Chapter 135: Huangmu's Challenger! The Legendary Seventh Generation

"So you really won't lend?!"

Yuan Liuzhai frowned tightly after hearing Huangmu's words.

"I really won't lend!"

Huangmu replied resolutely.

"You have so much money; what's wrong with lending some to your master?!"

"Are you afraid that your master would owe you and not repay?"

Yuan Liuzhai blew his beard and glared at Huangmu, shouting angrily.

"Indeed so."

"Your financial situation, I, your disciple, am not unaware of; calling it destitute would not be an exaggeration."

Huangmu heard this and gave a slight nod.

"Y-You..."

Yuan Liuzhai hadn't expected Huangmu to be so sincere; it left him a bit at a loss...

Had Huangmu shown any modesty, he wouldn't have been this embarrassed, unable to step down.

"Disciple, whatever the master says, I'm the one who has watched you grow all along!"

"Given our relationship, lending some money to your master shouldn't be hard for you, right?!"

Yuan Liuzhai, seeing that Huangmu wouldn't bite, instantly adopted a different posture; he gazed at Huangmu with benevolent eyes, speaking in the softest tone of his life, and addressed Huangmu.

"Master Yuan Liuzhai, please stop speaking to your disciple like that..."

"Honestly, the disciple still prefers your previous 'wild and untamed' and 'authority without anger' demeanor!"

"Moreover, your current expression really makes me feel nauseous..."

Huangmu involuntarily shivered after hearing Yuan Liuzhai's words.

In his whole life, Huangmu had never seen Yuan Liuzhai so pleasant and smiling!

Even after he had defeated Yuan Liuzhai in the 'Virtual Circle', Yuan Liuzhai never showed such a pleasant demeanor...

Huangmu thought to himself, perhaps this is the power of money?

The ancients said, "Money can make ghosts turn the mill!" This saying is indeed true!

"Master Yuan Liuzhai, I can consider all other matters, but as for borrowing money, please don't bring it up again! Otherwise it might damage the deep bond between you and your disciple."

There's no way; Huangmu had become accustomed to the extremely strict Master Yuan Liuzhai, and he couldn't accept this old fool who had lost his former majesty...

"You scoundrel! Who are you calling wild and untamed? Is that something you can say to your master?"

"And it's just some money, mere worldly things; how could they be compared to the feeling between your master and you?! I think, Huangmu, after you became chief, you started getting foolish!"

Yuan Liuzhai, after hearing Huangmu's words, clenched the wooden scabbard in his hand and hammered it forcefully against the floor of the First Squad barracks, while angrily addressing Huangmu.

"Yes, that's the right beard‑blowing, eye‑glare stance! This time the flavor is finally correct..."

Huangmu, after hearing Yuan Liuzhai's tirade, suddenly showed a smile.

As Yuan Liuzhai began to lose his temper, Huangmu finally felt completely at ease.

This raging old fool before him is the familiar Master Yuan Liuzhai...

"Huangmu, you damned rabbit‑brat, you truly infuriate this old man..."

"Today I will use the Zanpakuto I hold, the 'Cinderfire Tachi', which even among the Zero Squad retains top attack power, to give you a good lesson."

Yuan Liuzhai, seeing this wayward disciple Huangmu smile after his anger, felt the veins on his forehead bulge and his hands tremble uncontrollably—an adrenaline surge that signaled he was about to go berserk and strike!

For a moment, Yuan Liuzhai wished he could unleash his Bankai right before Huangmu and then fight him for three hundred rounds! With the formidable strength he attained after cultivating in the Spirit King Palace, even someone as powerful as Huangmu would have no hope.

"Bankai—Cinderfire Tachi!!"

However, when Yuan Liuzhai shouted the word Bankai, his 'Flowing Blade Like Fire' gave no response.

Not even a single spark appeared; it was then that Yuan Liuzhai gradually realized...

Oh, right, he remembered...

Although his Bankai had been somewhat enhanced, the sheer power of this Zanpakuto's Bankai was too great!

Thus it was sealed by the members of the Zero Squad, and until the Blood Covenant is broken, he cannot use his Bankai.

Since he can't use Bankai, it's all right...

Heh heh~

Huangmu smiled as Yuan Liuzhai fell silent.

"Master Yuan Liuzhai, weren't you going to Bankai? Why hasn't your Zanpakuto changed now? Could it be that you suddenly changed your mind and intend to spare this disciple's life?!"

