Chapter 91: Floating Bamboo: The Moment Has Arrived, I Will Unleash

Boom!!

With a roar, the Heaven Pillar Palanquin smoothly arrived at the Front Path of the Spirit King Palace.

Crack~

As the doors of the Heaven Pillar Palanquin opened, Araki, Kirin Si, Ye Yi, Jing Le, Fu Zhu, Shi Tan and Ye Yi's little sidekick Sui Feng all stepped onto the Front Path of the Spirit King Palace.

Welcome~

When the crowd emerged from the Heaven Pillar Palanquin, they were met by a monk blowing a small horn and the Sword God Wang Yue, already waving the flagpole of the Zero Squad.

Yes, the very final…

The monk urgently used the Heavenly Sky Net to halt Araki, retrieved the Heaven Pillar Palanquin that he had hidden, and then threw it to the ground.

After confirming that the monk had dropped the Heaven Pillar Palanquin, Araki abandoned his plan to use the Zhi Bo Cannon to strike the Spirit King Palace from the sky; as Araki extinguished his torch, the Zhi Bo family, who had been trembling in the corner under Araki's intimidation and dared not speak, finally breathed a sigh of relief…

Their Zhi Bo family almost became the most wicked house among the Five Great Noble Houses~

"Is this the Spirit King Palace?!"

"The spirit essence in the atmosphere is so dense! Some weak squad members might even find breathing difficult in such an environment, right?!"

Jing Le was the first to step out of the Heaven Pillar Palanquin onto the Spirit King Palace; the moment he entered the Front Path, his complexion changed instantly, and he felt a weight on his shoulders as if each shoulder bore a mountain…

"Truly worthy of His Majesty the Spirit King's residence; it far exceeds our expectations!"

Fu Zhu walked along the Front Path, fine beads of sweat constantly forming on his forehead, while he sensed something in the higher Spirit King's Inner Palace calling out to him!

Fu Zhu understood that the Spirit King residing in the Spirit King's Inner Palace was resonating from afar with the One-Eyed Great God Mi Mi Haki within him, the Spirit King's right arm…

"Is this the Spirit King Palace?!"

Kong Mi Dai Shi Tan's foot stepped on the ground of the Spirit King Palace, muttering to himself.

"Hahaha! Finally arrived at the Spirit King Palace!"

Ye Yi, hands on hips, generously surveyed the place before her—still legendary even to the Five Great Noble Houses—and honestly, it was her first time here.

"So heavy! It feels like my body is about to be crushed! Is this where His Majesty the Spirit King lives? It's on a completely different level from where mortals like us reside…"

Just walking the wide Front Path made Sui Feng feel short of breath and dizzy; indeed, for someone whose spiritual pressure barely reaches deputy squad leader level, the Spirit King Palace was still too early a place for her.

"Kirin Si, come with me first. I need to use the Spirit King's power to reforged your body and build a retreat palace for you! As for the others, you'd better stay close behind Wang Yue, avoid places you shouldn't go, and don't touch things you shouldn't. If you break the Spirit King Palace's rules, you'll bear the consequences…"

When the monk saw everyone step down from the Heaven Pillar Palanquin, he first waved at Kirin Si, signaling her to follow him, then turned his gaze to the others.

"In the end, some of you don't even have the qualification to set foot in the Spirit King Palace! And others, though qualified, have come far too early!"

The monk's gaze swept in turn over Sui Feng, Shi Tan, Ye Yi, Fu Zhu, and Jing Le, his words laced with threats toward the crowd.

"Monk, long time no see~"

Just as the monk was asserting the authority of the Zero Squad before Ye Yi and the others, Araki swaggered to the monk's side, hooked his hand around the monk's shoulder, and cheerfully greeted the impostor monk.

"Yo! Araki, it's really been ages! I've missed you so much!"

"Well, that's all I have to say! Just follow the rules yourselves. Kirin Si, I'll wait for you in my retreat palace! I'm off now…"

The moment the monk finished speaking, his figure vanished beside Araki; he was seen sprinting, leaving a fleeting afterimage on the Front Path of the Spirit King Palace, leaping straight toward his own Retreat Hall…

Hmm, the monk didn't even take the stairs this time!

"Hehe~"

Araki chuckled at the fleeing monk, then turned his gaze to his own disciples.

"Ye Yi, Jing Le, Fu Zhu, Shi Tan, you four follow the Sword God to cultivate Bankai!"

