Chapter 70

Great Hollow Forest (Great Void Forest)

In the pitch‑black Great Void Forest, one after another, towering lower‑rank Great Voids as tall as buildings, clad in black robes and wearing long‑nosed masks, let out instinctive roars at the Shinigami who were sneaking in.

Even though the Kilian are merely unintelligent beasts, they still instinctively strike back at dangerous things…

When the Kilian discovered that the Shinigami squad had a strong enemy, Araki, mixed in, each of them opened their huge mouths and began gathering spirit particles within their bodies.

"Bad! It's a Void Flash! Everyone, watch your defenses!"

The troops of the Eleventh Squad, facing those Kilian that opened their blood‑plate mouths and began gathering that crimson flash, suddenly broke out in countless fine beads of sweat on their foreheads…

The Void Flash of the Great Void is extremely powerful, comparable to the high‑level necromancy used by top‑ranked officers skilled in ghost arts or deputy‑captain‑level Shinigami; even a captain‑rank Shinigami could be wounded by it through a single lapse.

In fact, the troops of the Void Circle Expeditionary Force lost their first campaign against the Great Void Forest because every one of them underestimated the power of the Void Flash.

Hollow Circle Expedition Army (Hollow Circle Expedition Army)

Araki naturally also noticed the tense mood of the surrounding troops, and with a wave of his hand he released his Zanpakuto.

For a moment, crystal‑blue light illuminated the heavens and earth, and sword after sword of light formed from condensed spirit particles stood before the troops.

Counter-Demon Mutual Killing (Counter-Demon Mutual Killing)

At the same time, the Hollow Flash gathered by the Gillians was also fired here.

Boom!

After Huangmu's light rain collided with the Hollow Flash from the Gillians' mouths, accompanied by a dispersing shockwave, the energy of the two was neutralized as if by a miracle.

If there were an expert in the demon way at this moment, they would surely exclaim that Huangmu had actually applied the 'Reverse Ghost Mutual Killing' technique to the extent of neutralizing a Grand Hollow's Hollow Flash—this is simply inconceivable...

However, Huangmu, who can briefly see the future and possesses the ability to command spirit particles, happens to be able to do so.

What is this?!

As the energy was neutralized, all the Soul Reaper soldiers froze in place; it was the first time they knew that Hollow Flash could be destroyed in this way.

Don't space out! Attack these Grand Hollows immediately!

Huangmu did not further attack the Gillians, but instead issued orders to the soldiers of the Eleventh Division, after all, he came to train troops, not to farm points……

Yes, sir!

Upon hearing this, the Soul Reaper soldiers immediately drew their Soul-Cutting Swords from their waists and slashed at each Gillian that, having released its Hollow Flash, was now in a 'weakened period'.

Swish!

Accompanied by one flash of cold light after another, the Gillians that appeared to the Soul Reaper soldiers as invincibly strong instantly collapsed to the ground.

Dead?! The Gillians were killed by us……

For a moment, the Soul Reaper soldiers stared at their blood-stained Soul-Cutting Swords, dumbfounded; it turned out that killing a Gillian was so simple that, from today on, hunting Grand Hollows was no longer the 'privilege' of captain-level Soul Reapers—even their swords could kill a Grand Hollow, and a Grand Hollow would die as soon as it was cut.

Whoosh!

Just as these soldiers were dazed, another flash of light came shooting toward them.

The Grand Hollows wouldn't stupidly wait for these soldiers to have an epiphany; while the Soul Reaper soldiers were dazed, the next round of Hollow Flashes was already ready……

Run!

A keen-eyed Soul Reaper soldier saw what was happening and shouted nervously to his comrades nearby, but it was already too late.

What?!

By the time everyone reacted, that flash had already been fired; from then on they could only watch as the scarlet light drew ever closer, gradually illuminating their faces, until a strip of white feathered robe blocked them……

The newcomer was naturally Huangmu!

Captain, danger—get out of the way!

In an instant, the Soul Reaper soldiers all panicked; they would rather be blown into mud by a Hollow Flash than let their captain suffer even the slightest injury while saving them.

Danger?

Huangmu, hearing this, extended his left hand toward the Hollow Flash.

Then, before everyone's eyes, he intercepted one Hollow Flash after another!

Yes, those Hollow Flashes hung in midair as if they had been paused by a video player's pause button.

Ah……

The soldiers stared at the scene before them, dumbfounded; they simply could not comprehend what had happened.

However, what still astonished the Soul Reaper soldiers was that Huangmu simply reached up and seized the suspended scarlet flashes in the sky, gathering one Hollow Flash after another released by the Gillians into a big ball, and then, in the manner of a bowling ball, threw it back at the Grand Hollows.

