Instantly, the surrounding cherry blossoms began to dance faster and in greater numbers, creating a dense curtain that seemed to obscure the entire sky in the blink of an eye.
Finally...
All the cherry blossoms converged at the end of the long street, advancing like a pink tide.
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
As the cherry blossom tide pushed forward, continuous roaring sounds echoed, and the walls lining the street repeatedly shattered.
Bai Ye's heart leaped; indeed, 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 then punched out with all his might.
"Phoenix!" Bai Ye roared, "Phoenix Flame!"
He punched forward, and flames suddenly appeared, coiling around his arm.
The surrounding temperature rapidly increased, radiating intense heat. The air seemed to scorch, and then, at the moment his fist struck...
A massive pillar of fire emerged, charging straight ahead, and collided fiercely with the cherry blossom tide.
Then...
With a loud bang!
The pillar of fire was instantly swallowed. The moment it clashed with the cherry blossom tide, it was as if it had been sliced by countless blades, shattering into pieces and breaking into small fiery clusters that scattered on the ground.
No match!
Bai Ye's flames were shattered with ease!
Cold sweat beaded on Bai Ye's forehead. Captain-level Shinigami were far too strong!
If he couldn't fight, he had to run!
But just then...
The wave of cherry blossoms surged, instantly sweeping past Bai Ye from all sides, enveloping him and completely blocking his escape route.
As soon as Bai Ye shifted his body, he was forced to stop.
For a moment, Bai Ye felt as if everything he thought was completely seen through by the other party!
No escape!
"Hadō #4, Haineko!"
A gap suddenly appeared in the cherry blossom tide, and a golden rope-like light chain shot out, heading for Bai Ye.
Bai Ye quickly dodged, but the rope, as if alive, wriggled in the air, relentlessly pursuing him and swiftly entangling his ankle.
With a bang, Bai Ye was yanked from the air and crashed onto the ground. Immediately after, the rope, like a snake, slithered up his body, binding him tightly.
Bai Ye struggled with all his might but found that the luminous rope was 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, then said, "Take him away."
"Yes!"
Bai Ye was hoisted up by several Shinigami and half-dragged, half-pulled forward.
"I have absolutely no connection with that man," Bai Ye said with a dejected face. "I was just passing by."
"Silence!" The golden-haired woman pointed at Bai Ye. "Whether you know him or not, daring to attack the Shinigami patrol team is enough to warrant punishment. Escort him away."
Two Shinigami immediately dragged Bai Ye away.
Bai Ye struggled feebly. "I'm being framed! I'm a law-abiding citizen! Is there no law? Is there no justice... Waa... Waa..."
A Shinigami casually removed his sock and stuffed it into Bai Ye's mouth, bringing instant quiet to the world.
Soon, Bai Ye and the other man were escorted through the streets.
Not being executed on the spot...
That was considered good news!
Then...
Bai Ye was quickly astonished. After proceeding all the way, they arrived at the central area of Rukongai. Before them appeared a vast and towering wall, enclosing magnificent and opulent buildings!
That place was, in fact...
Seireitei!
Seireitei was the core region of the Shinigami, guarded by the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and the place where all Shinigami resided. The surrounding walls were constructed from soul-suppressing stone that could block spiritual energy, and the spiritual fluctuations decomposed from this stone formed a barrier protecting 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, named Byakudō, Seiryū, Kokuryō, and Shuwakku respectively.
Based on their current route, their clear target was to enter Seireitei.
However, according to Bai Ye's memories from his previous life, Seireitei was actually a restricted zone, and a highly dangerous one at that, not a place that could be challenged at this time. Moreover, the method of entry was different from the way he remembered triggering the Seireitei restricted zone.
Soon, Bai Ye's speculation proved true.
The group of Shinigami indeed escorted the two to the Byakudō Gate on the east. The gatekeepers lowered the massive Byakudō Gate, and the group successfully entered Seireitei.
However, there was no restricted zone mission!
According to the rules for triggering a restricted zone, upon entering, other chosen ones in the same area would be teleported, and a restricted zone mission would appear. But nothing had happened.
This meant that although they had entered Seireitei, the restricted zone had not been triggered, and consequently, there was no restricted zone mission.
What was going on?
Bai Ye was also a bit bewildered by the situation and couldn't help but look at the man in front, realizing that he might be the only one who could provide an answer.
Soon, the two were escorted to the front of a tall tower.
Seireitei also had many distinct areas, such as the Central 46 Chambers, the Thirteen Court Guard Squad dormitories, the Research and Development Bureau, and so on. Generally, the closer to the center, the more important the area and the stricter the security. And this white tower before them was...
The 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 the door to a cell.
The cell was square, with a large iron gate. Inside the cell, apart from a very small square window, there were only two beds made of white stone. There was nothing else.
"Go in!"
A Shinigami pushed the two of them, sending them into the cell, and then casually closed the iron gate.
"Hey, hey..." Bai Ye pressed against the gate. "Brother, since I'm in the cell, can you loosen this thing on me?"
As Bai Ye spoke, he looked at the luminous rope still bound around him.
A Shinigami glanced at Bai Ye with evident disdain and casually waved his hand. Instantly, the rope on Bai Ye's body suddenly loosened, shattered inch by inch, and dissipated into tiny golden halos.
The Shinigami shot Bai Ye another look and said, "Behave yourself and don't cause trouble, understand!"
After warning Bai Ye, the Shinigami led the way, quickly disappearing at the end of the corridor.
...