The pale blue glow in Huo Yuhao's eyes had not faded.
He maintained the god's-eye view of Spirit Detection, shifting its precision focus from the Martial Souls to the brothers' bodies.
According to the conventional wisdom of the Soul Master World on the Douluo Continent, after a Beast Martial Soul absorbed a Soul Ring, it would usually feed a large portion of the violent Soul Power energy back to its host.
This feedback was the most important means by which Soul Masters strengthened their bodies and widened their meridians.
Yet under Huo Yuhao's meticulous observation, this most fundamental rule had completely failed in Long Batian's case.
The boy's physical readings showed almost no substantive change compared to before he absorbed the Soul Ring. All the energy that should have strengthened his muscles and bones slipped through the gaps in his riddled meridians, silently draining away after completing only half a circulation.
By contrast, his younger brother Long Zhantian's blood and vital energy circulated noticeably faster, his muscle fibers had grown significantly tougher, and even his breathing had become somewhat deeper and steadier.
The difference between two and a half levels and half a level of Innate Soul Power was laid bare at that moment.
Just as Huo Yuhao was silently compiling records and comparing the data in his mind, Long Batian took half a step forward.
He shielded his younger brother firmly behind him, clasped his hands, and bowed deeply to Huo Yuhao, his body rigid with tension.
"Thank you for granting us Soul Rings, Senior."
Long Batian spoke with utmost respect, even a measure of caution. "We brothers are weak, and we dare not venture farther into the canyon and burden you, Senior. We were about to take our leave."
His words were watertight.
They were already near the