Demon Slayer, Absolute Duo

Night fell like thick ink spilled across the silent courtyard.

The old locust tree in the corner had shed the bustle of daytime, leaving only a few withered leaves trembling in the cool evening breeze. Moonlight filtered through the branches, breaking into specks of silver that fell upon Lin Yao, seated cross-legged beneath it.

He wore a plain brocade robe, his eyes lightly closed and his breathing long and steady. A faint, nearly transparent halo of Soul Power lingered around him like a veil woven from moonlight.

Within his body, threads of Soul Power flowed slowly through specific meridians, like thawing streams in early spring gathering strength in riverbeds that had been dry for far too long.

With every circulation, he could clearly feel Soul Power converging and settling in his dantian, bringing a subtle yet tangible sense of growth.

The corners of Lin Yao's lips unconsciously curved upward, and an inexplicable peace and ease filled his heart.

Only by immersing oneself in cultivation and feeling one's strength steadily grow could one experience such solidity and satisfaction.

Just then, a familiar fluctuation carrying the aura of stars spread from the void without warning. Like a stone dropped into still water, it sent ripples across the halo of Soul Power around him.

Lin Yao's heart jolted. Almost instinctively, he cut off the circulation of Soul Power within him. The warm current that had nearly taken shape instantly withdrew, retreating like a tide into the depths of his dantian.

He abruptly opened his eyes. Alarm flashed through his dark pupils before understanding replaced it.

The scene before him had already changed.

He was no longer in the familiar courtyard, but in a magnificent palace suspended amid a dazzling sea of stars.

The palace was built from an unknown milky-white jade. Its pillars were carved with intricate stellar patterns that flowed with a faint silver radiance.

The dome resembled an inverted sky, countless phantom stars slowly rotating within it. Their light was gentle rather than blinding, bathing the entire hall in a dreamlike glow.

This was the Star Palace, which he had not visited in half a year.

"We meet again."

A gentle voice came from his side. Following it, Lin Yao saw several familiar figures smiling at him from jade chairs not far away.

One was himself from Academy World, dressed in a neat school uniform with the brightness of youth on his face.

Another was himself from Douluo World, clad in fitted combat clothes with Martial Soul-related accessories at his waist, his gaze calm and sharp.

There was also himself from Divine Eagle World, dressed in ancient robes with a gentle temperament and the carefree air of a wanderer between his brows.

Lin Yao nodded slightly to them, his gaze lingering briefly over their faces before naturally shifting to the other side of the hall.

Two unfamiliar figures now occupied the chairs that had previously stood empty there. They were clearly the newcomers gathered this time.

The boy on the left looked no older than fifteen or sixteen. He stood tall and straight, wearing a fitted black uniform with crisp fabric that carried a faint sheen.

Fine silver patterns were embroidered along his collar and cuffs, while a black belt circled his waist. An ancient-looking katana hung diagonally at his side, its sheath black save for the dark blue cord wrapped around the hilt, giving it a sharp, forbidding air.

Most eye-catching of all was the large white character for "Destroy" embroidered onto the back of his uniform jacket. Beneath the palace's starlight, it stood out especially vividly.

Lin Yao's gaze paused briefly on that character, and he immediately had his answer.

This version of himself most likely came from the world of Demon Slayer.

That uniform, that katana, and that character symbolizing the Demon Slayer Corps' duty all confirmed his guess.

The youth seated on the right was similarly young, slightly leaner than the boy on the left, yet he radiated tightly restrained power.

He wore a dark gray combat outfit that clung to his body and outlined his smooth muscle lines. His sleeves and trouser cuffs were tightly bound for ease of movement.

The boy's back was ramrod straight, like a sword about to leave its sheath. An unpolished yet exceptionally keen edge radiated from him.

His wary eyes swept over everyone in the hall, his brows slightly furrowed. He clearly had not yet understood the situation, and neither his clothes nor his bearing gave away the world he came from.

"Don't be nervous."

Douluo World Lin Yao spoke first, his voice steady and reassuring.

"We are the same as you—Lin Yaos from different worlds. Just reach out and touch the phantom star on the armrest before you. Then you'll naturally understand everything."

As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his right hand and pressed it against the faintly glowing star pattern on the armrest. Academy World Lin Yao and Divine Eagle World Lin Yao followed suit. Three palms landed in succession upon their respective phantom stars, and pale silver light overflowed from them, winding around their fingertips and pulsing as though alive.

