Death God: Starting from Refining Essence into Qi

First Division Council Room.

Shihōin Sennichi said, "On the fourth day after the challenge was delivered, the three covert mobile reconnaissance teams in the inner perimeter of North Rukongai have exceeded the scheduled reply time by two hours."

As soon as the words were spoken, the captains standing in two rows showed different expressions. Zenjoji Yubin clenched her fists, her knuckles cracking, and her spiritual pressure surged involuntarily.

He took half a step forward, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, and his voice booming: "Those Quincy rats hiding in the shadows have finally dared to show their faces. As expected, they didn't wait until the so-called ten days later. Let's just corner them in North Rukongai and smash them to pieces."

Yan Yuanjin pushed up his tinted glasses, the lenses reflecting a cold light. He raised his hand and pressed down on Zenjoji Yubin's shoulder, shaking his head: "The fact that all three reconnaissance teams have lost contact only proves that there is enemy activity in North Rukongai, but we cannot confirm the size of the force, let alone whether this is a feint attack. If we transfer all our main forces to the north, the rest of Seireitei will be undefended. If the Quincy launch a surprise attack on Seireitei, we will directly lose our home-field advantage and be put on the defensive."

Saito, seemingly immortal, leaned against a nearby stone pillar. The captain of the Sixth Division, her haori slid down to her elbow, casually fiddling with the hilt of the Shiden sword at her waist. Her purple eyes were filled with impatience: "So what if it's a feint? No matter which direction they come from, just fight them back. If we keep arguing here, the Quincy will be fighting all the way to the Seireitei Wall."

Shihouin Senri countered, "Queens might be able to use the spiritual particles of Rukongai to conceal their spiritual pressure and evade detection by covert mobile forces. The simultaneous loss of contact with the three reconnaissance teams in the north might be a signal deliberately left by the enemy to draw our attention to the north."

Just as everyone was arguing, the doors to the council chamber were suddenly kicked open.

A blood-soaked figure staggered in. His black military uniform was completely stained with blood, and blood continued to seep from the numerous tears torn by spirit arrows. His face was covered in dust and blood, with only the Hidden Mobility badge on his left arm still clearly visible. The moment he rushed in, he collapsed to his knees, his hands bracing against the ground as he gasped for breath, each breath carrying the heavy stench of blood.

Shihouin Senji's pupils constricted sharply, and he immediately rushed forward to support him. He recognized the person before him at a glance; this was the captain of the covert mobile second patrol team, whom he had personally dispatched to the inner perimeter of North Rukongai, and one of his most capable subordinates: "Tachibana? What happened? Where are the others?"

The captain of the covert mobile patrol unit, known as Tachibana, looked up, his face still showing shock: "All the other team members are dead. North Rukongai is full of Quincy."

He took a while to catch his breath and then raised a trembling finger to point north: "We discovered their army about thirty ryo of Seireitei. The number of people is roughly estimated to be more than ten thousand, and they are advancing in neat square formations."

"We didn't find any trace of them until the spirit arrows came flying at us, at which point we noticed the fluctuations in spiritual energy. Their spiritual pressure sensing ability is too strong; as soon as you enter their sensing range, you are immediately locked on. My companions who were close by were all shot through the head with an arrow, but the spirit arrows they shot at me only grazed the edge, as if they were specifically sent to make me come back to report."

The council chamber fell into a deathly silence.

All eyes were on Tachibana Kawa, and the previous argument vanished without a trace. Zenjoji Yubin put away her fist, Yan Yuanjinlu took off her glasses and wiped them, and Saito Immortal also straightened up, his impatience replaced by solemnity.

Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni's eyes widened suddenly, his sharp gaze sweeping over all the captains: "If the Quincy can evade the detection of covert operations, there's no need for them to specifically expose their northern forces at this time. Therefore, they have no intention of splitting their forces, and these actions are meant to tell us that their direction of attack is to the north."

Yamamoto Genryusai's voice was deep and authoritative, carrying an undeniable determination: "Kurorin Gate is closest to the First Division, and its open terrain is suitable for a large-scale deployment, which is disadvantageous to us. All battle plans will be adjusted as originally deployed. The Eleventh and Twelfth Divisions will immediately proceed to Kurorin Gate to set up defenses and attempt to confront the enemy head-on to assess their strength; the Fourth Division will immediately activate all medical stations and prepare to receive the wounded; the remaining divisions and the Kido Clan will choose to provide support or lure the enemy into urban warfare, depending on the situation."

"This battle concerns the very survival of the Seireitei. Annihilate the enemy at all costs!"

"yes!"

The team leaders responded in unison, their voices echoing in the council chamber, before quickly walking out of the chamber.

Xuan walked at the back, glancing back at the northern sky where the clouds were beginning to darken, as if rain was imminent. A chilling, murderous aura was slowly spreading from the distant North Rukongai.

Shihouin Senhi and Saito Immortal approached. They exchanged glances, and Shihouin Senhi solemnly said, "Be careful, everyone."

After saying that, he instantly vanished from his spot, heading to the covert mobile base to deploy his mission. Saito Immortal also waved his hand, then instantly flew away towards the Sixth Division, his figure quickly disappearing from sight.

-----------------

Meanwhile, in the wasteland of North Rukongai.

A black torrent slowly surged forward, tens of thousands of Quincy clad in uniform white uniforms, their steps perfectly synchronized, the heavy thud of their footsteps causing the ground to tremble slightly. They gripped gleaming spirit bows in their hands and carried spirit short swords at their waists, fully armed, like sophisticated war machines.

Yhwach rode a tall, black horse at the very front of the army.

He was dressed in a white military uniform with a red ribbon tied at the collar, and his figure was shrouded in a black cloak, the hem of which fluttered in the wind.

The steed carried Yhwach toward Seireitei, as if heading toward his fiefdom.

Behind him, four pure white horses rode side by side, each carrying a Quincy in white uniforms—Yhwach's personal guard.

Hubbard Alexander Kleich.

John Saidlitz.

Algra Lalau.

Nikita Deslock.

Their pure white military caps suppressed their cold, sharp edge, and the silver ornaments between their crisp uniforms gleamed coldly, exuding a chilling and murderous aura from years of battlefield experience.

Behind the Royal Guard were countless Quincy infantry legions.

The army marched forward, their synchronized footsteps like the beating of drums, striking the hearts of every soldier. The sky grew darker, thick, low-hanging clouds threatening to collapse at any moment.

Yhwach reined in the black horse, which stopped, reared up, and let out a loud neigh. He raised his head, looked at the Seireitei Wall in the distance, and a cold smile slowly crept onto his lips.