Examining the Heart (II)

After a while, Lisa Yadōmaru finally spoke again. Her voice was soft but exceptionally clear. "Why? Actually, like you said, you could have completely stayed out of it, you could have even avoided those of us who are caught in this vortex. But why... why did you still get involved? Why did you do so much for us?"

This was clearly a question that had been weighing on her mind for a long time.

Liu Ziyun at the two fighting in the distance, remained silent for a long time, and then slowly spoke, "Originally... that was indeed what I thought. To stay in the Fourth Division, wait for all of this to pass, and then peacefully build a harem and live a leisurely life."

His tone carried a hint of self-deprecation. "At first, I just wanted to improve my strength and protect Captain Unohana —because she was one of the few people I cared about in Soul Society."

"But later, at the Shin'ō Academy, Hirako and the others saw that I was alone and took the initiative to approach me and offer help. Although I didn't really need it, and even deliberately avoided them at first... their actions still touched me."

Liu Ziyun's voice softened. "They treated me as a companion, as a friend. Even if I acted cold and distant, they didn't give up. So I thought... since protecting one is the same as protecting others, protecting a few more doesn't matter. Who told me to be so soft-hearted and unable to bear seeing my friends suffer?"

These words stunned both Lisa Yadōmaru and Mashiro Kuna. They had never imagined that this man, who always appeared cynical and unfathomable, could have such a... soft heart.

Just then, footsteps came from the entrance of the training ground.

Kisuke Urahara, Shinji Hirako, Love Aikawa, and Hiyori Sarugaki walked in. Clearly, Hiyori Sarugaki had completed her task and summoned everyone.

Upon hearing Liu Ziyun's last few words, Shinji Hirako wore a complex smile, "Oh dear, what's Ziyun reminiscing about? So serious, it's unlike you."

Liu Ziyun didn't turn around, his voice returning to its usual relaxed tone. "I'm amazed by your laziness. After I leave, will you all start slacking off again? When you come crying to me in the future, how am I supposed to mock you to vent my anger?"

This made Shinji Hirako laugh out loud, "You're still so dishonest."

Kisuke Urahara walked up to Liu Ziyun, his fisherman's hat pulled low, obscuring his expression. "Mr. Liu, what brings you here? Hiyori said you seemed to be in some trouble?"

Liu Ziyun nodded, his expression turning serious again. "I brought you here to help me continue casting the Barrier and conceal my Reiatsu. I can sense... I should have mastered Bankai, but it seems I haven't fully mastered it yet."

He paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts. "I think it's because I fainted before, and neither 'Life-Taker' nor 'Tulu' told me the specific usage. But this time I intend to communicate with them through 'Blade Zen'... I can foresee that this communication might trigger violent fluctuations in Reiatsu, and might even get out of control."

Kisuke Urahara's expression also turned serious. "Understood. Then let's begin preparations."

Without further ado, Kisuke Urahara, Tessai Tsukabishi, and Hachigen Ushōda immediately sprang into action. The three set up an even more complex and robust Barrier in the training ground. This time, they used almost all of their reserves to raise the Barrier's protective level to the highest possible level.

The other members of the Visored retreated to the Barrier and watched quietly.

About half an hour later, everything was ready.

Liu Ziyun to the center of the Barrier and sat down cross-legged. He placed his Zanpakuto across his knees, took a deep breath, and then slowly closed his eyes—although he couldn't see anyway, this action helped him concentrate.

The Blade Zen begins.

Almost instantly, the Reiatsu Liu Ziyun began to change. The originally steady Reiatsu suddenly became violent, surging wildly within his body like a volcano about to erupt. His body began to tremble uncontrollably, fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and a trace of blood even spilled from the corner of his mouth.

Even more terrifying, wounds began to appear on his body—not physical wounds, but illusory scars formed by Reiatsu. These scars appeared and disappeared on his skin as if cut by invisible blades, each appearance bringing intense pain.

Those watching from outside the Barrier were terrified.

"This is..." Shinji Hirako murmured to himself, "What is he experiencing in his Inner World...?"

No one can answer this question.

The Inner World.

When Liu Ziyun's consciousness re-entered this familiar yet unfamiliar space, he was not greeted by the usual tranquility, but by a storm of attacks.

Life-Taker Tulu had been waiting for a long time. The two men, one on the left and one on the right, rushed towards Liu Ziyun like two bolts of lightning. The blades in their hands carried an aura of tearing everything apart. Without any warning or indication, they launched a deadly attack.

