Death God: Starting from Refining Essence into Qi

Seireitei, the residence of the Kidō (demons/spirits).

Xuanjing stood quietly in the corridor, his fingertips lightly brushing over the neat patterns of the Shihaku at his waist. His mind was calm, and his plans were finalized.

He knew from the moment the Gotei 13 was officially established that the catastrophe brought by Yhwach was imminent.

The captains of the original Gotei 13 were the core pillars of the defense against enemies in the chaotic world. Their weaknesses, trump cards, mentality and stance must be thoroughly understood by personally.

Only by working together in advance and building a strong understanding can we unite our efforts and fight the enemy side by side when the big battle comes.

Therefore, he decided to visit each of the original thirteen core members to get to know them and lay the foundation for wartime cooperation in advance.

The first target of the visit was very clear—the captain of the First Division, Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.

This strongest Shinigami in a thousand years, who led the first generation of the Killing Legion, is the absolute foundation of the Gotei 13 and also Gen's mentor when he was taught at the Genji Academy.

From an emotional standpoint, the old bond between teachers and students can better facilitate cooperation between the two organizations; from a rational standpoint, only by first obtaining the approval of the overall captain can subsequent cooperation with the captains of various groups proceed smoothly.

This visit has three hidden purposes:

First, by leveraging the old teacher-student relationship to gently break the ice, Yamamoto's true attitude towards the Kido Clan was tested, the foundation for equal cooperation between the two top forces was established, and the inherent prejudices were broken.

Secondly, both sides will simultaneously detect information on anomalies in the three realms, exchange early warnings, track the source of strange and unfamiliar spiritual pressure, and seize the initiative in dealing with the Quincy invasion.

Thirdly, strive to ensure that the Ghost Path members regularly participate in the Thirteen Squads' border defense, Void Extermination, and patrol duties, completely breaking the pattern of being confined to a corner. This will allow the Shinigami and Ghost Path members of the Thirteen Squads to adapt to each other in advance, hone their wartime synergy, and pave the way for the Ghost Path members to recruit talents, improve their system, and expand their influence in the future.

After carefully reviewing the plan, Xuan no longer hesitated.

He carried an exquisite wooden tea caddy, a rare tea presented as tribute by the Ise family, which perfectly matched Yamamoto's love for the tea ceremony.

This small gift is both a token of my sincerity in visiting you and a solemn apology for leaving school without permission and failing to complete my studies.

With everything in order, Xuan walked straight to the First Division's base.

The First Division's headquarters was solemn and imposing, with two guards standing tall and imposing, strictly adhering to the strict regulations of the top-tier division.

Upon seeing the ghostly robes on Xuan's body, the two, though they had never met this young, powerful ghost master before, could discern his noble status from his demeanor and attire. They immediately greeted him respectfully, saying, "Please stop here, sir. Please state your name and purpose."

"Kido Shugen pays his respects to Captain-Commander Yamamoto."

One guard immediately went inside to report, while the other remained standing guard, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

Xuan couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion.

The Kidoshu and the Gotei 13 are both top-tier combat forces in Seireitei, operating on equal footing but independently. However, the Kidoshu currently remains confined to a remote corner and has yet to gain widespread recognition.

Even the Shinigami guarding the gate of the First Division did not recognize the pattern of the Kido-shu's exclusive haori, which shows that the Shinigami had never heard of or valued the Kido, regarding the Kido-shu as logistical support rather than comrades who could fight alongside them.

This is the biggest constraint at present. If this ingrained perception cannot be reversed, when the great war breaks out, the Kido Sect will find it difficult to coordinate effectively with the Gotei 13, unable to dominate long-range offense and defense, and may even be mistaken for the enemy.

If the Xuanling Ghost Path were to appear prematurely, causing Yhwach to attack the Spirit King's Palace, then the joke would be far too serious.

Therefore, Xuan took the initiative to lower his stance and break the ice first. Although it seemed like he was lowering his standards and losing his equal status, it was actually the safest way to navigate the chaotic world.

