Chapter 291 - 147: Exhausting All Means, Kuchiki Kyo’s Bankai (Part 1)

Chapter 291: Chapter 147: Exhausting All Means, Kuchiki Kyo’s Bankai (Part 1)

In the Seireitei’s central assembly hall, an extravagantly designed crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, its light as soft as starlight.

In the center of the hall, Alex sat upright on a black stone chair. His expression was indifferent, and his simple white linen clothes stood out exceptionally among the sea of black Shihakusho.

Ade, dressed in a gold-embroidered white robe, stood with his hands resting at his sides by the elevated platform. His calm gaze swept over the crowd below, his entire being exuding the oppressive aura of a leader.

In the empty space at the center of the hall, the Ophiuchus Gold Cloth hovered in mid-air. Its golden armor plates gleamed with a cold luster, and faint, almost imperceptible Cosmo fluctuations lingered around it.

That sacred, oppressive might originating from an Eighth Sense Cosmo made the Shinigami present involuntarily hold their breath.

If the armor of the God possessed such terrifying pressure, what kind of magnificent power would he display if he struck personally...

"You need to erase the True Spirit brand inside without damaging the Cloth."

Alex’s voice echoed calmly through the hall. He didn’t intentionally raise his voice, yet it transmitted clearly into everyone’s ears.

The Shinigami in the hall instantly roused their spirits. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to receive guidance from the God, and also a chance to glimpse just how vast the gap was between them and a deity.

The four great Shinigami Progenitors—Tsunayashiro Kyoen, Shiba Enjo, Kuchiki Kyo, and Shihoin Yoruha—stood shoulder to shoulder in the front row. Ichibe, Nimaiya Oetsu, and hundreds of top-tier Shinigami who had deeply studied Kido, Bakudo, and soul theory were all gathered together.

Over the past century, the Bleach world had developed three major systems: Zanpakuto techniques, Reishi manipulation, and Sealing arts. Although the complete framework of Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hoho, and Kido seen in later generations had not yet formed, it had already begun to take shape.

Ade stepped forward, elaborating on the difficulties in detail.

"Everyone, there is no need to worry about damaging the Cloth; you may exert your full strength. The God’s dilemma lies in the fact that the brand planted in the spiritual body is deeply rooted in its origin, assimilated with flesh. Moreover, the physical body is exceptionally durable, making it difficult for ordinary means to reach the core of the soul."

Tsunayashiro Kyoen was the first to step out. He wore a black Shihakusho with runes representing Kido embroidered on his cuffs. As one of the Progenitors who created Kido, there was a trace of conceit in his eyes.

Back then, Alex not accepting him as a student had always been a regret in his heart. Now, being able to solve a problem for the God was exactly the opportunity to prove himself.

"I have recently developed a technique to purify spiritual bodies, and I am willing to give it a try for the God."

Alex nodded slightly, signaling him to begin.

Tsunayashiro Kyoen raised his hand. Pale blue Reishi condensed at his fingertips as he slowly chanted.

"Using the spirit as a guide, condensing at the fingertips! Summon the breath of the firmament, gather the faintest of sparks, using my will as the guide, using my soul as the string! Hado: Byakurai!"

Boom!

The Reishi instantly transformed into a blinding white bolt of lightning, surging out from his fingertips and shooting straight toward the Ophiuchus Cloth.

However, the moment the lightning touched the surface of the Cloth, it was as if it had struck an impenetrable fortress. It danced across the armor plates a few times before dissipating completely, not leaving even a single trace behind.

Everyone’s gazes instantly focused on Alex. The hall was dead silent.

Alex slowly shook his head, his face entirely expressionless.

The power of Hado: Byakurai couldn’t even breach the defenses of the Cloth, let alone penetrate a Saint’s physical body—which was even stronger than the Cloth—to reach the brand deep within the soul.

Tsunayashiro Kyoen’s expression darkened slightly, a flash of unwillingness crossing his eyes.

He took a deep breath, and the spiritual pressure around him abruptly skyrocketed. A blue pillar of spiritual pressure shot straight toward the ceiling, making the surrounding new generation Shinigami whisper amongst themselves.

"As expected of Lord Tsunayashiro! This spiritual pressure is at least a Class 2 level!"

By now, the Shinigami had categorized spiritual pressure into classes, with Ade’s Class 0 spiritual pressure being the highest, followed by Shiba Enjo’s Class 1. The remaining three Progenitors were all at Class 2.

Feeling everyone’s gazes, Tsunayashiro Kyoen curled the corners of his mouth slightly, his voice low and resolute.

"God, I still have one more move. It is just that its power is relatively strong and I am not yet completely proficient with it. May I try once more?"

"You may."

Alex remained concise as ever.

Tsunayashiro Kyoen’s body trembled slightly. Countless Reishi gathered in his palm like snowflakes, and a lengthy, solemn incantation resounded from his mouth.

"Follow the orbit of the heavenly order, draw upon the brilliance of the Nine Luminaries! Establish the positions of the Eastern Dawn, the Southern Fire, the Western White, and the Northern Star. Use my soul as an anchor, lock the gaps of their body! Weave starlight into chains, loop the knot of nine turns! Sever their sprint, seal their escape, forbid their spirit! Bakudo: Kuyō Shibari!"

Before his voice even faded, nine pitch-black spears of spiritual pressure appeared out of thin air. Carrying a sharp hum that tore through the air, they pierced precisely toward the Ophiuchus Cloth!

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