Huangmu looked at Yuan Liuzhai, who looked utterly punchable, and asked.

"Even without Bankai, I can still deal with you!"

Yuan Liuzhai, hearing this, answered stubbornly.

"Master Yuan Liuzhai, are you not Bankai-ing because you don't want to?"

"Are you afraid that the power of your Zanpakuto's Bankai is too great and might inadvertently harm the disciple's life?"

"Your obvious anger, yet still planning to preserve the disciple's life..."

"The disciple is truly moved~"

Huangmu watched the stubborn Yuan Liuzhai continue to spew words.

"You..."

Yuan Liuzhai, stung by Huangmu's words, took several steps back; his chest rose and fell, and he pointed at Huangmu's face but could not utter a word, clearly infuriated.

"Master Yuan Liuzhai, calm your anger..."

"Although I cannot lend you all the money here, lending you a little is not impossible..."

Huangmu, seeing his master's heart condition about to act up and realizing he had gone too far, immediately set aside his flippancy and softly spoke to Yuan Liuzhai.

"Hm?!"

For a moment, Yuan Liuzhai suddenly felt his chest, and it didn't seem so oppressive anymore.

"How much?"

Yuan Liuzhai looked at Araki and asked.

"One billion!"

Araki heard that and answered cheerfully.

"I am your teacher!!"

Yuan Liuzhai, after hearing Araki's words, roared.

"Then what do you mean?"

Araki heard that and squinted his eyes.

"Add more money!"

Yuan Liuzhai said, extending two fingers.

This scoundrel, making him so angry, must at least cough up two billion!

"At least two billion!"

Yuan Liuzhai said in a deep voice.

"Deal!"

Araki immediately agreed; his original expectation was about ten billion, but he hadn't expected the old man Yuan Liuzhai to be not so greedy.

"It's over! I said too little…"

Yuan Liuzhai's face turned deathly pale after hearing Araki's words.

"What you just said doesn't count! Add a bit more."

Yuan Liuzhai said, tentatively extending his third finger.

"Master, a gentleman's word is hard to retract! As the Director of the Zhen'ao Spiritual Arts Institute, you surely wouldn't be inconsistent; you can't be teaching your students like this, can you?!"

Araki grasped Yuan Liuzhai's finger that was about to extend, and as Yuan Liuzhai tried to stretch it out, the two strained against each other within the Zhen'ao Spiritual Arts Institute.

"Araki! You see, I'm already old; you must learn to have compassion for your master…"

"Calculate carefully how many years I have left to live?!"

Yuan Liuzhai and Araki, while wrestling, squinted and said in a deep voice.

"Heh…"

"Teacher Yuan Liuzhai, you and I are no longer mere Shinigami; we are royal agents of the Zero Squad, like the great Spirit King, immortal beings. Since we are already eternal, we cannot be judged by ordinary standards, so why speak of age?"

Araki heard that and let out a cold laugh, a smile tinged with a hint of ruthlessness.

"That statement is wrong!"

"Even the Soul Society has ages; you and I are merely ordinary Shinigami—how can we have no age?!"

At this moment, Yuan Liuzhai's expression grew increasingly solemn.

"Three billion!"

Yuan Liuzhai opened his mouth and directly mentioned one billion.

"No, at most two point one billion, can't be more!"

Araki, hearing that, pressed down nine hundred million.

"Twenty-nine…"

Yuan Liuzhai tried to haggle.

"Twenty-one point five!"

Araki nudged it up a little more.

"Higher!"

Yuan Liuzhai kept struggling.

"Master, your character setting is collapsing…"

Araki's head throbbed at this moment; who could have guessed that Yuan Liuzhai, without the Commander-in-Chief title, would let himself run wild like this?!

Half an hour later…

After Yuan Liuzhai and Araki bickered for a while longer, they finally reached an agreement!

Yuan Liuzhai, smiling, lifted his twenty‑five billion under Araki's seemingly gloomy gaze, and left contentedly.

"Finally got him to leave…"

Araki, watching Yuan Liuzhai depart, finally showed a smile.

It was only twenty‑five billion; Araki hadn't taken it seriously yet.

"Zaitou, issue a summons to the entire Soul Society for me!"

