As a Jonin-level puppeteer, Hardy's ability to manipulate spiritual power far surpasses that of Tengen Uzui.
After hearing Tengen Uzui explain the Score Reading technique that day, Hardy was able to activate it in real combat and deliberately trained it in subsequent battles.
Even though Uzui had studied Sun Breathing and could now enter the Score Reading state faster than before, he was still nowhere near as quick as Hardy.
After just a few exchanges, Hardy could enter Score Reading.
In fact, thanks to practicing the Mind's Eye and Sand Body techniques, Hardy had already vaguely touched upon that higher realm.
He might only be one step away from opening the Transparent World.
Unfortunately, Bing Ye was not that opportunity—he simply wasn't strong enough.
"So this is all you've got? Looks like if I want to feel pressured and improve myself, I'll have to go after an Upper Moon."
With his eyes closed, Hardy easily blocked several of Bing Ye's attacks with his sword in his right hand, while firing a shot with his left at his side.
*Bang!*
Smoke billowed as Bing Ye's neck was shot again, forcing him out of his invisible blood demon art state. Before he could escape, a flash of sword light severed his neck, which had only regenerated a third of the way.
Sheathing his Nichirin blade, Hardy watched as Bing Ye gradually turned to ash and scattered. Clenching his left fist, a sharp needle popped out from his armored puppet's arm, piercing the body and drawing a vial of blood.
The blood of the Twelve Kizuki contains the highest concentration of Muzan's blood. Just a few drops can turn a person into a demon—it's quite valuable for research.
"I just wonder if the herbalists I hired at Mount Kumotori have found the Blue Spider Lily yet."
Hardy looked up at the sky, thinking silently.
He had asked Tanjiro if there were any blue flowers like that near his home, explaining that someone in his family was ill and needed the herb for treatment. Since herbalists had once found it at Mount Kumotori—and Tanjiro's home was nearby—it was a logical question.
Tanjiro answered straightforwardly—he had seen it, but only once, when he was very young. He only remembered his mother taking him to see it, and never saw it again after that.
Hardy guessed that before blooming, the Blue Spider Lily probably looked just like any other wild grass or vegetable.
Now that summer had arrived, it was the sunniest time of the year, and the Blue Spider Lily was most likely to bloom.
If it still couldn't be found, Hardy planned to use the Uesugi clan's resources to dig up all the wild vegetables and weeds on the mountaintop behind the house, eating only wild greens every day. As long as there were any Blue Spider Lilies left, he'd eventually eat one.
Then all he'd need to do is mix some Twelve Kizuki demon blood with his own, expose it to sunlight, and see if he'd consumed the Blue Spider Lily.
If possible, Hardy wanted to study whether he could become a being with infinite lifespan and super regeneration. Of course, if he could keep his appearance and even remain human, that would be even better.
---
Two days later.
In the courtyard of the Ubuyashiki estate.
A new Hashira meeting was being held.
"Lower Moon Three—another one of the Twelve Kizuki has been eliminated?" Ubuyashiki Kagaya, whose face was now covered with even more intricate purple marks, smiled as he spoke.
"Another one?" Hardy was taken aback, then turned to look at the gate of the courtyard.
"The Hashira meeting should be here, right?"
A girl with pink and green hair pushed open the door and peeked in.
"Ah, sorry, seniors! I got lost and arrived late!" Kanroji Mitsuri ran into the courtyard, her two lantern-sized breasts bouncing with her every movement, looking very soft and elastic.
"It's fine, Mitsuri. We're not late—the others just arrived early," Rengoku Kyojuro said loudly, his face beaming with enthusiasm.
Mitsuri had been his pupil and successor, so of course he'd speak up for her.
"That's right, there's actually still a minute until the scheduled time. Congratulations, Mitsuri," the Serpent Hashira, Iguro Obanai, uncharacteristically spoke up in a gentle tone.
"Ah! Mr. Iguro! Thank you so much for the stockings you gave me last time! They're so breathable and comfortable!" Mitsuri bowed deeply and cheerfully.
Uzui Tengen, sitting next to Hardy, nudged him with his shoulder, a teasing smile on his face as he winked, hinting at some gossip.
With three wives who all get along, he was a master of romance and could easily tell that Iguro had feelings for Mitsuri.
After all, what man would give a woman something like stockings if he wasn't interested?
But aside from him and Hardy, only Shinobu Kocho—
Qi glanced at the two of them with a hint of curiosity. The other Pillars all had rather abnormal personalities and were notoriously insensitive when it came to matters of the heart.
"Ahem, Mitsuri, Hardy, thank you both very much for your efforts. You risked your lives to eliminate Lower Moon Six and Lower Moon Three. From today onward, you are officially Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps."
The frail Kagaya Ubuyashiki seemed tired from standing. With the support of Amane, he sat down on the steps, his face gentle as he spoke.
"Ah, actually, I didn't expect to be up against a member of the Twelve Kizuki. It's just that, when I saw him about to hurt someone, I rushed in without thinking. Fortunately, we managed to win in the end, even if it was a close call!"
Mitsuri Kanroji clenched her fists, her face full of passion as she spoke.
"Lower Moon Three was rather mediocre. I've sparred with everyone here except Mitsuri. With your strength, none of you should have trouble dealing with him," Hardy said calmly from his seat.
"Twelve Kizuki are 'mediocre'... Why do you sound more and more like Giyu Tomioka? You can say such unsettling things in such a flat tone," Sanemi Shinazugawa said, arms crossed, looking at Hardy.
As for Giyu Tomioka, he replied to Sanemi with his usual expressionless face, as calm as still water:
"Thank you for the compliment, Shinazugawa."
A vein popped on Sanemi's forehead, a clear sign of his irritation.
"Bastard! Do you really think I'm complimenting you?"
"Aren't you?"
Giyu genuinely believed Sanemi was praising him, and he sincerely thanked him.
Sanemi glared at Giyu as if he were about to burst into flames.
"This isn't the place for a fight. Once the Pillar Meeting is over, come outside and fight me!"
"I'll be waiting."
Giyu stood up, ready to head for the door.
In his mind, sparring was simply Sanemi's way of bonding with him.
As for the Pillar Meeting... Giyu, who felt unworthy of the title of Water Pillar, didn't think he deserved to attend.
...
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