The Hidden Space

The battle intensified, Wang Xun was knocked back several steps by a sudden punch from Yoruichi, but he did not fall.

He steadied himself and went to meet them again.

This time, his fist was wreathed in dark red Reiatsu, colliding with Yoruichi's pale blue Reiatsu.

The shockwave from the Reiatsu explosion spread outwards, sending rubble flying from the ground.

In the void, two figures collided at high speed.

Waves of energy from the collision of Reiatsu spread outwards in all directions.

The rocks on the cliff face were shaken off, and cracks spread across the ground like a spider web, making it far more terrifying than before.

Wang Xun was still at a disadvantage, but he was no longer in the same completely crushed position as before.

Although his Shunkō were not as refined as Yoruichi's, his Kaidō was constantly working, repairing his injuries and greatly enhancing his ability to fight continuously, gradually depleting Yoruichi's stamina.

More importantly, his Shunkō proficiency steadily improved during the battle.

Each collision, each shard of debris falling from a block, helped his body become more familiar with how this power worked.

Yoruichi grew more and more excited as the fight progressed.

Wang Xun's strength far exceeded her expectations.

Although her mastery of Flash Gate techniques was not as high as hers, her rate of progress was astonishing.

After each move, he would adjust and optimize his strategy in the next encounter, constantly improving.

The two exchanged blows for dozens more times Yoruichi suddenly stopped, retreated, and created distance between them.

Wang Xun also stopped, panting heavily.

Just then, the two sensed another Reiatsu emanating from the direction of the cave entrance.

Yoruichi glanced at Wang Xun; although he still had fighting spirit, he was enjoying the fight to the fullest.

Yoruichi immediately withdrew her Reiatsu, and after she gave him a look, Wang Xun understood and also dispelled his Shunkō.

The sound of footsteps grew louder as they approached.

Kisuke Urahara appeared at the entrance to the hollow.

He was dressed in casual clothes, holding a document in his hand, and looked like he had just returned from outside.

He stepped into the cave, looked at the scene before him, and was slightly taken aback.

The rock face was riddled with new holes and cracks, and the ground was littered with rubble and pieces of clothing.

Wang Xun stood not far away, shirtless, the dark red flames on his shoulders and back slowly dissipating.

The ground was riddled with craters and cracks, and the air was thick with the lingering effects of the Reiatsu explosion.

Urahara's eyes darted around.

He glanced at Yoruichi, then at Wang Xun, and the smile on his face became somewhat subtle.

Upon entering the Sōkyoku Cave, he sensed the clash of Reiatsu within.

But when he saw Yoruichi and Wang Xun in person, he couldn't help but be slightly surprised.

"Captain Yoruichi," he said, his tone slightly probing, "Why did you suddenly come?"

"And... what's the situation here now?"

Yoruichi walked to the side, picked up Wang Xun's Shinigami uniform, and threw it to Wang Xun.

"I was itching to practice with someone. Since I couldn't find you, I came here."

She glanced at Wang Xun, a smile playing on her lips.

She gestured towards Wang Xun with her lips.

"I didn't expect him to be so good. I'm even considering transferring him back to the Stealth Force... just kidding."

Wang Xun took the Death Robe and put it on.

He was breathing heavily, and beads of sweat slid down his cheeks.

A Kaidō flowed through his body, repairing those minor injuries.

Yoruichi dusted herself off and strolled leisurely toward the cave entrance.

As she passed Urahara, she stopped and glanced at him.

"It seems you're hiding something from me..."

Kisuke Urahara sneered and responded perfunctorily.

"It's nothing important, Captain Yoruichi, it's just that we have a little collaboration."

"Oh, really?"

Yoruichi's eyes clearly showed disbelief, and she pursed her lips.

But Kisuke Urahara refused to talk, and no amount of pressing him would change anything.

"You guys get back to your work, I'll be going now."

Her figure disappeared into the darkness.

Urahara stood there, watching the departing figure, then glanced at Wang Xun, his expression somewhat strange.

He had expected Yoruichi to ask him why Wang Xun was there, but now it seemed that Yoruichi didn't care that much.

Then there's no need for him to bring it up himself.

"What... happened between you two?"

Urahara asked.

Wang Xun picked up the Zanpakuto from the ground, hung it on his waist, and stretched his still sore arms.

"It's nothing, just practicing."

Urahara nodded and did not ask any further questions.

He walked to the lab bench and put down the documents in his hand.

"Alright, let's get down to business. What brings you here today?"