"Kirin Si, as the monk said, go to his Retreat Hall to find him! The round platform the monk leapt onto earlier is his Retreat Hall…"

"As for little Sui Feng, just acclimate to the Spirit King Palace here first! All you need to do is move freely along the Front Path during your stay in the Spirit King Palace."

Araki quickly clarified each person's assignment.

"Oh!!"

As Araki's words ended, everyone immediately followed his instructions and began their respective cultivations.

For a moment, only Araki and Sui Feng remained on the Front Path.

"How… embarrassing!"

Sui Feng pressed her lips together, murmuring softly.

She knew that the monk's remark about someone unqualified to enter the Spirit King Palace was referring to her, and she also knew that compared to herself, both Lord Ye Yi and Araki's other disciples were true geniuses, whereas she might just be a stray dog Araki whimsically picked up.

"What's so shameful?"

Araki, hearing Sui Feng's words, plopped down and looked at little Sui Feng, asking.

"Compared to Lord Ye Yi, I'm truly inferior! Even though Lord Ye Yi is much younger than me, she shines so brightly, so powerful…"

Sui Feng watched Araki's pursed lips and spoke dejectedly.

"Because Ye Yi's strength is great, she is your Lord Ye Yi~"

Araki whispered to Sui Feng.

"Eh?!"

Sui Feng was startled for a moment, but it seemed indeed to be the case.

"Moreover, you're only a seventh or eighth generation heir; even seven or eight generations combined might not produce a rising minor noble as prominent as the first generation of the Four Maple Courtyard. Having a child as outstanding as you is already rare!"

"As for Shi Tan, Jing Le, Fu Zhu and their families, they're far older than your Bee lineage's inheritance!"

Araki patted Sui Feng's little head, laughing as he spoke.

"The Kong Mi Dai family, which stands on par with the Four Maple Courtyard, and the upper‑rank noble Jing Le family that inherits a martial bloodline—let's set those aside! I recall the Fu Zhu surname is also a newly risen lower‑rank noble, right?!"

Sui Feng looked at Araki with resentment.

"Well, maybe it's a genetic mutation? You know, genius is random; perhaps your Bee descendants could also produce a strong genius…" Araki concealed the secret of the Spirit King's right hand inside Fu Zhu, and left half a sentence unsaid to Sui Feng, "For example, your granddaughter Bee Shaoyang is a fairly strong genius!"

"Alright, keep training on your own! I need to go up and check on the others' cultivation…"

After speaking, Araki pinched Sui Feng's delicate, porcelain‑like face, then stood, brushed dust from his clothes, and walked forward.

Our Bee Clan's descendants could also give birth to powerful geniuses?!

Sui Feng stayed where she was, carefully pondering Huangmu's words, then her face flushed red as she shouted in the direction he left: "You pervert! Is your mind filled only with such filthy things?!"

The reason powerful families stay powerful is that they follow their plans meticulously, from 'marriage partners' to 'raising offspring'! So their geniuses appear as numerous as cow hairs.

Huangmu didn't even turn his head upon hearing that, merely waving a hand at little Sui Feng behind him, while leaving her a sentence.

The reason powerful families stay powerful is that they follow their plans meticulously, from 'marriage partners' to 'raising offspring'.

After hearing Huangmu's words, Sui Feng's eyes lit up with a sharp gleam, as if deep in thought.

On another note…

Look up at your heads—don't you see three discs resembling pot lids? Those are the detached palaces of we Zero Division members; above them stands a spire-like structure, which is the resting palace of the Spirit King, called the 'Spirit King's Great Inner Palace'! As for the place we stand now, its name is the 'Spirit King's Omotesando', the corridor connecting each detached palace to the Great Inner Palace.

'Sword God' Er Meiwu Wang Yue continually explained the structure of the Spirit King Palace to those behind him: 'Night One', 'Jing Le', 'Fu Zhu', and 'Shi Tan'.

The Zero Division members' detached palaces? There are three of them!

Could it be that, aside from the bearded monk just now and yourself, the Zero Division members have anyone else?

'Jing Le', 'Fu Zhu', and 'Shi Tan' each noticed the number of detached palaces in the sky; having previously seen the monk and 'Wang Yue', they instantly grew curious about another Zero Division member.

Oh? Didn't Huangmu tell you that?

Upon this, Wang Yue gave a strange look to Jing Le and the others behind him.

Tell us what, then?!

Hearing that, Jing Le and the others became even more bewildered.

'Hehe...' Wang Yue chuckled lightly, then answered the question before him: 'Actually, Huangmu is also a member of the Zero Division.'

