From Demon Slayer to the Multiverse: The Ultimate Exploiter

Zuo Xiaoling covered her forehead with both hands, tears still clinging to the corners of her eyes. She looked at her brother Tong Gu in confusion. It didn't hurt much, but…

"Brother Tong Gu, why did you hit me?"

Tong Gu held the nichirin blade, his expression stiff.

Was it ineffective? Was it because he hadn't mastered the technique to send souls to rest, or because there was no Soul Society in this world, rendering the Zanpakutō useless here?

He coughed awkwardly, trying to cover his unease.

"I just wanted to stop you from crying."

Zuo Xiaoling didn't press further. She rubbed her forehead and said,

"This is the first time in days someone has managed to touch me…"

The feeling of being unseen, unheard, and untouchable had left her terrified, filling her with a sense of emptiness—and even a hint of resentment.

Tong Gu noticed the subtle change in her demeanor. After a moment of thought, he cautiously asked,

"Why…?"

Before he could finish, Xiaoling's eyes flickered with confusion, then filled with grievance as though she suddenly remembered something.

"Brother Tong Gu, I was tricked… sniff…"

"That person said… they said Grandpa and Grandma were waiting for me…"

"And my mom and dad…"

Zuo Xiaoling had never met her parents. Her mother passed away shortly after childbirth during a mission, and her father followed soon after. When she mentioned "mom and dad," her tone carried a mix of fear and longing.

As Zuo Xiaoling rambled tearfully, Tong Gu's expression darkened.

Someone had used mental suggestion on her.

And it happened on the very day of the Awakening Trial!

Tong Gu exhaled slowly, a weight settling in his chest. He was beginning to understand Yang Yuanping's words. Sometimes, you have no choice but to do things you'd rather avoid.

But since he was being dragged into this, they shouldn't expect it to end so easily… Mr. Wu.

---

Guo Dengyuan adjusted his impeccably tailored suit, his hair styled neatly in a mature fashion. He rarely volunteered for such significant events, so his initiative to attend the Newcomers' Conference this year had delighted the Guo family elders.

Holding a wine glass, he scanned the entrance. Around him, eligible players from the nearby Mountain City, both veterans and rookies, were gradually filing into the venue.

Among those entering, Guo recognized many familiar names: Flying Sword Lv Ye of the "Mountain City Twin Blades," the seasoned Silver-ranked expert Ice Demon Dai Jincheng, and the recently popular Mind Manipulator Bao Huijun, who had risen to fame online as a replacement for the late White-Browed Hero.

"Whoa!"

"It's Ju Dongliu!"

A stir rippled through the crowd. Guo Dengyuan quickly rose from his seat. All eyes turned to the entrance, where players instinctively stepped aside, and the officials on the dais stood up in unison.

A woman in a flowing purple-black gown stepped into the hall under the gaze of the crowd. She moved with an unyielding grace, her focus unwavering as she strode down the aisle, an aura of cold intensity enveloping the room.

Though her skin was flawless, her beauty striking, few dared to look directly at her.

Even Guo Dengyuan only spared her a brief glance before his eyes began to sting. He quickly averted his gaze.

When Ju Dongliu first debuted, she earned the nickname "Orchid in a Secluded Valley" online, a testament to her serene demeanor and stunning beauty. But in just three missions, amidst the carnage, she had shed that title entirely.

To anyone who had watched her livestreams or recordings, she was a born killer—a dazzling yet merciless shura.

Her singular focus on slaughter propelled both her popularity and her power. By the start of the year, she had passed the Silver Trial.

Her arrival cast a solemn air over the venue. Even the officials sharing the dais with her seemed uneasy.

Fortunately, another commotion at the entrance broke the tension.

An elderly man in a simple yet sharp shirt walked in, his expression amiable. Seeing him, several officials stepped down to greet him. The man's hair was streaked with white, yet his eyes sparkled with vitality. He was none other than Zhang Xingwen, principal of Mountain City Academy and a hidden Golden-ranked player in the eyes of many.

Zhang's arrival, paired with his warm smile, seemed to nullify the oppressive aura Ju Dongliu brought. He settled into the central seat on the dais, glanced at Ju Dongliu beside him, and nodded approvingly. Then, noticing the still-tense atmosphere, he chuckled.

"What's this? Did the party stop because an old man showed up?"

"Come on, keep the music and dancing going!"

Guo Dengyuan nearly choked on his drink. He'd heard stories about Principal Zhang, but seeing the man in person confirmed his reputation as a lively character.

With Zhang Xingwen anchoring the mood, the atmosphere lightened again, much to the relief of the officials representing the Dongxia Players' Association. After last year's fiasco, they had hesitated to invite Ju Dongliu this time.

But a faction within the guild insisted that showcasing two S-rank players was essential to cement the association's prestige. And so Ju Dongliu was here.

The question now was…

Guo Dengyuan glanced anxiously at the entrance. Would Exploiter Tong Gu show up?

Well-informed insiders knew this year's conference wasn't just about recognizing achievements or promoting young talent. It also reflected the tangled state of affairs in Mountain City.

The stakes were high—regional jurisdictional authority was on the line.

"Apologies for our tardiness…"

A booming voice interrupted the room. Guo Dengyuan's gaze snapped to the entrance. Sure enough, a man in a pristine white suit adorned with glimmering silver accents strode in, followed by a group of seven.

The man's bold outfit contrasted sharply with the more somber attire around him. Behind him were several individuals with mechanical augmentations, three or four having undergone significant modifications.

Mountain City had once recognized its Top Ten Outstanding Youths, hoping they would inspire others to excel in the Game of Fate. Tragically, after the Awakening Trials, only seven remained.

These seven now followed the charismatic Wu Guangzhi, known as Mr. Wu, who had recently risen to prominence as the Shaman King.

Zhang Xingwen sipped his drink, his expression unreadable. Among the youths once honored was Zhu Xiuwen, a former Mountain City Academy student who hadn't survived.

Wu Guangzhi and his group drew a flurry of attention from corporate representatives eager to connect with rising stars. The Shaman King played the part of a gentleman, greeting players and officials alike.

"Principal Zhang, Miss Ju, my sincerest apologies for arriving late."

Zhang Xingwen offered a polite smile, his gaze calm. Ju Dongliu, however, remained motionless, her eyes shut as if she hadn't heard a thing.

Wu Guangzhi's pleasant demeanor faltered. His annoyance flickered, but he suppressed it upon catching sight of Ju Dongliu's serene profile. The elegant curve of her bangs tucked behind her ear exuded an unexpected grace.

Yet, just as he prepared to speak further, a wave of killing intent pierced the air. His body stiffened, and his spine prickled with unease.

Wu Guangzhi staggered slightly, his face pale.

Trying to compose himself, he shifted his attention to the association's representative. "Shall we begin the conference?"

The bespectacled representative glanced at the clock and nodded. Just as he opened his mouth, Zhang Xingwen tapped the table lightly, smiling.

"No rush, Representative Jin. Mountain City's real representative hasn't arrived yet."

As if sensing something, Ju Dongliu's eyes opened, a silent ripple of energy sweeping through the room and lifting the curtains at the door.

All eyes turned to the entrance, only to find… emptiness.

Wu Guangzhi smirked.

"Feng Bizhe is probably too busy preparing for the next Game of Fate. He's above these gatherings."

Boom!

The ground trembled as a heavy footstep resounded. Wu Guangzhi's smirk vanished.

Boom!

Dressed in a deep blue suit, Tong Gu strode forward slowly, each step sending a tremor through the floor.

Guo Dengyuan shot to his feet, joy lighting up his face.

The Exploiter has arrived!

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