Chapter 346

17 Precisely because of this, Lin Cheng exchanged for Fuyushiro and Gin from the Bleach World afterward.

The purpose was to have this world adapt in advance to the presence of Shinigami, making them realize that after death, one truly enters the Soul Society.

The Fapingyi Avenue before us will never lack a first; after this, there will inevitably be a second, a third, a fourth…

Within the grand world planned by the "Omniscient and Omnipotent Great Will," there are also the Great Route, Seireitei… and other domains.

When all these worlds are fully connected, lies become reality.

And what lies before us now is the first!

Lin Cheng was deeply eager.

…

It was noon.

Sunlight poured down, shining upon the primeval forest.

Yet even beneath the gentle sunlight, the mist within the forest showed not the slightest sign of dispersing.

Wailing sounds continuously emerged from within the mist; from the direction of the sounds, it was easy to guess that some creature lurked deep within the forest.

Though they had not yet stepped into this piece of another world, the scene before them was enough for everyone to see the forest's abnormality.

Yet even this obvious abnormality could not suppress the desires within their hearts.

Almost simultaneously, as the trembling ended and before Aizen and the others moved, numerous people had already rushed into the forest from all around the primeval woods.

This time, not only had the news of the impending convergence of another world spread, but also the news of the "Great Will's" fragments had reached the world.

Even treasures fiercely contested by denizens of other worlds—those for whom wars had been waged, even though no one knew the power or abilities they contained—had drawn immense attention.

Though the Fapingyi Society had repeatedly warned of danger, it had no effect; in many people's eyes, the Fapingyi Society's actions were meant to monopolize the "Great Will's" fragments.

Thus, under the temptation of the "Great Will's" fragments, these people disregarded all danger in their rush to claim the fragments first.

Yet…

Impulsive actions, lacking rational thought, often bring regrettable consequences.

As soon as they stepped into the forest, before even going far, these people paid a horrific price for their impulsiveness.

Splash—!

Within the gray mist, those who touched it vanished instantly.

Even if they reacted in time and pulled back, the parts of their bodies enveloped by the mist had already disappeared.

Heads, torsos, arms… some had half their bodies swallowed; when they tried to pull away, only half remained.

With half their bodies gone, blood gushed uncontrollably; intestines and eyeballs lay scattered everywhere.

In an instant, the gray forest had been stained with a streak of crimson.

This scene was seen in full by Aizen and his group.

"Ugh~!"

At once, upon witnessing this bloody scene, Lucy crouched on the ground and vomited.

The others were not so extreme, but their faces had turned pale.

Clearly, the sight had shocked them deeply—they had done nothing, merely touched the mist, yet were instantly consumed.

Some had no reaction at all, taken away without a single pang of pain.

"What's going on?!"

"Be careful, don't go in—the mist seems strange!"

"They died without even screaming—this is too eerie."

…

As this strange phenomenon occurred, Aizen's group's original plan faltered; those who had just taken a step forward, seeing the gruesome scene of the others, hastily pulled their feet back.

"This… mist…"

Gazing at the mist before him, the quietest of them all, Gin, seemed to suddenly recall something, lowering his head in thought.

"Mist? Did something happen, Shinigami Lords?"

At the same time, Kira and the others turned their heads toward Gin, asking.

"Hmm!"

Aizen nodded, but his brows were furrowed.

"If I'm not mistaken, this fragment of another world should be the Forest of Mist, and the white fog and wailing sounds are released by Bai Jing, created by the Gluttony Witch."

"Anyone who touches the white mist has their very essence erased—these people died exactly like that."

Here, Aizen fell into thought again, pondering how to deal with the current dilemma.

"Gluttony Witch? Bai Jing?"

Upon hearing these words, everyone's expressions became increasingly solemn.

Though they did not know what the Gluttony Witch was, from the current situation, they could only place their hopes on her.

Moreover, they vaguely remembered the meaning of "witch"—it was said the Monu Sect originally had more than one witch, until they were slaughtered by the Envy Witch.

But regardless, anyone who became a witch must be no ordinary being—this alone could be seen from the mist.

A Bai Jing she created was already so terrifying; her true form must be astonishingly fearsome—then how terrifying must the Envy Witch, who killed the Gluttony Witch, be?

Gradually…

Everyone present now believed Aizen's earlier claim that the Envy Witch had destroyed half the world.

"If you're scared, leave now—your presence will only slow us down. I don't want to have to protect you while fighting."

At this moment, Fuyushiro drew his zanpakutō from behind and stepped forward.

"After all, your strength is too weak."