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

Led by Kagaya Ubuyashiki, everyone bowed in gratitude once again, this time with their voices filled with thanks and relief.

After bowing, Kagaya Ubuyashiki raised his head and made a more specific request, his attitude becoming even more humble:

"Your Excellency, most of the 'Pillars' of the Demon Slayer Corps are currently on missions or patrolling various regions."

Such a decisive battle, concerning the fate of a thousand years, requires the gathering of all top-tier combat forces and meticulous planning.

"I wonder... if you could stay at headquarters for a while, and after all the Pillar-level swordsmen return, we can discuss together how to use your strength to completely defeat Muzan Kibutsuji?"

Wang Xuan nodded slightly, which was taken as agreement.

Since they are determined to settle their karmic debts on their own, he will naturally not interfere too much.

His role was more about providing a "bottom line" and necessary "information" to ensure victory, rather than personally getting involved. This aligns with his style and respects the will of these people.

Seeing that Wang Xuan agreed, Ubuyashiki Kagaya felt a great weight lifted from his heart and immediately made arrangements respectfully:

"Tianyin, immediately prepare the quietest and most comfortable room in headquarters for Lord Wang Xuan. He must be served with the highest courtesy and without the slightest negligence!"

Lady Tianyin respectfully responded, giving Wang Xuan a deep look filled with complex gratitude and awe, before quietly withdrawing to make arrangements.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki then turned to the member of the Hidden Sect beside him, his tone urgent and forceful:

"Immediately notify all 'pillars' outside through all channels with the highest emergency order!"

No matter where they are or what mission they are carrying out, once they receive orders, they must return to headquarters immediately at the fastest speed and at all costs!

Tell them—the moment to end the millennium may be approaching!

The hidden member accepted the order and quickly disappeared outside the door.

As the order was given, the entire Demon Slayer Corps headquarters awoke like a sleeping giant, and a tense yet expectant atmosphere quietly spread.

Wang Xuan, led by a servant, walked toward the residence prepared for him, like a deity descended to earth, calmly awaiting the slow unfolding of the final act of this human-led conflict against the thousand-year-old ghost king.

Chapter 19 The Pillars' Shock

Upon receiving the highest emergency summons, all the Pillars, no matter how urgent their tasks were, rushed back to headquarters as quickly as possible without hesitation.

Weary from their journey, their hearts were filled with speculation and unease about the reason for this emergency meeting. Had they discovered traces of an Upper Moon demon? Or had Muzan made an unprecedented move?

After about two days of rapid travel, apart from Kanae Butterfly and Kyojuro Rengoku who were already by Wang Xuan's side, the others arrived.

The remaining five Pillars—Gyomei Himejima (Stone Pillar), Sanemi Shinazugawa (Wind Pillar), Tengen Uzui (Sound Pillar), Giyu Tomioka (Water Pillar), and Obanai Iguro (Serpent Pillar)—have all arrived at headquarters.

In the courtyard, the seven pillars gathered once again. However, the atmosphere was completely different from the usual pillar meeting.

The five newly arrived Pillars quickly noticed the unusual behavior of Kanae Kocho and Kyojuro Rengoku.

These two were not like they used to be; one was gentle and calm yet firm, and the other was enthusiastic and full of energy.

A heavy feeling lingered between their brows, and a lingering sense of shock and bewilderment seemed to remain deep in their eyes, as if they had experienced some kind of shock that overturned their understanding.

The two would occasionally drift into a daze, and seemed somewhat absent-minded when greeting the other pillars.

"Hey, Kanae, Kyojuro, what's going on with you two?"

Sanemi Shinazugawa was the first to lose his composure, frowning as he asked directly.

"Also, what exactly is the reason for this emergency summons by our lord? You returned first, so you must know something, right?"

Uzui Tengen stroked his chin, his sharp eyes hidden beneath his ornate headband:

"Yes, you two don't look glamorous at all, you look like you've been frightened by something."

Even the taciturn Giyu Tomioka and the gloomy Obanai Iguro turned their inquisitive gazes toward them.

Even the blind rock pillar, Himejima Gyomei, who had been silently twirling his prayer beads, slightly raised his "head" at this moment, his unfocused eyes "looking" in the direction of Kanae and Kyojuro.

Although he was blind, his extraordinary hearing, sense of smell, and keen perception of aura allowed him to clearly "sense" the aura emanating from his two colleagues.

