The Value of the Mandala Snake, and the Road Ahead

Although that roar had indeed looked impressive, such a move was only useful against low-level soul beasts.

After all, soul beasts over ten thousand years old possessed considerable intelligence, and some highly intelligent soul beasts could even speak.

However, the Mandala Snake clearly belonged to neither category. A low rumble suddenly erupted from Beibei's body as his Third Soul Ring and First Soul Ring flashed simultaneously.

Intense blue-violet lightning burst from his entire body. His already exceptionally powerful right arm grew even larger, while the scales on it began spreading across his body.

The scales continued until they covered the entire right side of his body. Beibei's aura surged explosively, and his Soul Power was driven to its peak.

At the same time, a tremendous suction force erupted from Beibei's palm. Numbed by its injuries and the foreign Soul Power clogged within its body, the Mandala Snake was pulled uncontrollably toward him.

A Thunder Dragon Claw, a full size larger than before, covered Beibei's right claw. Just as he was about to seize his target, Huo Yuhao spoke again.

"Brother Bei, watch its head!" Beibei's expression changed. He immediately twisted aside, yet the Soul Power pouring from his right palm did not diminish in the slightest.

At the critical moment between life and death, the flower bud atop the Mandala Snake's head suddenly burst open, shooting out a pink arrow of blood.

However, thanks to Huo Yuhao's warning, it merely grazed Beibei's body before landing on the ground. Had Beibei not received Huo Yuhao's warning and dodged in time, the battle might have been turned around.

The patch of ground touched by the pink blood arrow was dyed pink and let out a series of sizzling sounds. Cold sweat trickled down Beibei's forehead.

Because Huo Yuhao had called out every danger in time, he had relaxed somewhat. He had forgotten that aside from its basic abilities of binding, venomous fangs, and poison mist, a Mandala Snake could also mutate other poison-type Soul Skills.

He had completely let down his guard and nearly suffered a disastrous reversal. This was also a common occurrence in battles between soul masters.

In a tense battle, information was life. In battles between extraordinary beings, aside from an overwhelming disparity in strength—

the core of combat was truly an information war: how much information I could learn about you, how accurately I could calculate what methods you could employ, how I could guide you step by step toward the actions I wanted you to take, and gradually bring the battle under my control.

Once you had cast aside all your advantages and fallen into my rhythm, then even if there was a gap between us, as long as it was not overwhelming, the odds of victory would already be decided.

Some battles appeared evenly matched, or even seemed to offer one side only the slightest chance of a narrow victory. But when every factor within the battle—timing, terrain, and human factors—had been calculated before the battle even began—

then there was no longer any question of odds. There was only one possibility: absolute victory. That was the core logic of battle.

By now, the Mandala Snake had exhausted all its tricks. With the assistance of Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon, Beibei's Thunder Dragon Claw viciously gripped the Mandala Snake seven inches below its head. Under the terrifying lightning, the Mandala Snake convulsed and was paralyzed.

Tang Ya hurried forward. A throwing knife about half a foot long appeared in her hand and pierced through the snake's eye into its brain, ending the life of the Thousand-Year Mandala Snake.

At the same time, a ring of purple light rose from the Mandala Snake's corpse. It was a Thousand-Year Soul Ring.

Huo Yuhao also withdrew his Martial Soul. That final dangerous scene had naturally been guided by him.

Otherwise, from the beginning, Huo Yuhao would have instructed Beibei to focus his attacks on the fleshy tumor atop the Mandala Snake's head. He had done this to demonstrate his value to Beibei.

After all, victories gained too easily would not be cherished. Only by turning the tide at a critical moment could one leave a deep impression.

Beibei finally let out a breath of relief. He set down the snake corpse and let Tang Ya absorb the Soul Ring while he briefly treated his own injuries.

Although Huo Yuhao's guidance and the Detoxification Pill had helped in the previous battle, the Mandala Snake's venom was simply too potent. He still needed to use Soul Power to force out the remaining poison in his body, which the Detoxification Pill could not neutralize and could only suppress.

Only then did Beibei thank Huo Yuhao. "This battle was all thanks to Little Brother Huo. Without your earlier warning, when that Mandala Snake made its final desperate struggle, I would have at least suffered serious injuries from its Lifebound Toxin."