Demon Slayer World Lin Yao watched the scene, a complicated look flashing through his eyes. He vaguely guessed that this might be the Cheat he had long awaited. Ever since realizing he was in the world of Demon Slayer and faced the ever-present threat of demons—especially after thinking of the danger Shinobu Kocho and Kanao Tsuyuri might encounter—he had yearned countless times for strength sufficient to protect them. Yet reason kept him vigilant. In this world, demons possessed all manner of bizarre Blood Demon Arts. No one could guarantee that this was not some nightmarish technique meant to deceive the mind.

He tightened his grip around the hilt of his Nichirin Blade. The cold sensation through the cloth gave him a trace of reassurance. Then he slowly extended his left hand. Though his fingertips carried a hint of hesitation, he firmly pressed them onto the phantom star. On the other side, the sharp-eyed youth also lowered some of his guard and copied the others, placing his palm over the star pattern before him.

The instant all six palms touched the phantom stars, the stars in the palace dome suddenly began spinning faster. Countless silver rays converged like streams, flowing down along the chairs' patterns and linking the six hands together. A warm, powerful force instantly coursed through their bodies. Then five entirely different floods of memories burst like a breached dam into the minds of Demon Slayer World Lin Yao and the mysterious youth.

Demon Slayer World Lin Yao felt his head swell with pain as countless unfamiliar scenes, pieces of knowledge, and sensations exploded in his mind.

There were scenes of slaughtering zombies in Academy World; the wondrous experiences of Martial Soul awakening and absorbing Soul Rings in Douluo World; and the pride of cultivating martial arts and roaming the jianghu in Divine Eagle World... What delighted him even more was that, with the influx of memories, the methods for circulating Nine Yin Manual internal energy, the techniques for wielding Douluo World's Soul Power, and even Divine Eagle World's lightness skills became branded into his mind, perfectly merging with the Thunder Breathing he already possessed.

He unconsciously clenched his fist and could clearly feel the power surging inside him—the Soul Power and internal energy were several times stronger than before, along with the crackling lightning surrounding him when Thunder Breathing circulated. Thunder Breathing, which he had previously only barely mastered at the entry level, now grew tremendously more powerful with the Nine Yin Manual's internal energy. The combat techniques from his past-life memories also gave him an entirely new understanding of Breathing Styles. He could no longer suppress the smile on his lips, and blazing light burst from his eyes. With this power, forget dealing with Lower Moons—even against an Upper Moon among the Twelve Kizuki, he was fully confident that he could contend with it, even slaughter it!

On the other side, after receiving the memories, the mysterious youth's taut body relaxed slightly. His brows smoothed out, and the vigilance in his eyes was replaced by shock and wild joy. Through the circulating memories, everyone also learned his identity—he came from the world of Absolute Duo. He was Absolute Duo World Lin Yao.

At that moment, the memories of his other five selves still echoed through Absolute Duo World Lin Yao's mind, leaving his heart in turmoil. He looked down at his hands and could feel the explosive rise in Soul Power within him, as well as the closer connection between his spiritual power and Martial Soul. The cultivation bottleneck that had troubled him for so long seemed to crumble without resistance.

The other Lin Yaos in the hall were likewise receiving the memories of Demon Slayer World Lin Yao and Absolute Duo World Lin Yao. Their expressions varied. Academy World Lin Yao looked curious, Divine Eagle World Lin Yao nodded slightly, while Douluo World Lin Yao showed a flicker of gratification after seeing Demon Slayer World Lin Yao's memories, followed by a smile that seemed to say, You've got good luck.

They all learned from those memories that Demon Slayer World Lin Yao's fate had been remarkably twisted. When he had first transmigrated into that world, he had luckily been adopted by Shinobu Kocho and become Kanao Tsuyuri's younger brother. Those days had been the warmest of his life in that unfamiliar world. Shinobu Kocho was gentle and strong, while Kanao Tsuyuri was quiet yet caring. He had wanted nothing more than to live peacefully and protect that hard-won family bond.

But the instant he recognized Shinobu Kocho and Kanao Tsuyuri, memories of his past life had surged forth like a tide. He immediately understood that he was in the world of Demon Slayer—a world filled with bloodshed and despair, where demons ran rampant and people could lose their loved ones at any moment. Especially when he thought of Shinobu Kocho eventually sacrificing herself to a demon for revenge, and Kanao Tsuyuri suffering through brutal battles, his heart hurt as though it had been gripped tight.

