Jin Sha was dying, and Bai Ye was a little surprised.
Jin Sha's strength was actually quite good, considered one of the chosen who obtained black quality items relatively early.
Especially with beast taming!
Beast taming required nurturing and the ability to grow stronger, which represented potential and the future.
However, Bai Ye also felt it wasn't entirely unexpected.
Jin Sha was a paradox; she knew the world battlefield was cruel and learned to adapt to this cruelty, and she adapted quite well, not hesitating to kill when necessary.
But Jin Sha's adaptation wasn't perfect. She was unwilling to discard the last vestiges of kindness in her heart.
This was a good quality, but it wouldn't help Jin Sha survive better on the world battlefield, and might even cost her her life.
In some ways, Bai Ye didn't dislike Jin Sha; otherwise, he wouldn't have helped her back then.
Of course, a large part of it was for his own benefit. Bai Ye would only act if there was something to gain.
But…
Walking in darkness did not mean one did not yearn for light in their heart.
Therefore, Bai Ye would not become someone like Jin Sha, but he also didn't dislike people like Jin Sha.
"Can we be considered friends?" Bai Ye smiled and said, "Let's just say we are, for now."
Bai Ye opened the window, lit a cigarette, took a puff, and then looked at the sky in the distance.
Friend, goodbye.
As for the person you wanted to kill…
I'll kill them!
…
Jin Sha's call was an interlude, but it didn't significantly affect Bai Ye's mood.
People like Bai Ye were generally difficult to influence by anything.
So, for Bai Ye, it was merely a matter of receiving the goods and noting it down in his notebook.
If there was an opportunity, he would have to kill someone. That person was named Liu Shiyue.
That was all.
Therefore, after a night passed, Bai Ye, Kamado Tanjiro, and Agatsuma Zenitsu, along with Uzui Tengen, embarked on their journey back.
This development was actually a small surprise to Bai Ye.
Bai Ye thought that with the elimination of Daki and Gyutaro, the matter should have concluded.
However, at dawn, Uzui Tengen, accompanied by Kamado Tanjiro, found Bai Ye and invited him to return with them. Bai Ye knew then that there would be a follow-up.
Indeed, through conversations on the way, Bai Ye confirmed his suspicions.
The follow-up didn't mean related forbidden zones would be opened, or that hidden quests were still ongoing.
Instead, the core of this region was the conflict between the Demon Slayer Corps and demons.
The death of an Upper Rank Six demon was just the beginning.
Bai Ye's elimination of Upper Rank Six earned him the Sound Hashira's recognition. Therefore, for subsequent forbidden zones and hidden quests, Bai Ye would have a greater chance of participating if he wished, compared to other chosen ones.
If there were any follow-ups to the Great Forest of Jura, Bai Ye would certainly be able to participate more easily.
After all, if one were to argue, Bai Ye and Rimuru also had a connection.
This could be considered an implicit reward, but…
Bai Ye had no interest.
The Demon Slayer Corps and the Twelve Kizuki were somewhat low-tier in Bai Ye's opinion, unless he was facing the Demon King directly.
But that was impossible. Whether it was the forbidden zones of this region or the hidden quests, the targets would certainly be the Twelve Kizuki. Only when all Twelve Kizuki were dead would the Demon King appear.
Did Bai Ye have that much time to waste?
Whether it was Breathing Styles or Blood Demon Arts, for Bai Ye's current strength, the room for improvement wasn't significant.
In fact, if Uzui Tengen hadn't suddenly appeared, Bai Ye would have already made up his mind and set his next destination.
Bai Ye wanted to…
Go play in the territory of his previous life.
The East District, Future Technology Zone!
However, since a connection had been established, Bai Ye still planned to return to the ancient town.
Firstly, to deal with some matters at hand, and secondly, Bai Ye intended to meet Gao Ming again.
After spending a few days reaching the ancient town, Kamado Tanjiro bid farewell to Bai Ye. "Mr. Bai Ye, thank you for your help. I hope we will have another chance to meet."
Bai Ye smiled and said, "I believe we will."
Bai Ye watched Kamado Tanjiro and the main trio depart, then turned and walked into a restaurant.
Gao Ming had contacted Bai Ye in advance via Den Den Mushi, so they had prepared a private room and laid out food and drinks, awaiting Bai Ye's arrival.
"Looking at this setup…" Bai Ye entered the room and smiled, "You gained quite a bit from the Blood Battle Gathering of Heroes."
"It's alright," Gao Ming smiled. "Please sit."
After Bai Ye sat down, Gao Ming continued, "Actually, it was all arranged by our guild leader. He hopes you will join the Evil Spirit Guild."
Bai Ye asked, "Harvey Stenson?"
Gao Ming was surprised. "You know our guild leader?"
The Evil Spirit Guild had only recently been established and was a fledgling organization. Harvey's fame wasn't that widespread, and he wasn't a master, so fewer people knew of him.
Currently, Harvey, as the leader of the Evil Spirit Guild, was more of a behind-the-scenes figure.
"Joining the Evil Spirit Guild is impossible," Bai Ye said. "But cooperation is possible."
Gao Ming replied, "A compromise, but that's acceptable too."
Bai Ye then asked, "The question is, what price are you willing to pay?"
Gao Ming thought for a moment. "We discussed it last time. The Future Technology Zone, you have information on all four forbidden zones within it?"
Bai Ye nodded. "That forbidden zone is a world where aliens and humans coexist. Many aliens hide their identities and live among humans, but some aliens commit evil, so humans established an organization called the Men in Black to manage the aliens and eliminate those who do evil."
As he spoke, Bai Ye raised his wine glass and took a sip.
"The Future Technology Zone…" Gao Ming hesitated. "With everyone's current strength, can we handle it?"
Bai Ye replied, "You can rest assured about that. It's just a region with relatively low-level technology. Whether it's the technology possessed by humans or by aliens, it can only be considered introductory future technology. There will be challenges, but it won't be as difficult as you imagine."
Gao Ming said, "Then I'm relieved."
Bai Ye continued, "But this time, I won't have the time to wait for you to explore the forbidden zones. Because you won't be able to open all the forbidden zones in that region simultaneously, so this time requires a suitable transaction method."
Gao Ming smiled. "No problem, our guild leader has already stated that he trusts you unconditionally."
"Oh?" Bai Ye smirked. "Then, what are you planning to offer for the transaction?"
Gao Ming replied, "That depends on what the forbidden zone yields. Our guild leader did give me a list of items that can be used for transactions, but we'll need to estimate the profits to determine the specific goods for the exchange."
…