"Whether they're Shinigami of the Gotei 13, or nobles in the Jingling Court without Shinigami ranks, even those indifferent to the Jingling Court, with no status, who enjoy wandering the Wandering Soul Street, yet intend to help the Soul Society fight the Great Hollows of the Hollow Realm—anyone who passes the assessment set by our First Squad and is selected may join the Hollow Realm Expeditionary Force, to once again expedition into the Hollow Realm for our prosperous and stable world!"

After Araki successfully sent his teacher away, he called the ageless Zaitou waiting outside the gate and assigned her today's mission.

"Understood."

Zaitou heard that and lightly nodded.

"Araki, can we really recruit soldiers who aren't afraid of death, daring to leave the Soul Society for the distant Hollow Realm to hunt the tyrannical Great Hollows?!"

Zaitou, though she unconditionally agreed with all of Araki's orders…

but she remained curious about Araki's command; he discussed only compensation, not organization, not the future, relying solely on glory and mission to entice—can such a notice truly recruit powerful soldiers?!

In Zaitou's view, Araki's actions, far from issuing orders directly as Commander-in-Chief to force several squads of the Gotei 13 to the Hollow Realm for Great Hollow extermination, are unreliable.

"We don't actually need to truly recruit soldiers who intend to go to the Hollow Realm to hunt the Great Hollows! As long as we give the people of the Jingling Court the impression that we are working hard, the Central 46th Office won't find a reason to demand repayment, and the longer we delay, the more it benefits us. After all, money never truly spends; without a day's promotion, our required expenses are calculated in billions…"

After hearing Saito, Araki couldn't help but smile; with a calm expression, he explained his plan to Saito.

"Um…"

When Saito heard Araki's words, her body trembled instantly; she never imagined Araki's heart could be so dark—he was even too lazy to form the so‑called Void Circle expeditionary force.

"Understood?"

Araki looked at the stunned Saito and asked aloud.

"Understood!"

Saito, upon hearing that, lightly nodded at Araki and then went to arrange the work.

"Notice! Notice!"

"We welcome all aspiring souls who are unafraid of the mighty Great Void, dare to challenge themselves, and are brave enough to go to the Void Circle! Come to the Guard Court First Squad's barracks to register for the second Void Circle expeditionary force physical test…"

"Anyone who passes the physical test will become a member of the glorious Void Circle expeditionary force! March to the Void Circle to spread the glory of the Serene Spirit Court Shinigami, slay those tyrannical Great Voids, and uphold world peace!"

The First Squad's members, after receiving Saito's orders, immediately ran between the Serene Spirit Court and Wandering Soul Street, posting notices on each Guard Court Thirteenth Squad barracks and on each wooden house in Wandering Soul Street…

Moreover, the First Squad members set aside time each day to give broad explanations, like a lecture, in the various Guard Court Thirteenth Squad barracks and the early‑numbered streets of Wandering Soul Street, repeatedly and effectively conveying Araki's orders.

One week later…

Within that short week, the First Squad members had spread the news throughout the entire Serene Spirit Court and almost every numbered Wandering Soul Street.

In an instant, the whole Soul Society was abuzz; countless people, in their leisure, began discussing Araki's formation of a Void Circle expeditionary force!

Even the wandering souls who previously showed little interest in the Serene Spirit Court now often talk about the expeditionary force. The First Squad members' promotional effort for the expeditionary force is evident from this.

It even led Araki, who usually stays in the Squad Leader's Chamber, to think he was planning to reorganize an expeditionary force to subdue the Void Circle; yet he did not stop the First Squad members' spontaneous promotion, because the more convincingly they act, the better the hypnotic effect on his Room 46.

However, despite the First Squad's extreme promotion, few signed up; after all, behind this seemingly glorious Void Circle campaign may lie the Shinigami who grew up in the Soul Society, facing a permanent farewell to their homeland. No one present is foolish; everyone knows how dangerous the Void Circle truly is.

Room 46.

"Araki's work is impressive! Far beyond my expectations!"

"His promotion is so massive that I even thought he really intended to use the money we gave him to form a Void Circle extermination corps~"

A sage, satisfied with Araki's performance, said.

"I can only say, true to form for Captain Araki; his actions are reliable."

As the sage's praise for Araki fell silent, another sage immediately followed, continuing the commendation.

"Now we just wait for more fish to bite, then we all share the money."

Among them, a seasoned and fairly strong Judge, seated on his lofty throne, twirled a string of coins in his hand and smiled at the assembled crowd.

"Indeed…"

The crowd, hearing the Judge, immediately laughed in agreement, sharing the Judge's thought.

