Chapter 170

Kuchiki Bai Zai and Feizhen's wedding banquet was held as scheduled. Although Kuchiki Yinling was not satisfied with this granddaughter-in-law of hers, she still, in the name of the Kuchiki family head, announced her eldest grandson's wedding to the entire Soul Society. For a while, prominent figures in the Pure Spirit Court all came, more or less, to offer congratulations.

As the saying goes, you may not look at the monk's face, but you still have to look at the Buddha's face. In this vast Soul Society, not many people can afford not to give face to the head of the Kuchiki family. Although the power of the Kuchiki family and the other Five Great Noble Families has been weakened to the extreme during the years when Araki held power, no longer having their former glory, a skinny camel is still bigger than a horse—even the current Kuchiki family is not just some stray cats and dogs or up-and-coming nobles that one can provoke.

For a while, the Kuchiki family's manor was as busy as a market, extremely lively.

The retainers standing on both sides of the Kuchiki family manor's front gate were all smiling, tasked with welcoming the visiting guests.

"The heads of the Kanemiro family, the Shihōin family, and the Shiba family have come to visit!"

"The captains of the Guard Court Thirteen Squads, the Second Division, Third Division, Fourth Division, Fifth Division, Seventh Division, Eighth Division, Ninth Division, Tenth Division, and Thirteenth Division have come to visit!"

Among the guests were the heads of the other Five Great Noble Families, equal to the Kuchiki family, and moreover the captains of the Guard Court Thirteen Squads, except for the Commander-General Araki, the Medical Division Captain Maohualie, and Niejuanli and Gengmu Bajia, who had no interest in this matter and did not intend to give the Kuchiki family any face; the remaining captains of the Guard Court Thirteen Squads had all arrived. This shows the Kuchiki family's ability to treat great weight as light in the Soul Society.

"Gin, congratulations on becoming captain of the Third Division."

"Lanran wore the captain's haori of the Fifth Division, looking at the similarly white-haori-clad Ichimaru Gin at his side, he greeted with a smile."

"Captain Lanran, didn't you already expect that I could become captain?"

"Gin, after hearing Lanran's words, narrowed his eyes slightly, speaking in a way that gave off a prickly feeling all over; he seemed never to have the slightest intention of concealing his hostility toward Lanran, so as not to be noticed by others."

"Heh, that's also true..."

"Lanran, after hearing Gin's words, laughed somewhat embarrassedly."

"Captains, don't you realize that abandoning the guest of honor here to chat idly is extremely rude?"

"At the moment Lanran and Gin were interacting, Tōsen Yao, with his eyes covered by a blindfold, silently walked up behind them and, in a slightly cold voice, said to Lanran and Gin:"

"Heh, that's also true..."

"After hearing Tōsen Yao's words, Lanran once again showed an embarrassed smile, then said to the two: 'Indeed, neglecting the guest of honor is indeed impolite. So, Captain Tōsen, and Captain Ichimaru Gin, I will first go greet Captain Kuchiki; let's talk again when we have the chance.'"

"After saying that, Lanran walked toward the inner quarters of the Kuchiki family manor without looking back."

"Then I'll also go greet Captain Kuchiki first~"

"After seeing Lanran leave, Gin nodded at Tōsen beside him and quickly followed Lanran's steps toward the Kuchiki family inner quarters."

"As captains of the Guard Court Thirteen Squads, we should be strict with ourselves! Our words and deeds represent not only ourselves but also the divisions behind us! Do you know why the numbers are printed on the backs of our captain's haori? Because we bear the entire division on our backs, and you two fellows are really lax! As captains, you are simply unqualified……"

"Dongxian Yao, watching Gin and Lanran leave one after another, furrowed his brows slightly and said in a low voice:"

"If unqualified, then so be it~"

"Ichimaru Gin clasped his hands behind his head, completely disregarding Dongxian Yao's words; his steps kept moving forward, without any hesitation."

