Chapter 72: Nobles: The moment the word

"Don't clash head‑on with them! Bringing the comrades' corpses back is the most important thing…"

"One more thing, you must never underestimate these Death Gods; His Majesty Bai Legang has said their strength is great."

Leading this group of Ayqiu Kas is a big void that, compared with the others, appears rather petite, bearing a few panda‑like features, and its dark circles under the eyes are very conspicuous.

At this moment, this petite big void is issuing orders to the surrounding sub‑voids…

"Hahaha, Diheyela, your nerve is far too small! At this rate, how can you be Lord Bai Legang's first battle general?!"

As the big void finished speaking, a portion of the Ayqiu Kas responded with mockery; among them, a Ayqiu Ka that resembled some kind of mantis mocked the big void the most, perhaps all mantis‑form big voids possess a powerful self‑destructive ability.

"…"

The Ayqiu Ka named Diheyela, upon hearing that, took no action, as if accustomed to everyone's mockery.

"Tsk~" This made the Ayqiu Ka mocking Diheyela furious, and he continued shouting at Diheyela: "Watch me, I'll show you how I eliminate these Death Gods, and after this battle, make sure you obediently vacate the spot beneath your rear for me!"

After saying that, the Ayqiu Ka rushed straight toward Mao Zhi Hua Lie…

"Idiot! You actually chose the strongest…"

"Fine then, at least you can die a bit faster!"

Diheyela silently watched the target the big void had selected, his gaze tinged with disdain.

"Woman! Die for me!"

At the same time, the Ayqiu Ka who defied Diheyela had already charged to the front of Mao Zhi Hua Lie; he raised his arms, which resembled a scythe, and swung them forcefully down at Mao Zhi Hua Lie.

"Swish!"

However, when the big void believed its deadly scythe had slammed toward Mao Zhi Hua, only a whooshing sound rang out and nothing else happened.

"Hm?!"

This left the big void, which intended to use Mao Zhi Hua as a sacrificial banner, completely stunned in place.

"Tick‑tock, tick‑tock, tick‑tock…"

Immediately after, the big void seemed to hear the sound of dripping water, and at the same time he smelled a sharp, pungent scent of blood.

In response, the mantis‑form big void looked up at its own arms and saw that its arms had vanished at some point, replaced by severed limbs continuously oozing fresh blood.

"Ah!!"

The big void let out a mournful howl, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"How could this be?!"

But before he could finish speaking, his head spun and flew up into the sky.

"Next…"

Mao Zhi Hua let the blood on the blade fall, his expression cold as he glanced at the other Ayqiu Kas.

"Um…"

The Ayqiu Kas tasked with encircling Mao Zhi Hua staggered back under the pressure; the Mao Zhi Hua before them felt like their big void king Bai Legang, imposing an overwhelming sense of oppression.

"Remember to bring that idiot's corpse back as well…"

At this moment, the squad leader Diheyela pointed at the Ayqiu Ka on the ground slain by Mao Zhi Hua's blade, speaking calmly. It was as if the one who just died were not Diheyela's comrade or opponent, but merely a common insect…

"Are you the strongest among them?"

Mao Zhi Hua also noticed Diheyela at this point and asked coldly.

"No…"

Diheyela said, retreating behind the cluster of big voids.

Since the top three generals under Bai Legang had all perished, he suddenly attained enlightenment…

In this cut‑throat world, 'empty fame' holds no meaning; staying alive is all that matters.

"Looks like it's you!"

Mao Zhi Hua merely gave a light smile; the Zanpoka in her hand was covered with a crimson glow, as if endless blood was gathering onto the blade.

In an instant, a red slash cut toward Diheyela…

"You're going to die!"

Diheyela saw the slash and instantly knew he would die, yet he was unperturbed, because he stood behind his other comrades.

"Swish!"

While Diheyela's two companions were still stunned, the blood light already pierced through their bodies…

"What?!"

The two sub‑voids froze in expression, and before they could speak, their bodies split in two.

"Shameless!"

Mao Zhi Hua saw the Zanpoka in her hand flash with blood light again.

"Thanks for the compliment! But I won't fight you; I'm not interested in suicide…"

Diheyela watched the red glow on the Zanpoka's blade in Mao Zhi Hua's hand; he knew that once the red light flashed, death was certain, and he had always possessed a clear understanding of his own strength.

"Hm?!"

Just as Mao Zhi Hua was about to deliver her second slash, she suddenly shifted expression, halted, and stepped back.

"Boom!"

