The night was like ink, and deep within the dense forest far from the Butterfly Mansion, a dazzling, electric-blue flash of Lightning Release occasionally lit up.
Then the light vanished, leaving only the rustling of leaves in the wind.
Cheng Mo stood still, the arcing electricity around him slowly subsiding.
He frowned slightly, feeling a faint soreness in his meridians.
'Reached the limit again,' he thought to himself.
With these extra training sessions at night, he clearly felt that his body's tolerance for the Lightning Release Armor and Chakra seemed to have hit an invisible ceiling.
No matter how much he pushed himself, the increase in Chakra volume and the improvement in the Lightning Release Armor's strength became exceptionally slow.
The period of rapid, exponential growth was completely over.
Now, he needed to improve his strength like a true ninja, through painstaking effort.
Not only did he need to repeatedly stimulate and temper his cells with Lightning Release Chakra, but he also had to supplement it with extremely high-intensity physical training.
He needed to gradually refine and raise the absolute limit of this body to accommodate more power.
This process could not be rushed.
Of course, this 'slow progress' was only relative to himself.
If any Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps knew the intensity of his current training and the precision of his control over power, they would probably be too shocked to speak (excluding Muichiro).
"The conventional training path has entered a stable period; to improve quickly, I must find another way."
Cheng Mo's mind raced, his gaze falling on the nichirin blade "startled insects" at his waist.
A thought became increasingly clear: he needed to acquire tissue samples from demons with special Blood Demon Art.
Using the Eye of Truth to analyze the characteristics of their energy conduction, and attempting to integrate them into "startled insects," might qualitatively change the blade's lightning-attribute lethality.
More importantly was the Blood Demon Art itself.
That kind of supernatural ability, driven by the demon's "blood" and "obsession" as core elements, its energy construction and operation mode, in his understanding, was almost a type of "technique."
Although the energy basis was completely different from Chakra, its application methods in "attribute transformation," "form transformation," and even aspects involving "space" and "spirit" held extremely high reference value for him in developing his own, more refined and powerful Lightning Release ninjutsu.
Previously, imitating the mud demon's ability to manipulate mud to develop the Lightning Release Binding technique was a successful validation.
He needed more "samples."
With a thought, he raised his hand again.
Lightning Release surged from his palm, but instead of violently exploding, it silently merged into the ground beneath his feet as if alive.
Sizzle... Amidst an almost inaudible electric hum, several translucent, pale blue tendrils, composed entirely of highly condensed Lightning Release Chakra, snaked through the ground like lurking vipers at astonishing speed, instantly breaking through the earth ten meters in front of him.
The lightning tendrils wove into a dangerous net of electricity, silently enveloping an area.
Its speed was extremely fast, almost traceless; only the faint, dangerous aura lingering in the air proved its existence.
After multiple revisions, the Lightning Release Binding technique was faster, more covert in its activation, and far more resilient than its initial form.
Cheng Mo was quite satisfied with it.
This technique combined control and surprise attacks, making it very practical.
"To witness it firsthand, one truly understands the master's strength; it is like gazing at a towering mountain, unfathomable."
A deep, magnetic voice came from the tree canopy nearby.
Black Feather folded its wings, perched on a branch, its sharp crow eyes watching the gradually dissipating lightning net below.
"The records of the Demon Slayer Corps have never documented such a refined and efficient method of energy utilization," Black Feather continued to lament in its un-birdlike voice.
"When the master performs it, it's utterly natural, and the effects are unpredictable and eerie... almost like the Blood Demon Art of those demons, making it impossible to guard against."
Cheng Mo caught the keyword, looked up, and gazed at Black Feather in the tree: "You can see the energy trajectory of this technique of mine?"
He remembered that while Kasugai Crows could transmit information, they didn't seem to be particularly adept at sensing energy.
Upon hearing this, Black Feather puffed out its chest slightly, its feathers gleaming with a deep luster in the moonlight.
Its tone held a touch of appropriate reserve: "Not seeing the trajectory, Master. I am naturally extremely sensitive to subtle fluctuations in natural energy; this is my innate talent."
It paused, then specifically added: "My environmental adaptability and stealth capabilities are top-tier, even among the Silent Shadow Crow flock, and Kagaya Ubuyashiki is aware of this."
Cheng Mo listened to Black Feather's words, his gaze calm.
He understood the hidden meaning in Black Feather's words—
It was emphasizing its unique value, as well as Kagaya Ubuyashiki's unreserved sincerity when he gifted it.
It was both showing loyalty and vying for a higher position for itself.
Cheng Mo understood, but he didn't care about such minor schemes; he cared about practicality.
Ubuyashiki's action was sincere cooperation, but it also held a hint of placing an "eye" by his side.
However, this "eye" was now completely under his control, making it an excellent tool.
"Black Feather," Cheng Mo began, "From now on, I assign you a top-priority mission."
The Silent Shadow Crow on the branch immediately bowed its head slightly, its demeanor becoming focused, awaiting the command.
"Utilize your sensory abilities to prioritize searching for and locating within the surrounding area, and even further afield... all demons with abnormal energy fluctuations, especially those possessing special abilities... that is, Blood Demon Art."
"Mark their location, energy intensity, and unusual characteristics, and report to me promptly."
His goal was very clear.
The Silent Shadow Crow on the branch instantly tensed its body, a sharp glint flashing in its eyes.
It clearly sensed the urgency and importance contained within this command.
"As you wish, Master."
Black Feather lowered its head, its voice becoming solemn and serious.
"Black Feather will certainly find the most suitable 'prey' for you."
With that, it spread its wings and silently melted into the dense darkness of the night, as if it were a part of the darkness itself.
Cheng Mo stood still, feeling the Chakra flow within him stabilize, then looked in the direction where Black Feather had disappeared.
He sheathed "startled insects" and turned to walk towards the Butterfly Mansion.
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