Although shouting the move's name looked impressive, that kind of performance only worked against low-level spirit beasts.
After all, beasts over ten thousand years old possessed intelligence no less than humans.
The Mandala Snake, however, clearly wasn't one of them. A deep rumble burst from Beibei's body as his first and third spirit rings flared simultaneously.
In an instant, his entire body erupted in blazing blue-violet lightning. His already muscular right arm grew even larger, the scales spreading across his torso until his entire right side was armored.
His aura surged as his spirit power climbed to its peak.
A powerful suction force burst from Beibei's palm, pulling the wounded Mandala Snake toward him — its movement dulled by the conflicting toxins clogging its body.
A larger, denser lightning dragon claw formed around Beibei's arm, poised to crush its prey. Just as victory was within reach, Huo Yuhao shouted, "Brother Bei, watch its head!"
Beibei's face changed. He shifted aside while maintaining his output of spirit power.
In that instant, the bud on the snake's forehead burst open, firing a pink jet of blood straight toward him.
Thanks to Huo Yuhao's warning, it only grazed his shoulder before splattering onto the ground, where it hissed and sizzled as the soil corroded. Cold sweat dripped down Beibei's forehead.
If not for that warning, the fight could easily have turned against them. He'd relaxed too much, forgetting that the Mandala Snake, aside from its venomous fangs and fog, could sometimes mutate additional poison-based skills.
He'd let his guard down — a mistake that could've been fatal. It was a lesson every Spirit Master learned the hard way.
In battle, information was life. Between spirit masters, aside from overwhelming strength, true victory lay in the mastery of intelligence.
Knowing your opponent — predicting their moves, steering their behavior — meant seizing the rhythm of the fight itself.
Once an enemy was drawn into your tempo, abandoning their own strengths, the outcome was already set.
A fight that seemed fifty-fifty could, with enough preparation, become a guaranteed win — absolute, predetermined victory. That was the essence of true combat.
The Mandala Snake was now spent. Under the suction of Controlling Crane, Catching Dragon, Beibei's lightning dragon claw gripped its seven-inch vital spot and unleashed a surge of thunder. The beast convulsed violently before falling limp.
Tang Ya rushed forward. A half-foot blade appeared in her hand, which she drove straight into the serpent's eye, piercing its brain and ending its life.
A purple spirit ring rose from the corpse — a thousand-year ring.
Huo Yuhao dismissed his martial soul. That final dramatic turn had been intentional — he could've revealed the snake's weak point earlier, but he'd held back to demonstrate his value.
Victories gained too easily were rarely remembered; those snatched from danger left a lasting impression.
Beibei finally exhaled, lowering the corpse as Tang Ya began absorbing her ring. He tended to his minor injuries — though Huo Yuhao's alerts and the antidotes he'd taken had spared him the worst, the Mandala Snake's venom was fierce, and some residue lingered.
When the pressure eased, Beibei turned to Huo Yuhao with gratitude. "Little Brother Huo, this battle was won thanks to you. Without your warnings, I'd have been seriously injured by that snake's life venom at the end."
He smiled, still slightly winded. "That ability of yours... is it a spirit skill? You can perceive an opponent's movements?"
His tone was gentle but probing. "Don't worry, I'm not trying to pry into your secrets. I just think your talent is extraordinary."
"If you ever have the chance — even if you don't join the Tang Sect — you should come with us to Shrek City and try out for Shrek Academy. Only there can your gift truly shine."
Beibei spoke sincerely. Such a skill — one that could read the battlefield and predict enemy actions — was invaluable, especially in small-team duels or tournaments.
A single ally who could see through every move and offer solutions could change the course of any fight.
Huo Yuhao nodded. "I've been thinking about it too. Joining a sect feels too early, but I might try for Shrek Academy. The problem is... I don't have a city lord's recommendation letter."
"That's easy to fix." Beibei smiled. "Aside from city lords, Shrek City itself can issue recommendation letters — not by decree, but through merit. Pass the city's Spirit Master exam, and you'll earn one."
"The best part is that such a recommendation carries even greater weight inside the academy and can even reduce some fees. For you, that might be ideal."
"But, Little Brother Huo," he added, "your martial soul and skills are impressive, but you lack offensive abilities. You're a spiritual and support-type Spirit Master with weak physique — passing Shrek's test won't be easy."
Huo Yuhao understood the hidden message. Beibei was still trying to lure him toward the Tang Sect by tying it to Shrek's reputation.
