Chapter 141: Bloody Hell [Spiritual World]
"A god?"
Inoue's face turned pale, but her eyes were exceptionally determined.
After all, following Fiander's series of explanations and introductions, Inoue's mental endurance and worldview were no longer as fearful as they had been initially.
When Ulquiorra first brought her to the Hueco Mundo Palace, Inoue hadn't thought too deeply at that time—she simply believed that as long as she was taken there, neither Kurosaki Ichigo nor Soul Society's Shinigami would be harmed.
After all, Ulquiorra had shown Inoue the scene of Espada attacking the real world in the Dangai at that time, and she hadn't questioned much.
However, when she was taken to Hueco Mundo by Ulquiorra and arrived at the Palace, she was surrounded by Arrancar who eyed her suspiciously. Even Aizen only used her as bait to lure Kurosaki Ichigo and Soul Society reinforcements.
No one cared about her thoughts, no one considered her feelings. At that time, she was imprisoned helplessly in the Hueco Mundo Palace's depths—she had certainly felt hesitant and confused.
Although she firmly believed that Kurosaki Ichigo would definitely come save her, was the current result really what she could have imagined at the beginning?
At this moment, Inoue's gaze became extremely determined, and she raised both hands simultaneously. With Fiander's spiritual power's blessing, the entire scarlet lake was covered by Inoue's massive spiritual power.
"What about Ulquiorra? What about Aizen? Even if it's a god from another world?"
Now she had nothing left to lose, as long as Kurosaki could survive.
BOOM!!
At this moment, Kurosaki Ichigo's spiritual world unexpectedly trembled violently, and ripples began appearing on the originally calm blood-colored lake.
Cracks began forming in the sand surrounding the lake. Along these fissures, blood began being sucked inward...
At this time, the lake's water level began dropping at a speed visible to the naked eye, proving that this lake's blood was being gradually absorbed by Inoue.
Finally, having drained enough to see the lake bottom, Inoue's blue-white eyes returned to normal.
The lake bottom was filled with remains of various races buried here. These blood-soaked bones also exuded an overpowering bloody smell, making Inoue, who had rarely participated in direct combat, feel nauseated.
Suppressing the discomfort in her body, Inoue covered her mouth and asked Fiander: "Could Kurosaki-kun be here?"
Inoue asked while using her mental power to scan the massive bone pile.
"If you think carefully, you should understand that Jilianka couldn't be foolish enough to destroy Kurosaki Ichigo's mental body to perfectly occupy his body."
"In that case, this world's will would directly expel him, and even with ten lives, he couldn't survive."
"He's only managed to survive this long by luck. Before the planet's core was destroyed, his soul lived within his godhood."
"And happened to be drawn into this world with spiritual artifacts by spatial turbulence, but he dared not reveal the slightest trace of himself, because he's an invader. If detected by the world's will, he faces the same fate as before."
"A space segment would be carved out and expelled from this world, unable to return unless his presence completely disappeared."
Fiander carefully observed the wreckage at the lake bottom, speculating: "These... I'm afraid aren't only products of Kurosaki Ichigo's spiritual world, but also other life forms."
"If I'm not mistaken, Jilianka's consciousness is merging into Kurosaki Ichigo's spiritual world, and we must find them before He completes this process."
"Otherwise, your classmate Kurosaki will truly die..."
"Then... if it's not here, where should we search?"
Inoue spoke very hesitantly. She didn't know if Fiander would deceive her or use her like Aizen had, but at this moment, she had no choice.
No matter the consequences, she must save Kurosaki-kun.
"There's still sufficient time. This is the spiritual world. Time's speed compared to the outside world is one to ten. I've used ice law power to freeze Kurosaki Ichigo's body, delaying his further mutation."
"So we can only continue toward the spiritual world's depths. As I told you at the beginning, only you can save him—even I cannot."
"Unless I disregard the world will's rejection and use my spiritual consciousness to invade Kurosaki Ichigo's body like Jilianka, driving Jilianka out. But the consequence would be that I'd be expelled from this world together with Jilianka."
"If lucky, we'd encounter spatial turbulence again and be dragged into a new world. If unlucky, we'd die directly in the spatial currents."
"But at that point, whether Kurosaki Ichigo would survive—I dare not give you any guarantees."
"I understand. I'm very grateful for your tireless assistance!"
Although knowing he existed within her body and wasn't physically present, Inoue bowed forward respectfully.
"No, I simply have my own purposes. Don't consider me a good person. Although I won't use you like Aizen and the others, what I intend to do may not benefit your world."
Fiander's cold voice seemed indifferent to Inoue's thanks.
"I know."
Inoue smiled and said no more.
This time, since it was confirmed that Kurosaki had fought here, continuing forward would allow them to find him.
Inoue clenched her fists, walked around the blood lake's edge, and continued toward the distance. After walking approximately ten minutes, the lake behind her disappeared like a phantom, as if everything that occurred before no longer existed.
At this moment, on the other side, in the endless blood-colored hell, Kurosaki Ichigo, covered in blood with his upper body almost hollowed out, walked with difficulty toward the distance with Hollow Ichigo's support.
"Hey, hey! You absolutely cannot die!"
"If you die, we're all finished!"
The Tensa Zangetsu in Hollow Ichigo's hand was almost broken in half, and one eye was also sunken. One could imagine how brutal the battle they'd endured was.
"I... I won't die. Old Man Zangetsu... he... he was devoured by that thing to save us..."
"I want to live. I... want to avenge Old Man Zangetsu!"
Ichigo's body was weak, and he staggered along the river flowing with blood.
Suddenly, with a "splash," Ichigo plunged directly in, and Hollow Ichigo beside him was so frightened he quickly pulled him up: "I've had the worst luck choosing a king like you. I'm such a fool!"
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