To protect Shinobu Kocho and Kanao Tsuyuri, he resolutely chose to join the Demon Slayer Corps, even knowing that the path was full of thorns and death. Relying on his past-life memories, he found Jigoro Kuwajima, who lived in seclusion on Peach Mountain. He had once been the Demon Slayer Corps' Rumble Hashira and was also the master of Zenitsu Agatsuma and Kaigaku. Jigoro Kuwajima had lost a leg fighting demons at the age of thirty-five, retiring from the front lines afterward and withdrawing into the mountains, where he specialized in training the next generation of Thunder Breathing users.

Lin Yao knelt before Jigoro Kuwajima, kowtowed three times, and begged to be accepted as his disciple. Perhaps moved by the determination in his eyes, or perhaps considering the Demon Slayer Corps' future, Jigoro Kuwajima eventually nodded. However, Lin Yao's talent for cultivation was far less exceptional than he had imagined. Zenitsu Agatsuma, who trained alongside him, was cowardly and timid in everyday life, yet possessed astonishing talent for Thunder Breathing and mastered its core techniques in only a few months. Kaigaku was even more proud and advanced at a rapid pace.

As for Lin Yao, no matter how much effort he put in, he rose before dawn every day to practice with the spear and rested only deep into the night. Layer upon layer of calluses formed on his palms from the wooden spear, and one outfit after another was soaked through with sweat, yet he could only barely cultivate Thunder Breathing to the entry level. Half a year had passed, but his strength remained at the third-rate level. Forget facing Upper Two Doma—even against a lowest-tier Lower Moon Fish, he would probably only be crushed.

The day when the plot would begin was drawing ever closer. Muzan Kibutsuji's minions had already begun running rampant across the land, and Lin Yao's anxiety grew by the day. Countless times, he jolted awake in the middle of the night, dreaming of Shinobu Kocho lying in a pool of blood and Kanao Tsuyuri losing her smile. That helplessness nearly swallowed him whole. But now, the appearance of the Star Palace was like a ray of dawn in the darkness, completely changing his fate. After sharing the strength and memories of his other five selves, he finally had the confidence to protect those he cherished.

"Obtaining this power before the plot begins truly is good luck," Divine Eagle World Lin Yao said softly, his tone carrying a hint of relief. "At least you no longer have to watch the gears of fate turn helplessly, as you did before."

Demon Slayer World Lin Yao nodded forcefully. His eyes grew slightly hot, but he said nothing. A thousand words were no match for proving himself through action. He gripped the Nichirin Blade at his waist and silently swore that this time, he would never allow tragedy to repeat itself.

Everyone then turned their eyes toward Absolute Duo World Lin Yao. Through his memories, they saw another life filled with hardship, yet unwilling to settle for mediocrity.

Absolute Duo World Lin Yao had likewise awakened the memories of his past life at a young age. He knew that he was in the world of Absolute Duo and understood its cruelty—Soul Masters lived under a strict hierarchy, and weakness was the original sin. At the age of six, he underwent his Martial Soul awakening. His parents watched him expectantly, for their Martial Souls were only the most ordinary of spears, and their Innate Soul Power was merely level two or three. They could only ever be Soul Masters at the bottom of society.

When the phantom image of a pitch-black spear bearing a spiritual attribute appeared in his hand during the awakening ceremony, everyone was stunned. This was a Martial Soul mutation! The spear was about six chi long and only two fingers wide, its shaft slender and bright, seemingly forged from black iron but gleaming with a faint cold light. Its tip was incredibly sharp, with a subtle blood groove faintly visible, radiating chilling killing intent. Even more remarkable was that his Innate Soul Power had reached level six. Though he was not a top-tier genius, he far surpassed his parents and had enough potential to go farther down the path of a Soul Master.

His parents were ecstatic over his talent. To earn more cultivation resources for him and allow him to join a better sect, they resolutely left their hometown and joined a soul-hunting team bound for the dangerous soul beast forests. Yet fate dealt Lin Yao a crushing blow. During one soul-hunting mission, they encountered a group of passing Evil Soul Masters. The Evil Soul Masters were cruel and inhuman. Lin Yao's parents fought desperately to protect the others in their team and ultimately perished.

At the time, Lin Yao had only been a confused child. When the surviving members of the soul-hunting team returned home carrying his parents' belongings and told him the news, his world instantly collapsed. Clutching the ordinary iron spear left behind by his parents, he cried through the entire night in the empty house. When his tears finally dried, all that remained in his heart was endless grief and hatred for Evil Soul Masters. Fortunately, the group that had killed his parents was wiped out by the Shrek Supervision Group not long afterward, offering him a small measure of comfort.

