Chapter 174: In a flash, several decades! Huang Mu: All plans concluded

Just as Bai Zai and Kong He were above the Spirit King Palace, in Huang Mu's detached hall, they were enduring the torture inflicted by their seniors……

A few days later, at the True Center Spirit Arts Institute.

As the experimental subject Abarai Renji, after eating hundreds of pieces of coal, he finally trained a strong-resistant body, and then Rukia finally made decent biscuits.

At least this time, the color of the biscuits Rukia made finally turned normal golden yellow, and carried the unique fragrance of wheat; from appearance, they were already qualified.

As for the taste, Abarai Renji could not give an evaluation, after all his taste buds had been completely ruined in these tens of thousands of experiments; now Renji cannot taste anything no matter what he eats.

"Go visit Lady Sister!"

Rukia crossed her arms in front of her chest and spoke excitedly.

"Hmm……"

Renji wiped the constantly overflowing bitter fluid from the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief while lightly nodding; although the biscuit's texture wasn't very tasty, at least it was edible.

Thus, Renji and Rukia deliberately went to the Spirit Arts Institute's academic office to ask for leave, then brought the homemade biscuits and went to the Rotten Wood Family.

When the Rotten Wood Family's retainers saw Rukia and Renji, they directly chose to let them pass.

The head guard, moreover, smiled at Rukia and said: "Miss Rukia, Young Master Bai Zai had already told us in advance that if he saw you coming, he would let you pass and directly take you to the place where the young lady rests."

"Thank you."

At this moment, Rukia was still a bit reserved; it was her first time speaking with retainers of the Five Great Noble Families, and she inevitably felt some panic.

After all, the current Rukia is no longer the foolish girl who, on Wandering Souls Street, led children and vendors in fighting over water to drink; after two years of study at the Spirit Arts Institute, she has gained a certain understanding of the structure of Soul Society, knows the status and privileges of the nobles there, and furthermore understands the meaning behind the surname Rotten Wood Family.

"This person is……"

The Rotten Wood Family's guard, while speaking, also looked toward Rukia's rear, at Abarai Renji, who was full of a ruffian air and had the posture of a little hooligan.

"I……"

Upon hearing that, Renji's face looked somewhat unpleasant; he also didn't know how to explain his identity to the person before him; in fact, logically, he originally shouldn't have come.

"This person is my classmate, Abarai Renji."

Before Renji could speak, Rukia took the initiative to introduce his identity to the guard ahead.

"Rukia……"

This made Renji feel deeply moved inside.

"So it's Young Master Renji~"

The guard, after hearing Rukia's words, gave Renji a light smile.

"Young master and such, I am not……"

Upon hearing the guard's words, Renji's cheeks turned red directly.

"Hehe, Young Master Renji, could you trouble yourself to follow me to the main hall for a rest?! I have prepared snacks and tea for you there, as well as some food; as for Young Lady Feizhen, please let Miss Rukia go there alone! In fact, Young Lady Feizhen's health has never been good; if too many people go there, it will affect her rest, and I also hope Young Master Renji can understand."

The guard naturally knows Renji's identity, but due to good upbringing, he still addresses Renji as Young Master; although many nobles and their retainers look down on the commoners of Wandering Souls Street, this does not include them, the Rotten Wood Family and its retainers, for the Rotten Wood Family, as a model of nobility, its quality can be called the best in Soul Society.

"Of course!"

"Thank you for your hard work!"

Upon hearing the guard's words, Renji instinctively stood at attention, and then he still didn't forget to bow respectfully to the guard before him.

"No, no, no, you're being too polite; these are all what I should do……"

"Then Miss Rukia and Young Master Renji, please come inside~"

The guard said that, and brought Renji and Rukia into the Rotten Wood Family's residence.

Only after Renji and Rukia entered the Rotten Wood Family did they realize how huge its scale was.

"Is that a lake? And over there, won't that be mountains?"

"I've never seen before that a residence contains lakes and mountains."

Renji smacked his lips, he licked his dry lips, not daring to believe.

"It's simply even larger than the Spirit Arts Institute."

Upon hearing that, Rukia lightly nodded and echoed.

"Not counting the lakes, mountains, and gardens where the elders usually play! Only counting the building's footprint, it's about the size of five Spirit Arts Institutes……"

The guard, after hearing Rukia and Renji's words, laughed and said.

"Five Spirit Arts Institutes?"

Upon hearing that, Renji directly widened his eyes.

"Not counting the lakes, mountains, and gardens?"

Rukia likewise; she discovered her imagination was still too barren.

This Rotten Wood Family is truly the biggest tycoon in Soul Society!

