Ye Ming observed the crowd for a long time, yet he found no traces of ghostly activity. His brows furrowed slightly.
"Where is this ghost hiding? Is it not nearby?"
As the sacrificial ceremony concluded, the townspeople gradually dispersed, leaving the riverside in its usual tranquil state. Ye Ming decided to comb through the town once more, hoping to uncover some clue, but after circling the area, he found nothing.
With no other options, he returned to his temporary lodging, choosing to wait patiently for nightfall. He knew that ghosts were most active in the dark—perhaps then, he could find the lead he was looking for.
---
As the night deepened, the town was blanketed in darkness. Ye Ming, gripping his Nichirin Blade, silently approached the riverside. The only sound that filled the air was the gentle, rhythmic flow of water.
His six eyes flickered with a faint glow as he carefully scanned his surroundings, searching for anything out of place.
Then—
"Something's moving."
Through his heightened vision, Ye Ming caught sight of a humanoid figure rising from beneath the river's surface. Without hesitation, he leaped toward the riverbank, tracking the creature's trajectory.
Now!
Ye Ming channeled power into his legs and struck at the precise moment the ghost emerged from the water.
"Flower Breathing: First Form – Suisen Slash!"
His Nichirin Blade sliced through the air, but things didn't go as smoothly as he had expected. The river ghost, sensing danger, twisted its body at the last second. Ye Ming's blade only managed to sever a curved horn from its head.
Ye Ming's heart tightened in surprise. The ghost's speed in the water was beyond his expectations. Not only could it sense impending attacks, but it also reacted with incredible agility.
Ripples spread across the river, distorting the moon's reflection as the ghost swam swiftly beneath the surface. Its dark figure flickered in and out of sight, hiding within the shifting currents.
Ye Ming stepped onto the water using his Limitless Technique, his six eyes locked onto the ghost's every movement.
"Hmph. You've got some skill… but you won't escape."
The ghost remained submerged, seemingly observing Ye Ming in return. A tense silence filled the air as both sides waited for the other to make the first move.
Then, in an instant, the ghost shot out of the water from a different direction, launching a sneak attack.
Ye Ming reacted instantly, swinging his sword to intercept. But the ghost's movements were unpredictable—it used the river's force to propel itself mid-air, twisting unnaturally to evade the blade.
"Tch!" Ye Ming clicked his tongue.
After this brief exchange, he grasped the nature of his opponent's ability—it controlled water, using its currents to maneuver with frightening precision.
The ghost laughed mockingly.
"Pathetic! A mere Demon Slayer thinks he can kill me? The river is my domain. Even a Hashira wouldn't stand a chance against me here!"
As it spoke, waves churned violently. Spears of condensed water shot toward Ye Ming with terrifying force, aiming to crush him.
Yet, Ye Ming remained perfectly still. He made no move to dodge, no attempt to defend.
The river ghost sneered.
"Oh? Given up already?"
It cackled and increased the output of its Blood Demon Art, determined to end Ye Ming with one decisive strike.
The water surged. The attack crashed down on Ye Ming—
BOOM!
A massive explosion of mist blanketed the river.
"Hahaha! That's the end of you, ghost hunter!"
The ghost's laughter echoed through the mist. But then—
It sensed something.
Something was rapidly approaching.
A figure emerged from the dissipating mist, completely dry.
Ye Ming had isolated the water around him using Limitless, keeping himself untouched. His cold eyes locked onto the ghost.
"Fighting in water isn't ideal for my Breathing Techniques… so I'll just use something else."
He raised a hand.
"Lapse: Blue."
A sphere of condensed energy formed in his palm—a crushing force that distorted the space around it. As Ye Ming released it, the surrounding water spiraled violently, drawn toward the sphere like a vortex.
The river ghost's eyes widened in panic.
"What is this technique?! A Blood Demon Art? No… this power is something else entirely!"
Water twisted around the sphere, creating a violent pull that dragged the ghost toward it.
"No… No! I can't get pulled in!"
Desperate, the ghost made a ruthless decision—it severed its own lower body with a surge of water, breaking free from the pull. Half of its form sank into the abyss, while its upper body propelled itself away from the attack.
BOOM!
The Lapse: Blue sphere detonated, creating a temporary vacuum in the river. For a moment, time seemed to freeze. Then, an enormous column of water erupted into the sky, cascading back down like a broken dam.
Ye Ming remained unmoving in the chaotic waters.
The river ghost, panting heavily, stared at the destruction with wide, terrified eyes.
It was afraid.
It had to flee.
Without hesitation, it turned and swam with all its remaining strength, its severed body regenerating rapidly.
But—
Ye Ming had no intention of letting it escape.
"If one blast wasn't enough, then I'll just send more."
His six eyes gleamed coldly.
One, two, three—
More Lapse: Blue spheres formed in his hands, each radiating an oppressive force. Then, like bullets, he launched them in rapid succession.
The ghost felt the overwhelming pull behind it and fell into despair.
"No… I haven't even become a Twelve Kizuki yet! I haven't received more of Lord Muzan's blood! I can't die here!"
But fate had already been decided.
Ye Ming closed in.
"Flower Breathing: Third Form – Flowing Dance."
His figure flickered—disappearing and reappearing in an instant—right beside the ghost.
The last thing the river ghost saw was a flash of silver.
A clean slash.
A severed head flew into the air, its eyes frozen in fear and regret.
"Why… is there a Demon Slayer this powerful…?"
The remaining body of the ghost was caught in the explosion of Lapse: Blue, shattering completely. Water plumes burst upward like a grand finale, signaling the battle's end.
Ye Ming rose to the surface, stepping onto the water as if walking on solid ground.
He glanced at his hand.
[Template Progress Increased.]
"Not bad. That was worth the effort."
"System, open the panel."
A translucent screen materialized before him.
—
Host: Ye Ming
World: Demon Slayer
Current Template: Gojo Satoru (12/100)
Template Extraction Chances: 0
—
Ye Ming's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
"If killing an ordinary ghost raises my progress… how much would a Twelve Kizuki boost it?"
Far away, in the depths of darkness, the Twelve Kizuki suddenly shivered.
"Weird… why does my back feel cold?"
"…Wait, can ghosts even catch a cold?"
---
End of Chapter 11
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