Death God: Starting from Refining Essence into Qi

Soon, it was the turn of the self-introduction session for the seemingly refined Eighth Division Captain, Shikatori Hakuryuu. A single braid swayed behind her, and her thick-rimmed round glasses slid down to the tip of her nose.

She adjusted her glasses and said softly, "Captain of the 8th Division, Shikatori Hakunsai. His Shikai is a long-handled naginata, and he excels in melee combat."

Her tone was soft and gentle, but everyone knew that the Zanpakuto best reflected the soul of a Shinigami. Her quiet appearance was undoubtedly just a facade; if an enemy truly believed her appearance, they would surely be cut in two by her long-handled naginata.

The ninth person to step out of the line was a bald man. He was stocky, with small, round glasses perched on his nose, a scar above his left eye, and two rows of gilded teeth visible through his lipless mouth: "Captain of the Ninth Division, Hisami Ente. Believes in justice upheld through violence."

His face was contorted, as if his lips had been torn off and his teeth broken and then replaced with gold teeth; his glasses obscured his eyes.

At the 10th Division's position, a figure always stood at the very edge of the formation, half a step away from the captains on either side, like a shadow standing alone outside the crowd. Wang Tuchuan Yu Xuji lightly touched the edge of his straw hat with his fingertips, the movement as light as a fallen leaf brushing across the surface of water, his long black hair hanging down from the brim of the hat, concealing all his expressions.

He spoke in that indifferent, unwavering tone, as if he were reading aloud: "Tenth Division, Wang Tuchuan Yuxuqi."

As soon as he finished speaking, he looked away, returning his gaze to the booklet in his hands, as if the self-introduction was merely a trivial formality. In his world, everyone else was an outsider, a traveler on life's journey, and no one could understand his inner thoughts.

The eleventh woman to step forward was stunningly beautiful, with skin as white as snow and long, jet-black hair cascading down her back. A perfectly gentle smile played on her lips, and her eyes were soft and graceful. However, deep within her narrow eyes lay a chilling, bloodthirsty glint etched into her very bones.

Especially when she's introducing herself and staring at you, she looks even more like a female ghost. Xuan thought to himself.

"Captain of the Eleventh Division, Unohana Yachiru." Her voice was deep, magnetic, and filled with coldness. "She is knowledgeable in all kinds of sword styles and proficient in combat techniques. If any of you wish to spar, I am always ready to meet you."

She joined this team solely to seek out the strong and engage in exhilarating battles. The reward for killing or the current Gotei ethos were unimportant; fighting and slaughter were her eternal obsession.

The moment the words left her lips, a sharp gaze suddenly locked onto Unohana.

Saito tilted his head slightly, his eyes quickly glancing at Gen beside him. He blinked his left eye subtly, the movement extremely light and fleeting.

Xuan keenly caught the subtle glance, turned his head to look at her, his gaze calm and unwavering, waiting for her next move.

He knew that this seemingly crazy and arrogant girl, although meticulous and thoughtful, had long been unable to suppress her competitive spirit and fighting will.

The ceremony is still ongoing.

Zenjoji Yubin from the 12th Division stepped forward. Her burly and bulky body exuded a strong sense of oppression. The bright red noble patterns on her face were as dazzling as if they had been painted on. Two thin braids hung down behind her.

In reality, nobles don't usually paint their faces with aristocratic markings; it's just that it fits the Twelfth Division's attire. Gen seemed to hallucinate the voluptuous Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

He wore a maniacal smile, his hands twirling a human skull. The skull's surface was polished smooth and shiny, its color resembling amber, clearly indicating that he had been handling it for countless years.

Zenjouji Yubin's stubby fingers moved in alternating positions, the pads of his fingers rubbing against the top of his head, making a soft rustling sound. He squeezed out a few words from his throat: "Captain of the 12th Division, Zenjouji Yubin. Specializes in hand-to-hand combat."

It is concise and to the point, without any unnecessary elaboration.

