{Welcome, Enjoying the chapters? Please Support me on Patreon and unlock 30 advanced chapters, with 3 new chapters released every two days!
patreon.com/Oreski}
The expressions of everyone present changed drastically. One blow—heavy damage to a captain. Dodging Jakuhō Raikōben with ease. Even those Adjuchas from before weren't this terrifying. What the hell was this thing?! All eyes turned to the horned Hollow—Niu Tau Xu—filled with panic and dread.
At that moment, it also swept its gaze across the crowd. Those eyes... like it was looking at insects.
Omaeda's legs buckled beneath him. He couldn't stand. "Captain Sui-Feng... what do we do... what should we do..." His voice trembled. His face was pale. His entire body shook. Sui-Feng stared at Niu Tau Xu's imposing form. Her gaze darkened. Compared to the Adjuchas they'd fought earlier, this one—was far stronger. Overwhelmingly so. Even her Jakuhō Raikōben couldn't land a hit. Then there was nothing more she could do. Kyoraku Shunsui's condition was unknown. She herself was too weak to continue fighting. Who else was left to stop it? No one.
Suddenly, a figure flashed across her mind—a certain boy. Immediately, she let out a bitter, self-deprecating smile. That guy ran away before. Why would he show up now? If she made it out of here alive, she swore—she'd kill him! Sui-Feng's gaze returned to Niu Tau Xu. She understood clearly—that thought was just a fantasy. She wasn't making it out of this alive.
Looking at the fear frozen on everyone's faces, Niu Tau Xu seemed pleased. Then, it began to slowly release its spiritual pressure. Just to show them—real fear.
Boom. The moment that crushing Reiatsu surged, people collapsed to their knees. Everyone's faces turned ghostly pale. Their panic peaked. Even Sui-Feng's complexion turned white. And in her eyes—for the first time, there was a glint of despair. Now she understood. This creature wasn't even in the same league as those Adjuchas. This thing—its true nature was...
"Report... report!!" "Area 136... emerging... appears..." "What's happening?! Speak clearly!" "Confirmed Menos Grande! Classification: Vasto Lorde!!" Kurotsuchi Mayuri's pupils contracted. He pushed aside the technician and sat at the monitor. After a moment—his expression changed to horror. The Reiatsu readings labeled Vasto Lorde were far beyond standard values.
Yamamoto Shigekuni Genryūsai accelerated. His eyes were grimmer than ever. Even at this distance, he could feel the monstrous Reiatsu pulsing from Area 136. He didn't know what it was. But it was nothing good.
The returning divisions also picked up the pressure. That horrific Reiatsu—they felt it too. The captains' faces turned dark. A fish slipped through the net? No. Judging from this Reiatsu, it was stronger than any of the Adjuchas they'd faced. The Second and Eighth Divisions hadn't reported back. Something must've happened. The captains clenched their teeth and picked up speed.
Back on the battlefield, Niu Tau Xu's Reiatsu bore down mercilessly. Everyone collapsed, groaning in agony. Omaeda lay flat on the ground, his face twisted. This level of Reiatsu—there was no resisting it. Several members had already fainted. "T-Team Captain Sui-Feng..." Omaeda struggled to breathe, barely managing to raise his head. "Omaeda... we're going to die here..." Sui-Feng gave a bitter smile. Her voice was faint. "No... please no... I don't want to die... I'm still... young... I'm still young!!" Omaeda sobbed, snot and tears covering his face.
Niu Tau Xu, finding their reactions less entertaining, finally lost patience. Enough wasting time with these ants. Its gaze fixed on Sui-Feng. Slowly, it raised its right hand. Of everyone here, only she and Kyoraku Shunsui had posed any real threat. So it chose her. Kill the strongest first. The rest would follow. As for its mission... that could wait.
It thrust its hand forward—aiming straight for Sui-Feng's chest. Compared to Cero, it preferred ripping open its victims with its claws. That raw, visceral sensation was far more satisfying. Sui-Feng shut her eyes. The black palm closed in at blinding speed. Before she could even shut her eyes fully—it reached her chest. Then stopped. Silently. Frozen in place. Because—someone had caught its hand.
"Hey. The one you're looking for... is me." In the still air, a calm, youthful voice rang out.
Sui-Feng's eyes snapped open. Omaeda turned his head weakly, eyes wide with disbelief. The other squad members stirred. Under the daylight—a youth wearing a vice-captain's haori stood firm, composed.
Su Li.
The long-absent vice-captain had finally returned. Omaeda's eyes welled up with tears. Where the hell were you... you bastard... sob... The other members were overcome with emotion. They had lost hope. Even if someone came now, they thought, it would only be to gather their corpses. But now—the boy's presence was like spring wind, breaking through the winter of despair. Warming every frozen heart.
Niu Tau Xu stared blankly at Su Li. Finally, it recognized him. The target. The gods had commanded it to kill this boy. And yet, the boy had vanished. Despite using the god-taught technique to suppress its Reiatsu—it couldn't find him. The mission had nearly failed. But now, he stood here—delivering himself.
Niu Tau Xu trembled. At first with surprise. Then excitement. Kill him. With the power bestowed by the gods. Complete the mission. Kill this boy! Bloodlust swelled in its eyes. It slowly raised its left hand. Aimed straight at Su Li's chest. Yes. Just one strike. Tear open that fragile chest. The gods would be pleased—and grant even more power.
The black arm surged forward. It looked slow. But it moved like lightning. Even before the shock registered on the others' faces—its claws were about to pierce Su Li's chest.
But it never noticed—Su Li's hair was already glowing faintly with silver threads.
"Hakuda—standard punch." Su Li said it quietly.
Boom!
A thunderous impact. His fist landed squarely on Niu Tau Xu's chest.
IMPORTANT UPDATE –
I WILL BE POSTING 1 CHAPTER HERE ON WEBNOVEL EVERY DAY...
I WILL BE POSTING 3 ADVANCE CHAPTERS EVERY TWO DAYS ON PATREON, JOIN MY PATREON FOR EXCLUSIVE EARLY ACCESS.
🔗 JOIN NOW: patreon.com/Oreski
PS: I HAVE UPLOADED 30 ADVANCED CHAPTERS ON PATREON ALREADY—DON'T MISS OUT ON THE ADVENTURE.