"Um, esteemed sages and judges, hear me out!"

"If Araki truly intends to use our money to form a dedicated Void Circle expeditionary force, what should we do?!"

While all the sages and judges quietly awaited Araki to reel in a big fish and then share the money, an ill‑timed voice slowly echoed through the Room 46 conference hall.

"..."

In an instant, the entire Room 46 meeting room fell silent.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible…"

A Judge, hand raised, looked with a hint of resolve.

"Regarding the notice Araki wrote, it looks flamboyant, but in reality it mentions no compensation—no dog would even glance at it! If, in the Serene Spirit Court, there truly are brain‑deprived individuals who, for so‑called justice and glory, sign up for the Void Circle expeditionary test and pass, then I'll consider the money I lent Araki as accepted! I'll deem it a contribution to the Soul Society…"

As everyone in Room 46 turned to the Judge who claimed Araki could never truly form a Void Circle expeditionary force, that Judge continued speaking openly before the crowd.

"Hahaha…"

When the Judge finished, all the sages and judges in Room 46 burst into laughter.

"Indeed…"

"You say the ordinary Shinigami in the Guard Court Thirteenth Squad earn only a few hundred zeni a month; why risk their lives for the Void Circle?!"

Another sage, seated on his throne, spoke leisurely.

"Hahaha, exactly, exactly!"

"If Araki truly can use that notice to form an expeditionary force, I volunteer to leave Central Room 46…"

Another sage expressed disdain for Araki's notice and his fanciful ideas.

"Hahaha…"

Upon hearing this, the present sages only laughed a few times, clearly sharing the same view: Araki has no chance of successfully forming a Void Circle expeditionary force.

Meanwhile…

A tall man, clad in a hemp coat, wearing a straw hat, towering like a standing polar bear, arrived at the Runlin An district of Wandering Soul Street, before the wall where the First Squad members posted the Void Circle expeditionary force recruitment notice.

The man stared at the notice, rubbing his chin while a smile appeared.

"I originally intended to join the so‑called Combat Squad, the Eleventh Squad…"

"But clearly the Eleventh Squad is far less interesting than the Void Circle expeditionary force~"

"Hahaha, decided! I won't join the Combat Squad; I'll go play with this so‑called Void Circle expeditionary force!"

"Coincidentally, I've roamed the Soul Society for centuries and have never seen the Void Circle."

Saying that, the man ripped the notice off the wall and headed toward the Serene Spirit Court.

As for why the man tore down the recruitment notice before going to the Serene Spirit Court…

Because someone like him, who roams Wandering Soul Street and holds no status in the Serene Spirit Court, would not be allowed entry into the Serene Spirit Court without a sufficient reason, given security concerns of the Guard Court Thirteenth Squad…

Especially since his own strength is formidable enough to rival the captains of the Guard Court Thirteenth Squad!

When the man, holding the notice, reached the gate of the Serene Spirit Court, he suddenly saw a Shinigami squad member dressed in death‑overlord armor, sitting in a small pavilion beside the gate, yawning repeatedly.

Only after he approached the Shinigami squad member did the latter lazily stretch and ask the man, "Hey! You big guy, what are you doing here?!"

Heh…

The man, after hearing the death‑god soldier's words, gave a slight smile and pressed the notice in his hand onto the death god's desk.

What is this?!

The death‑god soldier's eyes lit up the moment he saw the notice in the man's hand.

He then lifted his head gently, looked at the towering man who resembled a polar bear, and cautiously asked, "May I ask if you are here to enlist as a warrior for the Void Circle Expeditionary Force?!"

Indeed.

The man heard this and smiled, nodding.

"May I have your name? I will register you…"

After nodding, the death‑god soldier turned to the towering man and asked aloud.

"Me? My name is Ku Wuxi…"

"…a man who idles all day, bored with his own life, and intends to go to the Void Circle to drink the Great Void's fresh blood."

The bear‑sized man, after hearing the death‑god soldier's description, smiled and introduced his own name to the soldier.

Indeed, the bear‑sized man before you is the Seventh‑generation Sword Eight—Ku Wuxi Sword Eight—from the official novel 'SpiritsAreForeverWithYou', commonly known as 'Sword Eight Chapters', possessing top‑tier death‑god combat power!!

However, due to Araki's series of actions within the Serene Spirit Court, the man's fate appears to have been completely altered, shifting from a certain death to a bright, living future.

