He couldn't fathom what kind of spell Oboro had cast over these people.
It was a twisted world, where order was reshaped through the suffering, experiences, and pain of humans, which they blamed on the outside world rather than themselves. The rhetoric sounded absolutely ridiculous.
Just because this world is unfair and you lack power, status, and strength doesn't mean you deserve to suffer. You should look inward for your failures!
Yet, these inheritors all believed in Oboro's twisted philosophy and ideals. Their faith stemmed from a desperate desire to be saved and escape their dark existence. They still hoped someone in this world might offer them warmth.
Even if it was just pity.
"Pathetic."
Muzan gazed at Ayako with contempt, delivering his cold assessment:
Humans were truly weak and amusing creatures.
Rage flashed across Ayako's face. The intricate lines extending from her position as the epicenter suddenly blazed to life, creating countless pathways across the ground in a perfect circle. In an instant, she vanished.
She materialized directly behind Muzan.
This was her Blood Demon Art: Spatial Void.
She could teleport across any surface covered by her lines instantaneously, including any living being that stepped within her territory. It wasn't just speed; it was complete spatial manipulation.
Bang!
Ayako's entire arm suddenly expanded into a massive stone pillar and slammed toward the back of Muzan's skull with devastating force.
They were both demons, and she understood her kind's weaknesses perfectly.
But a towering wall of flesh and blood erupted from the ground behind Muzan with a thunderous crash. Ayako was shocked by the feedback from her strike. Despite being organic, the barrier felt as rigid as reinforced steel.
"He actually reacted?"
Ayako's pupils contracted in disbelief.
Her attack wasn't based on physical speed or predictable movement patterns; there shouldn't have been any way to detect or counter it.
In this state, how had Muzan perceived her assault method?
"Hm. Not only do you possess remarkably advanced Blood Demon Arts, but you can also reshape your physical form. The degree of bodily freedom you've achieved is indeed worlds apart from the trash I've transformed." Muzan tilted his head slightly, one crimson eye glancing at the dark figure hovering in the air. His voice remained eerily calm.
Muzan found Ayako's multiplying limbs strangely familiar.
Only he had possessed such abilities before. Even Upper Ranks like Akaza and Doma relied purely on fighting spirit to kill enemies, while Muzan depended entirely on Blood Demon Arts. Neither could produce and proliferate large numbers of mimetic appendages while maintaining lethal striking power.
These inheritors had devoured many of his demons. Their evolution to this level was entirely expected.
"Let me show you something truly interesting."
The attack had been blocked, and Ayako prepared to use her Blood Demon Arts to retreat.
But Muzan suddenly spoke.
Immediately after, the flesh wall that had stopped her punch began to soften and spread like a living carpet, expanding at a terrifying rate.
The next second, pulsing flesh and blood rose from all directions, sealing the entire space and forming a massive cocoon of meat that covered the sky.
Ayako's heart lurched as she realized that she couldn't activate her Blood Demon Arts.
After landing, she looked around and saw writhing, tender flesh everywhere. She and Muzan were trapped inside a house made entirely of living tissue.
"He left some remnants in your cells to make you immune to my direct control, but your power still originates from me. Your evolutionary path merely brings you closer to what I am," Muzan said as he slowly turned to face her. Muzan spoke as he slowly turned to face her.
Ayako could no longer remain composed.
This massive flesh-and-blood construct didn't appear to be separate from Muzan's body.
It felt more like a Blood Demon Art.
But it was a different, far more powerful methodology.
The power of the soul can enhance Blood Demon Arts to extraordinary levels, allowing for applications that transcend normal limitations.
Focusing on Ayako's abilities, she could change direction and phase through space instantaneously, making her incredibly formidable.
Even Kokushibo might struggle against such techniques.
How long had Kokushibo existed? How long had this woman lived?
After discovering the power of the soul, Muzan realized he could accomplish many things that were previously impossible.
Just like now.
A single drop of blood, catalyzed by soul energy, multiplied wildly in mere moments, spreading like spores at an incomparable speed.
Blood generated flesh, and flesh generated bone.
With enough blood released, Muzan could build an entire castle from the agitated flesh and tissue.
Everything within would be controlled and altered by his will alone.
Ayako tried to break through the flesh wall to escape and saw a crack appear on its surface. Suddenly, it opened wide, revealing an eyeball as tall as she was.
The massive eye rotated and locked its gaze on her.
Instantly, Ayako's body became rigid and immobile.
Numerous tentacle-like appendages of flesh and blood sprouted from the ground beneath her feet. They slowly coiled around her body and constricted it.
Muzan quietly savored the spectacle.
Puff!
Above her head, countless bone-like spikes erupted and pierced her body.
The space around her began to contract as the walls pressed inward, finally enveloping and squeezing her completely.
Upon closer inspection, the fleshy walls were seen to secrete copious amounts of mucus, giving the impression of digestive organs.
The inheritor didn't struggle or scream before falling into Muzan's grasp.
An opening formed in the massive flesh cocoon. Muzan, elegantly dressed, emerged with a satisfied smile.
He felt genuine happiness from the depths of his being.
For years, he had hidden from the Inheritors and the Demon Slayer Corps. Now, he could finally hold his head high, and the sensation was intoxicating.
"Ah!"
At that moment, Ayako's agonized wailing echoed from behind him, as if she had just regained consciousness.
The entire flesh cocoon trembled as if digesting its "meal" inside.
"This is the power of the soul."
Muzan's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
"Now, I can peer directly into the origin of your soul. In other words, the pressure you emit has no effect on me. My physical form allows me to ascend to a higher plane of existence. What about you? Without your soul's protection, you're just human."
Humans have their limits."
Muzan ignored the harsh cries and gazed up at the night sky while speaking to himself.
Each time he eliminated an Inheritor to reclaim their power, he probed their spiritual consciousness and clashed with Oboro's residual influence. Through these encounters, Muzan could sense the soul power of both sides more intuitively and was gradually becoming familiar with this energy. He was evolving.
"I hope you can be more reasonable."
"Another one has fallen?"
"How remarkably swift."
At that moment, Oboro, who now appeared to be an elderly man in his twilight years, paused briefly on the night road and smiled knowingly.
Without hesitation, he continued moving forward in the direction he sensed.