Liu Ziyun didn't even have time to speak; he could only instinctively raise his knife to parry.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

The dense clanging of metal echoed in the void of his Inner World. Each collision made Liu Ziyun's arm go numb, and each confrontation left a deep mark on his soul.

What's even more terrifying is that their coordination of Life-Taker and Tulu is more perfect than ever before. Their attacks are like a storm, without any gaps or weaknesses, giving Liu Ziyun no chance to breathe.

Under such a fierce attack, Liu Ziyun quickly fell into a desperate situation. Countless wounds appeared on his body, and blood gushed from the wounds in his soul, turning into crimson-black light spots and dissipating into the void. His breathing became rapid, his Reiatsu began to become disordered, and even the strength to grip the sword was rapidly disappearing.

Finally, after a violent collision, the knife in Liu Ziyun's hand was knocked away, and he flew backward, crashing heavily to the ground, unable to get up again.

Life-Taker and Tulu ceased before him, looking down upon him.

The Life-Taker's face held none of its usual gentleness, only coldness and anger. "Ziyun, how dare you barge in? Don't you know the purpose of our existence?"

Her voice was filled with suppressed rage. "In my out-of-control state, you actually rammed your body right through my blade! Do you know that if I hadn't been able to control myself then, you would have died—truly died! Even after death, because of my madness, you would have transformed into a Hollow capable of destroying the world!"

Liu Ziyun struggled to lift his head, looking at Life-Taker, a bitter smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, "Given our relationship... even if you lost control, I believed you would instinctively protect me. So... that's why I willingly accepted your blade."

These words made Life-Taker's expression even colder. "Feelings? Trust? So you used that trust to stab me in the back?!"

The Tulu coldly added, "To awaken her, you chose the most dangerous and extreme method. If there had been the slightest mistake, you would both have died."

Liu Ziyun struggled to sit up. Although he was covered in wounds, his eyes remained resolute. "That stab... was to transfer my heart to Life-Taker, not to kill. You can't just look at the form; you have to look at my heart, right, Life-Taker?"

He gazed toward the Life-Taker, his empty eyes filled with earnestness.

Life-Taker a moment of silence, a slight softening appeared on his icy expression, but his tone remained firm. "Hmph... Although you did awaken my reason back then, didn't you still stab me in the back? It hurts to think about it... Before, to help you, we suppressed our own power, gradually cooperating with you to improve our strength. And in the end, for the sake of Bankai, you actually stabbed me in the back... How heartbreaking."

There was a hint of grievance in her voice, a grievance that stirred a sense of guilt in Liu Ziyun's heart.

"Oh Life-Taker, don't be sad, I was wrong," Liu Ziyun said hurriedly, his voice unusually flustered. "I promise there won't be a next time! From now on, I'll kneel before you, hug your leg to wake you up, and promise I won't stab you again! Don't be sad, okay?"

These words made Tulu roll his eyes. "Sweet talk."

Life-Taker chuckled, but then straightened his face. "Hmph, you smooth-talking bastard. Alright, we know why you came in. Since you defeated us before, we'll teach you—you deserve it."

As soon as he finished speaking, a Tang Dao suddenly appeared in his Life-Taker hand.

The sword was exactly the same as the Zanpakuto at Liu Ziyun's waist—a transparent blade with three-colored light flowing inside. But in the hands of the Life-Taker, the aura emanating from this sword was purer, more... essential.

Before Liu Ziyun could react, the Life-Taker had already begun.

She took a step forward, the knife in her hand aimed straight at Liu Ziyun's chest.

This time, Liu Ziyun neither dodged nor blocked.

Because he could "sense" that there was no killing intent or anger in that Life-Taker strike, only a kind of... gentle, motherly embrace.

"Puff--"

The blade pierced his chest.

But there was no pain, and no bleeding.

A warm sensation spread from where the blade pierced Liu Ziyun, quickly reaching his entire being. It felt like being enveloped by the warmest light and soaked in the gentlest water; every cell rejoiced, and every wisp of his soul resonated.

A Life-Taker voice echoed deep within his consciousness, gentle yet clear. "What are you standing there for? Haven't you always wanted to wholeheartedly accept the blade and gain power? Aren't I granting your wish?"

She paused, a hint of a smile in her voice, "Alright, take this knife and leave. Go and finish what you must do, protect those you must protect. We... will always be here, with you."

The moment the words left his mouth, Liu Ziyun felt himself being pushed out of his Inner World by a gentle force.