Deciding to Go to the World of the Living

Just as Liu Hao was immersed in the Imperial Throne, achieving a final reconciliation with his own power, time was quietly passing in the outside world.

Private Training Ground behind the Fourth Division Barracks, Retsu Unohana and Isane Kotetsu stood side by side. The two had been here for several days in a row, each time staying for a short time, but their concern was obvious.

"Captain," Isane Kotetsu frowned, looking at the empty space before her, "Lieutenant Liu Hao's Reiatsu disappeared right here. But why... can't we see anything here?"

Unohana did not answer immediately. Her deep purple eyes stared at the empty space in front of her, as if trying to pierce through the void and see the truth hidden within. After a moment, she slowly reached out her hand, her slender fingers pausing in mid-air before gently touching some kind of invisible barrier.

The air rippled slightly where my fingers touched, like pebbles thrown into a calm lake.

"Hmm..." Unohana withdrew her hand, a hint of understanding flashing in her eyes, "It must be the spatial ability that Lieutenant Liu Hao used before, hiding him in another dimension."

As soon as the words were spoken, the space in front of them suddenly rippled like water. A figure slowly emerged from the void. It was a woman dressed in a starry dress, her long hair flowing like the Milky Way, and she held an ancient scabbard in her arms, inside which was the Imperial Sword.

Imperial Princess.

Unohana's gaze lingered on the Imperial Princess for a moment before she asked directly, "Where is Lieutenant Liu Hao?"

"Liu Hao is currently training for Bankai." The Imperial Princess's voice was clear and ethereal, like a mountain stream.

Isane Kotetsu couldn't help but press, "But we sensed his Reiatsu disappear! What happened?"

"This is his cultivation process," the Imperial Princess replied calmly. "I cannot interfere with the outcome. Your Majesty, his cultivation will take some time. You may wait here or return to wait. He will naturally come to see you when his cultivation is complete."

Unohana narrowed her eyes, a barely perceptible scrutiny hidden behind her gentle smile, "We'll come to check on you every day."

"I see," the Imperial Princess nodded slightly, a barely perceptible smile curving her lips. "Then please wait patiently."

After saying that, her figure vanished like smoke, disappearing back into the invisible Spatial Barrier.

From that day on, Unohana and Isane Kotetsu became regulars here. Every morning, the two would come to the Training Ground, stand quietly for a moment, feel the faint fluctuations within the barrier, and then turn and leave.

This went on for an unknown period of time.

This day was no different from any other.

Unohana and Isane Kotetsu waited outside the barrier for a moment, and just as they were about to turn and leave, a sudden change occurred.

An invisible pressure, like a sleeping dragon awakening, slowly seeped out from the unseen Spatial Barrier. It was not an impact of Reiatsu, nor an explosion of power, but a more fundamental and profound "sense of presence."

Isane Kotetsu felt her heart leap, a strange tremor surging from the depths of her soul. She instinctively took a half-step back, her voice tinged with barely concealed horror. "Captain, this Reiatsu... it's so peculiar! It seems... it seems to want me to submit to it!"

"This isn't Reiatsu." Unohana's voice remained calm, but her usually gentle eyes now flashed with a sharp, knife-like light. "This feeling is more like a commoner seeing Emperor —the imposing aura of a superior."

She paused, then continued, "Like when you face the Captain-Commander, it's not the Reiatsu he releases that inspires awe, but rather the imposing aura of a superior he's cultivated from years in that position. It's an aura built up from years of experience, responsibility, and power."

Isane Kotetsu composed herself, struggling to resist the urge to submit, and asked, "Is this the ability that Lieutenant Liu Hao developed after training in Bankai?"

"This kind of aura cannot be achieved through cultivation." Unohana shook her head slightly, her gaze fixed on the empty area in front of her, which exuded an invisible sense of oppression. "Only those who have been in a high position for a long time, or... those who are born kings, can possess this kind of aura."

"So that means..." Isane Kotetsu's voice was filled with disbelief, "Lieutenant Liu Hao is a born king?!"

Unohana didn't answer, but simply sighed softly, "Who knows..."

Before the words were even finished, the space in front of them suddenly began to fluctuate violently.

Suddenly, transparent ripples appeared on the empty space. The ripples spread and coalesced rapidly, eventually transforming into a complete light curtain—the manifestation of Spatial Barrier.

Inside the barrier, the scene gradually became clearer.

The first thing you see is an ancient and majestic Imperial Throne, cast entirely from dark gold metal. The armrests are carved with coiled dragons, and the backrest features a flowing star map.

Then, there was the person sitting on the Imperial Throne, Liu Hao.

He sat upright on the Imperial Throne, his eyes slightly closed, his expression calm. There was no ostentatious aura, no outward Reiatsu, but simply sitting there, he exuded a terrifying majesty.

That majesty was not domineering or oppressive, but it naturally encompassed the entire space within his "domain." It was as if he were the center of this space, the axis of this world, and the source of all rules and order.

Beside the Imperial Throne, the Imperial Princess stood quietly, holding the Imperial Sword. Her expression was solemn and respectful, like a sword-wielding maidservant serving the Emperor.

This scene lasted only a few seconds.

Then, the Spatial Barrier began to shrink and dissipate rapidly. The figures of the Imperial Throne and the Imperial Princess also became blurry and transparent, and finally disappeared completely, as if they had never existed.

Only Liu Hao remained standing there.

He rose from the Imperial Throne, landed back on the ground, and appeared before Unohana and Isane Kotetsu.

Unohana stared at Liu Hao in front of her.

Outwardly, he seemed unchanged. He still wore that white Fourth Division haori, still had that familiar face, and still had that gentle demeanor.

But upon closer inspection, a fundamental difference will be discovered.

Unohana could not sense his power.

It wasn't that the power was weak, nor that it was well hidden, but rather... it was as if what stood before me wasn't a person, but a void. It was like looking at a perfect human silhouette, but with nothing inside.

Yet even in this "emptiness," it still exudes an aura that compels one to submit.

The feeling was strange—even though I couldn't sense any Reiatsu fluctuations, I instinctively wanted to bow my head, to feel awe, to... obey.

"You seem different now," Unohana said softly, her eyes narrowed.

As she spoke, the invisible aura surrounding Liu Hao suddenly dissipated.

It doesn't gradually weaken, nor does it recede or hide; rather, it vanishes without a trace, like smoke blown away by the wind.

Standing before the two, Liu Hao had reverted to his familiar self Medical Guard Team Lieutenant —gentle, humble, and even a little shy.

He scratched his head, a familiar smile appearing on his face, "My strength has only increased a little, how is it different?"

Unohana did not answer immediately. She tried to sense again, but still could not detect any fluctuations of power from Liu Hao.

"I can't feel your power," she said bluntly.

Liu Hao paused for a moment, then seemed to understand something. He closed his eyes, as if adjusting something, and opened them again after a while.

The moment he opened his eyes, a powerful Reiatsu emanated from his body.

That wasn't a deliberately released pressure, but rather a "sense of presence" formed by the natural dissipation of power. Unohana could clearly sense that the intensity of this Reiatsu had surpassed that of most Captains, and might even... be approaching her own level.

But what's most astonishing isn't its strength, but its "mass".

The Reiatsu was incredibly pure, as solid as a solid, and controlled as naturally as breathing. Every subtle fluctuation was precise and coordinated, without a trace of waste or disorder.

"After training, I can perfectly conceal the Reiatsu I emit," Liu Hao explained casually, "So the Captain probably didn't sense it."

"Yes," Unohana, her smile deepening. "But to be able to do that, you've indeed become much stronger. Even I might not be your match anymore."

As she spoke, her eyes narrowed into slits, her smile still gentle, but Liu Hao could clearly sense the burgeoning fighting spirit within her—the awakening of the "Sword Demon's " instinct, the excitement of encountering a worthy opponent.

Liu Hao quickly waved his hand. "It's still far from enough, Captain, you're too modest."

He paused, then changed the subject. "By the way, Captain, is there something you need from me?"

Unohana's smile faded, her expression turning serious. "During your training, your Reiatsu suddenly disappeared. Although your Zanpakuto tells us you're training for Bankai, I'm still a little worried, so I've been checking on you every day."

