Kirio Hikifune's Warm Welcome

The next day.

There was no alternation of day and night in the Soul King Palace. Liu Chuan slowly opened his eyes.

He was sleeping in the temporary residence Ichibē Hyōsube had arranged for him.

Liu Chuan sat up and felt the natural circulation of Spiritual Power within his body.

After a night's rest, he could clearly feel the benefits brought by the Soul King Palace's environment of ultra-high concentrations of pure Spirit Particles.

With every breath, it felt as though he was actively drawing in the purest energy. The Spiritual Power within him was exceptionally lively and abundant, and even his mind felt much clearer.

He rose, straightened his clothes, and pushed open the door. Outside was another simple corridor leading toward the main hall.

Beyond the corridor stretched a vast, boundless "courtyard"—if it could even be called a courtyard.

Standing by the corridor, Liu Chuan swept his gaze across the area so expansive it made one's heart tremble.

Other than him, there was no one around. As far as the eye could see, the Soul King Palace was permeated by an almost absolute emptiness and silence.

Zero Division only had five members. Five people lived in this palace complex for centuries, perhaps even longer.

"Wouldn't that feel stifling?"

The thought couldn't help crossing Liu Chuan's mind.

There was no bustle of the city, no everyday greetings between colleagues, no changing seasons, and even the sensation of time passing had become blurred.

Year after year, this environment's test of one's state of mind was probably no less demanding than any dangerous mission.

As he pondered, a lively voice utterly at odds with the silent surroundings came from the other end of the corridor, carrying a warm smile:

"Oh my, Liu Chuan-kun, you're already up? Did you sleep well? Are you getting used to the Soul King Palace?"

Accompanied by light yet steady footsteps, a figure rounded the corner and strode over.

The newcomer was a mature woman with a plump figure.

Her thick, dark-brown hair was loosely gathered into a bun behind her head, with several strands hanging casually down and adding a touch of languid charm.

Her large eyes were bright and spirited, as though they contained endless tolerance and vitality.

It was none other than Zero Division member Kirio Hikifune.

An undisguised, enthusiastic smile covered her face. In just a few steps, she arrived before Liu Chuan, naturally extending a hand in an exuberant wave.

"I'm Kirio Hikifune. Just call me Kirio! The monk from Hyōsube told us about you yesterday!"

She didn't speak quickly, but her words were infectious, her voice gentle and magnetic.

"As for you not wanting to use the Soul King's Power to reshape your body, we discussed it. No problem! We respect your choice!"

She blinked her large eyes, her smile growing even brighter, as though she were announcing tremendous news.

"Still, Zero Division has its rules. If a newcomer wants to officially earn recognition, there's a trial they have to undergo—there's no avoiding it. I'll tell you all about that when you're ready. Before then—"

She leaned a little closer, carrying a faint scent like sweet baked pastries.

"Today, I'll give you a proper 'welcome'! Welcome to the Soul King Palace!"

Kindness gleamed in Kirio Hikifune's eyes, along with a trace of curiosity and appreciation. Clearly, she was very interested in Liu Chuan, this "special" newcomer.

Before Liu Chuan could fully process the tremendous amount of information in her words—or respond to her excessively outgoing enthusiasm—Kirio Hikifune very naturally reached out and grabbed his wrist.

Her palm was warm and soft, yet remarkably strong.

"Come on, come on, don't just stand around like an idiot! Let's go to my Reclining Boar Palace first! It's much more comfortable there. There's good food, good drinks, and you can relax properly to prepare for what comes next!"

Without giving him a chance to object, she dragged Liu Chuan toward the other end of the corridor with such force that he staggered slightly.

"Lady Hikifune, I..." Liu Chuan tried to speak. He wasn't used to such intimate physical contact or such overwhelming warmth, especially from a woman he had only just met and whose status was so extraordinary.

"Oh, don't be so formal! And don't call me 'Lady'—that sounds so distant! Call me Kirio!"

Kirio Hikifune didn't turn back. Her steps were light as she dragged Liu Chuan along as if he were a piece of reluctant luggage.

"We'll be colleagues from now on, so looking after each other is only natural! Besides, you're someone personally chosen by the Soul King, and you've got so much 'personality.' Of course I need to get to know you properly!"

"Don't worry, there aren't so many rules at my place. I guarantee you'll feel right at home!"

She chattered on as though the two of them had been friends for years.

Liu Chuan realized she was simply far too enthusiastic. He sighed and could only let Kirio Hikifune half-drag, half-pull him toward a place called the Reclining Boar Palace.

Eventually, Kirio Hikifune stopped with Liu Chuan in front of a hall completely unlike the other buildings of the Soul King Palace.

