Bai Mu's consciousness returned to reality.
He opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing through them.
This sacrifice had directly boosted his Spirit Power from Level 63 to Level 71.
He had crossed the threshold from Spirit Emperor to Spirit Saint.
"Mental Control, combined with the Power of Faith… hahaha…"
Just thinking about it made Bai Mu laugh.
Even without Z-Cells, the synergy between these two abilities alone would already be terrifying.
"Let me test it—Power of Faith."
With a thought, Bai Mu commanded all Z-Cells to place their faith in him.
In an instant, countless points of light—visible only to him—floated in from every direction, merging into the seventh Spirit Ring beneath his feet.
When the light finished converging, he immediately felt a clear surge of strength, both in himself and in Zygarde.
By his estimate, it was no less than a ten percent increase.
It didn't sound dramatic, but this was only the beginning.
"Enough testing. That's not the main point right now."
Bai Mu raised his head.
"Little Soft, Z2—come here."
At his call, the two Z-Snakes slithered forward together.
"Are you ready?"
"Zygarde Unit One, Little Soft—ready!"
"Zygarde Unit Two, Z2—ready!"
The black and white serpents both radiated anticipation.
"Very good."
Bai Mu's voice dropped.
"Order True Body—activate!"
The blood-red seventh Spirit Ring beneath his feet ignited.
"Roar—!"
Little Soft and Z2 howled to the heavens in unison as green light erupted from their bodies.
Fusion began.
Brilliant radiance flooded the entire valley.
Within the light, the two serpents merged, their forms expanding and reshaping until a colossal figure emerged.
Zygarde's Complete Form stood like a towering mechanical giant.
Ribbon-like wings extended from its shoulders, etched with red and blue hexagonal patterns—the red symbolizing destruction, the blue symbolizing life.
A strange fissure split its chest, resembling a massive mouth.
Majesty and pressure rolled outward from its body.
One glance was enough to tell that immeasurable power lay within.
Complete Form Zygarde.
100% State.
"Not bad. Very handsome."
Bai Mu stepped forward and lightly patted its foot, his eyes sharpening.
"Zygarde—Body Integration!"
As his Spirit Ring flared, Bai Mu transformed into a beam of light and shot straight into Zygarde's body.
It felt as though his consciousness and flesh fused completely with the colossal form.
"Exhilarating!"
Surging power flooded every corner of his being.
This was no simple multiplication of strength—it was a qualitative leap.
"Now, destroying an ordinary Titled Douluo would take no more than a casual strike."
High above the ground, Bai Mu gazed down at the world.
Below, Meng Yiran and Xiao Wu stared in stunned silence.
That overwhelming aura left their legs trembling.
"Amazing… Master has become even stronger!"
Meng Yiran's eyes sparkled with admiration.
Xiao Wu, however, felt only helplessness.
That presence was even more oppressive than her own peak as a Spirit Beast.
Escape felt impossible.
Bai Mu rose higher into the sky.
"I shall attack like a Gundam!"
Four ribbon-like structures on Zygarde's back lifted, locking onto four Spirit Beasts in the forest below.
"Dragon Pulse."
Purple light flashed.
Four draconic beams tore through the sky.
Boom!
In a single instant, the four thousand-year Spirit Beasts were erased completely—nothing left behind.
"This power…"
Bai Mu felt a thrill stir within him.
"Now I'm really starting to look forward to fighting peers of the same level."
He paused, then smiled.
"Seems I won't have to wait too long."
After circling the Sunset Forest to familiarize himself with the form, he deactivated the transformation and descended.
The massive figure dissolved, leaving Bai Mu standing lightly on the ground.
He stretched, feeling residual power ripple through his body.
"Congratulations, Master!"
Meng Yiran rushed over excitedly.
"Be obedient and cultivate diligently," Bai Mu said calmly. "I can make you very strong. Titled Douluo won't be the limit for you."
"Yes! Master!"
Bai Mu then looked toward Xiao Wu.
"Seeing me grow stronger… does that trouble you?"
Xiao Wu shook her head, forcing herself to remain composed.
"No."
"Good," Bai Mu said lightly. "Then focus on cultivation. Strength is the only real protection in this world."
Xiao Wu lowered her head and nodded silently.
"By the way, Master," Meng Yiran said, pointing at a small grass seed lying nearby, "when will Sister Ah Yin be resurrected?"
"Ah Yin?"
Bai Mu froze for a moment, then hurried over, carefully lifting the tiny seed in his palm.
"Rest well, Ah Yin," he said softly. "I'll keep becoming stronger—for your sake."
He planted the seed beside the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well and instructed the reborn Blue Silver King to guard it.
"Grow properly," Bai Mu murmured.
"When your cultivation increases by another 5.7 million years… we'll meet again."
The moment the number echoed, the newly planted seed trembled faintly.
Whether it wanted to grow or not—
That choice no longer belonged to it.