"I'm sorry. I misunderstood your intentions, so I apologize."
Realizing her error, Xiao Bai stepped forward and bowed deeply toward Lin Mu. On one hand, she knew she was no match for him; on the other, she saw that Lin Mu's method of utilizing soul spirits didn't truly end the existence of the soul beasts. Judging from the reactions of the spirits themselves, they harbored no resentment.
"There is no need for apologies. If I weren't worried about interfering with my disciples' trials, I wouldn't have let you off so easily," Lin Mu said, his voice cold and merciless.
Hearing this, Xiao Bai's apologetic smile instantly froze. She had already humbled herself, yet this man remained narrow-minded and held a grudge without a hint of magnanimity.
From Lin Mu's perspective, however, there was no reason to be polite to an arrogant and unreasonable soul beast. He had only abandoned his plan to strike to avoid complicating the Nine Trials of the Sea God. Releasing the seven Soul Spirits had simply been a way to put Xiao Bai in her place.
In the next moment, the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King drifted in front of Xiao Bai and mocked, "Xiao Bai, so many years have passed and you haven't improved at all. No wonder that man didn't take you with him to the God Realm."
"What did you say!"
Those words struck Xiao Bai's weakest point, and she glared angrily at the massive spirit. The Deep Sea Demonic Whale King looked smug in return. A mere Demon Spirit Great White Shark was nothing to him. He harbored considerable resentment toward the Sea God and relished the chance to bully the Sea God's former mount.
Even though he would likely encounter the Sea God again after entering the God Realm with his master, he knew his chances of actual revenge were slim. Even if Lin Mu surpassed the Sea God, he wouldn't start a war between gods just for the sake of a soul spirit's old grudge.
"Little Black, stop fooling around," Lin Mu commanded, cutting the bickering short. While he granted his soul spirits a degree of freedom, he didn't want them causing unnecessary trouble.
"Yes, Master."
Upon hearing the order, the Deep Sea Demonic Whale King immediately became obedient. Xiao Bai almost burst out laughing when she heard the name "Little Black." She hadn't expected the terrifying Deep Sea Demonic Whale King to be tamed and given such a ridiculous name by a human.
Then she realized something. Her name was Xiao Bai (Little White), and the whale was Little Black (Xiao Hei). These names were clearly paired. She glared at Lin Mu with renewed resentment; the man's sense of humor was truly perverse.
Actually, Lin Mu hadn't thought that deeply about it; he just thought the name Little Black suited the whale's aesthetic.
Turning his attention away from the shark, Lin Mu looked at the 100,000-year-old right leg soul bone in his hand. He had originally considered giving it to Xiao Wu because of her relationship with Tang San. However, she had repeatedly contradicted him despite the gifts he had given her in the past. He decided to pass her over this time.
Finally, he handed the soul bone to Bai Chenxiang. "This is a wind-attribute right leg soul bone. It will not only significantly increase your speed but also enhance your overall combat capabilities."
With the aid of Lin Mu's pills, Bai Chenxiang was already much stronger than her original destiny intended. She had even learned basic wind element manipulation under his tutelage. However, her offensive power was still lacking. This 100,000-year-old bone would finally bring her strength up to the level of the other soul masters in the elite team.
"This... this is for me?"
Bai Chenxiang stared at the bone in her hand, her eyes wide with disbelief. As the weakest member of the team, she had never even dreamed of possessing a 100,000-year soul bone. Her clan, the Speed Clan, couldn't have obtained such a treasure even if they sold their entire clan, yet Lin Mu had handed it over casually.
"This soul bone contains concentrated wind elements; it might even trigger an evolution in your Needle-Tailed Swift Martial Soul. Stop hesitating and absorb it," Lin Mu said firmly.
In terms of attribute compatibility, this bone was perfect for her or Yu Feng. But Yu Feng was currently occupied with his own Purple-level assessment. While Zhu Zhuqing could also use it, the benefit to her wouldn't be as transformative as it would be for Bai Chenxiang.
"Thank you, Sect Master!" Bai Chenxiang could no longer contain her excitement. With this, she could finally stop being the one who lagged behind.
As she hurried off to cultivate, Yu Tianheng and the others watched with undisguised envy.
"Stop staring. You all have something coming," Lin Mu said, reaching into his storage tool. He produced several more soul bones. Some had been reclaimed from Tang Hao, while others were obtained through various exchanges. Though they weren't 100,000-year soul bones, they were still high-quality 10,000-year soul bones.
Lin Mu was generous with those he trusted. Even the Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo received 10,000-year bones. He didn't give them 100,000-year bones because their potential was already capped; even with the best resources, they would likely only reach Level 97. Tang San and the others, however, had the potential to reach Level 99 or even Level 100 godhood.
Lin Mu distributed the bones to Yu Tianheng, Shi Mó, Xiao Wu, Dugu Yan, and Zhu Zhuqing. Only Ning Rongrong was left out.
"Teacher Lin Mu, it's alright. I already have the head soul bone my father gave me, and I joined the team late anyway," Ning Rongrong said, voluntarily declining to save him any awkwardness.
"What are you thinking? What I have for you is far more suitable than a soul bone," Lin Mu said. He produced a jade bottle and handed it to her. "Absorb the essence within this pill. It will change your life."
The pill contained the essence of the Immortal Herb, the Beautiful Silk Tulip. Lin Mu had hesitated to give this to her before, partly because of its rarity and partly because he worried the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda would overshadow the Nine Heart Begonia. Now, it didn't matter. Once Ye Lingling entered the God Realm with him, the balance of power in the mortal world was no longer his concern.
Following Lin Mu's instructions, the group began their respective fusions. Two hours later, Yu Tianheng and the others began to wake up. For them, 10,000-year soul bones were relatively easy to process. Yu Tianheng, already a Soul Saint, and Xiao Wu both gained one Level of Soul Power. Dugu Yan, Zhu Zhuqing, and Shi Mó, who had been slightly behind, successfully broke through to Level 70.
A while later, Ning Rongrong finally finished absorbing the pill's medicinal energy.
"One, two, three... nine layers! There really is a ninth layer!"
Looking at the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda shimmering in her palm, Ning Rongrong's joy overflowed. In a burst of pure excitement, she rushed to Lin Mu, stood on her tiptoes, and planted a kiss on his cheek.
Not far away, Ma Hongjun, who had been feigning sleep, caught a glimpse of the scene and winced. He couldn't help but feel a deep pang of sorrow for the poor and deceased Oscar.