Once the approximate strength values of Upper Ranks One, Three, and Four had been established,
the strength ranges of the other Upper Ranks could naturally be estimated as well.
After all, the demons' rankings within the Twelve Kizuki were determined strictly by strength.
If any lower-ranked demon really were stronger than one ranked above them,
they would probably have already launched a rank replacement blood battle and taken that position.
Kokushibo's existence represented the upper limit of the entire Twelve Kizuki's strength hierarchy.
And the very bottom of the Twelve Kizuki consisted of the sort Xia Xi had encountered before.
The lowest Lower Ranks, with energy levels of around 270 to 280 and a passable Blood Demon Art.
As for the Nine Hashira,
they were roughly equivalent to somewhere between the higher Lower Rank Demons and the lowest Upper Rank Demons.
What followed were the figures Xia Xi had inferred from his personal experience and the intelligence available.
First came the one he had already fought.
[Upper Rank One] [Moon Radiance Swordsman · Kokushibo] [Challenge Level: 26/35/40+] [Traits: Multiple-stage transformation, Breathing Style + swordsmanship, wide-area energy slashes, Transparent World]
Next was the second-ranked demon, information about whom had previously been extracted from Koyuki and other demons.
[Upper Rank Two]
Code name: [Ice Mage].
[Challenge Level: 18-30] [Traits: A melee mage suspected of using ice magic.]
As for the estimated range of his abilities,
the upper limit was based on Kokushibo's mention that "no one had forced him into his second stage in a long time."
Thus, this [Ice Mage]'s maximum strength could not exceed the top-ranked demon's second stage.
The lower limit, meanwhile, was based on Akaza's strength.
Otherwise, given that battle fanatic's personality, he would probably have challenged him to a rank replacement