Diverting the Trouble

Wang Xun paused slightly.

Kisuke Urahara's expression was more serious than ever before, his usual languid and relaxed demeanor completely gone.

He told Wang Xun everything about the results of the probe, the opponent's countermeasures, and the disappearance of the coordinates.

"The people in that space are just as skilled as me, and extremely vigilant."

"When I tried to probe deeper inside, they detected and countered my technique."

Urahara's voice sounded somewhat hoarse.

"Moreover, they interfered with the coordinates, and I can no longer find that space."

Wang Xun looked at him.

Do they know it's you?

Urahara shook his head.

"They probably don't know, but they know someone is investigating them. In other words, they already know that someone in Soul Society has discovered them."

The two fell silent.

A night breeze blew by, stirring up fallen leaves on the ground and making a rustling sound.

What are you planning to do?

Upon hearing Wang Xun's question, Urahara crossed his arms, leaned against the wall, and lowered his head.

"If I report this to Central 46, my research into forbidden spatial techniques will be exposed. If I report it to the Captain-Commander... the Captain-Commander might deal with me first anyway."

Urahara gave a wry smile; he was now in a dilemma.

Looking at Urahara's disheveled appearance, Wang Xun suddenly spoke, his voice calm.

"Since you can't handle it, then let someone else handle it."

Urahara turned his head and looked at him.

"Who?"

"Aizen."

Wang Xun's voice was as soft as a whisper, yet it sent a shiver down Urahara's spine.

"Your detection has been discovered, but the other side doesn't know your identity. Rather than waiting to be killed, you might as well shift the blame elsewhere."

"We deliberately lured the fire to Aizen's secret laboratory, which is a haven for forbidden experiments. Even if we're targeted, it's Aizen's problem, not yours or mine."

"Moreover, he is more capable and has more methods than us. Letting him deal with the people in that space is much better than us taking the risk ourselves."

Urahara looked at him, his gaze complex.

"Your solution is to drag Aizen into this mess as well?"

Kisuke Urahara looked up at Wang Xun, his eyes filled with concern.

He understood Wang Xun's meaning perfectly well; it was indeed a way for him to escape unscathed, but it was also the most dangerous move.

"Do you have any other options? Are you just going to pray that the other side pretends not to notice you and doesn't cause you any trouble?"

Upon hearing Wang Xun's voice, Kisuke Urahara sighed deeply, then raised his hand and rubbed his messy hair.

"You're right... but what are you planning to do about this?"

Wang Xun pondered for a moment, then looked at Urahara.

"I will launch another probe at Aizen's experimental base, so that the people in that space can discover and lock onto that location."

"Since they didn't discover your location just now, if they really have some shady dealings going on, they'll be more vigilant this time, learning from their previous experience, and will try to track my location instead."

Urahara nodded.

"They don't know who conducted the last probe, but given enough time, they could very well be able to reverse-engineer it."

"Therefore, instead of passively waiting for them to come to us, we should proactively give them a target."

Wang Xun up the conversation.

Urahara's lips curled into a slight smile.

"Aizen set up so many barriers in the Rukongai. If someone follows the detection waves to find that place, they will only assume that the Garganta experiment was the source of the detection."

"Then, it's up to them to choose."

"If they're planning to attack Aizen, you know Aizen strength; it won't be easy for them to take him down. A mutually destructive outcome, or the annihilation of one side, would be beneficial to us."

Urahara nodded.

"But what if they choose to remain inactive?"

"Then let's continue to probe. If they're really as capable as you say, they'll definitely be tempted to spy on us from the opposite direction."

Wang Xun continued.

"Aizen isn't stupid. If he discovers someone is secretly spying on his experimental base, he will definitely investigate. With his methods and resources, it's only a matter of time before he finds out it exists."

Wang Xun paused.

"Of course, this is only the ideal situation; reality is often not so smooth."

After listening to Wang Xun's plan, Kisuke Urahara's mind was rapidly processing each step of the plan.

It must be said that the risk is very high.

The people in that hidden space aren't fools; they won't take the bait easily.

Aizen isn't stupid; he won't be used as a pawn like that.

However... it is precisely because both sides are intelligent that this plan has a chance of success.

The more you scheme, the more conflicts are likely to erupt.

