Chapter 67: Baboon King Zabimaru

"Are those bones?" echoed in the thoughts of everyone present, their initial shock giving way to sheer disbelief. The first thing that caught their eyes was a colossal, winding formation of brown bones, interconnected like segments of a massive snake. These bones twisted and coiled around each other, creating an awe-inspiring spectacle. The sheer size of these bone segments left them staggered; each one was easily as long as three to four fully grown men, if not larger. The length of this serpentine formation remained shrouded in a veil of swirling smoke.

Their collective astonishment only grew as they heard a piercing roar emanate from the heart of the enshrouded smoke. And then, from the dissipating veil, they beheld a sight that would forever be etched in their memories.

"ROOOOAAARRRRRR!" The deafening roar pierced the air as the creature emerged, unleashing its formidable presence upon the world. The spectators stood transfixed, some gripped by fear and others scarred by the sheer spectacle before them.

Describing this creature proved a daunting task; it defied the realms of possibility. For what materialized before them was a creature crafted entirely from bones. From a distance, it indeed resembled a...

"Senior sister, that's a snake, right?" Yuanba ventured hesitantly, seeking confirmation from Cang Yue beside him.

"How could that possibly be a snake?" Cang Yue was rendered nearly speechless. Deep inside, she yearned for this to be a mere nightmare, hoping to awaken in her room. Yet, this was the harsh reality they faced.

The creature bore a skull-like head, a closer look revealing that it was indeed the skull of a snake, but a skull that teemed with life rather than death. These bones pulsated with vitality, as if the creature had never met its demise. The skull differed markedly from that of a demon snake; its sharp fangs, bright yellow eyes, and three segmented openings beside its eyes set it apart. The skull was encircled by a magnificent mane of crimson fur.

The audience, still grappling with shock and disbelief, witnessed the skeletal snake's mighty roar, which created a pressurized zone that dispersed the lingering smoke. As the haze dissipated, everyone laid eyes on the man responsible for the colossal whirlwind of energy.

"ROOOARRRR!!!!" The skeletal snake bellowed once more, revealing the face of the one who had summoned it. All could finally see him clearly.

"Hihio Zabimiru! (Baboon King Zabimaru!)" shouted a young man as the segmented bones began to part, unveiling him in all his transformed glory.

The young man, none other than Yun Che himself, stood amidst the spectacle. His physique remained unchanged, but his attire left them dumbfounded. Clad in his familiar black outfit, his arms were now swathed in thick, brown fur. A skull of an animal adorned his left shoulder, but it was his right arm that seized their attention. Transformed into a beastly limb, he clutched the tailbone of the creature he had summoned, wielding it like a sword.

The audience was riveted, caught in the grip of disbelief, awe, and fear, as they beheld the extraordinary transformation of Yun Che and the majestic, skeletal entity known as "Baboon King Zabimaru."

In the eyes of the audience, Baboon King Zabimaru was a spectacle beyond imagination. Awe and astonishment filled their expressions as they beheld the monstrous form of Yun Che's Zanpakuto. The sight was like a scene from a mythical legend come to life.

Baboon King Zabimaru's segmented bones were colossal, each section measuring three to four times the size of a fully grown man. The sheer length of the segmented bones remained obscured, shrouded in swirling mystery. The interconnected bones resembled a serpent's body, twisting and turning in an intricate dance.

The first thing that struck the spectators was the size of these bones. They formed an intimidating and awe-inspiring presence, with an aura of power that commanded respect. The audience couldn't even fathom the true length of these bones, as they vanished into the smoke at their far end.

Little Fairy, observing the unfolding spectacle from her vantage point amidst the clouds, found herself thrown into disarray once more. The last time Yun Che had activated his Bankai, she had been taken aback by the sheer magnitude of his power. Now, she was not only shocked but also blushing as she beheld his transformed form.

The energy emanating from him was unmistakable. Little Fairy recognized it all too well, for she had experienced its terrifying force when he had unleashed Tensa Zangetsu during their fateful battle. That energy pulse had been so devastating that it shattered her Ice Heart with a single, merciless surge. It was then that she realized the Ice Heart had harnessed that pulsing Bankai energy to evolve into something entirely new. Was this the reason her newly evolved Ice Heart now sought him out so desperately? It felt as though the newly empowered heart yearned for his energy, craved it even. It had granted her newfound strength, surpassing anything she had cultivated before she had crossed paths with him. The Ice Heart had transformed her in countless ways, altering her personality, preferences, and even her perception of him. She couldn't deny that she had changed profoundly over the past month. The evolved Ice Heart had willingly submitted to him, and she sensed that she would soon follow suit.

