"I have another martial soul as well."
Tang San had no way to refute anymore and could only reveal his secret. At this moment, he had already recognized Xiao Lin as the most knowledgeable person in Nuoding City, perhaps even the entire Fasinuo Province, when it came to martial souls.
At this point, Tang San had truly started to see Xiao Lin as an older brother, solely because Xiao Lin could guide him on the development of his martial soul.
Since no one else was around, Xiao Lin was still somewhat surprised by Tang San's actions and secretly halted the circulation of his soul power.
Looking at the miniature Clear Sky Hammer in Tang San's hand, Xiao Lin began to suspect that Tang San's future double standards might be due to people like Yu Xiaogang rather than himself.
Since that was the case, there was no need for him to summon his Coiling Dragon Staff in defense against Tang San.
Seeing Tang San's clear and sincere gaze, Xiao Lin smiled.
"Just as I expected."
In Tang San's eyes, that smile was filled with absolute confidence.
This only made Tang San admire Xiao Lin even more.
In this small village, someone had managed to achieve such profound understanding through self-study, possessing theoretical knowledge that might even surpass the most learned individuals in Fasinuo Province.
"Xiao San, you can put it away now. This is the Clear Sky Hammer, the number one Tool Martial Soul in the world."
The moment Xiao Lin said this, Tang San was completely stunned.
"Number one in the world? But aren't children supposed to inherit strong martial souls from their parents?"
If the Clear Sky Hammer was the strongest, then his Blue Silver... King should also be the strongest. Then who were his parents?
Tang San had always been curious about his mother. Now that he completely believed Xiao Lin's words, he kept this key clue in mind.
"If I'm not mistaken, Xiao San, your father, Uncle Tang Hao, must be the legendary Clear Sky Douluo, the strongest titled Douluo on the continent."
There was nothing wrong with Xiao Lin saying this. Based on all the information he had at the moment, this conclusion was entirely accurate.
After all, there was no way Xiao Lin could reveal things about Douluo Continent that almost no one knew.
"The strongest? Clear Sky Douluo?"
Tang San could tell that Xiao Lin was speaking the truth. But when he thought about how he used to struggle to even afford food and had no proper clothes to wear, he couldn't help but feel confused.
"If he's the strongest, then why am I like this?"
Tang San silently ridiculed in his heart, resolving to ask about this when he returned home.
"Xiao San, perhaps Uncle Tang Hao has his own difficulties."
Xiao Lin knew the real reason, but he wasn't in a position to say anything right now.
His goal was simple—to earn Tang San's admiration and, in turn, obtain the immortal herbs. He had to give Tang San a huge shock.
Of course, he couldn't make the shock too overwhelming, lest it put him in danger.
But looking at Tang San's clear yet naive gaze, Xiao Lin felt that his life was in no danger—at least for now.
With that in mind, Xiao Lin figured he should add another layer of security.
He needed to make Tang San admire him even more so that Tang Hao wouldn't develop any killing intent toward him.
"Xiao San, do you know the greatest advantage of having twin martial souls?"
As soon as Xiao Lin finished speaking, Tang San snapped back to reality and looked at him with eager eyes.
Seeing Xiao Lin's confident demeanor, Tang San immediately pleaded,
"Brother Xiao Lin, please tell me."
"Hmph, Xiao San, I like your attitude, but don't call me 'Xiao' anymore. Just call me Lin-ge, understand?"
Xiao Lin crossed his arms and spoke with slight dissatisfaction.
After making Tang San anxiously wait for two or three seconds, Xiao Lin finally began to explain the advantages of twin martial souls.
"Simply put, you can first add spirit rings to your Blue Silver King, and once you reach the Titled Douluo level, you can then add nine ten-thousand-year or even hundred-thousand-year spirit rings to your Clear Sky Hammer."
"Xiao San, do you understand what I mean? With this approach, you might become the strongest spirit master in history."
Xiao Lin's words left Tang San utterly shocked. The strongest spirit master?
No man could resist the allure of being the strongest.
Tang San was no exception.
Is that really possible?
"By the way, Xiao San, never reveal your Clear Sky Hammer in front of outsiders, or you'll be in great danger."
"Many people despise those who have things they don't and enjoy hunting down geniuses. You must hide it well."
Xiao Lin gave a serious warning, and Tang San solemnly nodded in response.
"Alright, Xiao San, let's part ways for today. I need to experiment with my martial soul. Since I was born with full innate spirit power, it's either a variation or something else—I have to figure it out."
After saying so much to Tang San, Xiao Lin was getting tired and planned to run home to test his Staff's abilities.
There were some things that Tang Hao would explain to Tang San anyway, so Xiao Lin didn't bother.
"Oh, one more thing."
Xiao Lin had only taken a few steps before turning back to remind Tang San.
"Xiao San, you can tell Uncle Tang Hao about your Blue Silver King or Blue Silver Emperor, but don't mention it to anyone else. Just say it mutated, and that will be enough."
"Got it, Lin-ge."
"Hmm~"
Hearing the way Tang San addressed him, Xiao Lin nodded in satisfaction and turned to head home.
Returning home, which was actually Old Jack's house, Xiao Lin impatiently summoned his martial soul.
Soon, a two-and-a-half-meter-long, bright silver staff appeared in Xiao Lin's right hand. He immediately felt a heavy weight—the Staff almost slipped from his grasp.
"Why is this happening? Why can Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer become a tiny hammer that fits his size, but mine is this big?"
Xiao Lin focused his mind, trying to control the Staff with his thoughts.
"Smaller, smaller..."
Soon, under Xiao Lin's mental control, the Staff shrank to a length of one meter, fitting perfectly in his grip.
The only problem was that it was still quite heavy.
"Two and a half meters long, weighing 100 kilograms—if it weren't my martial soul, I wouldn't even be able to lift it. This is definitely a top-tier Tool Martial Soul."
Xiao Lin carefully sensed the Staff's feedback and, after determining its size and weight, reached a conclusion.
His analysis was rough, but he was confident.
After all, even the Clear Sky Hammer, another top-tier Tool Martial Soul, couldn't possibly be heavier than the at rank ten.
At the very least, the Staff was definitely longer.
Moreover, metal staves were classified as blunt weapons, and their destructive power was in no way inferior to that of hammers.
With the added length of the Staff, Xiao Lin's basic attack range was even greater than that of the Clear Sky Hammer.
No matter how he looked at it, two and a half meters had an advantage over half a foot.
"But something doesn't feel right..."
Xiao Lin had learned in the Spirit Hall that summoning a Tool Martial Soul consumed a lot of spirit power.
It didn't just disappear when deactivated without any cost.
Yet he wasn't feeling any drain. Was it because he had more spirit power, or was it that the Staff didn't require any at all?
As he observed the faint silver glow on the Staff, Xiao Lin was puzzled.
Was this his cheat? His golden finger?
But before he could think further, the Staff suddenly revealed the answer to him.
Under Xiao Lin's astonished gaze, the silver soul power from the Staff flowed into his right hand. In an instant, his hand felt indestructible.
He threw a punch at the ground.
"Boom!"
A crater formed where his fist landed, but his right hand remained completely unharmed.
"Innate Tool Soul True Body!?"
Xiao Lin stared at the crater in shock, the only explanation he could come up with for this phenomenon.
And deep inside, he felt that the Coiling Dragon Staff's potential was far from being fully revealed.
Perhaps after absorbing spirit rings, he would truly understand its true power.
(End of Chapter)