What do you think of your plan?

Wang Xun asked.

Urahara thought about it and realized it was feasible, but out of caution, he didn't really want to do it, but...

Finally, he let out a long sigh.

"Fine, since things have come to this, we'll do as you say."

Urahara waved his hand, his tone carrying a hint of resignation.

"I'll go back and clean up the traces at Sōkyoku to make sure no one traces it back to me. You be careful on your end and don't arouse Aizen's suspicion."

"Rest assured."

Wang Xun nodded slightly.

The two exchanged a glance, and everything was understood without a word.

A few days later, in Rukongai, at the desolate mountain experimental base.

Aizen's barrier isolated the entire base from the outside world, and a thin mist still shrouded this desolate mountain valley.

Wang Xun stood in the center of the experimental area, dark red Reiatsu surging from his body and swirling around him.

He raised his hand, and his fingertips gathered Hollowfication Reiatsu. The trajectory of the Reiatsu intertwined and condensed in the air, forming a complex spell structure.

The space began to tremble, and visible distortions appeared in the air.

Then, a pitch-black crack slowly opened.

Wang Xun did not rush to shut down the Garganta.

His spatial anchor continued to extend outward, spreading further and further through the cracks in the Garganta.

Finally, he touched that spatial coordinate again.

Then, he retrieved the space probe that Kisuke Urahara handed over to him from his sleeve.

During a break while adjusting the experimental equipment, the detector was discreetly attached to the Reiatsu node on the experimental platform.

The detector instantly merged with the Reishi flow in the laboratory, and a faint detection wave was emitted silently.

This wave pierced through the Garganta, swept along the spatial layers of Soul Society, and once again reached the Wandenreich coordinates beneath Seireitei.

Wang Xun stared intently at the data fluctuations on the instrument.

Soon, the Reiatsu fluctuations from the experimental instruments reached the edge of that space.

Without hesitation, Wang Xun increased his Reiatsu output.

The shockwaves became denser and deeper, like knocking on a tightly closed door.

He knew that the other party had most likely already discovered him.

Just like when they discovered Urahara last time.

But this time, his probe was not quickly cut off and countered by the other side, as Kisuke Urahara had predicted.

This detection fluctuation lasted for a longer period of time, long enough for the other side to have sufficient time to conduct reverse detection.

A moment later, Wang Xun slowly shut down the Reiatsu released by the instrument, cutting off the detection.

The Garganta closed, and the Reiatsu dissipated.

Wang Xun removed his mask and gently exhaled.

He packed his things and walked out of the experimental area.

Wang Xun's steps were steady, and his expression was calm.

He knew that the probe wave had been sent out, and that the people of the Wandenreich must have received it.

Then we'll see what happens.

In the Shadow Domain, at the Wandenreich's spatial experimental base, the light from the Reishi Lamp illuminated the entire space.

Unlike Soul Society, the lighting here has a cold, clear quality, making it more ruthless and serious.

Intricate Reishi circuits are engraved on the wall, and Reiatsu flows slowly within them, emitting a soft humming sound.

Several researchers in white uniforms sat in front of an instrument displaying complex Reiatsu fluctuations.

Their expressions were focused and tense, their demeanor solemn, without making a single unnecessary sound. Their fingers tapped rapidly on the control panel, Reiatsu flowing from their fingertips.

On the Reishi monitoring screen, the originally stable Reishi fluctuations are now pulsating wildly.

A researcher stared intently at the screen, his fingers flying across the control panel, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead, his voice trembling with tension.

"Quickly inform Lord Haschwalth! A probe wave has appeared again, just like the last one!"

Soon, the door was pushed open.

A tall figure walked in.

He was wearing a white uniform with a sword hanging at his waist.

His steps were unhurried, his long golden hair cascading over his shoulders, his cold face and eyes as still as a frozen lake, exuding a calm and composed aura.

Raingray Haschwalth.

Grand Master of the Sternritter of the Wandenreich, Yhwach's most trusted right-hand man.

"How is the situation?"

His voice was calm, without any emotional fluctuation.

One of the lab workers stood up and bowed respectfully.

"Lord Haschwalth, the probe wave has appeared again. Just like last time, the frequency, intensity, and Reiatsu characteristics are identical."