In that moment, a disconcerting thought crossed her mind. This man was dangerous—too dangerous to be allowed into the Frozen Cloud Asgard. If he were to unleash his Bankai within the heart of the sect, the entire population of the asgard would undoubtedly bow before him, powerless to resist his might.

"Yun Che, just... just... who in the world are you?" Little Fairy whispered, her voice trembling as she held her pulsating heart. Her gaze remained fixed on his handsome countenance. Every lady present, including Cang Yue—Retsu being the sole exception—felt an irresistible allure emanating from Yun Che. His current form resembled that of a formidable beast god, and the majestic skeletal snake only heightened his air of majesty. With his dashing appearance, he now resembled the ideal prince they had all yearned for.

As the venerable head of the New Moon Profound Palace, Qin Wuyou, renowned for his unyielding composure, couldn't contain a gasp of astonishment. His typically stoic demeanor faltered as he witnessed the breathtaking transformation unfolding before him. Beside him, Elder Ya Yii, a paragon of grace and wisdom within the palace, had witnessed countless martial marvels in her lifetime, yet she stood captivated by this extraordinary moment. Her usual dignified poise gave way to profound reverence and incredulity as she observed the colossal skeletal serpent. Elder Sikong Han, celebrated for his wisdom and martial insight, had dedicated his life to unraveling the mysteries of martial arts. However, the spectacle that unfolded defied rational explanation, leaving him wide-eyed in wonder. Baboon King Zabimaru's sheer magnificence left them all in awe.

The seven sect masters were collectively stunned by the sight of Baboon King Zabimaru's transformation. Their reactions ranged from awe to unbridled greed, as they envisioned the potential power and prestige this newfound force could bring to their respective sects. Each sought to secure it for their own martial domain, igniting a simmering desire that threatened to disrupt the fragile balance of power in the martial world.

Yun Che's figure was surrounded by the giant skeletal snake. The snake looked creepy enough because it is one hundred perfect made from bones.

"This is AWESOME!!!!" Yun Che suddenly shouted, earning confused gazes from the onlookers. It was the first time he had activated Zabimaru's Bankai in this world. However, he classified the usage of his Bankai based on the circumstances of the battle. When facing larger opponents, like now, he unleashed Hihio Zabimaru. But when the situation allowed him to confront multiple human cultivators, he would activate its True Bankai. The very thought of it filled him with exhilaration.

Back in the arena, Yun Che reveled in the incredible sensation of his arm transforming into a baboon's limb, complete with the skull adorning his left shoulder.

"Heh, so this is the outside world, not too shabby," he mused, his thoughts echoing in his mind. He recognized the voices he heard.

"Saru? You're here?" Yun Che felt the presence of Saru's spirit within him.

"More like on your body, Master," Saru responded.

"Mouu, you're one to talk, Saru. Both you and Master are holding my tail. It's quite embarrassing," another cute and alluring voice chimed in. This time, it emanated from the skeletal snake, revealing that the creature's spirit was none other than Hebi, the lamia girl. Yun Che couldn't help but be taken aback by the contrast between her appearance and her high school girl-like voice.

"At least I was able to hug and feel the Master's body heat, Hebi. Ahh, such a masculine feel," Saru added cheekily.

"Mouuu, it's not fair... it's not fair... Why do I have to be the snake?" Hebi lamented in her cute voice.

"All right, you two, and your shenanigans again. Ehem, well, girls, welcome to the real world. Where everything is messed up and trying to kill you at the same time," Yun Che introduced his Zanpakuto spirits to the world he inhabited.

"Hmph, trying to gang up on our Master. Let's see how they fare with us on his side," Saru's spirit grew increasingly excited.

"Hmmm, Master, once this is over, I demand equal treatment," Hebi demanded with an excited squeal.

"What treatment?" Yun Che asked, perplexed by their conversation.

"Hooo, Hebi's becoming quite assertive," Saru remarked with a chuckle, thoroughly amused by his Zanpakuto spirit sister's forwardness. Initially, Yun Che had been oblivious to their desires, but now he began to grasp their intentions. He sighed for a moment, realizing that these two indeed sought something physical from him.

"Knock it off, you two. *Sigh. Fine, I won't resist, and actions are limited to cuddling only. Understand?" Yun Che sighed in resignation. These two spirits certainly took advantage of every opportunity. It seemed he might have to cater to their whims as a reward later on.

