While Xiao Lin and Tang San were training as usual, the Martial Soul Hall published Xiao Lin's research paper in the Martial Soul Journal.
For a time, the common knowledge of the soul master world on the Douluo Continent was overturned.
"Hey, hey, hey! Did you read today's Martial Soul Journal?"
"That author named Xiao Yan claims that our soul power is absorbed by our martial soul and then converted into martial soul energy for us soul masters."
"Especially after absorbing a spirit ring, the influence becomes even stronger. He suggests that we shouldn't absorb too many poisonous attribute spirit rings."
"Yeah, yeah! I always wondered why I've been feeling more and more agitated lately. Turns out it's my martial soul's doing?"
"Heh, don't blame the martial soul for your own lack of self-control."
"Anyway, this Xiao Yan guy is basically saying we should absorb purer spirit rings and avoid too many mixed attributes, right?"
In a tavern in Heaven Dou City, a few low-level soul masters excitedly discussed the revelations.
Even though the new theory didn't immediately affect them, sooner or later, they would need to absorb new spirit rings.
And the idea that martial souls and spirit rings could convert their soul power gave them new methods to experiment with, perhaps even a way to increase their combat strength, just like Su Yuntao.
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect
Inside a massive, azure-green jade tower, Ning Fengzhi silently studied the Martial Soul Journal in his hands.
"Fengzhi, this Xiao Yan fellow is quite interesting."
Sword Douluo Chen Xin chuckled.
At their level of power, they had long understood that martial souls influenced a soul master's energy. This was no secret to them.
But looking at Xiao Yan's case studies—a Blue Silver Grass martial soul and some unknown type of wolf martial soul—it was obvious that Xiao Yan himself wasn't very strong.
This meant that he had relied purely on reading various books and conducting small-scale research to develop this theory.
A person who could extract a solid thesis from biographies—especially biographies that seemed more like jokes—was certainly no ordinary individual.
"This guy is indeed interesting. He seems highly skilled in theoretical research. He might even find a way for Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to evolve."
Bone Douluo Gu Rong stroked his beard, giving Xiao Yan a high evaluation.
In a world where hardly anyone engaged in academic research, someone was now publishing a groundbreaking new theory.
This change was no less significant than discovering a new continent.
Now, Gu Rong only hoped that this "Xiao Yan" would continue to publish more theories—lots more.
And not be like a certain so-called "Grandmaster," who published his useless Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls once and then went silent for decades.
"Uncle Gu, Uncle Jian, this Xiao Yan managed to find advantages in a 'trash' martial soul like Blue Silver Grass. That means he's highly observant."
"I think we should invite him to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
Ning Fengzhi saw through everything clearly.
In fact, the moment he received the Martial Soul Journal, he had already dispatched spies to track down the author, "Xiao Yan."
Heaven Dou Empire's Royal Palace
Xue Qinghe looked at the Martial Soul Journal in his hands, a faint smile curving his lips.
"Interesting. That person has made another move?"
Xue Qinghe—no, rather, Qian Renxue—had been playing the role of crown prince for years now. She had helped Emperor Xue Ye handle many state affairs and could naturally recognize the value of this Martial Soul Journal.
For years, even decades or centuries to come, soul masters who knew that their martial soul and spirit rings influenced their energy would be more cautious in choosing their spirit rings.
As a result, fewer soul masters would suffer from the adverse effects of martial soul or spirit ring backlash.
This, in turn, would make them more grateful to the Martial Soul Hall.
To Qian Renxue, this was clear proof that Bibi Dong was initiating the next phase of her grand plan.
"Elder Porcupinefish, please investigate this matter for me."
As soon as she finished speaking, a subtle ripple passed through the shadows of the chamber.
A second later, it was as if nothing had happened.
The Tragedy of Poison Douluo
"What?! Xin'er, it's my fault?"
In a mansion near the Heaven Dou Royal Palace, Dugu Bo clutched his head in disbelief, his fingers tearing out strands of green hair.
On the floor, a copy of the Martial Soul Journal lay in tatters.
He couldn't accept it. He refused to believe that he was the one who had caused his son, Dugu Xin's, death.
It was laughable.
He, Dugu Bo, a master of poison arts unrivaled in the world, a Title Douluo with the strongest area-of-effect attacks, had never considered this possibility.
He had absorbed too many poison-type spirit rings, so his soul power had long since become toxic.
That was why, even now, he was constantly suffering from the effects of the poison. Every time it rained, he was in agony…
According to the Martial Soul Journal, it was his own toxic soul power that had been passed down to Xin'er.
His poison was too potent. That's why Xin'er was born with such a deadly condition.
And how did he try to save him?
By using more poison!
Because he had reached Title Douluo level, he could barely suppress his own poison.
But Xin'er? He wasn't even a Soul Sage. He had no chance. He had died before he could even grow strong.
Even his granddaughter, Dugu Yan, had inherited some of the poison.
But because Dugu Xin's poison was weaker than his own, Dugu Yan's condition wasn't as severe.
That was the only reason she was still alive and could cultivate as a soul master.
Yet now, even though he had found a potential cure, he couldn't use it.
The only way to ease Yan Yan's suffering was to prevent her from absorbing any more poison-type spirit rings.
But if she stopped, then her martial soul would be useless.
Dugu Bo knew that if he forced her to give up poison-type spirit rings, she would end up resenting him.
Maybe I should try using purification-type spirit rings? At least it might make Yan Yan feel better.
At that moment, Dugu Bo was completely torn.
He had finally found a way to reduce Yan Yan's pain.
But he couldn't act on it.
It was her body that suffered…
And his heart that ached the most.
"No, no, no! I won't accept this!"
Dugu Bo frantically gathered the torn pieces of the Martial Soul Journal, his mind spiraling into madness.
He would find the author of this paper.
He would find "Xiao Yan" and his mentor, "Lin Dong."
"I will find you."
His eyes gleamed coldly.
"A Blue Silver Grass martial soul… Trash among trash. If someone with it can cultivate soul power, they must have at least innate rank two."
"If their rank is too low, they won't even be able to develop any real vitality."
"I just need to find a Blue Silver Grass soul master."
At Nuoding Academy
Inside a private office, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang read the Martial Soul Journal.
His expression was terrifyingly dark.
His bloodshot eyes bulged. His knuckles turned white from gripping the journal too tightly.
The veins on his hand throbbed with fury.
"Damn it! Damn it! Who the hell wrote this?!"
To others, this paper might seem like a general discussion of martial soul mutations.
But to him, it felt like someone was pointing at his nose and mocking him.
As if they were ridiculing him to his face.
Yu Xiaogang didn't even dare to imagine how the teachers and students at Nuoding Academy would look at him now.
He was supposed to be a "Grandmaster."
A supposed authority on martial soul theory…
And now, this?
(End of Chapter)