Death God: Starting from Refining Essence into Qi

Xuan knew he wasn't a genius. He guessed that the mathematical and physical axioms were the same in both worlds, so he built upon the foundations laid by those who came before him in the Daoist school to develop the Ghost Path, and progressed rapidly.

However, the Daoist sect lacks a means to recover quickly. It was precisely because of this that when he was injured by Unohana, he clearly used a phantom image to deceive Unohana, but instead of taking the opportunity to leave, he could only rely on the help of the Flesh Drop to recover from his injuries.

Xuan knew that the Reidou in the original story could both heal injuries and restore the spiritual power of others. However, neither in his past life nor in the present Soul Society had a method for quickly healing injuries been developed in thousands of years, and Xuan did not believe that no one had realized the importance of healing abilities before.

In this era, aside from basic medical treatments like bandaging and herbal remedies, the only healing abilities available are the unique Zanpakuto abilities of a very small number of Shinigami.

However, the fact that the Return Path has not yet been developed illustrates one thing: creating the Return Path is extremely difficult. Xuan does know that it was Kirinji Tenjirou who created the Return Path, but Xuan is not a genius like Mendeleev who can obtain results through dreams.

Even a thousand years later, only about 30% of Shinigami have good compatibility with the Reincarnation System and can stop bleeding in battle after training; less than 10% can reach the Reincarnation System level of the 4th Division; only about 5% of Shinigami can heal physical injuries; and only about 2% of Shinigami can restore internal organs.

Moreover, Shinigami are already rare and have an extremely high mortality rate. Not to mention the current chaotic world full of strife, even in the relatively peaceful Gotei 13 a thousand years later, there are only a little over six thousand Shinigami.

Gen didn't believe he necessarily had the talent to return to the Dao, but he still wanted to try to make up for his shortcomings. Observing Zanpakuto with healing abilities up close was a good method, but he didn't want to risk his life to find Unohana. At this moment, she was Unohana Yachiru, not Unohana Retsu.

Apart from Yachiru Unohana, all the Shinigami in Soul Society who possess medical skills or healing Zanpakuto are under the command of the Fourth Division. The one who leads this special division and guides all the healing-type ability users is the first captain of the Fourth Division, Chigiri Shishima.

Many of the buildings in Seireitei have just been renovated and are pieced together with the undamaged buildings, forming a maze-like layout.

However, this did not affect Xuan. After leaving the First Division's area of ​​effect, he leaped onto the roof beam and headed towards the Fourth Division in the southeast direction.

There were no Shinigami guarding outside the Fourth Division. Xuan leaped directly into the courtyard, and where his eyes fell, several soldiers were arranging bandages and medicine boxes under the eaves.

Gen was quickly brought before Shijima Chigiri.

At the previous captains' meeting, Gen had only roughly noted down the appearances of the captains. Now, he had the opportunity to observe the first captain of the Fourth Division up close.

Shijima Chigiri has obvious freckles on her cheeks, and most notably, severe dark circles and eye bags. She has a tired look in her eyes and is a young man with long gray ponytail. She looks somewhat haggard, with slumped shoulders and a listless appearance.

Xuan bowed slightly and said, "I apologize for the intrusion and for disturbing the captain's peace and quiet."

"Please sit anywhere." Shijima Chigiri gestured for Gen to find a seat, then fell silent.

Xuan Yiyan sat down on the futon, her gaze calm as she quietly observed the first captain of the Fourth Division before her.

Since entering the Soul Society and beginning his training at the Genji Academy, he has witnessed countless Shinigami of all kinds. Yamamoto Genryusai goes without saying, as does Sasakibe Chojiro's unassuming nature, Saito's ageless and arrogant arrogance, and Unohana Yachiru's bloodthirsty thirst for battle…

Only Shijima Chigiri is a rare anomaly. He looks decadent and exhausted. Rather than like the Grim Reaper, he looks more like a working-class person who voluntarily works overtime every day without pay.

Shijima Chigiri spoke up, "You don't look injured. Why have you come to me?"

Genya stated his purpose directly: "I have come today specifically to learn about Captain Shijima's Zanpakuto abilities. I wonder if Captain Shijima is available?"

A hint of surprise flashed across Shijima Chigiri's eyes: "Could it be that you can analyze the abilities of the Zanpakuto you've seen into Kido? What an amazing talent."

Genichi was somewhat bewildered, unsure whether Shijima Chigiri was subtly rejecting him or if he genuinely believed it.

However, Gen saw that Shishima Chigiri's surprised expression didn't seem fake, so he thought it was normal: as a member of the first Gotei 13 captains, it was quite reasonable for him to have unconventional ideas.

"Captain Shijima is joking." Xuan slowly revealed his considerations, his gaze clear and sincere. "I do not possess such means; perhaps only His Majesty the Spirit King can accomplish this."

The Soul Society is currently rife with conflict and death, yet effective treatments are lacking. Most of the injured can only recover slowly on their own, and some may even lose their lives from a minor wound, which is truly a pity.

"I intend to study the principles behind the healing abilities of Zanpakuto so that more low-ranking Shinigami and struggling souls can receive basic medical treatment quickly. That is why I have come to visit you."

Chigiri Shijima listened quietly, the surprise in his eyes gradually fading, replaced by a touch of emotion. He had never met anyone who shared his ideals, and he wanted to stop the wounded from wailing.

"Is it possible?"

Gen met Shijima Chigiri's expectant gaze and shook his head regretfully: "I don't know, perhaps. In the future, if any of our team members are not seriously injured and need treatment, I hope Captain Shijima can send someone to inform me so I can come and observe."

The room fell silent for a moment.

Shijima Chigiri remained silent for a long time.

A breeze blew through the window, ruffling his long hair. Looking at the composed, resolute-looking boy before her, Shijima Chigiri felt a surge of genuine admiration and respect in her eyes.

In chaotic times, everyone is fighting for themselves, for power, for status, for survival. No one cares about the lives of the poor, and no one bothers to improve the methods of saving people.

The great Taoist priest before us was born into one of the five noble families. He was exceptionally talented and possessed such strength at less than a hundred years old. Yet, he was able to transcend the shackles of self-interest, caring for all living beings and desiring to promote medical care and relief.

Such magnanimity and ambition are especially rare in the current Soul Society.

Shijima Chigiri's tone was sincere and earnest: "Your aspirations are truly noble. Since you have this intention to promote healing methods and benefit all living beings, I should naturally agree."

However, the abilities of my Zanpakuto are probably not what you imagine.

Upon hearing this, Xuan was somewhat taken aback: "What makes you say that, Captain Shijima?"

Shijima Chigiri asked Gen, "Have you ever heard of Senkiri? That's the name of my Zanpakuto."

Gen knew that this was a woodworking technique used to repair and reinforce wood; not long ago, Mosaburo, the carpenter at Yorozuya, had used this method to repair a wooden table.

"I have heard about it, but that's all. I'm all ears."

Seeing that Gen said this, Shijima Chigiri sighed deeply and said, "Chigiri is also known as 'butterfly wedge' or 'butterfly key'. It is a butterfly-shaped hardwood piece that is embedded in the cracks or joints of wood to splice two pieces of wood.

But my Zanpakuto wasn't pieced together from wooden planks, it was pieced together from human bodies.

Upon hearing this, Xuan felt relieved.

"Then I won't disturb Captain Shijima any longer. I'll take my leave now."

Xuan immediately turned around and prepared to leave.

"You can't leave," said Chigiri Shijima.

Xuan's expression hardened, and he immediately turned around. If a battle were to break out, he could not turn his back to the enemy.

Seeing that Xuan was facing a formidable enemy, Shijima Chigiri frowned, ran her hands through her hair, realized that she had said the wrong thing, and hurriedly explained, "What I meant was, please let me finish before you leave."

If other Shinigami's Shikai are normal healing-type Zanpakuto, they will definitely join the Fourth Division. Then you can analyze the underlying principles.

Xuan realized he had misunderstood, bowed slightly, and solemnly thanked him: "Thank you for your kindness, Captain Zhidao."

"No need for formalities." Shijima Chigiri gently shook his head and smiled warmly. "If the healing method can truly be popularized and reduce deaths and injuries in the world, it will be a blessing for Soul Society and for all living beings."

"If only I didn't have to use the thousand-cut technique."

The afternoon sunlight streamed through the window, and Shijima Chigiri no longer looked haggard.