"REALLY??!?!?! Let's blow this guy apart, then," Saru and Hebi declared simultaneously, focusing their attention on the impending battle rather than their playful banter.

The Baboon King Zabimaru was one of the Bankai forms Yun Che had mastered following his mastery of Tensa Zangetsu. Initially, Saru and Hebi had offered him their true names as a sign of respect for his power. However, Yun Che had seen the advantage of having both forms at his disposal. The Baboon King Zabimaru proved ideal for group battles, while the true Bankai excelled in one-on-one combat. Thus, he decided to master both forms during their training sessions. This ensured he had Zanpakuto options for various situations, allowing him to adapt as needed. He couldn't help but wonder what had prompted Saru and Hebi to pursue a physical bond with him so eagerly, though.

Yun Che opened his eyes and cast a mischievous grin at the bewildered Wu Leng. If the audience wanted to be stunned into silence, he was more than willing to accommodate them. Saru and Hebi had frequently asked to be let out into the real world, but he hadn't found the right opportunity yet. That's why he had chosen Zabimaru as one of his Zanpakuto spirits—so he could occasionally release them for a taste of the outside world. Wu Leng had unwittingly become the perfect sparring partner for them.

"You... who and what are you?" Wu Leng stammered, his gaze fixated on the colossal skeletal snake before him. Even his mighty rhino showed signs of discomfort in the presence of the snake.

"Me? You could say I'm a Baboon King with a Snake Tail," Yun Che replied nonchalantly, casually swinging Hebi.

"I never expected you to be a beast master as well. But even with that beast of yours, you cannot hope to win against my..." Wu Leng began to retort, but his words were cut short.

"ROOOAARRR!!!!" Yun Che wasted no time and swung his Bankai toward Wu Leng's rhino. His extensive practice with Zabimaru in the inner world allowed him to control the Zanpakuto spirit with precision, just like Renji. Yet, he executed the moves efficiently, without Renji's extravagance. He used Hebi to strike his target with absolute accuracy.

"You!!!" Wu Leng reacted swiftly, steering his rhino clear of Hebi's head as it came hurtling toward him.

"Shut the heck up. You can keep chattering while I do the attacking," Yun Che retorted with determination. He was eager to conclude this fight and move on to the climax of his plan. While he hadn't anticipated facing the Beast Tamer himself, at least he could put his Bankai to good use.

"What are you three standing around for? KILL HIM!!!" Wu Leng shouted, issuing orders to his pets to attack Yun Che. However, it wasn't long before Hebi gracefully swerved and struck the three beasts with its body.

With masterful precision, Yun Che directed Hebi toward the lizard first. That pesky fireball attack hadn't caused him much harm, but it had been quite annoying. He controlled Hebi to collide with it using its head, delivering a ramming impact that could easily harm a high level cultivator at full force.

The giant skeletal serpent rammed its bony head into the creature's body with immense force. The impact was deafening, causing bones to crack and the arena to shake. The lizard let out a final roar before its body crumpled under Hebi's relentless assault. In moments, the once-fearsome beast lay in ruins, a grotesque tangle of broken bones and torn flesh, leaving the audience in stunned silence.

One down, three remained. Yun Che retracted Hebi by his side, knowing the beasts had trouble breaking through Hebi's formidable bones to reach him.

"Dare to surround me? Why don't you three take a bite from her?" He swung Hebi towards the nearest target, the gorilla. The gorilla raised its hand to block Hebi's fangs, but challenging Hebi's strength was a fatal mistake. In an instant, Hebi closed its jaws and took the gorilla with it.

SPLAT! Blood splattered in all directions as Hebi swiftly destroyed the gorilla. The brutality of the scene shocked onlookers, but Yun Che wasted no time. He swung Hebi toward the eagle and then the bear, dispatching them with equal ruthlessness.

"ROOOARRR!!!" Hebi roared toward the sky before facing Wu Leng and his rhino.

"Now, it's just you and me," Yun Che said with a serious demeanor, ready for the final showdown. Wu Leng gritted his teeth as he observed Yun Che and his powerful beast, his mind racing with questions about this unexpected turn of events.

"It's not fair. Why does he have such a formidable beast by his side? He didn't even use it against the other geniuses. Is he truly that strong?" Wu Leng ordered his giant rhino to attack, but Yun Che easily blocked the beast's brute strength with Hebi's reinforced body. Hebi's bones proved stronger than the formidable rhino.

