"What a scumbag!"
Ning Rongrong gritted her teeth, speaking each word slowly as she used all her strength to pinch the soft flesh at Bai Mu's waist.
However—
[Dear player, we regret to inform you that your attack failed to break through the defense!]
Ning Rongrong's expression froze.
She couldn't twist it.
It wouldn't move at all!
Bai Mu's body was as hard as a steel plate—forget pinching him, she couldn't even make him feel pain.
"Ah—!"
Ning Rongrong immediately flew into a rage and kicked his shin.
Thump.
A dull sound echoed.
A sharp pain shot straight up her toe, and tears instantly welled up in Ning Rongrong's eyes.
She looked at him aggrievedly.
"Why is your body so stiff?!"
"Hehe~ You've seen how strong I am, haven't you?"
Bai Mu lowered his head and looked at her with a half-smile, deliberately lowering his voice so only the two of them could hear.
"If I didn't have some real skill, how do you think I almost burned through the two thick loaves of bread you brought last night?"
Ning Rongrong froze for a second.
"Y-you! You! You!!!"
Her face instantly turned bright red, steam practically rising from her head.
That bastard—how could he say something like that in public?!
Seeing her reaction, Bai Mu's smile deepened.
"If you can handle it on your own without jungle therapy, I can favor you alone."
Ning Rongrong opened her mouth, but all her momentum vanished in an instant.
Images from last night resurfaced in her mind—the violent rhythm, the overwhelming storm.
She felt like a tiny boat caught in a tempest, tossed around until she didn't even have the strength to beg for mercy.
Even with Zhu Zhuqing helping, she was completely unable to cope.
If Bai Mu hadn't kept her afloat with jungle therapy, she would've collapsed long ago.
Only favoring her… yeah, better forget that.
Life was more important.
Thinking about it that way, having sisters to share the burden… didn't seem so bad?
After a brief pause, Ning Rongrong lowered her voice and said fiercely:
"I don't care about anything else!"
"I must be the rightful wife!"
Bai Mu raised an eyebrow and smiled casually.
"Well… that depends on your performance."
He wasn't obsessed with titles or status.
As for who would be the "official wife," that depended on who could hold their ground.
Besides, he lacked love growing up—he liked sleeping when it was lively and crowded.
What mattered was being together.
"You!"
Ning Rongrong puffed out her cheeks like an angry pufferfish.
She was just a support-type—how could she compete with the others?
Wait… support-type?
Her eyes suddenly lit up.
"Don't forget! I can boost your attack speed!"
"Hiss—"
Bai Mu's gaze sharpened instantly, and the way he looked at her changed completely.
He could increase attack speed himself, sure—
But what marksman wouldn't want even faster attack speed? Ideally breaking the limit?
He immediately looked at her seriously.
"My dear Rongrong, I can tell at a glance—you have the bearing of an empress!"
"Good that you know!"
Ning Rongrong crossed her arms proudly.
——
On the other side, Yu Tianheng was finally helped to his feet.
His head was lowered, his expression hidden.
But the pride once shining in his eyes was completely gone.
He had lost.
His pride, his dignity, and the love he once had—everything was gone.
He even felt that he could no longer lift his head in front of Bai Mu.
"Tianheng, failure is the mother of success. You must pull yourself together."
Qin Ming sighed and patted him on the shoulder.
"Teacher Qin…"
Yu Tianheng's voice was dry and trembling, as if his Dao heart had already shattered.
"Do you think I still have a chance to defeat him?"
"Yes. You do."
Qin Ming answered solemnly.
"You are a power-attack type Soul Master. As long as you work hard, you have the chance to become a Titled Douluo in the future."
"As fellow Titled Douluo… you absolutely have a chance to defeat Bai Mu."
"Really?"
A faint glimmer of hope appeared in Yu Tianheng's eyes.
No matter how strong Bai Mu was, he still only had a separated martial soul.
In the future, once they both reached the level of Titled Douluo, the gap in physical strength would narrow greatly.
Even if he couldn't defeat Zygarde… surely he could defeat Bai Mu?
"Oh right—almost forgot to treat you, Little Dragon."
Bai Mu suddenly seemed to remember something. He activated his first spirit ring, releasing Jungle Governance to begin healing Yu Tianheng.
Gentle green waves spread out, making everyone present feel as though they were bathed in a soft breeze.
Physical injuries healed.
Soul power recovered.
"This soul skill… it's terrifyingly strong."
Ye Lingling observed carefully, her eyes widening slightly.
In some aspects, this ability might even surpass her Nine Heart Begonia.
After all, she could only heal injuries—not soul power.
But Bai Mu could.
What she couldn't understand was why such a powerful offensive detached martial soul possessed a healing-type soul skill.
She raised her head, curiosity in her gaze—
Only to find Bai Mu's eyes had already passed over Yu Tianheng and landed on her instead, smiling.
His interest was completely undisguised.
"As expected… a total scumbag."
Ye Lingling complained inwardly, her gaze darkening slightly.
The Nine Heart Begonia clan had a cruel rule: only two Nine Heart Begonia Soul Masters could exist in the world at the same time.
If her future child awakened the same martial soul—
The mother was destined to die.
"She's pretty and has good temperament… but unfortunately, she's hard to make a move on."
Bai Mu sighed inwardly.
Among everyone who knew Ye Lingling's situation, he was probably the most clear-headed.
He was lustful, yes—but he had no interest in her martial soul.
If someone didn't provoke him, he wouldn't act recklessly.
Unless… there was profit involved, or they stood on opposing sides.
Speaking of factions, Bai Mu's gaze drifted toward Zhu Zhuqing.
Actually… he was somewhat interested in Zhu Zhuyun.
Two sisters who were clearly close, yet forced by fate and family to fight to the death.
Too pitiful.
He, Bai Mu—great philanthropist—would naturally have to save them.
Reunite the sisters.
Lost in thought, his gaze shifted to the two teams already battling ahead.
Just like in the original course of events, Shrek Academy emerged victorious.
Tang San was extremely strong—stronger than before.
Blue Silver Poison Mist, combined with his right soul bone's detonating poison, easily dragged opponents into chaos.
The exchange lasted a long time, and Bai Mu even shared some of his own experiences.
Before they knew it, evening had arrived.
"Dean, sorry to trouble you today. I'll be leaving soon, but I'll visit again if I get the chance."
Bai Mu stood up, brushing imaginary dust from his clothes, and looked at Flander with a relaxed smile.
"Good. I look forward to your future, young man."
Flander nodded, his expression complicated.
He had a feeling that he was no longer Bai Mu's match.
Bai Mu left—
But with a single wave of his sleeve, he didn't leave a single girl behind.
The three followed him closely.
Pure.
Cold.
Enchanting.
Three beauties, three completely different styles.
The setting sun stretched their shadows long across the ground.
Yu Tianheng raised his head and watched that figure—surrounded by admiration—disappear through the academy gates.
A sweet taste rose in his throat again.
He lowered his head and swallowed the blood, along with every last shred of pride.
The bitter liquid burned as it went down.
It hurt.
It hurt so much.