Anyone who works for Araki, even a pig, has a bright future!

"Ku Wuxi?!"

The death‑god soldier was stunned upon hearing the name Ku Wuxi; honestly, he'd never heard such a strange name—perhaps the wanderers of Wandering Soul Street always have unique names?!

With that thought, the soldier wrote Ku Wuxi's name in his notebook…

"Fill out this form and remember to hand it over to a First Division soldier."

At the same time, the soldier produced an application form and gave it to Ku Wuxi to fill out himself.

While recording, the soldier muttered, "How strange, I have no idea what's going on today—already two idiots plan to join the Void Circle Expeditionary Force in a single day."

"Hmm? Besides me, is there anyone else planning to go to the Void Circle to subdue the Great Void?"

Ku Wuxi's expression froze upon hearing the death‑god soldier; he had thought he was the only fearless challenger like himself—seems he underestimated the heroes of this world.

"Just this morning, another fellow decided to join the Void Circle Expeditionary Force!"

"But unlike you, that fellow is already a Gotei 13 death god…"

"I don't even know whether that fellow passed the assessment!"

The death‑god soldier, after hearing Ku Wuxi, rubbed his temples and recalled.

"What is his name?!"

After casually completing the form, Ku Wuxi looked at the death‑god soldier and asked.

As for being called an idiot by the death‑god soldier, he didn't mind at all!

A true hero is someone who doesn't fuss over trifles…

"I think it was… ah, ah, something like…"

The death‑god soldier pondered seriously after hearing Ku Wuxi.

"I can't recall that fellow's exact name now!"

"In any case, if you're not lying and truly intend to go to the First Division to join that Void Circle Expeditionary Force, you'll surely meet him later, right?!"

"Since that's the case, I won't keep you any longer, lest I accidentally misstate his name…"

After a long thought, the death‑god still couldn't recall the man's name.

He therefore offered a slight apology to Ku Wuxi and stopped mentioning the other applicant's name.

"I understand, thank you for your help."

Ku Wuxi smiled brightly; he didn't mind that the death‑god soldier couldn't help him by providing the other name.

"Big guy, I don't really dislike you!"

"Consider this a friendly reminder: just take the Void Circle Expeditionary Force lightly, and that's that!"

"Even if you do register, you won't pass the physical assessment; it requires holding out for a full ten minutes against those monsters, which ordinary death‑god soldiers can't manage."

"Heh, even senior officers or vice‑captains of the Gotei 13 might not manage! So someone like you from Wandering Soul Street should think twice…"

"Your willingness…"

After hearing Ku Wuxi, the death‑god soldier smiled; finding someone he didn't find overly annoying sparked a sudden urge to give Ku Wuxi a few tips.

But before the soldier could finish, Ku Wuxi vanished without a trace…

"Eh? Where did he go? He disappeared?"

The Gotei 13 death‑god soldier's eyes widened in shock.

"I can't have unintentionally recruited a monster for the captain, could I?!"

He then muttered to himself.

The soldier's name is Sangmu Zongyi Lang, a veteran First Division soldier who fought in the first Yuhabach invasion and the first Void Circle campaign, and is among the earliest followers of Araki…

Although his strength doesn't match the captains of the Serene Spirit Court, he possesses the impressive power of a typical division vice‑captain. Yet even he couldn't determine when that bear‑sized man left the registration desk, which left Sangmu astonished at the man's capability.

"Ku Wuxi?!"

Sangmu murmured the name softly, a faint smile curling his lips.

"It seems Captain Araki finally recruited a fairly competent expeditionary soldier."

"When this fellow returns from the Void Circle, perhaps he'll become my colleague, serving together in the First Division under Lord Araki, who knows?!"

Sangmu genuinely felt pleased that Araki had managed to recruit such a powerful warrior.

A few hours later, at sunset…

The bear‑sized Ku Wuxi finally found the First Division barracks within the Serene Spirit Court.

Who are you?!!

In front of the squad barracks gate, a First Division soldier, looking at the sturdy Ku Wushu before him, asked doubtfully.

I'm here to sign up for the Hollow Expeditionary Force!

Ku Wushu said while placing the form he had filled out at the cedar onto the table before these soldiers.

Just you?!!

That First Division soldier, upon hearing Ku Wushu's words, was instantly startled.

Just me!

Ku Wushu, hearing that, vigorously nodded.

You're not a Thirteen Court Guard Squads Shinigami, are you?!!

