Death God: Starting from Refining Essence into Qi

Having left the First Division, Gen prepared to head to the next division—the Third Division.

Because Gen and the Second Division Captain, Shihouin Senri, have a close personal relationship, they will definitely visit Seireitei frequently in the future to chat and exchange letters. Therefore, Gen will skip Senri and prepare to visit the Third Division Captain, Genroku Ikuhara.

As Xuan Zheng was about to move towards the Third Division's encampment, a calm and orderly spiritual pressure, without the slightest ripple, steadily approached him.

Looking up into the distance, a tall, pine-like figure stood at the end of the corridor. The newcomer wore a standard captain's haori, the fabric perfectly pressed, without a single wrinkle or flaw. His attire was impeccable, his hair neatly combed, not a single stray hair in sight. His features were dignified and solemn, his face perpetually veiled in an icy indifference, devoid of any superfluous emotion, exuding an aura of extreme discipline, restraint, and coldness.

It was none other than the Third Division Captain, Yan Yuanjinle.

Their eyes met, and they nodded to each other in greeting, without the slightest hint of awkwardness or lingering formality.

Xuan understood immediately and stepped aside, clearing a path to the First Division. Yan Yuan Jinle's appearance here likely meant he had something to discuss with Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai. He could talk to Yan Yuan Jinle after that was over.

Unexpectedly, Yan Yuanjinle spoke first: "Great Ghost Daoist, I apologize for disturbing you."

His voice was steady and upright, with regular tones and clear, unbiased words, without a trace of personal emotion.

If Xuan hadn't known beforehand that this man was a top assassin who walked the line between life and death before following Yamamoto Genryusai and taking charge of the Third Division, his calm and composed demeanor would have made people think he was a dutiful and law-abiding steward of the mansion, and they would never have imagined that he had a past full of killing.

Xuan remained calm and slightly raised his hand: "Captain Yan Yuan, please speak."

Yan Yuanjinle's gaze fell on Xuan, his tone flat: "You created your own Ghost Path system, and your understanding of spirit particle manipulation and spiritual power application far surpasses that of ordinary Grim Reapers. I want to know if Ghost Path techniques can be used to develop methods to assist in assassinations?"

Xuan nodded slightly upon hearing this, understanding in his heart. The Third Division specializes in surprise attacks and assassinations, and values ​​the ability to conceal themselves, launch surprise attacks, and escape most closely, so Yan Yuanjin's search for them was not without reason.

Xuan didn't say much. With a wave of his hand, spiritual energy flowed, and the tiny spiritual particles floating around him instantly gathered together, covering his entire body.

【Binding Spell #26: Curved Light】

A transparent spiritual barrier enveloped him, and Xuan's figure vanished instantly, only a hazy afterimage could be seen when he moved.

Yan Yuanjinle's eyes narrowed slightly, and his mind suddenly sharpened.

His spiritual pressure perception far surpassed that of ordinary Shinigami, and his insight was unparalleled. Moreover, he had witnessed Gen's disappearance firsthand. Even so, he could only vaguely catch a glimpse of Gen's remaining faint outline.

Thinking about it this way, for a Shinigami whose spiritual power is below the captain level, it's practically equivalent to invisibility.

A few breaths later, the demonic path dissipated, and the spiritual pressure and the outline of his figure reappeared clearly.

Yan Yuanjinle said solemnly, "This technique has an excellent concealment effect and can be used for pre-battle infiltration and close-range surprise attacks. I wish to cooperate with you. I wonder if this Ghost Path technique is limited to internal training within the Ghost Path Clan, or if it can be opened to the public for members of the Gotei 13 to learn and master?"

"No restrictions are needed." Xuan spoke calmly, his tone peaceful and composed. "I have already communicated and discussed this with the Central 46. [Curved Light] is a low-level basic demonic path with a low entry barrier and wide applicability. All registered members of the Gotei 13 can go to the Demonic Path Training Center to study it."

Yan Yuanjinle's eyes flickered slightly as he secretly memorized these words.

After a moment's thought, Xuan added a supplementary introduction, introducing another Kido technique suitable for covert operations: "Besides Curved Light, there is another low-level Kido technique that can be used as an aid. 【Binding Technique No. 21: Crimson Smoke Escape】, after casting, it can generate a large area of ​​crimson smoke on the spot, which can completely obscure the naked eye's vision and also isolate spiritual pressure perception for a short time. It can be used to escape from the battlefield, to make a roundabout retreat, or to disrupt the situation. I wonder if the Third Division needs this technique?"

To Xuan's surprise, Yan Yuanjinle shook his head slightly and declined without hesitation.

Yan Yuanjinle's attitude was resolute, his tone leaving no room for argument: "The assassination team has no right to retreat. A true assassination mission is a death sentence from the moment the team members receive the order."

Yan Yuan's voice remained calm and even, but his words revealed a deep-seated ruthlessness and obsession: "If the team members knew that there was a way out, they would become lazy and complacent, and would no longer be able to maintain the extreme focus and the do-or-die assassination state."

The desire for luck is the greatest taboo for assassins. This technique would shake the Third Division's killing intent and disrupt the division's rules; the Third Division will never practice it.

These remarks fully revealed Yan Yuanjinle's extreme ideals. Xuan did not try to persuade him further.

"These are the only two basic Kido techniques suitable for assassination and concealment," Xuan told him truthfully, his tone calm. "As for other types of stealth techniques, spiritual particle concealment, and surprise attack methods, you can go to the Second Division to seek out Shihouin Sennichi."

Gen slowly revealed the origin of the matter: "The Shihouin family has held the power of the Secret Service in Seireitei for generations, and is the root of assassinations and secret affairs in Soul Society. Now, the head of the Shihouin family has handed over the core combat force of the Secret Service, the First Division, the Execution Unit, to Senji."

The Criminal Investigation Department specializes in executions and assassinations, and with a thousand-year-old officer in charge of overall coordination, they are undoubtedly proficient in various techniques and methods of covert assassination and close-quarters stealth.

After saying that, Xuan added, "I don't know if these things have been leaked, and whether or not to go and search for them for a thousand days is up to Captain Yan Yuan's own consideration."

Yan Yuanjin had long been aware of the Shihōin family's secret mobile warfare capabilities, but he had never connected the newly appointed commander of the Execution Army, Chinichi, with such top-tier covert tactics. Now, with Xuan's guidance, the direction ahead became clear.

With all his doubts dispelled, Yan Yuanjin composed himself, his posture ramrod straight, as upright as a ruler. He then bowed slightly, giving Xuan Xing a perfectly precise thirty-degree bow. The movement was precise and stiff, without the slightest error.

"Thank you for your guidance."

With those four simple words, Yan Yuanjinle didn't linger. He turned and strode forward, his tall figure heading straight towards the Second Division's headquarters, already intending to visit immediately and explore the secret assassination techniques.

His upright figure moved with steady steps and even rhythm, each step precise and consistent.

The sunlight remained clear on the empty bluestone corridor. Xuan Jing stood still, watching the other person's tall and straight back as they left, his expression indifferent.

Each of the thirteen Gotei 13 has its own pursuits and obsessions.

Yan Yuanjinle is obsessed with refining the purest assassination tactics. His strict discipline and elimination of any slackness are both a requirement of his duties and a way of self-cultivation.

Yan Yuanjinle appears rigid, cold, and aloof, yet he possesses a unique rigor and seriousness. He differs somewhat from Xuan's expectations of an assassin, and currently seems worthy of being considered a trustworthy ally; however, further observation is needed.

Xuan Ru thought to himself, and headed towards the Fourth Division.