"Hehehehe……"

"This isn't considered big; the current Rotten Wood Family is already much smaller than before, many houses and industries have been split off and given to other families; previously it was even larger……"

The guard seemed to enjoy Renji and Rukia, appearing shocked by the enormity of the Rotten Wood Family's residence scale, which gave him a deep sense of pride.

"Miss Feizhen is just ahead……"

"Please continue the way, Miss Rukia, go ahead alone."

"As for Young Master Renji, please follow me this way."

After the guard led Renji and Rukia through a garden, they arrived at a fork in the road; after indicating the direction to Rukia, he intended to take Renji the other way.

"Thank you for guiding us!"

"Well then, Renji, I'll go ahead first……"

Rukia first bowed respectfully to the guard, then nodded at Renji.

"Hang in there! I'll wait for you over there!"

Renji waved his hand at Rukia.

"Hmm…"

Lu Qi Ya lightly nodded, holding cookies in her hands, feeling extremely nervous, she walked towards that tranquil residence.

As for Lian Ci, he followed the guards of the Decayed Wood Family and arrived at a hall; inside the hall were placed dozens of long tables, on top of which were exquisite sweets that seemed to be bursting with light, sweets that Lian Ci had never seen before.

"What are these!!"

Lian Ci stared at the various exquisite tea snacks before him, his eyes widening.

"These are all snacks specially made to accompany tea; they were carefully prepared by our chefs who returned from studying abroad at the Western Bureau! If they don't suit your taste, Young Master Lian Ci, we also have other styles of food."

The guard smiled at Lian Ci and said.

"No no no! These are enough……"

Upon hearing that, Lian Ci first shook his head at the guard, then carefully picked up those sweets that could be called works of art and stuffed them into his mouth.

"So! So delicious~"

Lian Ci swore that he had never eaten anything so delicious.

"Then, Young Master Lian Ci, is there anything else you need me to call you for……"

The guard, watching Lian Ci taste the snacks, continued to smile and say.

"Okay, okay! Thank you again!"

Lian Ci thanked the guard once again.

"Here, here, it's just what we should do."

The guard said, and then left from the Decayed Wood Family's tea room specially used to entertain guests. Only Lian Ci remained, enjoying the food by himself.

"On the other side……"

When Lu Qi Ya saw Fei Zhen, the two embraced without a word, tears continuously pouring from their eyes.

"Older sister……"

Although Lu Qi Ya was clearly meeting her older sister Fei Zhen for the first time, she couldn't help wanting to cry, and at the same time a sour feeling welled up in her chest.

"These years have truly been hard on you."

Fei Zhen gently stroked her younger sister's head and spoke softly.

"No! Older sister, I'm not suffering; Lu Qi Ya is strong, no one can bully me."

Lu Qi Ya's small head buried in Fei Zhen's chest, she cried while firmly speaking.

"Mmm mmm mmm, Lu Qi Ya is the strongest……"

"This time, the strongest Lu Qi Ya, don't separate from older sister again, okay?"

Fei Zhen embraced Lu Qi Ya and spoke gently.

"Mm! I will always stay by older sister's side."

Lu Qi Ya wiped away her tears and revealed a brilliant smile.

At the same time, Lian Ci, who was eating snacks, had his mind full of thoughts about Lu Qi Ya.

"Is Lu Qi Ya really okay on her own?"

Lian Ci muttered while stuffing a few more cookies into his mouth, but soon he realized he was overly full……

After another four or five hours, as the sky gradually darkened, Lu Qi Ya came to the tea hall to look for Lian Ci.

"Lu Qi Ya, you've finally come; if I eat any more I'll burst."

Upon seeing Lu Qi Ya, Lian Ci immediately became excited, went to her side, and exclaimed excitedly.

"Idiot! If you're going to burst, then eat a little less!"

Lu Qi Ya angrily rebuked after hearing Lian Ci's words.

"Lu Qi Ya, look at what you're saying—the chance to eat those snacks is truly rare; if we don't enjoy them today, we might never get another chance in our lifetime!"

Lian Ci is a down-to-earth pragmatist.

"Sigh, I really can't stand you……"

Lu Qi Ya sighed helplessly after hearing Lian Ci's words.

"Never mind me, Lu Qi Ya, how did your chat with your older sister go?"

Lian Ci asked Lu Qi Ya.

"Older sister is really nice!"

Lu Qi Ya gave a thumbs up after hearing Lian Ci's words.

"According to older sister's wishes, she hopes I can acknowledge my brother-in-law, that person who came to us that day, as a sworn brother! Older sister said that, then I could join the Decayed Wood Family and never be separated from older sister again……"

"Moreover, older sister said she and her brother-in-law would arrange suitable work for me; even if I don't graduate from the Spiritual Arts Academy, I can still join the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and become a full-fledged Soul Reaper. Lian Ci, what do you think I should do?"

Lu Qi Ya conveyed Fei Zhen's words to Lian Ci.

"Isn't this a good thing?"

After hearing Lu Qi Ya's words, Lian Ci first froze, then excitedly said.

He genuinely felt happy for Lu Qi Ya.

"As expected, you also think that way, right?"

Lu Qi Ya sighed helplessly upon hearing that.

"Hey hey hey! Lu Qi Ya! You don't need to graduate from the Spiritual Arts Academy to directly join the Thirteen Court Guard Squads—what a huge blessing! Ordinary people would die of joy upon encountering this; you should seize this opportunity well!"

Lian Ci has been by Lu Qi Ya's side for many years; he naturally understands her thoughts.

Accordingly, Lian Ci explained the advantages of this to Lu Qi Ya.

"I understand! But I still intend to rely on my own strength to enter the Thirteen Court Guard Squads! I don't want to be called later on someone who got in through the back door via my sister and brother-in-law, and I also don't want to become the kind of person we both despise most."

"After careful consideration, Lu Qi Ya decided to continue her six-year studies at the Spiritual Arts Academy, then graduate openly and aboveboard, and at the same time rely on her own strength to enter the Thirteen Court Guard Squads."

"Really is that so?"

"As expected, Rukia is Rukia!"

After hearing Rukia's words, Renji showed a brilliant smile; no matter how Rukia's identity changes, Rukia has always been Rukia.

"Huh? What do you mean by that?"

"What do you mean by 'Rukia is Rukia'?"

"If I'm not me, who else could I be?"

Rukia, upon hearing this, angrily questioned Renji.

"No! Nothing..."

Renji said while gently shaking his head.

"By the way, if it were Renji, what would you choose?"

Rukia seemed to think of something and asked Renji.

"Idiot! Do we even need to say that?"

"Of course it's to cling to my older sister and brother-in-law's thighs, from now on living a carefree noble life! Those who once looked down on me, I'll make them pay a heavy price! Let them see who the true noble is!!"

Upon hearing that, Renji first showed a hint of disdain, then gritted his teeth and said.

"Huh? Renji, you idiot, don't you know that relying on others is worse than relying on yourself? How can you be like this?"

Rukia was shocked by Renji's answer.

"Rukia, what are you saying?"

"My brother-in-law is already the next head of the Kuchiki family; do I still need to strive?"

Renji stroked his chin, looked seriously at Rukia, and replied.

"Go die!"

Ultimately, Renji's response was Rukia's iron fist.

"It hurts! Rukia, wait..."

"I'm just joking, just lightening the mood!"

"You know, I'm not that kind of person..."

"We both hate nobles the most, right?!"

Renji kept retreating under Rukia's blows, constantly begging for mercy.

"The premise of your hatred for nobles is that you're not a noble yourself, you bastard!"

Rukia isn't stupid; she fired back directly.

"It's not my fault; this really is a matter of identity!"

At this moment, Renji broke out in countless cold sweats on his forehead.

Although Renji dislikes those gossiping nobles and also looks down on them, if he put himself in their shoes, if he were also a noble, having grown up in the same environment as them, he wouldn't necessarily consider himself stronger than those nobles~

"More talk is useless!"

Rukia said as she already kicked Renji in the face.

"Crack~"

Exactly at that moment, the tea room's door was shoved open.

"……"

For a moment, the whole world fell silent.

The Kuchiki family guard, watching the scene of Rukia violently beating Renji, twitched his eyelids slightly, but he didn't say anything.

Meanwhile, Rukia and Renji looked embarrassedly at the guard before them.

"Sorry, I came at the wrong time."

"In fact, I came to convey the words of Young Madam Hisho to Miss Rukia and Young Master Renji; the young madam said it's getting late today, so please stay for a simple meal, then spend the night at the Kuchiki family, and return to the academy tomorrow morning; as for the academy side, the young madam has already greeted them, so you need not worry."

"I've finished my words; please continue……"

The guard said, then closed the tea room's door.

"The young madam's sister sure plays flashily."

The guard left the door and muttered unintentionally.

"Now my reputation is completely ruined."

Rukia watched the departing guard, tears of regret streaming from her eyes.

"So my reputation doesn't matter at all?"

Renji, who had taken several punches from Rukia in succession, now lay on the tea room's fine wooden floor, his eyes unfocused, muttering to himself.

Just as Rukia reunited with Hisho, the Kuchiki family was flourishing.

Above, the Soul King Palace.

"Pfft……"

Kuchiki Byakuya continuously spat pink blood foam from his mouth, his body fluttering like a torn cloth in the sky.

"Ahahaha…… The man who faced Byakuya head-on and punched him into serious injury is a towering figure over two meters tall, with red paint on his cheeks forming a big U, constantly laughing loudly: 'The current heir of the Kuchiki family can't even fight~'"

"The Shiba family's heir isn't much good either~"

In response to the burly man was a man with silver short hair, deep brown skin, and an orange wind-flower scarf around his neck symbolizing great noble status; his brown skin combined with his great noble identity already revealed his surname—Four Streams Institution!

Indeed, Shiba Kuukaku's opponent is naturally Four Streams Institution Qianri.

"Damn it."

At this moment, Kuukaku's condition is no better than Byakuya's; her left hand and right foot are both fractured.

"Too weak! Too weak!"

On the other side, the burly man leapt up, caught the airborne Kuchiki Byakuya, one hand gripping Byakuya's head, the other repeatedly striking his belly, making a 'pup-pup' sound; under normal circumstances, Byakuya would already have been beaten to death by the man, but unfortunately this is the Araki Detached Palace, whose characteristic is to grant immortality to those undergoing trial.

"Get up! Kuchiki Byakuya! Stand up! Kuchiki Byakuya!"

"I heard Araki say, aren't you a pretty arrogant kid?!"

"Why is it different from the rumors, so underwhelming?"

The burly man, while crushing Byakuya's body, kept mocking Byakuya, shattering Byakuya's strong mental defense.

In response, Byakuya said: "……"

Fine, the badly injured Byakuya can't utter a word; deep inside he has only one doubt—this man before him, he can't beat, he can't argue with—how is this scene to be broken?!

At this moment, the lower realm!

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh…

In the Kuchiki family estate, fireworks shot up one after another, and the exploding colors dazzled the whole spring and summer.

"Byakuya, I've already found my sister! Thank you~"

Himemi, with Rukia's support, admired the fireworks in the sky.

Even the current head of the Kuchiki family, Kuchiki Ginrei, the acting head Kuchiki Sōjun, and Kuchiki Hibiki came to visit Himemi during dinner; the three basically said the same thing—that Rukia, this little girl, has good talent, and after joining the Kuchiki family her future looks promising! They also told Himemi to take good care of her health.

On the ground the Kuchiki family was peaceful, but up in the sky Byakuya kept spitting blood.

Byakuya in the sky: "In the end, I alone bore everything!"

Time flew, four years later!

During these four years, Himemi's body gradually recovered; she can now freely walk within the 'Jingling Court'…

But Byakuya in the sky still hasn't descended from the 'Spirit King Palace'.

Regarding this, Ginrei and Sōjun, who are in the know, explained to Himemi, saying that Byakuya is in seclusion, training, preparing to take over Captain Ginrei's position!

Himemi, hearing that, seems to have nothing else to do but pray for Byakuya.

Also, during these four years, after Rukia and Renji completed four years of study at the 'Spiritual Arts Academy', counting the two years they had already attended, they successfully finished the six‑year curriculum required by the 'Spiritual Arts Academy'; thus the two took the final graduation assessment of the 'Spiritual Arts Academy'. Fortunately, both Rukia and Renji passed the final assessment, and therefore both successfully graduated from the 'Spiritual Arts Academy'!

After graduation, Rukia, following Himemi's wishes, went to report to the relatively quiet and safe 'Thirteenth Squad'. As for Renji, although Rukia invited him to go together to the 'Thirteenth Squad' for reporting, Renji declined. Renji ultimately went to the 'Eleventh Squad'. According to Renji, he now needs stronger power; among the 'Gotei 13', only the combat‑oriented 'Eleventh Squad' can meet his current needs.

Rukia expressed understanding and respect toward Renji.

"Rukia, just wait! I'll catch up to that man's footsteps."

"Even if I catch up to that man's footsteps, it still proves nothing…"

"But I still have to catch up! Even surpass him!"

Rukia has no idea that ever since Renji first saw Byakuya, a fierce sense of rivalry rose deep within him. Though Renji knows his status can never match Byakuya's, at least in strength he wants to catch up to Byakuya.

Renji also doesn't know exactly what happened to Byakuya; Byakuya did nothing, yet Renji wants to defeat him, attributing it to his masculine pride.

By the way, Aizen did not intervene; Renji, Kira, Hina Mori Momoe and others are interning in the present world, after all the current 'Mao Spiritual Arts Academy' is controlled single‑handedly by Yamamoto Genryusai, so Aizen cannot pre‑arrange things…

Moreover, if any mishap befalls the students of the 'Spiritual Arts Academy', Director Genryusai will definitely pursue it to the end, which could cause Aizen many unforeseen troubles, a situation he does not wish to see, so these batches of 'Spiritual Arts Academy' students have all landed relatively smoothly.

However, although Aizen does not control the 'Spiritual Arts Academy' as in the original work, manipulating the internships and employment of all its students, as captain of the 'Fifth Squad' he can still easily recruit anyone he wants into the 'Fifth Squad', so Aizen continues to arrange within the 'Gotei 13', just using a milder method.

'Yuhun Street' some base.

Inside that base were countless experimental devices and huge petri dishes.

In front of a device that looked just like a computer, Tou Senyou and Aizen were apparently tinkering with something; although Tou Senyou is blind, he operates the computer with unusual ease, and his rapid finger work shows he is a computer expert.

"Lord Aizen, I'm truly sorry, sorry!"

"Our squad had some trouble, so we're late~"

Just as Tou Senyou and Aizen were intently looking at the computer, the secret room's door suddenly opened. With a sinister smile and squinting eyes, Ichimaru Gin entered, cracking jokes as he went.

"Hey, I heard that your 'Third Squad', Gin, has recruited a lot of talent~"

Aizen turned, looked at the tardy Gin, and smiled.

"Indeed, there are many talents~"

"One of the girls, seems to be named Kaniizawa Hotaru, that girl is truly a genius! She just graduated from the 'Spiritual Arts Academy' and already has a fifteenth‑level spiritual power comparable to a captain, a promising future~"

Gin, after hearing Aizen, laughed.

"Hehe, speaking of geniuses, it seems you are the biggest genius, Gin!"

"Speaking of it, it's been so long that I've almost forgotten—when you, Gin, graduated from the 'Spiritual Arts Academy', what level of spiritual power did you have?!"

Aizen looked at Gin and asked.

"Ah, I can't recall either~"

Gin, hearing that, just gave a light smile.

"Like the then‑famous Shiba clan prodigy, who is also now the vice‑captain of the 'Thirteenth Squad', Shiba Kaiyo…"

"Ichimaru Gin graduated from the 'Spiritual Arts Academy' in just one year; upon graduation his spiritual power had already reached Level 5, comparable to a vice‑captain of the 'Gotei 13'."

Tou Senyou, who had been fiddling with the equipment, after hearing Aizen and Gin's conversation, turned his head and calmly said to the two in front of him.

"Wow~"

"Captain Tou Senyou, you really remember clearly~"

"Impressive, impressive! You're really impressive~"

Gin, after hearing Tou Senyou's words, immediately clapped his hands in front of Tou.

"Nonsense, who do you think was responsible for the newspaper back then?"

Tou finished speaking, then, too lazy to bother with the tardy Gin, continued his research.

"……"

Gin naturally knew Tou was too lazy to deal with him, so he shrugged and walked to Aizen's side.

"Hehe~"

In response, Aizen just gave a light smile.

Six years later…

Kuchiki Byakuya and Shiba Kokuzuru have been training in the Spirit King Palace for ten years!

Whether Byakuya or Kokuzuru, both their power and spiritual aura have undergone a substantial change compared to before they went to the Spirit King Palace! The two are stronger than before.

"Alright! Both of you, strip yourselves completely and stand properly!"

"Yes, that's it, okay, okay…"

"Your brand‑new Death Overlord Outfit is finished~"

After Byakuya and Kokuzuru received the brand‑new Death Overlord Outfit from Senjumaru, they once again met the Sword God Ermeiwu Wang Yue. This was their second encounter with Wang Yue since arriving at the Spirit King Palace, and this time they finally learned that the man before them is the creator of all Zanpakuto in the Soul Society.

"Long time no see, Byakuya kid and Kokuzuru girl~"

"After I modified your Zanpakuto, they have become countless times stronger than before! At your current level, you should be able to easily pass the Gotei 13 captain examination~"

Wang Yue returned the swords that had slipped from Byakuya and Kokuzuru's sides when he first met them, giving each of them back.

"Senbonzakura!"

After receiving his Zanpakuto, Byakuya first drew it from its sheath. Staring at the cold‑glinting blade before him, he knew clearly that the sword had become sharper than before.

"Swish! Swish! Swish!"

As for Kokuzuru on the other side, she kept swinging her Zanpakuto, then shouted at the clouds in the sky, "Moon‑Crescent Sky Strike!!"

At once a golden crescent leapt from Kokuzuru's Zanpakuto, shattering the distant clouds in one blow.

"As expected, it's stronger now!"

In response, Kokuzuru looked at her Zanpakuto and smiled foolishly.

"Puff!"

Then Wang Yue gave Kokuzuru's head a hard knock.

"Idiot! This is the Spirit King Palace! It's not a place for you to use slashes!"

After Wang Yue pounded a big lump onto Kokuzuru's head, he said irritably.

"Got it, I understand…"

Hearing that, Kokuzuru replied helplessly.

"Fine! Since you understand, get out of here and roll back to Jingling Court!"

"Let me say it again, this is the Spirit King Palace! It's not a place you can loiter in at will. The fact that you were allowed to train here for ten years is a three‑lifetimes' blessing~"

Wang Yue spread his arms around his torso and said coldly.

"Alright, alright~"

Kokuzuru said that aloud, but thought silently, "I didn't want to come either! It's all Captain Araki's fault for dragging me here, okay?!"

In short, after Kokuzuru and Byakuya completed the trial, Wang Yue tossed them into the Heavenly Pillar Carriage and then flung them toward the Soul Society.

"Yo! Wang Yue, you're busy~"

It was just after Wang Yue finished all that…

The monk's figure suddenly appeared behind Wang Yue.

"Yo, Military Headquarters~"

"Why did you come over?"

"Could it be that His Majesty the Spirit King has another command?"

Wang Yue and the monk exchanged quiet greetings.

"Haha, it's not…," the monk said after hearing Wang Yue, then burst into laughter, his expression turning serious as he said gravely to Wang Yue, "His Majesty the Spirit King's prophesied time is approaching!"

"Huh?!"

Wang Yue's pupils flickered slightly upon hearing the monk.

"That is the 'future' the Spirit King saw a million years ago!"

The monk looked at the shocked Wang Yue and said lightly.

"Is that so? Is the future already set?"

Wang Yue seemed to understand something; he appeared to be questioning the monk, but was really talking to himself.

"It's not…"

However, to Wang Yue's surprise, the monk shook his head after hearing Wang Yue.

"Huh?"

Wang Yue was momentarily stunned.

"The Spirit King never told me that such monsters would appear in the sky."

The monk extended his hand, pointing at the sky where a Liu‑colored Lidian, still trying to devour the Spirit King Palace and belonging to Araki, hovered; he then slipped his hands into his sleeves and turned away.

"In any case, take one step, see one step~"

"Ahahaha…"

The monk laughed as he spoke, walking toward his own Lidian.

"…"

This left Wang Yue somewhat silent. What was the monk thinking? What did he intend to do? What had the monk heard a million years ago from the Spirit King before he became a wedge? Only the monk knows these things.

"You riddlers are the most annoying!"

"Damn! From now on, you riddlers, don't mess with me!"

After pondering for a while, Wang Yue gave up thinking and went home to sharpen his sword.

The ground.

"Boom!"

When the Heavenly Pillar Carriage descended from the sky, smashing a huge pit into the Shiba family estate, Kokuzuru, who had returned to her own home, clutched the broken beam and began to weep bitterly.

"I'm back! Everything is back!"

Kong He roared loudly, utterly lacking any image.

「……」

Bai Zai glanced at Kong He beside him, his eyes hinting at disdain; he first took out a clean handkerchief, gently wiping the corner of his mouth that had been stained with debris after vomiting some unclean substances due to the dizzy pillar, then instantly moved and left the Zhibo family's clan land.

Bai Zai, don't go!

You moved the heavenly pillar into my house—how are we going to settle this account?

Not long after Bai Zai left, Kong He seemed to realize something, and he angrily shouted at the fleeing Bai Zai.

However, Bai Zai had no mood to discuss losses with Kong He at all; he hurriedly flashed step after flash step to the Xiumu family's clan land, and all he wanted now was to see his wife, Hei Zhen.

Sis, look at these beautiful flowers~

When Bai Zai returned to the Xiumu family's residence and entered the rear garden where Hei Zhen was resting, he saw a big and a small girl continuously admiring the flowers.

That was precisely his wife, Hei Zhen, and his wife's younger sister, Lu Qi Ya……

When Bai Zai saw Lu Qi Ya wearing the death gear, he knew she had become a member of the Guardian Thirteen Squads; he lightly nodded, thinking, 'Good, I didn't embarrass Hei Zhen.'

Bai Zai, wait……

At that moment, the passing retainers also noticed Bai Zai of the Xiumu family standing before the garden gate; they all showed delighted expressions and greeted him.

Shh~

In response, Bai Zai gestured for everyone to stay quiet and not disturb Hei Zhen's flower-viewing elegance.

Oh! Oh!

The retainers who received Bai Zai's gesture all lowered their heads and reduced their voices.

Go prepare a fresh set of clothes for me; I want to bathe.

Bai Zai whispered the order. Having just returned from the Spirit King Palace, he was full of smoke and dust, unsuitable for meeting Hei Zhen; he needed to cleanse himself and change clothes.

Yes, sir.

The retainers responded softly, immediately going to prepare bath water for Bai Zai and the fresh clothes for changing.

First go take the captain's examination.

Bai Zai watched the busy retainers, a smile on his face.

Immediately afterward, he seemed to think of something, turned and looked toward the barracks of the First Division.

Seeing his wife Hei Zhen, he thought his current clothes were indeed a bit sloppy, but seeing his master Huang Mu and grandfather Yin Ling, it didn't matter; it was just right. Thinking this, Bai Zai flashed step and headed first to the Sixth Division.

At the same time, the captain's quarters of the First Division.

That brat Bai Zai is back?!

Huang Mu sensed the two as soon as Bai Zai and Kong He's spiritual pressure appeared in the Tranquil Spirit Court.

With that brat's personality from ten years ago, after his training return, the first thing he should do is come show off before me! He didn't come first to my First Division, so these ten years have really made him progress……

Just after Huang Mu praised Bai Zai a bit.

Boom!

An immeasurably vast spiritual pressure enveloped the entire Tranquil Spirit Court.

Got it! He praised him……

Huang Mu lightly sensed and knew exactly what had happened.

In response, Huang Mu spoke somewhat speechlessly.

At the same time, the barracks of the Sixth Division.

Countless division members were watching the showdown between Bai Zai of the Xiumu family and his grandfather Yin Ling of the Xiumu family.

Complete Release! Thousand Cherry Blossoms, Majestic View……

Ultimate Secret Technique: One Bite Thousand Blade Flower!

Bai Zai hesitated not at all, directly using the greatest secret of his Soul-Cutting Sword against his grandfather—a new technique he had devised while in the Spirit King Palace.

As Bai Zai's words fell, all the Soul-Cutting Swords within the Annihilation View Thousand Cherry Blossoms Majestic View Space turned toward his grandfather, Yin Ling of the Xiumu family.

What is this?!

Seeing this, Yin Ling's expression changed slightly.

Sorry, dear grandfather!

From the moment I use this technique, the battle is already over.

Bai Zai said, extending his arm toward Yin Ling.

Whoosh!!

The next second, those Soul-Cutting Swords, one after another, under Bai Zai's command, shot toward Yin Ling of the Xiumu family like a king's treasure.

Complete Release……

Yin Ling immediately intended to use Complete Release, but it was already too late.

Boom!

As Bai Zai's Soul-Cutting Sword fell, a huge shower of cherry blossoms rushed toward the sky.

It's over~

As Bai Zai's Soul-Cutting Sword completely turned into cherry blossom petals.

The aged Yin Ling ultimately collapsed before Bai Zai.

Captain Yin Ling!!

Father!!

At once, the Sixth Division's members, along with the Sixth Division's Vice-Captain Cang Chun of the Xiumu family, rushed toward the fallen Yin Ling of the Xiumu family.

Grandfather, according to one of the three rules for promotion to captain in the Guardian Thirteen Squads! Under the witness of all division members including the vice-captain, defeating the previous captain—namely defeating you—makes me the new captain of the Sixth Division.

As his grandfather fell, Bai Zai picked up the dust-stained white haori of the Sixth Division from the ground; of course he didn't intend to wear it, merely picking it up symbolically, for after his promotion he would naturally wear a brand-new haori, and this one he holds will be kept for his grandfather and father as a keepsake~

"Bai Zai, you've grown..."

Xiumu Yinling lay on the ground, he looked at the good grandson he had nurtured for a long time, finally speaking lightly. Hmm, the grandson he raised is now stronger than him; even if he kneels, he must accept it~

"Bai Zai..."

At this moment, Changchun's expression was extremely complex; he never imagined his son would grow this fast—just a trip to the 'Ling Wang Gong', and now he can not only defeat him but even knock down his old father.

In fact, Xiumu Changchun still approved of his son Bai Zai; Bai Zai had no flaws in either ability or personality, although he was somewhat lovesick in daily life.

But today, Xiumu Changchun discovered a flaw in Bai Zai: he is simply too filial.

His filiality made Xiumu Changchun almost want to cry.

Punching his old father, stepping on his grandfather! Who is this person? He is the biggest lovesick fool in the entire Guard Court Thirteenth Division, Xiumu Bai Zai~

"Now I actually have a reason to tell Fei Zhen what I've been doing these ten years after leaving her."

Bai Zai at this moment does not look at his grandfather and father; his mind is filled with thoughts of his wife Fei Zhen. As for the injuries on Yin Ling, Bai Zai knows he did not use his full strength earlier. In other words, he is now strong enough that even without giving his all he can defeat his grandfather.

"This child is beyond saving."

Cang Chun heard that and sighed helplessly.

At the same time, the First Division captain's quarters.

"So Bai Zai this kid knows he's not my opponent."

"So he went looking for someone he could beat, to show off…"

"Bai Zai this kid has really grown over these ten years!"

Huangmu's eyelid twitched slightly as he muttered to himself.

Thus, Bai Zai became the captain of the Sixth Division and, in a very flamboyant manner, returned to the Xiumu family grounds to meet his beloved Fei Zhen…

At this point, the Thirteen Court Guard Squads seems to be getting closer and closer to the form of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads as it appears in Huangmu's memory, in the so‑called storyline.

The following year, unable to control the growth of his spiritual power and unintentionally harming those around him, Hinata Toshiro entered the Soul Reaper Academy on the recommendation of the Tenth Division vice‑captain Matsumoto Rangiku.

During that time, Toshiro met his lifelong close friend Kusakaburi Sōjirō, and the two eventually awakened the same Zanpakutō, dubbed the strongest ice‑type, Hyōrinmaru…

Then there was nothing further; after Huangmu confirmed that Toshiro's potential far exceeded Kusakaburi's, he had the monk erase the name of the Zanpakutō that Kusakaburi had awakened, and had Sword God King Wang Yue give Kusakaburi a new Zanpakutō.

Regarding this, Huangmu went to the Soul King Palace to speak with Wang Yue and the monk, accusing them of unprofessionalism and asking how great their negligence had to be for Toshiro and Kusakaburi to awaken the same Zanpakutō!

The matter concluded with Wang Yue writing a self‑critique of about ten thousand characters.

Thus, the story of another Hyōrinmaru ended before it even began.

After Huangmu resolved Toshiro's issue, everything in the Soul Society seemed to return to peace once more; Aizen and others continued developing their Arrancar, while the King of the Quincy, Yu Habahe, still slept within the Wandenreich.

Thus the Three Realms peacefully passed through several decades…

In the blink of an eye, nine hundred seventy‑seven years have passed since Yu Habahe's last invasion of the Soul Society! As the Holy Emperor's hymn prophesied, the millennium‑long blood war appears to have entered its countdown.

And the current peace of the Three Realms feels more like the calm before a storm!

The calmer it is now, the louder the commotion will be when the storm arrives!

On that day, Aizen, Dong Xian, and Ichimaru Gin once again conducted a hollowification experiment, gathering countless souls of Thirteen Court Guard Squads soldiers condemned by the Central 46, and created a humanoid Menos Grande that was entirely black on the outside but pure white within…

Although the Menos Grande's exterior, forged by Aizen using the Hogyoku and the Soul Reapers' souls, was black, Aizen still named it—Hollow White—based on its inner nature.

Just as the sole daughter of the pure‑blood Quincy family Kurozaki, barely surviving in the Human World, took residence with the pure‑blood Quincy house Ishida and entered high school…

The hands of destiny seem to have turned!

Within the Soul King's inner palace standing in the sky.

The Soul King, sealed within a crystal with only his torso and head remaining, had his four true‑omniscient double pupils flicker at that moment.

First Division.

Huangmu looked at the sky, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"All the arrangements are now complete!"

"Someone's and someone's break‑defense countdown is ready—let's begin~"

Huangmu stretched comfortably and waited quietly for his good disciple Aizen, as well as the Three Realms' foremost saint—who has long aspired since childhood to succeed the Soul King as the Keystone that upholds the Three Realms—and the Quincy King Yu Habahe, who arrives in the guise of a savior.

Tenth Division barracks.

Usually lazy, the Tenth Division captain Shiba Ichinobu, who habitually hides in the treetops, suddenly felt a flutter of his heart for no apparent reason.

"It seems something bad is about to happen."

Shiba Ichinobu squinted his eyes, murmuring to the clouds above.

"Finally I've found you, Captain Shiba~"

At the same time, an orange‑haired girl arrived beneath the tree where Ichinobu was hiding.

Without giving Ichinobu time to think, the orange‑haired girl, having spotted his movement, kicked the tree trunk in front of her.

"Wah—"

With the rustle of leaves, Ichinobu, who had been lying on the trunk, fell down.

"Ouch—"

Ichinobu clutched his rear and wailed, "It's over! Just now my cool tailbone was completely broken! From today onward, I can't work properly any more!"

"Stop pretending! Captain Shiba!"

"Hurry and come back to the captain's quarters with me~"

The orange‑haired girl, who was the Tenth Division vice‑captain Matsumoto Rangiku, showed no mercy to Ichinobu; she hauled him up from the ground and roughly dragged him toward the Tenth Division captain's quarters.

Chapter 10,000~