"Bai Mu!"
Hearing that familiar voice, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing—who had been meditating—opened their eyes almost at the same time.
A flash of surprise appeared in their eyes, but it quickly faded when they noticed Tang San.
It's that guy again…
The moment he saw the person he least wanted to see, the trace of pleasure on Dai Mubai's face vanished. His expression darkened, and he silently stepped back, doing his best to reduce his sense of presence.
"Brother Bai… long time no see…"
Oscar forced out an awkward smile and raised a hand in greeting.
Tang San's body trembled slightly as he slowly turned around.
His once handsome face was now haggard and bloodshot, his lips cracked and dry, as if he had been possessed by something.
"Huh? Why does everyone look so down?"
Bai Mu frowned at just the right moment, confusion written across his face.
"Aren't you happy I came back to see you?"
"Right—where's Sister Xiao Wu?!"
"Xiao Wu… Xiao Wu… was taken."
Ning Rongrong, already emotional, was the first to break down. Her eyes reddened as her voice trembled with tears.
"What happened to Xiao Wu?"
Bai Mu's expression changed instantly.
"A month ago, Xiao Wu was kidnapped by a mysterious person one night…"
Tang San recounted what had happened that night in broken fragments. Every detail was etched deep into his memory, as if he wanted to carve that scene into his very bones.
"This… this…"
As Bai Mu listened, his expression shifted accordingly—doubt, shock, anger, worry, grief, and finally forced composure—each emotion layered seamlessly atop the last.
"How could this happen?!"
"I was only gone for a few months—how could Sister Xiao Wu be captured again?!"
Bai Mu stared at Tang San in disbelief and placed both hands on his shoulders.
"You have to pull yourself together, Little San!"
"If Sister Xiao Wu comes back and sees you like this, she'll be heartbroken!"
"Bai Mu… I… I failed to protect her… twice… twice!!"
Tang San raised his head. Hot tears welled up in his bloodshot eyes.
His voice was hoarse, like sandpaper scraping against stone, every word carrying a desperate sob.
This was the second time in his life that he had hated his own weakness so deeply.
The first time had been with the Titan Giant Ape. Back then, he could at least console himself—it was a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast, the gap in strength was too great, and everything had happened far too suddenly.
But this time?
The other party was at least a Soul Douluo—possibly even a Title Douluo—and they had snatched Xiao Wu away right in front of him!
As for him, a mere Soul Master, he couldn't even resist, let alone chase after them or see them clearly.
Even if he had caught up, what could he have done? In front of a Title Douluo, he was no different from an ant—someone who could be crushed to death by sheer pressure alone!
"Don't let me find out who you are! Damn Title Douluo—you've already chosen death!"
Tang San clenched his teeth, icy killing intent flashing in his eyes.
"But doesn't this seem strange?"
Bai Mu frowned in confusion. "Last time it was the Titan Giant Ape, and this time it's a Title Douluo. Why does Sister Xiao Wu attract so much trouble?"
"Yes! And that Titan Giant Ape too! I'll kill it one day!"
Tang San's eyes narrowed as he spoke with murderous intent.
He wasn't ranting blindly.
He didn't know who that mysterious Title Douluo was—but he did know that the Titan Giant Ape lived in the core area of the Star Dou Great Forest.
In other words, both humans and spirit beasts were coveting Xiao Wu.
Was there some kind of connection between them?
Er Ming: ???
Completely innocent—yet taking the blame.
Bai Mu laughed inwardly, but his thoughts quickly shifted.
The Titan Giant Ape can't be touched by Tang San.
That's one of my targets.
The Titan Giant Ape was a king of the forest, and the word "Titan" itself was linked to the legendary God of Earth.
Although the Titan Giant Ape was far from truly possessing godhood—lacking ultimate attributes and inferior in raw stats compared to monsters like the Dark Devilgod Tiger or the Golden Lion Mastiff—its attribute synergy…
This is a spirit ring tailor-made for Zygarde.
Among all hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts, the Titan Giant Ape was without question the one Bai Mu most wanted to resonate with right now.
Why?
Because he had already succeeded with the other two.
"Good brother," Bai Mu said solemnly, patting Tang San's shoulder,
"when I get stronger, I'll definitely help you take down the Titan Giant Ape."
"Then I'll interrogate it properly—find out why that beast kidnapped Xiao Wu, and what it did to her!"
His words were filled with righteous indignation, as though he truly meant to stand up for Xiao Wu.
"Thank you! Thank you so much, Brother Bai!"
Tang San looked at him with genuine gratitude.
"I have a pretty solid information network now," Bai Mu continued in that sincere tone.
"I'll help investigate that mysterious person too. As long as they're still on the Douluo Continent, they'll leave traces."
"Believe me—we will find Sister Xiao Wu."
His gaze was firm, his voice resolute. Even Bai Mu himself was almost moved by this display of "deep brotherhood."
As for how she's still alive—and in what form—that's another matter, he added silently.
Maybe a spirit ring. Maybe a spirit bone.
Either way, something will be left behind.
"Is it really… really possible to find her?"
Looking into Bai Mu's eyes, a crack finally appeared in Tang San's despair. A faint glimmer of hope emerged.
"We will," Bai Mu nodded heavily. "I promise you."
"But… even if we find them, what then?"
Tang San slammed his fist into the wall beside him, shattering bricks and stone. Tears streamed down his face uncontrollably.
"Are we even a match for them?!"
At some point, he had turned into someone who cried easily.
Men didn't shed tears lightly—unless their hearts were truly broken.
This wasn't just any crying. It nearly broke Bai Mu's heart.
"Good brother, you've suffered enough. This isn't your fault."
He patted Tang San's shoulder, his voice gentle.
"The enemy was a Title Douluo. Even if I'd been there—no, even if Teacher Zhao and the others had been there—we might not have been able to stop them."
"The most important thing now is to calm down and cultivate with everything you have. Otherwise, even if we find them, we won't be able to bring her back."
After a brief pause, he added in a hopeful tone:
"I believe Sister Xiao Wu is blessed with great fortune. She'll definitely survive."
"Good!"
Tang San wiped his tears, feeling much better.
"Brother Bai, I'll listen to you. I'll cultivate with everything I have!"
"Good! That's the spirit! We'll stand together through thick and thin!"
After comforting Tang San, Bai Mu moved on to the others.
He patted Oscar on the shoulder first.
"Xiao Ao, don't be too upset. We have to believe in Xiao Wu."
Oscar nodded, his mood lifting slightly.
"Oh, right—Ma Hongjun."
The fat man had lost a lot of weight recently as well. It was obvious that Xiao Wu's disappearance had hit everyone hard.
Finally, Bai Mu walked over to Dai Mubai.
Dai Mubai turned his head away, refusing to meet his gaze.
If I can't afford to offend him, can't I at least avoid him?
Bai Mu spoke earnestly.
"Young Master Dai, I know there've been some misunderstandings and minor grudges between us."
"But I'm a generous person. I don't want to hold onto resentment—and I hope you can be generous too."
Who's holding a grudge against whom?!
Dai Mubai's heart tightened.
You schemed against me, humiliated me, stole my fiancée—and now you're talking about generosity?
Are you even human?!
Ignoring his expression, Bai Mu continued,
"I think we can consider ourselves friends after fighting side by side."
"I hope we can put aside the past and start anew."
Forgive and forget?
After everything you've done—do you really expect me to just let it go?!
Dai Mubai suddenly looked up.
I've already retreated—and now you're still pushing me to the brink?!
"I believe you're just as saddened by Xiao Wu's situation," Bai Mu said solemnly.
"At times like this, we should unite and work together to find a solution."
"I won't speak on other matters," he continued calmly,
"but as for the future of the Star Luo Empire—if you're willing to listen to me, and we work together, we'll definitely find a way to survive."
After finishing, he gave a flawless smile and waited quietly for Dai Mubai's response.
But deep within his eyes lay another message—
Refuse, and you'll die by my hand sooner or later.
Agree, and I might spare your life.
"…"
Bai Mu—you deserve to die!
Dai Mubai clenched his fists.
At this moment, his rage surged violently, like that of a common man ready to spill blood ten steps away.
But… he had already lost Zhu Zhuqing.
With his talent alone, without the Netherworld White Tiger, he had completely lost any chance of competing with Davis.
And Bai Mu… he couldn't defeat him either.
If Bai Mu truly was willing to protect him, he might survive.
But that life would likely be one of utter humiliation.
After a long inner struggle, Dai Mubai finally lowered his head and followed his heart.
"…Alright."
"I'll do as you say."
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