Provocation

After collecting fragments over this period, Wang Xun has successfully broken through to the sixth level of Spiritual Might, and his Kidō level has also reached level 6.

Wang Xun opened the panel to check his current attributes.

[Name: Wang Xun]

Spiritual Might: Rank 6 (Experience: 350/17000)

Kendō: lv4 (Experience: 4560/5000)

Hakuda: lv5 (Experience: 7350/8000)

Shunpo: lv5 (Experience: 2210/8000)

Kidō: lv6 (Experience: 210/12000)

Zanpakuto: Shackle Lotus (Shikai)

[Special Ability]

Hollowfication: lv1 (Experience: 780/1000)

Shunkō: To be unlocked. Dual Incantation: Beginner (78%)

Hōgyoku (Awakening Level: 0.05%)

Once Hakuda is upgraded to Iv6, Shunkō will be unlocked.

Filled with anticipation for his new abilities, Wang Xun stepped into the barracks of the Kidō Corps.

The Kidō Corps's corridor was still covered with the morning dew, but as soon as Wang Xun stepped inside, he sensed something was amiss.

Although there were occasional malicious glances in the past, they had never been so dense and sharp, like tiny shards of ice, densely packed and piercing his body.

"That must be him. I heard he snuck in through the back door from the Second Division. A guy from Rukongai, does he even deserve to be in the Kidō Corps..."

"The Great Kidō Master must have made an exception for the sake of the Shihoin Clan; otherwise, how could he have come to study with our Kidō Corps?"

"Letting an outsider in like this is a deliberate slap in the face, making us noble scions lose all face."

Rumors spread through the crowd, Wang Xun raised an eyebrow and continued walking.

He glanced around at the masked, negative-looking members of the Kidō Corps, and could see all sorts of malicious gazes.

Wang Xun paid no attention and went straight to the training ground to practice Dual Incantation and improve his proficiency.

But the training target he had chosen was taken by someone else in the blink of an eye.

Wang Xun frowned and moved in another direction.

There seemed to be an unusually large crowd today; all the training spots were occupied.

Even when he wanted to find a quiet corner to recite the lyrics, people would come over and talk loudly, disrupting his rhythm.

Wang Xun's expression was as calm as a deep pool of water; he simply withdrew his gaze and quietly looked around from another spot.

It seems someone is planning to sabotage me.

Rumors and exclusion are despicable tactics.

Even with Wang Xun's calm and collected nature, he was still disturbed and upset.

That feeling is like a toad crawling on your foot—it doesn't bite, but it's still annoying, and even breathing feels difficult.

Although Tessai Tsukabishi had also noticed this situation, he did not know where it came from, and he did not want to suppress the rumors, as that would seem like he was trying to cover it up.

The scheming and manipulative nature of these aristocratic youths truly exhausted him.

He could also sense that these guys were putting pressure on him from the opposite direction, expressing their dissatisfaction.

Although Tessai Tsukabishi was not afraid, he could not leave Wang Xun unattended.

Therefore, the only solution he could think of was to let Wang Xun a break for a while and let this trend dissipate temporarily.

Fortunately, Wang Xun's Kidō and Spiritual Might levels have both improved, so he doesn't need to visit the Kidō Corps too frequently for the time being.

The night was deep, and the moonlight was obscured by clouds.

Wang Xun finished his training for the day and walked out of the Kidō Corps's gate under the cover of night.

As soon as we turned into the alleyway we had to go through, several figures emerged from the shadows.

Wang Xun up and saw Ayakawa Hiko leaning against the wall not far away, a provocative smile on his lips.

The henchmen behind him also adopted a provocative stance, staring intently at Wang Xun, as if they wanted to vent all the pent-up frustration they had accumulated over the past few days.

"Some people get in through connections, yet they don't even dare to utter a word of protest. They're such cowards."

Wang Xun paused, his face still expressionless, only a hint of barely concealed impatience flashing in his eyes.

What is it?

Ayakawa Hiko took a step forward with a fierce look in his eyes, his chest almost colliding with Wang Xun's.

"Wang Xun, we've disliked you for a long time."

"You think you can get away with playing dead and keeping quiet? You think you can continue to annoy us among the Kidō Corps?"

Wang Xun looked at the person in front of him, a chilling glint flashing in his eyes.

Ayakawa Hiko chuckled and waved his hand. His henchmen immediately stepped forward, poised to attack.

"We've been wanting to teach you a lesson for a while now, and luckily our boss is here today, so don't you dare try to run away."

"Let me make this clear from the start: don't pitifully go to the Great Kidō Priest for help again, lest he side with you."

"How about we find a place outside Seireitei? Are you brave enough to go?"

At this point, he deliberately lowered his voice, his tone carrying a hint of cunning and provocation.

Looking at his confident demeanor, Wang Xun felt his impatience almost overflow. A faint sneer appeared on his lips as he spoke softly.

"Are you crazy? Why would I agree to that?"

"Have you mastered the Dual Incantation? Stop barking like a dog!"

These words were like a needle, precisely piercing the sore spot of Ayakawa Hiko and the others.

They practiced Dual Incantation for over two months, but hadn't even mastered the basics.

The group instantly became furious, their faces turning bright red.

But then, the person standing behind them took a few steps forward.

"Stop talking nonsense, do you dare to say a word?"

"If you don't dare to go, then take the initiative, get out of the Kidō Corps, and don't come back."

"If you can truly defeat me, I keep my word, and from now on, no one in the Kidō Corps will speak ill of you."

Wang Xun glanced at the person. The person's Reiatsu was not low, and he seemed to have some strength. He should be ranked among the top in the Kidō Corps.

But at that moment, a strange feeling swept through his heart.

The fact that these people came to cause trouble today makes sense logically, but something just doesn't feel right.

But this doubt was quickly overshadowed by the impatience in his heart.

He raised his eyes and glanced at the man indifferently.

"Remember what you said, let's go."

"Hmph, I'll see how you talk back then!"

Ayakawa Hiko's eyes flashed with surprise when he saw that Ayakawa had agreed.

The first step of today's plan has been completed.

Nagano Masayasu had told them that they would find experts to provide backup outside, so that if the people in front of them couldn't defeat Wang Xun, they would have a backup plan.

What kind of fairness is this? Today we're going to beat this guy up, for Lord Tokinada's sake, and for their own sake, to vent our anger.

As long as Wang Xun agrees to come along, everything will be easy once we arrive at the destination.

He turned first and walked towards the outer perimeter of the Seireitei.

His followers quickly surrounded Wang Xun, seemingly afraid that he would run away.

Wang Xun was indeed curious about what kind of setup these people had prepared.

Given Wang Xun's current abilities, it's difficult for anyone below the vice-captain level to even challenge him.

This is the source of his confidence.

The group walked towards the outskirts of the Seireitei and arrived at Rukongai.

The surrounding buildings became increasingly sparse, and the sounds of people faded into the distance, gradually being replaced by dense forests.

Ancient trees reach for the sky, sparse moonlight filters through, and the withered branches and leaves underfoot crunch underfoot.

In the distant, silent forest, the howls of unidentified wild animals could still be heard.

Wang Xun looked around, his brows furrowing slightly.

"The place you chose is a bit too far away."

"Stop talking nonsense. If we don't go any further, we'll be discovered and the fight won't even begin."

After walking for about half an incense stick's time, Ayakawa Hiko finally stopped and pointed to a desolate ruin in front of him.

"Alright, this is fine."