The Visored's Confusion and Liu Ziyun's Guidance (Part Two)

Liu Ziyun to a corner, sat down cross-legged, and said, "I'll go rest first. I'm really exhausted; this trip has taken a toll."

After saying that, he closed his eyes and almost instantly entered a shallow meditative state.

Shinji Hirako looked at him, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him.

[Sigh... Ziyun, it seems you've really gone to great lengths for us and the Soul Society.]

He turned to leave, only to find Love Aikawa and Kensei Muguruma standing not far away, clearly having been waiting for a while.

Kensei Muguruma stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "Hirako, why didn't Ziyun say goodbye before leaving? Is something wrong?"

Shinji Hirako shook his head. "He went to rest. His Reiatsu was severely depleted while saving people."

Love Aikawa frowned. "What happened? Were you fighting someone?"

Shinji Hirako glanced at him and slowly said, "They've brought in two people who were almost killed by Aizen's experiments. The effort to save them was quite costly."

A flash of anger crossed Kensei Muguruma's eyes. "It's Aizen again! Did he say when he's going to make his move?"

Shinji Hirako shook his head. "Let's wait a few decades. Perfect timing, we also need to improve our strength. Ziyun will be resting here for the next couple of days, let's get together and discuss cultivation issues, and see if he has any ideas."

Love Aikawa nodded. "Okay, I'll go call everyone."

He turned and walked to the other side of the training ground, calling the others over. Soon, the eight of them gathered together, discussing the problems they had encountered in their cultivation.

The next day.

As Liu Ziyun leisurely walked into the Underground Training Ground, the members of the Visored had already begun their day's training.

Shinji Hirako was the first to notice his arrival and immediately went to greet him, "Ziyun, how is your recovery?"

Liu Ziyun his shoulders, assessing his internal condition. "It's alright. Although my Reiatsu hasn't fully recovered, at least I have the strength to speak."

Shinji Hirako nodded. "That's perfect. We've encountered quite a few problems in our cultivation and would like to ask for your advice."

Liu Ziyun laughed, "Alright. Let's call everyone over."

Shinji Hirako turned around and called everyone over. Soon, the nine of them formed a circle and sat in the center of the training ground.

Shinji Hirako was the first to speak, "Our current situation is that we can communicate with Zanpakuto, but some acknowledge us while others completely ignore us. As for Hollows, some can sense them, while others cannot. Do you have any suggestions?"

Liu Ziyun, then slowly said, "Zanpakuto, the only thing I can think of is to fight it with an open heart. Let it see your determination, let it acknowledge you—not as a master, but as a partner."

He paused, then continued, "As for Hollows, they were probably defeated by you and then merged into your bodies. It's also possible that they've already fused with your Zanpakuto."

He looked at Shinji Hirako and asked, "Among you, those who can Bankai Zanpakuto. Those who can't, I guess your Zanpakuto won't bother with you, right?"

Shinji Hirako paused for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, that's really true. Can you figure out why that's the case?"

Liu Ziyun chuckled softly, "I feel it's because mastering Bankai is equivalent to mastering the full power of Zanpakuto. Of course, you may not have developed it to its limit, but you have still gained the genuine recognition of the Zanpakuto."

He glanced around at everyone, a hint of meaning in his voice. "Zanpakuto have their tempers too. Those who haven't Zanpakuto Bankai think, 'You haven't even mastered your own power, yet you're researching Hollow powers—maybe that's why you're throwing a tantrum.'"

Hiyori Sarugaki curled her lip in disbelief. "Hmm... Zanpakuto have tempers? Are you sure you're not kidding us?"

Liu Ziyun looked at her, a mischievous smile playing on his lips, "Hey... Hiyori, why don't you ask them? Isn't it normal for Zanpakuto to have tempers?"

Mashiro Kuna nodded vigorously from the side. "It has a temper! My Daodao has a temper!"

She said with a troubled expression, "However, my swords and Elder Xu are at odds, both insisting that I take control of their power first. It's so difficult..."

Lisa Yadōmaru spoke up then. Her voice was calm, but tinged with helplessness. "My Zanpakuto won't respond to me at all. What should I do?"

Liu Ziyun looked at her. "Your Zanpakuto is 'Iron Paddle Dragonfly,' right? Your ability to Shikai is actually a response to you. From now on, you can unleash the Blade Zen '."

He thought for a moment and continued, "You're all the same. You can try Blade Zen without releasing it, Blade Zen in its Shikai, Blade Zen in its Bankai. You can also try wearing Visored and using the Visored as a sword to try Blade Zen."

His tone became serious. "However, be careful not to let the power of the void run rampant. If they don't admit it, fight until they do. Because only those of equal strength have the right to negotiate."

He looked at everyone, his eyes deep. "It's the same with Zanpakuto. If it intends to protect you from the beginning, then you can always communicate openly. If it doesn't want to acknowledge you, then use your strength to make it recognize you."

He paused, then added, "Of course, not literally to kill. It's to show it your determination, your perseverance, your sincerity. Your Zanpakuto is a part of your soul; it knows you better than anyone. You can't fool it."

The group nodded thoughtfully.

For the rest of the day, the members of the Visored took turns raising questions they encountered during their training, and Liu Ziyun offered his suggestions and opinions one by one. Sometimes it was about specific techniques, sometimes it was about adjusting one's mindset, and sometimes it was just simple encouragement.

"Hirako, your Sakanade can be used to invert your perception, not just your vision."

"Rose, you could try incorporating more elements into your music, not just auditory elements."

"Kensei, you can try to make your punches faster, but the goal isn't speed, it's variation."

"Hiyori, you're too impatient. Zanpakuto need patient communication."

"Shiro-chan, you've done very well, but you could try making the knife and the void talk."

"Lisa, don't worry. Zanpakuto won't respond, then go knock on its door yourself."

The discussion lasted all day. As the sun began to set and night fell, the group reluctantly dispersed.

Liu Ziyun stood up and stretched his somewhat stiff body. Although his Reiatsu hadn't recovered, he felt much better mentally—helping others was sometimes helping himself.

Shinji Hirako walked up to him. "You've worked hard, Ziyun. Everyone has gained a lot today."

Liu Ziyun shook his head. "It's nothing. I'm just glad I could help."

Shinji Hirako looked at him with a complicated expression. "Aren't you really... tired? You've helped us so much?"

Liu Ziyun smiled. His smile held a hint of relief and warmth, "What's there to be tired about? You're my friends. Helping friends is the right thing to do."

He turned and walked towards his resting place. "I'm going to rest now. Tomorrow, I'm going back to Soul Society."

Shinji Hirako watched his retreating figure, an indescribable emotion welled up within him.

[Ziyun... thank you.]

He spoke softly, so softly that it was almost inaudible.

But Liu Ziyun seemed to have heard him. He stopped, didn't turn around, just waved lightly, and then disappeared at the end of the corridor.