secret information, but Shinobu is her younger sister, and the Butterfly House might also need to keep an eye on this matter... After thinking about it, she decided to tell her sister about this incredible thing.

She pulled Shinobu down to sit and gently repeated what the lord had said at the meeting: the boy from Mount Sagiri, the "sage" who descended by breaking through space, the control of fire and flight, the confirmation that he was not a demon, and the lord's premonition about a "key turning point".

"An immortal? Are you kidding me?!"

As expected, just like most of the Pillars' first reaction at the meeting, Shinobu Kocho almost blurted out after hearing her sister's account, her face filled with absurdity and disbelief.

With his hands on his hips, his tone carried the sharpness and skepticism characteristic of youth:

"Sister, how is that possible! If there really were 'immortals' in this world who could manipulate space and fire at will..."

With such immense power, why... why have those man-eating demons been able to exist for thousands of years? Why didn't He appear sooner and eliminate Muzan Kibutsuji, the culprit?

Do you expect our Demon Slayer Corps to sacrifice so many people, generation after generation, in a bloody battle?

Her questions went straight to the heart of the matter and were full of realistic logic.

In her view, it was illogical for someone to possess such power yet stand idly by for a thousand years; it seemed more like a clumsy lie or some unknown conspiracy.

Kanae Kocho looked at her emotionally agitated younger sister, sighed softly, patted the back of her hand, and said gently:

"Xiao Ren, your idea is the same as that of many people in the meeting. It's indeed hard to believe immediately."

She paused, gazing out the window as if deep in thought.

“However, our lord… rarely has such a clear premonition. Moreover, Mr. Urokodaki Sakonji has also confirmed that the being is not a ghost.”

She turned back and looked at her younger sister.

"Perhaps, the way this 'immortal' exists, or his perspective on the world, is completely different from ours."

Or perhaps, His appearance itself signifies a change in some 'rule' or 'timing' that we are yet to know?

Kanae Butterfly's voice remains gentle, yet it carries an open attitude, unwilling to easily deny the unknown.

"It's necessary to remain vigilant until we find out the truth, but perhaps... it's also good to retain a sliver of curiosity and possibility?"

Shinobu Kocho pouted, clearly not entirely convinced, but her sister's words calmed her down a bit. She muttered:

"Anyway... I find it very suspicious. Sisters, you must be careful when you go out; it might be some new type of blood demon magic!"

Although she still expressed her doubts, the concepts of "immortal" and mysterious powerful figures had already taken root in the young Shinobu Kocho's heart like a pebble thrown into a still lake.

A ripple of emotion, unlike that experienced by others, spread through her. This world seemed far more complex and unpredictable than she currently realized.

Chapter 11: Whereabouts of Wang Xuan?

Inside the deep cave, time seemed to stand still. After an unknown amount of time, Wang Xuan, who had been sitting motionless like a stone statue, slowly opened his eyes.

His eyes did not gleam with brilliance, but rather carried a rare hint of confusion and contemplation, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.

"The rules of this world... seem a bit strange."

He muttered to himself, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.

When he first arrived in this world, he scanned it with his divine sense and sensed that the spiritual energy here was thin and the barriers of law were relatively weak, far less "resilient" and "active" than the world under one person.

Based on his vague memories of the original "Demon Slayer" manga from his previous life, whether it was a "demon" that survived by mutation and devouring others.

Or a "swordsman" who stimulates the human body's potential through specific breathing techniques.

His power output seemed to be within a relatively "low magic" range, and did not attract much attention from him.

He had assumed it was a world with simple rules and limited potential.

However, when he truly calmed down and completely immersed himself in this world, using his own understanding of the "Tao" to carefully experience and analyze the underlying structure of this world, he was surprised to discover some unusual things.

The rules of this world, in terms of their "perfection" or "depth," actually seem to surpass those of the previous world, Under One Person!

Wang Xuan quickly corrected his perception, "It shouldn't be simply described as 'perfect'."

Rather... the 'foundation' of this world, or rather, the 'upper limit' of the power it can contain, is higher and broader than the world of "Under One Person".

This discovery left him somewhat taken aback.

In the world of Under One Person, the methods of the supernatural beings are incredibly diverse. Feng Hou Qi Men manipulates time and space, and the Eight Extraordinary Techniques each possess extraordinary abilities. Their power level is clearly higher than that of most beings in the Demon Slayer world.

But why does this world seem to have an advantage in terms of the "potential capacity" of the rules?

This is like two containers: one (Under One Person) contains highly active and energetic mercury, while the other (Demon Slayer) contains only calm water.

Judging solely from the "activity" and current performance of the contents, mercury is clearly superior; however, if we consider the "volume" and "sturdiness" of the container itself, the one containing water may actually be larger and more robust.

"I must have forgotten something..."

Wang Xuan stood up, and glistening dust silently slid off his body. He paced slowly in the simple cave, his white robes brushing against the rocks without getting a single stain.