"Because of their innate strength and venom, Mandala Snakes have very few natural enemies. Before reaching a thousand years of cultivation, their bodies are dark green, and they grow one meter in length for every hundred years. By the time they approach a thousand years of cultivation, they can reach nearly ten meters long.
"Once they break through the thousand-year mark, however, their power condenses and they undergo a series of molts. Not only does their color change from dark green to pink, but their length also shrinks back to one meter before growing another meter for every additional hundred years. After two thousand years of cultivation, they shrink again, and their pink coloration becomes even deeper.
"Judging from the color and length of the Mandala Snake we just killed, it should have had over thirteen hundred years of cultivation. If it weren't for your help, I would probably have had to pay a price to kill it."
Of course, what Bei Bei did not mention was that if Huo Yuhao had not been there, he and Tang Ya could still have dealt with the Mandala Snake without too much difficulty. Otherwise, they would never have dared enter the Star Dou Forest so casually.
Listening to Bei Bei's explanation, Huo Yuhao learned something new.
"So Mandala Snakes are that amazing. Then if one reaches ten thousand years of cultivation, does it transform again?"
Bei Bei nodded.
"A ten-thousand-year Mandala Snake turns yellow. At that point, it becomes a truly terrifying existence. Even a level-fifty Soul King would not dare provoke one easily. At least a level-sixty Soul Emperor would be needed to guarantee victory."
"Little Junior Brother, while Xiao Ya is absorbing her soul ring, tell me more about your soul skill. What was that skill called? And how long can you maintain it? That's very important."
Huo Yuhao had already been warned by Tianmeng Iceworm not to reveal anything about him. After thinking for a moment, he replied,
"Senior Brother, that skill is called Spiritual Detection Sharing. You already experienced its range—it currently works within a diameter of about thirty meters. As my soul power increases, the range should grow as well.
"As for how long I can maintain it, I'm not sure. But it feels like the soul power consumption isn't very high."
"No way."
Bei Bei stared at him in shock.
"A skill with such an incredible effect, yet it consumes little soul power? Your Spirit Eyes martial soul seems far too powerful. And your soul ring came from a mere ten-year Wind Baboon. I really can't understand it.
"Soul masters on Douluo Continent have studied martial souls for over ten thousand years, but I've never read about anything like your situation. It's truly unbelievable."
Huo Yuhao lowered his head.
"I don't know why either."
After pondering for a moment, Bei Bei smiled.
"Little Junior Brother, there's no need to overthink it. Powerful soul skills are always a good thing. With this skill alone, countless soul masters would be willing to cooperate with you.
"But as a spiritual-attribute soul master, have you considered whether you want to follow the path of a support-type soul master or a control-type battle soul master?"
Huo Yuhao blinked.
"I don't know."
Bei Bei explained patiently,
"Choosing your cultivation path is extremely important. It affects your future soul ring choices and your overall development.
"Your spiritual attribute has only just gained its first soul ring, yet it has already displayed tremendous potential. If you focus only on support, I think that would be a waste.
"Although I don't know what spiritual skills you'll obtain in the future, I would rather see you become a control-type battle soul master and focus on spiritual control. If everything goes well, you might even become the core of a team someday."
"A team? Do soul masters have to work in teams?"
Huo Yuhao asked curiously.
Since childhood, he had always cultivated alone. Everything he knew had been learned through trial and error. No one had ever taught him anything.
Now that he had joined the Tang Sect, this Senior Brother in front of him was even more important than a teacher. In less than half a day, Bei Bei had already taught him many things.
Bei Bei nodded.
"The soul master profession has existed for countless years, but the team system only truly took shape ten thousand years ago under the guidance of the legendary founder of our Tang Sect.
"He and his companions were known as the Shrek Seven Monsters. Each of the seven possessed extraordinary abilities, but when they fought together, their combined power increased many times over.
"Since then, cooperation among soul masters has become an essential part of development. After all, individual strength is always limited.
"Take our cooperation just now as an example. Your support made the battle much easier for me. Xiao Ya and I also have our own methods of coordination.
"Generally, a soul master team has fewer than ten members. There are defense-type battle soul masters responsible for protection, assault-type battle soul masters responsible for offense, and control-type battle soul masters who command and control the battlefield. These three roles are usually the most important.
"Then there are support-type tool soul masters, food-system soul masters, agility-type soul masters, and others. Each plays a different role within the team."
Huo Yuhao suddenly understood.
"Then, Senior Brother, you're an assault-type battle soul master?"
Bei Bei smiled and nodded.
"My martial soul is the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. It's one of the stronger beast martial souls and excels at direct offense.
"As for Xiao Ya, her Blue Silver Grass martial soul makes her a control-type battle soul master, just like that legendary Tang Sect ancestor.
"If you become a control-type battle soul master as well, your spiritual control combined with her Blue Silver Grass would create dual control. With that alone, you could support a powerful soul master team even without a support-type tool soul master."
Huo Yuhao nodded seriously.
"Senior Brother, I'll listen to you. I'll work toward becoming a control-type battle soul master.
"It's just... my talent isn't very good. I cultivate very slowly..."
As he spoke, he lowered his head.
Compared to either Bei Bei or Tang Ya, he was already eleven years old and had only just obtained his first soul ring. His talent was clearly lacking.
Bei Bei gently rubbed his head.
"Talent is only part of success. You probably never had anyone guide your cultivation before, and you lacked a proper cultivation method.
"The fact that you reached this level through your own efforts is already remarkable. Besides, your martial soul itself is excellent and has enormous potential.
"So there's no need to belittle yourself. Instead of dwelling on it, spend that time cultivating.
"If you can break through level thirty before the age of twenty, then you'll have a chance to become a truly powerful soul master. Both Xiao Ya and I will do our best to help you."
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
Only gratitude remained on Huo Yuhao's face.
Bei Bei patted his shoulder warmly.
"Meeting you might be fortunate for Xiao Ya and me as well. Thanks to your help, her advancement problem was solved so quickly.
"Once she finishes absorbing the soul ring, we can return to the academy. This isn't a suitable place to cultivate.
"For now, review the cultivation method of the Xuantian Technique that I explained to you. Once we reach a safe place, you can begin practicing it."
"Yes."
Huo Yuhao answered respectfully.
Deep down, he already regarded Bei Bei more as a teacher than even Tang Ya.
"Oh, right, Little Junior Brother."
Bei Bei suddenly remembered something.
"Didn't you say you're not sure how long your soul skill can last? Why don't we test it?
"This is important for future teamwork and will also help you better understand your own abilities."
Under Bei Bei's suggestion, Huo Yuhao once again activated Spiritual Detection Sharing.
A faint golden light flickered in his eyes.
The three-dimensional image within a thirty-meter radius once again appeared in both his and Bei Bei's minds.
Spiritual Detection left no blind spots. Even the tiniest details could be clearly distinguished.
As Huo Yuhao experienced the mysteries of his soul skill, Bei Bei also carefully felt the benefits it provided.
The more he experienced it, the more astonished he became.
Spiritual Detection Sharing wasn't merely a detection skill—it felt as though he had gained a second brain.
Within thirty meters, every detail was revealed perfectly, without a single blind spot.
It was like having countless eyes observing from every angle.
And what shocked him even more came afterward.
Huo Yuhao looked completely relaxed while maintaining the skill.
There was no sign of exhaustion whatsoever.
Through Spiritual Detection Sharing, they could even perceive subtle changes occurring in Tang Ya's body as she fused with her soul ring.
Her figure seemed slightly taller and more graceful.
Her aura was growing stronger at an astonishing speed.
Her skin had become more radiant, and her vitality noticeably more vigorous.
In the blink of an eye, fifteen minutes passed.
Huo Yuhao's face had only become slightly pale.
Bei Bei secretly praised him.
With such a duration, the skill was already more than sufficient for combat.
Furthermore, Spiritual Detection wasn't useful only in battle.
Whether exploring dangerous areas or searching for soul beasts, it was an incredibly practical ability.
If its range truly expanded with cultivation, it could practically be called a divine skill.
Finally, after maintaining the skill for nearly half an hour, Huo Yuhao could endure no longer.
His body swayed.
The Spiritual Detection Sharing ended.
An intense stabbing pain erupted inside his brain, accompanied by severe dizziness that nearly caused him to collapse.
He hurriedly sat cross-legged and began meditating to recover his soul power and spiritual energy.
This was the first time Huo Yuhao had experienced the agony of spiritual exhaustion.
The sensation of his mind going completely blank was far from pleasant.
Bei Bei had been quietly observing him the entire time.
When he saw that Huo Yuhao didn't collapse after reaching his limit but instead forced himself into a meditation posture, a faint smile appeared on his face.
He nodded silently.
Compared to talent, he valued character more.
Without question, this Little Junior Brother had passed his test.
-------------------
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