A Way to Resolve It, Yu Xiaogang's Advice

That crude kid really picked the worst possible moment to speak. Tang San had clearly been tempted, and a flicker of displeasure passed through Yu Xiaogang's eyes. However, when he heard Lin Manshan say that his Martial Soul might be a Mutated Martial Soul, interest stirred within him. Mutated Martial Souls were exceedingly rare. If Lin Manshan's Martial Soul truly was mutated, he would make a fine research subject. He could also take the opportunity to demonstrate his theoretical knowledge before Tang San.

With that in mind, he composed himself slightly, turned calmly toward Lin Manshan, and spoke in an indifferent tone.

"Oh? Then release your Martial Soul."

"Oh." Lin Manshan nodded, raised his right hand, and summoned his Martial Soul. A green Firewood Chopper appeared out of thin air.

"Is this rust?" Yu Xiaogang bent down for a careful look, then Stood Up and Slightly Nodded. "It is indeed a Martial Soul born from a beneficial mutation. The source of this Firewood Chopper Martial Soul's mutation should be the rust on its blade. Rust itself is not poisonous, but if it comes into contact with a wound, it can cause the wound to become infected. That is a fairly decent mutation trait."

"However, because the foundation of this trait is too weak, you could only awaken three levels of Innate Soul Power. If the mutation had been in its hardness, toughness, or sharpness, the quality of this Firewood Chopper Martial Soul might have been higher. You might even have awakened five levels or more of Innate Soul Power."

As if recalling something, Yu Xiaogang added, "Child, your Firewood Chopper Martial Soul can barely be considered an Assault-type Weapon Martial Soul. Its mutation trait is rust that can cause wounds to become infected. Therefore, I suggest that you hunt a Hardwood Plant Spirit Beast carrying toxins."

"After absorbing the Soul Ring produced by such a Spirit Beast, it can greatly increase your Martial Soul's hardness while also adding a certain degree of poison, fully bringing out rust's infectious properties. A Firewood Chopper is not a particularly powerful Weapon Martial Soul. Adding a Poison Attribute would conveniently make up for its lack of offensive power."

What fucking bullshit are you spouting? Are you blind? This is rust? And you want me to add a Plant-type Soul Ring? You really are treating me as an experiment to prove your theories. Lin Manshan cursed inwardly, but immediately nodded, putting on a respectful expression as he followed up, "Master, does that mean a Martial Soul mutates because one of its traits becomes especially prominent?"

This child is quite clever. He even knows how to draw inferences from one example. What a pity his Martial Soul's quality is simply too poor. If he had seven levels of Innate Soul Power, I might have considered taking him as a disciple to assist me in researching Spirit Master theory. Yu Xiaogang nodded. "Correct. Most Martial Soul mutations occur because a certain trait becomes exceptionally prominent."

"It may be that an additional trait has emerged. It may be that one of its original traits has been strengthened and become unusually prominent, making it more powerful than other Martial Souls of the same kind. Or perhaps a trait has undergone an abnormal transformation, such as a Thunder Attribute becoming a Fire attribute, or a Water Attribute becoming an ice attribute."

"Once such traits appear, it is obvious at a glance that they are more unique than similar Martial Souls. Take your Firewood Chopper Martial Soul, for example. The rust on it is plain to see and vastly different from an ordinary Firewood Chopper. Although traits can vary in many ways, generally speaking, Martial Soul mutations do indeed occur because a certain trait becomes particularly prominent."

Of course, it might also be prominently bad—turning a dragon body into a pig body, or thunder into farting. Yu Xiaogang could not help thinking of his own Martial Soul, Luo San Pao, and a trace of gloom flashed through his eyes. However, he had no intention of mentioning it now. After all, first impressions were important when meeting for the first time.

"Master, if that's the case, I think Xiao San's Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul might also be a Mutated Martial Soul. It's like the peppers planted in the village fields. They all look the same, but some taste sweet while others are especially spicy. Blue Silver Grass is everywhere in the mountains and looks ordinary, but I feel that its vitality is very tenacious. Whether people trample it to pieces or animals in the mountains eat it, it can grow again the following year. Perhaps Xiao San's Blue Silver Grass is a mutated variety with especially tenacious vitality."

Lin Manshan wore an expression of sudden realization and seemed very excited, but the next moment, he lowered his head.

He spoke softly, somewhat timidly.

"Master, Xiao San awakened his Martial Soul in the same room as me, and there were many other companions there at the time. None of us saw him awaken a second Martial Soul. So... he sh-should also have a Mutated Martial Soul, right?"

No second Martial Soul? Yu Xiaogang froze for a moment, then felt that what Lin Manshan said was indeed possible. The world was vast and full of strange things; there would always be one or two exceptions, just as only two Twin Martial Souls had appeared on the continent in centuries.

Besides, the information on Blue Silver Grass Martial Souls he had gathered over the years all came from commoners at Nuoding City Academy, along with the Spirit Master records he had read at Spirit Hall in the past.

Spirit Hall had recorded so much information, and he had not paid much attention to a trash Martial Soul like Blue Silver Grass at the time. Thus, he had not examined every record. Perhaps mutated Blue Silver Grass Martial Souls had appeared elsewhere on the continent.

But why had Tang San looked so shocked back then? Yu Xiaogang was filled with uncertainty.

It had to be said that Lin Manshan truly had the makings of someone who could research Spirit Master theory. What a pity his talent was too low; he was still not qualified for Yu Xiaogang's instruction. Glancing at Lin Manshan from the corner of his eye, Yu Xiaogang sighed inwardly again. There were countless examples of disciples surpassing their masters and leaving them behind. If Lin Manshan had outstanding talent and a chance to reach the realm of a Spirit Douluo or even a Titled Douluo, teaching him would at least bring honor to his name.

But with only three levels of Innate Soul Power, breaking through to Spirit King in this lifetime would likely be difficult. His influence would be limited, insufficient to prove and promote Yu Xiaogang's theories. Worse still, as a commoner, he might become greedy for power after achieving success and forget his master. He might even credit all his accomplishments to himself. If he got lucky and taught one or two talented disciples, then with the comparison, would it not become even harder for Yu Xiaogang to make a name for himself?

Even if I am to accept other disciples, I must first teach an outstanding one myself. Only then will I have an example to point to.

With that thought, Yu Xiaogang turned to look at Tang San again, trying to discern something from his expression.

Lin Manshan apparently does not believe that I have Twin Martial Souls, and the idea he derived from Master's theories is quite reasonable. It gives me a perfect excuse to conceal my Twin Martial Souls. I never expected that after this fool fell and became sharper, he would also display such a talent for learning. Tang San thought to himself. In truth, he was not particularly willing to kill Lin Manshan either.

In his previous life, he had been an orphan taken in by a sect. He often saw his own shadow in Lin Manshan. Moreover, Lin Manshan, like Old Jack, was a kindhearted man with a simple and benevolent nature. He had treated Tang San well in the village. Though they were not close in daily life, Lin Manshan would still smile and greet him whenever they met. Unlike the other children in the village, who would reveal looks of disgust whenever they saw him.

As for this man called Master, his theoretical knowledge is indeed extensive. It will be of great help to my early growth. I should test him a little more. Tang San thought, then raised his head and asked the question in his heart. "Master, can a Weapon Martial Soul also absorb Plant-type Soul Rings?"