"God-tier three seats, please come with me."
The person who received Da Shenchen was the vice-captain of the 12th Division, Nemu Kurotsuchi. She maintained her expressionless demeanor as she led Da Shenchen to the front of the 12th Division's captain, Mayuri Kurotsuchi.
"You're Da Shenchen, the one who caused quite a stir a few days ago, aren't you?"
Mayuri gave him a peculiar smile, his gaze filled with curiosity.
"Yes, but the level of reception is surprisingly high. I didn't expect the director of the Technology Development Bureau to personally greet me."
"Originally, it would have been sufficient for the vice-captain to deliver the briefing. However, I made a special request to have her bring you here."
Mayuri's smile darkened. "After all, I'm quite interested in your Zanpakutō."
Before Da Shenchen could respond, Mayuri continued speaking to himself.
"To ensure the exercise field's durability, the Seireitei constructed it using Reishi-repelling stone designed to block spirit particles. It should have been nearly indestructible."
"Yet when I inspected the site, the entire practice field had been annihilated in a single blast. Such power shouldn't be possible in a Shikai state."
Da Shenchen didn't play into Mayuri's curiosity. He replied calmly, "Captain Kurotsuchi, I am not obligated to answer your questions."
"The mission is urgent. Please provide the details and requirements immediately."
Mayuri paused, then chuckled again after a few seconds. "Very well. I'll study you after you return alive."
With that, he retrieved two seals from his robes.
"These are piercing seals, developed exclusively by the Technology Development Bureau. Once activated, they briefly open a Garganta linking Soul Society to Hueco Mundo."
"One will allow you to enter Hueco Mundo. The other will reactivate in three days and permit your return to Soul Society."
Da Shenchen accepted the seals without examining them too closely. He knew Mayuri well enough.
Though Mayuri had a twisted personality, his technological products were reliable, and he didn't waste time lying.
As the captain of the 12th Division and the Bureau's director, he didn't need to grovel to the Four Great Noble Houses or fabricate information just to get his way.
"They even placed a return lock… The four noble clans really won't stop at anything to eliminate me."
Hearing Da Shenchen's muttering, Mayuri added, "If you agree to become one of my experimental subjects, I could shield you from the noble houses' influence."
"But I refuse." Da Shenchen snorted. "What I love most is saying no to people who think they can control me."
Even Mayuri was momentarily speechless. What kind of strange fixation was that?
After a pause, he changed the subject.
"Let's discuss your mission. I'm sure you've figured out the basics by now. There's not much to investigate."
"Your task is simple. Survive in Hueco Mundo for three days. That's it. Just survive."
Mayuri left without saying more, returning to his lab.
Since Da Shenchen refused to cooperate with his research, Mayuri saw no point in further discussion.
However, what he didn't know was that Da Shenchen had no intention of just surviving for three days.
Da Shenchen didn't waste time elsewhere. To open a Garganta from within Soul Society, one had to be within a special security barrier. This was to prevent Hollows from invading through the dimensional tear.
The Technology Development Bureau happened to have such a barrier, so Da Shenchen used the first seal inside it.
Once he poured spiritual energy into the piercing seal, it vanished instantly.
In its place, a small Garganta formed in midair.
It was just wide enough for a single person to pass. A Menos Grande wouldn't even be able to squeeze through.
"Perfectly ready."
Da Shenchen took a deep breath and stepped into the black cavity.
---
Hueco Mundo: Moonlight Shadows and Silent Winds
Da Shenchen was no stranger to Hueco Mundo's environment. Even before arriving, he had glimpsed its eerie atmosphere.
A vast desert stretched endlessly in all directions. The moment Da Shenchen landed, he became hyper-aware of his surroundings.
"This environment increases my survival difficulty tremendously. But if I can't survive this, then none of it matters."
He always had a clear understanding of his capabilities.
Even after acquiring the Survival System, Da Shenchen didn't let down his guard. He made decisions carefully and never acted impulsively.
Though outsiders may have seen his recent actions as reckless, every move he made was calculated.
He maintained just enough aggression to raise his survival difficulty, but not so much that he would die before getting a reward.
"Before anything else, let's assess the situation."
Da Shenchen reviewed his objectives.
"One: increase my lottery odds. Two: gain real combat experience."
He didn't rely solely on the system. Even with powerful abilities and tools, he understood that without proper experience, he would be no different from a paper soldier.
And to gain experience, he needed to fight—and fight often.
"With the Sword of Oath of Victory's true name released, ordinary Hollows pose no threat. Even a Gillian-class Menos should fall easily."
"But if I encounter an Adjuchas-class Hollow, I doubt I can take it down within three seconds. Best to avoid them entirely."
Having finalized his battle strategy, Da Shenchen raised the Sword of Oath of Victory and began his slaughter.
Most of Hueco Mundo's lower-tier Hollows posed no challenge. Against Da Shenchen's divine blade and mastery of Hakuda, they stood no chance.
But by the end of the day, Da Shenchen's body was bruised and bloody. His spiritual pressure was nearly depleted.
"Hah… As expected, Hueco Mundo's danger level is no joke. But I survived the day."
That night, he rested behind a dune, carefully concealed from enemy eyes. Then he activated the system.
Congratulations to the host for surviving one day. Lottery reward unlocked.
Seeing the prompt, Da Shenchen steadied his breath and tapped the lottery interface.
"The threats in Hueco Mundo are nothing like Soul Society. This time, the lottery is guaranteed to be worth it."