"Little San, quickly absorb this soul ring!"
"This is a Golden Ringed Rattlesnake with about six hundred years of cultivation. According to my soul ring absorption limit theory, it's just below the limit for a second soul ring!"
After Tang Hao captured the "Golden Ringed Rattlesnake," Master Yu Xiaogang, with excitement, urged Tang San while handing him a sharp dagger from his storage soul guide.
"Got it, Master."
Taking the dagger, Tang San took a deep breath and approached the struggling Golden Ringed Rattlesnake, which Tang Hao had pinned down.
As he approached and observed the snake's head, Tang San aligned the dagger with the snake's eye.
However, just as he was about to stab the dagger into the snake's eye, Tang San noticed something odd.
"Master, is this a Golden Ringed Rattlesnake? I don't see any venomous fangs!"
After a careful examination and confirming the absence of venomous fangs, Tang San turned to Yu Xiaogang, his face showing concern.
"That's impossible! It has to be a Golden Ringed Rattlesnake!"
"Have you seen its tail? It's so damaged, it must have recently fought a fierce battle. It's possible its fangs were lost in that battle."
Having spent three fruitless days searching for a hundred-year-old venomous serpent soul beast, Yu Xiaogang, eager to test his soul beast mimicry theory, was impatient. He dismissed Tang San's doubts and continued urging him.
"Little San, trust me. I'm a soul theory master. Haven't you come to believe in my knowledge by now? You can trust me; I wouldn't harm you!"
Hearing Yu Xiaogang's words and seeing the nearly ruined tail of the snake, Tang Hao considered the explanation plausible.
It seemed indeed that the Golden Ringed Rattlesnake had lost its fangs and tail in battle. Given Yu Xiaogang's situation, it was unlikely he would harm Tang San intentionally.
Moreover, during the time Yu Xiaogang had been teaching Tang San, Tang Hao noticed that while Yu Xiaogang's theories had flaws, his knowledge of soul beasts, learned from the Spirit Hall, was accurate.
Though the Golden Ringed Rattlesnake was rare, Yu Xiaogang should have recognized it correctly.
"Little San, your master's theory should be correct. This Golden Ringed Rattlesnake likely lost its fangs and tail in a fight. Just go ahead and absorb its soul ring."
With both Yu Xiaogang and Tang Hao insisting, Tang San set aside his doubts and hesitantly drove the dagger into the snake's eye.
Using his special technique, the dagger pierced through the snake's eye and came out the other side.
With its brain damaged, the snake quickly died, though its body continued to wriggle due to its unique physiology.
Yet, golden light points began to scatter from the snake's body, forming the shape of a soul ring around it.
Following his experience with the previous soul ring, Tang San sat beside the Golden Ringed Rattlesnake.
Once the hundred-year soul ring solidified, Tang San summoned his Blue Silver Grass spirit and drew the soul ring towards it.
He began the absorption process.
As the sun set and the full moon rose, Lín Yǔ, watching from the shadows, quietly retreated to a safe spot and rested for the night.
The night passed quickly.
The next morning, as the sun rose in the east, Lín Yǔ woke up with the dawn.
After freshening up at a nearby stream, Lín Yǔ approached Tang San and his group, observing from the shadows with a touch of amusement, eager to see Tang San's reaction upon discovering the mistake in his soul beast.
He also wondered how Yu Xiaogang would react to the situation.
Observing closely, Lín Yǔ saw that Tang San was still sitting cross-legged, his Blue Silver Grass spirit summoned.
Under the influence of the second soul ring, numerous yellow tubes had grown within the Blue Silver Grass spirit.
Meanwhile, Tang Hao was meditating, and Yu Xiaogang, excited, had started a fire and was roasting some rabbits for breakfast.
Finally, with the second soul ring absorbed, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass spirit automatically retracted, and he opened his eyes with a burst of light.
Seeing Tang San awake, Yu Xiaogang eagerly approached, excitement clear on his face.
"Little San, how did it go? Was the absorption successful?"
"Yes, it was successful!"
Tang San nodded and summoned his Blue Silver Grass spirit again. Two yellow soul rings now surrounded him.
"Ha! I did it! My soul mimicry theory is indeed feasible!"
Seeing Tang San successfully absorb the soul ring from the "Golden Ringed Rattlesnake," Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but burst into joyful laughter, overwhelmed with excitement.
Yu Xiaogang's enthusiasm also caught Tang Hao's attention, causing him to open his eyes and come over.
"Little San, let's see your soul abilities!"
Yu Xiaogang, suppressing his excitement, urged Tang San.
"Alright, Master!"
Responding to Yu Xiaogang's request, Tang San nodded and turned, aiming his Blue Silver Grass spirit at a nearby small tree.
"Second soul skill, activate!"