Hou Mei Xing, Empress of Hueco Mundo

Series: Bleach-Road of Legends

Book: Genesis

Character: Hou Mei Xing

Formerly known as Sun Wukong, the Monkey Empress was the longest reigning and most successful ruler in the history of Hueco Mundo. A dominant force and charismatic orator, she used her skills to unify the typically fratricidal hollow classes under her leadership; assembling the ten strongest warriors in Hueco Mundo to create the very first incarnation of the Espada.  Previously, her father Sombra Rey (闇の与主 (ブラ・レイ) sonbura rei, Spanish for “Shadow King”, Japanese for “Bringer of Darkness”) better known as the Void King had been defeated by the forces of the Soul King in the The First Spirit World War (第一次霊界大戦, Daiichiji Reikai Taisen). Since ascending to Hueco Mundo's moon and coming face to face with the Void King, it had been her duty to avenge her father's defeat and free him from the lunar prison that suspended him in the heavens above the white sands of the barren desert. In 6005 BAD (Before Aizen’s defection), on the anniversary of the Void King's defeat she launched a massive campaign against both Soul Society and the Human World, marking the start of the Second Spirit World War (第二次霊界大戦, Dainiiji Reikai Taisen).

She plunged humanity into another dark age with this act, bringing mankind to its knees and wiping several ancient clans out of existence. Despite this there were those who still dared to oppose her might. One such individual was a monk by the name of Shaka Nyorai. It was said according to legend that Shaka had attained a great power that could challenge the monkey empress. Upon awakening from a long period of meditation, Shaka took to the field, bringing his 2 disciples with him into battle. Additionally, other heroes such as the farmer turned samurai Tomoe Gozen I rose up to defend the many regions of Rukongai under siege. Such individuals banded together to become a force for humanity's survival.

In 6000 BAD after 5 years of intense fighting, Sun Wukong's main force did battle with the alliance lead by Shaka. This clash ended with Sun being hit with an unprecedented attack, a blow of such force it appeared as a hand that covered the horizon between the heavens and the earth. Sun was sent into another dimension, landing at the base of a mountain in the land now known as China. Shaka spared her life, but sealed her away in the mountain, bringing an end to the Second Spirit World War.

Although the seal was said to last forever, the Monkey Empress was set free by her companions, who had searched the world for centuries before finding her. It was the powers of sacred tools that each of them possessed that made it possible to extract her from the mountain. Unknown to them, Shaka Nyorai sealed away a large portion of her Reiryoku, blocking her access to it and greatly reducing her strength. She awakened unable to recall what happened to her or even her identity. The then nameless monkey woman took the moniker Hou Mei Xing. Though her memory was gone her hunger for adventure remained. The 5 Arrancars embarked on a quest that saw Mei regain her throne, which was lost during her centuries of absence. She reestablished her dominance and unified Hueco Mundo a second time but there was one big difference. During the Second Spirit World War, Ōetsu Nimaiya mass produced the Asauchi, giving souls an effective weapon to fight against Hollows, the Zanpakuto. Balancers roamed the realms purifying hollows that attacked villages and their people. This caused substantial damage to her empire, keeping hollows from being able to evolve decreasing the strength of her army and striking fear into the hearts of any who dared to venture outside the desert kingdom.

In autumn of 1000 BAD, the Quincy Emperor Yhwach encroached into Hueco Mundo, prompting Mei to mobilize the Espada and confront Yhwach and his accompanying Sternritters. The Quincy were the arch nemesis of hollows since the advent of the Quincy people. Hollow essence was a lethal poison to Quincys, which fueled a long blood feud between the two races for survival. However the Quincy king was not there for violence, but to offer a truce. He reasoned that it was possible for Quincys and Hollows to coexist, citing that they shared a mutual enemy that threatened them both, the balancer. Balancers hunted down Quincys to preserve the balance of souls among worlds. He warned that allowing them to continue to grow would threaten her hollow kingdom. After much discussion, Yhwach was able to convince the Ape Queen to join forces with the Quincy. This encounter led to Mei meeting Violette Beauregard and her companion Vittoria De La Cruz, creating a link that led to a series of events that would forever bind the two as rivals and as friends. A testament to her change was being bestowed the power of Reishi Manipulation. Being taught by the ones who challenged her, Mei went on to grow that much stronger, becoming the first non-Quincy able to use their arts. She mastered the standard skills at an accelerated pace, faster than most Quincys. This drew the attention of Miyuki Yūakubi, the Quincy Archangel, a being who was said to rival his majesty in strength. The Arrancar Queen and the Quincy Archangel dueled one another and exchanged knowledge, establishing unusual bonds between the two races. This unholy union set the stage for one of the bloodiest times in Soul Society's history.