Huh?!

Hearing that, Jing Le and the others instantly showed shocked expressions.

'Teacher Huangmu, isn't he the captain of the Eleventh Division of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads?'

Fu Zhu asked instinctively.

'Haha, that counts as a side job, right?!'

Wang Yue laughed embarrassedly, not knowing how to explain, so he just used the two words 'side job' to gloss over the fact that Huangmu simultaneously holds positions in the Zero Division and as captain of the Eleventh Division.

No wonder; when Teacher Huangmu first met me, he said he never puts the Central Forty-Six in his eyes, which makes everything make sense.

At this moment, Shi Tan also showed an expression of realization; the Central Forty-Six cannot control the Zero Division's Royal Family Special Agents.

Hehehe...

I happen to know Teacher Huangmu's true identity, you know~

Teacher Huangmu told me that, you know!

As I thought, I'm the senior sister after all!

At that moment, Four Maple Court Night One placed her hands on her hips and smiled triumphantly!

Yes, she knows Huangmu's true identity, but it wasn't Huangmu who told her; it was Tian Shilang of the Qilin Temple who said so……

Tsk~

Hehe...

After hearing Four Maple Court Night One's words, Jing Le and Shi Tan both rolled their eyes in disdain.

Only Fu Zhu raised his thumb and shouted at Night One: 'Truly worthy of Night One, senior sister! It's just different—simply the epitome for us all!'

Hahaha...

Or rather, little Fu Zhu, you understand me!

Upon hearing that, Night One, who is less than half Fu Zhu's age, burst out laughing and, feigning maturity, patted Fu Zhu on the shoulder.

What the senior sister said is right~

In response, Fu Zhu merely kept echoing Night One's words.

Just as several people were chatting, everyone had already arrived in front of the luxurious club next to the detached palace of Sword God Wang Yue.

So then...

Give it your all in front of me, the creator of this Soul-Cutting Sword, and communicate your own swords!

I will keep my eyes on you, and you will each achieve your Complete Release!

Wang Yue looked at the four people before him and spoke loudly.

Question!

Before Wang Yue could finish speaking, Ye Yi was the first to reach out her hand to him.

Ask away!

Wang Yue nodded at Ye Yi.

What if we can't learn the name of the Soul-Cutting Sword's Complete Release?!

Ye Yi voiced the question on everyone's mind.

Huh? You didn't pass the trial to learn the name of the Soul-Cutting Sword's Complete Release, and you still have the nerve to ask me what to do?

Upon hearing that, Wang Yue showed a very displeased expression.

What if it's just a fluke?!

Ye Yi looked at Wang Yue awkwardly; she truly lacked confidence in herself, after all, compared to the Soul-Cutting Sword, she had more faith in her own body technique and spiritual arts.

No 'what if'!

Wang Yue gazed sternly at everyone, a vicious light flashing in his eyes.

If I ever discover that you truly cannot successfully communicate with your own Soul-Cutting Sword to obtain its true name (the name of the Complete Release)! Then I will...

Wang Yue said as he drew the Soul-Cutting Sword from his waist.

Gulp~

As for that, whether it was Jing Le or Fu Zhu or Shi Tan, they all took a step back, nervously watching Wang Yue; only Ye Yi remained motionless on the spot, because her instinct sensed no killing intent from Wang Yue.

I will tell you… the names of your Zanpakutō Bankai~

In the midst of the crowd's panic, Wang Yue released the Zanpakutō in his hand; the sword turned into fireworks that shot up into the sky, and the next second it exploded in a shower of splendid colors across the heavens.

Huh?!

For a moment, everyone froze in place.

What on earth is going on?!

Everyone looked at Wang Yue in confusion and asked.

That sword is called Caihua; it's my failed creation! Because it has absolutely no attacking power, I can't give it to the death gods of the Thirteenth Division, so I can only keep it in my hand as a tool for celebrations!

Oh, if you want it, I'll give it to you! By the way, since that sword has no edge at all, it can't even be used as an ordinary knife; it could at most serve as a makeshift fly swatter…

Since this Caihua sword is incredibly dull! I've decided to forge an 'extremely sharp' sword! Don't you think this proposal is brilliant?!

Upon hearing that, Wang Yue spoke to the four people before him.

No no no! Who asked you about that sword just now?

What we want to know is, how do you know the names of our Zanpakutō Bankai?

After hearing Wang Yue's words, everyone waved their hands and continued to question him.

Oh! So you actually wanted to ask me about this utterly unimportant matter? Honestly, just say so earlier~

Upon hearing that, Wang Yue showed a displeased expression.

No no no, that matter is clearly the most important!

Jing Le and the others looked at Wang Yue, feeling mentally exhausted; they no longer had the energy to criticize the mind of this self-proclaimed Sword God, the creator of all the Zanpakutō of the Guardian Thirteen Divisions.

The names of your Bankai were told to me by a monk! As for how the monk knew, go ask him yourself! But I recall hearing him mention that the moment your Zanpakutō came into your hands, the monk already knew every name of that sword…

Wang Yue rubbed his chin and explained irritably.

All right! Let's start training now!

Having said that, Wang Yue didn't wait for anyone to think further and directly issued the training order.

Is there even a need for training?!

Shi Tan's eyes twitched slightly; so what's the point of our coming here to train? Wouldn't it be enough to just tell each of them the name of their Bankai?!

Shh! Don't make noise…

Your training has already started?!

Wang Yue sat cross-legged, playing with a candle in his hand; with one hand he lit the candle, and with the other he held a small fan, blowing wind toward Shi Tan and the others.

Has the trial begun?

A flicker of confusion crossed Shi Tan's expression.

How? Don't you notice a faint fragrance in the air?

Wang Yue looked at Shi Tan's puzzled expression and gave a light smile.

Huh?!

Upon hearing that, Shi Tan's expression froze slightly; at the instant Wang Yue's words reached his ears, his keen nose indeed detected a strange odor.

Not good!

Shi Tan thought, "Not good," wanting to say something, but as he turned around he discovered that Jing Le, Fu Zhu, and Ye Yi had already collapsed to the ground, fallen asleep.

Damn!

Shi Tan cursed angrily, then with a "plop" fell to the ground.

Well then, everyone, have a nice dream~

Wang Yue looked at everyone who had fainted and showed a faint smile.

Where is this?!

When Shi Tan opened his eyes, he found that everything around him had changed; his world was extremely dark, and at times there were howling gusts of wind.

Chasing shadows in the wind…

Shi Tan's pupils contracted slightly, then his expression turned indifferent as he coldly spoke.

Ah la! You've found me~ I'm an incompetent master!

As Shi Tan's words fell, voices came from all directions toward him.

Turning around to play tricks!

Saying that, Shi Tan drew the Zanpakutō at his waist.

On the other hand…

Hiss! I never expected my Zanpakutō to be such a gorgeous beauty~

I could never bring myself to lay a hand on her like this!

Jing Le gazed at the curvaceous older-sister type before him, showing a hint of distress, and admitted he couldn't bring himself to attack her.

Then let's die together here~

The beauty in a kimono, with an eye patch over her right eye, said that while tightly embracing Jing Le's chest…

The next second, the scene behind them shifted; Jing Le was astonished to discover that he and the beauty before him had somehow fallen into a vast expanse of water…

We will die together here in love; then you will experience death and be reborn! Afterwards, please engrave my name firmly in your heart—my name is Huatian Kuangu Hei…

Probably Jing Le is the person among everyone who has progressed most smoothly in Bankai training.

Bastard! Bastard!

In Ye Yi's inner world, a creature about the size of a dark night, its body releasing endless thunder and lightning, a cat demon, was locked in combat with Ye Yi; wherever they passed was bombarded by lightning, and for a moment they were at a stalemate.

Why can't you just tell me your name?!

Ye Yi roared at the cat demon.

Meow meow meow~

However, the reply to Yichi was a string of cat-speak!

She, Yichi of the Four Maple Court, had to admit that she didn't understand a single word.

Finally...

Fuchu's inner world was a blank expanse, with only a black giant hand smilingly looking at him.

Lord Mimehaki, long time no see!

Fuchu looked at the robed figure whose head resembled a giant hand, with a pupil in the palm reflecting the 'double eyes', and respectfully bowed and greeted.

Yes, after everyone entered their inner world, what appeared before Fuchu was not the spirit of his Zanpakutō, but the 'One-Eyed Great God,' Mimehaki!

I will fulfill our promise; when you have other goals, I will release the power of the 'God Hang' and completely free you from my body...

Fuchu said as endless black substance welled up from his body.

……

Mimehaki revealed an extremely teasing expression; through Fuchu's eyes he could clearly see the 'Spirit King Palace,' where his exile lay! But that was not Mimehaki's goal; his pupil reflecting the double eyes was looking... at the distant 'Wilderness Tree'!

(End of chapter)