The First Division soldier didn't directly take the form from Ku Wushu's hand, but first sought to verify some information with him.

Haha, I'm a bit embarrassed to say! Before I heard that the Soul Society was forming the Hollow Expeditionary Force, I had always stayed in Wandering Soul Street and never came to the Soul Society.

Ku Wushu merely gave a faint smile upon hearing the soldier's words.

In other words, you're neither a noble nor have you studied at the Central Spirit Arts Academy?

Upon hearing Ku Wushu's words, the soldier furrowed his brows even tighter.

I have practiced swordsmanship under a teacher in Wandering Soul Street.

Ku Wushu, upon hearing that, naturally understood what the soldier was puzzled about and immediately replied.

It's not that simple...

You haven't studied at the Spirit Arts Academy, nor are you of noble birth; even if you learned swordsmanship in Wandering Soul Street, it's only some superficial stuff!

The difficulty of our expeditionary force's enlistment exam is not on the same level as what you've learned; it also carries some danger. With your strength, I fear you won't survive the exam. Are you really sure you want to join the Hollow Expeditionary Force?!!

That First Division Shinigami repeatedly cross-checked with Ku Wushu.

Soul-Cutting Sword... do you have one?

After the First Division soldier finished verifying the information with Ku Wushu, he suddenly thought of something and asked him.

Soul-Cutting Sword, I do have one...

Ku Wushu, upon hearing that, immediately drew his Soul-Cutting Sword from his waist.

Hmm...

The First Division soldier's expression eased upon seeing Ku Wushu's Soul-Cutting Sword.

Moreover, this guy isn't some fool who shows up to enlist without even a sword!

As for the origin of Ku Wushu's Soul-Cutting Sword, the First Division soldier knew full well that it was likely stolen or snatched from a Thirteen Court Guard Squads soldier.

Although the First Division soldier understood all this, he couldn't be bothered to press Ku Wushu for details……

As for the reason, a guy who can't even guard his own Soul-Cutting Sword is utterly unfit to be a Thirteen Court Guard Squads Shinigami……

As long as the sword is with the person; if the sword is lost, that bastard who lost it can also get kicked out of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads!

As for having others help him save face, just get lost!

However, Ku Wushu having a Soul-Cutting Sword at least shows he still has some strength……

This made the First Division soldier feel much more at ease.

Of course! As for my safety, you need not worry at all; I will take responsibility for myself. If I fail the exam, or even die in it, that is my own choice……

Ku Wushu, hearing that, replied with a smile.

Sigh……

The First Division soldier, upon hearing Ku Wushu's words, helplessly sighed.

He then continued: 'Since you insist on this, I won't stand in your way after all. For one's dream, giving everything is perfectly fine. I'll remind you that the examiners later will go easy on you appropriately.'

Hehe, thank you……

However, I have a humble request; I hope you can agree to it.

Ku Wushu knew the First Division soldier before him was a good person, so he didn't get angry at the slight; he simply looked at him with a faint smile and asked softly.

But go ahead and say it……

The First Division soldier, upon hearing that, lightly nodded; he could sense that this big guy was quite sincere and wouldn't cause trouble here for no reason.

I hope you will tell my examiners later not to have any pity for me in their hearts; just give it your all. As a man, even if defeated, one should lose honorably……

Having gained the First Division soldier's assent, Ku Wushu spoke with a faint smile.

You……

The First Division soldier, upon hearing Ku Wushu's words, was momentarily stunned; when he heard the first half of Ku Wushu's sentence, his heart flared with unnamed anger, never expecting Ku Wushu to be so clueless! But upon hearing the second half, his gaze toward Ku Wushu gained a measure of respect; this tall fellow is a real man.

I understand.

The First Division soldier looked at Ku Wushu with admiring eyes and nodded.

At this moment he had decided that, even if Ku Wushu failed, he would spare no effort to rescue him, then recommend him to join the First Division to serve under General Araki; with this man's perseverance, he would surely achieve something sooner or later……

Thank you.

Ku Wushu said, and under the guidance of the First Division soldier, he came to the assessment ground where the First Division's troops opposing the Hollow Subjugation Force conducted their examinations.

It was a sandy training ground, with ten veteran First Division soldiers standing there, each gripping a gleaming, icy Soul-Cutting Sword.

This big guy is a newcomer?!!

As Ku Wushu entered the training ground, the ten soldiers who had been meditating with eyes closed instantly opened their eyes.