"Captain Tōsen really is strict~"

"So scary~ so scary~"

"It scared this old man half to death~"

"Not long after Dongxian Yao gave his evaluation of Gin and Lanran, accompanied by a teasing voice, Jingle Chunshui made a brilliant late entrance."

"Captain Jingle, you are also lax……"

"Don't always be immersed in women; as men we must learn self-discipline!"

"Dongxian Yao turned his head, looking at Jingle Chunshui striding over, and at the beautiful girl with plain-glass glasses perched on his nose who followed closely beside him, he spoke lightly:"

"This is a lie; when Dongxian Yao goes to see Songang every night, it's not like that—he not only attends to Songang's clothing and washing, but is also addicted to Songang's righteous 'jade feet' and the foot-washing water, unable to pull himself away! Once Dongxian Yao becomes perverted, there is nothing he won't do."

"Uh……"

"Jingle Chunshui, upon hearing Dongxian Yao's words, instantly became somewhat embarrassed."

"Jingle Chunshui now also finds it hard to explain; the girl beside him is his niece……"

"He can't openly tell others, 'My division, my rules; I'm just giving my own family a back door!' Although his niece Jingle Chunshui doesn't even have a Soul-Cutting Sword, she can still be the vice-captain of their Eighth Division……"

"Makes sense!"

"Who would have thought, Xiao Qiuxu, after hearing Dongxian Yao's words, nodded vigorously."

"Regarding Dongxian Yao's words, Qiuxu wholeheartedly agreed; her uncle Jingle Chunshui is fine in every way, except that he gets too close to those flirtatious trash of the Guard Court Thirteen Squads……"

"Hmph……"

"After hearing Qiuxu's words, Dongxian Yao seemed to also realize something; he first nodded at Qiuxu, then completely ignored Jingle Chunshui, and after a cold snort, he went his own way."

"Hahaha, Jingle, you've been criticized!"

"The one who had been standing far away, silently watching Jingle Chunshui and Dongxian Yao converse, was Fuzhu; after Dongxian Yao left, he strolled over to Jingle Chunshui's side and loudly mocked his old friend."

"Really……"

"Jingle Chunshui, hearing Fuzhu's words, helplessly shrugged his shoulders."

"Jingle, don't take it too hard; Tōsen Yao, after experiencing that incident fifty years ago, has become like this—extremely strict toward others and himself, afraid of any mistake."

"That said, it's really hard on him; after his own division captain was cut down by the enemy, he alone carried all the squad members from the Rukongai all the way to the Pure Spirit Court—how much perseverance that took, perhaps only he knows……"

"According to what Captain Maohualie said, when Tōsen Yao was first sent to the Fourth Division, he had already passed out from excessive blood loss, and the captain said that Tōsen Yao could still cling to life with a breath—already a miracle."

"Fuzhu gazed at Tōsen Yao's lonely back and helplessly said:"

"That's also true……"

"If it were us, we probably couldn't accept it right away, could we?!"

"After hearing Fuzhu's words, Jingle Chunshui lightly nodded; he naturally bore no grudge against Tōsen Yao, for Tōsen Yao was also a victim of the Hollowfication Incident back then."

"Even if Jingle Chunshui himself went through the Hollowfication Incident, that brutal battle would likely make the Soul Society and the Guard Court Thirteen Squads feel despair; although with his strength, he basically wouldn't fall into such a trap."

"However, Jingle Chunshui and Fuzhu do not realize that everything that just happened was deliberately staged by Lanran, Ichimaru Gin, and Tōsen Yao to be watched by them……"

"The purpose was to confuse Jingle Chunshui's eyes, making him and Fuzhu mistakenly think that the relationship among Tōsen Yao, Gin, and Lanran was not good."

"In fact, Tōsen Yao, Lanran, and Ichimaru Gin have always been on the same side; even the Hollowfication Incident fifty years ago was merely a self-directed and self-performed play by Lanran to force Urahara Kisuke to go to the World of the Living."

