The carriage on the return trip was rather bumpy.
The passengers inside were sluggish and drowsy.
Brimming with energy, Bai Mu called out in his mind:
"Little Soft, help me organize the information."
A few seconds later, a familiar panel appeared before his eyes—
[Bai Mu (Rank 29)]
[Spirit Abilities: Jungle Healing, Substitute]
[Spirit: Zygarde (10% Form)]
[Number of Z Cells: "48" (41 currently integrated, 1 at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, and 6 to be split from the yet-to-be-converted medicinal power of the Yearning Heartbroken Red)]
[Attributes: Dragon, Ground]
[Ability: Aura Break]
[Capabilities: Stealth, Synthesis, Telepathy, Land's Wrath, Presence Concealment]
[Moves: Crunch, Dragon Pulse, Heavy Stomp, Great Snake Stare, Safeguard, Double Team, Extreme Speed, Dragon Dance, Earth Divine Power]
[Special Moves: Jungle Healing, Substitute]
————
"Rank 29… No wonder I feel terrifyingly strong right now."
Bai Mu hadn't expected that absorbing a five-thousand-year spirit ring—on top of his prior accumulation and the medicinal power of the Qi Rong Tian Chrysanthemum—would result in a nine-Rank breakthrough in one go!
He even had a vague feeling that if it weren't for advancing too quickly and destabilizing his foundation, running into a slight bottleneck, he could've gone straight from Rank 20 to Rank 30 in one leap.
"That actually makes sense."
Recalling the original story, Tang San had only reached Rank 32 after absorbing a special thousand-year Man-Faced Demon Spider.
Meanwhile, Bai Mu had absorbed a five-thousand-year spirit ring at a time when most people could barely handle six- or seven-hundred-year ones. Just the spirit power contained within the ring alone was enough to raise him seven, eight, or even nine Ranks—it was perfectly logical.
Still…
"This is way too outrageous for normal people. I'll just tell others I'm Rank 26 for now."
Compared to excitement, Bai Mu felt more bewildered by his soaring Rank.
"I just became a Spirit Grandmaster, and now I already need to prepare for hunting a third spirit ring to become a Spirit Elder?"
The thought made his expression rather colorful.
Of course, what truly thrilled him was that once Zygarde finished absorbing the remaining medicinal power of the Yearning Heartbroken Red and he advanced one more Rank…
He would be able to gather 49 Z Cells and reach the 50% Body Integration Z-Snake!
By then, fighting opponents of higher Rank would become even more effortless.
"Steady… stay steady. Just a bit longer…"
He tried to calm himself, but his heart—restless from the sudden surge of power—simply refused to settle.
"Tap."
Suddenly, he felt a weight on his shoulder.
Lowering his head slightly, he discovered that Water Ice, seated beside him, had fallen sound asleep, her head tilted and resting against his shoulder.
Her lips twitched faintly, as though she were dreaming of something delicious.
Her delicate, smooth skin carried a soft pink flush, making her look especially beautiful.
Bai Mu stared blankly for quite a while.
It wasn't until the carriage jolted over a bump that he snapped back to his senses.
Somehow, his restless heart gradually calmed.
"This is nice too."
A trace of gentleness flashed through his eyes as he took out a cloak and draped it over Water Ice.
Turning to his other gains, there were two newly learned moves for Zygarde—
Dragon Dance and Earth Divine Power.
The former awakened after absorbing the second spirit ring.
The latter was likely learned—just like in the games—upon reaching Rank 26.
Dragon Dance: Performs a mysterious, powerful dance, raising Attack and Speed by one stage.
One stage meant a 50% increase, and it could stack up to six stages—a full 300% boost.
This absurd enhancement would make even a Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Spirit Master, whose maximum amplification was only 100%, weep with envy!
"I'll have Zygarde practice this later and learn from Old Ray."
Bai Mu's lips curled upward as he imagined Rayquaza writhing around during combat.
Rayquaza: Let me ask you—why do you think I'm always wriggling in battle? What do you think I rely on to suppress those two idiots from Hoenn?
Hidden Dragon Dance micromanagement!
As for Earth Divine Power—
It gathers the power of the earth to strike the enemy.
