Chapter 147 : All means are used, Kuchiki Hollow Bankai
In the Seireitei's main assembly hall, a lavish crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, its soft light resembling starlight.
In the center of the hall, Li Yu sat calmly on a dark stone chair, his white coarse linen robe standing out distinctly amidst the black Shinigami robes.
Ade, dressed in a gold-embroidered white robe, stood with hands clasped at his side on one side of the elevated platform, his gaze calmly sweeping over the assembled crowd, exuding the gravitas of a leader.
In the open space in the center of the hall, the Ophiuchus Gold Cloth floated in the air, its golden plates gleaming with a cold luster, and faint Cosmo fluctuations emanating from around the Cloth.
That divine pressure, originating from the Eighth Sense Cosmo, made the Shinigami present involuntarily hold their breath.
"Lord God's armor possesses such terrifying pressure; if he were to act personally, what immense power would that be…"
"You need to remove the true spirit imprint from within without damaging the Cloth," Li Yu's voice echoed calmly through the hall, not deliberately raised, yet clearly reaching everyone's ears.
The Shinigami in the hall instantly perked up. This was a rare opportunity to receive guidance from Lord God, and also a chance to glimpse the true extent of the gap between them and Lord God.
The four Shinigami ancestors—Tsunayashiro Kyogen, Shiba Enjo, Kuchiki Kyo, and Shihouin Yoru Hana—stood side by side in the front row, along with Hyosube Ichibei, Oetsu Nimaiya, and hundreds of top Shinigami specializing in Kido, Binding Spells, and soul theory, all gathered together.
Over the past century, the Bleach World had developed three major systems: Zanpakuto techniques, Reishi manipulation, and sealing techniques. Although not yet forming the complete framework of "Zan, Ken, Ho, On" of later generations, it had already taken initial shape.
Ade stepped forward, elaborating on the difficulties.
"You all need not worry about damaging the Cloth and can exert your full strength. Lord God's challenge lies in the fact that the imprint planted in the spiritual body is deeply rooted in its origin, assimilated with flesh and blood, and the physical body's strength is extremely high, making it difficult for ordinary methods to reach the core of the soul."
Tsunayashiro Kyogen was the first to step forward. He wore a black Shinigami robe with Kido runes embroidered on the cuffs. As one of the ancestors who founded Kido, a hint of self-confidence flickered in his eyes.
Li Yu not taking him as a disciple back then had always been a regret in his heart. Now, being able to solve a problem for Lord God was an opportunity to prove himself.
"Recently, I have developed a technique to purify spiritual bodies. I am willing to try it for Lord God."
Li Yu nodded slightly, signaling him to begin.
Tsunayashiro Kyogen raised his hand, gathering pale blue Reishi at his fingertips, and slowly chanted.
"With spirit as the guide, condensed at the fingertip! Call forth the breath of the firmament, gather the faintest electricity, with my will as the guide, with my spirit as the string! Hado #4: Byakurai!"
Boom! The Reishi instantly transformed into a dazzling white lightning bolt, erupting from his fingertip and heading straight for the Ophiuchus Cloth.
However, as soon as the lightning touched the surface of the Cloth, it was as if it had encountered an impenetrable wall. It bounced a few times on the plates before completely dissipating, leaving not a single trace.
Everyone's gaze instantly focused on Li Yu, and the hall fell silent.
Li Yu slowly shook his head, his face devoid of any expression.
The power of Hado #4: Byakurai couldn't even penetrate the Cloth's defenses, let alone pierce through the Saint's body, which was stronger than the Cloth, to reach the imprint deep within the soul.
Tsunayashiro Kyogen's expression darkened slightly, a hint of unwillingness flashing in his eyes.
He took a deep breath, and his Reiryoku suddenly surged, a blue column of spiritual pressure shooting towards the ceiling, causing the surrounding new generation Shinigami to whisper amongst themselves.
"As expected of Lord Tsunayashiro! That Reiryoku must be at least a Second-Class level!"
Currently, Shinigami had already classified Reiryoku, with Ade's Zero-Class Reiryoku as the highest, Shiba Enjo's First-Class as second, and the other three ancestors all being Second-Class.