From then on, Lin Yao lived alone, surviving with difficulty on the meager savings his parents had left him and help from his neighbors. He knew full well that without power in this world, one could only be slaughtered by others. Not only would he be unable to avenge his parents, but he might not even be able to protect his own life. Yet though his Martial Soul, the Soul Destroying Spear, was unusual, his level-six Innate Soul Power determined his ceiling. Following conventional cultivation paths, he had no hope of ever becoming a Title Douluo. Even reaching Soul Saint would be his limit.

"I refuse to accept this!" Countless nights, Lin Yao had roared at the pitch-black Night Sky, his eyes burning with unwillingness. He thought of Ji Juechen, a character from Absolute Duo in his past-life memories. Ji Juechen's Martial Soul had only been an ordinary sword, and his Innate Soul Power had merely been level three. Yet through his obsession with Soul Enters Sword, he had transformed his own Martial Soul into energy and fused it into a sword forged from extraterrestrial meteoric iron. He reached a realm where man was the sword and sword was the man, eventually becoming a powerhouse of his generation.

Ji Juechen's experience gave Lin Yao immense inspiration. He began trying to imitate Ji Juechen's path, but he also had his own conviction. Ji Juechen regarded the sword as everything and willingly fused his will into it. But Lin Yao possessed an exceptionally strong sense of self. He refused to become an appendage of his Martial Soul; he only wanted it to become the sharpest weapon in his hand.

Thus, he forged his own path—Person Controls Spear. He devoted all his energy to cultivating spiritual power, day and night using it to communicate with and permeate his Soul Destroying Spear Martial Soul. At first, the process was extraordinarily difficult. The Soul Destroying Spear seemed to possess a will of its own and constantly resisted his spiritual power. Every attempt drained him completely and left his head splitting with pain. But he never gave up. He fell again and again, only to rise again and again. When the spear shaft rubbed his palms bloody, he simply wrapped them in strips of cloth and continued. When spiritual exhaustion made him faint, he would drink some water after waking and return to his spiritual cultivation.

Years of bitter exploration finally paid off. On a stormy night filled with thunder and rain, Lin Yao's spiritual power finally permeated the Soul Destroying Spear completely, fully assimilating with his Martial Soul. At that moment, he clearly felt that the Soul Destroying Spear had become part of his body. Every swing moved according to his will, and he could even use spiritual power to control the spear freely without touching it.

With the success of Person Controls Spear, his cultivation speed soared, far surpassing what it had once been and even rivaling geniuses with level-seven or level-eight Innate Soul Power. More importantly, his Battle Power underwent a qualitative leap. The Soul Destroying Spear inherently possessed soul-breaking power and could inflict spiritual damage on enemies. Now, under his perfect command, that power was brought to its absolute limit. Among Soul Masters of the same rank, almost none could stand against him.

As of today, Lin Yao still had four months before his twelfth birthday, yet his Soul Power had already reached level twenty-four. Even in Shrek Academy, where geniuses gathered in abundance, this achievement was enough to rival several of the weaker Shrek Seven Devils during the early stages of the first part of Douluo Continent.

At that moment, he was in a hidden cave on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest. A layer of dry leaves covered the cave floor, while several compressed biscuits and a waterskin were piled in a corner, clearly marking it as a temporary shelter. Outside, the Star Dou Great Forest was lush and green, towering ancient trees blocking out the sun. The occasional roar of a soul beast echoed through the woods, carrying danger and mystery. Lin Yao had chosen to scout this place for only one purpose—to wait for Sky Dream Ice Silkworm to appear.

As one of the most extraordinary Soul Spirits in Absolute Duo from his past-life memories, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm was a Million-Year soul beast with immense spiritual power and unique soul skills. It was an opportunity every Soul Master dreamed of. Lin Yao knew that if he could subdue Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, not only would his spiritual power rise to a new level, but he could also completely break through the shackles of his talent and lay the foundation for becoming a Title Douluo. He would never miss such an opportunity.

Besides waiting for Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, Lin Yao had another plan—entering Shrek Academy. He had prepared for it long ago, spending nearly all his savings through black-market channels to purchase a letter of recommendation for Shrek Academy. In this world, Shrek Academy was famous for its creed of accepting monsters but not ordinary people. Its entrance examinations were exceptionally strict, and it regularly expelled unqualified students after admission. Yet no one could deny that it remained one of the continent's foremost powers.