"Oh, I'm so sorry," Liu Hao said apologetically, "I made the Captain worry."

"I'm not worried," Unohana shook her head, "But there's something I need to tell you— Kaien Shiba went to the World of the Living on a mission and hasn't returned for some time."

Liu Hao frowned slightly. "Why did he suddenly go to the World of the Living?"

"Captain Ukitake said he was going on a routine mission," Unohana explained, "But it's been a bit long. The Captain-Commander and I are worried that if he stays in the World of the Living too long, it will attract Aizen's attention. After all, we... don't yet have a way to deal with Kyōka Suigetsu."

Liu Hao pondered for a moment, "I see. Should I go find him and bring him back?"

"Yes, it's good for you to go and take a look." Unohana. "And see if you can get in touch with Kisuke Urahara and Captain Shiba. If they're willing, you can try to make contact with... the Visoreds."

Liu Hao's eyes lit up. "That's not a problem. I can also go and see the Visoreds then, since they will be an indispensable fighting force for Soul Society in the future."

"That's better," Unohana agreed. "After all, we can't rely solely on humans to face future crises. More resources mean more certainty."

"Okay," Liu Hao nodded, "Then, Captain, I'll rest for a bit and then go check out the World of the Living."

Unohana suddenly thought of a question, "Can you evade Aizen's surveillance? I think he's been watching you closely. Could he take advantage of your trip to the World of the Living to harm you?"

Liu Hao smiled, a smile brimming with unprecedented confidence, "No need to avoid him. Just give me a mission. Let him pay attention if he wants it. Right now, while I can't guarantee I can defeat him, I can certainly protect myself."

"Have you managed to avoid the Kyōka Suigetsu?" Unohana pressed, this was the most crucial question.

"I can now make the Kyōka Suigetsu' effect ineffective against myself," Liu Hao answered confidently. "So, protecting myself against him shouldn't be a problem."

Unohana wasn't entirely reassured. "You still can't be careless. If he uses Kyōka Suigetsu' to set you up, we won't be able to help you then."

This question silenced Liu Hao. Indeed, the most terrifying aspect of Kyōka Suigetsu wasn't its direct impact on him, but rather its influence on those around him. What if Aizen used illusions to manipulate others into attacking him, or to create a perfect trap...?

"That is indeed a problem," Liu Hao finally spoke, his voice becoming serious. "If it comes to that... then I'll just stay hidden in the World of the Living. I'll come back when I have the chance."

Unohana thought for a moment and nodded, "That's fine too. If someone else went, they might be killed by Aizen's scheme. If it's you, even if you're set up, as long as you don't die, you'll have a chance to turn things around in the future. I'll go inform the Captain-Commander about this."

"Yes," Liu Hao added, "Tell the Captain-Commander that we don't need to rush. Let's treat this as training for the Soul Society. After all, the Gotei 13 hasn't had a proper battle in a long time. This is a good opportunity to let everyone improve their strength."

Unohana gave Liu Hao a deep look, her eyes filled with approval, relief, and a complex mix of emotions that were hard to describe.

"In that case," she finally said, "You go and rest. I'll go report to the Captain-Commander."

After saying that, she turned around, her white haori swaying gently in the breeze, and walked towards the center of the Seireitei with Isane Kotetsu.

Liu Hao stood there, watching the two leave until their figures disappeared behind the buildings in the distance.

He turned around and looked in the direction of his dormitory.

The sky was azure, the clouds drifted lazily, and the Seireitei remained peaceful and serene. But beneath this tranquility, undercurrents were surging. Aizen's conspiracy, Yhwach's threat, the future crisis of the Three Worlds... all awaited them ahead.

And he was already prepared.

Not as a bystander, not as an escapist, but as a true "participant"—with a complete self, with an awakened Imperial Heart, and with entirely new power.

Liu Hao took a deep breath, feeling the ancient and sacred power pulsating within him, experiencing a wondrous state of being both in harmony with and transcendent of the world.

Then, he started walking towards the dormitory.

Pack your bags, make plans, and prepare for your journey in this World of the Living.

But before that...

He needs to get some rest.