"Hmph, for your earlier offense, consider yourself already dead to me," Yun Che declared as he swung Hebi toward Wu Leng once more. However, an unexpected turn occurred. Suddenly, the rhino's horn began to glow, and then...

A searing bolt of lightning erupted from the rhino's horn, striking Hebi's skeletal form with devastating force. In an instant, the brilliant electrical surge coursed through Hebi's body, disassembling it piece by piece. The once-majestic skeletal serpent shattered into its current giant bone fragments, which scattered across the arena. The audience watched in awe and shock as the powerful lightning blast dismantled Hebi, leaving behind only the memory of its fearsome presence.

"HAHAHA! In the end, your beast is nothing more than bones. You cannot defeat a demon beast rhino with mere bones," Wu Leng jeered from atop his rhino, believing victory was within his grasp. However, Yun Che remained undeterred, wearing a small smile as he stood his ground, seemingly unfazed by the dire situation.

"Any last words?" Wu Leng mocked, confident in his impending triumph, but Yun Che's calm demeanor hinted at something more.

"Sort of, have you ever heard of a Boa Constrictor snake?" Yun Che casually inquired, earning perplexed looks from the audience.

"What kind of gibberish are you talking about? Be honored you are about to be killed by this tamer. Hahaha," Wu Leng retorted, his confidence unwavering.

"Of course, you didn't know? Silly me, using a highfalutin word against you. Since you didn't understand, let me demonstrate." Without further ado, the bones scattered around the arena began to emit a vibrant red energy, once again shocking the spectators. In a mesmerizing display, the bones arranged themselves meticulously around the rhino, connecting via strands of crimson energy. One by one, the skeletal pieces coalesced into the massive serpent that had previously perished.

Wu Leng stood there in stupefaction. The bone snake had unequivocally met its demise moments ago under his powerful attack. He never anticipated witnessing the miraculous reassembly of the formidable creature. As the bones coiled together to recreate the snake's body, it wasted no time constricting Wu Leng's rhino.

"Boa constrictor snakes, you see, are non-venomous but renowned for their substantial size. The largest among them, the anaconda, commands respect despite its lack of venom. Remarkably, they possess the muscular prowess to strangle their adversaries into submission," Yun Che explained, his voice carrying a sense of satisfaction as Hebi intensified its grip around the hapless rhino. The once-mighty beast emitted a final, despairing roar as Hebi inexorably choked the life out of it.

"NO, NO. You let him go this instant or else...." Wu Leng's voice dripped with menace as he glared at Yun Che, yet he remained acutely aware that challenging him directly with the protective snake would spell his own demise.

"Or else what?" Yun Che taunted, resuming the relentless constriction, much to the audience's awe and amazement.

"No..No..No... Let him go.. Please... Please... He is my companion. Please... " Wu Leng's pride had crumbled, and he fell to his knees, his voice trembling with desperation as he begged Yun Che to spare the rhino. Witnessing this pitiful display, Yun Che's disgust was palpable, and he slowly released the rhino from Hebi's lethal embrace. The giant bone snake obediently returned to his side, and Wu Leng rushed to his fallen companion.

"Hmph, never expected you to beg. Get out of my sight," Yun Che sneered, turning his back on Wu Leng. However, his triumph was short-lived, as a sudden lightning bolt shot towards him, creating a colossal mushroom cloud upon impact. Wu Leng had hastily retreated to his rhino, feeding it some potent pill to expedite its recovery, then directed the beast to charge its horn with electrical power, unleashing a devastating bolt aimed at Yun Che. It was a treacherous act, but Wu Leng was determined to eliminate his formidable adversary by any means necessary.

"You've provoked me for the last time. Prepare to face my..." Wu Leng's triumphant proclamation turned to shock as the mushroom cloud dispersed, revealing the protective snake standing resolute, its skeletal form unscathed by the lightning attack that had previously dismantled it. Not a single scratch marred its bone structure, as if the devastating lightning had been nothing more than a mere fluke.

"I showed you mercy, and this is how you repay me? I even spared your companion when you pleaded for its life. In the end, you bit the hand that fed you. Well then, say hello to your master, Wu Ya," Yun Che hissed in anger, his patience exhausted. He had extended a rare moment of compassion, only to be attacked once the rhino was free.

"If you can unleash a beam, so can I." Swiftly, Yun Che swung Hebi towards the rhino and clamped its fangs onto the rhino's leg. In one fluid motion, the massive skeletal serpent dragged the rhino and Wu Leng into the air, then flung them skyward with astonishing force, defying the rhino's considerable bulk. The audience watched in astonishment as the two adversaries soared through the sky.

