"Mad Demon?"
Hearing this name, Ren's brain instantly short-circuited.
'What is a Mad Demon? Is there such a thing as a Mad Demon in the Demon Slayer world? Could it be a new breed created by Muzan? But how did he do it?'
While Ren was pondering, the Mad Demon named Sheya continued to speak incessantly.
"Not just that brat who stumbled into the cave earlier, but even you two will become my food and power!"
"Blood Demon Art: Snake Puppet!"
Thump thump thump...
A powerful heartbeat suddenly resonated. Immediately after, the muscles on Sheya's back bulged rapidly and elongated, transforming into a python demon just over a meter long.
Judging by the python demon's facial features, this creature was clearly the little boy he had just eaten.
'Is this his Blood Demon Art? Modifying the people he eats into python demons to serve as his puppets!'
"Hiss, hiss, hiss..."
The python demon created from the little boy immediately opened its bloody maw towards Tanjiro, flicking its tongue frantically.
Furthermore, a large number of python demon puppets began crawling out from the branching paths in all directions.
"Hmph, Sheya, was it? Although I don't know what you are, I can't let you run wild anymore!"
Before his voice had even faded, Ren raised his sword and charged straight at Sheya.
If he guessed correctly, Sheya was the leader and main body of this group of python demons. As long as he killed him, the other python demons would only have one path left: death.
Seeing Ren take action, Sheya let out a sinister laugh. "Good! That delicious blood must belong to you, right? As long as I eat you, I will definitely become one of the Twelve Kizuki under that Lord! Hahaha, Lord Sheya is going to make it!"
"Hmph! Make it to what?!"
Leaping high into the air, Ren unleashed a descending strike aimed at Sheya's throat.
However, just then, with a thought from Sheya, a giant python as thick as a water tank suddenly blocked Ren's path. It slammed toward him with incredible speed, moving like an arrow released from a string.
"Blood Demon Art: Giant Snake Limb!"
'What? Isn't this Orochimaru's ability?'
Looking at the giant python charging at full power, Ren couldn't help but roast him internally, though his face showed no sign of panic.
Sheya's oppressive presence was far inferior to Kokushibo's. Against an opponent of this level, he could handle it with ease and composure!
"Earth Combat Technique: Meteor Annihilation!"
Flipping in mid-air, the muscles throughout Ren's body suddenly exerted force, delivering a ground-splitting chop onto the giant python's head.
This strike was heavy and overwhelming!
How could the giant python withstand such a devastating blow? Its head was instantly severed.
However, seeing this scene, the corner of Sheya's mouth curled into an imperceptible, sinister grin as he gathered power once again.
"Blood Demon Art: Thousand Snake Limbs!"
Hiss, hiss, hiss...
After the giant python was beheaded, countless slender, venomous snakes suddenly crawled out from its massive body, opening their mouths to bite at Ren.
'Not just Hidden Shadow Snake Hands, he even copied Many Hidden Shadow Snake Hands? In that case, Wind Combat Technique...'
Ren suddenly exerted force, and his heavy Nichirin Sword instantly turned into a Crimson Blade, slashing toward the hundreds of oncoming poisonous snakes.
"Even if you copy all of Orochimaru's abilities, it doesn't change the fact that this is a Blood Demon Art. And my Crimson Blade is the bane of Blood Demon Arts!"
"Crimson Blade: Fire Dance Whirlwind!"
A terrifying wave of heat swept through the entire cave, scorching the attacking venomous snakes and chopping them into countless pieces. Immediately after, Ren swung his sword again at Sheya's neck, determined to seal his fate with a single strike.
'Is this guy really human? How is he so strong? Is he a Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps?'
Sheya frowned, but his expression soon relaxed. "Heh heh, no matter who you are, under this move of mine, you will definitely die without a burial place!"
"Blood Demon Art: Crimson Poison Mist!"
The remaining seven giant pythons fiercely attacked Ren, opening their mouths to spray a deadly neurotoxin. Just inhaling a little bit would cause instant death on the spot.
"Hiss, hiss, hiss..."
At that moment, the python demon formed from the little boy tried to rush over to help Sheya. But suddenly, a flash of fiery light flickered, and a small figure blocked its path. It was Tanjiro.
"I'm sorry, I can't let you pass!"
Looking at the python demon before him, Tanjiro spoke gently, "To be eaten by that guy and then have your body used by him... you must be in a lot of pain, right? But it's okay, I will definitely set you free..."
"Hinokami Kagura: Sunflower Thrust!"
Tanjiro leaped into the air and thrust his sword forward with all his might. In the blink of an eye, the crimson blade swiftly pierced through the python demon's throat.
As it gradually turned to ash, the little boy's body and soul were finally liberated.
On the other side, seeing the seven giant pythons simultaneously spraying red poisonous mist, Ren remained unhurried, rushing toward Sheya without reducing his speed.
"Fire Combat Technique: Crimson Blade: Fire Dragon Red Lotus Strike!"
As Ren executed the combat technique, the air ignited spontaneously without a spark. Blazing firelight shot into the sky, and even the permeating poisonous mist was completely evaporated by the intense heat.
At the same time, the heavy Nichirin Sword in Ren's hand acted like a dragon's claw, smashing heavily into the incoming giant pythons.
In a flash, a series of explosions rang out, and the remaining seven giant pythons were all severed by his sword.
This scene shocked Sheya beyond measure. He said in disbelief, "How is this possible? Don't you Demon Slayers use Breathing Styles to fight us? My Crimson Poison Mist is specifically designed to counter Breathing Styles, so how..."
"Heh, who told you I use Breathing Styles? I just rely on pure brute strength!"
Knowing that the red mist contained deadly poison, Ren had been holding his breath the entire time. Up until now, he hadn't taken a single breath.
After dealing with those annoying giant pythons, Ren charged at Sheya once more.
"All eight giant pythons have been cut down by me. You're out of moves, right!"
"That's not necessarily true. Blood Demon Art: Venomous Snake Limb..." Sheya opened his large mouth, and his slender forked tongue instantly elongated by more than ten meters, transforming into a poisonous snake that lunged to bite Ren.
"A single loach thinks it can hurt me?"
Without a second word, Ren severed the poisonous snake with a single sword stroke. However, Sheya had already seized the opportunity to use his Blood Demon Art to escape underground.
"Hmph, trying to run? No way!"
As he spoke, Ren prepared to chase after him, but Sheya's voice echoed out again.
"Hahaha, I don't have a habit of running away. My puppets, become one with me!"
Countless python demon puppets were seen coiled in the burrow below, rapidly merging with Sheya. Sheya's body instantly expanded, resembling a heavy mountain of flesh, and upon this mountain of flesh were countless poisonous snakes of various shapes and sizes.
'Did they combine?'
Ren frowned. It made sense; those python demon puppets were originally separated from Sheya's body. Since they could be separated, they could certainly be recombined.
"Taste my ultimate move! Blood Demon Art: Ten Thousand Snake Formation!"
In an instant, thousands upon thousands of poisonous snakes swept toward Ren and Tanjiro together. If a timid girl were to see this scene, she would probably faint on the spot from fear.
'Is this guy Orochimaru's apprentice? Why are all his moves Orochimaru's snake ninjutsu?'
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]