Shui Yunxin: Bai Mu Was Still Too Honest

"Second Spirit Ring? You're already level 20?!"

Shui Yunxin cried out in shock, staring at Bai Mu as though she had seen a ghost. "In less than a year—you went from level 11 to level 20?"

"So fast!"

Shui Bing'er also looked astonished.

Her talent was exceptional. Her Innate Soul Power had reached level nine, yet she was only level 24 now.

And Bai Mu had risen nine levels in a single year!

That rate was simply unheard of.

As for Shui Yue'er—

The little girl covered her face and did not want to speak.

Because among everyone present, she had the poorest aptitude. Her Innate Soul Power had barely reached level eight, and she had only just reached level 20.

Compared to the others, it was simply too embarrassing!

"I happened to receive some opportunities that helped me greatly, which is why I progressed so quickly."

Bai Mu answered vaguely.

"I see. Then that makes sense."

Shui Yunxin sighed in relief. "I nearly thought someone could rise nine levels in a year just through hard work!"

"Haha, how could such a person possibly exist?"

Bai Mu laughed, then asked, "Aunt Shui, could I study in the Academy Library afterward? I want to look up some information about Mirror Shadow Beasts."

"That's easy!"

Shui Yunxin immediately said, "Just join Skywater Academy. The academy will provide geniuses like you with whatever information you need, and may even send teachers to help you hunt Spirit Rings!"

Shui Bing'er said softly, "The Academy Library has many books on Spirit Beasts. You should be able to find the information you need."

Shui Yue'er directly grabbed Bai Mu's sleeve. "Stay! The academy is full of pretty sisters. You'll definitely be very popular."

Was this really how you tested a Spirit Master? What Spirit Master could withstand such a test?

Bai Mu gave Shui Yue'er a surprised look.

But faced with the three women's invitations, he ultimately shook his head.

"Thank you for your kindness, but I have no intention of joining any academy for the time being."

Skywater Academy was a famous girls' academy across the continent, filled with beauties. It would be a lie to say he was not tempted by the invitation.

But Bai Mu knew his own nature well. Either he did nothing, or he made a huge mess.

From stealing Immortal Herbs to kidnapping a Prince, and later attempting to steal the Blue Silver Emperor Spirit Bone, his path was destined to be anything but peaceful.

The Shui Family Mother and Daughter cared about him so much, so he could not bring danger here.

Besides, once he formed bonds, he might become overly cautious in many of his actions.

There was no need for that!

Shui Yunxin looked at Bai Mu and saw a clarity and sense of responsibility beyond his years in his eyes.

She sighed softly. "Since you've made up your mind, I won't force you. As it happens, I'll be taking Yue'er to hunt her Second Spirit Ring soon. I can help you settle your Second Spirit Ring while we're at it."

"That might be inconvenient. How about I go by myself instead?"

Bai Mu hesitated.

Shui Yunxin smiled calmly. "What's inconvenient about it? It's no trouble at all."

She felt that Bai Mu was still too honest and sensible. He was unwilling to trouble others even over obtaining a Spirit Ring.

"Maybe we should forget it. The Spirit Beast I want to hunt has a slightly high Spirit Ring Age."

Bai Mu held up his thumb and forefinger, leaving only a tiny gap between them.

"Child, how high could a Second Spirit Ring possibly be? Are you planning to hunt a seven- or eight-hundred-year-old Spirit Beast?"

Shui Yunxin could not help laughing.

Bai Mu said, "Lower."

Shui Yunxin's smile became a little stiff. "Could it be that you're planning to hunt a nine-hundred-year-old Spirit Beast?"

Bai Mu said, "Still lower."

"Could it be that you're planning to hunt a thousand-year Spirit Beast?!"

Shui Yunxin stopped smiling. "Child, don't be foolish! Absorbing a Spirit Ring with too high an age can make your body explode!

"You're already talented enough. There's no need to risk absorbing a Thousand-Year Spirit Ring just to gain a few extra hundred years."

"Don't worry, Aunt. I know my limits. I won't take risks over a mere few hundred years."

"That's good—"

Shui Yunxin had just breathed a sigh of relief when Bai Mu said with utmost seriousness, "I'm planning to hunt a five-thousand-year-old Mirror Shadow Beast."

"What?"

They were all stunned.

What had they just heard? A level-20 Spirit Master wanted to absorb a five-thousand-year Spirit Ring?

That was a Spirit Ring Age only a level-40 Soul Elder could touch!

"Are you sure?"

Shui Yunxin's expression turned solemn.

"Don't take risks."

Shui Bing'er tightly gripped Bai Mu's arm, seemingly trying to make him calm down.

"Bai Mu, no! Brother Mu! This isn't funny at all."

Even Shui Yue'er, who was usually somewhat unreliable, had become serious.

"Don't worry. I don't do things unless I'm confident."

Bai Mu smiled and reassured them. "The opportunity I received before greatly improved my physical quality, and—"

He hesitated briefly before deciding to reveal an important piece of information. "I happened to read an ancient text and discovered that after Whale Rubber is softened at high temperatures and consumed, it can strengthen a Spirit Master's physique and thereby increase the Spirit Ring Age they can absorb.

"For the past half year, I've been earning money to buy Whale Rubber. As I am now, absorbing a five-thousand-year Spirit Ring will absolutely not be a problem!"

"Whale Rubber? What is that?"

"I've never heard of it."

Shui Yue'er and Shui Bing'er looked at Shui Yunxin in confusion.

"Whale Rubber—that filthy stuff actually has such an effect."

Shui Yunxin's cheeks reddened. She did not explain it in detail to her daughters, merely looking at Bai Mu. "I'll buy some and test it later. If it isn't true, I absolutely will not allow you to absorb a Thousand-Year Spirit Ring."

Bai Mu reminded her, "For someone like you, Aunt, it might take Ten Thousand Year Whale Rubber to have any effect."

"Ten thousand years!?"

Shui Yunxin sucked in a breath.

Whale Rubber of such an age—if even a cow did not explode after eating it, it would probably plow the ground into ruin.

Of course, the cow might be ruined along with it.

"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."

She tried to calm herself and asked, "Do you have a place to stay in the city? There is an unused small courtyard outside the academy's east gate. It's quiet there, and you can stay there for now."

"Yes, yes! That courtyard is very close to the academy, and it has hot spring water piped in. When you're tired from cultivation, you can soak in the hot springs and relax!"

Shui Yue'er nodded repeatedly.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony!"

This time, Bai Mu did not refuse.

And so, Bai Mu settled down there.

He began a disciplined and diligent life of cultivation.

Every morning at dawn, he took Zygarde up a low hill and sat in the sun to cultivate.

He did not even eat. Once he began cultivating, he would continue for the entire day.

Unlike his previous Sunlight Meditation Method, he not only guided solar energy into his body to refine his Soul Power, but also used the violent solar energy to temper his flesh according to his experience of consuming the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum and Whale Rubber!

Even if he never consumed any Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures again in the future, his physique would continue to improve!

It sounded simple, but it was actually extremely dangerous.

Solar energy was incomparably violent. One moment of carelessness could burn his meridians and cause permanent damage.

If Bai Mu had not already gained the beginnings of an Indestructible Vajra Body, along with Jungle Healing to restore himself, he would never have dared to act so recklessly.

He named this new cultivation method the Great Sun Visualization Method.