The 13th Division's Rebellious Soldier, with his hunched and withered body, suddenly broke out in a violent cough, his chest heaving and trembling, as if he would burn out of energy at any moment.

His withered knuckles gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his cloudy old eyes barely lifting as his hoarse, broken voice strained to get through: "Captain of the 13th Division, Reikotsu Saizo. My Zanpakuto is quite powerful, and I've overdrawn it, hence this state. I usually don't use it anymore, so don't make things difficult for an old man like me."

Looking at the emaciated old man, Xuan felt he resembled a moving mummy. Since the man specifically mentioned during his introduction that his appearance was caused by his Zanpakuto, it was unlikely to be far from the truth. A Zanpakuto with such severe side effects must unleash astonishing power when unleashed without restraint. Xuan secretly remembered this man, deciding to be cautious in his interactions.

After all thirteen people had introduced themselves, a moment of deathly silence fell over the hall. Everyone straightened their posture, their spiritual pressure receding and dormant, awaiting Yamamoto to continue presiding over the meeting. Unexpectedly, beneath the calm, a sudden change was about to occur.

Clang—!

A crisp, sharp sound of a sword being drawn suddenly shattered the silence of the hall. A cold light, accompanied by purple lightning, exploded, and the stone slabs on the ground were shaken open by the burst of lightning, with stone chips trembling in the air.

Saito's Zanpakuto was already in Shikai. The fact that he could Shikai without chanting the release incantation meant that this Shinigami had mastered Bankai. However, this didn't surprise anyone present, because everyone except Gen had reached the third level of Reiki. Looking at the history of Soul Society, it seems no one had ever mastered Bankai at the third level of Reiki.

Saito gripped his Zanpakuto, Shiden, his figure suddenly becoming ethereal. He unleashed his Shunpo technique, charging straight towards Unohana Yachiru without uttering a word. Lightning crackled around the blade, not as an external attack, but as a concentrated enhancement to its edge, causing its sharpness to surge. His attack was resolute and fierce, showing no mercy.

The entire arena erupted in uproar. Thirteen powerful spiritual pressures surged forth one after another, tearing apart the stagnant air with sharp shockwaves. Each captain's reaction was true to their nature, displaying a diverse range of emotions.

Shihouin Senhi, who had been crossing her arms, suddenly loosened them, her right hand instinctively resting on the short blade at her waist, her short silver hair whipping backward by the gust of air.

A smile curved his lips, his bronze skin gleaming coldly in the lightning, and he inwardly admired him. He saw through Saito's deliberate provocation and did not intend to intervene, but merely watched the farce with a cold eye, while secretly assessing the combat strength of everyone present, his spiritual power already poised to be unleashed.

Yan Yuanjin remained with his arms crossed, his eyes behind his tinted glasses slightly narrowed. His gaze wasn't fixed on the charging Saito, but rather precisely locked onto all her escape routes. His brain rapidly calculated Saito's movement and attack trajectories. He had no intention of intervening; he simply observed calmly, confirming that Saito's target was quite clear and unrelated to him.

Shijima Chigiri's thin shoulders tucked inward, and her already somewhat hunched back became even more stooped. Her right hand rested on the hilt of her sword, using the bending of her body to conceal the direction of her Zanpakuto.

Judging from Saito's swift and fierce attack, and the intense fighting spirit emanating from Unohana Yachiru, she deduced that the outcome would likely be quite tragic. Shishima Chigiri didn't unleash her Zanpakuto, because she judged that its healing abilities would probably be unnecessary.

Danjiro Obana subconsciously took a step forward, his hand instantly pressing down on the blue hilt of his Zanpakuto at his waist, his thick, dark brown eyebrows furrowing.

He disapproved of the reckless act of choosing to fight privately before the ceremony was over, but he understood the source of Saito's murderous intent towards Unohana.

After hearing that Unohana had attacked Gen, Obana Danjiro wanted to turn against Unohana, but he still needed to rely on the organization to earn money to support a large group of rogues.

A conflicted look flashed across Obana Danjiro's eyes. He didn't want the order of the Gotei 13 ceremony to break down and end badly, but he also didn't want to cooperate with Unohana to kill Saito on the spot. His knuckles turned white from the force, and he was already secretly preparing to plead for Saito's life.

With a pale and desolate expression, Shi Zhiwu took a few steps back without making a sound, moving away from the place where the battle was about to break out.

Shikatori Hakunsai's innocent smile vanished instantly as she pondered which side to stand on. After a brief moment of thought, she took a few steps back, but by then her Zanpakuto had already been released, transforming into a long-handled naginata taller than a person.

Hisamune Yantetsu grinned, his exposed gold teeth gleaming coldly in the firelight, and a rough, low laugh echoed through the silent hall. He gripped his iron mace tightly with both hands, the blades rubbing together with a dull, grating sound, his muscles tense, his violent desires plainly exposed.

He didn't care about winning or losing; he only hoped that the fight between the two would be quick and not fatal, so that he would have the opportunity to interrogate the unjust criminal and enjoy the thrill of shattering bones.

Wang Tuchuan and Yu Xuji remained standing in the same spot, not moving an inch. He pulled down his straw hat, burying his face in the shadows, as if this sudden life-or-death conflict was a world away from him.

Unohana Yachiru remained standing in place, her Zanpakuto already drawn, her body stretched out in a defensive stance.

The bloodthirsty fighting spirit deep within her eyes burned even brighter, her fingertips trembling slightly—a primal reaction of extreme excitement. She waited patiently for the blade to approach, her heart filled with anticipation, yearning for a fierce battle with her opponent, to savor the pure thrill of carnage.

Xuan frowned slightly, and sighed softly to himself.

Saito is straightforward and impulsive in his actions, but he is also sensitive and meticulous. At this moment, the main hall is surrounded by powerful figures. The thirteen captains are all top-tier combatants who have fought their way out of the chaos. There is absolutely no possibility of killing Unohana if they launch an attack in public.

Through this surprise attack, she openly expressed her hostility, showcasing the formidable speed and penetrating power of lightning; at the same time, she deliberately cultivated a persona of being easily angered, reckless, and shallow-minded, lowering the guard of others and allowing her to most directly understand the situation.

In a split second, Gen understood all the considerations. The current situation was dangerous; if anyone deliberately intervened to suppress him, Saito could easily be surrounded.

If someone were to suddenly attack Saito, it could result in serious injury. Kido alone wouldn't be enough to reliably protect her. Without further hesitation, Xuan subtly exerted force at his fingertips, spiritual energy surging along his arm and concealing itself in his sleeve. Invisible spiritual particles slowly condensed, secretly activating Shikai. Dark golden patterns appeared on his forearm, Zhenyuan poised to unleash Kido at any moment.

Just then, an even more powerful and scorching spiritual pressure suddenly suppressed the entire area, crushing all restless energy.

boom!

Crimson flames suddenly erupted out of nowhere, and scorching heat swept through the entire hall. Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni held the burning blade in his palm; Ryujin Jakka had fully awakened.

Flames erupted from the blade, blindingly bright, distorting and shimmering the air around it, sending waves of scorching heat crashing over you. The intense heat exploded in an instant.

In an instant, Xuan felt his skin burning hot, could smell the burnt smell coming from his hair, and his lips were chapped, but the wound did not bleed.

This was the first time Gen had ever seen Ryujin Jakka, the strongest fire-type Zanpakuto in Soul Society history, with his own eyes. It was said to have the surface temperature of the sun—about 5,500 degrees Celsius. Only by being there in person, facing Ryujin Jakka directly, could one truly feel the awe-inspiring sight of facing the blazing sun as depicted in the image.

Wu Gang took a few steps back, moving away from his original position. The spot where he had been standing had been covered with small ice crystals due to the cold air. These ice crystals on the ground did not have time to melt and instead vaporized and dissipated into the air.