"However, Lanran does not realize that Gin and Tōsen Yao are actually cooperating with his act on purpose, deliberately performing for Jingle Chunshui and Fuzhu to see……"

"The purpose was to let Lanran feel at ease about the two; in fact, Gin and Tōsen Yao have long since taken on Araki's form, being undercover agents sent by Araki to stay by his side. It must be said, the relationship between Araki and Lanran as master and disciple is truly kind and filial!"

"The inner chambers of the Kuchiki family manor."

"Feizhen, we are about to get married—are you happy?"

Xiumu Baizai firmly held Fei Zhen's soft little hand; although he had already tried his best to restrain himself, but he still couldn't control himself, his gaze constantly looking at Fei Zhen.

Lord Xiumu Baizai, Fei Zhen can marry you in this lifetime; then I will have no regrets in this life~

Fei Zhen's figure is petite and charming; she has the good upbringing of a well-bred young lady and the gentle demeanor of a Yamato Nadeshiko; however, what attracts Xiumu Baizai the most is still Fei Zhen's eyes, which are extremely gentle, yet in their depths they reveal endless sorrow.

Xiumu Baizai, just by taking one look, felt his heart shatter; he wants to properly protect this fragile woman before him, make her the happiest woman in the world, and is willing to challenge all rules and regulations for the woman before him!

Fei Zhen~

Lord Xiumu Baizai!

Fei Zhen~

Lord Xiumu Baizai~

In a moment, the distance between Fei Zhen and Xiumu Baizai seemed to become closer.

However, at this moment, overwhelmed by happiness to the point that his senses became increasingly dull, Xiumu Baizai did not realize that not far from him, a group of captains wearing the division head's haori were carefully savoring the scene before them.

This is really surprising.

I never expected the young master of the Xiumu family to be such a person...

Jingle Chunshui gave his evaluation of this scene.

The Xiumu Baizai now is completely different from the Xiumu Baizai I knew decades ago!

I remember when I first saw Xiumu Baizai fifty years ago; that kid was arrogant as hell, basically didn't put anyone in his eyes—time really can change everything!

Zhibo Yixin's eyes twitched slightly; he continually despised Xiumu Baizai in his heart, 'Is it just because he married a wife?' 'Is it really necessary to be like this?' He, Zhibo Yixin, would absolutely not be so embarrassed...

In fact, after getting married, Zhibo Yixin became even more embarrassing.

Click~ click~ click~

Dongxian Yao took out the camera he carried with him, recording the entire scene before him. Yes, don't look at Dongxian Yao as just a blind man; in fact, he is an excellent photographer, and also the chief editor of the Soul Society's best-selling newspaper, as well as a gold-medal reporter.

Don't look at me...

I'm just a blind man; I don't know what's happening before me.

So let me, a blind man, record what's before me; is that okay?

Dongxian Yao took photos and recorded video while muttering to himself.

Yes, this is Dongxian's secret to becoming a gold‑medal reporter; after all, who would bother competing with a blind person? But this blind person is quite good at competing with others...

Many years later, when Kuchiki Byakuya gained fame in Soul Society for his stern, cold image, Dongxian edited today's recorded video into a film and had it looped in all major cinemas of Soul Society for a full hundred years.

Byakuya: "I..."

This blind person is really bad...

In response, all the captains of the Gotei 13 gave their opinions on Dongxian's words. They all realized they had indeed underestimated Dongxian's desire for this blind person; the other's blindness has a reason—he's simply heartless!

Meanwhile, the captains of the Gotei 13 continued to enjoy the intimate moment between Byakuya and Heizhen...

Araki was not idle either; he went to the 12th Division's Technical Development Bureau.

At five o'clock yesterday afternoon, the Technical Development Bureau exploded...

It seems that because the captain of the 12th Division, Kurotsuchi Mayuri, had such a good relationship with the Kuchiki family, upon hearing that Kuchiki Byakuya had gotten married, he deliberately set the Technical Development Bureau ablaze like fireworks, blowing the bureau's roof into the sky, with debris drifting across all streets of Seireitei...

