As for its function?

Its function is significant. The "snake" part of the Lotus Snake is incredibly fast, so fast that even the quickest reflexes in the world would be outshone by its sudden attacks. The snake's fangs also carry a neurotoxin. If bitten, the victim is doomed—the neurotoxin will erode the brain. The initial symptoms include dulling and numbing of the five senses, leading to a loss of bodily sensation, followed by the brain gradually halting its functions, effectively turning the victim into a "vegetable," or in simpler terms, causing "brain death."

This serves as Roselle's final line of defense. Being the last line, it's naturally designed to be the most ruthless. Between the life of the Ice Crystal Fish Mother and causing harm to intruders, Roselle would undoubtedly choose the former.

The Lotus Snake costs 300 points to acquire, a sum that, while painful, is far more acceptable than the newer "Beast" category offerings that start at a thousand points. After spending 500 points, Roselle's total points dropped to 3215, elevating the fish pond's defense to a significantly higher level.

Roselle was confident that even world-renowned assassins or mercenaries, if entering unprepared or without specific precautions, would be met with silent, unseen attacks and be taken down one by one.

As for his current point reserves, the Drunk Moon Vines, Lotus Snake, and Herculean Ants should be sufficient to prevent any unforeseen incidents. However, Roselle wasn't fully satisfied, as the Ice Crystal Fish Mother was too important to him. During subsequent days, he focused on enhancing the strength of his existing "guardian beasts."

He began by using God Energy Feeding to quickly raise the two Drunk Moon Vines and the Lotus Snake to maturity.

Then, he finally unlocked the Host Skills, which had been fully updated since upgrading to the level 2 system:

God Energy Enhancement: Uses a large amount of God Energy to enhance the physicality of pet beasts, making them stronger than their kind. Learning cost: 500 points.

God Energy Expansion: Expands a pet beast's potential, allowing it to break genetic bottlenecks and achieve further growth. Learning cost: 5000 points.

Wild Attribute Transplant: Transfers a wild talent from one pet beast to another permanently. Learning cost: 1000 points.

Wild Attribute Possession: Extracts a natural wild attribute ability from a pet beast and permanently assimilates it as one's own talent. Learning cost: 5000 points.

After the upgrade, the Host Skills had undergone significant changes. Four previously greyed-out skills were now available for learning. Their original learning requirement of a 15-point God Energy limit had vanished, leaving only the point cost for learning each skill.

Moreover, Roselle noticed two additional greyed-out Host Skills:

Wild Attribute Healing: Once the God Energy limit reaches 30 points, you will instinctively grasp the Healing skill, allowing the use of large amounts of God Energy to perform healing techniques.

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Learning requirement: 30-point God Energy limit.

Wild Attribute Duplication: Upon reaching a 30-point God Energy limit, you will instinctively comprehend the ability to split or host a part of your spirit into a pet beast.

Learning requirement: 30-point God Energy limit.

"My gosh, Healing and Duplication?" Upon fully understanding the two new Host Skills, Roselle was profoundly moved.

According to the descriptions, once his God Energy limit reached 30 points, he would naturally be able to master abilities akin to "self-healing" and "cloning" found in games. Furthermore, these skills would be inherently understood, not requiring costly point investments—what a sudden stroke of fortune.

Having gained extensive insights into the Pet Beast System over time, Roselle was no longer groping in the dark like he used to be. He understood that skills prefixed with "Wild Attribute" were often applicable only to pet beasts.

For example, Wild Attribute Healing suggested by its description that it wasn't limited to treating pet beasts but an automatically acquired skill upon reaching sufficient God Energy.

Similarly, Wild Attribute Duplication implied the ability to project part of one's will to create clones, either through possession or coexistence with a pet beast's consciousness.

"Damn, this is thrilling." The original 15-point God Energy limit's four Host Skills were already enticing, but the self-taught skills at the 30-point threshold were even more captivating.

After being tortured internally by the allure of the two grey skills, the intense passion slowly subsided in Roselle's heart.

"Though I'd love to possess these skills immediately, everything must be done step by step. Consolidating my current gains is the proper path," Roselle calmly resolved within.

He resisted the temptation to gaze at the self-taught skills, instead focusing on the unlearned "God Energy Enhancement" skill.

"Learn God Energy Enhancement," he instructed the system.

"500 points spent, God Energy Enhancement learned. You have mastered this Host Skill."

As the notification ended, Roselle felt a blue light explode in his mind, gradually absorbing new imprinted information on utilizing God Energy for the enhancement skill.

"God Energy Enhancement..." Wasting no time, Roselle directed this newfound skill toward the Lotus Snake in the fish pond.

With a swift motion, a golden flame seed appeared in his palm, which he cast onto the lotus leaf of the "Lotus Snake" floating on the water.

Unexpectedly, this action triggered another growth burst in the Lotus Snake, which should have only matured slowly over time.

Simultaneously, Roselle felt a void at his forehead, indicating that using the enhancement skill had entirely depleted his maximum 15 God Energy points.

This explained why the system initially mandated a 15-point God Energy limit for learning; even a slightly lesser amount wouldn't suffice for God Energy Enhancement.

The regrowth of the Lotus Snake didn't take long, about half an hour, before the carnivorous plant ceased its growth.

The formerly wheel-sized lotus leaf now expanded to the size of a small round table, with the lotus heart growing as thick as a large bowl, and the snake-like appendage beneath the water matching an adult's arm in thickness.

By visual comparison, it was clear the Lotus Snake's vitality had increased several-fold, accompanied by growth in all exhibited traits, including combat efficiency.

Despite lacking explicit data, Roselle couldn't precisely determine how much stronger the Lotus Snake had become. Still, with it in place, his hideout would be undoubtedly secure for the time being.

Roselle's only lingering concern was hoping that no foolish intruders tried to break in, lest they suffer a gruesome fate.