Chapter 1048
Sakura Sky Fusion
As time passed, the ripples from those two tears did not dissipate. Instead, like pebbles thrown into a calm lake, they expanded in concentric circles until they disturbed the "ground" of the entire pure white space.
The other Zhao Yingkong seemed oblivious to this astonishing scene, instead revealing an apologetic expression and softly saying:
"I'm sorry, I was just too tired at the time and wanted to rest."
That's why I hope you can live in my place, and preferably live a happy and fulfilling life.
"But what I didn't expect was that your personality would be so different from what I imagined. You've always been serious and cold."
The other Zhao Yingkong, or rather, the earlier consciousness that carried all the real memories and pain, smiled and said:
"The light of the soul comes from here; it does not come from perfect, preordained experiences."
Rather, it stems from your current 'doubt,' your 'resentment,' your 'pain,' and even… your recognition and acceptance of your 'false self.'
Upon hearing this answer, Zhao Yingkong looked up.
Through her teary eyes, she saw the pure white around her being tinged with a very faint color that belonged to her.
It was a color between moonlight and shadow, a dark gray with a hint of silver.
In the space, a faint, almost inaudible metallic scraping sound began to echo, like countless sharp blades chiming softly in their sheaths, ready to be unleashed.
"Look at me, Sakura Sora, come on."
"The Soul Fusion Pill doesn't have much time left."
"Accept the past with me, accept the true memories, remember, Sakura... remember the sadness and joy, despair and sorrow that I have hidden."
In the midst of the story.
The two girls clasped hands together.
"Yes, actually you are me, and I am you..."
The moment their hands touched, there was no earth-shattering roar, only a silent torrent.
Hidden, edited, and sealed memories surged into Zhao Yingkong's consciousness like a burst dam.
She "saw" that childhood that was more cruel, more real, and more complicated.
This place is not all about warm companions and gentle companionship; rather, it is a battlefield filled with bloody missions, ruthless training, family conspiracies, and emotional entanglements.
She witnessed the fierce battle between herself and Zhao Zhuikong, a battle so brutal it nearly resulted in mutual destruction.
They witnessed how a girl named "Ruikong" tried to heal her trauma with the light of her heart, but unexpectedly caused a split in her personality.
He also saw another version of himself, struggling with extreme pain and inner demons, using his unwavering will to separate "her".
This is "Zhao Yingkong," who is imbued with pure and relatively beautiful memories.
As a spiritual haven, a "possibility" that can be protected...
The sheer volume of information she received almost made her dizzy.
But at the same time, an unprecedented sense of "completeness" and "authenticity" began to take root in her heart.
Those fragments of memory that once felt like barriers have all found their original place, piecing together a personality that, though scarred, is incredibly solid.
It was at this moment that she understood why she had such an instinct for fighting.
Why does a strong sense of unwillingness and a desire to catch up arise when one seems to be "behind" Li Xiao and Zheng Zha?
That wasn't the frustration of a fake genius, but rather the mark of a true strong person imprinted deep in their soul, which, even if partially obscured, still drove her subconsciously.
In the vast white space, the two girls merged into one.
The silver-gray hue grew stronger and stronger, enveloping the girl and gradually outlining her blurry silhouette.
That wasn't a Zanpakuto, but a more fundamental form, as if it were an extension of her will and soul.
The metallic hum in the space grew clearer, carrying a sharpness that pierced through reality and illusion.
"Now."
The voice of her own consciousness almost perfectly matched her inner thoughts:
"You've found your 'experience,' so what is your deepest, most fundamental desire?"
Zhao Yingkong closed her eyes, then opened them again a moment later.
The confusion and tears in his eyes have been replaced by a cold and dazzling sharpness.
She felt the power surging within her body, and the fourth-order gene lock within her body that had been reopened.
She also sensed that her unique ability, known as "Light of the Soul," was about to emerge.
"My desire..."
She spoke softly, her voice clear and firm.
"My desire has never been to become a protected phantom, nor to wallow in the pain of the past, whether real or not."
My desire is for it to exist 'truly'...
It's about taking control of your own destiny...
It is about severing all shackles and illusions...
Neither family background, the past, nor self-imposed limitations can stop me from moving forward!
When the answer is affirmative.
The white space then began to collapse.
And so, I don't know how much time passed.
(who I am?
I am Zhao Yingkong!
The girl lying on the bed suddenly opened her eyes.
at the same time.
Upon waking, Zhao Yingkong immediately sensed something.
