"What exactly should I choose for my second spirit ability?"
Bai Mu sat cross-legged on the ground, deep in thought.
For a Spirit Master, every spirit ability was crucial.
This was true even for Zygarde, who could learn its own Pokémon moves.
However, unlike ordinary Spirit Masters—who pursued balance and limit-breaking through spirit rings—he and Zygarde sought versatility.
Take the first spirit ability as an example: purely offensive spirit abilities had been eliminated from consideration from the very beginning.
The remaining options were limited to self-enhancement, weakening opponents, or utility-based abilities.
As for weakening enemies, Zygarde already possessed the divine ability Great Snake Stare. As long as it landed, the target would be instantly paralyzed and their speed cut in half.
"So… Little Soft, do you think you need an amplification-type spirit ability first?"
Bai Mu looked at Zygarde beside him.
Over the past six months, he had been trying to help Zygarde master Dragon Dance, a move that boosted both Attack and Speed.
But for some unknown reason, progress had been slow, making him increasingly impatient.
Not yet. I can feel it—I'm only one step away from mastering Dragon Dance.
Zygarde shook its head slightly, its tone firm.
As long as I obtain my second spirit ring, I'll complete the Awakening.
"The move awakened by the second spirit ring is Dragon Dance? That's perfect!"
Bai Mu smiled.
While Dragon Dance wasn't the strongest enhancement move in existence, it was still a divine-tier ability—one that countless Earth Dragon–type Spirit Beasts could only dream of.
It would be more than enough to carry them through the early and mid stages. Later on, if the opportunity arose, he could attempt Spirit Ring Resonance to synchronize with an even stronger enhancement move.
But still…
"What kind of spirit ability should I choose next…"
Bai Mu rubbed Zygarde's head, conflicted, and asked, "Little Soft, do you have any ideas?"
"Woof~"
Zygarde didn't use telepathy. Instead, it looked straight at Bai Mu and raised a paw toward him.
"You're saying I should think about myself first?"
Bai Mu froze for a moment, then suddenly understood.
"That's right. Even though I can turn invisible and my physique is decent, I'm still just a slightly stronger mortal."
"If enemies ignore you completely and focus all their attacks on me, I—someone without true self-protection abilities—would still die."
There were many geniuses in the world, but very few truly powerful people.
A genius who hadn't grown up yet was meaningless.
"Only by surviving can I become someone who decides his own fate."
Bai Mu's eyes lit up as he began frantically recalling information about Spirit Beasts and Pokémon moves.
Soon, a special Spirit Beast appeared in his mind—
The Mirror Shadow Beast.
In the original story, Oscar obtained two abilities from its spirit ring and skull: Mirror Shadow Duplication and Mirror Shadow Clone.
"If I can hunt the right Mirror Shadow Beast, I might get the spirit ability I want—even without move resonance."
Unfortunately, this Spirit Beast mainly lived in the frozen lands of the far north.
Which meant he had to head north again.
—
After packing his things, Bai Mu ended the lease on his stone house.
Before leaving Blazing Fire City, he paid another visit to the Blazing Fire Great Spirit Arena, watching several battles between Spirit Elders and Spirit Ancestors as a spectator.
"Lord Order of the Dragon, aren't you participating in spirit battles today?"
A staff member asked curiously as he was leaving.
"No."
Bai Mu took out his Spirit Battle Badge, inlaid with a sapphire, glanced at it, and said calmly, "The next time I participate will probably be in another city."
"Huh? You're leaving?"
The staff member was stunned.
"Yes. It's time."
Bai Mu smiled faintly, turned around, and left.
Several days later—
"What!? He left!?"
Huo Wu exploded when she received the news.
"Why!? Why would he leave without saying a word!?"
"I haven't beaten him yet—how could he just leave like that!?"
Her mentality completely shattered, Huo Wu immediately issued a bounty, vowing to find Order of the Dragon and wash away her humiliation.
—
Completely unaware of this, Bai Mu traveled north without stopping and successfully arrived at Tianshui City.
He didn't rush to visit Tianshui Academy. Instead, he found a hotel, bathed, changed clothes, and washed away the dust of travel.
Early the next morning, he stepped into Tianshui Academy.
Unlike the extravagant Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Tianshui Academy had a fresh, elegant, and natural atmosphere.
Blue-and-white buildings stood against mountains and beside water—clearly an ideal cultivation ground for Water-attribute Spirit Masters.
"Please wait here for a moment. The Director will arrive shortly."
After briefly speaking with the guard and showing his credentials, an assistant instructor led him to the Director's office.
"Please wait patiently."
After saying that, the assistant instructor left.
Not long after—
"Xiao Mu?!"
Shui Yun Xin pushed the door open, her face full of pleasant surprise.
Behind her followed Shui Bing'er and Shui Yue'er.
"Aunt Shui, Bing'er, Yue'er—long time no see."
Bai Mu smiled and waved, his gaze briefly sweeping over them.
Nearly a year had passed since they last met. Shui Yun Xin was still gentle and graceful, while the two sisters had clearly grown taller.
Shui Bing'er had become calmer and more composed, her clear eyes filled with quiet wisdom.
Shui Yue'er, on the other hand, was still lively and energetic—her eyes instantly lighting up when she saw Bai Mu.
"Long time no see."
Shui Bing'er smiled softly.
"Is it just me, or do you feel much stronger than before?"
Shui Yue'er circled Bai Mu twice, her cheeks slightly flushed, then poked the muscle on his arm.
"Be confident—drop the 'feel like.'"
Bai Mu laughed, lifting his arm slightly and raising an eyebrow as if to say: Want to try again?
Then I won't hold back!
Shui Yue'er blinked and excitedly reached out with her mischievous little hand—
"Smack!"
Before it could land, Shui Yun Xin mercilessly slapped it away.
"As a young lady, show some restraint."
She glared at Shui Yue'er, then quickly pulled Bai Mu to sit down, asking with concern:
"We received your letter. When we heard that you withdrew from Heaven Dou Academy, we were extremely worried… Prince Xue Xing and that Fourth Prince are far too domineering."
"You already knew?"
Bai Mu was surprised.
He had indeed written to Shui Yun Xin after leaving Heaven Dou, but he hadn't mentioned being forced out.
"Mom went to see a member of the Education Committee," Shui Bing'er said softly, lips pursed, "but they said… it was the Dean's decision. There was nothing they could do."
Shui Yue'er clenched her fists angrily.
"If we'd been there, we definitely would've beaten up that Xue Beng!"
"It's fine. It's all in the past."
Bai Mu felt warmth spread through his chest.
There weren't many people in this world who truly cared about him—the Shui family was one of them.
Shui Yun Xin asked gently, "How have you been managing on your own lately?"
"How I've been managing…"
Bai Mu thought for a moment, deliberately leaving out the two minor incidents of stealing Immortal Herbs and kidnapping a prince for extortion.
He simply talked about traveling, cultivating, and earning money through spirit battles in Blazing Fire City.
"This time, besides visiting you in Tianshui, I also plan to head further north to hunt for my second spirit ring."