It felt as if ten sharp swords were thrust into Ku Wushu's chest……

Expert!!

Ku Wushu gave a light smile; upon seeing those ten First Division soldiers before him, he knew his coming hadn't been in vain.

A newcomer who deliberately ran from Wandering Soul Street just to lend a hand to Lord Araki's endeavors……

The First Division soldier who led Ku Yuxi forward heard the words and laughed.

"Oh?!"

As soon as his voice fell, the soldiers present gripping their Zanpakuto immediately softened their gaze toward Ku Yuxi.

"Since you come from Wandering Soul Street, we can adjust the difficulty; if you can hold out against us for five minutes, you'll be considered to have passed the test…"

Among them, a First Division soldier as tall as Ku Yuxi, after a moment of thought, spoke to Ku Yuxi.

"I hope you all won't hold back!"

Ku Yuxi, after hearing the soldiers' words, laughed and said.

"Hm?!"

This left the evaluating soldiers all stunned.

"Don't hold back later! This man is a man; even if he loses, he must lose honorably!"

Before the evaluating soldiers could speak, the soldier who had led Ku Yuxi here already addressed everyone present.

"I see…"

The evaluating soldiers, after hearing what the soldier who brought Ku Yuxi said, changed their gaze toward Ku Yuxi once more, and everyone began to take it seriously.

"We understand…"

The evaluating soldiers first gave a slight nod, then said to Ku Yuxi: "Very well! As long as you can hold out against us for ten minutes, or defeat any one of us within ten minutes, you'll be deemed qualified."

"Fine."

Ku Yuxi, hearing that, drew the Zanpakuto at his waist.

"Alas…"

The Soul Reaper who had led Ku Yuxi, after Ku Yuxi and the examiners all drew their swords, immediately turned his body and sighed helplessly.

What followed was so brutal that he didn't dare to watch…

"Ding! Ding! Ding…"

"Boom!!"

"Thump, thump, thump…"

It was precisely when the First Division soldier who had brought Ku Yuxi turned around that a burst of "ping‑ping‑pang‑pang" combat sounds reached his ears…

The fighting sounds coming from behind that soldier were so swift, decisive, and clean that they didn't seem like a brawl at all, but rather a table‑tennis match—like the Chinese team crushing an opposing nation's team without a doubt.

"Enough, hold back! Are you trying to kill him?!"

The soldier who had led Ku Yuxi to the test, hearing the successive clamor behind him, finally couldn't stand it any longer; he turned his head and shouted at the men behind him.

But, the moment he looked back, he was completely stunned…

The tall figure he had brought, who emitted no excess spiritual pressure at all, still smiled and stood there with his Zanpakuto, while his opponents—the ten soldiers hand‑picked by Araki from the First Division—were already lying on the sand.

"Monster… monster…"

Among those ten, the strongest, before lying down, whispered to Ku Yuxi.

"Sorry, I've already tried to hold back! They're not in mortal danger, just a bit dazed…"

"Also, I have to say, their strength is really impressive!"

"I remember, when I cleared the whole District 80 Wandering Soul Street back then, I never encountered opponents as strong as them…"

"Is this the power of the Gotei 13 Soul Reapers? Looks like I really came to the right place~"

After hearing the soldier behind him turn, Ku Yuxi hoisted his Zanpakuto and said cheerfully.

"Uh…"

But the First Division soldier who had led Ku Yuxi to the test merely trembled slightly, unable to utter a word; it was as if a fishbone lodged in his throat—only silence.

He now finally understood why he couldn't feel the spiritual pressure of the Ku Yuxi before him—not because the opponent's pressure was weak, but because his power was so great that when he contracts his spiritual pressure, it becomes undetectable.

"I have one more request."

At that moment of the soldier's silence, Ku Yuxi spoke again.

"Uh…"

The soldier, hearing that, took several steps back; he was now somewhat afraid of Ku Yuxi, especially since whenever Ku Yuxi speaks, nothing good follows.

"I heard the captain of the First Division is said to be the strongest Soul Reaper in the Soul Society!"

"I really want to fight him, if that's possible?!"

Ku Yuxi, watching the First Division soldier continually retreating backward, lightly stroked his chin and said cheerfully.

"You still want to spar with Captain Araki? Have mercy on me!"

The First Division soldier, hearing that, couldn't help but show an extremely bitter smile; he shouldn't have answered him!

Continue, ten thousand characters!