Tsunayashiro Kyogen felt everyone's gaze, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly, his voice deep and firm.
"Lord God, I have another technique, but its power is quite strong and I haven't fully mastered it yet. May I try again?"
"You may," Li Yu's reply remained concise.
Tsunayashiro Kyogen's body trembled slightly, and countless Reishi gathered in his palm like snowflakes. A long and solemn incantation resounded from his mouth.
"Follow the celestial order, draw the brilliance of the Nine Luminaries! Set the positions of the Eastern Dawn, Southern Radiance, Western Brightness, and Northern Star, with my spirit as the anchor, lock the gaps in their bodies! Weave starlight into chains, encircle with nine-turn knots! Sever their rush, seal their escape, bind their spirit! Bakudo #99: Kin!"
Before he finished speaking, nine pitch-black spiritual pressure spears appeared out of thin air, with a sharp ripping sound, accurately striking the Ophiuchus Cloth!
The spears successfully pierced the Gold Cloth, even causing subtle ripples on the plates.
"Did it succeed?"
Everyone held their breath, their eyes full of anticipation.
Li Yu, however, shook his head again.
Tsunayashiro Kyogen's face instantly turned pale. As the caster, he could clearly perceive that as soon as the power of the Binding Spell entered the Cloth, it was instantly annihilated and repelled by a power as vast as a sea of stars and as tough as divine steel. Even if it was just a wisp of Eighth Sense Cosmo, it was simply not something his Binding Spell could shake.
He staggered back a step, shaking his head helplessly.
"It's no use… Even if all the Shinigami combined to use Binding Spells, it wouldn't be able to eradicate it. Our Reishi power and Lord God's power are simply not on the same level."
Seeing this, Shiba Enjo stepped forward. He had a steady personality and was responsible for the research and development of sealing techniques. He cupped his hands.
"How about sealing? Let's use our strongest barrier to completely isolate the soul area contaminated by the imprint!"
Li Yu nodded slightly; this was also a method.
Shiba Enjo summoned a hundred top sealing masters.
These Shinigami quickly formed hand seals, and countless mysterious runes condensed in the air. Layers of miniature barriers, like transparent eggshells, enveloped the Ophiuchus Cloth.
However, when the barrier touched the golden aura within the Cloth, that wisp of aura spontaneously erupted with a faint but extremely oppressive divine radiance.
The barrier, painstakingly maintained by everyone, shattered inch by inch like inferior glass, the runes dissipated into the air, and several Shinigami were even backlashed, spitting out fresh blood.
"The power difference is too great…"
Shiba Enjo's face turned incredibly grim, and the original plan was instantly overturned.
Ade's heart stirred, and he looked at Li Yu.
"Master, what if you were to cast the sealing technique yourself?"
Li Yu shook his head.
"My power is of the same origin as the imprint's. It's like water cannot seal water, a doctor cannot heal himself; it's meaningless."
Ade nodded slightly; indeed, his power to glimpse the future could not see his own future.
Hundreds of years later, all he saw was an endless darkness and emptiness.
Ade then raised his voice.
"Are there any other methods? Speak them boldly!"
At this moment, Kuchiki Kyo stepped out of the crowd. He wore a white robe, his figure graceful, and his appearance handsome.
Kuchiki Kyo was extremely skilled in spatial techniques and swordsmanship. He bowed slightly.
"How about stripping it away? Using ultimate swordsmanship, combined with spatial cutting, to sever the part of the soul carrying the imprint!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the hall instantly fell silent, and many Shinigami gasped.
Performing such an exquisitely precise swordsmanship on a soul was no less difficult than carving "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" on a grain of rice; a slight mistake could damage the entire soul.
Li Yu, however, smiled faintly, and with a wave of his hand, the Ophiuchus Cloth instantly disintegrated, revealing a wisp of golden aura within.
The aura slowly condensed into a golden Cosmo, leaving a golden light spot in the center, representing the true spirit imprint within the soul.
"It's worth a try."
Kuchiki Kyo's eyes instantly burst with light. He grasped the Zanpakuto at his waist, and the blade shimmered with a faint silver glow.
"Bloom, Senbonzakura!"