"Little San, you really turned disaster into fortune."
Bai Mu looked genuinely impressed, as if saying you're ridiculously lucky.
"The spirit ability doesn't matter. As long as Xiao Wu is safe, that's enough."
Tang San smiled dotingly at Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu was instantly overwhelmed with emotion.
"Brother~~~"
"Tsk~ You two are way too cheesy."
Bai Mu deliberately shook the arms holding the two girls, instantly making both of them blush.
"Alright, enough fooling around. Let's get to business."
He released them, then waved his hand. A dying millennium Netherworld Demon Leopard appeared before everyone.
Turning to Zhu Zhuqing beside him, he said, "Here. I caught this on the way to find you. It's compatible with your spirit—go ahead and finish it."
"Mm. Okay."
Zhu Zhuqing's expression remained cold, but a flicker of emotion passed through her eyes. With Spirit Possession activated, she ended the Netherworld Demon Leopard with a single claw strike.
"Good. Everyone keep working hard. I've got some important matters to take care of, so I'll be leaving first. We'll meet again when I'm free."
Bai Mu spoke bluntly.
Time was tight, and the workload was heavy.
His objective in entering the Star Dou Great Forest—to seize the Eight Spider Lances—had already been completed. Now there were many follow-up matters to deal with, and he urgently needed to return to his second home: Heaven Dou City.
"Ah… Bai Mu, why are you leaving again?"
Ning Rongrong felt a little aggrieved.
She had finally taken the initiative for once. Bai Mu clearly seemed interested, yet the moment something came up, he turned heartless and left immediately.
Was she really that lacking in charm?
"..."
Zhu Zhuqing didn't say anything, but disappointment was plainly written on her face.
She couldn't understand it either—what was so appealing about the outside world?
"Parting is for a better reunion next time!"
"Everyone, until we meet again!"
Bai Mu cupped his hands toward the group, then gave Tang San a meaningful smile.
"Good brother, see you next time."
"Mm. See you next time, good brother."
Tang San nodded with a smile, thinking that Bai Mu really treated him well.
He hadn't even spared Zhu Zhuqing or Ning Rongrong a second glance, instead showing special concern for him.
"Alright, I'm off. No need to see me out."
Bai Mu grinned, mounted Zygarde, and turned into a streak of white light that shot into the distance.
"Alright, Zhu Zhuqing, start absorbing the spirit ring."
Zhao Wuji clapped his hands to refocus everyone.
Zhu Zhuqing said nothing, silently sitting down cross-legged and circulating her spirit power as she began absorbing the ring.
——
"Faster—faster!"
"Awoo~"
Across the wilderness, Bai Mu rode Zygarde northward at full speed, heading straight for Heaven Dou City.
As the saying went, riding a dog could ruin your crotch—but Bai Mu had already refined an Indestructible Vajra Body, so that wasn't a concern at all.
This northern journey had a clear objective: Ice and Fire Refining the Golden Body.
It had been three years since he absorbed the qi rong tong tian chrysanthemum. With the additional stimulation from Tang San's mother's jade feet, he believed its medicinal effects had mostly been absorbed.
That meant he could now take in other Immortal Herbs.
It was time to use the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Blazing Apricot Delicate to perform Ice and Fire Refining the Golden Body—and allow the Eight Spider Lances to evolve.
After the first evolution, he would devour several high-level Man-Faced Demon Spiders, triggering a second evolution of the Eight Spider Lances.
At that point, he would truly inherit the power of the Ancestor of Evil Spirit Masters and raise his Rank through devouring.
As for the Ice and Fire Refining the Golden Body itself—how could he do that with Dugu Bo present?
"I might not be able to kill you head-on… but does that mean I can't deal with you?"
A cold glint flashed in Bai Mu's eyes.
Zygarde's Rank and stats had increased, but its power hadn't undergone a qualitative leap. If Dugu Bo chose to flee, Bai Mu might not be able to stop him.
But now things were different.
He was already a Spirit Ancestor.
With the Evil Poison Chain in hand, there were countless ways to deal with Dugu Bo.
"I just don't know whether the Evil Poison Chain can inflict Toxic on Dugu Bo."
Bai Mu's eyes gleamed. If it could, then even a direct confrontation would let him grind Dugu Bo to death.
Still, he had no intention of fighting Dugu Bo head-on.
If the man escaped, things would become troublesome.
"Heh heh heh…"
"Time to use my world-shaking wisdom."
In an instant, an unprecedented plan formed in Bai Mu's mind.
"Now, I need to make some preparations."
——
Heaven Dou City remained as prosperous as ever, with bustling crowds and endless traffic.
But Bai Mu didn't enter the city. Instead, he headed straight for Heaven Dou Royal Academy dozens of miles away.
Using his invisibility ability, he walked straight in.
As a former student who had only stayed for less than two weeks, Bai Mu nonetheless felt an inexplicable fondness for the academy. Whenever he had free time, he liked to wander around and scout the place.
His familiarity with the academy surpassed that of many internal students.
"Ecological Perception."
Bai Mu closed his eyes and carefully sensed the surroundings. Soon, he locked onto his target within the vast academy.
A woman with short, deep-purple hair and green eyes. Her posture was languid, exuding an eerie charm and seductive allure.
"Swallow! I've come for you! Swallow!"
Bai Mu walked lightly, brimming with excitement, as if about to reunite with a long-lost lover.
Behind the academy lay a back mountain swamp shrouded in poisonous mist—a Mimicry Training Ground specially constructed for poison-attribute Spirit Masters.
As the vice-captain of the Heaven Dou Royal Team, Dugu Yan was cultivating here in Calm Mind, striving to grow stronger.
Buzz—
A ripple of energy filled with vitality suddenly spread out and brushed past Dugu Yan's body.
"What… is this? Such a familiar fluctuation…"
Dugu Yan abruptly opened her eyes, confusion filling them.
The mouth could lie, but the body could not.
"Mmm~ That feels so comfortable~"
"Did Ye Lingling research some new special spirit ability?"
Bathed in the ripples of Jungle Healing, Dugu Yan's alluring face grew even more languid.
She stretched and stood up, walking toward the source of the fluctuation.
Curious to see who was practicing a spirit ability nearby, she moved forward without any caution—after all, this was inside the academy.
Her slender waist swayed gently as she approached.
But when she pushed aside the bushes, the person before her was not the veiled Ye Lingling.
Instead—
"Long time no see. Do you still remember me, Swallow?"
Bai Mu leaned against a large tree, waving warmly.
"You are…?"
Dugu Yan hesitated.
Three years had passed, and she had long forgotten the boy named Bai Mu who once amazed her with Jungle Healing.
He seemed vaguely familiar, but she couldn't recall who he was.
"Sigh. Is this how women are?"
"Even though we only met once, you've already forgotten me."
Bai Mu sighed. "That really hurts. I thought I left quite an impression on you, Senior Swallow."
"Cut the nonsense. Who are you, exactly?"
His teasing tone made Dugu Yan frown slightly, impatience creeping into her voice.
"If you don't remember me, Senior, then you should remember him—Little Soft."
Bai Mu spoke calmly.
Rustle—
"Awoo~"
The leaves shifted as a familiar Dragon Hound emerged from the bushes.
"It's you! The detached Spirit Master who dropped out right after enrolling three years ago?"
Dugu Yan finally recalled it. "Your name was… Bai Mu?"
"Mm. My name is Bai Mu."
Bai Mu smiled shyly.
"Since Swallow still remembers me, I'll go a little easier on you."
"What?"
Dugu Yan froze.