[Sha Diao Le Zi Ren: By the way, since you sensed the Elemental Power within the "Godfather Berry," could you, Godfather, investigate whether ordinary people like me can use this power?]
Li Yue was near the end of his fishing session when his request appeared in the group.
[Sha Diao Le Zi Ren: In my world, there exists a type of human who can wield Elemental Power. They're called Allogenes. Each person manifests a different element depending on their nature, but anyone who can use this power is extraordinary. Unfortunately, I can't use Elemental Power at all. You, however, excel in research, Godfather. Could you help me study it?]
Elemental Power, completely foreign to Soul Society, represented an entirely new field of knowledge. For a researcher like Aizen, it was irresistible.
Moreover, Aizen understood the subtext: Li Yue wanted not only research on the idea, but on how he himself—an ordinary man—might wield it. Aizen didn't mind. In fact, for him, this was valuable data, too.
[Shang Tian Fa Jiao Nan: Of course. This isn't me simply helping you, Li Yue-jun. Rather, by letting me study such foreign power, you are helping me. I can only be grateful.]
[Sha Diao Le Zi Ren: Ah, no need for thanks. But if you really want to show gratitude, you could always upload information about Shinigami powers to me. I'm curious about reiryoku, kidō spells, captain-level reishi… Perhaps even Kyōka Suigetsu?]
[Shang Tian Fa Jiao Nan: …]
This foster son is far from modest…
A New Path Opens
Instead of baiting Aizen with half-truths like many "chat group charlatans" might, Li Yue remained lazy but bold. He didn't play deceit; fun was his game.
Aizen, amused, actually sent him a gift: a Reishi Sword—created from condensed spiritual pressure for awakening purposes—and a basic blank zanpakutō, an Asauchi. The former would awaken Li Yue's reiryoku much like when Rukia stabbed Ichigo, while the latter would evolve depending on Li Yue's soul.
Kidō methods, shunpō techniques, and hakuda martial art basics were uploaded to the group as files, since they required no weapon but reishi itself.
In exchange, Li Yue was tasked with gathering Elemental-rich materials for research.
Back at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor
Li Yue hurried to Zhongli, who had just returned from an errand.
"Zhongli, quick! Give me a task!"
Zhongli, still settling in, blinked in confusion.
"What are you talking about, young friend? I just walked in."
Without waiting, Li Yue snatched Zhongli's teacup from his hand. "By the way, thanks for the tea. I've been on the pier catching only one fish, and my throat's dry."
Zhongli's outstretched hand froze midair.
Then Li Yue squinted. "Say, you're an Anemo Vision holder, aren't you?"
"That's correct. I do possess one." Zhongli gave his habitual smile, earning only a dismissive shake of the head from Li Yue.
"Tsk. How disappointing… Even some shabby layabout like you awakens a Vision, but what about me? Where's mine?!"
"…." The 'Rock God' you're mocking is standing right here, child.
"I Want Geo!"
"Hey, I remember Geo can create constructs. Make me a Geo stone—one infused with Elemental Power."
"A small matter."
Though insulted, Zhongli indulged him, raising his hand. With ease, he conjured a miniaturized Meteor—an echo of his own Burst ability—and set it before Li Yue.
Li Yue eagerly hefted it. "Perfect! I'll use this stone to study and awaken my Elemental Power. Geo's my favorite element, after all."
"…You wish to awaken a Vision? And specifically Geo?" Zhongli asked, genuinely surprised.
"Of course! Geo excels at shields and defense. During the Archon War, Rock God endured endless battles because no enemy could break through his shields!"
So he claims… but that's not exactly true. Zhongli sighed internally.
Still, Li Yue persisted. "As long as I earn Rock God's gaze, he'll grant me a Geo Vision!"
"That isn't what I meant," Zhongli muttered under his breath. "A Vision manifests under complex conditions—personal desire, destiny, an Archon's recognition… It cannot be forced."
But Li Yue waved him off. "You're a scholar, Zhongli, yet you overcomplicate things. If Rock God notices me, I'll get one. Simple!"
Zhongli said nothing.
The Transformation
That night, Li Yue locked himself in the coffin room, preparing Aizen's gifts. He pressed the Reishi Sword against his chest.
"For Sparta!"
He stabbed himself without hesitation.
The surge of reishi engulfed his soul, blasting radiant blue light throughout the funeral parlor. From inside the coffin, Li Yue's spirit stood up, now clad in a black shihakushō with straw sandals—and an Asauchi at his side.
Outside, Zhongli set down his teacup mid-sip as the pressure exploded. His eyes lit gold. Raising a barrier, he contained the shock indoors.
Then the new Shinigami clenched his fists and laughed.
"Hahaha! Morax—see it for yourself! I've ascended to godhood!"
A New Shinigami is Born
[Sha Diao Le Zi Ren: Yuhuu~~ I've done it!]
[Shang Tian Fa Jiao Nan: Judging from your mood, Li Yue-jun, you've truly become a Shinigami now.]
[Sha Diao Le Zi Ren: Exactly. My soul has transformed completely. But foster father, can you teach me how to measure and control it? If I'm the only Shinigami here, I don't even know my level. And uncontrolled pressure could harm people around me.]
[Shang Tian Fa Jiao Nan: …Indeed, reishi leakage at Captain-class could kill ordinary humans instantly. Wait a moment.]
[Shang Tian Fa Jiao Nan uploaded new files]
[Shang Tian Fa Jiao Nan: The Reishi Blade I gave you was forged with Captain-level concentration. I'd compare your current reishi to Muguruma Kensei's. So, Li Yue-jun, your baseline is Captain-level already. Learn to control it immediately before you harm others.]
[Sha Diao Le Zi Ren: What?! You're saying my measurement is "Muguruma Kensei units"? That's insane! I gotta train this right now—catch you later!]
Laughing and panicking all at once, Li Yue downloaded the files. Aizen's mastery of suppressing his immense power down to "ordinary" levels gave Li Yue the perfect blueprint.
Soon, the oppressive aura faded. To outsiders, he looked like an ordinary man again.
Returning to His Body
Controlling his reishi, Li Yue slipped back into his body. The shihakushō vanished; the Hawaiian shirt and shorts returned. Testing, he summoned the Asauchi into his hand—working perfectly even in human form.
He flung open the door—only to nearly scream.
"Holy—! Zhongli! Why are you standing RIGHT there? You almost scared me to death!"
The tall figure peered calmly down at him.
"Forgive me, young friend. A flash of light appeared in your room just now. Naturally, I came to investigate."
Li Yue brightened instantly.
"Perfect timing! Zhongli, listen carefully—I just awakened my Elemental Power! Look, here's the proof!"
He proudly lifted the Asauchi. A spiritual sword. A power Zhongli could see.
Even Zhongli, Archon of Geo, was genuinely taken aback.