Awakening

In that Underground Space shrouded in a pale golden Barrier, time seemed to lose its meaning. Retsu Unohana sat quietly at the edge of the Barrier, her gaze fixed on the figure sitting cross-legged for over a month.

Over the past month, the black and white light surrounding Liu Ziyun has become increasingly intense, forming two clearly visible bands of light that coil and entwine around his body like two giant dragons.

The black band of light was as deep as an abyss, and each movement of it slightly distorted the surrounding space; the white band of light was as pure as snow, leaving faint golden specks wherever it passed, as if it were repairing everything that had been destroyed by the black light.

Even more astonishingly, as the black and white light continued to cycle, Liu Ziyun's body gradually began to emit a faint reddish-gold light.

The light was initially extremely faint, like the first ray of dawn in the darkest hour before sunrise, but as time went on, it grew brighter and brighter, eventually dyeing the entire Barrier space with a warm and sacred gold.

Retsu Unohana could clearly sense that the crimson-gold light contained an indescribable power—both gentle and domineering, both inclusive and sharp, as if it could create everything and destroy everything. It was a level of power she had never felt before, far beyond her comprehension.

[Is this the power he's been pursuing?] Retsu Unohana thought silently to herself, [The power to surpass the limits of Soul Reaper, to change fate...]

She sat there quietly, watching every change that occurred in Liu Ziyun, a peace that was hard to describe welling up inside her. It was a peace as deep as the sea, as starry as the sky, as eternal as eternity itself.

On this day, as Retsu Unohana was gazing at Liu Ziyun as usual, something unexpected happened.

Liu Ziyun's consciousness jolted violently. The Taiji diagram that had been spinning in the depths of his soul for countless days and nights suddenly burst forth with dazzling light. Then, his consciousness was shaken away by an irresistible force, leaving that mysterious realm.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in his Inner World.

But this time, everything is different.

The Life-Taker and Tulu still stood atop that tall building, but the changes in them stunned Liu Ziyun instantly.

On the Life-Taker white-gold robe, dark red patterns faintly appeared; while on the dark red armor of the Tulu, white-gold light also appeared.

The two auras intertwined, creating a feeling that was both familiar and strange—as if they were no longer two independent individuals, but rather two sides of some higher existence.

Liu Ziyun could even speak, the Life-Taker and Tulu began simultaneously.

A complex light flashed in their eyes—a mixture of relief, anticipation, and a hint of... warning?

The next second, Liu Ziyun felt his consciousness being pushed out of his Inner World by a tremendous force. The force came too fast and too suddenly; he didn't even have time to react before he was back in reality.

The Real World.

The instant Liu Ziyun returned, the black and white light surrounding him trembled violently, then, as if summoned, rapidly merged into his body. The speed at which the light surged in was astonishing, like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea, disappearing without a trace in an instant.

Seeing this, Retsu Unohana knew that Liu Ziyun to wake up. She slowly stood up and walked towards the figure sitting cross-legged.

Liu Ziyun opened his eyes. Those eye sockets, empty for nearly a century, now seemed to gleam with a profound light. He saw Retsu Unohana walking towards him, and a warmth filled his heart. A smile involuntarily crept onto his lips, and he wanted to say something—

Then, he was kicked in the face.

That kick was swift and vicious, knocking him to the ground. Before he could even react, Retsu Unohana's foot had already landed on his face, the force rendering him completely immobile.

"You bastard!" Retsu Unohana's voice was filled with suppressed anger and concern. "If you can't control that power within you, it could annihilate you instantly, do you know that?! You bastard!"

Liu Ziyun was completely bewildered by the stepping on him. He wanted to explain, apologize, and say something—but the problem was, Retsu Unohana's foot was on his face, and the moment he opened his mouth, his lips touched the sole of her shoe.

[How... how am I supposed to explain this...] Liu Ziyun wailed inwardly, [If I open my mouth, won't I just be licking your shoes?]

He began to struggle, trying to move Retsu Unohana's foot. But Retsu Unohana was incredibly strong, and for a moment he couldn't budge her. Liu Ziyun no choice but to increase his strength, concentrating all his power in his head, and thrust it forward—

Retsu Unohana felt an irresistible force coming from the soles of her feet, causing her to lose her balance instantly, somersault backward, and fly away.

Upon Liu Ziyun instinctively wanted to step forward and catch her, and in a flash, he chased after her.

"Stay where you are and don't move!" Retsu Unohana's voice rang out in the air.

Liu Ziyun abruptly stopped in his tracks.

Retsu Unohana performed an elegant turn in mid-air, landing easily. She straightened her slightly disheveled robes, looked at Liu Ziyun, and a complex light flashed in her eyes. "Your strength has increased quite a bit now, and your body may not have fully adapted yet. You'd better not touch me, or you might hurt me."

Liu Ziyun scratched his head, looking completely innocent. "Captain, how long has it been? When did you arrive?"

Retsu Unohana walked up to him and looked him up and down. "I came looking for you after your Reiatsu Substitute dissipated. About... a little over a month, less than two months."

A warm feeling welled up in Liu Ziyun's heart. He knew that Retsu Unohana had been staying here all this time, protecting him without leaving his side. This affection made him both touched and guilty.

"Looks like the captain still cares about me." A warm smile appeared on his lips. "He noticed something was wrong and came looking for me right away."

Retsu Unohana rolled her eyes at him. "Stop talking nonsense. What kind of power are you cultivating? And it seems like you could completely annihilate yourself if you're not careful."

Liu Ziyun scratched his head, his smile turning somewhat awkward, "Well... actually, I don't know either. I can only barely guide this power right now."

He thought for a moment and explained, "This power seems to be something I can only control when I'm fully Bankai. I can't do it now. I used power beyond my limits to save the Kaien couple, which resulted in this power, which has remained in my body ever since."

Because I can't control it, it keeps damaging my body, preventing me from returning to my peak condition, and it's actually declining. So, I can only go into seclusion and try to expel or control it.

A knowing glint flashed in Retsu Unohana's eyes. "That power has two sides—one is destruction, and the other seems to be healing? No, that healing feeling is more like creation; it doesn't seem to be pure healing."

Liu Ziyun nodded. "I don't know. I'll understand when I'm strong enough. I don't need to worry about that now."

He looked at Retsu Unohana, his tone concerned, "Captain, you've been here for quite a while. Shall we go back?"

Retsu Unohana shook her head. "No need. You stay here. You can't control your body's power growth yet; you need time to adapt. I'll go back first."

Liu Ziyun suddenly remembered something. "Oh right, I left a backup plan on that door. It should create a substitute to inform Isane that you're in seclusion. When you go back, don't let it slip."

Retsu Unohana rolled her eyes at him, a complex emotion in her gaze. "You've thought of everything. Alright, I'm leaving."

She raised her hand and channeled Reiatsu into the Talisman in her hand. The Talisman instantly burst forth with dazzling light, transforming into a portal of light identical to the one she had used to enter.

Retsu Unohana glanced at Liu Ziyun one last time before stepping into the portal.

The portal slowly disappeared behind her, transforming into a stream of light and re-merging into the Talisman.

In the Underground Space, only Liu Ziyun remained.

He stood there, looking in the direction where Retsu Unohana had disappeared, a gentle smile playing on his lips, "Thank you, Xiao Lielie."