"Combined with the Mandala Snake's other attacks earlier, this battle was truly perilous."

"Could this be Little Brother Huo's Soul Skill? The ability to see through another's movements?"

Beibei smiled gently, though his words carried a hint of probing. "I'm not trying to pry into your privacy, Little Brother Huo. It's just that your ability is truly powerful, and you're very talented."

"If you have the chance, even if you do not consider joining the Tang Sect, you should come with us to Shrek City and try to join Shrek Academy. Only at Shrek Academy can your talent be displayed to its fullest."

That was what Beibei said. Such an ability was especially important in battle, particularly in small-scale arena fights, whether it was a duel, a three-person battle, or even a seven-person battle.

If one's side had an additional scout who could see through every enemy action and provide solutions, its strategic significance would be immense.

Huo Yuhao nodded. "Mm, I've been considering it along the way. It's still too early for me to join a sect. If possible, I'll try to enter Shrek Academy, but I don't have a City Lord Recommendation Letter."

"That's easy enough." Beibei nodded. "Besides the city lords of other cities, Shrek City itself can also issue recommendation letters. They just aren't issued by the city lord. A soul master must pass Shrek City's examination first."

"Moreover, recommendation letters obtained this way carry more weight within Shrek Academy, and they can also waive part of the tuition and miscellaneous fees. Comparatively speaking, it should suit you better, Little Brother Huo."

"However, although your Martial Soul and Soul Skill setup are both quite good, Little Brother Huo, you lack offensive Soul Skills. You're also a soul master leaning toward Spiritual Power and the Support Type, and your physical condition is poor. Passing Shrek City's examination will not be so easy."

Hearing that, Huo Yuhao understood what Beibei meant. He was still using Shrek Academy, the Number One Academy on the Continent, to tempt him into joining the Tang Sect. After all, while Shrek Academy accepted all types of soul masters—

in truth, it favored Assault Type, Agility Assault Type, and Control Type soul masters more. Although it did not reject Support Type and Food Type soul masters, it did not value them nearly as highly.

"Mm, Brother Bei, let me think about it some more."

Beibei did not press Huo Yuhao further. Instead, he began teaching him about Mandala Snakes.

For example, the relationship between a Mandala Snake's appearance and its cultivation age, its ecological niche, and the Soul Skills it might possess.

Huo Yuhao repeatedly nodded. He had only just arrived in this world, while the original Huo Yuhao had spent years as the son of a servant, trapped within the White Tiger Duke's Mansion. His knowledge could not merely be called lacking—he did not even know much common knowledge from the world of soul masters.

They had been traveling before this, and he had been exploring his own Martial Soul, so he had not had a chance to ask Beibei questions. Now, Huo Yuhao quickly seized the opportunity—

and told Beibei those parts of his doubts that he could put into words.

Beibei was also happy to answer Huo Yuhao's questions. After all, they still needed to lure—ah, no, warmly invite Huo Yuhao into the Tang Sect.

More than an hour passed before Tang Ya finally finished absorbing her third Soul Ring.

This was because Tang Ya's physical condition was not outstanding, and her Martial Soul itself was not especially powerful. That was why she required so much time to fuse with the Mandala Snake's Soul Ring.

Blue Silver Grass was not especially compatible with the Mandala Snake either, so she needed even more time to adjust to and adapt to the process. Absorbing it as her Third Soul Ring was merely a tradition passed down through the Tang Sect.

Meanwhile, Huo Yuhao gained a deeper understanding of this world of soul masters. It was not merely a naked law of the jungle; it had practically no social structure at all, a world wholly upheld by the strong and their fists.

Still, that was hardly surprising. Under the supervision of the God Realm, Douluo Star had been like this for tens of thousands of years. Soul masters had it rough too.

"Beibei, I succeeded! What were you and Little Yuhao talking about?" Tang Ya said happily. As she circulated her Soul Power, three Soul Rings—two yellow and one purple—rose beneath her feet.

At the same time, a cluster of Blue Silver Grass sprouted beside her feet. Aside from its original blue outer layer, pink patterns had appeared along its blades. This was the change brought about by her Third Soul Ring.

