"Secondly, the life force of Blue Silver Grass cannot be ignored; it must continuously increase until it becomes a heavenly treasure."
While many plants are edible, whether they taste good and whether they have any beneficial effects is what defines a true food-type martial soul. Otherwise, all plant-based martial souls could be considered food-type.
"Additionally, Blue Silver Grass should have some sort of fruit-bearing ability, or at least ensure that consuming it does not negatively impact the soul master's own abilities."
What Xiao Lin meant was that Blue Silver Grass should either regenerate quickly after being consumed or develop a skill that produces seeds. This was why its life force had to be extraordinarily strong.
"Regular food-type martial souls are typically summoned specifically to provide food. They do not have a core body, nor do they create separate entities for others to consume."
Unlike Tang San's Blue Silver Grass, which could be summoned for direct combat, food-type martial souls functioned in an entirely different way.
If Tang San wanted his Blue Silver Grass to have food-type abilities, it would likely mean he had to consume his own martial soul rather than the Blue Silver Grass he summoned.
This was the most fundamental principle of food-type martial souls.
If food-type soul masters could simply summon infinite food like Blue Silver Grass, they wouldn't be so rare and valuable.
Hearing this, Tang San nodded in agreement. Xiao Lin's reasoning was sound, not just baseless speculation.
"If that's the case, then choosing the thousand-year-old soul beast Pompom Cotton as my next soul ring should be a perfect fit."
Tang San thought for a moment and actually became excited.
This path of developing food-type abilities for Blue Silver Grass was not deviating from his original plan of strengthening its life force. If something went wrong, he could simply stop at any time.
Xiao Lin nodded. "Exactly. The soul rings I pick for you are foundational and low-risk."
Then, he raised three fingers. "Thirdly, if you want to become a food-type soul master, you need a soul chant. And I don't mean just saying something like 'Blue Silver Regeneration Bracelet' when using a skill."
"I've researched various food-type martial souls, and their masters must recite a soul chant to produce food."
"Perhaps high-level food-type soul masters don't need to say anything, but for lower-level ones, it's absolutely necessary."
"So, if you want Blue Silver Grass to have food-type abilities, one of your soul rings should require a soul chant to activate."
"Only then will your path to a food-type martial soul have a real chance of succeeding."
As soon as Xiao Lin finished speaking, Tang San furrowed his brows and tilted his head, deep in thought.
"A soul chant for my Blue Silver Grass?"
Tang San looked at Xiao Lin and asked in a soft voice.
It felt really strange to him—this concept of a "soul chant."
"Yes, something like that. In any case, this path could be extremely difficult, so we need to align with every standard of a food-type soul master as closely as possible."
Xiao Lin affirmed seriously. Martial soul research was never simple.
"If we choose a soul skill that doesn't require a soul chant to release food, or if the food simply appears like any other summoned entity, the effect will likely be significantly weaker."
Xiao Lin's rhetorical question made Tang San nod in agreement.
Soon, Tang San nodded again, signaling for Xiao Lin to continue.
"Finally, the most important aspect of a food-type martial soul: adaptability."
As soon as Xiao Lin mentioned this last point, Tang San's curiosity was piqued. Did food-type martial souls require adaptability?
"Food-type martial souls actually possess an extremely high degree of adaptability, second only to your Blue Silver Grass. So in reality, this last requirement isn't much of a challenge for you."
Xiao Lin waved his hand dismissively. Blue Silver Grass had arguably the strongest adaptability in all of Douluo Continent.
Its ability to absorb toxins and still evolve into the Blue Silver Emperor in the original timeline was proof of its remarkable tolerance.
"Really?"
Tang San, hearing that the most important requirement turned out to be something his martial soul already excelled at, decided not to question it further.
He was already well aware of Blue Silver Grass's adaptability.
Even in this scorching hot blacksmith workshop, a few strands of Blue Silver Grass had managed to grow stubbornly.
This resilience and vitality made Tang San wonder if his father's blacksmith shop would eventually become completely overrun by Blue Silver Grass.
"Xiao Lin, explain in more detail."
Suddenly, a deep and powerful voice reached Xiao Lin and Tang San's ears. Both turned around in curiosity.
A tall, muscular man in a black robe appeared before them.
"Uncle Hao?"
"Father!"
Xiao Lin and Tang San were both surprised.
They hadn't seen Tang Hao for days.
Xiao Lin had even assumed that Tang Hao had gone to look for Tang San's mother and wouldn't return until after Tang San graduated.
"Xiao Lin, explain the final condition for Blue Silver Grass to become a food-type martial soul."
Tang Hao's rough face, covered in stubble, showed clear interest.
As a Titled Douluo, he understood well how powerful food-type soul masters were.
And Tang San had the potential to become a Titled Douluo, or even an Extreme Douluo.
If Tang San's Blue Silver Grass gained food-type abilities, the Clear Sky Clan could instantly raise a formidable army, making their revenge against Spirit Hall much easier.
A food-type Titled Douluo—had such a thing ever appeared in Douluo Continent's history?
Tang Hao was intrigued and eager to hear all of Xiao Lin's theories. He needed to determine whether this path was worth pursuing for Tang San, or whether Tang San should fully transition to a food-type specialization.
"Alright then."
Xiao Lin shrugged, as if to say, Since you want to hear it, I'll explain.
"Food-type martial souls don't just have adaptability in terms of absorbing almost any soul ring; they can also acquire highly unique abilities."
"For example, if a food-type martial soul manifests as a bun, and the soul ring absorbed is from an animal-type soul beast, the bun could turn into a meat bun. If the soul ring comes from a Great Strength Vajra Bull, it might develop a strength-enhancing or defense-boosting effect."
"Alternatively, if the soul ring comes from a plant-type soul beast like Pompom Cotton, it might produce a healing bun."
"Finally, if a soul master absorbs the soul ring of a Mirage Beast, they might awaken a temporary mirror replication ability, which could duplicate any martial soul—whether it be the Clear Sky Hammer, the Evil Eye White Tiger, or the Netherworld Spirit Cat."
"In extreme cases, it might even replicate part of a Titled Douluo's power."
Xiao Lin's theory was inspired by what he had read and observed from the original story. He believed the possibility of success was high.
Hiss!
Both Tang Hao and Tang San gasped in shock.
Tang Hao fell silent. Tang San was stunned!
They were both shaken by Xiao Lin's final example.
A food-type martial soul could store food for days, even up to a month.
If Tang San could replicate a martial soul temporarily, wouldn't that be nearly equivalent to having it permanently?
Especially with the Mirage Beast's ability to copy martial souls—if Tang San acquired such a skill, he could potentially duplicate the Clear Sky Hammer and share it with others in the Clear Sky Clan.
Not every clan member was born with the Clear Sky Hammer, and the same applied to the four subsidiary families under their command.
Tang Hao was already contemplating whether he should reunite the four clans and have Tang San absorb the soul ring of a Mirage Beast.