"Martial souls converting soul power attributes? Soul rings also affecting the quality and properties of martial souls? Harmful soul power entering the body causing irreversible damage?"
"This paper states things that most high-level soul masters might have noticed, but no one has seriously studied or pointed them out."
"The majority of soul masters don't consider this an important issue."
"Especially concerning soul rings with toxic or evil attributes."
"These types of soul rings affect martial souls, which in turn influence soul masters. Either their martial soul quality declines, or they become corrupt."
Elder Wu Ning muttered to himself as he read the paper, his large hands trembling uncontrollably.
"Besides that, this soul master also pointed out what kinds of soul rings soul masters should absorb."
"Soul rings with incompatible attributes should not be absorbed. This means soul masters should ideally absorb only those with perfect compatibility."
"He even suggested the possibility of martial soul mutation."
Wu Ning had never considered martial soul evolution, but the possibility of mutation had indeed crossed his mind.
Because of the conclusions drawn in this paper, he immediately thought of his former useless colleague, Yu Xiaogang.
Wasn't Yu Xiaogang the perfect example of a trash martial soul ruined further by absorbing an incompatible soul ring, leading to a sharp decline in martial soul quality?
His martial soul could now only fart!
Wu Ning recalled that Yu Xiaogang's martial soul was originally highly unique.
Not only was it a rare detached martial soul, but it was also one of the few seen in decades.
And his martial soul was a mix of a pig and a dog.
Surely, no one would seriously think dog or pig martial souls were inherently weak, right?
Even at their worst, they were much stronger than Blue Silver Grass or a rabbit martial soul!
At the very least, Yu Xiaogang could have chosen a soul ring that granted a charging ability or enhanced his defense by covering his martial soul in mud—either of those would have been more useful than farting!
If not for the martial soul mutation making it even worse, Wu Ning could not fathom how, with the resources of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Xiaogang still failed to reach level 30.
Compared to martial soul evolution, martial soul mutations were far more common.
Or rather, given the vast population of the Douluo Continent, he could easily find numerous examples by simply checking the records in the Spirit Hall.
He didn't even need to search for cases—his colleagues and even himself were living examples!
Take himself, for example. His martial soul was originally just a simple abacus.
But after absorbing soul rings, his sensitivity to numbers increased, and the quality of his martial soul improved.
Initially, it was an ordinary wooden abacus. But now, it had a faint life force.
This happened after he absorbed a soul ring from a plant-type soul beast.
Not only did this greatly enhance his calculation abilities, but his abacus could also emit a special fragrance that helped teammates stay sharp and focused while researching martial soul theories.
Moreover, his martial soul was no longer just an ordinary wooden abacus—it had taken on a jade-like appearance, smooth and polished with a natural luster. Though the core was still wooden, the abacus now felt like a seamless whole.
With a single thought, he could make the abacus operate on its own, almost like having a second brain.
This transformation—Wu Ning wasn't sure if it qualified as evolution, but it was undoubtedly a positive mutation.
According to this "Xiao Yan" theory, if all the soul rings he absorbed had been of perfect compatibility, he might not have been stuck at level 69 now.
Wu Ning felt a pang of regret—his sixth soul ring was from a Twin Sunflower.
It granted him the ability to create a duplicate of his martial soul, greatly increasing his research capacity.
However, it did little to actually improve his martial soul itself.
"Xiao Zhang, keep an eye on things here for me. I need to submit this paper for the Pope's review."
Wu Ning had grasped the immense value of this research.
For ordinary soul masters with limited potential, this might not be of great importance—after all, they only got a few soul rings in their lifetime, and working together in groups was more beneficial.
But for the geniuses in Spirit Hall, their future development was of paramount importance.
Choosing the right offensive soul rings while also considering their long-term benefits to one's martial soul was critical.
Without delay, Wu Ning hurried toward the Pope's Palace.
Outside the Pope's Palace
Wu Ning was stopped by Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo.
"Elder Wu Ning, the Pope is resting. You may report later," Chrysanthemum Douluo said dismissively.
He looked at Wu Ning with clear disdain.
Though Wu Ning held the title of Elder in Spirit Hall, Chrysanthemum Douluo viewed him as nothing more than another Yu Xiaogang.
After all, both were weaklings—29 and 69 levels made no difference to someone like him.
"Chrysanthemum Douluo, I have discovered a paper that could revolutionize the soul master world. It concerns the future of Spirit Hall. Do you truly intend to stop me?"
Wu Ning's gaze held no trace of fear—he was confident in the significance of this research.
"You…"
Chrysanthemum Douluo's expression darkened.
He hadn't expected this mere Soul Emperor to defy him.
The next moment, he reached out to snatch the paper from Wu Ning's hands…
"Forget it, Yue Guan. Let him in."
A calm yet authoritative voice echoed from within the palace, immediately halting Chrysanthemum Douluo.
"Yes, Your Holiness."
Chrysanthemum Douluo rolled his eyes at Wu Ning in annoyance.
He then grabbed Wu Ning's arm and effortlessly threw him into the Pope's Palace.
As Wu Ning landed, Chrysanthemum Douluo smirked.
No matter how valuable this paper was, in the end, it wasn't his own work—he was merely a messenger.
Chrysanthemum Douluo was confident that the Pope wouldn't punish him over this.
Fortunately, Wu Ning wasn't bothered.
As a high-level Soul Emperor, such a throw meant nothing to him.
After dusting off his robes, Wu Ning stepped forward and respectfully raised the paper with both hands.
"Your Holiness, this is the paper I discovered. I believe it has the potential to reshape the soul master world."
He bowed deeply.
"Hmm."
Bibi Dong responded casually as she took the paper.
This Wu Ning's elder position had originally been created for Yu Xiaogang.
Otherwise, a man who had already left Spirit Hall would never have retained such a rank.
However, Bibi Dong still wished to see more martial soul researchers emerge within Spirit Hall.
Glancing at the title, she chuckled.
"This title is quite eye-catching. I thought it would be something more ordinary."
If it had a typical title, no one would have noticed the paper—it would have been dismissed as another attention-seeking joke.
After all, not everyone was like Dugu Bo, who was truly suffering from martial soul-related problems.
She began reading.
Wu Ning stood up and secretly glanced at Chrysanthemum Douluo, waiting for the moment he could prove him wrong.
The paper wasn't long—less than 1,200 words—so Bibi Dong finished it quickly.
Afterward, she remained silent for a long time, her eyes flickering with recollection.
This paper… and the whispers of the Rakshasa God…
She immediately thought of the sudden increase in her negative emotions.
And, of course, Yu Xiaogang.
"Wu Ning, Ghost, ensure that everyone who has read this paper is silenced."
She handed the paper to Chrysanthemum Douluo.
"Yue Guan, summon Nana. Have her read this."
"Also, reward Elder Wu Ning and his men—10,000 gold soul coins."