The move was powerful, but the cost was equally steep.
Each activation consumed up to one-third of his physical stamina and soul power.
But—
"This cost is basically nothing to me."
Bai Mu burst out laughing.
As long as he and Zygarde cast Jungle Healing together, that level of consumption would be fully restored in an instant.
More importantly, a single use could boost five attributes at once.
This terrifying enhancement was unquestionably among the top-tier Pokémon moves.
In the context of the Douluo Continent, as long as a skill could "restore health and soul power," it was the strongest single-target amplification divine technique!
After all, even the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda could only increase power by at most 100%.
"Soul Dance: Sonic Boom — I choose you!"
Without hesitation, Bai Mu selected the resonance replacement.
[Resonance replacement successful.
Explosive Demon's Roar has been replaced by Soul Dance: Sonic Boom.]
——
It was nearly dusk.
When Bai Mu opened his eyes again, he immediately felt the surging soul power coursing through his body.
"Great! I've gotten stronger again!"
He clenched his fist, a faint smile appearing on his face.
'I… have successfully awakened!'
Xiao Ruan's and Z2's voices sounded simultaneously.
"Awakening? The awakening of the Core Punisher?"
Bai Mu's spirits rose instantly as he jumped to his feet.
"Quick! Let's test it!"
'!?'
Zygarde was startled and stared at Bai Mu in disbelief.
Its eyes clearly conveyed two words: Are you sure?
"What's there to hesitate about? Show me!"
Bai Mu urged impatiently.
'Z2, it's your turn.'
Xiao Ruan nodded toward Z2 and silently stepped aside.
'Trainer… are you certain?'
Z2 confirmed again.
"Alright, alright—hurry up!"
Bai Mu waved his hand. "Isn't it just showing me a move? What's the big deal?"
'Here I come!'
Z2 shouted telepathically as dazzling power of Order and Judgment rapidly gathered in its mouth, bathing the surroundings in brilliant green light.
"This aura… this power… it really is terrifying."
"In reality, the strength of a move is far more than just numbers from a game…"
Just as Bai Mu was thinking this, he suddenly noticed Z2 turning its head toward him.
The blinding green light instantly made his scalp tingle.
"Holy crap—wait!"
"Z2, you little brat! Why did you lock onto me?!"
Bai Mu's eyes widened as he realized the problem.
These two idiots had misunderstood him!
Trainer! Catch it for me!
'This is our bond!'
Z2 roared in his mind as energy erupted from its mouth.
A beam capable of annihilating everything shot out, tracing a Z-shaped trajectory centered on Bai Mu. Wherever it passed, a green energy field formed—
Then—
Boom!
It exploded violently!
Bai Mu, die!
The book is finished!
"Ganlin Brew!"
Bai Mu emerged from the aftermath of the explosion, covered in dust and dirt.
He walked straight up to Z2 and Xiao Ruan, raised his hand, and flicked both of them on the head.
"What are you doing?!"
"Attempted murder of your trainer!"
Bai Mu sat down on the spot, furious.
Fortunately, he had reacted in time—otherwise, the first Soul Master to be killed by his own martial soul would have been born!
'We confirmed it with you!'
'I can testify!'
The two Zygarde, now reunited, looked at Bai Mu innocently, barely holding back their laughter.
"You two are real dogs."
Bai Mu cursed, then sighed helplessly and waved his hand.
"Send me my current status."
'Okay! Take a look!'
Xiao Ruan, already prepared, immediately transmitted the information.
Bai Mu calmed himself and examined it carefully.
[Bai Mu — Level 56]
[Soul Skills: Jungle Healing, Substitute, Roar of Time, Evil Poison Chains, Soul Dance: Sonic Boom]
[Techniques: Meditation, Insight]
[Soul Bones: Eye of Time, Eight Spider Lances]
[Martial Soul: Zygarde]
[Z-Cell Count: 95]
[Trait: Aura Disruption]
[Ability: Swarm Shapeshifting]
[Move: Core Punisher]
[Special Moves: Frenzied Plants, Holy Fire, Jungle Healing, Soul Dance: Sonic Boom]
——
[Core Punisher: Punishes the target with the power of the Core of Order.