It is said that the blast's shockwave affected about a tenth of Seireitei, prompting the Central 46 Rooms to seal off the Technical Development Bureau that same day. However, although the blast's range was wide, its power was weak—at most comparable to a gale of force eight—so no casualties occurred.

So, tell me, what exactly happened?

Araki stood amidst the ruins of the Technical Development Bureau, watching Kurotsuchi Mayuri constantly tinkering with experimental equipment before him, and asked.

Isn't that Captain Araki? What wind blew you here?

Upon hearing Araki's voice, Kurotsuchi Mayuri's body paused slightly, then he turned around, looking at Araki and speaking with a cheerful laugh.

Wasn't yesterday's wind strong enough?

Other divisions' barracks were affected too, and some captains have gone to the 1st Division to report you.

Araki looked at Kurotsuchi Mayuri and spoke calmly.

Huh? Which blind‑eyed bastard reported me?

Upon hearing Araki's words, Kurotsuchi Mayuri shouted angrily.

In response, Araki merely looked at Kurotsuchi Mayuri calmly, saying nothing.

Hahaha, it turns out Captain Araki came because of yesterday's explosion~

After a moment, Kurotsuchi Mayuri suddenly broke into a loud laugh, easing the slightly tense atmosphere.

Regarding yesterday's explosion, Captain Araki, you don't need to worry; just leave it to me to handle~ In fact, yesterday's explosion was merely one of my experiments that suffered a slight error, causing the lab's interior to catch fire, which ignited my main brain and triggered a chain‑reaction blast. But rest assured, I have reinforced the main brain—this will never happen again.

Upon learning that Araki had come because of yesterday's explosion, Kurotsuchi Mayuri breathed a sigh of relief, first wiping the sweat from his forehead, then smiling.

Really? So it was your computer that exploded yesterday~

Then, Captain Kurotsuchi, please translate—what does this mean?

After hearing Kurotsuchi's words, Araki lightly nodded, then, under Kurotsuchi's horrified gaze, pulled out a stack of documents whose title clearly read 'Eternal Soul Research Experiment' in large characters.

This, this...

Kurotsuchi looked at the documents in Araki's hand, and his gaze instantly wavered.

Damn, how did this document end up in Captain Araki's hands?

At this moment, Kurotsuchi could not fathom how the document he had thoroughly destroyed could appear in Araki's hands.

Kurotsuchi, I ask you: translate—what exactly is the Eternal Soul Research Experiment!

Araki looked at Kurotsuchi and spoke with a solemn, resonant tone.

The Eternal Soul Research Experiment is...

To let ordinary souls, like the Soul King himself, become eternal beings—this experiment...

Upon hearing Araki's words, Kurotsuchi finally gave in, stating the content of the experiment that Araki had asked him to translate.

Has the experiment succeeded?

Araki looked at Nemuri and asked.

It succeeded, but also failed……

According to the law of Soul Hunt Constant, the experimental subjects I created can replenish their lost souls by devouring souls, thereby achieving a form of immortality, so theoretically I have succeeded, but this is completely different from what I originally wanted to create, so strictly speaking I have failed.

After hearing Araki's words, Nemuri shrank his head and spoke helplessly.

What about those experimental subjects?

Araki looked at Nemuri and continued to ask.

They all ran away……

Yesterday's explosion was caused by those hateful experimental subjects.

After hearing Araki's words, Nemuri replied through gritted teeth.

Obviously, yesterday's explosion and the loss of the experimental subjects made Nemuri extremely vexed.

Araki-sensei! The experimental subjects you had me capture, I have already retrieved them all.

Just as Nemuri finished speaking, a burly figure descended from the sky, followed immediately by seven or eight corpses that were completely dead, also falling from the sky.

