Blazing Fire City lay in the south-central region of the Heaven Dou Empire. Named for its proximity to volcanoes and its abundant underground Earth Fire Resources, it was a favorite place for blacksmiths and fire attribute Spirit Masters.
After leaving Sunset Forest, Bai Mu traveled through several places before arriving here.
Whale Rubber had to be softened at high temperatures before it could be consumed to improve one's physique.
Hundred Year Whale Rubber could still be processed with ordinary tools, but Thousand Year Whale Rubber—especially Ten Thousand Year Whale Rubber—was extremely hard. Without the help of a powerful fire attribute Spirit Master, it had to be burned in a Blazing Furnace.
Blazing Fire City's thriving forging industry happened to provide Bai Mu with the ideal Refining Environment.
On the very day he arrived, he rented a long-abandoned Blacksmith Shop in a remote location, complete with its own private courtyard, as his temporary base.
"Let's start with the Hundred Year Whale Rubber."
Bai Mu lit the furnace, took out a piece of Hundred Year Whale Rubber, and began roasting it.
Under the blazing heat, the Whale Rubber gradually softened and released a strong fishy smell.
Holding his breath, Bai Mu tore off a piece and swallowed it while it was still hot.
The rancid taste exploded in his mouth, turning into a stream of heat that slid down his throat into his stomach before spreading through his limbs and bones.
Like the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, the energy within Whale Rubber was exceptionally violent, fiercely strengthening his muscles and bones like a charging wild bull.
"This effect—it's even better than I expected?!"
After sensing it carefully, Bai Mu's eyes lit up slightly.
He had thought that after using the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, his greatly enhanced physical quality would render Hundred Year Whale Rubber useless to him.
But the truth was precisely the opposite. Thanks to the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum's transformation of "nourishing the limbs and circulating blood through the eight meridians," his Absorption and Conversion Efficiency for all kinds of energy far surpassed that of ordinary people.
Even Hundred Year Whale Rubber had a considerable effect on him!
Bai Mu did not stop. He devoured the Hundred Year Whale Rubber like it was food.
One piece, two pieces, three pieces—
Only after eating five pieces in a row did he stop.
"That's about enough. I can't overdo it. I need to adapt first."
Bai Mu's face was flushed red, and sweat poured from his entire body.
He decided to take a break first.
After tidying his clothes slightly, he decisively left the city and used running to vent his restless energy, while also digesting the medicinal power.
Five days later, he had completely refined the Hundred Year Whale Rubber and began refining the Thousand Year Whale Rubber.
Compared to Hundred Year Whale Rubber, Thousand Year Whale Rubber was more difficult to refine.
Bai Mu spent a full two months perfectly digesting ten pieces of Thousand Year Whale Rubber.
During that time, his level rose from Level 16 to Level 20, while his Z-Cell Quantity increased to thirty-eight.
"Ha~"
Bai Mu stood in the courtyard bare-chested. His muscular lines were smooth and distinct, while a faint golden sheen seemed to flow beneath his skin.
He threw a powerful punch at the stone weight in the courtyard—
Bang!
The several-hundred-pound stone weight flew away on impact, smashing into the courtyard wall and sending broken stones flying.
"My current physique should be no weaker than that of a Level 35 Soul Elder."
Feeling the surging power within him, Bai Mu said, "If I absorb all the Thousand Year and Ten Thousand Year Whale Rubber, reaching the standards of a Level 40 Soul Elder won't be difficult."
"There's no rush for the Second Spirit Ring. I'll digest all the Whale Rubber first."
Bai Mu remembered that when Spirit Masters reached a bottleneck but did not obtain a Spirit Ring, the Soul Power gained through continued cultivation would accumulate and erupt all at once after they obtained one.
So there was absolutely no need for him to hurry. Later, he could directly get a Second Spirit Ring with a higher age limit!
"At that time, if I directly absorb a Spirit Ring that is several thousand years old, together with all the Soul Power I've accumulated, I wonder how many levels I can rise at once."
