Chapter 25: The black mandala snake is a bit strange

"The Hypnotic Luo Cannon!" The Luo San Pao leaped into action, and this time, their belly swelled several times larger than before.

"Boom!" The earth-shattering explosion rang out, and the noxious odor spread rapidly.

The plants in the vicinity visibly withered under the influence of this foul stench, while the Black Mandala Snake, affected by the hypnotic effect of the gas, moved more sluggishly.

"It's truly bizarre, why is there a Black Mandala Snake that's been lurking here of hundreds of years age?" Master pondered aloud. However, even though the snake's movements were slowed, he didn't dare to underestimate it.

Instead, he sprinted away alongside Qin Feng, as they both pursued the best escape route. Unfortunately, the dense, tangled jungle offered limited options.

Truth be told, the Master felt quite vexed at the moment. How had they encountered such a venomous creature as the Black Mandala Snake in this area? This region lay on the outskirts of the Hunted Beast Forest, where Soul Beasts typically reached a maximum age of around two hundred years. Yet, this Black Mandala Snake appeared to be over four hundred years old. It defied all logic.

"Teacher, how can you tell that this snake is over a hundred years old?" Qin Feng inquired.

Upon hearing the Master's words, Tang San expressed his surprise. The way their teacher seemed to discern a soul beast's age with ease piqued his curiosity. Was there a hidden secret behind it?

"Xiaosan, Xiaofeng, today I'll impart a theory: more bones, more skill; fewer bones, less legs—just run away! Here, 'ring' refers to the soul ring, and 'bone' refers to the soul bone. I'll elaborate on the specifics later. For now, understand that you can gauge a soul beast's age and combat prowess by its body length. This Mandala Snake is over four meters long, indicating it's around four hundred years old, far surpassing our combat abilities," the Master explained while they ran.

The Mandala Snake's speed was astonishing, making it seem as though it was flying.

"This snake is highly venomous. Stall it with three shots!" Master ordered Luo Sanqiong, who had been running faster than them.

The Luo San Pao turned around and jumped, and after consuming two radishes, emitted a noxious fart.

However, having learned from the previous encounter, a figure emerged swiftly from the black mist to confront them. The Luo San Pao, with their short arms and legs, were like prey caught by a fierce predator and were promptly bitten by the Black Mandala Snake.

"Come back!" Master shouted, and the Luo San Pao, bitten just moments ago, disappeared.

Seeing the Mamba Snake closing in on them at an alarming speed, Tang San quickly retrieved a few radishes from his soul guide and hurled them toward the snake.

"Nice strategy!" The Master observed Tang San with surprise.

"Eat this hammer!" Following Tang San's attack, Qin Feng seized the opportunity as the Mandala Snake was momentarily stunned and swung his hammer.

"Be careful!" Master yelled at Qin Feng.

As they sprinted forward, Qin Feng unexpectedly turned back.

"Brother Feng!" Tang San shouted in alarm, watching Qin Feng rush back toward the Mandala Snake. He was about to activate his Ziji Motong to capture the snake and join the battle when the Master, next to him, urgently stomped his foot.

In principle, confronting the Mandala Snake head-on was not something they dared to do. Yet, these two youngsters were boldly charging in.

Regrettably, his Luo San Pao wouldn't make it in time. After expending three attacks, there was hardly any power left for a fourth.

"I'll draw its attention; you use the sleeve arrow to hit its weak point at its seventh cervical scale," Qin Feng instructed Tang San as he rushed toward the snake.

Upon hearing this, Tang San's eyes gleamed with surprise. Brother Feng was thinking exactly what he had in mind.

Tang San executed the Ghost Trail technique, taking advantage of the Mandala's entanglement with Qin Feng. He aimed with his quiver and punctured the snake's throat.

"Well done!" Qin Feng applauded, looking at Tang San with relief.

In truth, Qin Feng could have defeated the Mandala Snake himself, but he wasn't particularly interested in its soul ring.

"Is it over?" Master arrived, his eyes reflecting amazement.

Two tenth-level children teaming up to defeat a 400-year-old soul beast, especially one as venomous as the Mandala Snake, might seem foolish to others. Even a thirty-first-grade Soul Lord would think twice.

The Mandala Snake's speed and toxicity made it a formidable adversary.

"Teacher, this snake seems a bit distracted, and it has vulnerabilities," Tang San remarked to the Master.

It appeared that the snake didn't view them as serious threats. Their brief encounter had made it evident that the snake had no intention of fighting and was attempting to flee in the direction of the teacher.

Because the snake hadn't taken them seriously, Tang San had been able to exploit its weaknesses. Otherwise, even with his Ziji Motong and Xuanyu hands, it would have required significant effort.

"Distracted?" The Master's eyes briefly displayed a puzzled expression. However, this expression vanished instantly with the appearance of the yellow soul ring.

"Xiaosan, the Mandala Snake's soul ring has emerged. This soul ring possesses exceptional defense and carries toxins. I believe it's the perfect choice for your Blue Silver Grass today!"

Master looked at Tang San, his usually calm face filled with excitement.

"Teacher, but I have a plant-based martial spirit. Can I really absorb the soul ring of this Mandala Snake?" Tang San expressed some hesitation.

"XIaosan, go ahead and absorb it. There's no record anywhere stating that a plant-based spirit cannot absorb a Mandala Snake's soul ring," the Master reassured him, while the faint soul ring began to fade. Qin Feng urged Tang San, emphasizing that if he didn't absorb the soul ring now, it might disappear.

"Yes, there's no documented limit to what spirit can absorb which soul ring. According to my research, even plants have the potential to absorb non-plant soul rings. No one in the world has attempted it, so it's considered taboo. Xiaosan, will you trust your teacher to test this theory?" The Master approached Tang San, squatting down to support his shoulder. His usually dim eyes now shone with an unprecedented light.

Over the years, many senior Soul Masters had ridiculed his research on martial spirits.

All theories should transition from the conceptual to the practical. The Master needed someone to help him put his theories into practice, and that someone was Tang San.

"Very well, I trust you, teacher," Tang San replied with a nod.

He then sat cross-legged and closed his eyes, entering a state of meditation. A yellow soul ring appeared above his head.

As he watched the soul ring slowly merge, the Master's eyes gleamed with anticipation.

"Why is Tang San's activity causing such a commotion? Why are these small soul beasts fleeing as if they're facing an enemy?" Qin Feng, puzzled, observed the distant scene.