Sorry! Araki-sensei, you didn't say whether I should capture them alive or kill them, so I decided on my own and slaughtered them all……

The one who arrived was naturally Kenpachi Zaraki; as soon as those experimental subjects defected yesterday, Araki released Kenpachi Zaraki to face them, and the result was indeed not bad.

Although these experimental subjects were strong, facing Kenpachi Zaraki they were just a bunch of panting fodder; one strike each and they were all taken care of……

My experimental subjects……

Nemuri looked at the group, which he had painstakingly cultivated, whose power even surpassed that of the first-generation 'Undying Soul' experimental subjects, and his heart felt as if it were being stabbed.

At this moment, Nemuri finally understood what 'heart like being cut by a knife' means.

Zaraki! How will you compensate for my experimental subjects……

Nemuri looked at Zaraki and shouted angrily.

Nemuri, you never intended to create any immortal souls; you deliberately followed the mistaken direction recorded in the report left by the Lan Island researchers, creating this group of experimental subjects called 'Soul Hunt'.

However, Araki did not give Nemuri a chance to speak further and continued.

How could that be……

I, Nemuri, am absolutely not that kind of person!

After hearing Araki's words, Nemuri's expression changed slightly.

Take a look at what this is……

Araki said, and in front of Nemuri, he threw out another stack of documents.

On that document was clearly written the 'Artificial Soul King Experiment Report'.

Well……

At this moment, Nemuri went completely numb. Honestly, Nemuri couldn't figure out why Araki had this document in his hand……

This was left behind by that guy Urahara Kisuke.

Araki looked at the numb Nemuri and added a sentence.

That bastard! He's already rolled out of the Soul Society, why is he still stirring up this mess for me! What a persistent guy……

Upon hearing that the report was left by Urahara Kisuke, Nemuri's anger flared up uncontrollably, and he began cursing at the sky.

However, regarding this point, Captain-Commander Araki, please let me explain.

Just as you saw recorded in the report, the Soul King's Majesty is indeed not stable enough; we absolutely cannot place all our hopes for the Three Worlds on a single wedge, so my idea is the same as that guy Urahara Kisuke's: besides the Soul King as that wedge, we hope to create more wedges as backups……

After all, we cannot guarantee that an existence like the Quincy King Yhwach will not invade the Soul Society; if such an existence appears again in the Soul Society, defeats us Soul Reapers, and storms the Soul King Palace, we would need a backup Soul King to prevent the collapse of the Three Worlds.

Nemuri looked at Araki and spoke earnestly.

However, this is a lie! Simply because Nemuri also saw the Artificial Soul King report that Urahara Kisuke left in the Technical Development Bureau, he intended to create an Artificial Soul King before Urahara to overwhelm him, and that's all.

Unfortunately, Nemuri did not know that the report on the Artificial Soul King he saw, although written by Urahara Kisuke, had actually been left by Araki; in other words, Araki had deliberately left it for Nemuri to see……

So because your Artificial Soul Technique and Armor Technique are not as perfected as Urahara Kisuke's, you came up with the idea of using the byproduct 'Soul Hunt' produced by the Undying Soul Technique to replace Artificial Souls……

After hearing Nemuri's words, Araki stroked his chin and made a thoughtful gesture; after thinking for a while, he inferred.

Captain-Commander Araki! It's not that my Artificial Soul Technique and Armor Technique lack the perfection of that bastard Urahara Kisuke; rather, I simply don't want to use the same technique as him to create my Soul King……

I think this way: since that bastard Gangmidai Shitan said that the Fullbring users are all chosen by the Soul King's power, with fragments of the Soul King residing in their bodies, while the Quincy bear the Soul King's Majesty's power of destruction, and Soul Reapers and Hollows are the souls of humans after death, namely the 'Whole' in the process of pursuing evolution, choosing between 'Reason' and 'Instinct', resulting in two evolved states that appear different but share the same origin.

Then I only need to let the Soul Hunt, which can devour souls, swallow the powers of the Quincy, Fullbring users, Soul Reapers, and Hollows, combining all these powers together! Then he should be able to evolve into something capable of replacing the Soul King, serving as the wedge that supports the entire Three Worlds!!