Though Shrek accepted all types, it clearly favored power, speed, and control Spirit Masters. Support and food types were tolerated but rarely valued.
"I'll think about it, Brother Bei."
Beibei nodded, letting the matter rest. Instead, he began explaining the Mandala Snake's traits — its colors, levels, ecology, and potential spirit skills.
Huo Yuhao listened closely. Having lived as a servant in the White Tiger Duke's Mansion, the original Huo Yuhao's education in the Spirit Master world was sorely lacking.
He seized the chance to ask questions, revealing what he could without exposing too much. Beibei gladly answered, partly out of goodwill... and partly because convincing Huo Yuhao to join them was still their goal.
An hour passed before Tang Ya finally finished absorbing her third ring.
Her slow progress was due to her low physique and low martial soul quality. Also, the Blue Silver Grass and Mandala Snake weren't a natural match, requiring more time to harmonize.
Still, it was a long-standing Tang Sect tradition to absorb that very ring as the third.
As Huo Yuhao absorbed Beibei's lessons, he also came to grasp the brutal truth of this world — a place ruled by strength alone, where civilization rested on fists rather than law.
It was the nature of a realm long overseen by the gods — a world where the weak had no say.
"Beibei, I did it! What were you two talking about?" Tang Ya called happily. As her spirit power flared, two yellow and one purple ring rose around her.
Blue Silver Grass sprouted beneath her feet, now streaked with faint pink lines along its leaves — the mark of the Mandala Snake's essence.
Over generations, the Tang Sect's Blue Silver Grass had diverged from its original form, gaining unique affinities and enhancements through selective spirit ring choices.
The Mandala Snake, in particular, offered the best synergy for the sect's style.
Overjoyed, Tang Ya threw herself into Beibei's arms. Beibei laughed and caught her, while Huo Yuhao coughed lightly. "Brother Bei, Sister Tang... it's getting late. Shouldn't we leave?"
Tang Ya blushed, realizing she'd forgotten the "third wheel" entirely. She broke free and glared playfully at Beibei. "It's your fault!"
Beibei straightened, clearing his throat. "Huo's right. We've lingered too long. Even though this was the Mandala Snake's territory, other beasts might come by."
Tang Ya nodded. "Let's head back to where we first met Little Yuhao."
Suddenly, Huo Yuhao spoke up. "Wait — aren't we taking the snake's body? I heard spirit beast materials sell well in city markets."
Both Beibei and Tang Ya blinked. Beibei chuckled awkwardly. "You're right, but Mandala Snakes are highly poisonous. Their meat can't be eaten. The only valuable parts are the toxins — not worth much."
Huo Yuhao nearly choked. Of course these two wouldn't care about small profits — but he did! The original Huo Yuhao had left the White Tiger Mansion nearly penniless.
He was broke. Completely.
Sure, a Mandala Snake corpse wasn't worth a fortune, but it was still a thousand-year beast! At least respect its sacrifice!
Noticing Huo Yuhao's expression — and the borrowed clothes still on him — Beibei laughed awkwardly and quickly stored the corpse in his soul tool.
With that done, the trio headed back toward the forest's edge, arriving at the stream where they had first met before nightfall.
Beibei electrocuted a dozen fish with his lightning, and together they made dinner — grilled fish, with Huo Yuhao as the cook.
Thanks to his inherited memories and modern experience, he handled the meal perfectly, earning their praise.
Beibei and Tang Ya also brought out extra provisions from their storage tools — high-grade foods packed with energy.
Through the Eye of Truth, Huo Yuhao could see the dense energy within them, far beyond ordinary meals.
So this is the kind of resource Shrek cultivates its students with...
He understood the message — this was another subtle form of persuasion.
Still, they're right. My foundation is weak, and I'm broke. Joining the Tang Sect might be my best move for now.
As for Tang San... joining the sect doesn't mean I have to follow his plan. Gods are gods; mortals are mortals. Maybe one day I'll make the Tang Sect my own.
After all, the sect's only got Beibei and Tang Ya left anyway.
But I can't rush. I'll wait for the right moment. For now, I should organize my thoughts... and have a word with the Skydream Iceworm.
Finishing his meal, Huo Yuhao set down his half-eaten fish and said, "Brother Bei, Sister Tang, my spirit power and mental strength are pretty drained today. I'm exhausted — mind if I rest a while?"