High above the sky.
Bai Mu rode on Yveltal, flying freely as the endless desert stretched out beneath him.
Hmm—
The Asura Demon Sword in his hand suddenly trembled. A cold yet dignified voice echoed directly in his mind:
"Inheritor, you destroyed my Legacy site. What is your intention?"
"Asura God?"
Bai Mu froze for a moment, then laughed lightly.
"Isn't this a good thing?"
"A… good thing?"
Confusion seeped into the Asura God's voice.
You destroyed my inheritance ground, and you call that a good thing?
"With your Legacy site gone, doesn't that make me your best—and only—choice?" Bai Mu replied casually.
"That way, you get an inheritor, and I get what I want. A win–win, isn't it?"
He shrugged indifferently.
"Besides, it's already destroyed. What difference does it make?"
His objective had always been simple: lock in the Asura God.
From what Bai Mu knew, most gods who passed on their Divinity wanted nothing more than to leave the God Realm behind. Among them, the Asura God was especially eager.
Now that Slaughter City was gone, there were only a few individuals left on the Douluo Continent truly connected to the Asura God—Tang Hao, Bibi Dong, and Tang San.
Bibi Dong had already been chosen by the Rakshasa God.
Tang Hao was gravely injured and barely hanging on.
As for Tang San—regardless of whether his circumstances were partly arranged by the Asura God—without Slaughter City, the Slaughter God Domain, or the Asura Demon Sword as intermediaries, any blatant favoritism would risk violating the God Realm's rules.
Not to mention, Tang San was already afflicted with corrosive evil energy. Unless a god descended personally or an overwhelming power of purification appeared, saving him would be nearly impossible.
And what about the future of Slaughter City?
Bai Mu never even considered it.
If someone committed enough evil to deserve imprisonment there, then in the future—under his order—why should they be allowed to live at all?
Break the rules. Defy order.
Then die.
Zygarde could regulate ecosystems… and it could regulate order as well.
All sin would be erased.
---
God Realm
"That brat is completely insane!"
The Asura God cursed aloud.
Not even a Titled Douluo yet, and he already dared to scheme against a God King?
What infuriated him most was that… it worked.
If he didn't choose Bai Mu, who knew how many tens of thousands of years it would take before another suitable inheritor appeared?
Tang Hao?
Don't joke.
Tang Chen had already been the best candidate—and even that ended in failure due to interference from the Rakshasa God.
Tang Hao, a weakened shadow of Tang Chen, simply wasn't qualified.
"…Fine."
The Asura God let out a long sigh.
"Let's see just how far this kid can go."
After all, he could already sense it—if he hesitated, other gods would surely move first.
[You have gained the attention of the Asura God.]
[Asura God affinity increased to 100%.]
[After collecting all Spirit Bones and becoming a Titled Douluo, you may unlock the Asura God's Ninth Trial.]
"Thanks, God. You're really generous."
Bai Mu smiled.
"Oh, right—'Asura God' sounds a bit harsh. How about changing it to something nicer? Maybe… God of Order?"
"..."
The Asura God was struck speechless.
You're not even a god yet, and you already want to rename my Divinity?!
Receiving no response, Bai Mu didn't bother pressing the issue.
What surprised him more was something else.
"I thought Slaughter City would be troublesome… but I cleared it in less than a day."
Thinking of those predecessors who had struggled there for years—enduring endless slaughter and hardship just to gain a weakened Slaughter God Domain—Bai Mu couldn't help but chuckle.
"Let's go. Back to the Ice and Fire Yin–Yang Well."
---
Ice and Fire Yin–Yang Well
Xiao Wu was crouched beside the Blue Silver Emperor when a shadow suddenly fell over her.
"What's this…?"
"It's me."
Bai Mu landed lightly in front of her, smiling.
"Bai Mu? Didn't you say you were going on a long journey? Why are you back so soon?"
Seeing him, Xiao Wu instinctively tensed.
"Because I missed you," Bai Mu said lightly.
"Sister Xiao Wu, did you miss me?"
"Don't come any closer!"
Xiao Wu hurriedly backed away, her voice trembling.
"Sister Xiao Wu, you must be hungry."
Bai Mu took out a carrot infused with spirit power and waved it gently.
"Eat. Don't be shy. By the way… want to hear about Tang San's current situation?"
The name struck straight at her heart.
"I don't want to hear it!"
She turned away, eyes reddening.
Even though she desperately wanted to know, she also knew—nothing Bai Mu said would be kind.
"Easy now."
Bai Mu didn't push. He simply held out the carrot.
After a long silence, Xiao Wu finally looked up at him.
"…How is he?"
"No rush," Bai Mu replied calmly.
"I'll tell you slowly."
---
Several days later
Xiao Wu sat quietly beside him.
Bai Mu suddenly smiled brightly.
"Let's go. I'm taking you to meet some old friends."
"Old friends?"
A bad feeling rose in Xiao Wu's chest.
"The Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python."
Bai Mu spoke their names calmly, as if stating a fact.
"They're your closest companions, aren't they? It's been a long time. Isn't it only right that you see them again?"
"No—!"
Xiao Wu's face drained of color.
She grabbed Bai Mu's sleeve desperately.
"Please… Bai Mu, don't hurt them. They're innocent. If someone must pay, let it be me—"
"Sister Xiao Wu, don't cry."
Bai Mu spoke gently, yet without hesitation.
"I'm taking you to see them. That's all."
With a single motion, he summoned Yveltal, lifted Xiao Wu, and leapt onto its back.
"Star Dou Great Forest. Deep region."
---
A few hours later, they arrived.
"Call your friends," Bai Mu said, releasing Xiao Wu's aura into the forest.
Near the Lake of Life—
"That aura! It's Sister Xiao Wu!"
The Titan Giant Ape sprang up in excitement.
"I'm going right now!"
Without waiting, it charged out eagerly.
"…That fool."
The Sky Azure Bull Python sighed softly.
Yet a trace of anticipation flickered in its eyes.
Xiao Wu's aura didn't seem far this time.
Perhaps… he could finally see her again.