Wang Xun a deep breath and walked up to him.

His expression turned serious, and his voice became very low.

"When I was conducting the Garganta experiment and locating the precise coordinates of the imaginary Hueco Mundo, I detected another hidden spatial fluctuation, and that place..."

He looked into Urahara's eyes.

"Right below Seireitei."

Urahara's hand paused slightly.

He raised his head, looked at Wang Xun, and his eyes suddenly widened.

"What did you say?"

The hollow became quiet.

The light from the Reishi lamp fell on the two of them, casting their shadows on the rock wall.

Kisuke Urahara leaned against the lab bench, arms crossed, his languid expression completely gone, replaced by a seriousness rarely seen in Wang Xun.

Tell me the details.

His voice was low, carrying a somber calmness.

Wang Xun walked to the experimental table, picked up a blank surgical technique base plate, and drew a few strokes on it.

The Reiatsu trajectory left faint traces on the base plate, outlining the approximate location of the spatial coordinates.

"At the time, I was probing the deep coordinates of the Hueco Mundo, trying to expand the localization range of the Garganta."

"When the spell was halfway through, an unfamiliar spatial fluctuation suddenly entered my perception range."

His fingertips marked several nodes on the base plate.

"It's not the Hueco Mundo, it's not the World of the Living, but a spatial quality I've never perceived before."

"Cold, clear, with a strange sense of order, as if artificially constructed, completely different from ordinary spatial fluctuations."

Urahara's brows furrowed even more.

"Cold, clear... a sense of order?"

He repeated those words, as if savoring their meaning.

Wang Xun raised his head and looked at him.

"So I followed that fluctuation and traced its spatial coordinates. Then I discovered that the place overlapped with the Seireitei."

Urahara fell silent.

He walked to the experimental table, picked up the surgical technique base plate, and examined it carefully.

He dissected the Reiatsu trajectory line by line in his eyes, scrutinizing the nodes and coordinates repeatedly.

Can you confirm its location again?

Kisuke Urahara asked.

Wang Xun thought for a moment.

"It should be fine. I've already recorded the spatial coordinates. As long as I use the technique to anchor, I can pinpoint the location accurately."

but...

Wang Xun paused.

"I can only roughly find the coordinates of that place. I have no clue how to activate it or how to explore it."

"Moreover, that space is extremely well concealed, even thicker than the barrier between Soul Society and Hueco Mundo; it cannot be torn open by ordinary Garganta techniques."

"It's more like another unique space technology."

Urahara put down the base plate of the technique and remained silent for a long time.

Give me those spatial coordinates.

He finally spoke, his voice calm.

"I've come to investigate."

Wang Xun looked at him.

Do you have a solution?

Urahara turned around, a very faint smile on his lips.

"Solutions are devised by people, and I've always been very interested in these things that are hidden in the shadows."

Wang Xun remained silent for a moment.

But you must be careful.

His voice was low, but very serious.

"An organization and force capable of quietly carving out such a large space beneath the Seireitei and hiding there for so long—such an organization and force is probably beyond our reach."

Urahara looked at him, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

Then he smiled.

The smile was faint, but very sincere.

"Don't worry, I may not have many other skills, but I'm excellent at saving my life."

He paused.

"Moreover, I've always been very good at controlling my curiosity."

Wang Xun nodded and said nothing more.

He walked back to the experimental table and began to set up the spell base plate and Reiatsu anchor points.

His movements were very skilled, and every step was precise and flawless.

The Reiatsu trajectories intertwined in the air, forming a complex positioning technique.

Urahara stood to the side, watching quietly, occasionally asking a couple of questions, which Wang Xun was able to answer.

"At this node, are you anchoring to the fluctuation frequency of the spatial barrier?"

Urahara points to a position within the technique.

"Yes. The fluctuations of the barrier in that space are different from those in normal space; the frequency is slower and the amplitude is smaller. They are easily overlooked using ordinary perception methods, and you need to use Hollowfication Reiatsu to amplify the range of perception."

Urahara nodded thoughtfully.

"So you were able to detect it because of your ability to Hollowfication?"

"I guess so."

Wang Xun did not deny it.

"The Shinigami's spiritual pressure can't sense that frequency, but Hollows can. Hollows' perception is more primal, more instinctive, and not limited by techniques."

Urahara didn't speak, but his gaze towards Wang Xun became even more complicated.

Wang Xun's spatial Kidō technique is already on par with his, making him an expert in this field.

The surgical procedure was quickly established.