It lacked the austere majesty of the other palaces, which seemed to point directly toward the source of all laws. Instead, it exuded an unusual air.

The plaque above its doors did not bear solemn runes, but several characters that seemed to have condensed from the fragrance of food—Reclining Boar Palace.

When she pushed open the faintly fragrant doors, the scene inside made Liu Chuan pause in surprise.

How was this a palace? It was clearly a massive, fully equipped super-kitchen and culinary hall!

The rich scent of food was almost tangible—warm, sweet, abundant, and filled with the joy of creation and satisfaction.

It formed the starkest possible contrast with the chilly atmosphere found elsewhere in the Soul King Palace.

"Welcome to my Reclining Boar Palace! Sit wherever you like, don't be shy. Make yourself at home!"

Kirio Hikifune finally released Liu Chuan's wrist, but her enthusiasm did not diminish in the slightest.

She pointed at a long dining table covered with soft cushions beside the cooking area.

"Sit here for a moment. I'll be done in no time!"

Having said that, she didn't even wait for Liu Chuan's response before rushing into the kitchen. She tied on an apron embroidered with cute little pigs and instantly entered "battle mode."

Her hands moved so fast they nearly left afterimages as she precisely gathered ingredients from shelves all around, washing, cutting, marinating, and tossing them into pots... her movements flowing seamlessly.

They were full of strength and rhythmic beauty, as though she wasn't cooking but performing an incomparably exquisite Spirit Particle martial display.

As spatulas danced, flames surged, and broth boiled, an even richer fragrance exploded outward, swiftly filling the entire Reclining Boar Palace.

Following her instructions, Liu Chuan sat beside the absurdly comfortable dining table and curiously examined everything around him.

Before long, Kirio Hikifune came over carrying a tray nearly as large as the tabletop.

The tray held an impressive array of dishes.

Every dish emitted astonishing Spirit Particle fluctuations and an enticing sheen. They were clearly no ordinary foods.

"Here we go! Appetizer: Spirit-Grain Onsen Tamagoyaki! Main course: Charred Icefish! Soup: Dragonbone Ginseng Stew! And this, my special Hundred-Fruit Spirit-Brew Cake!"

As she efficiently placed each dish before Liu Chuan—each one perfect in color, fragrance, and flavor, and brimming with pure Spiritual Power—she introduced them one by one, her face glowing with pride and anticipation.

"Go on, try them! My task is to make sure you eat your fill today!"

The aroma of food penetrated everywhere, and Liu Chuan's taste buds and the Spirit Particles within his body resonated involuntarily.

He stopped being polite, thanked her, picked up his utensils, and began tasting the food.

The first bite of Spirit-Grain Onsen Tamagoyaki was smooth and tender as silk, with a rich egg fragrance. A gentle yet pure current of Spiritual Power instantly melted in his mouth, flowing down his throat and into every part of his body, bringing an indescribable sense of comfort.

The Charred Icefish was fresh, sweet, and springy. Its surface was fragrant from the sear, while the icy Spiritual Power within formed a wondrous balance with the lingering warmth of the flame, producing a clear nourishing effect on the spiritual body.

The Dragonbone Ginseng Stew was golden and clear, yet thick and mellow upon entering his mouth. A warm current reached the depths of his soul, as though even his mental exhaustion had been washed away.

The Hundred-Fruit Spirit-Brew Cake was sweet without being cloying, with richly layered fruit aromas. Every bite bloomed with a different Spirit Particle flavor on his tongue...

Not only were these dishes unimaginably delicious, but more importantly, they seemed like "super supplements" tailored specifically for Soul Reapers.

With every bite, Liu Chuan could clearly feel his Spiritual Pressure slowly and steadily growing. The circulation of Spirit Particles became smoother, and even his soul felt a deeply satisfied joy.

This was absolutely not an effect ordinary eating could achieve. The ingredients themselves, as well as Kirio Hikifune's cooking methods, contained profound applications of Spirit Particles and laws.

At first, Liu Chuan remained restrained, savoring and analyzing every bite.

But soon, under the double temptation of supreme deliciousness and Spiritual Power nourishment, he could no longer worry about such things. His utensils moved faster and faster.

Kirio Hikifune stood nearby with a beaming smile, occasionally adding more food and soup. Watching him eat with gusto, her face was full of gratification and satisfaction, as though a chef's greatest joy was seeing a diner enjoy their meal.

Before he knew it, Liu Chuan had devoured most of the table of food by himself.

When he finally set down his utensils with lingering reluctance and breathed out a satisfied puff of white vapor carrying the aroma of food and pure Spiritual Power, he realized just how much he had eaten.

