As the ancestor of the Quincy and the ruler of the Wandenreich (Invisible Empire), Yhwach was cruel and cautious by nature. He also possessed the Ability known as "The Almighty." No one truly understood what that Ability represented, though it vaguely seemed capable of foreseeing the future.
But without question, the all-knowing and all-powerful Yhwach was incomparably mighty.
Yet at this very moment, another man claiming omniscience and omnipotence had appeared before him in open provocation.
This man was called the King of Hell!
"I do not know why you awakened me,"
"Nor why you replenished the energy required for my slumber completely."
"But if you think you can act so arrogantly before me and remain unharmed…"
"Then you are mistaken!"
Yhwach awakened fully, his aura vast and overwhelming. Majesty filled his eyes, while a savage fluctuation appeared across his expression.
The instant his words fell, one of his fingers twitched lightly.
Whoosh!
In an instant, violent spiritual particles gathered together, condensing into the shape of an arrow. It pierced through space itself and arrived before Qin Yi in the blink of an eye.
"Yhwach."
Qin Yi raised his head, his blood-red eyes fixed upon the man seated above.
The aura surrounding him was equally terrifying. The ominous pressure and Reiatsu suffocated everyone in the hall with tension.
His right hand moved slightly as the King of Hell swung forward.
Boom!
In but a moment, the blade of the King of Hell collided with the arrow, effortlessly splitting it apart as brilliant spiritual particles exploded outward in dazzling light.
"If you think such a fragile attack can injure this King…"
"Then you are mistaken as well!"
Qin Yi returned almost the exact same words to Yhwach.
At the same time, his blade trembled once more. Black and crimson threads intertwined together, condensing into a spherical object. Black-red radiance bloomed through the air, while the surrounding space buzzed and quivered, ripples spreading outward.
Buzz!
Suddenly, the sphere shot forward, tracing a brilliant arc as it slammed toward Yhwach.
"Netherwave!"
Only then did Qin Yi calmly utter the name of the attack.
"Your Majesty, be careful!!"
Haschwalth sensed the terrifying energy contained within it and shouted loudly, his body moving instinctively to intervene.
But at that moment, a gust of wind swept past him. In the briefest instant of disorientation, Yhwach had already appeared before him with both hands extended outward.
"This is a conversation between kings."
"Stand back!"
Tiny particles emerged from his palms, forming a protective barrier.
Immediately afterward, Netherwave smashed violently against it.
BOOM!!
A violent explosive force spread outward instantly. Everything within the great hall began trembling, the air became suffocating, and fierce winds swept in all directions.
Strands of black and crimson threads suddenly extended outward a moment later, attacking Yhwach from every direction with startling unpredictability, causing his gaze to sharpen.
"How interesting."
After muttering those two words, Yhwach's entire body trembled slightly as violent particles erupted explosively from him.
In an instant, the black-red threads were completely submerged and wiped away.
Only after a long while did the turbulent energy within the hall finally settle.
At this moment, the Sternritter (Star Cross Knight Order) all stared in shock and solemnity at the hideous figure standing in the center of the hall, the humanoid Hollow-like body of the King of Hell, their hearts deeply shaken.
Strong!
Though the exchange had only lasted a short moment, the terrifying combat power it displayed was enough to horrify anyone.
"You came alone into my Palace Hall."
"What exactly do you want?"
"State your purpose!"
Yhwach narrowed his eyes, his scarlet pupils fixed upon Qin Yi. However, the fierce aura surrounding him had already calmed considerably.
Originally, he had still been far from awakening. Yet for some unknown reason, the man calling himself the King of Hell had replenished his energy completely, forcibly awakening him.
And with Yhwach's personality, anyone without value naturally had no value in existing at all.
That was why he had attacked first, to test him.
And with that brief exchange, he acknowledged Qin Yi's strength.
"Possessing a mysterious Ability capable of awakening me and replenishing the power within my body."
"All-knowing and all-powerful, aware even of the existence of the Wandenreich (Invisible Empire)."
"His strength… is unfathomable."
Qin Yi had earned the qualifications to speak with him!
"THIS King has come to discuss cooperation with you!"
Qin Yi spoke calmly as the King of Hell returned to its sheath, and his body reverted to its original form. However, unlike before, the ferocious dragon-patterned King of Hell robe still draped over him, making his presence appear even more grim and imposing.
"Cooperation?"
Yhwach raised an eyebrow, revealing a puzzled expression.
"That's right. A great upheaval is about to occur within Soul Society. A vast empire from another world is about to invade this place and seize Soul Society."
Qin Yi said in a deep voice.
His words shocked all of the Sternritter (Star Cross Knight Order).
Although the undercurrents within Soul Society had already been stirred secretly by Kenpachi Chengdui, everything on the surface still appeared peaceful. None of them understood what Qin Yi meant.
"Is that so?"
Yhwach's gaze sharpened slightly as he slowly closed his eyes.
A few moments later, he reopened them, his expression now considerably more serious.
"What you said is correct. I saw a brief glimpse of the future!"
"Countless armies of Shinigami are pouring into Soul Society. A great war is about to begin."
"The world is changing rapidly. Truly astonishing."
His crimson eyes suddenly locked onto Qin Yi.
"And what about you? You do not seem to belong to this world either."
"What is it that you seek…"
"King from Another World?!"
The sudden words from Yhwach shocked the Sternritter once more, and all of them immediately became wary of Qin Yi.
Just moments ago, he had spoken of kings from other worlds invading. Yet now, he himself was one of those kings. The situation left everyone present utterly confused.
"As expected of the all-knowing and all-powerful Yhwach."
"Even I did not expect you to see through my identity."
Qin Yi was briefly stunned before laughing softly.
He realized that he had still underestimated these beings from other worlds. Yhwach possessed "The Almighty." Though it outwardly appeared to be merely an Ability that foresaw the future, no one truly knew the full extent of its powers.
"You wish to wage war against that other King and use this world as the battlefield for your contest between rulers?"
Yhwach's eyes flickered as he spoke solemnly.
"I didn't expect even that to be seen through."
"That's right. I intend to wage a war between Kings within this world!"
Qin Yi's gaze turned sharp. He understood that at this moment, he had to maintain an absolutely forceful stance.
"Yhwach, this is a war that will sweep across the entire world!"
"Whether you are willing or unwilling, whether you desire it or not, it will engulf all of Soul Society, the Human World, and Hueco Mundo!"
"You have no choice except to join this war!"
"No matter which side you choose, you must choose one. Fence-sitters and neutral parties alike will ultimately be crushed to pieces!"
The cold, severe words from Qin Yi caused Yhwach's expression to darken.
"I believe your keen senses can perceive the danger of this war!"
"A terror great enough to destroy the entire world!"
The savagery within Yhwach's crimson eyes deepened further. After hearing those words, he suddenly fixed an intense stare upon Qin Yi.
"Then why should I choose you…"
"…instead of the other King?"
"Because you have no choice!"
Qin Yi's blood-red eyes likewise locked onto Yhwach's.
After only a few exchanges, the two men once again stood in direct opposition to one another.
(End of Chapter)
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