If the target has used a Soul Skill during battle, all of its traits are removed.]
——
"Why does this move feel different from the one in the game?"
"It seems… even stronger."
In the game, attribute removal required the target to have used a move during the current turn.
Here, however, the condition expanded to the entire battle.
It was practically saying: "As long as you've used a soul skill in front of me, you're guilty."
And Core Punisher existed solely to judge that sin.
But—
"I can understand removing abilities in Pokémon… but in the Douluo Continent, what exactly would it remove?"
Bai Mu scratched his head, completely puzzled.
If the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda were hit, would its amplification be erased?
That didn't seem right.
Wouldn't that be an instant kill?
And the dragon transformation of a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Soul Master—would that be canceled directly?
That… actually sounded terrifying.
Bai Mu shook his head and continued reading.
Level 56 was neither particularly high nor low.
In the original story, even after Xiao Wu sacrificed herself, Tang San's level only rose from 60 to 65 despite the hundred-thousand-year ring.
This time, absorbing a fifty-thousand-year soul beast brought him to 56—reasonable, all things considered.
Overall—
"It's acceptable."
More than his rank, what Bai Mu truly cared about was—
Z-cells.
He now possessed a staggering 95 Z-cells.
Because of their Z-shaped serpent forms, Xiao Ruan and Z2 digested herbs far more efficiently than before.
In just one or two months, they could already begin consuming another batch of immortal herbs.
Once everything was fully absorbed—
"Little Softie, do you think… if I collect 98 Z-cells, you and Z2 can transform into your complete form?"
Bai Mu asked instinctively.
In the anime, Zygarde could transform into a Gundam-like form to turn the tide in critical moments.
In the game, however, that transformation was extremely restricted—it required mass assembly and HP dropping below 50%.
After becoming a martial soul, Zygarde's trait became Aura Disruption, and mass assembly turned into a racial ability.
Could it be that… I also need to exhaust my stamina to transform?
'Yes… but also no.'
'I'm not sure…'
Xiao Ruan and Z2 exchanged glances and both shook their heads.
Logically, with enough cells, transformation should be possible.
But somehow, while becoming two Z-Snakes felt natural, Gundam form still seemed to lack something.
"What's missing?"
Bai Mu pondered briefly, then his eyes lit up.
"Could it be… a seventh spirit ring?"
Only after obtaining a Martial Soul True Body can one manifest a complete form?
For a Soul Master, possessing a Martial Soul True Body marked the threshold of true power.
The true body of a martial soul was extremely mysterious.
Weapon-type souls could merge directly with their weapons upon activation.
He didn't know if he could merge with his detached martial soul—but asking Xiao Ruan and Z2 to reunite didn't seem unreasonable.
"That's it! What we lack is a Martial Soul True Body!"
Upon hearing this, the wise little softie nodded solemnly.
'As long as we have a Martial Soul True Body, we can merge at any scale, anywhere—however we want!'
Z2 also nodded firmly in agreement.
"That puts my mind at ease."
Bai Mu nodded.
Reaching level 70 to freely transform into Gundam form was far earlier than the original expectation of level 100—and far more flexible than in the game.
In any case—
"Even if I can't become a Gundam, having two Z-Snakes is already pretty good."
Bai Mu muttered.
Two Z-Snakes were basically equivalent to two Title Douluo—wasn't that absurd?
Z2: 'That's true…'
Little Softie: 'Trainer, don't slack off! Hurry up and break through!'
Both Zygarde looked at Bai Mu with eager eyes, full of hope for their master's growth.
When one attains enlightenment, even dogs and snakes ascend to heaven.
--------------Author---------------
Read 50 advanced chapters on
👉 patreon.com/Master_fic