The next second, the spot where Mao Zhi Hua had stood was instantly blown into a scarlet void‑flash wasteland.

"Kilian?!"

Mao Zhi Hua turned her head and saw the Kilian, previously only known to wander aimlessly in the Great Void Forest, now seemingly endowed with some intelligence; they ignored the ordinary squad members around them, opening massive blood‑filled maws and directing void‑flashes toward Mao Zhi Hua and the other captains.

"So that's it… As an Ayqiu Ka, do you possess the ability to control the Kilian?"

Mao Zhi Hua glanced at Diheyela, her brows slightly furrowed.

"Not entirely…"

Dehiyela shook his head at the news; he had no intention of explaining anything to the Shinigami.

"Report to the whole squad…"

"We must be careful with these Akiukas; among them, some seem to possess the ability to control Kilian."

"Or perhaps all Akiukas have this strange ability…"

Mao Zhihua did not hesitate and immediately used the Sky‑Piercing Rope to notify the entire squad.

"Much obliged…"

When the Captains heard about the suspected ability of the Akiukas, their expressions all changed.

"Boom!!"

However, the Void Flashes would not cease; shot after shot, they continuously disrupted the Captains' battle!

In a one‑on‑one scenario, 'Immortal' and the others could easily slay any Akiuka here, but this is not an even fight; currently several Akiukas, leading a horde of Kilian, are besieging the Captains one by one…

In this situation, even a certain Six‑Wheeler would have been dead long ago; even the original Gotei 13 felt somewhat strained…

For a moment, the Captains' situation all seemed rather grim.

"Don't retreat! Brothers, follow me and slay these Kilian, buying time for the Captains!"

Originally, the ordinary soldiers had planned to retreat because of the Akiukas' arrival, but at this moment they summoned courage; they are members of the original Eleven Division, and seeing the Captains under attack, how could they choose to run away?!

At this moment, the pride in their hearts outweighed the instinctual fear!

"Charge! Fei Chemaru!"

"Dance! Xue Mei!"

"Stand firm! Jun Zhu!"

One after another, the soldiers unleashed astonishing power at this life‑or‑death moment, successfully releasing the Zanpakuto in their hands.

"Die!!"

The soldiers brandished their now transformed Zanpakuto, attacking the Kilian one after another.

"Roar!!"

Amid a series of explosions, the Kilian that was gathering Void Flashes let out a wail and collapsed to the ground.

"It's a success!"

For a moment, the Eleven Division soldiers raised their Zanpakuto and shouted excitedly.

"Thank you for your help; now it's our turn to act!"

After these Akiukas lost the Kilian's Void Flash support, they were at a disadvantage, especially on the battlefield where Mao Zhihua stood; the whole scene turned into a wave of defeat, and after a few flashes of cold light, aside from Dehiyela, who fled carrying a companion's corpse, the other Great Voids all perished…

As for the Akiukas besieging the other Captains, after witnessing the power of these Captain‑level Shinigami, they also planned to flee! Although there was no disgraceful scene like the one where the 'A‑voids' faced Hua Jie, where all but the sub‑captain fell, carelessness against a Captain‑level Shinigami's Bankai still caused a mid‑rank Great Void to collapse on the spot…

"Run!"

For a moment, all the Akiukas had one thought: to run away carrying their companion's corpse.

"We won! We won…"

When the soldiers watched the Akiukas fleeing in disorder, they waved their Zanpakuto, shouting excitedly; some hoarse their voices, others seemed overly hysterical, releasing the pent‑up emotions in their chests—a form of catharsis for them.

"Victory? It's only just begun…"

"Many soldiers still don't know the name of their Zanpakuto, unable to achieve the initial release! It seems my pressure wasn't enough! Or perhaps I'm too lazy."

Araki stood above, watching the cheering crowd, silently contemplating.

As the captain of these Eleven Division soldiers, Araki naturally bore responsibility for their lives; adhering to the principle of squeezing everything out of death as long as one isn't dead, he intended to keep applying pressure!

After all, now the effort produces sweat, but when truly facing the enemy, it will be blood! With that in mind, Araki decided it was time to organize ordinary soldiers and attempt to hunt down the Akiukas!

In response, the Eleven Division soldiers praised Araki: "Captain Araki, you truly are our beloved captain!"

If the nobles of the Jingling Court heard Araki's thoughts now, they would pat his shoulder and say, "Oh! Our friend Captain Araki, you are the true noble! Compared to you, our methods toward the low‑born of Yuxun Street are still too gentle…"

(End of Chapter)