Just thinking about it made Bai Mu feel like a freak.
But—he really hadn't cheated!
"Time to find an opponent and test my strength!"
After calming himself down, Bai Mu put on his clothes, donned his custom-made Groudon Mask, and headed toward Blazing Fire City's Great Soul Arena.
Over the past two months, he had participated in plenty of soul fights to temper his body, treating his opponents as sparring partners.
Before he knew it, he had racked up consecutive victories, and his Soul Fighting Badge had risen from iron to Purple Gold rank!
However, the moment he arrived at the Great Soul Arena, before he could even state his purpose, a staff member said in advance, "My apologies, Lord [Dragon of Order]. Your current win rate and level are too high. No Spirit Master-level contestants are willing to fight you anymore. Please break through to Soul Grandmaster, or participate in soul fights in another city."
"Uh—"
Bai Mu was somewhat dumbfounded, but he could understand it.
There were only a few Spirit Masters with Purple Gold badges on the entire continent. For Spirit Masters of the same level, getting matched against him was just giving him money. Who would be willing?
"How about this—"
After thinking for a moment, he said, "I've just reached Level 20. Can you directly match me against a Soul Grandmaster-level opponent?"
"Of course! We'll arrange it for you immediately!"
The supervisor beside him took the initiative to step forward and replied respectfully.
An undefeated Level 20 Spirit Master challenging a Soul Grandmaster—what a spectacle! The tickets would sell like crazy!
"Good. Sorry to trouble you."
Bai Mu nodded coolly.
Not long afterward, he followed the staff's guidance toward the Soul Fighting Arena.
"Welcome to the Great Soul Arena! The two contestants taking the stage next are quite extraordinary."
The host's voice rang throughout the venue as he introduced them to the audience. "On one side, we have the undefeated Spirit Master who earned a Purple Gold Soul Fighting Badge in Spirit Master-level battles at such a young age—[Dragon of Order].
His opponent is a genius from Blazing Academy, an equally young Soul Grandmaster—[Will of Fire]!
Let us look forward to seeing what sparks will fly between them!"
Will of Fire? What kind of ridiculous name was that?
You think you're the Fire Shadow or something?!
Bai Mu stepped onto the Soul Fighting Arena, silently mocking the name in his heart.
The next moment, he saw a strikingly beautiful, tall, and well-proportioned girl walk to the opposite side.
Her dark red hair drew everyone's attention, as if it were flames capable of melting everything.
"Damn! It really is the Fire Shadow!"
Bai Mu instantly recognized her identity.
Huo Wu, the future vice-captain of Blazing Academy's team. Her martial spirit was the fire attribute Body Shadow—Fire Shadow!
Bai Mu did not remember much about her—her martial spirit was unusual, she was narcissistic, her third Spirit Skill could knock opponents back, her fourth Spirit Skill had high burst damage,
and she could merge Spirit Rings.
"Level 23 Control Type Battle Soul Grand Master. Martial spirit: Fire Shadow."
Huo Wu announced herself, though her gaze was filled with scrutiny.
Through the mask, she could see Bai Mu's equally appraising eyes. There was not the slightest appreciation or amazement at her beauty in them—only a strange hint of shock.
"Level 20 Battle Spirit Master. Martial spirit—Dragon of Order."
Bai Mu's reply was brief, but Huo Wu sensed contempt in it.
"You're the [Dragon of Order] who has been winning streaks without even summoning his martial spirit?"
"That's me."
"All mysterious—let me see whether you'll use your martial spirit today!"
Two yellow Spirit Rings rose beneath Huo Wu's feet, while her body and shadow faintly glowed with red light.
"Flowing Fire Whip!"
Her Second Spirit Ring lit up. With a grasp of her right hand in the air, she condensed a blazing whip of fire and lashed it toward Bai Mu without another word!
The fire whip tore through the air, accompanied by a piercing howl of wind.
But Bai Mu did not retreat. Instead, he charged straight at it.
As he rushed forward, he clenched his fist and smashed it head-on toward the fire whip.
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