In the main hall, the atmosphere that had just been enlivened by Rengoku's somewhat joking request returned to calm following Phaethon's polite refusal.
The banter was ultimately just an interlude that didn't last long.
The topic inevitably returned to that heavy and urgent core!
Hunting the Demon King, Muzan Kibutsuji.
Kagaya's expression returned to its usual gentleness, but his tone carried a hint of gravity.
He looked at Phaethon and slowly said.
"My Lord, Muzan is extremely cautious by nature, to the point where one could say he lives by skulking in the shadows.
The Demon Slayer Corps has been tangled with him for a thousand years, yet has never truly captured his trail, each time he cleverly escapes."
He paused, his worried expression deepening.
"Now that Upper Moon Two, Doma, has been slain by Kanae, given the connection between Muzan and the Upper Moons, he must certainly have sensed it.
This will likely intensify his suspicion, causing him to hide completely.
Like retreating into a turtle shell, finding him again would be as difficult as ascending to heaven..."
Kagaya's words cast a shadow over the hearts of the Pillars present.
They knew well that their master's words were true; Muzan's caution and cunning had been the greatest obstacle for the Demon Slayer Corps for a thousand years.
However, faced with Kagaya's concerns, Phaethon just smiled calmly and waved his hand.
"Master Ubuyashiki need not worry about this."
His voice was peaceful, yet carried a confidence of controlling everything.
"When I descended to this world, all things in this world, every blade of grass, every breath, are within my perception, nothing can hide."
Phaethon gently raised his eyes, his gaze penetrating the roof to look toward the endless void, casually adding.
"Unlike in my original world where I need to be mindful of numerous rules and must seal most of my divine power.
Coming to this world, I can use my power without any restraint, just an insignificant fraction would be enough to destroy this world."
Phaethon's tone was relaxed and casual, as if discussing a most ordinary matter.
But the information revealed in his words once again shocked everyone present to their core!
Controlling all things in the world?
Destroying the entire world with just a fraction of power?
This... what magnificent power is this!
The Pillars were once again astounded by the great power of this deity from another world, their eyes filled with awe and disbelief as they looked at Phaethon.
They had originally thought that the power Kanae displayed was terrifying enough.
Yet they hadn't imagined that not even a tiny bit of the deity's power had been revealed!
"My Lord, you..."
Kagaya's voice carried a barely perceptible tremor.
Just then, Phaethon withdrew his gaze, his lips curling into a faint smile, calmly announcing.
"There's no need to search anymore, I have already locked onto Muzan Kibutsuji's location."
These words stunned everyone present!
A thousand years!
The Demon Slayer Corps had spent a full thousand years, sacrificing the blood and lives of countless swordsmen.
Yet the Demon King's lair, which they had never been able to find, had been located by this deity in casual conversation?
Kagaya excitedly rose from his seat, but he quickly calmed himself.
He knew this was not the time for excitement.
Taking a deep breath, his gaze swept over all the Pillars present.
Though his voice remained gentle, it was filled with unprecedented resolution and power!
"Everyone, the final mission of the Demon Slayer Corps, passed down for a thousand years, is now at hand!"
He solemnly gestured to everyone: "Hunt the progenitor of demons—Muzan Kibutsuji!"
"Yes!"
All the Pillars responded in unison, their voices shaking the roof tiles, battle intent soaring to the heavens!
The next second, Phaethon spoke no more.
He simply raised his right hand casually and lightly drew a line in the empty space before him.
Hum——!
Golden light bloomed from nowhere, rippling out like water waves.
Quickly sketching a gate of light in the center of the main hall, emanating a holy and warm aura!
Within the light gate, light and shadows flowed, vaguely revealing a completely different, bizarre scene on the other side.
"Let's go."
Phaethon took the lead, stepping into the light gate.
Kanae followed closely behind, her gaze determined.
Though Miko was somewhat nervous, she also gathered her courage, holding onto Kanae's clothes and following.
Kagaya watched as the Pillars entered the light gate one by one without hesitation, tears glimmering in his eyes, tears of both excitement and relief.
"Go, my children... end this thousand-year curse..."
On the other side of the light gate was none other than Muzan Kibutsuji's lair.
That castle existing in an alternate dimension, with a bizarre structure and endless changes—the Infinity Castle!
Almost the instant Phaethon and the others set foot in the Infinity Castle, Muzan, who was in the deepest part of the castle, suddenly opened his crimson vertical pupils!
The strong spatial fluctuation, as well as that sudden aura that made even his soul tremble, instantly changed his expression dramatically!
"Intruders?"
Muzan's face was filled with disbelief!
After sensing that Doma had been killed, he had immediately hidden in the Infinity Castle.
The Infinity Castle was his greatest reliance, his safest hiding place!
It existed outside the mortal world, with a complex, unpredictable structure, and Nakime could change the spatial layout at any time!
For thousands of years, no one had been able to find this place, let alone break in so easily!
"How is this possible? How could those insects from the Demon Slayer Corps find this place?!"
A strong sense of crisis like a tide engulfed Muzan, and his pathologically pale face showed a hint of undisguisable panic for the first time.
Muzan called on Nakime to change the spatial structure, but she responded that the entire space seemed to be locked down.
"Kokushibo!"
Seeing this, Muzan almost roared as he issued the command.
"Go immediately, at all costs, annihilate all intruders!"
"As you command, Lord Muzan."
The next moment, a figure silently appeared in the intricate corridors of the Infinity Castle, racing toward the direction of the intruders.
This was none other than the strongest of the Twelve Demon Moons, Upper Moon One—Kokushibo!
Meanwhile, Phaethon, Kanae, Miko, and the Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps had appeared on a relatively spacious platform within the Infinity Castle.
Surrounding them were countless twisted, inverted structures and corridors that defied the laws of physics, like a giant maze.
The platform was already gathering many Lower Moon demons who had come upon hearing the news, rushing to attack them.
"Kill all these trash!"
Sanemi, who could no longer contain himself, roared and took the lead, brandishing his sword and charging forward.
The other Pillars also drew their swords one after another, engaging in fierce battle with the swarming demons.
Blade light and sword shadows flickered, flesh and blood flew, the battle instantly reached white-hot intensity.
Just then, a suffocating pressure suddenly descended!
Kokushibo's figure appeared like a specter on the high ground of the platform.
His six eerie eyes coldly surveyed the battlefield below, his gaze finally locking onto the Pillars entangled with the demons.
"A bunch of small fry..."
Kokushibo murmured, his tone filled with the contempt of a superior being.
The Pillars immediately detected this powerful aura, stopping their actions and looking up at that figure, their expressions becoming extremely grave.