"Your Lordship overpraises me. This is simply my duty."
"To share your burdens is my honor."
Dugu Bo staggered slightly from the slap on his shoulder, yet he did not dare show even the slightest dissatisfaction.
"Hahaha… you're quite aware of your place!"
Bai Mu was in high spirits. "As a reward, I'll help you detoxify as well."
As he spoke, his first spirit ring lit up, and a soft green light gathered in his raised hand.
"Jungle Therapy."
This ability could indeed suppress and purge the toxins of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent. However, now that Dugu Bo had lost the Danzhu, as long as the fundamental problem of his martial soul remained unresolved, the poison would eventually relapse.
Even with the antidote, the venom of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent would still lie dormant within him.
Buzz—
A gentle healing glow enveloped Dugu Bo's entire body.
He immediately felt the poisonous backlash that had begun to stir inside him dissipate, his body relaxing as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
"Thank you, my lord."
He suppressed the complicated emotions in his heart, bowed deeply once more, and showed utmost respect.
"Do your work well."
Bai Mu withdrew his hand and looked at him meaningfully.
"If one day you truly satisfy me, I may help you completely eliminate the hidden dangers of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul."
Actions had consequences.
He needed to maintain absolute control over Dugu Bo.
Unless that control was complete, he would never help him detoxify fully, nor reveal the method of storing toxins within a soul bone.
Regular Jungle Therapy would keep the poison suppressed—enough for Dugu Bo to stay alive and continue serving him.
Living under constant pressure made people far more clear-headed.
And far more obedient.
"Thank you, my lord. I will do my utmost."
A chill ran down Dugu Bo's spine as he bowed yet again.
"That's enough. Go tend to the herbs and plants."
Bai Mu waved his hand, his gaze already fixed on the wooden house deep within the valley.
Dugu Bo understood at once and withdrew respectfully.
Bai Mu took a deep breath and raised his hands.
"Come forth—Eco Monitor Zygarde!"
"Awooo—!"
"Roar—!"
Two roars echoed at once.
Green light flashed as the smaller form emerged, while the surrounding vegetation surged and coiled, transforming into massive black serpents. At the same time, a white glow appeared, and Z2 manifested beside them in the form of a great white snake.
Two Z-shaped serpents—one black, one white—stood proudly within the valley, heads raised high, exuding overwhelming draconic might.
Compared to before, after merging with more cells, both had grown to nearly eight meters in length.
"Xiao Ruan, Z2."
Bai Mu smiled as he looked at them.
"You're already mature martial souls. It's time you learned to cultivate the immortal herbs yourselves and grow even stronger."
The two Z-snakes turned their gazes toward him simultaneously.
Pointing to the surrounding area, Bai Mu said, "I'll leave the cultivation of immortal herbs to you. Plant more. Encourage them to multiply."
He paused, then his smile widened.
"Once there are enough, you can eat whatever you want—however you want."
The eyes of both serpents lit up at once.
Leave it to us!
Xiao Ruan's mental transmission carried barely concealed excitement.
Z2 didn't speak, but its tail wagged impatiently as it immediately activated Jungle Therapy at full power, manipulating the ecosystem to accelerate the growth of the immortal herbs several dozen times over.
With their abilities, forcing these plants to reproduce asexually and mass-producing them was no challenge at all.
"Excellent."
Bai Mu watched with satisfaction.
With Zygarde here, the immortal herbs of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well would no longer be a limited resource.
When that time came, he could eat freely—and cultivate as many experts as he wished.
This was the advantage of mastering core productivity.
——
After making the necessary arrangements, Bai Mu's gaze finally settled on the wooden house.
At last, he stood before its door.
He raised his hand and pushed it open.
Creak—
The wooden door slowly swung inward, sunlight spilling inside and illuminating a figure huddled in the corner.
Her hair was messy, her face pale, her eyes bloodshot as she stared blankly at the ground.
Hearing the sound, she slowly lifted her head.
When she saw the figure standing against the light at the doorway, her eyes lit up instantly.
"Xiao Muzi?!"
Surprise bloomed across Xiao Wu's exhausted face.
Bai Mu stood at the entrance, the setting sun casting a warm halo behind him.
"Sister Xiao Wu! I finally found you!"
He smiled brightly and called out.
"Xiao Muzi…"
Xiao Wu's eyes filled with tears, her voice trembling.
"Sister Xiao Wu, I've missed you so much!"
Bai Mu opened his arms and rushed toward her.
"Little Muzi!"
Xiao Wu could no longer hold back. She threw herself into his embrace, clutching him tightly.
All the fear, grievance, and despair she had endured over the past month burst forth at once.
She buried her face in his chest, shoulders shaking softly as tears soaked into his clothes.
"Don't be afraid. I'm here."
Bai Mu gently patted her back, whispering softly, "It's alright. Everything's alright now."
His voice was warm, his embrace steady, his smile sincere enough to inspire absolute trust.
"Thank you… thank you…"
Xiao Wu closed her eyes. Even amid lingering fear, a sense of peace finally washed over her.
From an angle she could not see, Bai Mu's gentle smile slowly curved into something more subtle.
After a while, the two separated.
Bai Mu quickly untied the ropes binding Xiao Wu. Taking the chance to support her fragile body, he asked with concern:
"Sister Xiao Wu, are you feeling better now?"
"I'm fine…"
Xiao Wu leaned against him weakly, shaking her head. "I was poisoned. I just don't have any strength left."
"Poisoned?!"
Bai Mu was shocked. He held her with one arm while swiftly retrieving an antidote from his soul tool with the other.
He carefully brought it to her lips.
"Quick, take this."
"Mm."
A faint blush appeared on Xiao Wu's pale cheeks as she obediently swallowed the medicine.
"Are you hungry?" Bai Mu asked gently. "Eat something first. Once you have strength, we can leave."
He handed her a chain-shaped sticky rice cake.
"These are special pastries. They help restore strength and recover stamina quickly."
"Okay."
Xiao Wu, completely unsuspecting, began to eat eagerly. She had been starving for far too long.
As the food went down, warmth spread through her body, and her strength gradually returned.
Even her long-dormant heart began to beat with renewed vitality.
Midway through eating, she suddenly remembered something.
"By the way, Xiao Muzi—how did you find me?"
"Sister Xiao Wu, are you serious?" Bai Mu looked at her helplessly. "My Zygarde is a dragon-dog. Its sense of smell is incredibly sharp."
"It's only natural that I caught your scent nearby, right?"
"Oh! That's right!"
Xiao Wu suddenly understood and lowered her head, taking another bite of the rice cake.
It was surprisingly delicious.
As she ate, she asked softly, "How did you know I was captured?"
"I recently broke through and went to Shrek Academy to visit everyone," Bai Mu said casually. "That's when I found out everyone was desperately searching for you."
"Everyone was extremely worried."
The academy was in turmoil, people searching everywhere, hearts heavy with fear.
Rongrong and Zhuqing cried themselves to sleep night after night, struggling to hold on…
"Brother… Rongrong… Zhuqing…"
Xiao Wu's tears fell silently as she ate. "I'm so sorry…"
"Oh, right—"
Suddenly, she froze and looked up at Bai Mu.
"Xiao Muzi… what about that Title Douluo outside? How did you get in here?!"