The name sounded overwhelming, but the actual power was fairly average, and the additional effects were almost nonexistent.
"The most trash signature move… but better than nothing."
Bai Mu glanced at it twice and promptly lost interest.
For Zygarde, which already had no shortage of signature moves, this one was only suitable as a temporary option.
"Xiao Mu, Ice, wake up. We've arrived at the academy."
After an unknown amount of time, Water Cloud Heart's voice rang out.
"Mmm~"
Water Ice's eyelashes fluttered as she slowly opened her dazed eyes, staring blankly ahead.
Bai Mu smiled. "Did you sleep well?"
"It was pretty comfortable… huh?!"
She answered subconsciously, then suddenly realized something was off. Slowly lifting her head, she met Bai Mu's downward gaze.
A blush spread across her cheeks and ears. The confusion vanished from her eyes as she said shyly:
"N-no… I'm sorry. I accidentally fell asleep."
"It's fine. Riding in a carriage makes people sleepy, and you've worked hard these past few days."
Bai Mu smiled and reached out to help her up. "Let's get off. Be careful—your legs might be numb."
"Mmm…"
Water Ice nodded and followed him out of the carriage.
"I wonder how Moon's cultivation has been these past few days."
Anticipation sparkled in Water Cloud Heart's eyes.
"So many days have passed—she should've made some solid progress."
Water Ice instinctively glanced at Bai Mu, feeling for the first time that leveling up too quickly might actually be a mistake.
If she had used Whale Glue to refine her body before obtaining her second spirit ring, she might've had a chance at a thousand-year ring too, right?
"Xiao Mu, thank you so much for being willing to share the secret of Whale Glue with us."
Water Cloud Heart smiled and couldn't help asking, "I just wonder—would you be willing to let me teach this method to the students?"
"I don't mind, but I wouldn't recommend it."
To Bai Mu, Whale Glue below the hundred-thousand-year level was already useless. He didn't care even if the secret spread.
"Not recommended? I see."
Water Cloud Heart was momentarily stunned, then immediately understood.
With so many people in the academy, secrets were bound to leak. If this method were taught openly, Whale Glue would soon become known across the continent.
At that point, with demand far exceeding supply, its price would skyrocket—possibly tenfold or more.
She decided not to dwell on it and instead ensure a sufficient supply for Ice and Moon first.
"Speaking of which, Xiao Mu, you haven't visited our home yet. Come in and sit for a bit."
Smiling, Water Cloud Heart opened the door—only to find the house empty.
"Eh? Where's Moon?"
Water Ice looked puzzled.
"That girl is probably sleeping in again!"
Water Cloud Heart hurried inside and yanked open Water Moon's door.
"Moon! Are you slacking off again—"
Before she could finish, she saw Water Moon curled up on the bed, face flushed, legs wrapped around the quilt, rubbing against it while making strange "mmm~ mmm~ mmm" sounds.
"M-mom?!"
Startled by the voice, Water Moon looked up. A trace of clarity returned to her dazed eyes before she instantly dove under the blanket.
"Bang!"
Water Cloud Heart hurriedly shut the door, her expression awkward and unsettled.
"Moon sounded kind of strange just now. What's wrong with her, Mom?"
Water Ice asked in confusion.
"It's nothing…"
Water Cloud Heart forced a polite yet stiff smile.
"Um, Xiao Mu… I just remembered that Moon, Ice, and I all have something to attend to. I'll properly host you next time."
"Alright, Auntie. You go ahead. I'll go get familiar with my spirit abilities. Bye!"
Bai Mu pulled back the foot he had just stepped inside with and waved goodbye.
As he walked away, he recalled the faint sounds coming from Water Moon's bedroom.
"What exactly happened to that girl? It couldn't be that she got caught doing… that, right?"
"For a young girl, that should be impossible… wait, no!"
He suddenly remembered how much Whale Glue Water Moon had consumed—and her spirit wasn't the Ice Phoenix.
It was perfectly normal that she couldn't suppress that raging fire.
"Oh—poor Moon. May there be no Whale Glue in heaven. Amen."
At some point, a knowing smile had appeared on the corner of Bai Mu's mouth.
Some people are alive—but in reality, they're already dead.
Socially dead.