Death's Hidden Mobile

The first state of the Hogyoku is super-fast regeneration.

But it didn't stop. Xia Yan's body was torn apart again, and this time, endless arcs of electricity burst forth from his body.

A figure formed from lightning slowly grew larger, centered on Xia Yan.

As lightning flashed, Xia Yan's skin slowly peeled off, only to be repaired again, only to be torn apart once more.

Under these circumstances, Xia Yan's body underwent another change.

Chapter 173: Preparation

Xia Yan's body gradually collapsed under the ravages of lightning, but was gradually healed under the influence of the Hogyoku.

The Hogyoku, reading Natsuhiko's expectations, continues to evolve.

Under these circumstances, Xia Yan was completely enveloped in a layer of white substance, his face, head, and hands were all covered by the white substance.

This is the second form of the Hōgyoku: pupalization.

Xia Yan's entire body seemed to be wrapped in a layer of cocoon.

In this form, Xia Yan's strength increases again, making him indestructible. At least, unless Nelliel and the others release their Zanpakuto a second time, and Ginjo and Tsukishima don't completely become Hollowfied, they cannot harm Xia Yan.

In addition, Xia Yan's spiritual pressure increased again, reaching the peak of the ninth level, but not the tenth level.

Xia Yan estimated that tenth-level spiritual pressure was another level, which meant it was beyond the existence of the Shinigami.

The seventh rank is captain level, the eighth rank is super captain level, the ninth rank is special combat power, and the tenth rank is an existence that surpasses even the Grim Reaper.

However, to reach the tenth level of spiritual pressure, one must at least reach the fourth form of the Hogyoku, and after the Zanpakuto is completely fused with the arm, stepping into a new level.

Therefore, in the second stage, Xia Yan is still at the peak of the ninth-level spiritual pressure, the peak state of a Shinigami.

Evolution has stopped.

No, it should be said that vertical evolution stopped and horizontal evolution began.

The vertical direction, that is, the Hogyoku's advancement from the second form to the second form, is an evolution of the hierarchy.

The horizontal evolution is the evolution of Xia Yan's own body.

For example, muscles become more resilient, strength increases, and recovery time improves.

At this level, Aizen can fight solely with his physical body, without relying on Kido, Zanpakuto abilities, Shunpo, or other powers.

However, Xia Yan is not at Aizen's level. After all, Xia Yan defeated Aizen only by relying on his Zanpakuto.

Aizen's Zanpakuto, however, became ineffective due to Natsuhiko's ability being a counter to it.

With just his power, Aizen was able to withstand Natsuhiko's Hollowfied Twin Lightning Wings.

This is enough to prove that Aizen's power and strength far exceed that of Xia Yan at present.

Meanwhile, Xia Yan, in his pupa-like form, continues to evolve.

Before reaching the pinnacle of evolution, Xia Yan cannot break free of the pupa and transform into a butterfly.

Xia Yan sheathed his Zanpakuto and landed slowly, emanating a faint aura that caused everyone to tremble. This was a suppression of the soul, and also an absolute difference in strength.

Heribel looked at Xia Yan and sensed his unshakeable strength.

Ginjou and Tsukishima Shukuro noticed the huge change in Natsuhiko. He had gradually turned into a non-human monster. If it were the old him, he would still be able to fight against five Super Captains.

Xia Yan is now far ahead of them.

Ginjo Kūgo found himself unable to understand Natsuhiko, unsure if he was still the same person, and thus became slightly wary.

Not only him, but also Harribel and Tsukishima Hidekuro were staring intently at Xia Yan.

But at that moment, a voice rang out.

"Haha, Xia Yan, what happened to you?"

Neliel appeared next to Xia Yan, clutching her stomach and laughing heartily, thoroughly enjoying herself.

"Shut up."

Xia Yan glared at Nelliel and said irritably, "This is the result of evolution. I am stronger than before."

"But what's this layer outside you?"

Nelielu stuck out a finger and poked Xia Yan's head, her face full of curiosity.

"Don't touch me."

Xia Yan slapped Nelliel's hand away, his expression displeased.

"You can't stay like this forever, can you?" Nelieel looked at Xia Yan with a disdainful expression.

"Of course I won't stay like this forever," Xia Yan said irritably, but then suddenly flew into a rage. "It's my own business how I am, but what's with that look of disgust on your face?"