After absorbing the vast majority of Spirit Hall's remaining inheritance, Shrek Academy's strength was even less to be underestimated. Soul bones, Pills, rare medicinal herbs, and other cultivation resources were all available in abundance, enough to support the growth of any genius. More importantly, the various secret arts taught in Shrek's Inner Court could change an ordinary Soul Master's destiny, while the teaching standard of its Martial Soul Department was unquestionably the best on the continent.

For Lin Yao, Shrek Academy was the best choice at his current stage. He knew his weaknesses—he was alone, with neither background nor faction to rely on, making many things difficult to accomplish. If he rashly wandered on his own, merely acquiring cultivation resources and dealing with sudden dangers would consume enormous amounts of energy, leaving him unable to focus on cultivation. But by entering Shrek Academy, he could receive the academy's full support and protection while also meeting more geniuses and broadening his horizons.

As for going to the Sun Moon Empire? Lin Yao had long dismissed the idea. The Sun Moon Empire and Heaven Dou Empire were hostile to each other. As a citizen of Heaven Dou Empire, he would inevitably be viewed with suspicion and exclusion in the Sun Moon Empire, putting him at a disadvantage from the beginning. Besides, the Sun Moon Empire was far too distant from here, and the route was fraught with danger. With his current strength, he might not even arrive safely.

The recommendation letter cost a lot, but it was worth it, Lin Yao had once thought. After all, a complete industry chain had already formed around Shrek Academy recommendation letters on the black market. Anyone with enough Gold Soul Coins could buy one. The academy was only responsible for admitting students, not ensuring they graduated. Those without real ability would be expelled soon after entering, so no one dared waste such a "slot" lightly.

However, plans could not keep up with change. Just as he eagerly awaited subduing Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, entering Shrek Academy, and achieving his goals step by step, the fluctuation from the Star Palace suddenly descended and brought him into this hall where selves from countless worlds gathered. After sharing the power and memories of his other five selves, his strength surged and his horizons broadened. Many of his original plans now needed to be adjusted.

"Sky Dream Ice Silkworm in the Star Dou Great Forest remains an important opportunity for you. But now that you have enough strength to deal with more variables, perhaps you can try contacting it earlier," Douluo World Lin Yao suggested, looking at Absolute Duo World Lin Yao. "As for Shrek Academy, with your current strength, you no longer need to rely on a recommendation letter. You can pass the examinations directly, and you might even be admitted to the Inner Court early."

Absolute Duo World Lin Yao's eyes lit up, and he nodded firmly. "You're right. The current me truly doesn't need to be as cautious as before."

"After I return, I plan to challenge some nearby Lower Moons and test how strong I really am now," Demon Slayer World Lin Yao said as well, anticipation in his voice. "Once I get used to this power, I'll return to Butterfly Mansion and let Sister Shinobu and Kanao rest easy too."

"That works, but mind your limits. Newly merged power still needs to be tempered. Don't get careless," Divine Eagle World Lin Yao reminded him, concern in his eyes.

Academy World Lin Yao smiled. "If any of us runs into trouble we can't handle, maybe we can help each other the next time we gather. After all, we're all Lin Yao, aren't we?"

Everyone nodded, and the atmosphere grew increasingly harmonious. They began a deeper exchange about the situations in their respective worlds, their upcoming plans, and the techniques behind the powers they had mastered. Douluo World Lin Yao explained in detail how to use Soul Power and Soul Rings; Divine Eagle World Lin Yao shared his insights on cultivating martial arts such as the Nine Yin Manual; Academy World Lin Yao offered unique ideas for applying modern knowledge...

Everyone gained tremendously from the exchange. The distance that had initially existed because they came from different worlds gradually disappeared without a trace. They were like old friends who had known one another for years, sharing their experiences without reservation so that each version of Lin Yao could go farther and live better in his own world.

No one knew how much time passed. As the conversation in the hall gradually came to an end, that familiar fluctuation carrying the aura of stars descended once more. This time, it did not draw them into the palace. Instead, like a gentle hand, it slowly pushed them back toward their respective worlds.

"Until next time!"

"Take care!"

They bade each other farewell, their figures gradually turning transparent beneath the starlight. Demon Slayer World Lin Yao took one last look at everyone in the hall, a determined smile on his lips, before his figure vanished completely. Absolute Duo World Lin Yao clenched his fist, his eyes shining with anticipation for the future, and returned to the cave in the Star Dou Great Forest as well.

The Star Palace returned to silence once more. Only the stars in its dome continued their slow rotation, as though waiting for the next gathering.