Through Xiao Wu's explanation, Yu Yan learned a great deal of unrecorded knowledge about Spirit Beasts who transform into humans.
For instance, the energy source for a transformed Spirit Beast's self-condensed spirit ring is the Beast's own power, sealed within its body before taking human shape; this sealed energy is also why Titled Douluo or stronger can detect them.
As their Rank rises and they mature, the sealed energy is gradually used up. By the time they surpass Rank 60, they become fully human and undetectable.
Of course, after consuming the Yearning Heartbroken Red, Xiao Wu never had to worry about exposing her identity.
The only regret was that the secret art from the Cang Feng Secret Art that once masked a Spirit Beast's aura now only hid spirit ring color.
At the end of their talk, driven by curiosity, Yu Yan watched as Xiao Wu formed her Fourth Soul Skill in front of him.
Naturally, that skill was the famously broken defensive ability—Paragon Golden Body.
Three seconds of absolute defense below Divine Rank, double strength, plus one extra second per additional ten Levels; the invincibility and strength buffs share the same duration.
Since Teleportation grew stronger as its spirit ring aged, Paragon Golden Body would likely improve as well; faced with such a cheat-like skill, Yu Yan had no complaints.
Standing beside her, Yu Yan sensed a wondrous ripple emanating from the Supreme Moon Black Rabbit behind Xiao Wu. The energy wrapped around her, slowly shaping a transparent, colorless spirit ring.
A distinct Spirit Beast aura flowed out of Xiao Wu and infused the ring.
Under Yu Yan's gaze the colorless ring turned white, then yellow, then purple, and finally deep black.
'How many years is your fourth spirit ring?'
Watching Xiao Wu open her eyes, Yu Yan asked about the age of her fourth ring.
'Thirty-two-hundred-plus years. Paragon Golden Body grants nine seconds of absolute defense below Divine Rank, doubles my strength, and adds another second per ten Levels; the invincibility and strength durations match.'
To spare him further questions, Xiao Wu stated both the ring's age and the skill's exact effects.
After describing the effects, guessing Yu Yan might not know what Divine Rank meant, she added, 'Divine Rank is the realm above Titled Douluo; supposedly gods are immortal and possess vast power.'
Xiao Wu herself knew little about gods and could only share what little she had heard.
'I see—so you could even tank a hit from a level-99 super Douluo for ten seconds?'
Yu Yan actually knew far more about the divine realm than Xiao Wu, but he couldn't reveal it; logically, he shouldn't possess such knowledge.
'Exactly—impressive, right?'
Proudly pushing out her already-forming chest, Xiao Wu waited for praise.
'Amazing—no, outright invincible.'
Yu Yan offered the compliment promptly; in his personal ranking of spirit abilities, Paragon Golden Body sat at the very top.
'Of course it is.'
Xiao Wu was equally satisfied with her life-saving skill.
After chatting a while longer, she suddenly slapped her forehead. 'Oh right, Yu Yan, I have something for you too.'
'What is it?'
As he asked, Xiao Wu drew a crystal flower from her storage soul tool; dense life-energy pulsed from it.
Recognizing its features, Yu Yan exclaimed, 'void clarity jade core?'
'Mm. Since you know who I am, I'll be blunt: at the center of the Star Dou Great Forest there's a lake brimming with life-energy; void clarity jade core grows there. While you were bargaining with Dugu Bo, I slipped back and picked one for you.'
'Besides that, the lake holds plenty of other things, but I didn't recognize them, so I didn't bring anything else out.'
Seeing his surprise, Xiao Wu explained the herb's origin and mentioned other possible Immortal Herbs in the Lake of Life.
As one of the three great treasure lands on earth, it was only natural for the Lake of Life to host Immortal Herbs.
'When I was at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, I asked Dugu Bo for an herbal guidebook—have a look later.'
Hearing her list several herbs he'd never heard of, Yu Yan produced the Breaking Clan's pharmacopoeia and handed it to her.
'All right, I'll study it when I have time.'
Taking the book, Xiao Wu tucked it into the necklace storage soul tool at her throat.
With the important matters settled, the two drifted into lighter chatter.
For example, Exotic Beast Academy's performance in this year's All-Continent Elite Soul Master Tournament: they reached the finals but lost to Heaven Water Academy—neither better nor worse than usual, a middling result.
While leading the team, Vice Dean Jiang Jing ran into Balak Academy's leadership, who accused Exotic Beast of poaching their students; according to her, that spat was the only amusement she had during the finals.
Beyond that, Xiao Wu filled Yu Yan in on Geniuses from other academies: Spirit Hall's Golden Generation, Divine Wind Academy's Feng Xiaotian, Heaven Water Academy's Shui Binger—contestants in the next Tournament. Even if she didn't seek the news, it eventually reached her ears.
As they talked, a faint meow sounded and a black blur leapt into Yu Yan's arms.
'It's Dark Snow! Looks like you've grown stronger—have you reached a hundred-year Spirit Beast yet?'
Delighted to see Spirit Cat Wu Xue land in his lap, Yu Yan stroked its sleek fur.
'Of course not that fast; Dark Snow is thirty-five years old—already a quick growth rate.'
While he petted the cat, Xiao Wu stated Spirit Cat Wu Xue's exact age.
'Haha, I know—I'm just teasing.'
Hearing her earnest reply, Yu Yan laughed and from his Wishful Hundred Treasure Purse produced a cloud-petaled herb, waving it in front of Dark Snow's nose.
'Dark Snow, look what gift I brought you.'