After ten thousand years of inheritance, although her Martial Soul was still Blue Silver Grass, the Blue Silver Grass of Tang Ya's Tang Sect bloodline was vastly different from the Blue Silver Grass of ordinary soul masters.

Long-term, specialized Soul Ring choices had caused their Blue Silver Grass Martial Souls to undergo a certain degree of directed mutation. In particular, they received special enhancements from Soul Rings produced by certain soul beasts, such as the Mandala Snake before them.

After cheering, Tang Ya suddenly threw herself into Beibei's arms. Beibei wrapped his arms around her indulgently, while Huo Yuhao lightly coughed from the side. "Brother Bei, Sister Tang, it's getting late. Shouldn't we leave first and talk later?"

Only then did Tang Ya seem to remember that Huo Yuhao, the third wheel, was there. Her little face reddened as she hurriedly fled from Beibei's embrace. Then she pouted at Beibei. "Beibei, it's all your fault!"

Beibei promptly put on the appearance of an upright gentleman and said, "Little Brother Huo is right. We've delayed for quite some time. Although this is the territory of that Thousand-Year Mandala Snake, we cannot rule out other soul beasts appearing here."

Tang Ya calmed down as well. "Then let's return to the place where we first met Little Yuhao."

Suddenly, Huo Yuhao seemed to think of something. "Aren't we taking the Mandala Snake's corpse with us? I heard that the meat and materials from soul beasts can be sold for money at the major soul master trading venues in the city."

Beibei and Tang Ya both froze. Then Beibei said, "That is true, but the Mandala Snake is poisonous from head to tail and cannot be eaten by soul masters. Even if we brought it into the city, we could only extract the poison from its body. It wouldn't be worth much."

"..." Huo Yuhao's face darkened. These two young masters naturally did not care about such petty profits, but he did. After leaving the White Tiger Duke's Mansion, the original poor Huo Yuhao had not brought more than a few copper coins with him.

He was truly in a position where a single coin could stump a hero. Although the Mandala Snake's corpse was not as valuable as those of other soul beasts, it was still a Thousand-Year Soul Beast. Did they have to show so little respect for its contribution? The Mandala Snake would cry!

Seeing that Huo Yuhao was still wearing his clothes, Beibei understood. After an awkward smile, he quickly gave the Mandala Snake's corpse some simple treatment and stored it in his Storage Soul Tool.

The three of them then hurried toward the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest. They finally returned, just before nightfall, to the stream where Huo Yuhao had first met Tang Ya and Beibei, the same stream where they had grilled fish.

Then, with a move from Beibei, more than a dozen green fish were effortlessly stunned by his lightning power. They became dinner for the three of them, and Huo Yuhao was naturally the chef once again.

Having inherited the original Huo Yuhao's memories, combined with the life experience he had possessed before transmigrating, Huo Yuhao had no trouble preparing a few grilled fish. Before long, everyone enjoyed a satisfying, hearty dinner.

Besides the grilled fish, Beibei and Tang Ya also took out some other food from their Storage Soul Tools.

Through his Eye of Truth, Huo Yuhao could see that these foods contained far more energy than ordinary food.

Is this Shrek Academy's resources? Huo Yuhao also understood Tang Ya and Beibei's intentions. They wanted to tempt him from every angle with this energy-rich food.

But it's true. My foundation is still too weak, and on top of that, I have no money. Perhaps joining the Tang Sect first really is the best choice right now.

As for Tang San... joining the Tang Sect doesn't mean I have to follow Tang San's plans. Gods should concern themselves with gods, and people with people. Perhaps after I've fully grown stronger, I can turn the Tang Sect into a force of my own.

After all, the Tang Sect only has Beibei and Tang Ya left in practice. Still, it wouldn't be wise to answer immediately. I need to find a suitable opportunity. And first, I need to sort through everything I have. It's time to talk to Sky Dream Ice Silkworm.

With that thought, Huo Yuhao set aside the food he had nearly finished and sat beside the campfire. He said to Beibei and Tang Ya, "Brother Bei, Sister Tang, I used up quite a lot of Spiritual Power and Soul Power today. I'm really tired. Can I rest for a while first?"

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