Concentrated Explosion, One-Hit Kill

The group, having returned to the training room, sat gathered around a large table, discussing the recent soul battle with high spirits. Their voices rose and fell in a lively, bustling chorus.

"Big Sister, what's your take on the battle between Captain Chen and Boss Yu just now?"

Yu Feng suddenly interjected, turning to Dugu Yan with eyes full of clear, eager anticipation.

Dugu Yan glanced at him, then turned toward Chen Jieqi, who was deep in meditation with his fingertips lightly tapping the tabletop.

"It's best to ask Little Brother Xiao Qi about that. Ever since my Martial Soul evolved into the Single-Horned Golden Flood Dragon, my cultivation direction, soul ring combinations, and even my subsequent growth path have all been arranged by him."

Upon hearing this, the previously noisy air fell silent for half a second.

Yu Tianheng, Osler, Yu Feng, the Shi brothers, and even the usually aloof Ye Lingling were stunned, their gazes fixed squarely on Chen Jieqi.

In their understanding, Dugu Yan was already the strongest member of the team, yet she was now saying that everything about her was arranged by this boy who wasn't even twelve years old?

Seeing the "shocked and bewildered" expressions on everyone's faces, Dugu Yan chuckled and continued to lay her cards on the table.

"Everything I said before the soul battle was the truth. The reason I'm lazy is because Little Brother Xiao Qi has already planned everything out for me.

I just need to cultivate step by step."

She paused, her gaze resting gently on Chen Jieqi, her tone hiding a trace of subtle admiration.

"So, for an evaluation of this battle and guidance on how you all should improve, it's best to let your captain break it down.

As for me, well, like I said before, I'm just responsible for being beautiful."

Dugu Yan spread her hands with a lazy tone, her "lying flat" attitude causing the others to roll their eyes dramatically.

Everyone naturally ignored her boastful joke, their eyes burning as they stared at Chen Jieqi in the main seat, full of expectation and flattery, even carrying a hint of playful teasing.

"Captain~"

The tail end of the word was deliberately drawn out, soft and greasy. This oily call gave Dugu Yan goosebumps, and she couldn't help but raise a hand to rub her arm.

"Ew~... Alright, alright, stop being so mushy.

I've only just finished eating, and I'm about to throw up."

This remark made everyone burst into laughter.

As for Chen Jieqi, even with the experience of two lifetimes and decades of soul-deep wisdom, being hit by these syrupy calls still made his cheeks flush slightly.

He coughed twice to hide the embarrassment in his eyes.

"Since that's the case, I'll say a few words, and everyone can add to it and discuss."

He cleared his throat and, without further delay, spoke directly.

"After Yanyan's Martial Soul evolved into the Single-Horned Golden Flood Dragon, it became a Sub-Dragon Species with Earth Power.

In terms of quality, it belongs to the top-tier beast Martial Souls; while it might not compare to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, it isn't far behind.

Generally speaking, cultivating this kind of dragon-type Martial Soul as an assault type is the optimal solution. I believe Tianheng feels this most deeply, right?"

Chen Jieqi turned his gaze toward Yu Tianheng, his tone calm yet firm.

"Yes, Captain Chen!"

Yu Tianheng responded immediately, his eyes full of agreement.

"In our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family, besides those who awaken the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, there are many who awaken Mountain Dragon, sub-dragon, and other Martial Souls.

Basically, as long as it's a dragon-type Martial Soul, they all follow the assault-type path, without exception."

Chen Jieqi nodded slightly, then shifted the topic.

"Then are you curious why I let Yanyan continue with her previous control-type path instead of changing her to assault type?"

He paused, looking at Yu Tianheng with a hint of insight.

"And based on today's soul battle, you often spar with Yanyan, and you've already subconsciously started imitating her fighting style, haven't you?"

"Yes, Captain Chen!"

Yu Tianheng nodded respectfully, just about to ask further, when Chen Jieqi spoke first.

"The reason I let Yanyan continue on the control-type path is mainly due to two reasons."

His gaze swept over the group as he broke it down clearly.

"First, Yanyan's Jade Phosphor Serpent Martial Soul before the evolution was already on the control-type path. She is already familiar with the rhythm of control-type combat.