The Spiritual Power within him surged as though about to boil, many times fuller and more solid than before! His mind was brimming with energy and excitement, and he was in better condition than ever.

"Are you full? There's more if it wasn't enough!" Kirio Hikifune asked with concern.

"It's more than enough. Thank you for the hospitality. It was... truly delicious," Liu Chuan praised sincerely. The meal had far exceeded his expectations.

"That's good! Sit for a while. I'll clean up." Kirio Hikifune smiled and began clearing the dishes with practiced efficiency, carrying the empty plates back toward the kitchen.

Liu Chuan leaned back against the comfortable chair, feeling the power rushing through his body.

After a while, the sounds from the kitchen stopped. Footsteps approached once more.

"I'm done cleaning up! So, you feel much more energized now, right?" The familiar voice rang out, still Kirio Hikifune's gentle, magnetic voice.

Liu Chuan turned his head, then... froze.

The person emerging from the kitchen was indeed still Kirio Hikifune. But... she was utterly different from the plump, soft-looking woman from before!

The Kirio Hikifune before him had become incredibly slim and tall. Her formerly loose clothing now hung somewhat empty around her, further accentuating her nearly perfect, alluring curves.

Even her features seemed more refined and defined. Her skin was fair and delicate, glowing with a healthy flush beneath the warm lights of the Reclining Boar Palace.

Though the gentleness and vitality in her eyes remained unchanged, her entire aura had instantly shifted from that of a "plump motherly figure" to that of a "sexy, mature beauty"!

The only things unchanged were her bright, smiling eyes and her distinctive bun.

"Who are you?" Liu Chuan blurted out instinctively. The change was far too drastic! Were the Kirio Hikifune from before and this person really the same woman?!

"Pfft!" Seeing Liu Chuan's rare look of utter bewilderment, Kirio Hikifune couldn't help laughing. Her voice was as pleasant as silver bells.

She walked over and sat in the chair opposite him. Her movements remained elegant, but her slimmer figure made her appear much lighter.

"It's me, of course. Kirio Hikifune."

She blinked and explained in a casual tone, as though she were discussing something entirely ordinary.

"The reason I look like this is because whenever I put my all into making Soul King–Grade Cuisine containing high-concentration, high-purity Spiritual Power like I did just now, I consume a huge amount of Spiritual Pressure."

"And that consumption of Spiritual Pressure directly shows in my body shape. You could say it's a characteristic of my special cooking method."

She pointed to the empty plates on the table. "A feast like the one I prepared for you today was made to Soul King–Grade standards. I used only the finest ingredients unique to the Soul King Palace, so it consumed quite a lot of Spiritual Pressure."

"So, this is what I become. After resting for a while and recovering my Spiritual Pressure, I'll gradually get 'fat' again."

So that was it! Liu Chuan suddenly understood. This was a phenomenon in which she highly converted her own Spiritual Pressure through a special method of cooking and infused it into the dishes.

The greater the consumption, the more obvious the change in her figure. No wonder her previous epithet had been Reclining Boar. It was likely related to her fuller appearance when her Spiritual Pressure was abundant.

"These dishes, and my 'hospitality,' aren't just to welcome you."

Kirio Hikifune's smile faded, and her expression became more serious, though she remained gentle.

"This is also preparation for the trial you'll face next."

Liu Chuan nodded.

"That trial is called the Path of No Entry. It is extraordinarily dangerous and serves as the ultimate test of strength and character."

"An ordinary Soul Reaper, even one at captain level, would face near-certain death if they entered rashly."

"Back then, we members of Zero Division only dared challenge it after accepting reshaping by the Soul King's Power, which brought qualitative changes to both our physiques and Spiritual Pressure."

Kirio Hikifune spoke slowly, a trace of recollection flashing through her eyes.

"You've chosen not to take the path of reshaping through the Soul King's Power. Then before setting foot on the Path of No Entry, you must refine your own foundation to the utmost and awaken your potential to its limits.

Today's cooking was the first step—using the Soul King Palace's finest ingredients together with my culinary arts to give you the deepest level of spiritual-body nourishment and stimulate your potential."

She looked at Liu Chuan, her gaze full of encouragement and expectation. "So? How do you feel now?"

"Better than ever," Liu Chuan answered truthfully.

"That's great!" Kirio Hikifune broke into a bright smile and returned to her lively self.

Kirio Hikifune's hospitality at the Reclining Boar Palace let him truly experience Zero Division's foundation and goodwill. It also made him even more curious about the upcoming trial known as the Path of No Entry.

Add Bookmark

Return to Contents

Report Chapter Error

Share with Friends: