Towering cliffs pierced the clouds, while the sea churned below, rolling up wave after wave of spray.
A dilapidated wooden hut stood alone at the edge of the cliff, as though it were the guardian of this vast ocean.
"This is really shabby."
Even Su Feng could not help but complain when he saw the real thing.
A plaque hung over the worn wooden hut, bearing the three words "Phoenix Hall."
"No wonder you built a new detached hall."
Pulling aside the hut's curtain, Su Feng looked down inside.
Because he had some understanding of the true Phoenix Hall, he did not enter right away and merely observed from the doorway.
Though the interior was pitch-black, his eyesight still allowed him to clearly see the humanoid creatures hidden in the corners.
Asauchi.
More precisely, they were materialized Asauchi.
Beings that had not yet been infused with a Shinigami's soul.
"Bro, you seem to know Phoenix Hall quite well."
Oetsu Nimaiya clapped out a beat and grinned. "You actually didn't go straight inside."
"These Asauchi really wanted to get close to you!"
Su Feng lowered the hand holding up the curtain and glanced sideways at him. "I merely showed the proper reverence toward the unknown."
"You know how it is. In a place as perilous as Soul Society, without a bit of vigilance, I would have been chopped into pieces long ago."
"I've survived until now entirely because of this caution and reverence."
Oetsu Nimaiya froze for a moment before bursting into laughter.
"Haha, that's right, bro, that's exactly how it should be!"
"Whether it's a Shinigami or a Zanpakuto, both should be treated with reverence."
"Only then can you truly understand a Zanpakuto!"
As he spoke, Oetsu Nimaiya led Su Feng around the side of Phoenix Hall, where a massive