Unlike any other day, it was a complex emotion that mixed extreme shock, lingering fear, and a kind of... indescribable heavy realization.

Kanae opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but in the end it just turned into a barely audible sigh and she shook her head.

Rengoku Kyojuro, unusually, did not immediately reply with his loud voice, but instead pursed his lips tightly, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Just as everyone was filled with doubt and wanted to continue asking questions, a light footstep came from the corridor connecting the inner courtyard.

Everyone's attention was instantly drawn over.

Then, Lord Ubuyashiki Kagaya, accompanied by his wife, Lady Amane, slowly walked over.

However, what made the newly arrived five Pillars' pupils suddenly shrink and almost unable to believe their eyes was that walking beside Ubuyashiki Kagaya, slightly ahead of him by half a body length, was a young man with black hair and black eyes, wearing a strange white gi and an otherworldly temperament!

What shocked and left them speechless was their lord, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, himself!

The lord, who had been tormented by illness and curses for many years, with a hunched back, pale face, and needing assistance to walk slowly, was now... walking steadily on his own!

His back was straight, his face had the rosy glow of a healthy person, his steps were calm and powerful, and his eyes, which had been somewhat cloudy due to impaired vision, were now clear and bright, containing a gentle yet extremely firm expression!

"My...my lord?!"

"This...this is...?"

"How can it be?!"

Sanemi Shinazugawa, Tengen Uzui, and Obanai Iguro almost simultaneously gasped in shock, their faces filled with utter horror and disbelief.

Even Yoshiyuki Tomioka's usually indifferent face showed obvious surprise.

As Yan Zhu Beiming Yu Xingming's hand, which was holding Buddhist prayer beads, suddenly stopped! His blind eyes "looked" in the direction from which the footsteps came, and for the first time, an expression of utter astonishment and doubt appeared on his scarred face!

In his perception, there were only two familiar auras approaching—Lord Ubuyashiki Kagaya and his wife Amane!

As for the others, they were completely absent from his perception, as if they did not exist at all!

If he hadn't actually heard the footsteps of the third person and witnessed the unmistakable shock of his colleagues, he would never have realized there was another person there!

What terrifying ability to conceal one's aura? Or rather, what an absolute difference in the level of life?

Kagaya Ubuyashiki took in the shock of the Pillars, a genuine, relieved, and gentle smile appearing on his face. His voice was steady and strong, no longer showing its former weakness:

"Everyone, I am very happy to see you all return safely."

He first expressed his concern, then his gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Wang Xuan, who stood silently to the side, his tone filled with utmost respect:

"I'm sure you've all seen the changes in me. Yes, the curse that has plagued my Ubuyashiki family for so many years has been dispelled."

My regained health is entirely thanks to this—Immortal Wang Xuan, who, with his supreme divine powers, lent me a new life.

"Dispel the curse?!"

"He is... the one Mr. Urokodaki mentioned in his letter..."

All eyes instantly focused on Wang Xuan, a mixture of shock, doubt, curiosity, and gratitude for their lord's healing. So, what the previous water pillar's letter said was true!

So this is the legendary "immortal"! Moreover, he possesses the divine power to easily dispel the curse that has plagued the Ubuyashiki family for thousands of years!

At this moment, Himejima Gyoumei finally "confirmed" Wang Xuan's existence. Not through perception, but through the reactions of his colleagues and his lord's words.

He clasped his hands together, murmured a Buddhist chant, and stared blankly in the direction of Wang Xuan, a tidal wave of emotions surging within him. This man's existence was beyond his comprehension.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki continued, drawing everyone's attention back to the main topic:

"And Lord Wang Xuan is precisely the main reason why I urgently convened this meeting of the Pillars."

This is a momentous decision concerning the Demon Slayer Corps' thousand-year mission, and even the future fate of this world; we must face it together.

His words instantly put all the pillars on high alert, making them realize the extraordinary nature of this meeting.

At this moment, Kagaya Ubuyashiki looked at these elite swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps, whom he regarded as his own children, and felt an indescribable warmth and sorrow welling up in his heart.

'It's so wonderful to be able to see these children's faces clearly again, to see the light in their eyes.'

This regained vision made him cherish every moment even more.

Wang Xuan stood aside, calmly enduring the incredibly complex gazes of all the pillars.