Boom!

As a fluffy mushroom cloud bloomed, the Gillian that had ambushed them was instantly blown to fragments by its own Hollow Flash and flung into the sky.

Whoa!!

Not long after, scarlet rain suddenly began to fall from the sky.

Meanwhile, Huangmu had already opened an umbrella made of spirit particles.

The word 'danger' is meant for you to hear, and for those Grand Hollows that have seen me.

Huangmu, holding the umbrella with one hand, educated the Soul Reaper soldiers before him.

Understood!

At this moment, the Soul Reaper soldiers felt a mix of emotions; they found it laughable that they themselves, just reminded by Captain Huangmu to head toward 'danger,' were foolish, yet they admired Huangmu's strength, and they also felt especially fortunate and proud that their Eleventh Division could have such a powerful captain as Huangmu.

Don't stop your steps, and don't put down the swords you're waving……

Keep moving forward! Cut through anything that blocks your advance, yet slay any enemy that stands in your way!

Huangmu said, extending a finger, pointing out the direction of advance for the soldiers of the Eleventh Division.

We understand!

The Soul Reaper soldiers looked toward the direction Huangmu pointed, clenched their teeth, and resolved to press on.

Restore! Glazed Light!

Feeling the Soul Reaper soldiers' strong will, Huangmu smiled slightly and changed the release command for Glazed Light.

In an instant, a light drizzle began to fall from the sky as Araki's Zanpakuto was released…

The gentle whisper brushed each soldier's weary body; as the rain slid off them, it carried away all fatigue, restoring the Shinigami soldiers to optimal condition.

"Now, let's keep moving forward!"

After restoring his soldiers' condition, Araki gave a faint smile.

"Oh!!"

For a moment, the soldiers of Team Eleven seemed as if they had been injected with adrenaline, brandishing their Zanpakuto and charging forward.

"Want to rest? That's absolutely impossible!"

"Resting is just a waste of time; luckily his Zanpakuto has the ability to heal the body…"

As for Araki's so‑called "996" from his previous life, before he became a leader he was furious about it; after he fully "merged" into the leadership tier, he regarded it as a complete joke…

"Just a mere '996', who does that level of intensity look down upon? It doesn't even deserve the name 'blessing'! Anyone who wants to 'work' under him must maintain a perfect state twenty‑four hours a day, seven days a week!"

Araki watched the adrenaline‑fueled Shinigami soldiers with a slight smile; after a hundred years of endless battle, even a pig could take off now~

"What? You've fought for a hundred years and you're still a pig? Get out of Team Eleven right now! Our combat squad doesn't need such trash Shinigami…"

The battle continued.

When the Shinigami of Team Eleven became "tireless" and "unafraid of death", acting like living weapons, repeatedly performing "swinging the sword", "chopping", "healing" on the battlefield, and then returning to fight again, they finally mastered the trick to deal with "Kilian".

"Footprints of Kilian spotted in the forest to the left, three of them, about three hundred meters from us!"

The reconnaissance team reported the gathered intelligence to the Officer.

"Good! According to our previous plan…"

"First squad, prepare the bait!"

"Second squad, be ready to evacuate the wounded at any moment…"

"Third squad will strike immediately after the 'Kilian' releases its Void Flash and enters a weakened state, executing a slashing attack on the weakened Kilian!"

An Officer stood behind the soldiers, continuously issuing commands.

"First group in position!"

"Second group in position!"

"Third group in position!"

"Alright, battle commence…"

As the Officer's words fell, the soldiers instantly began their mission.

"Look here, beast!"

Several soldiers with strong mobility and high defense appeared directly within the wandering Kilian's sight, waving at the Kilian.

"Roar!!"

The Kilian emitted a booming sound from its mouth and began to open its mouth to gather a Void Flash.

"Prepare…"

The bait team, watching the Kilian's Void Flash, stayed ready to flee at any moment.

"Boom!!"

As the crimson light finished converging, the Shinigami soldiers immediately used a flash step to leave the battlefield.

In the end, the Kilian's Void Flash struck that patch of forest, causing a violent explosion.

"Now!"

Right after the Kilian released its Void Flash, the Shinigami soldiers who had circled behind it instantly drew their waist‑mounted Zanpakuto and slashed at the three great Voids.

"Swish!"

Accompanied by soaring fresh blood, the three great Voids suddenly fell to the ground.

