Chapter 4: The Almighty Mandala Snake

"So strange, isn't this junior brother a bit too mature?"

Bei Bei observed Huo Yuhao walking ahead. Whether he was explaining the history of the Tang Sect, discussing its martial arts and hidden weapons, or even giving him a soul tool, Huo Yuhao remained calm and unsurprised.

Is this really how someone his age should act?

As for why Tang Ya and Huo Yuhao walked ahead while Bei Bei trailed behind, it was because Bei Bei had been the one explaining the martial arts and the Tang Sect's history, making Tang Ya feel overshadowed. In a huff, she clung to Huo Yuhao's arm and walked ahead.

There was no danger, though, as Huo Yuhao's spiritual detection was shared with them, allowing them to sense any movements nearby and preventing any sudden soul beast attacks.

The moment Bei Bei connected to the spiritual sharing, he was stunned by the power of the skill. Mental-type soul skills were rare, and this one could even be shared.

Bei Bei took a deep breath, looking at the two figures ahead with a somber expression. He kept reminding himself that Huo Yuhao was just a kid and his junior brother; it was fine, it was fine...

Huo Yuhao, feeling his arm almost going numb, also sensed Bei Bei's gloomy mood behind him. His charm was becoming a bit of a burden.

[The system has detected the host's thoughts. Initiating quest to win over and capture Tang Ya's affection.]

[Target: Tang Ya.]

[Success of the quest will yield substantial rewards.]

"Don't insult me, implying that I intended that."

Although Huo Yuhao wasn't a saint, having a pretty girl cling to his arm was indeed pleasant. His body just wasn't mature enough yet.

"It's all the system's fault, turning me into the villain."

[System: Understood!]

"Mandala Snake!"

With spiritual detection, any soul beast near them was instantly detected.

Though Huo Yuhao's martial soul had evolved into the Holy Light Spirit God, he retained all the abilities of the Spirit Eyes.

A peach-colored snake appeared before them, with a bud-like protrusion on its head.

"Great, it's a Mandala Snake! And it's a thousand-year soul beast!"

Through the shared spiritual link, Tang Ya also noticed the soul beast. It was perfect for her third soul ring.

"Be careful, leave this to me!"

Bei Bei, feeling frustrated after being overlooked by Tang Ya, saw this as an opportunity to prove himself and regain her attention. He also wanted to earn his junior brother's admiration.

He summoned his martial soul immediately. A blue light shone from his forehead, releasing blue lightning that flowed over his body. His right arm burst through his sleeve, covered in blue scales, transforming into a dragon claw.

Two yellow and one purple soul rings lit up, changing his aura from scholarly to fierce.

"First Soul Skill: Thunder Dragon Claw."

Though confident, Bei Bei remained vigilant. Despite being a Soul Elder with a superior martial soul, defeating the Mandala Snake was not guaranteed.

The blue-purple lightning formed a massive claw, crackling as it charged at the Mandala Snake.

"Hisss~"

The Mandala Snake opened its maw, spitting out a black tongue covered in soul power to meet the Thunder Dragon Claw.

"Boom!"

The moment the lightning claw touched the black tongue, it exploded.

"Little brother, get behind me. I'll protect you."

Tang Ya shielded Huo Yuhao, summoning a small blue grass in her hand with two yellow soul rings.

"…"

Huo Yuhao felt speechless seeing the fragile-looking Blue Silver Grass. Seriously, you're not even stronger than me.

[Battle Intent!](Guaranteed hit, self-defense boost)

Huo Yuhao's eyes glowed as he buffed himself.

While Bei Bei's lightning protected him from the Mandala Snake's poison gas, Huo Yuhao needed the same.

His soul rings didn't hinder his Holy Light Spirit God. In fact, using his previous Spirit Eyes abilities required soul rings, and the Holy Light Spirit God's skills would gradually unlock with increased soul power.

Bei Bei and the Mandala Snake fought intensely, continuously testing each other. Bei Bei's Thunder Dragon Claw seemed endless, relentlessly bombarding the Mandala Snake.

The Mandala Snake wasn't backing down either. Each attack released a pink poison mist, forcing Bei Bei to retreat.

Constantly using soul skills was draining Bei Bei.

"This can't go on! Second Soul Skill: Thunder Fury!"

Bei Bei's lightning instantly formed a massive net, trapping the Mandala Snake.

He planned to immobilize the snake and then use his third soul skill for a killing blow.

But the Mandala Snake was incredibly tenacious, releasing poison gas that corroded part of the lightning net.

It then used its body to break through the net.

"Not good!"

Bei Bei cursed. The Mandala Snake's tenacity exceeded his expectations.

"Now!"

[Holy Light Strike!](Additional fixed damage)

Huo Yuhao's eyes turned golden. He pulled out the White Tiger Dagger, infusing it with Holy Light.

The Mandala Snake's entire body was now exposed.

Despite the surrounding poison gas, Huo Yuhao's earlier buff protected him from fatal damage.

Seizing the moment, Huo Yuhao dashed like a beam of golden light, slashing the White Tiger Dagger at the snake's vital spot.

"Hisss~"

The Mandala Snake, initially prepared to escape, was caught off guard by the sneak attack. It was critically injured, losing all resistance and crashing heavily to the ground.

"Sister Tang Ya! Hurry!"

Huo Yuhao called out urgently. To obtain the soul ring, one must personally kill the soul beast.

"…Alright!"

Tang Ya, initially stunned by Huo Yuhao's sudden attack and swift kill, quickly composed herself. She rushed to the Mandala Snake, ending its life with a throwing knife.

As the Mandala Snake died, a purple soul ring formed above its head.

"Guard me. This is my third soul ring."

Tang Ya was ecstatic. After searching for so long, she finally found the perfect soul beast.

Ignoring why Huo Yuhao could kill the Mandala Snake in one strike, she quickly sat down, summoned her Blue Silver Grass, and began absorbing the soul ring.

"Junior brother, you're not simple!"

As Tang Ya began absorbing the soul ring, Bei Bei looked at Huo Yuhao with a wary expression.

The dagger Huo Yuhao used seemed to be a soul tool, and it wasn't an ordinary one. An ordinary person couldn't possess such a weapon.

Even with a soul tool, a newly advanced soul master with a hundred-year soul ring couldn't break through a thousand-year Mandala Snake's scales, let alone kill it in one strike.

"I'm just an ordinary person, Senior Brother Bei Bei. It's thanks to you injuring the Mandala Snake that I could finish it off."

Huo Yuhao smiled faintly, calmly meeting Bei Bei's gaze.

***

T/N:- This..Bei Bei guys really wants to become the third wheel annoying guy and die under the hands of the protagonist.

Sigh* Please purify this poor soul, Jesus for he has sinned and thy is the almighty being of purity.

(The fck is this cringe.)