Path of No Entry

Deep within the Soul King Palace lay a special council chamber.

There were no fixed tables or chairs here, only several floating platforms formed from pure energy.

The five members of Zero Division had gathered here.

Ichibē Hyōsube sat cross-legged on the central platform, recounting in full Liu Chuan's request to refuse having his body rebuilt with the Soul King's Power and his unwillingness to become a "Royal Key" to the other four.

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For a moment, the atmosphere turned heavy, broken only by the faint hum of fragments of rules flowing around them.

"Hahaha!" Ōetsu Nimaiya was the first to break the silence. Still wearing that distinctive short jacket, his eyes seemed to flash behind his sunglasses as he slapped his thigh and burst into loud laughter.

"Just as I thought! As expected of the guy who came up with using a Tenshintai to 'chat' directly with Hyōrinmaru! He really doesn't think like ordinary people! Refusing the Soul King's Power? The person Lord Soul King chose this time is truly something else!"

Not only was he not displeased by Liu Chuan's "unconventional" choice, he showed immense interest and appreciation.

"Indeed... it was unexpected."

Senjumaru Shutara's cool voice rang out. Seated on another platform, she was enveloped in a pale glow woven from something like bones and threads, her voice carrying a rational detachment.

"However, from a rational standpoint, his choice not to become a 'Royal Key' may not be a bad thing, particularly considering that his primary area of activity in the future will be the Soul Society rather than the Soul King Palace."

Her slender, pale fingers lightly brushed a dangling thread as she continued her calm analysis.

"A 'Royal Key' is deeply bound to the Soul King Palace. While that brings convenience and power, it also means that he himself becomes a clear 'coordinate' and 'passage' connected to the Soul King Palace."

"If he remained in the Soul King Palace, it would naturally pose no problem. But if he stayed in the Soul Society long-term... what if some petty schemer used special means to trace him in reverse, interfere with, or even invade the Soul King Palace?"

"The possibility may be extremely low, but we cannot let our guard down."

Her analysis was based purely on benefits, drawbacks, and risk assessment, without personal emotion, yet it struck at the heart of the matter.

Liu Chuan's unusual place of residence magnified the potential security risks that came with the identity of a "Royal Key."

"Hmph. Whether he becomes a Royal Key or not is his own choice."

Tenjiro Kirinji stood on his platform with his arms folded. He was tall, his face tinged with impatience, but his gaze was sharp.

"But he still has to walk that road. That's right, I'm talking about the Path of No Entry!"

He looked at Ichibē Hyōsube, his tone certain.

"Every member of Zero Division, regardless of who they were before or what power they possessed, must complete the Path of No Entry alone before receiving official recognition and fulfilling their duties."

"They must break through their own limits on that road, truly come into contact with and adapt to the rule pressure of the Soul King Palace's level. It is an ironclad rule, a trial, and also... a baptism."

"Without walking the Path of No Entry, even if Lord Soul King personally selected him, he cannot be considered a true member of Zero Division! His strength and temperament must both be proven on that road!"

The Path of No Entry... the final trial every Zero Division member had to undergo. Its dangers and hardships far surpassed what ordinary people could imagine. It was the key to selection and ascension.

At those words, obvious worry appeared on Kirio Hikifune's face.

"Tenjirō is right. The Path of No Entry is a road that must be taken."

"But... back then, we only barely withstood the pressure along that road and finally broke through after accepting the Soul King's Power to rebuild our bodies and elevate our essence."

"Liu Chuan... having refused the Soul King's Power, relying only on his current Soul Reaper body and his own strength... can he truly finish that road?"

"What if he can't hold on midway and is torn apart by the turbulent rules there, or his soul collapses under the pressure..."

She didn't finish her sentence. In her view, having one's body rebuilt by the Soul King's Power was an important safeguard for safely passing the Path of No Entry.

By giving up that safeguard, Liu Chuan was essentially placing himself in enormous and unnecessary danger.

Ichibē Hyōsube silently listened to the opinions of his four colleagues.

Ōetsu Nimaiya's appreciation and interest, Senjumaru Shutara's rational risk analysis, Tenjiro Kirinji's insistence on principle, and Kirio Hikifune's concern for safety.

Every viewpoint had merit, each examining the effects and problems this "exception," Liu Chuan, might bring from a different angle.

He fell silent for a moment. Light shifted through his wise eyes as though he were weighing endless possibilities.

At last, he slowly spoke. His voice was grand and steady, carrying an unquestionable finality.

"Then let it be as he wishes."

"Since that boy Liu Chuan believes in his own power, we shall respect his choice. The matter of rebuilding his body with the Soul King's Power may be canceled. He need not become a 'Royal Key.'"

At those words, the members wore different expressions, but none voiced an objection.

Ichibē Hyōsube continued, his tone growing heavier.

"However, what Kirinji said is correct. The trial of the Path of No Entry is an ironclad rule for members of Zero Division. It is the final checkpoint to verify their strength, temperament, and qualifications."

"He must face this trial, and he must pass it."

His gaze swept across the others before finally settling on Kirio Hikifune and Tenjiro Kirinji.

"Since he has abandoned the 'shortcut' and 'safeguard' of the Soul King's Power and chosen to rely on himself, then before he steps onto the Path of No Entry, we must ensure he faces this trial in his best condition."

"Hikifune, Kirinji." Ichibē Hyōsube called them by name.

"Here." The two answered at once.

"Before Liu Chuan formally challenges the Path of No Entry, the two of you will be responsible for 'taking care' of him."

Ichibē Hyōsube's wording was subtle. "Hikifune, the support work will be entrusted to you."

"Understood. I'll do my best," Kirio Hikifune answered solemnly.

"Kirinji," Ichibē Hyōsube said, looking at Tenjirō.

"With your abilities as the Hot Spring Demon, use your White Bone Hell Hot Spring and healing methods to cleanse his Spirit Channels, temper his body, and awaken his potential. Make sure his body and Spiritual Pressure are at their absolute peak."

"Since he believes in his own strength, then let him hone that strength to the utmost limit it can reach."

"Hmph, leave it to me. I'll make sure to 'scrub' him clean inside and out and squeeze every last drop of potential out of him!"

Tenjiro Kirinji licked his lips, as though he could hardly wait to throw Liu Chuan into his hot spring and give him a proper "treatment."

"As for the Path of No Entry itself..." Ichibē Hyōsube's gaze grew profound.

"That will be the ultimate test of his 'confidence.' If he can traverse that road through his own strength and break through the Soul Reaper Limit, then his unwillingness to become a Royal Key will no longer be a weakness."

"If he fails..." He didn't continue, but the meaning was obvious.

Failure would mean his strength was lacking, his temperament insufficient. He might be severely injured, perhaps suffer irreparable damage, or even... something worse.

At that point, not only would there be no place for him in Zero Division, but his "confidence" would become a joke.

"All right, the decision is made," Ichibē Hyōsube concluded.

"Yes!" everyone answered in unison.

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