"We succeeded! We succeeded! This time we didn't involve Captain Araki, yet we defeated the great Void…"

Although there were only three Kilian, and it was the result of the entire Team Eleven, it still excited the soldiers; it was a beginning from zero to something…

"Not bad~"

Araki lightly nodded, acknowledging the tactical success of these Shinigami soldiers.

It was a victory of "wisdom"…

When the Team Eleven soldiers realized Kilian's intelligence was low, they voluntarily split the entire squad into three groups…

The first group consisted of soldiers skilled in "flash step" or "defense"; they had two main tasks: locate the Kilian, and lure the Kilian to attack them.

The second group's mission was to immediately extract any soldiers who failed to dodge the Kilian's attack and hand them over to Araki for treatment…

As for the third group, all its members were powerful Officers who would personally deliver the fatal blow to the Kilian!

Team Eleven made full use of Kilian's simple mind, using its instinct to drive these lower‑rank great Voids to specific locations, then delivering a killing blow!

In fact, at the start the Team Eleven soldiers also made frequent mistakes due to inexperience…

For example, the first group's "bait team" often had members who couldn't fully evade the Void Flash, or underestimated its power and had their defenses shattered by the Kilian…

The second and third groups were similar; the second group's members initially often failed to rescue in time, while the third group often failed to slay the enemy, ending up being counter‑killed…

Araki could only helplessly rescue these soldiers, but after Team Eleven's forces were "all wiped out" about thirty to forty times, the situation changed dramatically.

This Team Eleven seemed to have become familiar with Kilian's movement patterns, gradually and methodically eliminating the Kilian in the forest.

"We have won!"

In an instant, the Team Eleven soldiers cheered wildly, as if they had already conquered the great Void and the entire Great Void Forest, as if the Void Circle expedition was complete…

But how could that be?! If victory were that easy, why would Araki still waste his effort creating that damned "Resurrection Spring" for both sides?! The game has only just begun…

For now the Team Eleven soldiers have only just passed the newbie protection period; the next challenge will be harder!

"Clap clap…"

Araki, who had been applauding his own soldiers, felt a surge of belief and called out toward the distant "Bai Legang".

This is Huang Mu's improved version of the "Tian Ting Kong Luo"; even a Great Void can use it.

"Bai Legang can now dispatch the Aqiu Kas you consider promising!"

Huang Mu's voice rose slowly in Bai Legang's mind.

"I will faithfully follow Lord Huang Mu's command!"

Xu ye gong, seated on the throne, the drowsy Bai Legang suddenly became alert; in his pitch‑black eyes, a strange red light seemed to flicker.

"Very good…"

"The Hot Spring has been built, our troops are fully trained, next we will deploy the hero units."

Huang Mu looked at the joyous Eleven Squad soldiers, a slight smile lifting his mouth.

From now on it will no longer be a battle between ordinary soldiers and Jilian foot soldiers; Death Gods of captain rank, as well as a host of mid‑level and higher Great Voids, will also take the field…

"Hoo~"

As one Aqiu Kas after another, radiating a strange spiritual pressure, entered the Great Void Forest, the Jilians suddenly fell eerily silent.

On the other side, amid countless flashes of cold light, one Jilian after another was sliced into fragments by Immortal, Execution is the Martial Principle, Shan Ding Temple Concubine and others!

When these first‑generation captains are no longer careless, the Jilians' threat to them is essentially nil; they are merely moving targets, breathing minnows…

"Who else? Not a single one capable of fighting!"

Zhai Teng hoisted the blood‑stained Soul‑Cutting Blade, stepped on the long nose of a Jilian corpse, extended her pink Clever Tongue to gently lick her mouth corner; Zhai Teng rose again.

"May I ask, are you the King's enemy?"

Just as Zhai Teng relaxed, a massive shadow suddenly enveloped her head.

"Hm?!"

Zhai Teng instantly widened the distance and looked up, only to see a Great Void resembling a spider, staring coldly at Zhai Teng, speaking human words.

At the same time.

In front of Immortal, Execution is the Martial Principle, Shan Ding Temple Concubine, Zhi Dao Zhiwu, and Ni Gu Cai Cang each appeared one or several Great Voids, whose spiritual pressure far surpassed that of the Jilians.

"Aqiu Kas!"

Almost as soon as the captains saw these forms, unlike the Jilians—some gigantic, some even smaller Great Voids—their hearts instantly found answers.

"Just in time!"

The next second, boundless battle spirit radiated from the first‑generation Thirteenth Squad captains; they are Kill Embryos, after all.

"The good show begins!"

On the other side, Huang Mu, the chief director of the Void Circle, found a spot with a relatively wide view and quietly enjoyed this year's grand spectacle between Death Gods and Great Voids.

(End of chapter)