In an instant, the surrounding cherry blossoms suddenly began to dance even faster and in greater numbers, forming a dense, almost overwhelming cloud that seemed to obscure the entire sky.
Finally…
All the cherry blossoms converged at the end of the long street, like a pink tide surging forward.
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
As the cherry blossom tide advanced, thunderous roars echoed around, and the walls lining the street continuously crumbled.
Bai Ye's heart leaped. As expected, the more beautiful something was, the more dangerous it was!
Seeing the cherry blossoms completely sealing off the street, Bai Ye gritted his teeth, took a step forward, and unleashed a powerful punch.
“Phoenix!” Bai Ye roared, “Phoenix Flame!”
With a punch, flames erupted, coiling around Bai Ye’s arm.
The surrounding temperature soared, radiating intense heat. The air seemed to char, and then, at the moment the fist struck…
A massive pillar of fire appeared, charging forward, and collided fiercely with the cherry blossom tide.
Then…
With a boom!
The pillar of fire was instantly engulfed. The moment it met the cherry blossom tide, it was as if it had been sliced by countless blades. It suddenly shattered, breaking into small fire clusters that scattered on the ground.
Helpless!
Bai Ye’s flames were easily crushed!
Cold sweat beaded on Bai Ye’s forehead. Captain-level Shinigami were simply too powerful!
If he couldn't fight them, he had to run!
But just then…
The tide of cherry blossoms surged, sweeping past Bai Ye from all sides, surrounding him and completely blocking his escape routes.
Bai Ye had barely shifted his body when he was forced to stop.
For a moment, Bai Ye felt as if everything he thought was completely seen through by the opponent!
No escape!
“Kidō #4, Haineko!”
From within the cherry blossom tide, a gap suddenly opened, and a golden rope-like light chain shot out, heading for Bai Ye.
Bai Ye quickly dodged, but the rope seemed alive, twisting and turning in the air, relentlessly pursuing him and quickly wrapping around his ankle.
With a bang, Bai Ye was yanked forcefully from the air and slammed onto the ground. Immediately, the rope slithered up his body like a snake, binding him tightly.
Bai Ye struggled with all his might but found the rope of light to be incredibly resilient; it couldn't be broken by brute force alone.
Simultaneously, the surrounding cherry blossoms dispersed, returning to the side of the Shinigami Captain and reforming into the shape of a Zanpakutō.
Other Shinigami stepped forward and bowed. “Captain!”
The Shinigami Captain nodded and said, “Take him away.”
“Yes!”
Bai Ye was hoisted up by several Shinigami and dragged forward.
“I have absolutely no connection with that person,” Bai Ye said with a dejected expression. “I was just passing by.”
“Silence!” The blonde woman pointed at Bai Ye. “Whether you know each other or not, attacking a Shinigami patrol is an offense worthy of punishment. Take him away.”
Two Shinigami immediately dragged Bai Ye away.
Bai Ye struggled in vain. “Injustice! I’m an honest citizen! Is there no law? Is there no justice… Woo… woo…”
One of the Shinigami casually removed his sock and stuffed it into Bai Ye’s mouth, instantly bringing peace to the world.
Soon, Bai Ye and the other man were escorted through the street.
Not being killed on the spot…
That was also good news!
Then…
Bai Ye was soon astonished. After advancing, they arrived at the central area of Rukongai. Ahead of them appeared a vast and towering wall, enclosing magnificent and opulent buildings!
That place was, in fact…
Seireitei!
Seireitei was the core area where Shinigami resided, guarded by the thirteen Gotei 13, and the living quarters of all Shinigami. Its surrounding walls were constructed from soul-suppressing stone capable of blocking spiritual energy, and the spiritual energy fluctuations decomposed by this stone served as a barrier to protect Seireitei's safety. Ordinary people could not breach the barrier and thus could not enter Seireitei. To enter from Rukongai, there were only four gates in the east, south, west, and north, respectively named Byakudo, Seiryu, Kokuryo, and Shuwa.
According to their current route, their target was clearly to enter Seireitei.
However, based on Bai Ye's memories from his previous life, Seireitei was actually a forbidden zone, and a rather dangerous one at that, not a place he could challenge at the moment. Furthermore, the method of entry was different from how Bai Ye remembered triggering the Seireitei forbidden zone.
Soon, Bai Ye’s guess proved true.
The group of Shinigami escorted the two men to the Byakudo Gate on the east side. The gatekeepers then lowered the massive Byakudo Gate, and the group successfully entered Seireitei.
However, there was no forbidden zone mission!
According to the rules for triggering a forbidden zone, after entering, other selected individuals in the same area would be teleported, and a forbidden zone mission would appear. But nothing had happened.
This meant that although they had entered Seireitei, the forbidden zone had not been triggered, and therefore, there was no forbidden zone mission.
What was going on?
Bai Ye was also a bit bewildered by the situation. He then looked towards the man in front, realizing that he might be the only one who could answer his questions.
Soon, the two were escorted to the front of a tall tower.
Seireitei also had many divided areas, such as the Central 46, the Gotei 13 barracks, the Research and Development Bureau, and so on. Generally, the closer to the center, the more important the area and the stricter the security. The white tower before them was…
A prison!
Bai Ye and the other man were quickly escorted into a level located in the middle section of the tower. Immediately, a Shinigami opened a cell door.
The cell was square, with a large iron gate. Inside, apart from a very small square window, there were only two beds made of white stone, and nothing else.
“Go in!”
A Shinigami pushed the two men, sending them into the cell, and then promptly closed the iron gate.
“Hey, hey…” Bai Ye pressed against the gate. “Brother, since I’m in jail, can you loosen this thing on me?”
As he spoke, Bai Ye looked at the rope of light still binding him.
A Shinigami glanced at Bai Ye with disdain and casually waved his hand. The rope on Bai Ye suddenly loosened, shattering into pieces and dissipating into specks of golden light.
The Shinigami gave Bai Ye a sidelong glance. “Stay put and don’t cause trouble, understand!”
After warning Bai Ye, the Shinigami led the way, quickly disappearing down the corridor.
…