Upon hearing Araki say his technique was inferior to Urahara Kisuke's, Nemuri bristled with anger, glaring at Araki as he explained; it seemed that because Araki had pressed him too hard, he directly explained his own conceived principle to Araki.

Well said……

If that's the case, then I approve your experiment.

After hearing Nemuri's words, Araki smiled and nodded.

Araki did not know the feasibility of the plan Nemuri just mentioned, but if Nemuri succeeded, he would likely be able to create an artificial being similar to Ginjo Kuugo's 'Soul King Substitute'.

Therefore, Araki remained quite interested in Nemuri's experiment……

Araki-sama, you still understand me……

Upon hearing Araki's words, Nemuri immediately showed a happy smile.

However, whether it was because Nemuri was genuinely happy or because he was just putting on a smile to appease Araki, only Nemuri himself knew……

But the Soul Hunt experiment, you absolutely cannot do it.

Just after that, Araki added another sentence.

Araki-sama, don't joke……

If there is no Soul Hunt, I cannot possibly conduct the Artificial Soul King experiment!

And those experimental subjects of mine originally have all been hacked to death by that big oaf! He has no idea how much those guys he killed are worth……

Nie Juanli's face fell instantly; he said while looking toward Gengmu Jianba beside him.

Ah? Do you want to fight me?

Hearing that, Gengmu shouted angrily at Nie Juanli.

Your head is full of muscle, you idiot!

Besides fighting, what else can you do?!

After hearing Gengmu's words, Nie Juanli spoke angrily.

Indeed, your test subjects have all been wiped out now; if I don't let you continue cultivating them, your artificial Spirit King experiment probably can't go on either—so it seems we've hit a deadlock……

Just then, Huangmu seemed to follow Nie Juanli's lead and spoke.

Exactly so……

Nie Juanli nodded firmly upon hearing that.

But experimenting on Soul Reapers is absolutely out of the question; that's a matter of principle……

Just because you can't actually create Soul Reapers doesn't mean you, Nie Juanli, can't hunt the ones that already exist~

Huangmu looked at Nie Juanli and smiled.

You mean……

As expected of a smart person, Nie Juanli instantly grasped Huangmu's meaning.

Those first-generation Soul Reapers created by the Lan Island experiment who fled to the mortal world are now all yours to handle, Nie Juanli……

Huangmu looked at Nie Juanli and spoke solemnly.

Hahaha……

Just leave it to me with peace of mind~

My esteemed Captain Huangmu~

After getting the answer he wanted from Huangmu, Nie Juanli let out a light chuckle; although he could no longer continue producing his cute test subjects, toying with others' experiments seemed even more fun~

However, rounding up all those Soul Reapers would truly take some effort on his part, and Nie Juanli himself simply doesn't have that much spare time……

Thinking that, Nie Juanli glanced at Gengmu Jianba beside him.

Captain Huangmu, may I borrow Gengmu Jianba for a bit?

Nie Juanli turned his head to look at Huangmu and asked softly.

Sure.

Upon hearing that, Huangmu merely gave a light nod.

Within ten years, I demand you resolve this matter completely.

Huangmu looked at Nie Juanli and said in a deep voice.

I will absolutely not disappoint you~

Nie Juanli bowed respectfully to Huangmu while assuring him.

Good.

After saying that, Huangmu vanished in a flash step.

So then, my cute test subjects scattered across the mortal world for who knows how many years—are you ready to come to my Nie Juanli's laboratory?

Nie Juanli said, using the corpses of those Soul Reapers he himself created, he began to manufacture the instruments for tracking down the Soul Reapers once produced on Lan Island.

In short, we can fight again, right?

After listening to the conversation between Nie Juanli and Huangmu, Gengmu understood the meaning himself.

No way! This time I absolutely won't allow you, you foolish Gengmu, to recklessly destroy my cute test subjects!

