“Ah, that’s right, Junior Brother. Didn’t you say you weren’t sure how long this skill could be maintained? Why don’t we give it a try now? This is very important for our future combat coordination, and it will also help you get used to your ability.”
As soon as Bei Bei finished speaking, Huo Yuhao immediately released his Spiritual Detection Sharing. His eyes flickered with a faint golden light, and images of everything happening within a ten-meter radius instantly appeared in his and Bei Bei’s minds.
Spiritual Detection could sweep anywhere, while Spiritual Sharing did not just help him detect, but was like giving him an extra brain to evaluate everything. Thus, everything happening within the ten-meter range was displayed clearly and distinctly, without a single blind spot. Having this skill was no different from having multiple extra eyes constantly and carefully observing every angle!
But the real surprise was yet to come. Huo Yuhao cast this Soul Skill with absolute ease, without the slightest hint of exhaustion. Thanks to Spiritual Detection, the two of them could even perceive some of the changes in Tang Ya’s body as she fused with her Soul Ring.
Tang Ya’s figure seemed to become even more perfect, her breathing grew steady, her blood qi was abundant, and her skin became even more lustrous.
A moment later, Huo Yuhao’s face grew only slightly pale.
Bei Bei secretly praised him in his heart. To be able to use Spiritual Detection for such a long time was already more than enough for combat. Furthermore, this Spiritual Detection could be used not only in battle but also for pathfinding and tracking soul beasts; it was truly a practical ability. If, as he said, the detection range could increase with his cultivation, then this was truly a god-like skill.
Over an hour later, Huo Yuhao finally could not hold on any longer. His body swayed as he withdrew the Spiritual Detection Sharing. At this moment, waves of pain shot through his brain, nearly causing him to collapse. He quickly sat cross-legged to meditate, recovering his Soul Power and Spiritual Power.
This was the first time Huo Yuhao had experienced the pain of spiritual exhaustion; this feeling of an empty mind was not comfortable at all.
Bei Bei observed his movements. Seeing that Huo Yuhao did not fall despite his exhaustion but immediately began to meditate, a faint smile appeared on his face as he nodded. He valued character over cultivation talent, and this little junior brother of his had passed one of his tests.
The time required to absorb a Thousand-Year Soul Ring was relatively long. Bei Bei took out some medicine that repelled soul beasts and scattered it around. The group’s luck was not too bad; while Tang Ya was cultivating, only a few Ten-Year and Hundred-Year Soul Beasts appeared, all of which were driven away by Bei Bei. They did not encounter any Thousand-Year Soul Beasts, making it a false alarm with no real danger.
“Ah…”
Tang Ya let out a long breath and slowly opened her eyes. A bright light flashed across them, her strength and vitality clearly having increased significantly.
In a Soul Master’s cultivation journey, rank thirty was a crucial threshold. Once crossed, one truly entered the realm of a Soul Elder, with an unpredictable future. Many Soul Masters, due to a lack of talent, could never break through this rank thirty barrier in their entire lives.
“I succeeded.”
Tang Ya cheered with excitement. Channeling her Soul Power, two yellow Soul Rings and one purple Soul Ring appeared before her. The most eye-catching was the purple Soul Ring, which radiated a noble aura. Tang Ya's strength had now reached a whole new level.
Bei Bei smiled. "Congratulations, Xiao Ya."
Tang Ya squealed with joy and threw her arms around him. "Thank you, Bei Bei."
Bei Bei held her close, a warm, affectionate smile gracing his face. "I told you I would help you. Your dream will definitely come true."
Resting against Bei Bei's chest, Tang Ya happened to catch sight of a pair of wide, staring eyes watching them. Suddenly remembering they weren't alone, she immediately pulled away from Bei Bei's embrace and looked at Huo Yuhao with a hint of embarrassment. "What are you looking at? Haven't you ever seen a teacher and disciple in love before?"
Huo Yuhao replied honestly, "I really haven't!"
Seeing Tang Ya and Bei Bei embrace, a flicker of admiration arose in his heart, though there was no jealousy. Eldest Senior Brother and Teacher Xiao Ya were truly a match made in heaven.
Bei Bei cleared his throat. "Alright, now that you've absorbed the Soul Ring, we should leave quickly. Lately, the number of Soul Masters meeting with disaster in the Great Star Dou Forest has been rising. There are likely quite a few Thousand-Year Soul Beasts around here, so it's best we leave early."
Tang Ya nodded. "Let's go."
Dusk was already falling, but staying overnight in the Great Star Dou Forest was not a good idea. Ignoring their fatigue, the three of them quickly made their way out.
Having recovered his energy, Huo Yuhao once again activated his Spiritual Detection Sharing to ensure the group's safety and actively avoid soul beasts.
After a while, they returned to the stream where they had roasted fish that morning. This place was dozens of miles away from the Great Star Dou Forest, so there was basically no danger left.
Huo Yuhao was once again pressed into service by Tang Ya as the designated fish-roasting chef, though this time, he wasn't the one catching them.
Bei Bei dipped his right hand into the water, and a flash of deep blue lightning appeared. Over a dozen fish were instantly shocked, floating belly-up, before he used Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon to pull them directly onto the shore.
Tang Ya also took out some vegetables from her Soul Tool, and the three of them enjoyed a hearty dinner together.
Tang Ya was in high spirits. After eating her fill, she leaned against the trunk of a large tree and fell asleep. Huo Yuhao, who had gained the most today, did not sleep. Fighting off his exhaustion, he asked Bei Bei to guide him in the cultivation method of the Mysterious Heaven Skill.
Bei Bei deeply admired Huo Yuhao's diligence. Draping his outer coat over Tang Ya, he explained some of the key concepts of the Mysterious Heaven Skill and then helped Huo Yuhao enter meditation.
The circulation pathway for cultivating the Mysterious Heaven Skill was far more complex than Huo Yuhao's usual meditation method. It involved over a dozen meridians, many of which Huo Yuhao had never even channeled his Soul Power through before.
To ensure that Huo Yuhao could cultivate safely, Bei Bei sat cross-legged behind him. Placing both hands on Huo Yuhao's back, right behind his heart, he channeled his own Soul Power to guide Huo Yuhao's Soul Power through its very first cycle.