He is currently only at the fourth level of spiritual power, and his strength is far inferior to that of a captain-level expert. If he rashly confronts him as an equal, it will only create a balance of power and estrangement, and will not help him to unite against the enemy.

Only by adopting a humble approach to establish relationships and open up channels for collaboration can the Kido sect truly integrate into the Seireitei's core combat force system.

Once the Gotei 13 truly witnesses the power and convenience of the Kido, the day when the Kido followers and the Gotei 13 fight side by side will not be far off.

A moment later, the guard who had delivered the message returned, bowed, and said, "The commander-in-chief requests your presence."

Xuan nodded slightly and followed the Grim Reaper through the corridors. The courtyards were orderly and solemn, exuding a murderous aura, until they finally arrived at the outside of a minimalist wooden house. The Grim Reaper stopped, bowed, and quietly withdrew.

Xuan pushed open the door and entered.

The room was furnished extremely simply, without a trace of luxury. A table, several cushions, and a knife rack—these few items set off the cold, austere atmosphere of the room. Standing in the room were two people: Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni and Sasakibe Chojiro.

At this time, Yamamoto had not yet experienced the gentleness of old age that comes with the passage of a thousand years. His brows and eyes were sharp as knives, and his body was surrounded by a ruthless aura honed by half a lifetime of killing. This was the unique oppressive feeling of the first "Sword Demon," the absolute deterrent of the highest-ranking combat power in the Soul Society.

Genya hadn't seen Chojiro, the chief of the Sasaki clan behind the mountain, for many years. He had shed the naiveté of his Genji Academy days, gaining the competence of a vice-commander-in-chief. His spiritual pressure was restrained and unfathomable, suggesting further improvement.

Xuan stepped forward with steady steps and bowed in greeting.

Chojiro, the head of the Sparrow House, stood behind Yamamoto and returned the greeting to Gen.

Yamamoto remained silent, rising to prepare tea with neat and solemn movements, all done in one smooth motion, without the slightest unnecessary gesture.

Warming the bowl and cleaning the utensils are fundamental procedures in the practice of tea ceremony. Boiling water is poured into a plain white tea bowl, soaking the bowl's walls and thoroughly moistening the tea whisk. Then, the warm water is poured out, and the bowl is carefully wiped with a clean tea towel, leaving not a single watermark—a process of extreme rigor. The tea whisk is gently shaken to remove excess water and then neatly arranged, awaiting the next step.

Next, add the powder. Take two tea scoops of tea powder and sift them finely into a bowl.

Then, the tea is prepared. After pouring in hot water, the wrist is used to stir the tea quickly and repeatedly with a whisk. Within twenty or thirty breaths, a layer of fine white foam is produced, covering the entire bowl. It is flat, fluffy, and does not collapse for a long time.

Finally, he lifted the tea whisk with a swift motion, presented the teacup with both hands, and held the teacup with the front pattern facing the dark side, demonstrating impeccable etiquette and strict adherence to protocol. It's hard to imagine that Yamamoto Shigekuni, known as the "Sword Demon," has such a side to him.

Upon seeing this, Xuan understood. Yamamoto did not show any leniency towards him simply because he was a former disciple who had come to seek peace. Instead, he treated him with the respect due to an equal guest, serving him the most orthodox matcha tea ceremony. This was a silent indication that he acknowledged Xuan's status as the leader of the Kido sect.

Gen had long since shed the initial sense of disorientation and illusion upon entering this world, and had thoroughly recognized the reality of this world. He no longer cared about the details of the world's scenery and customs—therefore, he was no longer surprised by Yamamoto's beloved tea ceremony, or rather, the origin of matcha.

In particular, after his spiritual sense detected that the water used for brewing tea was boiled by Yamamoto using Ryujinjaka.

As a successor of the Taoist sect, Xuan had some knowledge of matcha, so he wouldn't be impolite.

Matcha, formerly known as mocha, is not originally an ordinary tea drink. It originated from the alchemical practices of Taoism during the Wei and Jin dynasties.