But that feeling is really hard to describe in words.
It was like a dream, but more illusory and more real than a dream.
And in that very instant, with her awakening, an irrepressible force surged forth.
A surge of spiritual pressure enveloped and swept over his entire body in an instant.
A black shihaka outfit covered the girl's stunning body.
In fact, Li Xiao had already sensed something and looked over when Zhao Yingkong opened her eyes.
At that moment, Li Xiao heard the sound of shackles being broken.
He saw it just as he looked over.
The girl was lifted into the air by a burst of silver-gray light emanating from her chest.
"This is the light of the soul!"
"It seems Sakura has succeeded..."
Li Xiao muttered to herself.
However, the changes are not over yet.
The spiritual pressure began to increase exponentially from the girl and then layered on top of each other.
Eventually, this energy became so concentrated that the air itself seemed much thicker.
Then a terrifying killing intent suddenly erupted from where the girl was.
Zhao Yingkong hovered in mid-air, the silver-gray spiritual light around her body flickering like breathing, forming a stark contrast with her jet-black Shinigami armor.
She opened her eyes and landed slowly, her toes barely touching the ground without making a sound.
Li Xiao could clearly sense that the girl in front of him was completely different.
It's not about appearance, but something deeper, like a peerless blade that has always been sheathed.
At this moment, it finally revealed its full sharpness, its icy edge almost tearing through the air.
"Congratulations."
Li Xiao broke the silence between the two.
His tone was filled with heartfelt emotion.
Although he could not see the specific turbulence in the spiritual world, he clearly captured this soul-shaking tremor, like a rebirth.
The aura he just displayed surpassed that of Zheng Zha from Transformers.
Zhao Yingkong looked up at Li Xiao.
Her eyes no longer held the confusion or the deliberately maintained coldness of before, but had evolved into a calm that had settled down.
If you look closely, you'll find that a silver-gray flame is burning deep within the pupil.
"Thank you."
Zhao Yingkong's voice was soft, yet it carried a resolute quality.
"Thank you for your 'indulgence' all this time."
Zhao Yingkong was referring to Li Xiao, who had clearly noticed the anomalies in her memories and the disharmony in her strength, yet never pointed it out, instead offering protection and guidance in his own way. Li Xiao smiled, not replying, but simply asking with concern:
"It seems the Soul Fusion Pill really works, so how are you feeling? Is there anything uncomfortable in your body...?"
Hearing Li Xiao's concern, Zhao Yingkong raised a hand.
The silver-gray light surrounding his body seemed to be summoned and came to his palm, transforming into a knife hilt.
Then, the longsword gradually solidified with spiritual pressure.
Compared to the previous Zanpakuto, the character "空" (emptiness) on this one seems to have come alive.
It constantly glides across the pristine white blade.
And it was at the very moment that this long sword took shape.
Li Xiao's eyes widened in confusion.
Then, unable to contain itself, it entered a state of instantaneous destruction.
His entire body was bathed in golden light, which activated his indestructible body.
Li Xiao's long cycle of reincarnation has given him a reaction speed that is almost like a prophet.
It was this reaction that allowed Li Xiao to survive once again.
In an instant, the upper body retreated using the powerful force granted by destruction.
The murderous intent, almost solidified and piercing, from the tip of the knife swept across the skin above his throat, producing a grating, metallic tearing sound.
At that moment, Li Xiao's mind almost started racing.
This clearly demonstrates just how dangerous it is.
After all, one second they were having a pleasant conversation, and the next second they suddenly started killing someone.
Of course, this was actually within Li Xiao's expectations, or rather, Li Xiao had long been aware of it.
After all, the bliss of having multiple wives isn't something you can enjoy so easily, especially since I've gone a bit too far with my previous actions.
So much so that I regret it every time I use the "wise man" mode!
After all, no matter which perspective Zhao Yingkong adopts, her existence is almost the same as that of a scumbag.
Moreover, it's the kind of thing where you're constantly switching between two boats.
After a crisp sound in the air, Li Xiao leaped into the sky and shouted:
"Sakura, what's wrong?"
"A fourth-tier inner demon?"
"Didn't both of you already reach the fourth tier? How could you possibly be unable to suppress a single inner demon after merging?"
While spouting the excuse he had finally come up with, Li Xiao suddenly produced a small golden pagoda in his hand.
There's no way around it; sometimes men and women know what's going on between them, but they absolutely can't afford to break off all ties.
The small pagoda in his hand was the Seven Treasures Pagoda borrowed from Saito Hajime.