"Hikotsu Taihō (Baboon Bone Cannon)!!!!" Yun Che bellowed, channeling energy through Hebi's body. A surge of power coursed through the skeletal serpent, accumulating at its skull. With an ear-splitting roar, the snake's mouth gaped open, unleashing a colossal red beam of energy hurtling towards Wu Leng and his unfortunate rhino.

The devastating beam struck the rhino with incredible force, triggering an explosion that consumed both man and beast in a fiery cataclysm. Wu Leng's agonized cries resonated in the air before being abruptly silenced, ending the fierce battle in a thunderous detonation.

The explosion vaporized Wu Leng and his rhino, leaving the arena in an eerie, stunned silence. The audience gaped in disbelief at the overwhelming display of power – Yun Che had vanquished a Spirit Profound Realm cultivator with the ferocity of his beast. Their shock and horror intensified when they witnessed the skeletal snake's ability to unleash such a devastating energy beam. Amongst the spectators, disciples from the New Moon Profound Palace were particularly shaken, torn between condemning Yun Che's actions and acknowledging the brutality of the fallen senior brother.

"You MURDERER!!!!" A furious voice pierced through the stillness as Elder Wu Nie strode forward, accompanied by the seven sects who had jumped onto the arena. Cang Yue, her heart heavy with worry, attempted to intervene but was restrained by Yuanba's firm grip. Retsu, now freed from her sideline role, swiftly positioned herself beside Yun Che.

"You murdered my grandson and now my DISCIPLE!!! I will kill you, I swear I will kill you," Elder Wu Nie raged, his fury palpable as he and the sect masters encircled Yun Che and Retsu. The seven sects had endured Yun Che's provocations long enough and were determined to exact revenge for their humiliated disciples and crippled sons.

"You brat, we've tolerated your insolence for too long, watching you humiliate our disciples and cripple our sons. In the name of justice, we, the seven sects, will execute you both," Xiao Tiannan declared, his anger burning fiercely.

The sect masters closed in on Yun Che, but they couldn't afford to underestimate Hebi's formidable powers. They remained vigilant, aware that any misstep could lead to a devastating counterattack.

"After we deal with you, we will demand answers from your palace," Sect Master Fen added with an eager anticipation of the plan they had devised. Yet, their target's response was far from what they expected as Yun Che erupted into maniacal laughter, leaving them bewildered by his inexplicable mirth.

"Explanation? Or perhaps we should call it your demise?" Yun Che replied with a grave demeanor, casting a shadow of unease among the sect masters.

"What nonsense are you spouting, brat?" Sect Master Fen's discomfort deepened.

"How about I show them instead?" Yun Che produced a profound imagery stone from his shihakushou, a device that could record and project images, akin to a modern-world projector. An air of tension swept through the assembly as everyone recognized what it can do, and Sect Master Fen pressed further. "What do you have on that stone?"

"Just a few images from a certain undisclosed location, let's say, a mountain three weeks ago," Yun Che casually retorted. His words sent shockwaves through the sect masters as they realized that this brat had knowledge of their sinister plan.

"So, you were aware?" Xiao Tiannan regarded him with predatory eyes, and Yun Che seized the moment with confidence.

"I knew, I saw, and I heard everything. You old bastards, that's precisely why I crippled your disciples. I infiltrated this palace to eradicate you one by one, and now you've willingly walked into my grasp, sparing me the trouble of seeking you out individually," Yun Che declared boldly.

"You..." Xiao Tiannan seethed with anger. "We'll silence you for good. Capture him, everyone! We shall execute justice for our murdered and crippled disciples." The sect masters were eager to extract Yun Che's secrets, particularly the power hidden within his sword.

"How about we continue this elsewhere? Chase us if you can," Yun Che suggested as he signaled Retsu. In response, she clenched her fist, releasing a surge of red smoke. The sect masters hesitated, overwhelmed by the thick smoke.

Suddenly, they heard a deafening roar from Hebi. The snake soared into the sky, with Yun Che and Retsu perched on its head, gazing down at the sect masters.

"Did you really think you could corner us that easily? If you want this stone, you'll have to take it from us!" Yun Che taunted as Hebi carried them away into the open sky.

The sect masters exchanged various expressions. They hurriedly summoned their elders and pursued Yun Che's retreating form, leaving the arena solely to the palace's disciples. All eyes turned to Qin Wuyou, who remained on the arena's high stand, torn between helping and recalling Yun Che's final advice: "Whatever happens, swear at the heavens that you will not come for us."