In ancient times, Taoist practitioners often ground tea into powder and drank it while practicing alchemy and meditation. This was done to concentrate the mind, improve eyesight, lighten the body, strengthen the body's energy, assist in internal alchemy cultivation, and eliminate distracting thoughts. Therefore, this practice has been passed down for a long time in the Taoist temple's circle of practitioners who practiced celibacy.

Yamamoto, a man of many battles and unwavering resolve, has always preferred simple tea and disliked extravagance. This traditional tea ceremony, seemingly a matter of hospitality, is in fact a way for a battle-hardened individual to cultivate his mind amidst the simplicity of everyday life, a path that ultimately leads to the same goal as the Taoist practice of quiet cultivation.

Xuan composed himself, straightened his posture, and politely replied, "Thank you for the tea."

Then, holding the bowl with the right hand and supporting the bottom with the left, gently rotate it clockwise twice, avoiding the pattern on the front of the teacup, to show humility and respect.

I brought the bowl close to my nose, and the unique, delicate aroma of the tea lingered around me, refreshing and calming.

The first sip is a light sip, savoring the slight bitterness followed by a sweet aftertaste, refreshing and soothing the throat; the second sip is a slow swallow, feeling the fine, delicate froth, cleansing the mind and spirit; the third sip is finished, a soft inhale to show appreciation for the excellent tea and the host's hospitality.

He then lightly rubbed the rim of the bowl with his thumb and forefinger, turned it clockwise twice more, and returned the bowl to face Yamamoto. He bowed and said, "Thank you for your hospitality."

Seeing this, Yamamoto nodded with great satisfaction.

After the formalities were completed, Xuan spoke solemnly, his gentle demeanor from when he was sipping tea vanishing, and he returned to a serious posture: "Student Xuan greets Teacher Yamamoto."

He straightened up, placed the tea canister he carried with him on the tea table, and said in a sincere and earnest tone: "I have come here today to express my gratitude for the teaching and nurturing I received at the Yuanzi Academy in the past, and to apologize for leaving school halfway through my studies and not completing my coursework. I was young and thoughtless back then, and I interrupted my studies without permission and went against the rules of the academy. I hope you will forgive me."

Yamamoto slightly raised his eyelids, his deep gaze fixed on Gen like a sharp blade, slowly sweeping over the Kido-shu haori he wore. His fingertips lightly tapped the table, the dull thud remarkably clear in the quiet room.

He did not accept the apology, nor did he offer any warmth or politeness. His words were sharp and to the core, revealing the scrutiny and insight of a superior: "You have come to our door today, is it really only to apologize to your master? Now that you are in charge of the Ghost Path Sect, directly under the Forty-Six Chambers, on the same level as my Thirteen Guardian Divisions, you do not need to use the teacher-student relationship as a pretext."

Xuan remained calm and composed as he met the scrutiny, clearly distinguishing between public and private matters and speaking logically: "Teacher, please understand. I do indeed have a heart of remorse, and I also have official business to discuss."

"The Ghost Path Clan is well-versed in long-range perception, large-scale reconnaissance, and support tactics, but they lack knowledge of current affairs. We have come here today for two reasons: first, we have a premonition of danger and hope to exchange intelligence with the Gotei 13; second, we earnestly request that we finalize the cooperation regulations between the two sides, so that the Ghost Path Clan can participate in Gotei missions on a regular basis, and the two sides can work together to defend against enemies and safeguard the peace of the Three Realms."

A hint of seriousness appeared in Yamamoto's eyes, and he slowly nodded: "Indeed, I also feel uneasy, as if a storm is brewing."

He changed the subject, his tone becoming fair and cold, without a trace of favoritism: "I witnessed firsthand the water-attribute ghost path you created at the captain's meeting that day. At the fourth level of spiritual power, it can unleash power close to that of a captain, which is indeed extraordinary."

Xuan lowered his eyes slightly, humble and measured: "I have only figured out a method to target the changes in the Death God's spiritual power. I have never forgotten my teacher's teachings on the 'essence of the Death God'."