After hearing Gengmu's words, Nie Juanli loudly warned Gengmu.

Hehe……

Meanwhile, Huangmu stood in the sky, silently watching Nie Juanli and Gengmu below.

In fact, yesterday's explosion was orchestrated by Huangmu himself, with the aim of dumping the Soul Reaper matter onto Nie Juanli to handle……

To be honest, if Nie Juanli hadn't dug up the Lan Island data, Huangmu would have almost forgotten about the Soul Reapers—after all, that happened back when his teacher, Genryūsai, was in charge of the Tranquil Spirit Court~

But now that Huangmu knows about it, he can't just let those miscellaneous Soul Reapers continue living in the mortal world, since their presence would seriously disturb the spiritual balance of the Three Worlds; yet he's too lazy to deal with it himself, so he passed the task to Nie Juanli.

Nie Juanli at this moment doesn't realize he's being used by Huangmu, or rather he doesn't care whether he's being used; he only hopes to finish his experiment soon so that the damned Urahara Kisuke will look at him differently.

Just wait! Damn Urahara Kisuke, and that stuck-up woman Shutara Senjumaru! And Ye Zhou Tongsheng, who took my place and became director of the Research and Development Institute—you three had better wait for me! I'll show you with strength that I'm the finest in the Research and Development Institute……

Indeed, even Huangmu doesn't know that the people who make Nie Juanli angry aren't just Urahara Kisuke alone; he despises anyone who has achieved in technology what he hasn't.

So then……

Huangmu said, and with a flash of his figure, he arrived at Wandering Souls Street.

Huangmu arrived at South Flow Soul Street, District 78, 'Xu Diao'.

This is the first place Kuchiki Hinamori came to after dying in the mortal world and entering Soul Society; it could be considered her birthplace in Soul Society~

Let me look……

Huangmu began searching continuously on Wandering Souls Street.

Huangmu wandered Wandering Souls Street quickly; without wasting much time, he found a petite girl with an onion-like hairstyle who resembled Kuchiki Hinamori by about eighty percent—this girl was Hinamori's sister, also the guide of the destined child Kurosaki Ichigo, and the future sister-in-law of Byakuya Kuchiki, Rukia Kuchiki.

Who are you?

When Huangmu found Rukia, Rukia also seemed to notice Huangmu.

Hehe……

Huangmu didn't say much; he just extended a finger toward Rukia.

Instantly, a dazzling lapis-light shot from Huangmu's finger and merged into Rukia Kuchiki's body.

Huh?!

Luqi Ya was stunned, she only felt her body warm and cozy.

Excuse me…

Luqi Ya raised her head and looked toward Huangmu.

But when Luqi Ya raised her head, there was nothing ahead of her.

Big sis, we've got the water! We can retreat…

In Luqi Ya's puzzlement, a shout suddenly came from behind her; the one calling her was a young sister and brother.

I'm coming…

Luqi Ya no longer had time for Huangmu at this moment; she immediately rushed toward the sister and brother.

You damned brats, don't let me catch you!

Behind the sister and brother was a middle-aged man who had lost the water; he was now furiously waving the plank in his hand, hoping to catch the thieving sister and brother and give them a good scolding.

Watch my…

Seeing this, Luqi Ya leapt high and delivered a Luqi Ya Flying Kick at the middle-aged man.

Ah!

The middle-aged man was careless and got kicked flying by Luqi Ya.

Huh? Am I really that strong?

Luqi Ya looked at the middle-aged man she had kicked away, first stunned.

She then grabbed the young sister and brother, along with the water they had stolen, and ran off into the distance.

As expected, Luqi Ya is the strongest~

Along the escape route, the sister and brother kept praising Luqi Ya's cool appearance just now, while only Luqi Ya's mind was full of her encounter with Huangmu.

Just unsure if it was Luqi Ya's illusion, she realized she had unconsciously forgotten what Huangmu actually looked like…

Really strange…

Luqi Ya muttered to herself.

On another note, after Xiomu Baizai's wedding ended.

Aizen, Shiwan Yin, and Dongxian Yao, the three captains who seemed absolutely incompatible to outsiders, actually gathered openly like this. Amazingly, aside from these three, it seemed no one else could detect their presence…

Thus, Aizen smiled faintly: "The device invented by Kisuke Urahara that can erase spiritual pressure is truly amazing~"

Then let's go to the Hollow Circle! I will use the Collapsing Jade to reshape that place into our world…

Aizen smiled at Shiwan Yin and Dongxian Yao.

Yes, Lord Aizen~

Dongxian Yao and Shiwan Yin, upon hearing Aizen's words, likewise exchanged a smile.

Go! Aizen, remember to strengthen my Hollow Circle well~

Thus, Huangmu likewise laughed.

Huangmu had long awaited Aizen's use of the Collapsing Jade to strengthen his Hollow Circle…

Of course, while Aizen was continually working to forge Huangmu's Hollow Circle, Huangmu was not idle; he sought out Maozhihua Lie and resumed swordsmanship training after a long absence.

Because Huangmu had been busy nurturing Shiwan Yin for the past fifty years, his swordsmanship training had become somewhat rusty…

Huangmu, are you ready~?

Maozhihua Lie looked at Huangmu and asked playfully.

Who do you think I am?

Upon hearing Maozhihua Lie's words, Huangmu spoke with imposing vigor.

Then let me properly gauge your strength!

Upon hearing that, Maozhihua Lie lightly licked the corner of her mouth; having long forgotten the taste of Huangmu's swordsmanship, she thought and used the Watermelon Push on Huangmu.

Boom!!

For a moment, the captain's quarters of the First Division were filled with Huangmu's imposing spiritual pressure.

Meanwhile, in the Hollow Circle.

Aizen, Shiwan Yin, and Dongxian Yao, without taking much time, arrived in this barren world.

This time, unlike before, I will completely conquer you…

Aizen looked out over the endless white sand shrouded in infinite darkness, and wore a supremely confident smile.

Oh, Captain Aizen, is this really the Hollow Circle?

It really is a desolate world~

Besides the white sand, I haven't seen any other substance~

Do we really have the helpers we need here?

Shiwan Yin shielded his eyes with his palm, adopting a scouting pose, and spoke with a grin.

Of course, Yin, you must by no means underestimate this place…

There are indeed many monsters here whose strength surpasses yours~

After hearing Yin's words, Aizen smiled and spoke.

Shiwan Yin, never be careless!

Dongxian Yao likewise reminded Shiwan Yin.

Got it, got it~

Upon hearing that, Shiwan Yin gave a perfunctory reply to Aizen and Dongxian Yao.

So, Yin and Yao, let's begin our plan~

Remember! Our advance shall have no equal…

Lan Ran said, taking the lead and walking toward the inside of the Hollow Circle.

Lan Ran had long since made a thorough investigation of the interior of the Hollow Circle during his centuries of probing it; today he came simply to reap the results.

"I will obey Lord Lan Ran's orders~"

After Yin Yu listened to Lan Ran's words, they suddenly felt like laughing, and what was that about 'our front has no match'? How could he say something so shamefaced without his face turning red or his heart pounding? If Captain Huangmu heard that, wouldn't he die laughing? But having undergone professional training, they held it in and continued to accompany Lan Ran in his act.

After Lan Ran received a response from Yin Yu and Dong Xian, the three of them immediately set off toward Xu ye gong……

"The plan begins! Everyone, remember, get ready to perform!"

At the same time, the numerous Noble Lords inside the Hollow Circle were also exchanging messages. All the high-level Grand Hollows in the Hollow Circle had prepared to accompany Lan Ran in his performance; this is Captain Huangmu's love for Lan Ran, having specially created a 'Truman Show' world for him.

A ten‑thousand‑character chapter, and I still feel awful—my head is spinning to death.