The huge stone pillar crashed to the ground.
The entire platform with a pure white surface vibrated, and small gravel rolled down from the edge, and was then lifted up by Reishi below and floated into the distant void.
The black column slowly retracted, revealing the cockpit inside.
This is the portal of the Soul King Palace, Omotesandō.
Yoriichi Pushed open the hatch and walked onto the wide stone platform.
The sky is clear, but no earth can be seen under the feet. Beyond the platform is the boundless white void.
Looking around, five disc-shaped Riden are suspended higher, connected by white steps, like a group of buildings floating in the sky.
"This is Soul King Palace?"
Ichigo walked out of the cockpit and looked up at the palace in the distance.
"It's more of a tourist attraction than I expected..."
Ōetsu Nimaiya poked his head out from behind him and patted his shoulder.
"Don't worry, brother Ichigo, there are plenty of opportunities to visit."
"I don't need to visit."
Just as Ichigo finished speaking, Tenjirō Kirinji had already walked to the third stretcher.
"Rukia, Renji, and Byakuya Kuchiki, follow me."
He said, raising his hand and snapping his fingers.
Warm water suddenly surged out of the surrounding white ground, turning into several long belts composed of Reishi, holding the stretcher up steadily.
Renji glanced at his left arm that was fixed, and his face looked a little ugly.
"Hey, can you at least tell us where we are going first?"
"Treatment."
Tianshi Lang didn't even look back.
"Of course, if you want to continue lying here, you don't have to follow me."
Renji opened his mouth, but finally closed it honestly.
Rukia looked at Yoriichi and nodded slightly.
Yoriichi nodded in response.
Byakuya Kuchiki still had no reaction, and weak Reiatsu slowly flowed in the chest.
Soon, the three of them were taken away by Tenjirō Kirinji and disappeared at the end of the stairs leading to Riden.
the other side.
Ōetsu Nimaiya has hooked Ichigo's neck.
"Let's go, little orange-headed brother, go take a look at your Zanpakuto first."
"Why should I go see Zanpakuto?"
"Because the knife you have now looks like it's broken."
Ōetsu Nimaiya smiled brightly.
"Don't worry, I'll give you a better one."
Ichigo subconsciously grasped Tensa Zangetsu.
"You're not going to break it, are you?"
"As you say, I am Sword God of Zero Division."
Ōetsu Nimaiya pulled Ichigo towards another Riden.
"I'll just make it worse... no, stronger."
Ichigo's footsteps suddenly stopped.
Ōetsu Nimaiya has already dragged him away.
Soon, only Ichibē Hyōsube, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, and Kirio Hikifune and Senjumaru Shutara were standing not far away on the platform.
Kirio Hikifune nodded to Yoriichi.
"We are going back to the palace too."
"Hmm."
Yoriichi responded.
Senjumaru didn't speak, just glanced at the flame Demon Slayer Mark on Yoriichi's forehead, then turned and walked into the white stairs.
Kirio Hikifune followed her.
In the blink of an eye, only the monk and Yoriichi were left here.
"Do you know why I invited you up?"
Yoriichi shook his head.
"Come with me, you'll know when we get there."
Ichibē Hyōsube turned around and walked towards the higher central palace.
Yoriichi followed him.
Along the way, the monk did not speak.
This is completely different from his previous performance in Seireitei.
At that time, Ichibē Hyōsube always smiled, touched his beard from time to time, and said a few uncomfortable words.
But now, he just walked forward quietly.
The white stairs under my feet are endless, and there is no sound of wind around me.
Yoriichi looked at his back with a trace of doubt in his heart.
However, he did not ask.
Since the monk wanted him to find out when he got to the place, he would wait.
It won't affect anything anyway.
Not long after, the two arrived in front of the central palace.
The gate of the palace is a bit exaggeratedly high, and the white doorposts are engraved with Yoriichi incomprehensible words.
Ichibē Hyōsube stopped.
"After entering, don't be frightened by the sight in front of you."
Yoriichi raised his eyes.
"You mean, Soul King, like a human pig?"
Ichibē Hyōsube's movements paused for a moment.
Yoriichi continued, "I have been to Great Spirit Book Gallery and know some things."
The monk did not show any surprise.
He just touched his beard, then turned and looked at Yoriichi.
"Then you should also know that Soul King is not a prisoner held here."
"I know."
"You also know that Soul King's body has been decomposed, and his limbs and heart have fallen into different places?"
Yoriichi nodded.
"Know."
Ichibē Hyōsube was silent for a moment, and the smile on his face completely disappeared.
"I am one of the oldest Soul Reaper."
His voice was much deeper than before.
"Even I can't remember exactly how long I lived. I already existed when Soul Society didn't have the current order."
"At that time, Three Realms was not stable."
The monk looked up to the sky.
"World of the Living, Soul Society and Hueco Mundo are mixed with each other. There is no boundary between the living and the dead. The souls are constantly falling. The world will return to Chaos at any time."
Yoriichi listened quietly.
"Later, Soul King appeared."
Ichibē Hyōsube continued, "He cut off the chaos, separated Three Realms, and established the world today."
"Soul King is not a ruler."
"He is more like a pillar supporting Three Realms."
The monk stretched out his hand and pressed it on the palace door, and a black light shone on his fingertips.
"And the meaning of our existence at Zero Division is to protect Soul King and maintain the stability of Three Realms."
Yoriichi looked at the door.
"Even if Soul King looks like that now?"
"Even so."
Ichibē Hyōsube replied calmly.
"It doesn't matter what Soul King looks like now. What matters is that it is Soul King's own choice."
"No one can change His mind."
Yoriichi's brows wrinkled slightly.
He doesn't like this statement.
If a person's limbs are taken away, his voice is blocked, and he can only stay in darkness forever, then is the so-called choice still a choice?
But he didn't refute immediately.
Ichibē Hyōsube has opened the palace door.
Darkness slowly spread from inside the door, and a cold breath fell on the two of them.
The monk turned his head and looked at Yoriichi.
"The reason why I asked you to come is that besides your special power, there is another thing."
He paused.
"Soul King-sama has named you and wants to meet you."