It was a vast, expansive space, yet it was dim. And it wasn't just dim; a terrifying pressure flowed throughout the entire area.
This place was situated above a tributary of the spiritual veins that flowed around the Soul King's Palace. Through special methods, the entire space could be transformed into a unique environment specifically targeting Shinigami. This environment bore some resemblance to the prisons created by Sessonseki, both functioning by suppressing the strength and flow of spiritual pressure to weaken their target.
Not only that, but the space was filled with numerous humanoid figures. At first glance, one might mistake them for dolls, but they were not. These figures were all Zanpakutō in their initial form: Asauchi, which had not yet acquired a specific shape.
In this special space designed for Shinigami, the power of these Asauchi was not restricted in any way. Plus, this was the Hōōden, the domain of the creator of Zanpakutō. Each of these manifested Asauchi could display considerable power.
Yet, even in such a harsh environment, surrounded by countless Asauchi, the one being besieged showed not a hint of fear.
An exceptionally long tachi was wielded by him, swinging like a long spear. The death-defying Asauchi figures, rushing forward one after another, were sent flying before they could even get within two meters of him. The slightly curved blade danced in straight lines, yet it cut down every Asauchi within its range.
With a single wing beating on his back, amidst a flurry of black feathers, he moved at high speed, seemingly ignoring the special properties of the place. The long blade in his hands swung faster and faster, until it seemed to warp space itself. All that could be seen were large clusters of flashes that illuminated the dim environment.
At the very top of this vast space was a large hole, or an exit, about three meters in diameter. Squatting next to it was Nimaiya Ōetsu. He wore a pair of sunglasses, as if afraid the sharp aura carried by the flashing lights below would sting his eyes.
"His strength is improving so fast. At this rate, it won't be long before he completely masters the power of his Shikai. Heh, to need Bankai-level training just to temper a mere Shikai, tsk tsk tsk."
He let out a small sigh of admiration. But only a small one.
Once a Shinigami successfully achieves Bankai, they undergo a qualitative leap. Setting aside the special abilities gained, the mere five to ten-fold increase in spiritual pressure is an astonishing figure. The problem is, an increase in numbers is just that—numbers. For one's already mastered power to suddenly swell several times over, just not losing control is a sign of considerable talent.
Therefore, after achieving Bankai, one must spend five to ten years to gradually master the power gained at that moment. And that is just the beginning. Bankai is a starting point; what abilities can be developed from it is up to the Shinigami's own ingenuity.
Just as the captains who witnessed it had marveled, Ling Qing's Shikai alone had already reached the level of most captains' Bankai. In this regard, the only one who could be compared to him was Yamamoto-Genryūsai Shigekuni. But Yamamoto had spent a thousand years gradually cultivating his Shikai to such a height.
Thinking of this, Ōetsu looked up in a certain direction. It was the direction of the Soul King's inner sanctum, where the Soul King resided.
Ling Qing was bound to come to the Soul King's Palace sooner or later; that was without question. But arriving this early was not part of the plan.
Thinking back, Yamamoto-Genryūsai's sudden heavy blow at that time, while partly to satisfy Ling Qing's desire for a real fight, was more likely a move to see what the Zero Squad, who had inexplicably appeared in the Seireitei and were continuously watching Ling Qing, intended to do. Inflicting a wound that even Unohana Retsu couldn't heal to force the Zero Squad to show themselves—that was indeed something Yamamoto was capable of.
Even if most Shinigami today were unaware of that history, Ōetsu would never forget the sight of Yamamoto leading his group of killers to slay Yhwach and his army.
In truth, the power and talent Ling Qing possessed were indeed enough to make the Shinigami of the Seireitei gasp in amazement all year round. But such uniqueness was only worth a couple of words of praise in the eyes of the Zero Squad.
Combat power was never a consideration for the Zero Squad from the very beginning. It didn't matter how high one's power grew. What the Zero Squad valued was a different kind of ability—the ability to influence this world.
In other words, the ability to change the world. Only by completely changing the world in some aspect, and in the long run, making the three realms more stable, could one enter the Zero Squad.
Both Hyōsube Ichibē and Nimaiya Ōetsu believed that Ling Qing must possess some similar characteristic. Because the Soul King would not continuously watch someone just for their talent and power.
In the Soul King's eyes, he must have already seen what this person would achieve in the future.
But neither Hyōsube Ichibē nor Nimaiya Ōetsu had the Soul King's ability to see into the future. So they needed to observe continuously, to see what Ling Qing could do, what impact he could have on the world itself.
Power and talent were trivial matters. Ling Qing's true value lay in his future.
Based on this, Ling Qing's arrival at the Soul King's Palace was too early. That was why Ōetsu had said that since his body was healed and his Zanpakutō was adjusted, he should return to the Seireitei.
But even this thought had quietly changed in the end.
Ōetsu suddenly realized: what if Ling Qing's arrival at the Soul King's Palace at this very moment was also something the Soul King had foreseen? What if this trip was the very starting point that would inspire Ling Qing to do something great?
To some extent, Ōetsu's line of thinking was a bit of an over-analysis, a self-fulfilling prophecy. But he didn't think this was unnecessary, because this was the Soul King they were talking about. The great being who allowed the current world to exist, who anchored and protected this world, and whose long-term gaze was already fixed on the future, continuously exerting influence from behind the scenes.
Even they, who had guarded the Soul King for countless years, could only speculate on his thoughts, not explain them in detail.
So, Ōetsu extended an invitation to Ling Qing.
Regardless of what they could see in Ling Qing now, at the very least, helping him gain power and building a good relationship with him couldn't hurt.
And... most importantly.
Ling Qing did not have the qualifications to become the Soul King.
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