Li Xiao was already prepared when he decided to give Zhao Ying the Soul Fusion Pill.
The more reckless you were back then, the more you're suffering now.
The Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda is the most perfect artifact among this batch of magical treasures for suppressing "inner demons".
If this young lady really can't be persuaded, then the only option left is to force myself on her.
He believed he still had a glimmer of hope.
But what Li Xiao was worried about didn't happen.
When the girl's murderous intent almost became tangible.
Suddenly, it vanished as if it had never existed, and the girl's face now bore the bright smile that Li Xiao was familiar with.
The girl spoke softly:
"Since you want to see your inner demons, then I'll show them to you."
As she spoke, Zhao Yingkong released her Zanpakuto.
The long sword fell to the ground naturally, scattering into tiny points of light like fireflies and disappearing.
The next moment, the black Shinigami armor on Zhao Yingkong's body began to roll inward from the feather robe on her back.
In the blink of an eye, the black skirt and coat transformed into a pure white special outfit.
And this transformation is not yet over.
Finally, in Li Xiao's eyes, a white mask that only covered Zhao Yingkong's chin and profile, along with a white longsword, materialized in front of her.
The white bone mask was covered with mysterious black patterns, resembling twisted empty characters.
The longsword is much simpler, pure white overall, resembling both bone and iron.
Li Xiao landed from the air, glanced at the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda in his hand, and then looked at the girl opposite him solemnly, saying:
"Is this the real Mask of Emptiness?"
"But this is... a shallow katakana?"
Asauchi is a necessary tool to help a person awaken their Zanpakuto.
Li Xiao had redeemed it with reward points before, which is why he could recognize it at a glance.
As soon as Li Xiao finished asking the question, a slightly hoarse voice answered it.
"This isn't a shallow strike, it's a full-blown resurrection!"
"I compressed and purified my inner demons, and transformed them into the power of the void by utilizing the characteristics of my bloodline."
"Thus, this half of the mask and this resurrected blade were formed."
"You can think of Resurrección as a Hollow's Zanpakuto. It can perform a first-stage Resurrección comparable to Shikai, and a second-stage Resurrección comparable to Bankai."
Li Xiao was stunned for a moment when he heard the girl's long voice before he came to his senses: "So this is your third Zanpakuto?"
Zhao Yingkong, dressed in a pure white dress, did not answer the question.
Instead, he raised one hand and held the mask in front of him, putting it on himself.
There is clearly no supporting structure.
However, when the mask is close to the skin, it blends in perfectly.
Li Xiao looked at the girl wearing a mask.
At this moment, only one-third of Sakura's face was visible.
But even that couldn't hide the girl's charming smile.
However, deep within that smile lay a sharp edge that Li Xiao was familiar with.
Li Xiao's mouth is twitching now.
He knew that this person wanted to vent his anger and also wanted to use him as a whetstone to test the abilities he had just acquired.
"Want to try it out? This new power?"
Li Xiao thought for a moment, put away the exquisite pagoda, grasped the gray longsword in his hand, and then asked the question with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yingkong was momentarily stunned, then broke into a radiant smile that even her mask couldn't conceal.
Dressed in pure white, Sakura nodded: "In masked form, spiritual pressure will be three times that of normal."
"In your understanding, my speed and strength have increased threefold."
"If the amplification of Resurrection is performed..."
As the girl spoke, she raised the long sword in her hand.
"One strike, release the blade!"
When the spiritual pressure condensed into a pale white wave of energy and rolled out.
Zhao Yingkong spoke again:
"Resurrección is similar to Suzumebachi in that it is a mode that bursts out with a single strike in an instant."
"But I used the subtle techniques of the fourth-order gene lock to divide this force."
"Although I have activated my Resurrection, I haven't used it yet, so I can temporarily enjoy the boost that comes with Resurrection."
“Besides that, there’s also instant opening…”
After he finished speaking, cracks began to appear on the ground and even the ceiling.
Even before making a move, Li Xiao was forced to retreat three steps simply by the burst of energy.
And at this time.
Zhao Yingkong seemed to sense something, and looking up in a daze, she looked up at the sky.
That is, the center of the crack in the ceiling.
The girl reached out her hand.
"I feel a sense of limitation, like I could break this room..."
"But it might still be a little short."
Li Xiao raised his head amidst the surging spiritual pressure, his face filled with astonishment.
What was shocking was not the power Zhao Yingkong possessed at that moment, but the words she uttered. (End of Chapter)