Wang Xun stepped back, gesturing for Urahara to step forward.

Urahara walked to the center of the spell, closed his eyes, and probed the nodes with his Reiatsu.

His perception extended outwards along the trajectory of Reiatsu, penetrating the barriers of space, and touching the coordinates hidden in the crevice.

His brow furrowed deeper and deeper.

"It does exist."

He opened his eyes, his voice low, "Moreover, the size of that space is much larger than you described."

Wang Xun remained silent.

Of course he knew.

The Wandenreich, the Quincy's realm, Yhwach's lair.

That power that had been hidden in the shadows of the Seireitei for a thousand years was unexpectedly touched by him at this moment.

Urahara turned around and looked at him.

Are you planning to tell Aizen about this?

Wang Xun remained silent for a moment.

He was thinking.

If you tell Aizen, how will Aizen react?

Could he become interested in this space, want to use it, and use this information as leverage against Soul Society...?

Nobody knows.

"Not for now."

Wang Xun finally said.

"Don't let anyone else know about this place until you've reached a conclusion."

Urahara looked at him, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

"That's what I think too."

The two exchanged a glance and said nothing more.

Some things don't need to be said; we both understand.

Having finished explaining everything, Wang Xun began packing his things.

He carefully stored away the spell base and Reiatsu anchor, preparing to leave.

Urahara stood to the side, watching his back, and suddenly spoke.

"Wang Xun."

"Um?"

"Don't tell Captain Yoruichi about these things for now."

Wang Xun's fingers paused slightly.

He turned around and looked at Urahara.

"Knew."

He nodded, without saying anything more.

Some things are a burden if the people who shouldn't know them know them.

Yoruichi has her place, her responsibilities, and areas she shouldn't be involved in.

Urahara doesn't want to involve Yoruichi for the time being, and Wang Xun can understand that.

Wang Xun packed his things and walked towards the cave entrance.

His steps were steady, and his expression was calm.

He stepped out of the cave, where moonlight streamed in, carrying a touch of coolness.

Then, he stopped.

Yoruichi appeared; she did not leave.

She stood outside the cave entrance, her back against the rock wall, her arms crossed over her chest.

Her golden pupils gleamed faintly in the moonlight, and her long hair was blown by the night breeze, swaying gently in the moonlight.

She had clearly been waiting for a long time.

Wang Xun was taken aback.

"Captain Yoruichi, you haven't left yet?"

Yoruichi turned around and looked at him.

"Wait for you."

Wang Xun an eyebrow and walked up to her, stopping in front of her.

Is there anything else?

Yoruichi did not answer immediately.

She looked at him, her gaze slightly flickering.

It wasn't scrutiny, nor curiosity, but a deeper, more complex emotion.

"I've worked with Urahara for a long time."

She finally spoke, her voice low but clear.

"I know that guy well. He likes to do weird things and ponder problems that others wouldn't dare touch. But he's not a bad person at heart."

She paused.

"But lately, he's been behaving strangely. He's been acting suspiciously, speaking haltingly, and giving evasive answers to everything I ask him."

"I can sense that something is happening."

Wang Xun remained silent.

Yoruichi looked at him, her gaze deepened.

"Since he's unwilling to tell me, I won't pry. I believe I'll know when the time comes."

She paused.

"But you, Wang Xun."

Her voice suddenly turned serious.

"I hope you don't get involved in any dangerous situations. If you have any problems, you can come to me."

Wang Xun looked at her and remained silent for a moment.

Yoruichi was worried about him, as his former captain and superior, and as a senior member of the Seireitei at this time.

She didn't want Wang Xun Kisuke Urahara.

Wang Xun didn't know how to respond, so he just lowered his head and whispered.

"I understand, Captain Yoruichi is very thoughtful."

Yoruichi looked at him, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.

"Your skills are quite good."

She reached out and patted Wang Xun on the shoulder, "If you have the chance, practice again."

Wang Xun looked up at her.

Under the moonlight, her smile was gentle and cheerful, completely different from the Flash Goddess who had fought fiercely with him in the void.

"Good."

He nodded.

Yoruichi withdrew her hand and turned to walk down the mountain.

After taking a few steps, her figure suddenly disappeared from the spot.

Yoruichi vanished in a flash, so fast that he left no trace.

Only the night breeze was still blowing, carrying a hint of coolness, brushing against Wang Xun's cheek.

Wang Xun stood there, watching the disappearing figure, and remained silent for a long time.

Then, he turned around and walked towards the Fourth Division.