Neliel snorted and said, "You are our master. Your appearance will make us a laughingstock."

"you you……"

Xia Yan was so angry he couldn't speak. He looked around at the people and asked in an unfriendly tone, "Do I look ugly right now?"

"Alright, Lord Xia Yan, you've finished evolving, so there's nothing more for me to do."

Harribel didn't answer Xia Yan's question. She waved her hand and disappeared in a flash.

"Yeah, let's go, Tsukishima, let's go back and have a drink."

Ginjou Kūgo yawned and called to Tsukishima that they had left together.

Xia Yan looked at Ulquiorra, who looked at Xia Yan for a while before suddenly disappearing.

"Do you guys really think I'm ugly?"

Xia Yan was on the verge of tears. He had put so much effort into evolving his character, only to be ridiculed by his own subordinates.

Xia Yan stood there dejectedly. Nelielu walked up to him, looked into his eyes beneath the white mask, and said, "Don't worry, I won't laugh at you."

"Get out of here!"

Xia Yan's voice came from afar.

. . .

Xia Yan returned to Hueco Mundo without Nelliel following him, and went back to his residence alone.

He walked to the mirror, looked at himself in the mirror, and a hint of worry flickered in his eyes.

My current appearance is so different from that of a human that I look even more bizarre than Arrancars like Nellyel.

Although the next third form will allow him to emerge from his cocoon and reveal his face.

However, the subsequent fourth and fifth forms will turn him into a monster, completely distancing him from human form.

By then, will Soi Fon still accept herself?

As I evolve, I grow further and further away from my loved one.

does it worth?

Xia Yan felt a wavering in his heart, and along with that wavering, he could feel his body's evolution slowly coming to a halt.

This is how the Hogyoku interpreted Natsuhiko's thoughts and stopped the evolution of his body.

Just like Aizen, Mugetsu did not kill Aizen, and the subsequent outbreak of the seal left by Kisuke Urahara was not the reason for stopping Aizen's seal.

The real reason is that the Hogyoku understood Aizen's thoughts and stopped evolving.

Now, due to Natsuhiko's wavering, the Hogyoku has also stopped evolving.

No, I don't want to stop.

I became stronger not to gain greater power or unparalleled wealth.

I became stronger to protect the people I love: Soi Fon, Renji Abarai, Rukia Kuchiki, and others—people I deeply love.

I became stronger to protect Seireitei and the world I love.

That's my goal.

To achieve this goal, I need extremely powerful strength.

With the immense desire emanating from Xia Yan's heart, the evolution of Xia Yan's body began again, slowly, little by little, evolving towards the most perfect form of the Grim Reaper.

A glint of light flashed in Xia Yan's eyes, and then he tapped his right hand a few times, using the Heavenly Soaring Void to summon Grimmjow.

But as Grimmjow stepped into the room, Xia Yan looked at him and said, "Grimmjow, send a message to all Arrancar: leave Hueco Mundo in three days."

"Yes."

Grimmjow suppressed the trembling in his body and slowly left the room.

……

Inside the Seireitei, in a room of the Technology Development Bureau, Mayuri Kurotsuchi looked at the scene on the monitor and a smile appeared on his lips.

"It's fused? That looks amazing. I really want to try it out."

Mayuri Kurotsuchi licked his lips, then turned and walked out of the laboratory, heading towards the headquarters barracks.

Xia Yan has successfully fused with the Hogyoku, which is important information that needs to be reported to Yamamoto Genryusai.

But why did Xia Yan leave Hueco Mundo? And where is he going?

Chapter 174: The Decision

Seireitei.

"I still can't believe that Natsuhiko would betray Seireitei."

Inside the izakaya, Renji Abarai sat with Rukia Kuchiki and Izuru Kira, the former looking somewhat indignant.

After Renji Abarai became the vice-captain of the Sixth Division, he no longer consciously avoided Rukia. Especially after Aizen's betrayal, their relationship progressed rapidly.

"I believe in Xia Yan."

Rukia looked at Renji Abarai and said seriously, "I believe Rukia must have her reasons."

Kira Izuru also said, "I don't want to believe that Natsuhiko would betray the Seireitei, betray his lover and friends for a Hogyoku. It's impossible."