The towering flames transformed into a thick, scorching barrier of fire, lying between Saito and Unohana, blocking all attacks.

The purple-haired girl, who was rushing forward, stopped abruptly, the tip of her blade only three inches from the barrier of fire. The purple lightning wrapped around the blade had already collided with the crimson flames, and the color of the flames that the electric arc touched instantly turned into a dazzling blue-white, accompanied by a series of crackling sounds.

Yamamoto's face was cold and stern, the cross-shaped scar across his neck standing out even more in the firelight. His eyes and brows were devoid of any emotion, and his deep voice, carrying an undeniable and absolute authority, resounded throughout the hall: "Today is the official establishment day of the Gotei 13. Private duels are prohibited during the ceremony."

He looked up at Saito, whose face showed resentment, and said in a cold, hard tone, without the slightest hint of backing down: "If you crave a fight, then hold back for now. After the ceremony, I will personally accompany you."

The flames blazed fiercely, and the oppressive aura was heavy. This was the absolute deterrent of the strongest Shinigami in Soul Society, an absolute and inviolable ironclad order constructed from pure violence.

Saito gripped the hilt of her sword tightly, lightning flashing and arcing across the blade. She stared intently at Unohana, who was clearly annoyed by being blocked behind the barrier of flames, her purple eyes revealing no emotion. After a long silence, Saito let out a cold snort and abruptly sheathed her sword.

The lightning subsided, the restless spiritual energy on the purple lightning gradually calmed down, and only flames remained burning fiercely inside the hall.

As Yamamoto Genryusai sheathed his sword, the flames, having lost their source of existence, gradually dissipated, leaving behind a lingering scorching heat and a faint, burnt smell.

Inside the main hall, Xuan used [Binding Technique 76 - Northern Sea Incline] to extinguish the fire.

In simple terms, first, focus your spirit and guide your ancestral energy back to the Liver Palace, circulating it nine times to strengthen the Wood element. Then, circulate it to the Crimson Palace to generate Heart Fire, circulating it three times to make the Fire flourish. Next, use this Fire to generate Earth, Earth to generate Metal, and Metal to generate Water, circulating it seven times to make the Water element flourish. Finally, use this Water to overcome Fire, circulating it five times to completely extinguish the Fire.

This method originated from Bai Yuchan's Yin Hai Rain-Making Technique, and Xuan's placement of it at such a high position was not arbitrary. In his "Annotations on the Song of the Mysterious Pearl," Bai Yuchan explicitly criticized the practice of seeking divine intervention from external sources: "Seeking divine intervention from external sources is not about understanding the principles; it's like offering wine and food to the gods in vain, dissipating true energy, and rendering external deities ineffective."

This is the first Taoist practice that doesn't rely on deities but uses one's own inner elixir to summon wind and rain; therefore, it demands a very high level of cultivation. Of course, we need to set aside the fact that Bai Yuchan was already a celestial being for now.

Using the moisture that Ryujin Jakka had just evaporated into the air, the effect of [Binding Spell No. 76 - Northern Ocean Inclined] was even better, with its power approaching that of a captain-level spell. It instantly extinguished the still-burning main hall, and the temperature returned to normal.

Executioner Naiwu Gang looked at Xuan, forced out a somewhat frightening smile, and nodded his thanks.

Gen's move not only demonstrated his strength in support of Saito, but also eased the somewhat delicate situation currently faced by the Gotei 13.

The thirteen captains returned to their positions, each with a different expression. No one spoke, and an undercurrent surged beneath the silence.

A sudden attack with drawn swords was forcefully stopped by the captain, while Xuan skillfully deflected the attack.

The noise subsides, but the game of strategy remains hidden.

"Therefore, this concludes the first meeting of the captains of the Gotei 13. Further matters will be discussed at tomorrow's captains' meeting. Meeting adjourned."

In 991 AD, a new chapter for the Gotei 13 began to unfold amidst the tense atmosphere of impending battles and hidden dangers.