Yamamoto's tone remained assertive, yet it concealed a barely perceptible hint of approval: "Having spent half my life in battle, I have always firmly believed that Zanpakuto and physical combat are the foundation for a Shinigami's survival in this chaotic world. Now it seems that my vision was too narrow."

Your ability to forge a new path, pushing the Ghost Path to a level of transcending limitations and establishing its own lineage, is sufficient proof that this path also possesses profound potential.

As he finished speaking, Yamamoto's expression returned to its sternness, his eyes filled with the admonition and reprimand of a master. His words were firm and resolute: "Your mastery of Kido is unparalleled among your peers, but your physical strength and foundation in hand-to-hand combat are clearly lacking. In the chaos of war, Kido can be a surprise weapon or a support, but it ultimately cannot withstand a direct catastrophe. The true key to victory is always close-quarters combat and a physique honed through countless trials."

"From now on, I will personally oversee your honing of your fighting techniques, physical training, and efforts to address any weaknesses."

Xuan bowed respectfully and replied, "I will remember your teachings and will diligently study without the slightest slackening."

His eyes remained calm and his mind clear and lucid. Yamamoto's actions were not merely about patiently instructing him, but rather about refining his character and addressing his weaknesses, while simultaneously renewing their teacher-student relationship and deeply binding the Kido Sect and the Gotei 13 together.

The Kidō Sect is newly established and its foundation is still shallow. It is far inferior to the Gotei 13, which have been deeply rooted for many years. In the chaotic world, there is never absolute independence and stability.

Forcibly separating and balancing forces will only deplete internal resources and cause us to miss opportunities to defend against the enemy. By leveraging the bond between teachers and students, and forging a deep connection and interdependence between the two major powers, we can firmly grasp the core fighting force of the Soul Society before the catastrophe arrives.

This is rigorous training, a check and balance arrangement by those in power, and the best solution for survival in chaotic times. Xuanxin, with a clear mind, calmly accepts this challenge and constraint.

Yamamoto Kengen remained composed, knowing he should understand. The stern look in his eyes softened slightly, then his tone shifted, his expression becoming serious again: "Your mind is insightful and your thinking is thorough, far surpassing your peers. But those around you are far less composed than you."

"Saito is immortal."

He uttered the name with a distinctly stern tone: "This child possesses unparalleled talent, yet he is inherently arrogant and unruly, acting recklessly. During the grand ceremony, as the captain of the Sixth Division, he actually drew his sword in public to challenge the Eleventh Division Captain, Unohana Yachiru, completely disregarding rules and the occasion, displaying a deep-seated ferocity and excessive arrogance."

"In peaceful times, youthful arrogance can be tolerated, but now the turmoil in the Soul Society has not yet subsided, and undercurrents are also surging in the human world. Such a proud and willful nature is most likely to make enemies and cause trouble for no reason. Sooner or later, even with unparalleled talent, it will be ruined by recklessness and folly."

Yamamoto looked up at Gen, his gaze carrying a heavy weight of entrustment and advice: "You are on good terms with her, and your character and vision far surpass hers. In the future, you should put more effort into persuading and disciplining her, making her temper her sharpness, temper her rage, and be more cautious in her words and actions."

Gen nodded solemnly: "I understand. I will definitely advise and restrain Saito from time to time in the future, so that he can restrain his temper and act with composure, and not cause trouble for no reason."

Upon receiving the reply, Yamamoto's tone softened completely, shedding all his harshness and sternness, leaving only the wisdom honed through countless battles and the profound meaning of protection in a chaotic world: "Both of you are the core fighting force of Soul Society's future."

Youthful exuberance makes one prone to arrogance and recklessness. However, the way to survive in chaotic times is not through ostentation and domineering behavior, but through concealing one's strengths, being modest, and seeking progress steadily. Cultivating one's character and restraining one's aggressive tendencies is not about suppressing one's nature, but about living longer and going further.

From now on, only by working together with one heart and mind, showing mutual understanding, and uniting our strength to fight the enemy can we safeguard the eternal peace of the Soul Society.