Haschwalth's brow twitched slightly.

"As per the previous plan, do not act rashly, do not actively cut off the probe waves, capture the wave trajectory throughout the entire process, and record all Reishi characteristics."

How long will it last?

"It's longer than last time, it's like... the other side seems to be intentionally letting us pick up their signal."

Haschwalth walked to the screen and looked at the Reiatsu fluctuations.

The two probes were conducted within three days of each other.

The first attempt was a hasty probe, which was immediately cut off. The second attempt was a sustained spying, which lasted for a full quarter of an hour before they disappeared on their own.

This is by no means a coincidence.

Someone has discovered the existence of the Wandenreich and is deliberately probing the reality of the Shadow Domain.

His gaze lingered on the data for a moment, then he turned to look at the experimenter.

"Can it be detected in reverse?"

The experimenter operated the instruments in front of him, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

"Yes, we were too hasty last time and cut off their detection."

"But this time, as you instructed, we didn't act rashly, allowed enough time, and recorded the complete fluctuation data."

"We can now deduce the location of the signal source from the reverse."

Haschwalth nodded.

"Where?"

The experimenter tapped the control panel a few times, and the screen switched to displaying a map.

A red dot is marked on the map, located in the desolate mountains west of Rukongai.

"The approximate location has been pinpointed; it's outside the Seireitei Soul Society, in the Rukongai West District 28."

Haschwalth stared at the red dot of light, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Outside Seireitei... Are you sure?"

"100% certain!"

The researcher answered affirmatively.

Haschwalth's fingers clenched slightly as his mind raced.

If it's not within the Seireitei, then it's highly likely that it's neither a regular department of the Gotei 13 nor a publicly disclosed project of the Gotei 13.

Otherwise, there wouldn't be such a need for secrecy.

Based on this, it's highly likely that a group of Soul Reaper who were secretly researching forbidden techniques accidentally stumbled upon this place.

But who exactly are they, and what are their motives?

Was it a covert operation by Shigekuni Yamamoto, or was it orchestrated by someone else?

His Majesty is still asleep and has not yet awakened; the plan of the Wandenreich has not yet been revealed.

How should this be handled...?

"Sir, what should we do now?"

The researcher asked cautiously.

"Should we immediately activate the defensive fortifications, or send troops to wipe out these spyers?"

"Do not act rashly."

Haschwalth immediately rejected the idea, his tone firm.

"His Majesty has not yet awakened; it is not yet time to implement our grand undertaking."

"If we send troops, it will inevitably alert the Gotei 13. Once the existence of the Wandenreich is exposed, our millennia-long lie dormancy will be in vain."

Haschwalth's voice was low, but every word was clear.

"I will absolutely not allow anyone to interfere with His Majesty's great cause."

He turned around, looked at everyone present, and a cold, murderous glint flashed in his eyes.

I will personally lead the team there.

One of the researchers hesitated for a moment upon hearing this.

"Lord Haschwalth, if the other party is indeed from Seireitei..."

"That's precisely why I need to go in person."

Haschwalth interrupted him.

"The fact that they can probe the Shadow Domain twice and establish a secret laboratory outside the Seireitei shows they are no weaklings."

"I went there in person to probe their strength and see who dared to spy on the Wandenreich."

"Then, get rid of them."

He wanted to ensure that this spying was nipped in the bud.

The existence of the Wandenreich remains a secret until it reveals its true power.

In this way, when Yhwach awakens, the millennia-old plan remains flawless.

"I will silently eliminate those who covet the Wandenreich. Before His Majesty awakens, no one must know of our existence."

"Keep an eye on the situation here. If any problems arise, let me know immediately."

"Yes, sir! I will obey Lord Haschwalth's orders!"

Everyone present responded in unison.

Haschwalth turned and walked toward the door.

Haschwalth stood in front of the laboratory corridor, his pale blue eyes devoid of any emotion, only displaying extreme calmness and resolve.

Those who spy on the Wandenreich will die.

Those who interfere with Your Majesty's great cause shall die.

No matter what kind of power the other party is, he will personally eliminate them.

Behind them, the researchers continued their work, and the Reiatsu fluctuations on the screen continued to pulsate slowly.