"Hahaha!" Ichibē Hyōsube was overjoyed, reaching out his large hand to heavily pat Yamabuki's shoulder: "Actually, this isn't anything urgent. The last time we came down was several millennia ago, so it's a good chance to see what changes have occurred in the lower realm!"
"Don't you already know what happened in the lower realm?" Yamabuki asked.
"It's better to experience it firsthand." Ichibē Hyōsube chuckled, looking at Yamabuki: "Besides, if we want to go back, it will take some effort. We need to move this thing to the Shiba Family in Rukongai."
Ichibē Hyōsube pointed to the cylindrical flying device behind him. Yamabuki, of course, knew that the so-called means of transport involved treating this thing as a cannonball, loading it into a large cannon, and blasting it up to the Soul King Palace. It was simply absurd.
Ōetsu Nimaiya suddenly asked as he passed Yamabuki: "Can I borrow your sword to look at it? Your sword is very strange!"
"No, my Sword Spirit has a very bad temper." Yamabuki directly refused.
His Zanpakutō was a fragment of his own soul, not an Asauchi forged by Ōetsu Nimaiya. In fact, due to the system, the only sword whose name Ichibē Hyōsube didn't know was Silver Radiance Angel.
In some ways, this was also something unexpected by Ichibē Hyōsube.
"Stingy!" Ōetsu Nimaiya playfully scolded him and then walked away from Yamabuki.
At dusk, the Gotei 13 and two members of the Zero Squad gathered at the Shiba Family.
Yamabuki looked at the incredibly bizarre large cannon with a suspicious expression.
"Are you sure we're taking this up? What if it suddenly drops halfway? And..." Yamabuki paused. To enter the Soul King Palace, the most important item was the "Ōken." In the future, Aizen would need to create the "Ōken" to ascend to the Soul King Palace.
Of course, during the Blood War, Aizen intended to directly blast the Soul King Palace down with his reishi. From this, it could be inferred that the so-called Ōken was not a prerequisite; as long as one possessed sufficient power, all rules could be ignored.
"You know quite a lot." Ichibē Hyōsube said with a chuckle.
"Alright, let's get ready to depart." Ōetsu Nimaiya said, rapping as he spoke. But seriously, your singing is terrible!
"Everyone, rest assured! After meeting the Soul King, I will return this young man to you safe and sound." Ichibē Hyōsube said with a chuckle, then nodded slightly to the head of the Shiba Family.
Load the great cannon and blast away!
With an earth-shattering roar, the cylindrical flying device shot towards the Soul King Palace at an incredibly high speed.
Yamabuki was filled with questions. He truly couldn't understand why the Soul King wanted to see an unknown nobody like him.
Soon, they arrived at the legendary Soul King Palace.
At this time, there were only two members of the Zero Squad, so there were only two Zero Squad Detached Palaces, representing Ichibē Hyōsube and Ōetsu Nimaiya respectively.
Moreover, the reishi in the Soul King Palace was the densest in the entire Three Realms. Even an ordinary Vice-Captain would be pressed to the ground, unable to move. However, for Yamabuki, this place was simply a paradise for cultivation.
"Stop looking around like a country bumpkin. Follow me, His Majesty the Soul King is waiting." Ichibē Hyōsube said.
Yamabuki took a deep breath. What was meant to come would come. He gently gripped his sword. If a conflict truly arose, with his Zanpakutō's spatial abilities, he should have no problem retreating safely.
"Before I meet the Soul King, I have a question." Yamabuki stared intently at Ichibē Hyōsube: "I want to know if the Soul King truly has consciousness? Or... is this just an excuse for you to trick me into coming up?"
Ichibē Hyōsube looked at Yamabuki with a very profound gaze: "As expected, you know a lot of things. We are all intelligent people, so I won't hide anything. You should know the Soul King's current state, right? Although his limbs were severed and his internal organs removed, he is still alive, and has been for millions of years. Every few millennia, he regains consciousness for a short period. Of course, he does nothing. The past and future of this world have long been seen through by him. He is the one with true great wisdom, sacrificing himself to create this magnificent world."
"So, it's really the Soul King who wants to see me, not you?" Yamabuki confirmed again.
Ichibē Hyōsube let out a hearty laugh: "Are you thinking I want to dismember you and make you into a new Soul King? You do possess some inexplicable powers, but I'm not that deranged. The current Soul King is fine. Before his body completely collapses, I have no intention of seeking a new Soul King. At least for this period, you are safe. That's the truth, so, can you take your hand off your sword hilt now?"
Yamabuki remained silent for a long time, ultimately choosing to trust Ichibē Hyōsube.
Given the other party's strength, if he wanted to deal with him, it would be too easy. There was no need to lie to him at all.
It seemed he had overthought things.
Yamabuki lowered his guard and continued to follow Ichibē Hyōsube forward, eventually reaching the center of the two Zero Squad Detached Palaces. What was enshrined behind that great door was the Soul King, who supported the Three Realms.
Yamabuki took a deep breath.
Just as he was about to open the door, he realized that Ichibē Hyōsube had no intention of entering with him.
"You're not coming in?"
"No, this is an issue between you and His Majesty the Soul King. Of course, if you need anything, you can call out loudly." Ichibē Hyōsube chuckled.
"Aren't you afraid I'll slice the Soul King in half? Since you know the names of all Zanpakutō, you should understand my Zanpakutō's ability, right?" Yamabuki was testing whether the system could block Ichibē Hyōsube's ability.
Ichibē Hyōsube gave a wry smile: "I do know the names of all Zanpakutō in this world, but unfortunately, that doesn't include yours. You don't need to use such petty tricks to test me. Hurry up and go in. His Majesty the Soul King's conscious time is not long."
Indeed, his little ploy had been seen through, but it didn't matter.
Yamabuki faced the core of the Soul King Palace, took a deep breath, and pushed open the large door. He saw a limbless torso, wrapped in a thick, amber-like cocoon, resting on a luxurious and magnificent throne.
This was the legendary Soul King!
Yhwach's father!
The origin of the Quincy and Shinigami.
Yamabuki closed the large door tightly behind him.
Just as he was wondering how to communicate with the Soul King, an invisible force controlled his body. Yamabuki involuntarily reached out and gently pressed his hand against the amber-like cocoon.
And the Soul King's voice echoed in his mind.
"Young man, do you want to be the new Soul King?"
....
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