Soul Land: Xiao Yan Reincarnates as Huo Yuhao

Seeing Xiao Yan about to be swallowed by the Mandala Snake, Tang Ya's pupils contracted as two yellow spirit rings rose from her feet.

"First Spirit Skill, Blue Silver Bind!"

Without warning, thick strands of Blue Silver Grass sprang up from beneath the Mandala Snake, coiling around it tightly.

But in the next moment, a loud crack sounded as the Blue Silver Grass shattered into pieces, scattering like chaff. The Mandala Snake broke free and lunged again at Xiao Yan.

"Teacher!" Xiao Yan whispered urgently, but there was no response from Yao Lao. His face tensed as he gathered Dou Qi in his palm and blasted it toward the Mandala Snake. Using the recoil, he launched himself backward.

The Mandala Snake didn't relent, its body coiling and springing forward to continue the chase.

"Looks like I'll have to rely on a last resort. Let's see what a million-year-old spirit skill can do." Without Yao Lao's guidance, Xiao Yan had to act on his own. He channeled his soul power, focusing it into his Spirit Eyes. Instantly, his deep-blue eyes flashed with a faint golden glow.

"First Spirit Skill, Spiritual Detection!"

Suddenly, everything around him seemed to slow down. His perception sharpened, and every movement of the Mandala Snake became crystal clear. It was as if time had paused.

"This skill... it's overpowered."

"Too slow…" Xiao Yan murmured softly. He dodged past the Mandala Snake, his figure flickering behind it in an instant. "You thought you found an easy target? Wrong person."

A powerful force surged from behind the Mandala Snake as Xiao Yan shouted coldly.

"Eight Extremes Collapse!"

As the words rang out, Xiao Yan's fist tightened, and with a quick burst, he slammed it toward the snake's vital spot. The air crackled as his fist delivered a devastating blow to the snake's weak point, its seven-inch mark.

Boom! The dull echo of the strike reverberated through the forest, resonating for several seconds.

Without expression, Xiao Yan's fist struck the Mandala Snake squarely, sending it flying. The snake spat out pink blood, splattering everywhere, before crashing dozens of meters away.

With his new million-year spirit ring from the Iceworm, Xiao Yan's physical strength had been significantly enhanced. Otherwise, using Eight Extremes Collapse twice would have torn his arm muscles apart.

"This... this can't be real…" Bei Bei and Tang Ya stood rooted to the spot, staring in disbelief.

"One punch? It sent a thousand-year Mandala Snake flying? Xiao Yan just got his first spirit ring, and that attack… what was that skill? How is it so powerful?" Tang Ya gasped, covering her mouth in shock.

Bei Bei quickly pulled out a blade from his spirit tool and tossed it to Tang Ya. "Quick, Tang Ya, finish it off!"

Without hesitation, Tang Ya caught the blade and dashed toward the Mandala Snake, which lay helpless after Xiao Yan's devastating blow. A single strike from her blade ended the snake's life.

With Xiao Yan safe, Bei Bei finally relaxed, letting the electric aura around him fade. Meanwhile, a purple spirit ring rose from the Mandala Snake, swirling above it.

Tang Ya, eyes gleaming with excitement, turned to Xiao Yan. "Thank you, Xiao Yan! I was in need of a thousand-year spirit ring, and this Mandala Snake is perfect!"

"Bei Bei, guard me." With that, she sat beside the Mandala Snake, raising her right hand as a gentle blue glow enveloped it. The purple spirit ring descended toward her, merging with her body.

As Tang Ya concentrated on absorbing the ring, Bei Bei approached Xiao Yan with curiosity. "Xiao Yan, I didn't expect you to be able to knock a thousand-year Mandala Snake senseless with a single punch. Was that skill from the spirit ring you absorbed from the Wind Baboon?"

"It was just a stroke of luck," Xiao Yan replied with a smile, scratching his nose. "That wasn't a spirit skill. It's a special attack technique similar to a spirit skill."

Bei Bei raised an eyebrow. "A special attack technique? Is your spirit an attribute of mental power? Earlier, I sensed a strong wave of mental energy."

"Yeah, my spirit is the Spirit Eyes—a variant spirit with mental attributes," Xiao Yan confirmed.

"A Spirit Eyes body spirit?" Bei Bei looked surprised. "And you're still able to unleash such powerful physical attacks?"

Xiao Yan didn't want to reveal too much, so he replied, "I was lucky enough to be taught by a master. What I used just now is more like a self-created spirit skill, taught to me by him."

"Oh." Bei Bei nodded, sensing Xiao Yan's reluctance to share more and choosing not to press further.

Absorbing a thousand-year spirit ring took time. Bei Bei scattered some soul beast-repelling herbs around the area and began to stand guard. Thankfully, only a few ten-year and hundred-year beasts appeared, and Bei Bei easily warded them off.

After an unknown amount of time, Tang Ya finally completed her spirit ring absorption. She exhaled deeply, then opened her eyes, which sparkled with energy. Her entire aura felt rejuvenated.

"I did it!" she cheered, springing to her feet. Three spirit rings, two yellow and one purple, rose from her feet, with the purple ring of her thousand-year spirit ring shining prominently.

"Thank you, Xiao Yan! I only managed to absorb this thousand-year Mandala Snake's spirit ring thanks to you." Tang Ya grinned widely, giving Xiao Yan a warm hug.

"…" Bei Bei could only stand there, speechless, a bit exasperated by Tang Ya's enthusiasm.

Tang Ya finally released Xiao Yan and looked at him curiously. "Now that you've got your first spirit ring, do you have any plans, Xiao Yan? Any family waiting for you?"

Xiao Yan's eyes grew distant for a moment before he shook his head firmly. "No. It's just me now."

"That's great!" Tang Ya blurted out before realizing how it sounded.

Xiao Yan was momentarily stunned, a faint trace of displeasure flashing in his eyes. Bei Bei raised his hand to lightly smack Tang Ya's head, scolding, "What kind of thing is that to say?"

"Ow!" Tang Ya shot Bei Bei an annoyed look and quickly corrected herself. "I didn't mean it that way. I just thought… if you don't have any family around, maybe you could join the Tang Sect and come back to Shrek City with us."

"With your talents, Tang Sect could really use someone like you."

She turned back to Xiao Yan with a h

opeful expression. "What do you say, Xiao Yan? Would you consider joining our sect?"