Chapter 403: The Conservative Faction Within the Soul Society

Just then, Li An suddenly felt a powerful spiritual pressure wave coming from afar. He was startled and quickly looked up. He saw a group of people in black robes appearing in the sky, their bodies radiating a powerful aura.

"This is... the conservative faction within the Soul Society?" Li An guessed silently in his heart. He knew these people had surely come to stop him; he had just defeated Ulquiorra and hadn't even had time to rest, yet he faced a new challenge again.

"Looks like we're in trouble again." Ichigo frowned, clenching his fists, ready to welcome battle at any moment.

Li An took a deep breath, looking at the group in the sky, his eyes flashing with determined light: "No matter what difficulties I meet, I will not give up. I will definitely complete the trial and expose Aizen's conspiracy." Having spoken, he and Ichigo and the others walked toward the group in the sky; a new battle was about to erupt...

The sky was gloomy as if a heavy lead plate, pressing down heavily over the Soul Society. The air was filled with a damp scent, as if a storm was about to break. Li An wore a black trial robe, a long sword at his waist, his expression determined as he strode toward the trial ground. His eyes flashed with a hot light, that was the desire to increase his strength, the expectation for the trial coming.

"Finally reached this step; this trial must be given full effort." Li An murmured to himself, the corner of his mouth rising slightly, revealing a hint of confident smile. Guo Yao followed him closely beside him, her eyes full of worry and concern.

"Li An, you must be careful." Guo Yao gently pulled Li An's hand, her voice carrying a slight tremor.

Li An turned his head, looking gently at Guo Yao, gently patting her hand, comforting her: "Rest assured, I will be fine. After I complete the trial, we will go together to see all the beautiful scenery in this world."

When they arrived at the trial ground, they found a group of Shinigami dressed in black shihakusho already waiting there. Their faces bore arrogant expressions, their eyes revealing disdain and hostility. Leading them was a tall Shinigami, a long scar on his face, looking especially fearsome.

"You are Li An?" the Scarred Shinigami spoke coldly, his voice full of contempt. "This is not a place for you; leave immediately, or do not blame us for being unkind..."

Li An frowned slightly, a surge of anger rising in his heart, but he still suppressed his emotions, asking calmly: "I came to the trial according to the rules; may I ask what rule have I violated?"

The Scarred Shinigami sneered, taking two steps forward, looking down on Li An: "Rules? We say you violated them, then you violated them. You, an outsider, attempting to gain power in our Soul Society, is simply a pipe dream."

The surrounding Shinigami chimed in one after another, murmurs rising and falling. "Exactly, an outsider, how can they easily obtain our Shinigami power." "Hurry and get back, you are not welcome here."

Li An's hands clenched into fists, his nails digging deeply into his palms; he felt unprecedented anger and 2.7 helplessness. Guo Yao stood behind him, also frightened pale by this sudden turn of events; she tightly grasped the hem of Li An's robe, her body trembling slightly.

"You are making trouble without reason!" Li An roared in anger, his eyes flashing with fire. "I passed through one trial after another, cleared layer upon layer of tests, to earn this trial opportunity; you cannot deprive me of my rights like this."