After everything was settled, Bai Mu returned to the courtyard he had rented.
As he reflected on everything that had happened that day, a smile crept onto his lips.
"Once I find the Explosive Dragon and obtain my fifth spirit ring, my strength will undergo a qualitative leap," he murmured to himself. "I just wonder, dear Crown Prince—do you even care about me?"
"Since your plan to usurp the throne is so difficult, why don't I lend you a hand?"
"In return, you can repay me with yourself—and the entire Heaven Dou Empire."
A wicked smile slowly spread across Bai Mu's face.
The next few days passed calmly and peacefully.
He stayed alone in the courtyard, so absorbed in cultivation that he barely ate.
Until this day—
Knock knock knock!
Someone knocked on the door.
Bai Mu opened it, but there was no one outside.
Only an unsigned letter, wedged into the crack of the door.
The handwriting was elegant, and the contents were simple:
> I have heard that you proclaim yourself the strongest genius of our era, unmatched among those aged fifteen and below. May I ask for your opinion?
I come from a reclusive family and have already broken through to the Soul King realm.
Tomorrow at noon, do you dare to fight me in a valley fifty miles deep within the Sunset Forest?
The loser shall obey the winner's every command!
"You can't sit still anymore? Are you really that impatient?"
After reading the letter, Bai Mu couldn't help but laugh. "So you're planning to act personally?"
He was absolutely certain that this so-called "reclusive genius" was none other than Qian Renxue herself.
What surprised him was how quickly she had broken through to the Soul Emperor realm.
"She's already a Soul Emperor now, but in the original story she wouldn't reach Soul Saint until nearly ten years later."
"Even for a top-tier Soul Saint, advancing eighteen or nineteen levels in ten years is less than two levels per year… Truly a disgrace to someone with innate level-twenty soul power."
The more Bai Mu calculated her age, the harder it was to stay calm.
Such a brilliant genius—why waste time plotting a coup that slowed her cultivation? And to make matters worse, she still failed in the end.
If she truly had that level of talent, she could have focused on cultivating within Spirit Hall, inherited a divine position, and likely swept across the entire continent.
Of course, what unsettled Bai Mu most was the final line of the letter—
[The loser shall obey the winner's every command!]
"Girl, are you really that confident?" Bai Mu said with a smile. "To dare gamble yourself like this?"
"Fine."
A sharp glint flashed through his eyes. "Perfect. Let's see just how big the gap is between my outsider god-level martial soul and your native god-level martial soul."
Whether Miss Angel would honor the bet afterward wasn't even a concern.
Because… whether she complied or not, he had already won.
The next day, just before noon, inside the courtyard.
"Substitute."
A flash of light appeared before Bai Mu, and a clone identical to him formed instantly.
One could never be too cautious.
Unless the overall situation was completely settled, Bai Mu had no intention of personally acting with his main body.
The substitute only needed to be commanded and controlled by the original body; the real Bai Mu still had far more to consider.
"Little Softie, you're up next."
Bai Mu ruffled Zygarde's hair and smiled.
"Strictly speaking, Qian Renxue's Six-Winged Angel still counters you quite well."
Leave it to me! I'm also curious how strong other divine-level martial souls really are!
With a low growl, Zygarde carried the clone and raced toward the Sunset Forest at astonishing speed.
Soon after, Bai Mu's true body mounted Z2, entered the Sunset Forest, and quietly slipped into the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well to begin "planting vegetables."
The agreed meeting place was a valley surrounded by mountains on three sides, with only a single narrow entrance.
When Bai Mu's stand-in arrived riding Zygarde, a figure was already waiting there.
Long golden hair cascaded down her back, and a pristine white dress outlined her graceful curves.
Though her face was hidden behind a mask, her noble and sacred aura could be felt even from afar.
"You're here."
Qian Renxue's voice was clear and cold, carrying unquestionable authority.
"Are you the genius mentioned in the letter who has already broken through to the Soul King realm?"
Bai Mu jumped down from Zygarde, his gaze sweeping over her without the slightest restraint.
"To be honest, I didn't expect you to be a girl."
"Gender has never represented ability," Qian Renxue replied calmly. Then she smiled. "How do I look? Am I beautiful?"
"Well… to be honest, pretty average."
Bai Mu appraised the "work of art" before him, then shook his head slightly.
"Just average? Then why are your eyes practically shining as you look at me?" Qian Renxue said with a faint smile.
"In my eyes," Bai Mu replied calmly, "any woman I don't possess is merely an object. No matter how beautiful the object, it's still average. Even if I destroy it, I won't feel the slightest heartache."
"And only the women I obtain—whether maids, pets, or vases—are treasures in my eyes. Treasures that only I can truly touch."
"Even if I treat those treasures harshly on the surface, I'll still feel heartbroken if they break… even if that heartbreak is a little different."
He paused, then asked, "So—do you want to become my treasure, or remain mediocre?"
"So straightforward. So confident," Qian Renxue said, crossing her arms. "What I become depends on whether you're capable enough."
"No, no," Bai Mu said lightly, glancing toward both sides of the valley. "For now, that depends on you."
"After all, it's three against one. You have the advantage, don't you?"
So he noticed the Serpent Spear and the Porcupine Douluo already?
Qian Renxue was slightly startled, her desire to conquer him intensifying.
On the surface, however, she remained calm.
"Today, this place belongs only to you and me. They won't interfere unless absolutely necessary."
"I've heard you reached level forty-nine at the age of twelve and are said to be invincible among your peers. I don't believe it."
"Then let's test it."
Without wasting another word, Bai Mu signaled Zygarde to prepare.
"Wait."
Qian Renxue raised her hand. "Before we fight, I want to confirm one thing."
"Speak."
"If I win," she stared straight into Bai Mu's eyes, "will you really obey every command?"
"Of course," Bai Mu smiled. "Provided you can win."
"Good."
Qian Renxue nodded and slowly removed her mask.
It was a face of absolute perfection—snow-white skin, delicate features, and golden eyes shimmering with holy light.
Even knowing her true identity, Bai Mu was momentarily stunned.
"My name is Qian Renxue. My martial soul is the Six-Winged Angel. I am a level sixty-one Soul Emperor."
As she spoke, six pure white wings unfurled behind her back.
Six soul rings rose beneath her feet—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black!
A terrifying pressure mixed with overwhelming holiness instantly enveloped the entire valley.
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