Chapter 196

Who exactly are you?

Why, as a Death God, can you use Quincy and Fullbring abilities?

Shítián Yǔlóng felt his throat a bit blocked; after thinking for a long time, he looked at Huāngmù with an extremely serious expression and asked.

Shítián Yǔlóng felt his throat a bit blocked; after thinking for a long time, he looked at Huāngmù with an extremely serious expression and asked.

Yeah? Who exactly am I?

Shítián Yǔlóng and Hēiqí Yīhù, I think you should know deep down just who I am! This probably isn't the first time we've met, right?!

Huāngmù, hearing that, stood in place, expressionless, and spoke to Yīhù and Yǔlóng before him in a calm tone. Although his words were phrased as a question, his tone was overly flat, giving those present the impression of a statement, as if Huāngmù were stating a fact rather than asking them.

We need to keep the meaning. We'll translate: Huāngmù, hearing that, stood in place, expressionless, and spoke calmly to Yīhù and Yǔlóng before him. Although his words were phrased as a question, his tone was overly flat, giving those present a sense of a statement, as if Huāngmù were not asking Yīhù and Yǔlóng but stating a fact.

What are you saying?! I don't understand!

Yīhù's eyes widened wide, his big eyes full of bewilderment…

Yes, it seems Yīhù's ears are acting up again! At this moment, he seems to have entered a state of deafness once more, completely unable to understand what Huāngmù just said.

We aren't meeting for the first time, are we?

Could it be that I've met this Death God Commander before at some point in the past? Too bad I've forgotten—exactly when…

Speaking of which, for some reason, this Death God Commander inexplicably gives me a feeling of closeness, as if he were a very important family member of mine…

Yǔlóng, on the other hand, understood Huāngmù's words; his brows furrowed tightly as he fell into deep thought, his mind already forming some speculation about Huāngmù.

Eh? Classmates Hēiqí and Shítián, could it be that you've been to Soul Society and seen Captain-Commander Huāngmù?

As for Jǐngshàng Zhījī, one of the few present with normal hearing and comprehension, she looked at Yīhù and Yǔlóng and asked.

What a joke! How could I possibly have come to Soul Society?

Zhījī, you should know that if it weren't for Mr. Pǔyuán's help, under normal circumstances only those souls who, after death, have been laid to rest by a Death God's Zanpakutō can come to Soul Society! I'm still healthy and alive~

Hēiqí Yīhù, upon hearing Zhījī's words beside him, spoke angrily.

Is that really the case?!

Zhījī asked, her big eyes revealing confusion.

「…」 => "…" We'll translate as "…" (ellipsis). Keep as is.

As for the tallest of the four, Chádù Tàihǔ, after entering the Division Office, he remained silent due to excessive nervousness.

Is that so? It seems you, Hēiqí Yīhù, don't know much about your own background, huh~

Huāngmù, hearing that, arrived at an answer.

And what about Shítián Yǔlóng? How much do you know about your own background?

Huāngmù looked at Shítián Yǔlóng and asked.

Me? I am the current heir of the pure-blood Quincy Ishida family…

Shítián Yǔlóng's expression paused, and he spoke to Huāngmù.

No! I mean a deeper understanding…

Huāngmù cut off Ishida's words and continued.

This…

Yǔlóng said nothing, but his expression gave Huāngmù the answer.

I see! It seems that you two, Yīhù and Yǔlóng, know far too little about your own backgrounds; if you still wish to restore your Zanpakutō and Quincy powers, then there is only one path forward now: first come to understand clearly your respective backgrounds—if you don't even understand your own backgrounds, your souls cannot acknowledge you and grant you the power you desire.

Huāngmù showed an expression of realization, and calmly said to Yǔlóng and Yīhù.

Huh?!

Our backgrounds?

Yīhù and Yǔlóng, upon hearing that, first glanced at each other, then looked at Huāngmù in confusion.

Anyway, everyone, just follow me for a trip~

Huāngmù shook his head, said nothing more, and directly activated Spatial Translocation Kidō! As his hands slightly lifted, the First Division's Division Office suddenly flashed with a blinding blue light, and for a moment the entire spacetime seemed to warp……

By the time everyone reacted, all those inside the house had already arrived outside Pure Spirit Court, at the place on the western Wandering Souls Street where the Zhìbō Family uses to fire the Zhìbō Cannon.

Where is this?!

Yīhù and the others looked at the scene before them, their expressions revealing a hint of bewilderment.

Hey hey hey! This couldn't be outside Pure Spirit Court, could it?

Among them, when Yǔlóng turned his head and saw, not far in the sky, the enormous Soul Shield covering Pure Spirit Court's airspace, he first froze, then looked at Huāngmù in disbelief and asked.

Exactly……

Huāngmù, hearing that, lightly nodded.

Huh? Didn't Mr. Pǔyuán say that in Soul Society, the only way to enter and exit Pure Spirit Court is through the four main gates established in the east, west, south, and north? And yet we didn't go through the gates and still came out? Damn it, is Mr. Pǔyuán deceiving us again? What a despicable merchant……

Yīhù, after hearing the conversation between Yǔlóng and Huāngmù, his expression paused slightly, then he spoke angrily.

Mr. Pǔyuán didn't deceive you; this is indeed the case under normal circumstances……

But I am not among those normal Death Gods.

Huāngmù cut off Yīhù's words, defending Mr. Pǔyuán in a sentence.

Hey hey hey! Yīhù! Have you gotten something wrong? Whether or not we entered and exited Pure Spirit Court via its four main gates in the east, west, south, and north is actually not important! What matters is, do you know how far this place is from the First Division's Division Office? According to my calculations, it's definitely over a hundred spiritual li; this old man right here, in just a brief moment, brought us over a hundred spiritual li away—this is simply unthinkable, even the Quincy's Hirenkyaku or a Hollow's Sonído cannot achieve such an extravagant feat……

Shítián Yǔlóng first, tactically, lightly pushed up his glasses on the bridge of his nose, then, sweating profusely, spoke to those present.

Well……

When everyone heard Yǔlóng's words, their pupils suddenly contracted slightly. They hadn't noticed before, but now that Yǔlóng brought it up, they realized how incredible Huāngmù's spatial translocation just was.

In an instant, Yīhù and the others were once again shocked by Huāngmù's power! His mere wave, without hesitation, brought us to a place hundreds of spiritual li away—this truly is astonishing~

Yǔlóng, what you said is too absolute; among Quincy, there are those who can use Hirenkyaku alone to instantaneously move over a hundred spiritual li……

Huāngmù looked at the shocked Yǔlóng, his expression calm, and corrected.

Who?

Yu Long was stunned for a moment, then immediately asked Huang Mu.

"Me, and Youhabah..."

Araki first pointed a finger at himself, then glanced at Kurosaki Ichigo beside him.

"Youhabah..."

When Araki mentioned Youhabah, everyone's complexion changed instantly; it was another occasion they heard that divinely revered name...

... and this time, the one who uttered the name was the Supreme Commander of the Shinigami.

"Captain Araki, have you ever met the person named Youhabah?"

At that moment, Ichigo seemed to recall something and looked at Araki, asking.

"Of course I've met him."

Araki gave a slight nod.

"What kind of person is that guy?"

Ichigo raised an eyebrow and asked Araki.

"A contradictory person! Those who follow his annihilation masters call him the King! The Shinigami of Soul Society call him the Enemy Leader! Those he heals regard him as a god, while those he harms see him as the source of all calamities! As for his exact appearance, you'll have to see with your own eyes, Ichigo..."

Araki thought for a moment and gave Ichigo a meaningfully lingering smile.

"What kind of answer is that?"

Ichigo heard that, his expression odd, and asked Araki.

"Is that so? What does that count as an answer?"

Araki ignored Ichigo. Was he about to tell Ichigo that, in his eyes, Youhabah is a person who single‑mindedly seeks the Spirit King Palace, intends to succeed his father the Spirit King, become the wedge that stabilizes the Three Realms, and is the most filial being in the world?!

Don't even say it—if you have to ask, it's filial, overly filial!

"Hey! Uncle Araki, speak clearly!"

Ichigo seemed about to ask Araki something, but before he could speak, a whistling sound suddenly rose from above the crowd.

"Boom!"

When Ichigo and the others looked up, they saw an unknown cylindrical object slash through the air, leaving a white vapor trail, then plummeting heavily in front of them, landing in the sand pit beside the Zhibo Cannon.

"Huh!!"

The specially made sand in the pit effectively reduced the impact of the falling cylinder, causing only a gust of wind at the moment it touched down…

"What is that? What…"

The crowd stared at the cylinder in the sand pit, asking in confusion.

"This is the Heavenly Pillar Carriage, residing in the Spirit King Palace, directly under the Spirit King's royal family agents, the exclusive transport for members of the Zero Division!"

Araki, hearing this, explained to everyone present.

"Heavenly Pillar Carriage?!"

"Royal Family Agent?"

"Zero Division?!"

"Spirit King Palace..."

When Araki finished speaking, the shocked voices of Ichigo, Uryu, Orihime, and Toshiro rang out.

"Hm? Didn't I just say? I'm about to take the four of you humans to the Spirit King Palace to meet the Spirit King..."

Araki turned his body, looked at the stunned four, and asked.

"You never mentioned it, Uncle!"

"Such an important matter should have been told to us beforehand!"

Uryu and Ichigo, hearing that, immediately glared at Araki and shouted.

"Is that so? Whatever, now that you know..."

Araki, hearing that, replied indifferently.

"Don't try to gloss over this like that!"

"You are the Supreme Commander of the Shinigami; such carelessness really isn't a problem?"

Ichigo and Uryu, hearing that, continued addressing Araki.

"Shut up! Rude scoundrels! Do you think the gentleman before you is who? He is the greatest Shinigami in Soul Society, the Captain‑Commander of the Gotei 13, Lord Araki! You mere mortals, dare not be disrespectful!"

Just as Ichigo and Uryu realized that Araki was not quite as they had imagined, a clear voice interrupted their complaints toward Araki.

"Whose voice is that?"

When Ichigo and Uryu heard the slightly clear yet firm voice, their bodies seemed electrified, and they turned their heads in disbelief toward the speaker. Under their gaze stood a delicate girl in a plain white robe, her hair styled in an onion‑shaped cut, hands on her hips, smiling at everyone present.

"Rukia..."

Ichigo, seeing this, let the thousand words in his heart turn into a faint smile; with a slightly trembling voice, he uttered Rukia's name.

"Kuchiki~"

"Welcome back, Kuchiki~"

"Long time no see, Kuchiki~"

Ishida and the others, at this moment, greeted Rukia.

"Sorry, I've caused trouble for everyone these past days..."

"I'm fine now! And also, thank you all!"

Rukia said, bowing deeply to everyone present.

"Rukia, what nonsense are you spouting! That's not your style!"

Without waiting, the slightly melancholy atmosphere continued...

Kurosaki Ichigo stepped in front of Kuchiki Rukia, glanced at her bowed head, then extended his large hand and forcefully ruffled Rukia's onion‑shaped hair.

"Kurosaki Ichigo..."

Rukia noticed her hair on her head was messed up, and the veins on her forehead bulged visibly……

"Pa~"

With a light sound, Rukia swatted away the big hand gripping Ichigo Kurosaki's head, smiled, lifted her head, and launched a Rukia Flying Kick straight at Ichigo Kurosaki's face.

"It hurts!"

Ichigo Kurosaki was caught off guard and got kicked flying by Rukia's foot.

"Die! Ichigo Kurosaki……"

"Stay still! Take this move—ruler, blood‑stained mask, myriad phenomena, soaring high, crowned in humanity's name—truth and temperance, only claws stand on the innocent dream wall—Bakudo #33: Sōkatsui!"

Rukia then unleashed the fully chanted Sōkatsui at Ichigo's hair.

"Boom!"

Following that bucket‑sized fireball, it flew toward Ichigo.

Ichigo was about to draw his sword when he suddenly remembered his blade had been snapped by Araki, so he merely turned his body to dodge Rukia's attack……

After dodging, Ichigo shouted at Rukia: "Rukia, is this how you treat your lifesaver? You little shorty onion‑head!"

"Huh? Lifesaver? Who told you I'd die?"

"I was just locked up by my brother for a hundred years……"

"A mere hundred years? To me, a Shinigami, that's just a nap! You humans could never understand—being a long‑lived species, I……"

Rukia roared at Ichigo.

"Shut up, old hag!"

Ichigo, hearing that, continued to yell at Rukia angrily.

"Heh, you really dare say that!"

Rukia's eye twitched, she charged straight at him and they got tangled up.

Since neither had a sword, their fight turned into hair‑pulling, cheek‑pinching—like street thugs brawling—utterly embarrassing……

"Hey, what are you two doing in front of the Captain‑Commander?"

Finally, the arriving Toshiro Hitsugaya couldn't stand it any longer, stepped over and pulled Ichigo and Rukia apart.

Too bad, Hitsugaya alone couldn't stop the already‑heated brawl, so he could only shout at the dazed redhead: "Vice‑Captain Abarai, why are you just standing there? Come over and help……"

"Exactly! Beat him! Beat him!"

At that moment, the red‑haired Renji had no intention of stepping forward to help; he was silently cheering for his childhood friend Rukia Kuchiki in his heart, wishing she could bite that damned blond Ichigo right then and there.

Frankly, Renji himself didn't know why he felt such hostility toward Ichigo Kurosaki—he'd barely met him, and Ichigo is upright—but he felt that if he didn't take Ichigo down now, he'd eventually lose something incredibly important……

Abarai Matsuri: "Yes, old timer! What you lost is precisely……"

Kurosaki Kazui: "Renji‑uncle, I parked the ghost fire outside……"

Cough cough cough……

"Abarai!"

Hitsugaya stared at Abarai's delayed reaction, finally losing his temper.

As Hitsugaya's anger flared, the temperature of the whole Western "Wandering Soul Street" dropped a few degrees.

"Oh! Oh! I get it……"

When Abarai heard Hitsugaya's shout, his face changed; he immediately rushed to Hitsugaya's side and helped block Rukia Kuchiki……

In the end, thanks to the efforts of Hitsugaya and Abarai Renji, Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki were finally pulled apart.

"Remember to cultivate these two guys' bare‑handed skill—what you just did was too ugly? Like street thugs, does that even count as being top talent of the Spiritual Arts Academy? Does it even count as offspring of the five great noble houses Kuchiki and Shiba? So embarrassing……"

"And as for Shinigami who lose their Zanpakutō to enemies and can't fight? That's just a huge joke—since the 'Sword God' Futsu no Miko Wang Yue forged the first Zanpakutō, through its popularization, only a few thousand years have passed; could it be that in the countless ages without Zanpakutō, Shinigami were unable to fight? Absurd……"

After Ichigo and Rukia were separated, Araki's voice suddenly rang in everyone's ears.

"Yes, sir!"

At once, everyone bowed respectfully toward Araki.

Meanwhile, Hitsugaya growled at Ichigo and Rukia: "You two are in trouble now—the Captain‑Commander never cares about squabbles among the Thirteen Squads; after all, that's a healthy cycle! But what you just did was truly unsightly, even I can't watch! Now you've caught the Captain‑Commander's eye; before you can satisfy him with your bare‑handed fighting, you're not leaving Soul Society. By the way, the last person the Captain‑Commander set his sights on was supposedly trained by him for a full hundred years……"

"A hundred years? Then I'd be dead old!"

Ichigo, hearing that, asked Hitsugaya.

"Being dead old is just right—then you could directly join the Tenth Squad! How about I make you the next captain of the Tenth Squad?"

Hitsugaya asked Ichigo.

"What a joke!"

Ichigo shouted at Hitsugaya angrily.

"I'm not joking……"

"Besides! The Tenth Squad should originally be your Shiba family's duty; I'm merely returning your family's responsibility to you—nothing more……"

Hitsugaya calmly looked at Ichigo and said softly.

"I repeat: my surname is Kurosaki, full name Ichigo Kurosaki."

Ichigo gritted his teeth at Hitsugaya.

"Doesn't matter, as long as your dad's called Isshin."

Who would have thought, upon hearing Ichigo's words, Hitsugaya merely shrugged lightly and then said calmly.

"Huh?!"

Ichigo Kurosaki, hearing that, twitched his eyelid slightly.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Follow me~"

While Hitsugaya and Ichigo were chatting, Araki had already opened the Heavenly Pillar Palanquin.

"In view of the fact that our Soul Society's internal power struggle accidentally dragged in humans—Ichigo Kurosaki, Uryū Ishida, Yasutora Sado, and Orihime Inoue—I once again apologize to everyone and have arranged 'Spirit King Palace' training for you, non‑negotiable……"

Yes, Huangmu's apology does not allow anyone to refuse.

Heiqí Yihu and his group said: 'An apology that doesn't allow refusal—what kind of apology is that?! This is clearly just finding an excuse to make us suffer?!'

Besides that, in this incident, the outstanding performers—Ribangu Dongshilang, Asanjing Lianci, Banmu Yijiao, Lingchuachuan Gongqin, and Huangmu Qianliu—you five also earned the qualification to go to the 'Soul King Palace' for further training. At the same time, a special qualification to go to the 'Soul King Palace' for training was granted here to Xiumu family's adopted daughter, Xiumu Luqiya, who was likewise drawn into the center of the power struggle……

Huangmu read out the list of those going to the 'Soul King Palace' for training in a soft voice before everyone. Everyone who knew Huangmu knew how fair his name list was!! Just how fair is it?! He absolutely did not do it so his daughter could train well at the 'Soul King Palace' for a while, and then casually added Yijiao and Gongqin to the list.

'Eh? Xiao Qianliu also has to go to the 'Soul King Palace'?!'

After hearing the list of names read by Huangmu, Inoue Orihime spoke excitedly.

'Strange, where is Qianliu?'

However, after Orihime looked left and right, she did not find any trace of Huangmu Qianliu among those present, and she asked doubtfully.

'Orihime~'

Just then, a howl came from the sky……

A figure like a brown bear suddenly descended from the sky, landing before everyone; in the soft sandpit, it kicked up countless sand and dust, revealing the newcomer's identity.

The newcomer was none other than the captain of the 11th Division, Gengmu Jianba, and Huangmu Qianliu lounging on Gengmu's shoulder~

Qianliu's eyes locked onto Orihime the moment he arrived at the destination……

'Qianliu~'

Orihime naturally also noticed Qianliu standing on Gengmu Jianba's shoulder.

The moment their eyes met, Qianliu was already in Orihime's arms.

'Huh?!'

That speed caused the pupils of all the captains and vice-captains present to shrink slightly.

'Captain Ribangu, did you see that clearly?'

Lianci leaned next to Captain Ribangu and asked.

'I saw it a little……'

Captain Ribangu shook his head slightly; he only saw a faint afterimage.

Lianci remarked, 'As expected of the daughter of Commander-in-Chief Huangmu, this talent is simply so powerful it's frightening!'

'Ichigo! I'll wait for you to come down from the 'Soul King Palace'; don't let me down……'

Gengmu didn't look at anyone else present; his eyes were firmly locked on Heiqí Yihu, and he spoke in an icy voice. However, only those familiar with Gengmu know this is his unique way of showing concern—only those he regards as 'people' earn the honor of his gaze……

'If you dare disappoint me, I'll personally cut you down!'

Then Gengmu added another sentence to Heiqí Yihu.

Well, probably most people don't want to be cared for by Gengmu~

'Oh! Jianba, wait for me to come down, then we'll have a showdown!'

Ichigo, upon hearing that, laughed at Jianba.

'Hahaha……'

Gengmu Jianba, upon hearing that, burst out laughing.

Indeed, he said he and Heiqí Yihu were especially fated to meet~

'Hoo, hoo, hoo……'

'Looks like that human calamity has already been approved by Captain Gengmu~'

Behind Gengmu Jianba, Banmu and Gongqin came running, their faces red and necks thick, panting; after hearing Jianba's words, they gave Ichigo an extra glance.

'After all, they're the ones who fought Captain Gengmu to that extent……'

'Being approved by Captain Gengmu is also completely normal……'

Gongqin first took out a handkerchief, wiped the sweat from his forehead, then spoke softly.

'Well then, everyone, let's set off~'

After everyone had gathered, Huangmu suddenly spoke.

'Oh!'

Those who received Huangmu's order immediately entered the Heavenly Pillar Palanquin.

'By the way, what propels this thing forward?'

After everyone entered the Heavenly Pillar Palanquin, Shitian Yulong suddenly frowned; he saw nothing related to an engine inside this conveyance called the Heavenly Pillar Palanquin—not even a hint of anything. The Heavenly Pillar Palanquin really seemed to be just a solid, hollowed-out pillar.

'Cannon.'

Huangmu, hearing that, calmly replied with two words.

'Cannon?'

Yulong, hearing that, showed a hint of surprise. Well, Yulong also didn't know whether it was because he'd spent too much time with Ichigo, thus catching Ichigo's deafness, that he didn't even understand what Huangmu had just said.

'Heave-ho~'

Just as Yulong was puzzled, Gengmu Jianba outside the Heavenly Pillar Palanquin lifted it with one hand and casually tossed it into the barrel of the Shiba Cannon nearby.

'Huh?!'

In an instant, everyone inside the Heavenly Pillar Palanquin changed expression.

'Wait, what are you doing?!'

'What kind of joke is this? The propulsion is a cannon, and you mean it literally?'

Ichigo and Lianci, who had never been to the Soul King Palace, felt a bad premonition.

'Ignite!'

At that moment, Shiba Kukaku, who had been busy all night, yawned while holding a torch, walked up to everyone, and amid their panicked gazes, activated the Shiba family's magic circle and lit the ancestral Shiba cannon.

'Boom!!'

At the moment the cannon was ignited, only a roar was heard……

The Heavenly Pillar Palanquin was instantly shot straight up into the sky!

Time flew by……

After an unknown amount of time, the Heavenly Pillar Palanquin arrived at the Soul King Palace.

The Shinigami behind Aramaki had all collapsed in a heap.

"How embarrassing~"

Aramaki shook his head and shoved open the gate of the Heavenly Pillar Palanquin.

"Boom!!"

The instant the gate of the Heavenly Pillar Palanquin was pushed open, the spiritual pressure of the Soul King Palace's approach flooded inside……

In an instant, the faces of Uryū Ishida, Yasutora Sado, Orihime Inoue, and Rukia Kuchiki—whose Shinigami powers had not fully recovered—suddenly changed.

"What is this incredibly immense spiritual pressure?!"

Everyone wore looks of confusion.

"This is the approach to the Soul King, a transit point for those entering the Soul King Palace! It connects each of our Zero Division members' detached palaces, and likewise connects to the palace where the Soul King resides—a tower-like structure in the heavens known as the Soul King's Inner Sanctum."

Aramaki stood at the gate of the Heavenly Pillar Palanquin, explaining the detailed structure of the Soul King Palace to those inside.

"Hah, hah, hah……"

Unfortunately, those inside the Heavenly Pillar Palanquin seemed to have no time for Aramaki, especially Rukia and Orihime, whose conditions were most severe; their bodies seemed unable to adapt to the specific environment of the Soul King Palace.

"Oh, right, I almost forgot to mention……"

"Because the Soul King's approach is shrouded in the spiritual pressure of the Soul King himself and us Zero Division members, the concentration of spirit particles here is the highest in the three worlds, while the resistance is also the greatest; those with spiritual power below rank three cannot act normally here, and those below rank five cannot even survive."

"So, upon arriving at the Soul King Palace, the first thing you need to consider is not how to begin training, but how to survive! Of course, those with spiritual power above rank five naturally need not worry about this."

Aramaki glanced at the seemingly suffocating Rukia behind him, as well as Orihime Inoue and Yasutora Sado, and spoke in a flat yet icy tone.

"What a joke! If this continues, they'll die!"

Ichigo Kurosaki's expression showed anxiety; he hadn't even realized that after undergoing a full hollowfication, his spiritual pressure had risen linearly, and now, in the Soul King Palace, he would encounter no resistance whatsoever.

"Therefore, your first challenge after arriving at the Soul King Palace is to raise your spiritual pressure by any means possible! And the fastest way to do that, without a doubt, is to eat……"

Aramaki extended a finger and addressed those present.

"Huh?!"

"Eat?!"

The people who had been extremely anxious froze upon hearing Aramaki's words.

Then……

Under Aramaki's lead, everyone went to the Hall of the Reclining Pig where Yaezawa Kiriyū resides!

It is also the third detached palace of the Zero Division……

"Welcome everyone to my third detached palace~"

"Here, you have only one thing to do: eat! Eat! Eat!"

"I spent months preparing this food~"

"Please, dig in~"

Yaezawa Kiriyū, with beautiful purple hair and a voluptuous figure, whose smile revealed charming dimples, had already laid out a table full of delicacies before Aramaki and the others arrived; just smelling the aroma made everyone's appetite surge……

"We don't have time to eat! Please, hurry and save Orihime and Rukia!"

However, Ichigo Kurosaki and Renji Abarai, among others, had no mood to eat right now; they anxiously looked at Aramaki and the others, hoping that Aramaki and this overly voluptuous woman could save Orihime and Rukia.

"Anyway, let's eat first~"

"Once you eat it, you'll fear nothing!"

Yaezawa Kiriyū said, picking up the fried shrimp she had prepared, and before anyone could react, she shoved it into each person's mouth……

It must be said, Yaezawa's cooking skill has reached the level of 'Little Chef'; everyone felt the shrimp melt in their mouths, as if it were alive, sliding down their throats.

"This is……"

As everyone swallowed the fried shrimp, they felt their spiritual pressure increase to varying degrees.

"The food created by Yaezawa utilizes her developed temporary soul trait, allowing completely unrelated spiritual pressure to merge into your bodies, boosting your spiritual pressure at an astonishing speed—some can even achieve a cross‑dimensional increase! Of course, due to differing individual potentials, the amount of increase varies. Simply put, whoever eats the most among you has the greatest potential."

Aramaki directly pointed out the nature of Yaezawa's ability.

"Gurgle gurgle……"

The moment Aramaki's words fell, this was no longer mere eating.

"The more you eat, the greater your potential?!"

Everyone first muttered to themselves.

Then, furrowing their brows, they all shouted angrily: "I! I absolutely refuse to lose to that annoying guy beside me (referring to Ichigo, Renji, Uryū, Ikkaku, etc.)!"

"Let's eat……"

When Aramaki uttered the words 'let's eat,' everyone lunged at the food like starving wolves, beginning to gobble up the dishes on the table.

Indeed, this was no longer just a meal; it was a battle!

The answer is just Tata Kai……

"Crunch! Crunch! Crunch……"

At this moment, Ichigo and Renji seemed to have no regard for Orihime and Rukia; the blond and the tattooed punk were competing with each other.

Indeed, one's own wife must learn to feed herself~

As for Orihime and Rukia, they weren't idle either; they were wolfing down the bread on the table without any decorum, struggling to survive—while others sought strength, they fought for life, their motivations differed……

"Not bad at all~"

Aramaki looked at everyone before him and smiled.

A few hours later……

The first eliminated contestant appeared; the tallest, Cha Du Taihu, turned out to be the first among everyone present who could no longer eat.

"No! I can't…"

After Taihu's spiritual pressure approached third rank, he felt his spirit body swelling, already on the brink of bursting; if he kept eating, he would surely die here.

"Damn…"

Next eliminated were Ayasegawa Gongqin, Banmu Yijiao, and Asaji Renji; the three were knocked out almost simultaneously, with no clear winner.

"I won!"

Renji smiled faintly; he ate one more apple than Yijiao, fully proving his potential still exceeds Yijiao's.

"What a joke…"

Yijiao picked up an apple, his fingers trembling slightly, trying every possible way to shove the apple into his stomach!

"Yijiao, that's enough~"

Gongqin saw this and stopped Yijiao, who was about to kill himself.

In fact, Gongqin could still keep eating; his potential far exceeds this! Yet he chose to give up to look after his close friend Yijiao and junior Renji's feelings…

Actually, Gongqin doesn't pursue power much; more than strength, he wishes to become more beautiful~ Of course, if Huangmu told him that eating these foods would make him beautiful, Gongqin swore he would eat himself to the point of bursting—but that won't happen~

"Damn…"

Yijiao said, tears of pain streaming from his eyes…

He had to admit he lost! He lost to a damned apple!

Unexpectedly, Xiumu Luo Qia and Jingshang Zhi Ji proved surprisingly capable eaters; especially Zhi Ji, who rose from a seventh‑eighth rank spiritual might step by step to captain level, still improving. Yet for unknown reasons, after Luo Qia stopped eating, Zhi Ji also halted.

For a moment, only four remained on the field: Heizaki Ichigo, Shidaten Yulong, Huangmu Baqianliu, and Ribantai Dongshilang.

"Hey hey hey, you're kidding, right?"

"Captain Ribantai can keep eating because he is a once‑in‑a‑century genius of the Soul Society! He also wields the Soul Society's strongest ice‑type Zanpakuto, Hyourinmaru! So we can all understand his talent…"

"That bastard Heizaki Ichigo, no matter how reckless, is still Shiba Yixin's son; as a descendant of the Shiba family, I can understand his talent…"

"Huangmu Baqianliu, the surname Huangmu explains everything! We all understand her talent! But that glasses‑wearing four‑eyed guy—why does he have such talent? We can't comprehend it at all! Hey!"

Renji and the others, watching Shidaten Yulong still eating gracefully, asked in confusion.

"Don't be fooled by my appearance; the surname Shidaten has been passed down for over a thousand years…"

Yulong, after hearing them, gently nudged the myopic lenses on his nose bridge, smiled faintly, and said coldly,

"Unbelievable, unbelievable! This guy is starting to act…"

Everyone, after hearing Yulong's words, pursed their lips and muttered unhappily.

"Hey! What does that mean, you bastards!"

Yulong, hearing that, roared at Renji and the others.

A few more hours passed…

Just as Ribantai Dongshilang began to feel his stomach swelling, a stunning woman with waterfall‑like, pale‑purple long hair, a voluptuous yet graceful figure, and a waist as slender as a water snake emerged from the back kitchen.

"Ah! All the ingredients are used up; you all really can eat a lot~"

The woman walked up to the crowd and said helplessly,

"Who are you?! You!"

The others, hearing this, asked the beautiful woman aloud,

"Me? I'm Yezhou Tongshu, okay?"

The woman heard this and answered with a smile,

"Yezhou Tongshu? They've already changed the person, right?"

Ichigo and Yulong exchanged a glance and quipped,

"Hahaha, whenever I cook my weight drops! I'm also sorry about that—once I'm skinny, I clearly don't look as plump and good‑looking as before~"

Yezhou wiped the sweat from his forehead and smiled at everyone,

"Please keep this posture forever, thank you!"

Renji, Yijiao, and the beauty‑seeking Gongqin rose from their seats, bowed deeply to Yezhou Tongshu, and pleaded,

"In any case! You've cleared this stage; the next obstacles ahead are other people's stages~ I'm going back to take a nap~"

Yezhou said, yawning, and walked toward the interior of the hall.

"Uncle Huangmu! Where are we going next?"

After resolving the spiritual pressure issue, Heizaki Ichigo asked Huangmu beside him,

Now that his strength had truly increased, Ichigo's tone toward Huangmu became courteous.

"Next is the Qilin Hall where Qilin Si Tian Shilang resides~"

Huangmu heard this and said softly to the crowd,

And so…

The group arrived at the Qilin Hall.

"Welcome to Qilin Hall, dear guests~"

"Here you will reshape your spirit bodies that are about to explode!"

Qilin Si, without hesitation, threw Ichigo and the others straight into his hot spring. Perhaps because the women of the Zero Squad have become more numerous, the hot spring is now divided into male and female sections~

"Gururururu…"

Soaking in the spring, everyone felt the impurities in their spirit bodies being driven out, and sensed the 'spiritual food' they had eaten from Yezhou merging with their bodies at a rapid, flying speed.

Among these Death Gods reshaping their spirit bodies…

The first to finish the reshaping were, naturally, Heizaki Ichigo, Shidaten Yulong, Huangmu Baqianliu, and Ribantai Dongshilang~

After the four completed the reshaping…

Huangmu guided the four people to their respective training areas, giving separate instruction~

Among them, Baqianliu and Ribangu formed one group, while Yihu and Yulong formed another.

When Ribangu and Baqianliu arrived at their training ground, waiting for them was a similarly young girl; the girl looked somewhat like Baqianliu, only a bit more quiet, and at that moment she was holding a Soul-Cutting Sword taller than her whole body, swinging it casually……

「Yo! Budiaohua~」

Seeing the girl, Baqianliu lightly waved her hand and greeted.

「Older sister?! 」

The girl named Budiaohua heard this, slightly tilted her head to look; upon seeing Baqianliu, she paused, then exclaimed in surprise and joy.

「Long time no see~」

The two cute girls said this and immediately embraced each other.

「Princess Budiaohua, who is our opponent?! 」

Ribangu apparently didn't expect to meet Huangmu's second daughter here, the little princess of the Soul Society~ In response, he first bowed slightly to Budiaohua, then respectfully asked.

「Older sister, Father told me my mission is to fight those who come to challenge! I didn't expect the challenger to be you, older sister; how about we team up to take on this guy?! 」

Budiaohua took Baqianliu's small hand and softly inquired.

「Sure! Sure! 」

Baqianliu didn't mind; she was purely a fun-loving person~

Wherever there is fun, there she is, Baqianliu~

「Wait? My opponents are Princess Baqianliu and Princess Budiaohua? 」

「How am I supposed to fight? I can't bring myself to strike……」

「If I injure the two princesses, even if I die, I cannot escape blame! 」

However, the words of Baqianliu and Budiaohua put Ribangu in a dilemma; he looked nervously at the two before him and spoke.

「It's fine~」

「Because, little brother, you're really weak~」

Baqianliu and Budiaohua held hands, tilted their heads to look at Ribangu, and released the immense spiritual pressure within them!

「Boom!! 」【385】 When the spiritual pressure of Baqianliu and Budiaohua fell upon Ribangu……

When the spiritual pressure of the Eight Thousand Flow and the Unfading Flower fell upon Ri Fanggu's body……

Ribangu only felt alarm bells ringing in his heart; his originally calm expression changed instantly. Had he not known that the two before him were merely Huangmu's captain's daughters, both under six years old, he would have thought he was facing Kenpachi Zaraki or Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto!!

「Is this really Captain Huangmu's daughter? This potential is terrifying……」

「No! This isn't just potential; this is genuine strength! 」

As cold sweat broke out on Ribangu's forehead, his body trembled slightly.

「I understand……」

Ribangu took a deep breath, and his gaze finally became serious.

At this moment, Ribangu no longer looked down on Huangmu's two daughters; instead, he regarded them as his strong opponents, and as the weaker side, went forth to challenge……

Meanwhile……

After Ichigo Kurosaki and Uryu Ishida had taken a bath at Qilin Temple's Tenjiro, they also came to their training spot, where waiting for them was none other than Captain Huangmu.

「Uncle Huangmu, you're waiting for us here? 」

「Captain Huangmu, can you really help me restore my Extermination Master power? 」

Yihu and Shitian looked at the arrival and politely greeted.

「Next, I will use the Super Boundary Gate to send you back to the 'World of the Living'! 」

「I will help you go to your parents to clarify your identities……」

Huangmu stood before Ichigo and Ishida, his expression calm as he spoke.

「Identity?! Is that important? 」

It seemed Yihu and Shitian hadn't expected that Huangmu was still pondering whether they knew their own origins.

「Yes! After all, strictly speaking, if we follow the Extermination Master's bloodline, you two are also my children! So go to your parents and find out the truth, my sons born of darkness and light~」

Huangmu looked at Yihu and Yulong, smiling faintly.

「Huh?! 」

The moment Huangmu's words fell……

Yihu and Yulong immediately began to sweat profusely……

No, they came to the Soul Society just to rescue Kuchiki Rukia!

How did they end up getting a father?!

「Boom! 」

Before Yihu and Yulong could think further……

In an instant, with the help of Huangmu's Super Boundary Gate, the two crossed dimensions directly from the Soul King Palace to the World of the Living! Moreover, Yihu and Yulong were personally sent by Huangmu to the doorsteps of their respective families……

「Inhale—exhale……」

Yihu looked at everything before him and took a sharp breath.

Some truths he must face! Dragging it out brings no benefit~

Thinking this, Yihu entered the Kurosaki residence and went straight to where Masaki was busy cooking, whispering: 「Mom, are you sure my dad is really my dad? 」

「Yihu, you've come back……」

「What did you just say?! If you don't believe me, listen carefully to yourself—just how outrageous were the words you just spoke?! 」

Masaki heard this and her body jerked.

Immediately, the hand holding her kitchen knife sliced straight into her scallion finger……

Woooon!

Following a soft sound, Masaki's fingers instantly lit up with a pattern symbolizing the Silent Blood Armor! Immediately, the kitchen knife broke apart on its own...

In response, Kurosaki Ichigo expressed: "……"

Ahaha……

All right! Listen to my explanation!

Masaki laughed embarrassedly, then immediately pulled Ichigo and walked toward the room.

Masaki knew she could no longer hide her identity as a Quincy...

Ichigo then sighed and thought to himself: "Surely it's like that?!"

He just knew that his foolish-looking father wasn't his real father~

Yes, Ichigo and Masaki have both misunderstood each other...

As for Ishida Uryuu on the other side, he was much more normal.

Father, the progenitor of the Quincy isn't just Yhwach alone, right?

Ishida Uryuu entered Ryuuken's study without permission, and before Ryuuken could scold him, he spoke up, stating his reason for coming here.

Uryuu, it seems you already know everything! Just as you thought, our Ishida family's bloodline comes from besides Yhwach...

Ryuuken curled the corner of his mouth and spoke softly to Uryuu.

Twelve thousand! Big chapter!