Creation Power

As Liu Ziyun's figure passed through the Senkaimon and stepped back onto the land of Soul Society, the night was deep.

The ruins of the North District 80 appeared particularly desolate under the moonlight, with long shadows cast by the Broken Walls, like countless giant beasts lurking in the darkness. Cloaked in Black Cloak, he moved silently through this chaotic area like a true ghost, speeding towards the Seireitei.

Inside the Fourth Division Captain's room, the lights were on. Retsu Unohana sat upright at the tea table, with two steaming cups of tea in front of her. She looked up, her gaze falling on Liu Ziyun as he entered through the door. A hint of relief flashed in her eyes, a fleeting glint that he keenly caught.

"Captain, I'm back." Liu Ziyun forward, sat down opposite her, and took a sip of his tea. "Everything went smoothly."

Retsu Unohana nodded and put down her teacup. "Thank you for your help, Ziyun."

She paused, then asked, "So, are you still going to continue to play it safe?"

Liu Ziyun nodded, his gesture carrying a natural ease. "Yes. But now we need to keep an eye on Captain Shiba's life in the World of the Living."

His gaze deepened, as if piercing through time and space to see the distant future. "When his first child is born, if time hasn't changed, something will happen when his child is nine years old. It's something I could be involved in."

Retsu Unohana frowned slightly. "What is it?"

Liu Ziyun shook his head, a hint of mystery in his gesture. "I can't say right now. But don't worry, Captain. I won't have any impact on Soul Society."

Retsu Unohana looked at him, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. That emotion contained trust, worry, and an indescribable tenderness. "Then you can handle it yourself."

Liu Ziyun stood up. "Okay, then I'll head back now."

He turned and walked towards the door.

"Ziyun." Retsu Unohana's voice came from behind.

Liu Ziyun stopped and turned to look at her.

Retsu Unohana's gaze fell on his face, her eyes filled with concern. "You seem... very tired lately."

Liu Ziyun paused for a moment, then smiled. His smile held a mixture of relief, helplessness, and a complex emotion he himself couldn't comprehend. "Yes. I don't know why, but I've been feeling a bit tired lately."

Retsu Unohana nodded. "Take care of yourself. You can go now."

Liu Ziyun replied, "Understood. I'm leaving."

He pushed open the door and disappeared into the night.

However, Liu Ziyun did not return to his dormitory. He walked through the quiet corridor, bypassed the patrolling soldiers, and arrived at the underground Cultivation Space he had used for nearly a hundred years.

The heavy metal door closed silently behind him, isolating him from the outside world. The walls were covered with intricate Kidō Runes, emitting a faint glow in the darkness. This was his secret, his sanctuary, the place where he had fought countless life-or-death battles with Life-Taker Tulu.

Liu Ziyun sat cross-legged in the center of the space, took a deep breath, and slowly closed his eyes.

The Blade Zen begins.

The Inner World.

When Liu Ziyun's consciousness stepped into this familiar void again, the scene before him made him slightly stunned.

Life-Taker and Tulu, they were locked in fierce combat. Their figures clashed in mid-air, their swords flashing and shadows dancing in a dazzling display. Platinum and crimson light collided, erupting in blinding sparks. Their movements were astonishingly fast, each clash causing visible ripples in the surrounding void.

Liu Ziyun stood at a distance, watching this scene with curiosity. After a long while, he finally asked, "What... are you doing?"

Both the Life-Taker and the Tulu stopped simultaneously, sheathed their weapons, and retreated, walking towards him.

A faint smile Life-Taker that usually cold and aloof face. In that smile lay tenderness, relief, and a complex mix of emotions. "Oh dear, I was so focused on the battle that I didn't even notice you were here."

Liu Ziyun looked at them, his eyes full of curiosity. "Why are you two fighting?"

Life-Taker and Tulu exchanged a glance, then Life-Taker Strike spoke, "Since the last time you began to comprehend the 'Creation Power,' we have also undergone some changes. Therefore, we need to fight each other to adapt to the new power."

She paused, a hint of seriousness in her voice. "After all, it's not just you who hasn't grown to the point where you can control the Creation Power. So have I and Tulu. Because we've grown alongside you."

Liu Ziyun frowned slightly. "That power... is it called 'the Creation Power'?"

Life-Taker nodded. "Yes. Creation and destruction, in their cyclical nature, constitute the Creation."

Liu Ziyun pondered for a moment, "Isn't that reincarnation?"

Life-Taker shook his head slightly, a hint of helplessness in his gesture. "You're overthinking it. Reincarnation is something that already exists, undergoing orderly cyclical transformations according to specific rules. Creation and destruction are far more advanced than that."

Liu Ziyun silent. He lowered his head, looking at his hands—those seemingly ordinary hands that now contained unimaginable power. "This power... is it what I will master in the future?"

Life-Taker nodded. "Yes. This power, like a seed, was planted deep within your soul when you came into this world. And through your continuous self-improvement, it slowly awakens and sprouts from within you."

Her gaze deepened, as if piercing through Liu Ziyun's body and seeing the budding power deep within his soul. "This is also the foundation of your power."

Liu Ziyun looked up at her and said, "Okay, I understand."

He paused, then asked the question that had been bothering him, "I've been feeling really tired lately, is it because of this?"

Life-Taker nodded, a hint of apology in his gesture. "Yes. Because of the premature awakening of this power, we need to constantly adapt. And when we try to master this power, it takes a toll on your mind. That's why you feel tired."

Liu Ziyun paused for a moment, then smiled wryly, "Fine. So, you two are fighting in my Inner World, but I'm the one who gets exhausted?"

Life-Taker couldn't help but laugh. In that laugh, there was tenderness, doting affection, and a hint of mischief. "Yes, that's right. After all, we are the embodiment of your inner strength."

Liu Ziyun sighed helplessly, "Alright, I understand."

Tulu, who had been standing coldly to the side, finally spoke. Her voice was as icy as ever, but tinged with impatience. "Now that you know, leave. Don't bother us."

Without waiting for Liu Ziyun's reply, he raised his hand and waved it, an irresistible force pushing his consciousness out of his Inner World.