This area is populated by many 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 demon-slaying missions in neutral zones. Earning only a blue-quality item for every 120 demons is far too inefficient.
But this aligns with the characteristics of neutral zones. The difficulty of missions here is relatively low. If one could easily obtain good items, only an idiot would explore dangerous areas or enter forbidden zones.
The reason Bai Ye was still slaying demons was to test the abilities of the Goro Goro no Mi.
In terms of power, there was nothing to complain about, especially with its gold quality.
It's just that his two techniques were indeed a bit monotonous. In a real fight, it would purely rely on overwhelming power.
However, the good news was that the proficiency increase speed was quite good. At least the first stage of proficiency increased rapidly. After killing thirty demons, Bai Ye's proficiency had already risen to over 500, just half way to being full.
But that was only the initial increase. As proficiency grew, it would undoubtedly become harder to increase later.
There was also some bad news...
Bai Ye had traded away the Ning Shuang Sword and the famous blade Shixue, reducing the number of weapons available for synthesis. The increase in the Gate of Babylon's quantity had significantly decreased.
"It seems that besides relying on the gacha machine, I need to find a few more weapons for synthesis to fill up the Gate of Babylon."
Bai Ye pondered for a moment and then prepared to return to the neutral zone.
Bai Ye planned to stay in the neutral zone for two more days.
This was mainly to wait for the results from the Evil Spirit Group. If the Blood Battle at Juxian Manor yielded substantial rewards, Bai Ye believed that Gao Ming would soon approach him.
"Mr. Bai Ye."
Upon returning to the ancient town, Bai Ye intended to find an inn to continue sleeping when he heard someone call his name.
Turning around, he saw the trio of Kamado Tanjiro, and the two others. These three were likely the legendary protagonists, always acting together.
Bai Ye smiled and said, "Are you guys back too? Went demon hunting again?"
Bai Ye's attitude towards Kamado Tanjiro was extremely good. After all, this was the person who helped him draw the Goro Goro no Mi!
If he could get another draw later and pull out another gold-quality item card bug, wouldn't that be wonderful!
Gacha Machine: "You're dreaming."
"Yes!" Kamado Tanjiro smiled and said, "We plan to report back. What about you, Mr. Bai Ye?"
Bai Ye replied, "I just got back from slaying demons too."
Kamado Tanjiro said, "Since Mr. Bai Ye possesses such immense strength and is willing to slay demons, why don't you join the Demon Slayer Corps? I even think you have the potential to become a Hashira."
Bai Ye said, "I'm just a traveler and will be leaving soon, so it's best not to."
The Nine Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps were indeed very interesting to Bai Ye.
However, the word "formerly" needed to be added before that sentence.
After obtaining the Goro Goro no Mi, Bai Ye now dared to confront the lower-ranked Hashira among the Nine Hashira. The Twelve Kizuki on the Demon King's side were similar. Except for the top few Upper Moons, Bai Ye didn't take the others seriously.
Moreover, there wasn't much in this area that attracted Bai Ye.
The Demon Slayer Corps' breathing techniques, while incredibly powerful when cultivated to their limit, still required cultivation, which essentially meant gaining proficiency.
Since that was the case, couldn't Bai Ye just focus on improving the Goro Goro no Mi?
As for the demons, the most precious things were undoubtedly the Demon King's blood and powerful Blood Demon Arts.
But the Demon King wasn't easy to kill, unless the proficiency of the Goro Goro no Mi could be raised by a few 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.
Kamado Tanjiro didn't press the issue and nodded, saying, "That's a real shame."
Just then...
"Hey, you people 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, a diamond-encrusted forehead protector, and silver-white hair.
Kamado Tanjiro blinked in surprise and said, "Isn't that the Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui!"
Tengen Uzui took a step forward, his speed astonishingly fast, reaching them in almost an instant.
Tengen Uzui said, "Are you heading back to headquarters?"
Kamado Tanjiro nodded, "Yes."
"Don't go back," Tengen Uzui said. "I'm short on people here and need helpers. All of you, come with me!"
Kamado Tanjiro hesitated, "That's against the rules. Our squad..."
Hashira had their own exclusive squads, and becoming a member of a Hashira's squad involved a more rigorous selection process. Kamado Tanjiro and the other two did not yet have that qualification.
However...
"Stop babbling," Tengen Uzui said impatiently. "A true man should act with flair."
After speaking, Tengen Uzui, regardless of whether Kamado Tanjiro and the other two agreed, grabbed Inosuke and Zenitsu Agatsuma and hoisted them onto his shoulders.
"Let me go, you bastard, let me go!"
Inosuke immediately started struggling, but Tengen Uzui completely ignored him and turned to run.
In an instant, Tengen Uzui had already run more than ten meters, then turned to look at Kamado Tanjiro and Bai Ye.
"Hurry up," Tengen Uzui urged. "Don't dawdle, we're running out of time!"
Bai Ye looked at himself in bewilderment and asked, "Am I included?"
"You have received a hidden mission."
"Assist the Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, in investigating the pleasure district and finding 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 whether he was a member of the Demon Slayer Corps or not.
As long as he wasn't working for free!
Bai Ye thought to himself, exchanged a glance with Kamado Tanjiro, and then quickly followed.
After leaving the ancient town with Tengen Uzui, they proceeded directly towards the southwest.
After passing the surrounding fields and a desolate area, they still hadn't reached their destination. Tengen Uzui directly found a carriage to continue their journey.
Only then did Bai Ye realize that this hidden mission might take much longer than he had anticipated.
Kamado Tanjiro couldn't help but say, "Mr. Uzui..."
"You must call me 'Lord'," Tengen Uzui corrected. "That word is more flamboyant."
Kamado Tanjiro said helplessly, "Lord Uzui, where exactly are we going?"
"The pleasure district," Tengen Uzui replied. "Yoshiwara Pleasure District."
Kamado Tanjiro and the other two didn't understand, while Bai Ye coughed violently, nearly choking on his own saliva.
"What kind of place is that?" Kamado Tanjiro asked, looking confused, then turned to Bai Ye. "Bai Ye, do you know?"
"You can understand it as..." Bai Ye smirked slightly. "A man's paradise?"