He could clearly sense their shock, doubt, awe, and the unspoken gratitude they felt for healing their lord.

Faced with these focused gazes, he merely twitched the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing an extremely faint, almost imperceptible smile.

This smile was neither enthusiastic nor arrogant, but rather a kind of tranquility that seemed to encompass all things and transcend them.

However, this seemingly ordinary smile strangely calmed the turbulent waves churning in the hearts of the pillars, replacing them with a deeper solemnity in the face of an unknown supreme being.

They understood that this seemingly young "immortal" would completely change everything they knew.

Chapter 20 The History of Breathing Techniques

Barely recovering from the double shock of their master's recovery and the appearance of the immortal, the Pillars were immediately pulled back to reality by Kagaya Ubuyashiki's last words—this immortal named Wang Xuan would help them defeat Muzan Kibutsuji!

The immense anticipation of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, a long-cherished wish, instantly overwhelmed all other emotions. All eyes were once again fixed intently on Wang Xuan, awaiting his next instructions.

However, the first question Wang Xuan asked was completely unexpected.

How much do you know about the breathing techniques you use?

This question was like a pebble thrown into a calm pond, causing the pillars present to pause in surprise, their faces showing obvious astonishment.

Do you understand breathing techniques?

They looked at each other, filled with confusion. Why didn't the immortal ask how to deal with Muzan, or about the weaknesses of demons, but instead asked about their most basic, yet most fundamental, breathing technique?

Is this some kind of special test, or is it somehow secretly related to defeating Muzan?

Despite their doubts, out of reverence for the immortals and their desire to achieve their goal, they followed their instructions and began to share their understanding of the breathing techniques and their experiences in practicing them.

The Wind Pillar, Sanemi Shinazugawa, spoke first, his tone carrying his characteristic impatience and sharpness:

"The Breath of the Wind pursues ultimate speed and cutting power, like a fierce wind sweeping through, destroying everything in its path!"

Yinzhu Yuzui Tianyuan said in the interjection:

"The breath of sound lies in perception and explosion, magnificent and efficient, like the climax of a festival!"

Giyu Tomioka, the Water Column, succinctly stated:

"Water breathes, flows ceaselessly, and changes its form in countless ways, primarily to adapt."

Obanai Iguro's voice is soft and feminine.

"The breathing of a snake is unpredictable and elusive, like a venomous snake slithering about, capable of killing with a single strike."

Kanae Hanayome's gentleness is tempered with determination:

"Flower Breath, an elegant variant of Water Breath, is like a blooming flower, beautiful yet deadly."

Flame Pillar Kyojuro Rengoku's voice boomed:

"Hmm! The Breath of Flame, like a raging fire, is filled with passionate and destructive power!"

Yan Zhuan Beiming Yu Xingming clasped his hands together and said in a deep voice:

"Namo Amitabha Buddha... The Breath of Rock is the most solid foundation, focusing on strength and defense, as unshakable as a mountain."

They were describing the characteristics and cultivation insights of their own schools of thought, summarizing experiences from countless real battles, which were also the source of their power.

Wang Xuan listened quietly, and only after everyone had finished speaking did he shake his head slightly and speak again. His voice was still calm, yet it seemed to carry a profound depth that pierced through history:

“You have misunderstood me. I was not asking about your progress and characteristics in practicing your respective breathing techniques.”

He glanced at the crowd and said slowly:

"I'm asking, how much do you... know about the history of breathing techniques themselves, their origins?"

"History? Origin?"

Upon hearing this, the pillars were speechless, their faces showing bewilderment.

They practiced breathing techniques from a young age, following a systematic lineage, but their teachers often emphasized practical skills and the application of breathing techniques.

Its ancient historical origins are either little known or considered irrelevant to actual combat and not mentioned in much detail.

For them, breathing techniques are more like an innate tool to fight against ghosts, the origin of which has long been buried in the dust of time.

A hush fell over the scene. The powerful Pillar-level swordsmen, faced with this question about the origin of power, were like ignorant students.

Just then, Kyojuro Rengoku frowned, and a rare look of deep thought appeared on his usually energetic face.

The Rengoku family, second only to the Ubuyashiki family in the Demon Slayer Corps, has passed down the Flame Breathing technique for generations. The family does indeed preserve some ancient documents and oral histories unknown to outsiders.

He hesitated for a moment, then his loud voice, tinged with uncertainty, broke the silence: