Chapter 199: with translation of chapter title

"Boom!"

Bazbi didn't sit and wait for death; facing the swiftly approaching Holy Scripture Arrows, he dared not be the slightest careless, and directly exerted the power of his Holy Scripture Ability H—Heat (Scorching Heat).

In an instant, endless flames burst from Bazbi's body, forming a huge fire snake that swallowed all the Holy Scripture Arrows in the sky, burning them to ashes……

Following that came Bazbi's angry voice: "Damn it, are you blind? Open your dog eyes wide and see clearly—I am Bazbi! Not that heir the Majesty sought out!"

"Huh? Bazbi, how did you end up in the middle of the dueling ground? Could it be you also want to fight us all like that heir the Majesty sought out?"

The speaker had a head of curly purple hair that reached her waist, a voluptuous figure that could rival Inoue Orihime's, a beautiful and gorgeous face, and was also one of the few female knights in the Star Cross Knights—Minena McCaralon—she extended her jade-like finger to lightly touch her full lower lip, and asked Bazbi doubtfully.

"You big-breasted brainless idiot! It wasn't me who ran to the center of the dueling ground; it was that heir the Majesty sought out, who used his ability to swap our positions! Now I understand—his Holy Scripture Ability must be related to words like 'replace' or 'exchange'; everyone, be careful……"

Bazbi may look hot-tempered, but his mind was incomparably spiritual, and in a short moment he deduced the general direction of Shitia Yulong's ability.

"It doesn't matter~"

"Whether it's swapping or replacing~"

"Nothing can absolutely stop my love for him~"

"Sou, fall in love with me! Dear heir prince~"

At the moment Bazbi's words fell, among the Star Cross Knights, a man with sunglasses on his nose, a bulky and nauseating figure, dressed like a genie from Aladdin's lamp, meanwhile spewing oily words about love from his mouth, pulled out a bow and arrow carrying his saliva from his mouth, and aimed it at the crowd.

"Love!! Kneel beneath my love-filled Holy Scripture Arrows~"

With that oily, headache-inducing middle-aged man's loud shout, countless Holy Scripture Arrows shot up into the sky, aimed at all members of the Star Cross Knights, naturally including Shitia Yulong hiding behind the crowd.

"Peipei! You bastard, are you crazy?!"

In an instant, the crowd began to riot; everyone present seemed very familiar with that middle-aged man's ability and greatly feared it, so when he used his ability, everyone either used the Flying Leg technique or likewise fired Holy Scripture Arrows to dodge or neutralize Peipei's Holy Scripture Arrows.

Among them, only Shitia Yulong alone hard-blocked Peipei's Holy Scripture Arrows.

"This guy is as good as done……"

"Anyone hit by Peipei's ability will become his captive, even we, fellow members of the Star Cross Knights, are no exception……"

Those who had dodged the Holy Scripture Arrows, the Star Cross Knights members, upon seeing Shitia Yulong struck by Peipei's Holy Scripture Arrows, instantly showed schadenfreude; they wanted to see whether, when their great Majesty saw his appointed heir captured by the disgusting Peipei using his ability, the Majesty would still continue to let this unknown nobody serve as the heir of the Invisible Empire, succeeding the Invisible Empire?!

"Sou! Don't suppress your heart's love for me! Kneel beneath my pomegranate skirt! I know, suppressing your heart's love should be painful; let all your love out! After you let it out, you won't feel any pain~"

Peipei gazed at Shitia Yulong struck by his ability, opened his arms, silently waiting for Shitia Yulong to walk toward him and kneel before him.

"……"

As Peipei wished, the Shitia Yulong struck by his ability, like a walking corpse, stepped step by step toward Peipei, as if Shitia Yulong had become a servant beneath the skirt of Peipei's disgusting oily body.

"Tch~ This guy actually got defeated by Peipei just like that! Seems that's all; after all this fuss, he simply can't compare to Hasuoward~"

Bazbi, who had originally been full of interest in Shitia Yulong, now had eyes filled with disappointment; indeed, anticipation of this sort is such that the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.

"It's over~"

The other members of the Star Cross Knights also seemed to wholeheartedly agree with Bazbi's view, after all, in their knowledge, no one could withstand Peipei's ability.

"Sou! Now say you love me~"

"Then tell the Majesty that you were defeated by me in battle and have fallen in love with me!"

"And voluntarily yield the position of heir of the Invisible Empire to me……"

That being the case, Shitia Yulong had already walked before Peipei; only to see Peipei opening his arms toward Shitia Yulong and shouting excitedly.

"You are truly disgusting!"

However, what Peipei didn't expect was that when Shitia Yulong lifted his head, what Peipei saw was a pair of eyes devoid of any love, filled only with icy cold.

"Eh?!"

This made Peipei's body tremble slightly, to the point that he couldn't even hear Shitia Yulong's words clearly.

"What did you just say?!"

Or perhaps Peipei didn't believe anyone could ignore his ability, so he once again directed a question at Shitia Yulong.

"I said, you are truly disgusting!"

Upon hearing that, Shitia Yulong truthfully repeated.

"Huh? You bastard, what the hell are you saying?!"

Upon hearing that, Peipei's face changed drastically; he pointed at Shitia Yulong's nose and roared angrily.

"Huh? Could it be that your ears are also deaf?"

Shitia Yulong looked at Peipei, whose expression had drastically changed, and furrowed his brows tightly.

Shitia Yulong originally thought that having one deaf person like Kurosaki Ichigo by his side was enough, but he never expected to encounter such a person after coming to the Invisible Empire; could this be a side effect of cultivating the Quincy abilities?!

"You trampled on my love for you!"

Peipei continued to mutter to himself.

"Love?!"

"You disgusting bastard, don't talk about love in front of me~"

"Your existence has already defiled all love in this world!"

Shitia Yulong lightly pushed up the glasses on his nose, looked at Peipei, and spoke coldly.

"Bastard! I will surely make you completely my captive!"

"Feel it! Rich love! Love's kiss!"

Peipei said this, and once again launched his ability at Shitia Yulong.

Only to see, scarlet matter filled the sky, rushing toward Shitia Yulong……

"Hehe……"

Seeing this, Shitia Yulong couldn't even be bothered to dodge, letting Peipei's attack strike him, while his inner self remained utterly unmoved.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

"How could my ability possibly fail?!"

Peipei saw this, directly pressing hard on his own head; he looked at Raindragon's expression, which was full of terror.

In the whole Star Cross Knights, Peipei's basic abilities are ranked at the bottom; once his Holy Script fails, considering only the Holy Annihilation Arrow ability, he might even lose to a few of Hasuode's personal guards.

"Your ability hasn't failed; don't believe me, feel it yourself~"

Raindragon looked at the terrified Peipei, his eyes carrying a hint of contempt.

It's not that Peipei's ability is ineffective; he simply made up his mind to move forward—how could his steps possibly be tripped by mere love?!

"What are you going to do?"

When Peipei met Raindragon's icy eyes, he completely panicked.

"Don't be surprised; I'm just using your own method against you—that's all..."

"Alright! Next, please properly feel your own proud love power~"

Shitian Yulong said, activating his Holy Script ability.

In an instant, the events that had occurred between Raindragon and Peipei were completely reversed—from Peipei hitting Raindragon with the Love Arrow, it became Raindragon hitting Peipei~

"Ah~"

"Is this the taste of love?!"

"It's truly wonderful~"

All that could be seen was Peipei, who had been afraid of Raindragon, suddenly dropping his bow and arrow, stepping step by step to stand before Raindragon, then kneeling on one knee.

"Your Highness Raindragon, please let me follow you forever!"

"I'm willing to do anything for you! After all, I deeply love you!"

Peipei said, tears welling up endlessly; he was abject like the lowest sycophant, licking after a god he could never obtain.

"Go defeat them~"

Raindragon didn't answer Peipei's question, but coldly issued an order.

"Yes, sir! My lord~"

"As long as it's your order, even if it means offering my heart, I wouldn't hesitate~"

"You are electricity, you are light, you are my only god!"

Peipei said, having already picked up the Spirit Bow from the ground, pulled back the bowstring, and condensed his Holy Annihilation Arrow with special ability!

But this time, the target of his Holy Annihilation Arrow was no longer Shitian Yulong; turning around, he aimed at the other Star Cross Knights members—although from the start, Peipei had intended to annihilate everyone present, and that was exactly the Holy Annihilation Arrow he unleashed……

"Hey hey hey! What the heck is this guy's ability?"

"Too weird, right? Actually giving Peipei's ability back to Peipei..."

"If that's the case, can he also reverse our abilities and return them to us?"

The speaker was a man with hair styled like indigo dye, a thin as a stick build, and no trace of desire for power in his eyes; even coming to the square with the crowd, he was just there to join the fun……

The man's name was Asgin Nakuwaru; his Holy Script ability was D—DeathDealing (lethal dose), and he would soon be selected by Youhabah from the Star Cross Knights as one of the personal guards.

One can only say the man truly deserves Youhabah's favor; in a short moment he had basically analyzed Shitian Yulong's ability, and he clearly knew one thing: he absolutely could not defeat Shitian Yulong……

With the man's ability, there's no guarantee of a one-hit kill on Shitian Yulong! Although his ability is more suited to prolonging the battle than an instant kill, the longer the battle is dragged out, the more advantageous it is for him—but if the advantage he creates is all reversed by Shitian Yulong, he might even be killed by his own ability……

Of course, it's not just him; even if it's Riji Baro, whom Youhabah Majesty trusts most, the first to be granted Holy Script ability and possessing the power to pierce all things, or Valkyrie or Penida, who innately possess divine power, facing Shitian Yulong is not certain.

In Asgin's view, within the whole Invisible Empire, the only two who could truly defeat Shitian Yulong are their great king Youhabah Majesty, and Youhabah Majesty's half-body, the captain of the Star Cross Knights, Yugelan Hasuode……

"Now I finally understand why Youhabah Majesty let Shitian Yulong become the crown prince of the Invisible Empire—this ability is too heaven-defying?! Can't beat him, really can't; well, I've seen Raindragon's ability too, so let's just leave it at that! I think it's about time for a meal; it's time for me to retreat! Well, I'm outta here!"

Asgin slicked his feet, put on a hood to hide in the shadows, and directly left the dueling ground where Raindragon and the Star Cross Knights members were. Anyway, from the start he had no interest in the empire's crown prince position, merely being curious about Raindragon himself—what should and shouldn't be seen, he's seen it all; now, if he doesn't slip away, when will he?

When Asgin arrived at the Star Cross Knights' dedicated cafeteria and rest room, he saw Riji Baro, who had arrived early; the Valkyrie who knew exactly how much this guy could eat, the Penida with a hood hiding her expression, and Yugelan Hasuode, who had already eaten and was elegant like a foreign prince.

"You all came early enough~"

"I thought only I had fled the dueling ground~"

Asgin first froze, then softly greeted the people before him.

"Not fleeing, just not going……"

"His Majesty's decision is self-evident; no need for me to question it!"

Riji Baro glanced at Asgin, then spoke coldly.

"You're really loyal~"

"No wonder you're a red‑person beside His Majesty~"

Asgin was spouting nonsense.

"……"

Although Asgin is talkative and loves to chat……

But since everyone present was silent, after realizing no one wanted to engage him, Asgin had no choice but to shut his mouth and silently eat his meal~

On the other side, the dueling ground……

After Peipei was captured by Raindragon and turned traitor, the whole battlefield had descended into chaos.

Five-colored Holy Annihilation Arrows filled the battlefield; what was originally Raindragon's one-versus-many battle, after Peipei's defection, had become a merciless melee, everyone continuously firing Holy Annihilation Arrows at the nearest person, because no one knew whether those around them had been hit by Peipei's ability and become his captives……

"Hahaha, truly interesting~"

Yet in such a chaotic situation, a golden‑haired handsome boy stood on a building slightly higher than the dueling ground within the empire, hands in his pockets, silently watching the incessantly fighting Quincy on the platform, and showed a faint smile.

"Gelem, aren't you going up?!"

Behind that handsome boy was a girl with similarly golden short hair and a blunt bangs, cute, who asked the boy.

"You know, I've never been interested in the crown prince position~"

The boy heard that and replied casually.

It seemed his implication was that if he made a move, Raindragon would surely lose, and the crown prince position would be as easy to obtain as spitting for him~

"Besides, the time to go out and get some fresh air is coming up soon~ In a bit I'll probably be locked up in prison again! After all, to other Quincy I'm simply too strong, while they're too fragile— to the other Star Cross Knights, just my standing here is a huge threat— after all, I'm the strongest~"

The boy spoke in a light, brisk tone, uttering words that were somewhat cruel.

"That's true~"

The girl behind the boy heard him and casually nodded.

"Hey! Lituo, are you interested in the crown prince's position?"

"If you wish, I can help you achieve it~"

The boy named Ge Lei Mi suddenly thought of something; he turned his head, smiled at the girl behind him, and asked abruptly.

"Hmm?"

The girl named Lituo's expression froze instantly.

"I mean, I can help you become the Empire's crown prince~"

Ge Lei Mi seemed to think Lituo hadn't understood him; he thought for a moment, then rephrased his words.

"No! Like you, I've never been interested in the crown prince's position~"

Lituo was startled at first, then shook her head with a calm expression.

"Is that so? What a pity~"

"The time for this outing is up, so let's meet next time."

Ge Lei Mi spoke helplessly, and after finishing, his form turned into countless grains of dust and vanished before Lituo's eyes.

"Crown prince?"

After Ge Lei Mi disappeared, Lituo stood on a height, squinting slightly as she watched Shitian Yulong battling below.

"Hahaha! Take this Explode!!"

On the battlefield, a girl whose whole being was flawless—if placed in the modern world she'd be scouted instantly and debut right away! Once debuted, she'd simply stand there, and countless admirers would lift her to the pinnacle.

At this moment she was utterly unrestrained, laughing maniacally while continuously launching fireballs, one after another, each exploding and emitting massive heat.

The beautiful girl's name was Bangbi Aita·Basi Taba Yin, and her Holy Script ability is E—Explode (critical)!

"Bangbi Aita! Don't recklessly unleash your ability…"

Because Bangbi Aita's ability creates a wide‑area explosion, it has already affected many members of the Star Cross Knights, causing countless members to resent her.

"Huh? You can't dodge my attack, what's it got to do with me?"

Bangbi heard this, flicked her beautiful long hair back, and disdainfully said to the assembled Star Cross Knights.

"That bastard…"

In an instant, the other Star Cross members furrowed their brows.

If it weren't for their primary mission today—defeating Shitian Yulong—they would, to some extent, make this brazen Bangbi Aita pay a heavy price…

Compared with the chaotic, uncoordinated Star Cross Knights, Yulong's side kept gaining numbers, and he continuously recorded the abilities of those knights.

At present, aside from a few, he has already discerned everyone present! For those whose abilities he has identified, he chooses to strike proactively…

Yes, those who can no longer provide him any useful intel can exit the field early! With that thought, Yulong drew the Sword of the Victor at his waist, a gift from Huangmu.

"It's over~"

Yulong said that, and in front of the Star Cross Knights he lightly waved his sword; he didn't aim it at anyone nor intend to hit anyone, merely standing there and slashing at the air…

"Is this guy crazy?!"

Yulong's behavior left every Star Cross Knight present stunned; they looked at him in confusion, murmuring to themselves.

The moment their words fell, the first victim appeared…

"Swish!"

Accompanied by a slash of blood, the Holy Script I‑Iron (steel) granted a truly steel body, turning even the city of Binzhou into steel; under Shitian Yulong's Sword of the Victor, a huge wound was cut across its chest, and it collapsed onto the ground.

"You're kidding, right? That steel city was defeated by a single slash?"

In an instant, the pupils of the Star Cross Knights flickered sharply.

If judged solely on offensive power, the steel city ranks low among them, even bottom‑tier; but in terms of defense, possessing both blood‑free armor and steel, calling it the strongest among them isn't an overstatement…

"Pfft…"

Yet this was only the beginning; as Yulong kept swinging his Sword of the Victor, the Star Cross Knights before him collapsed one after another.

"Is this guy a monster?"

"And his sword never actually touches us, yet why does each slash land on us perfectly?!"

Their faces showed confusion, but none could reverse Yulong's assault! In less than a moment, the knights unfamiliar with his abilities were already lying on the ground.

"Heal them…"

Yulong, watching the fully shattered Star Cross Knights, ordered an Eradicator beside him, then sheathed his sword into its scabbard at his waist and left without turning his head.

"Damn!"

For a moment, only those Star Cross members who had never fully grasped Yulong's abilities and had been utterly defeated by him lay on the ground, shouting in frustration.

Meanwhile, inside the palace.

"Your Majesty, Shitian Yulong has crushed all the trouble‑making Star Cross Knights!"

Hasiwode relayed Yulong's victory report to Youhabah.

"Understood!"

Youha gave no comment; his expression showed no surprise at all.

If Yulong didn't possess enough power to crush those ordinary Star Cross Knights, how could he become the crown prince of the Formless Empire?!

"Then, next…"

Youhabah's gaze has never been on the interior of the Formless Empire; to Youha, the whole Formless Empire is his feeding ground, and whatever happens doesn't matter! In the end it will become his object of holy distinction, a stepping stone for his ascent! Once Youha gathers all the Eradicator forces of the Formless Empire into himself, he is confident he will become the strongest existence in the Three Realms.

Yet the only person who keeps Youha constantly on edge in the Three Realms is one individual: Huangmu, who stole his Eradicator power~

"Huangmu, you're far too weak!"

You were betrayed by your own disciple, yet you act as if covering your ears and ringing a false bell, patching the hole in the Guard Court Thirteen Squad and then letting it go unresolved~

You still cling to the old feelings between you and that treacherous disciple! Hoping that your disciple will reform and return to the Soul Society to help you?!

You are downright foolish! Have you even forgotten the principle that a single act of disloyalty warrants lifelong abandonment? If it were you a thousand years ago, you would already have stormed the Void Circle and snapped that rogue disciple's head off, right? Huangmu, you have become weak…

You Ha Ba He suddenly felt a surge of frustration, as if the iron refused to become steel…

If the result of his thousand‑year‑long vengeance were to end with his overwhelming victory, it would only make him feel utterly bored.

But when You Ha Ba He looked at the waning Yuan Liu Zhai and at Huangmu, who after becoming General Captain had grown timid, hesitating over every detail and no longer striking ruthlessly, an endless disappointment rose in his heart.

No wonder even Shi Tian Yu Long would leave you and come looking for me…

You have already disappointed far too many people, Huangmu!

You Ha Ba He gently shook his head; at that moment he needed no omniscience to see his and Huangmu's future. He will crush Huangmu and Huangmu's Guard Court Thirteen Squad with overwhelming force.

Just as You Ha Ba He thought he was on a roll…

He Qi Yi Hu, feeling confident…

was chatting while sitting with Geng Mu Jian Ba in a huge meteor crater.

He Qi Yi Hu patted Geng Mu's shoulder and teased, "Jian Ba, don't mind it! You're already powerful; you're just a bit short of me~"

……

Geng Mu Jian Ba heard that but ignored Ichigo. Losing to Ichigo in a single move is a fact; a loss is a loss. When the chance comes, he'll take back what he lost today…

The time's about right; I should return to the Present World!

Then, Jian Ba, let's meet again if there's a chance~

Ichigo finished speaking, ignored Geng Mu Jian Ba, and headed straight for the gathering point Huangmu had mentioned. With Huangmu's help, they would return to the Present World.

Of course that isn't the main point; the main point is that school is about to start, yet he still hasn't written the summer‑term report the teacher assigned.

Ichigo isn't taking the report seriously; once most of the class has finished, he'll just borrow a copy and that'll be fine~

Everyone's arrived…

When He Qi Yi Hu arrived at the departure point on time, he saw Huangmu already waiting there, along with Jing Shang Zhi Ji and Cha Du Tai Hu.

Yo, Uncle Huangmu, as the General Captain of the Guard Court Thirteen Squad, you're so busy every day yet you came personally to see us off; honestly, it makes me a bit embarrassed~

He Qi Yi Hu seemed not to have expected Huangmu to value them so much.

And on the day they leave the Soul Society, he would personally come to the Interdimensional Gate to see them off. That consideration warmed He Qi Yi Hu's heart and moved him…

These are what I should be doing…

Huangmu heard that and gave a faint smile.

In Huangmu's view, escorting the legendary Child of Destiny is nothing…

Especially, he's a multi‑functional Child of Destiny! In battle he can contend with You Ha Ba He, and at crucial moments he can directly substitute You Ha Ba He, being fashioned as a wedge that upholds the Three Realms~

No matter how you look at it, as the Soul King's substitute, He Qi Yi Hu deserves his personal send‑off~

Strange, where's Shi Tian Yu Long?!

He Qi Yi Hu stood before the Interdimensional Gate, glanced left and right, and with a hint of puzzlement looked at Huangmu, asking.

Shi Tian Yu Long has already set off ahead…

Huangmu gave Ichigo a gentle smile and answered truthfully.

Yes, Huangmu was speaking the truth; Yu Long indeed left first, but he didn't head to the Present World—he went to the Formless Empire. Huangmu didn't elaborate further to He Qi Yi Hu; anyway, even if he said, Ichigo wouldn't hear clearly…

That Yu Long fellow…

He Qi Yi Hu heard that, his eye twitching slightly; he despises misfits the most.

He Qi Yi Hu! Jing Shang Zhi Ji and Cha Du Tai Hu…

At that moment, several Shinigami rushed toward He Qi Yi Hu and the others.

The arrivals were none other than A San Jing Lian Ci, Xiu Mu Lu Qi Ya, Ban Mu Yi Jiao, Lan Sai Chuan Gong Qin, and Ri Fan Gu Dong Shi Lang, who, together with He Qi Yi Hu, headed to the Soul King Palace—people with deep bonds to him~

As for Ba Qian Liu, who also went to the Soul King Palace, some matters delayed him, so he couldn't make it~

Lu Qi Ya, Lian Ci, Yi Jiao, Gong Qin, and Dong Shi Lang~

He Qi Yi Hu looked at the arrivals, his expression tinged with excitement.

"Call me Captain Ri Fan Gu!"

Dong Shi Lang heard that, his eye twitching slightly; he looked at He Qi Yi Hu and firmly corrected his way of addressing him~

"Haha, alright Dong Shi Lang, got it Dong Shi Lang~"

He Qi Yi Hu heard that and smiled at Dong Shi Lang.

"You guy…"

Dong Shi Lang stared at He Qi Yi Hu, countless veins bulging on his forehead.

"If you have something to say, say it quickly! Time's short…"

While everyone was chit‑chatting, Huangmu stepped beside them and whispered.

"General? General Captain, you actually came…"

"We understand! General Captain…"

After Huangmu spoke, the others finally noticed his arrival; admiring his concealment of power, they nodded repeatedly.

"In short, He Qi Yi Hu, take good care of yourself!"

Lu Qi Ya looked at He Qi Yi Hu and said solemnly.

"He Qi Yi Hu, thanks for handling Lu Qi Ya's affairs!"

Lian Ci looked at He Qi Yi Hu and spoke earnestly.

"He Qi Yi Hu! I heard you beat Captain Geng Mu; can we train together sometime?"

Yi Jiao, brimming with fighting spirit, hopes to duel He Qi Yi Hu.

"Ichigo! Don't forget what you promised me..."

Rìfāngǔ crossed his arms in front and said to Ichigo gravely.

"Orihime and Tàihǔ, you both must be careful~"

"Especially Orihime, if you get the chance, be sure to return to the Soul Society and visit me~"

"If you find the Human World boring, remember to give me a heads‑up, and then just kill yourself! I'll go to the Human World myself and bring you back to the Soul Society~"

While everyone gathered around Ichigo, only Yumichika stood alone, addressing Orihime and Tàihǔ, giving them instructions. Yet whatever he said sounded rather ominous.

"Th‑thank you for your kindness..."

Orihime and Tàihǔ exchanged a glance, then nodded at Yumichika. After that they had nothing more to say; they knew Yumichika meant well, but why on earth was he urging someone to commit suicide?!

"That's all, we're leaving now!"

Orihime and Tàihǔ said that and moved to Ichigo's side.

"Alright then, if you get the chance, you must come to the Human World and have fun~"

"I'll do my best to entertain you, Uncle Araki included, I'll entertain them too!"

After Ichigo finished speaking, he led Orihime and Tàihǔ onto the road back to the Human World. When the three passed through Araki's prepared Dimensional Gate, the gleaming door merged instantly and vanished before everyone's eyes.

"Alright, go back~"

Araki said, addressing everyone present.

"At your command!"

As Araki's words ended, the gathered Soul Reapers promptly bowed respectfully.

"Hmm..."

Araki heard that, let out a soft sigh, and then, like a fading phantom, disappeared from the sight of those present.

"It feels like Captain Araki's power can no longer be explained by Soul Reaper abilities! It's as if he's on a completely different plane than us..."

Renji watched Araki's departing figure and muttered to himself.

"Nonsense! Captain Araki is the strongest Soul Reaper in the history of the Soul Society! He's even stronger than Captain Kuchiki, so of course he's on a different plane than us..."

Ichikaku heard that and gave Renji's head a hard pat.

"Ichikaku‑san, that hurts, you know?"

Renji covered his head and complained to Ichikaku.

"Enough chatter..."

Ichikaku, too lazy to speak further, walked away.

"Leaving, leaving~"

Yumichika watched Ichikaku leave and followed suit.

As for Rìfāngǔ, he had already chosen to leave the moment Araki departed.

For a moment, at the place used to see Ichigo off, only Renji and Rukia remained...

"Want to go have a drink together?!"

Renji scratched his cheek and asked Rukia.

"No, I still have to be on duty! After all, I'm the Vice‑Captain now~"

Rukia proudly pointed to the badge on her upper arm that symbolizes the Vice‑Captain of Squad 13, and told Renji.

"Got it, got it..."

"Who isn't a Vice‑Captain?!"

Renji heard that and said helplessly.

"Hahaha..."

But Rukia, seeing Renji's expression, burst out laughing.

"Damn, they're teasing me again..."

Renji looked at the laughing Rukia and said helplessly.

On the other side...

Not long after Ichigo Kurosaki and his group passed through the Rift, they saw a continuously flashing light ahead! After Ichigo's party passed through the light, they saw Urahara Kisuke and the others, including Wakizashi.

"Welcome back, Ichigo~"

Urahara Kisuke looked at the arriving Ichigo, fanned himself with a small fan, smiled, and greeted Ichigo~

"Yo, Urahara Kisuke! We've already rescued Rukia, and we've also uncovered the mastermind who directly harmed you, so you're no longer a criminal~"

Ichigo looked at Urahara Kisuke and said with a smile.

"You've worked hard, Ichigo~"

Urahara Kisuke gave a gentle smile after Ichigo's words, then nodded.

"Urahara Kisuke, are you heading back to the Soul Society now?"

"I heard the Captain say he's promoting you~"

Then Ichigo seemed to recall something and asked Urahara.

"No! As for the promotion, I plan to postpone it..."

"The matter with Aizen hasn't been fully resolved yet~"

"The Hōgyoku Aizen wields is a very dangerous thing~"

"If we just leave it alone, it will bring a massive disaster to the Three Realms!"

Urahara Kisuke listened to Ichigo's words and gently shook his head.

It's not that Urahara Kisuke refuses to return to the Soul Society; rather, he currently has even more important matters to attend to in the Human World...

"Alright~"

Heiqi Yigu doesn't really care about that; he's super powerful now, right?!

Whether it's Lan Ran or anyone else, he is confident he can defeat them all! Even the invincible Gengmu Jianba has already become his defeated subordinate, though neither of them has a Bankai...

"Sigh..."

Pu Yuan Xizhu looked at Heiqi Yigu's completely unruffled demeanor and sighed helplessly.

Heiqi Yigu is fine in every way except his ears are a bit deaf, and as his strength grows he becomes a bit reckless, plus he lacks a sense of tension...

Well, thinking that way, Heiqi Yigu does have quite a few flaws.

Never mind, stop thinking about it; if the sky falls, a tall person will hold it up~

At present, Pu Yuan Xizhu is no longer the top one in the Present World~

In this Present World, the strongest fighter is naturally Heiqi Yigu~

"Thinking it over, this actually isn't bad~"

Pu Yuan Xizhu said, scratching his own cheek.

Pu Yuan didn't expect that he would one day get to hug someone else's thigh~

Can't deny, the feeling of hugging a thigh is really delightful~

Since Heiqi Yigu returned to the Present World...

He immediately entered the summer‑vacation phase that a first‑year high school student should have.

He would arrange outings with Zhi Ji and Tai Hu to watch movies, go to the beach, or have a picnic~

In short, his life was very carefree~

While Heiqi Yigu was having fun, there were places he couldn't see...

The Present World, the Soul Society, the Void Circle.

In the Pure Spirit Court, the Formless Empire, and Thus line: Xu ye gong.

Countless darkness is stirring...

Then, a few weeks later...

Heiqi Yigu's summer vacation ended completely, and he immediately returned to the colorful campus life. At that moment, Yigu seemed to have forgotten his Soul Reaper identity...

On the first day of school, Heiqi Yigu finally met Shi Tian Yu Long.

In response, Heiqi Yigu walked up to Shi Tian and greeted, "Yu Long, why didn't you tell us that day and just left on your own?! I even went to your house later, but your uncle and aunt said you hadn't returned home, which worried me for a while~"

"Don't talk to me at school, Heiqi Yigu..."

Who would have thought, after hearing Yigu's words, Yu Long first gently nudged his nearsighted glasses on his nose bridge, then looked at Yigu with obvious irritation and said.

"Ha?!"

Yu Long's words left Yigu dumbfounded; he stood there, his gaze at Yu Long filled with a hint of bewilderment.

"..."

However, Yu Long merely turned his head away and no longer looked at Yigu.

"Yu Long, that guy..."

Yigu watched the head‑turned Yu Long, his expression tinged with doubt.

Nevertheless, Yigu didn't think further, just returned to his seat and ignored Yu Long, making things boring for himself~

It was only that Yigu's eyes kept glancing toward the front‑row Yu Long.

Even though Yigu didn't know what had happened to Yu Long, he was still curious about Yu Long's change~

Time flew. The pleasant classroom moments passed swiftly as Yigu's mind wandered.

In the afternoon, after school, Yigu originally planned to confront Yu Long for clarification.

Unfortunately, Yu Long had no intention of paying Yigu any heed; the moment the school bell rang, he slung his backpack and went home...

"What the heck is this guy doing?"

Heiqi Yigu felt a bit irritated, yet helpless.

After he got home and shared a warm meal with his parents and two sisters, he returned to his room to start today's studies~

As he studied, Heiqi Yigu recalled Yu Long's abnormal behavior that morning; he furrowed his brows, then shook his head: "Forget it, never mind! Whatever that guy turns into, it has nothing to do with me!"

Yigu muttered the insincere complaint, then turned off his bedroom light.

In his sleep, Yigu seemed to dream back to the Spirit King Palace, recalling the scenes he saw there.

"Yigu, Heiqi Yigu, save me..."

Faintly, a cry for help reached Yigu's ears.

"Who? Who's calling for help?!"

Yigu furrowed his brows, repeatedly asking where the voice came from.

"I am Yigu! I am..."

The voice was choppy, but Yigu now recognized who the speaker was.

"Zhi Ji?! Wait for me, Zhi Ji, I'm coming to rescue you!"

Yigu shouted inside, flung his eyes open, and without thinking punched the ceiling above his head, shouting, "Wait for me! I'm coming to save you, Zhi Ji!"

Boom!!

Accompanied by a rumble, the ceiling above Yigu was blasted into the sky.

"Yigu! Are you going to go crazy stepping on the floor?"

Without Yigu having time to think further, Heiqi Yixin, wearing death‑overlord armor, had already kicked open Yigu's bedroom door, instinctively unleashed spiritual pressure, and roared at the ceiling‑blasted Yigu.

Drip… drip…

At that moment, the alarm clock beside Yigu suddenly rang.

Yigu then realized it was just a nightmare.

"Ugh! Sorry, Dad! I had a nightmare…"

Yi Hu looked at Hei Qi Yixin, whose eyes were wide open, and gave a wry smile while scratching his slightly long spiky hair.

"I'll deduct it from your pocket money…"

Yixin gave Yi Hu a glance, then looked at the ceiling that had been blown off, sighed helplessly, and said coldly.

"Eh?!"

Yi Hu's complexion changed slightly at the words.

It was at the moment Yixin uttered those words that Yi Hu realized his good days were over and it was time to go out and start working~

Half an hour later…

Because of the nightmare and the subconscious act of blowing the ceiling away, Yi Hu no longer felt like staying home to eat; after a quick wash, he grabbed his backpack, tucked a slice of bread in his mouth, and left home for school.

Yi Hu didn't know why, but the farther he walked, the more uneasy he felt inside.

When Yi Hu arrived at school, the first thing he did in the classroom was shout, "Jingshang, has classmate Jingshang arrived?!"

"Hm?!"

The classmates turned their heads toward Yi Hu upon hearing it.

Yi Hu ignored the stares, furrowed his brows, and walked to the empty seat of Jingshang Zhiji; in that moment, the nightmare in his mind and the future he had seen in the Spirit King Palace were each confirmed by the scene before him…

"Yi Hu! Do you know what happened to Zhiji?!"

"Since yesterday afternoon, she hasn't replied to any of my messages!"

At that moment, Jingshang Zhiji and Yi Hu's friend Long Gui approached Yi Hu; she held the phone through which she had sent many messages to Zhiji and asked Yi Hu.

"This is…"

Yi Hu glanced at Long Gui's phone; every message was unread.

"Zhiji might be in trouble!"

Yi Hu's eyes flashed with a sharp hue, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

"Yi Hu, go find Pu Yuan Xizhu! He might know what happened…"

At this point, Shidi Yulong, who had been silent, stepped forward to Yi Hu.

Yulong could have ignored Yi Hu due to his mission, but he couldn't watch Zhiji get dragged into the power struggle without acting…

"I understand!"

Yi Hu knew Yulong was right; the only person who could help now was probably Pu Yuan Xizhu, and only he might know what actually happened to Zhiji last night…

Thus…

"Long Gui, help me ask the teacher for leave; I'm going to find Zhiji…"

Yi Hu didn't wait for the teacher to arrive; he greeted Long Gui and then ran out of the classroom.

"Hey! Yi Hu, can you do it alone?!"

Long Gui watched Yi Hu sprint out, showing no intention to stop him, but instead asked whether he needed help.

"Having Yulong and Tai Hu help me is enough!"

"Long Gui, focus on your class!"

Yi Hu heard that, replied softly, and left without looking back.

"Sigh…"

As for Yulong and Tai Hu, whom Yi Hu had mentioned, they first sighed helplessly, then immediately chased after Yi Hu, sprinting outward.

A few minutes later, Pu Yuan Shop.

"Mr. Pu Yuan, do you know exactly what happened yesterday?!"

Yi Hu went straight to the shop and faced the solemn Pu Yuan Xizhu, who seemed to be tinkering with some device, and asked.

"It seems you already know…"

Pu Yuan looked at Yi Hu, his expression tinged with seriousness.

"Mr. Pu Yuan, you indeed know what happened yesterday…"

"Please tell me quickly! Zhiji has disappeared…"

Yi Hu stared at Pu Yuan Xizhu anxiously and said.

"It was Lanzan's Broken Face that took Jingshang Zhiji to the Void Circle…"

Pu Yuan Xizhu, sensing Yi Hu's anxiety, spoke seriously.

"Lanzan? Broken Face?"

Yi Hu's expression flickered slightly in surprise.

"Sorry, the reason Lanzan could take Zhiji is that he used my technology! He employed the cloak I invented that shields spiritual pressure, dispatched three powerful Broken Faces, and silently whisked Jingshang Zhiji away. If I hadn't just upgraded my radar for detecting spiritual pressure yesterday, I wouldn't have been able to discover what actually happened that night…"

Pu Yuan Xizhu looked at Yi Hu and explained in a low voice.

"No! This isn't your fault; it's all my mistake…"

"Damn! I clearly got a warning, and you, Mr. Pu Yuan, reminded me, so why couldn't I detect it?!"

"I was still smug about my strength, thinking I could protect anyone! I'm so disappointing…"

Yi Hu's defenses shattered, and he fell to his knees, powerless.

Yi Hu hadn't expected the slap in the face to come so quickly~

At the same time, Yi Hu felt utterly helpless; he had already seen the future in the Spirit King Palace with the Spirit King's power, and then received a reminder from Pu Yuan Xizhu…

Last night he even had a precognitive dream of Jingshang Zhiji being taken; despite these three warnings, he still couldn't change her fate of being abducted, and she would still endure those terrible events. He suddenly felt how useless he truly was…

If even with greater strength he still can't alter everyone's tragic destiny, then what is the point of having that power!?

"Yi Hu…"

Pu Yuan looked at the severely shaken Yi Hu, feeling a bit helpless.

If Yi Hu knows nothing at all, Zhi Ji being kidnapped wouldn't be a big deal!

But the problem is, Yi Hu already knows everything, yet he still couldn't change Zhi Ji's fate of being kidnapped, which feels terrible, completely breaking his defenses…

"Pu Yuan Xi Zhu, I'm going to the Void Circle; I'm going to save Zhi Ji!"

After Yi Hu's brief break, he immediately steadied his mind, rose from the ground, looked at Pu Yuan Xi Zhu, and spoke earnestly.

"Fine!"

Pu Yuan Xi Zhu met Yi Hu's intensely serious gaze, and after a moment he nodded vigorously, knowing he could not stop Yi Hu from rescuing Zhi Ji!

Even though Pu Yuan knows this is all Lan Ran's scheme—Lan Ran deliberately sent Yi Hu to the Void Circle—he cannot stop the man's decision…

On the other side, the Void Circle.

Within the Xu ye gong where Lan Ran resides…

"Welcome to my world, Zhi Ji~"

Lan Ran, having removed his glasses and slicked his hair back, with a faint smile on his face, sat high upon the throne, gazing at the three—Wu Er Qi Ao La, Ge Li Mu Qiao, and Ya Mi—who had brought back Jing Shang Zhi Ji, and gave a slight smile.

"I've seen you, Master Lan Ran~"

After delivering Zhi Ji, Wu Er Qi Ao La and the others immediately knelt on one knee before Lan Ran.

"……"

Only Zhi Ji stood alone, her face solemn as she stared at Lan Ran on the high seat.

"Don't be nervous! I have no ill intent…"

Lan Ran, seated on the throne, gave Zhi Ji a faint smile.

"You brought me here for Hei Qi, right?"

Although Zhi Ji is clearly a weak woman, she is extraordinarily resolute; she faces Lan Ran without fear, calmly questioning him.

"Exactly…"

Lan Ran was momentarily stunned, apparently not expecting Zhi Ji to be so forceful, but he quickly shook his head and answered Zhi Ji with a smile.

"I will not help you; I will never aid you in harming Hei Qi."

Zhi Ji said to Lan Ran, solemnly.

"How audacious! A mere human dares to speak to Master Lan Ran like that!"

"Do you want to die here, woman?!"

Before Lan Ran could speak, the Great Voids guarding him spoke first.

"……"

Zhi Ji felt the hostile gazes and the overwhelming spiritual pressure far stronger than hers, and her complexion shifted repeatedly.

"Hehe~"

In response, Lan Ran simply waved his hand, smiling to signal the Great Voids to be quiet.

"I need no assistance from you, Zhi Ji~"

Lan Ran said, and in front of Zhi Ji, he unbuttoned his collar.

On Lan Ran's pale chest, a jewel emitting a soft blue light flashed—undoubtedly the Shattered Jade, already fused with Lan Ran!

"How could…"

Zhi Ji looked at Lan Ran's chest, her pupils narrowing slightly.

"You and Yi Hu, with Teacher Huang Mu's help, went to the Spirit King Palace and saw part of the future, right?! In that future, you need to help me break the seal Pu Yuan Xi Zhu placed on the Shattered Jade, correct?"

Lan Ran took in Zhi Ji's expression fully, then spoke calmly.

"Why…"

Zhi Ji was stunned; she couldn't understand why Lan Ran knew these things.

"You're wondering why I know these secrets, and how I could merge with the Shattered Jade without any of your help, right?!"

"Still don't get it? From the start, it was the Shattered Jade that chose me, not the other way around! It needed me, not I needed it…"

"When I reached the Shinigami limit and sought further breakthrough, the Shattered Jade told me how to create it; when Pu Yuan Xi Zhu finished the other half of the Shattered Jade, it also told me that Pu Yuan succeeded…"

"Likewise, after I obtained Pu Yuan Xi Zhu's half of the Shattered Jade, it broke the seal on its own, merged before my eyes, and fully fused with me! All of this was the Shattered Jade's own will…"

"As for the things you're puzzled about—undoubtedly, the Shattered Jade told me! Indeed, just as you think, I have surpassed my own future! I have surpassed the Spirit King's designed future! I will stand above the heavens…"

Lan Ran looked at the puzzled Zhi Ji and, with an exceptionally calm tone, laid out all the matters that confused her. As his words fell, each sentence made Zhi Ji's complexion grow paler, until by the time Lan Ran finished his final sentence, Zhi Ji was panicking, sitting on the floor of the Xu ye gong.

"Zhi Ji, it's cooler on the floor, but sitting on the seat is better~"

"Don't worry! I won't lay a hand on Yi Hu…"

"After all, I've invested so much in him; I can't just watch him be destroyed by my own hand! When I ascend to the heavens, in this manifested world, there will be a place for you, and for Hei Qi Yi Hu…"

Lan Ran looked at the fallen Zhi Ji, gently comforted her with a sentence, then continued speaking to himself.

"Why are you doing this?!"

Zhi Ji lifted her head, looking at Lan Ran in confusion, and asked.

"Is that so? Why?"

"Perhaps you've stared at the sky's empty window for too long and want to change something? Humans yearn for the heavens—do they need a reason? Zhi Ji…"

Lan Ran's expression remained calm; he seemed to control everything.

"……"

Zhi Ji fell silent; she found Lan Ran's words seemed reasonable.

Zhi Ji suddenly became frightened; she didn't dare to continue speaking with Lan Ran, fearing that if she kept conversing, Lan Ran would persuade her~

"Alright, let everything follow my predetermined script, begin~"

After Lan Ran finished speaking, he gave a signal to the Great Voids nearby.

The few Broken Ones instantly rose, approached Zhi Ji, helped the fallen Zhi Ji to her feet, and then proceeded toward the room Lan Ran had long prepared for Zhi Ji.

Kurosaki Ichigo, I have been waiting for your arrival~

After Orihime left, the screen in front of Aizen suddenly lit up…

In the picture, Ichigo, dressed in Death Titan armor and carrying twin swords, was urging Urahara; he seemed impatient, as if he wanted to go to Hueco Mundo to find Aizen.

"Then, from now on, let us seize the pass to the sky!"

"Even if Araki‑sensei refuses to take me to the Royal Palace, I have my own way to reach the Royal Palace! All of this is bound to happen~"

Aizen said, his gaze passing through the Ichigo on the screen toward the Karakura Town behind Ichigo! According to ancient spells recorded in the Soul Society, as long as one finds the Heavy Spirit Land in the living world, one can forge the key to the Royal Palace—the King Key!

"Congratulations, Lord Aizen!"

As Aizen's words fell, the Great Hollows surrounding him all rushed to congratulate Aizen!

At this moment, every Great Hollow sincerely submitted to Aizen…

At this moment, everything seemed already under Aizen's control.

Only Aizen failed to notice that within the Hōgyoku fused in his chest, the ever‑shimmering glow was revealing a faint trace of glass‑colored radiance~

Yes, from the start the Hōgyoku did not, of its own will, choose Sosuke Aizen! Rather, under Araki's will, the Hōgyoku chose Sosuke Aizen~

Even after the Hōgyoku merged with Aizen of its own accord, accelerating at a geometric rate to make Aizen stronger, it was still under Araki's influence…

"Soul Society".

"Division 1" captain's quarters~

Just as Aizen has been watching Kurosaki Ichigo, Araki is also watching Aizen.

Araki watched the video, where the confident, seemingly all‑controlling Aizen smiled faintly, and Araki whispered, "My dear good disciple, Sosuke~ since when did you start thinking the Hōgyoku is yours, this boring delusion?"

15,000, big chapter~

(End of chapter)