To rashly switch to assault type would not only require re-adapting to the combat process but would also waste a massive amount of cultivation time."

"Second, this is determined by the characteristics of the Single-Horned Golden Flood Dragon after evolution. The earth element attribute is consistent with the essence of the control type, whether it's for battlefield control or suppression."

He paused to let everyone digest this before looking at Dugu Yan.

"More importantly, after the Martial Soul evolved, Yanyan's first two soul skills became Earth Power and Elemental Simulation.

These two soul skills—one can strengthen earth-type power, and the other can simulate elements for various changes—are practically tailor-made for the control type.

As long as subsequent soul rings continue to strengthen attribute condensation and replenish soul power consumption, it will form a perfect control system. There is no need to abandon the fundamentals to switch to assault."

Chen Jieqi continued, his tone full of precise analysis of the Martial Soul's characteristics.

"The most important thing is that Yanyan doesn't have the weakness of a frail body like ordinary Control-type spirit masters, nor does she fear typical close-quarters combat."

"As a Sub-Dragon Species spirit, the Single-Horned Golden Flood Dragon possesses naturally high attack and defense. Subsequent spirit rings not only strengthen these attributes but also provide significant self-buffs."

"This ensures that Yanyan is no weaker than the average Assault-type or Defense-type spirit master."

He concluded finally:

"Therefore, even though Yanyan's spirit has evolved from a snake type into a Sub-Dragon Species, the reason I still have her continue down the path of a Control-type lies right here."

As soon as he finished speaking, the few people in the training room were left dumbfounded.

They had never imagined there were so many nuances to spirit development and path selection; even Dugu Yan herself revealed a look of sudden realization.

Yu Tianheng frowned, finally opening his mouth to ask his own question:

"Then, if I imitate Yanyan's combat style, wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse?"

Chen Jieqi looked at him, his gaze serious and firm.

"Yes!

The reason the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon holds the reputation of being the 'Number One Beast Spirit under Heaven' is precisely because of its tyrannical physique, the peerless power of its lightning attribute, and the secret technique of Dragon Transformation.

To fully utilize these advantages, one must engage in close-quarters combat; the Assault-type path is naturally the only choice."

"While the power of the lightning attribute is domineering, it requires concentrated release to reach its maximum potential. Therefore, explosive power after closing the distance is the core."

"Concentrated detonation, a single strike to kill!"

Chen Jieqi's voice was resonant and powerful, precisely piercing through to the essence of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.

"And by choosing to release from a distance like you did in the spirit duel just now, not only does it lead to a loss of power, but if you encounter a fast Agility-type spirit master or a flying spirit master, you might not even be able to land a hit. You would be wasting spirit power for nothing and putting yourself in a passive position, so saying you were putting the cart before the horse is not wrong at all."

"Thank you, Team Leader Chen."

After hearing these words, the tightly furrowed brows of Yu Tianheng completely relaxed. The confusion in his eyes vanished, replaced by a sudden sense of clarity. He thanked Chen Jieqi solemnly.

"Don't mention it, we are all one."

Chen Jieqi waved his hand, his tone calm.

"You might just be too anxious. As a sect with a long heritage, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family has long had a mature system for cultivating their own spirits, summarized by generations of ancestors."

"Especially for you and the White Tiger Clan of the Dai Clan in Xingluo, the choices for the first three spirit rings are basically impeccable."

"As for subsequent development, that depends on personal opportunity and choice."

"Isn't that right, Tianheng?"

Chen Jieqi calmly finished the last sentence, looking at Yu Tianheng with a gaze like a torch.

Yu Tianheng's heart jolted, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes. This was core confidential information of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family!

He took a deep breath, and Yu Tianheng nodded solemnly.

"Yes."

"Starting from the fourth spirit ring, because the age requirements become higher and lightning-attribute Sub-Dragon Species spirit beasts become increasingly rare, they simply cannot be farmed on a large scale."

"Therefore, the acquisition of subsequent spirit rings can only rely entirely on luck and opportunity."

"Indeed."

Chen Jieqi sighed softly.

"Every spirit master wants the most compatible top-tier spirit beasts, but as one's level rises, such opportunities are ultimately hard to come by."

He swept his gaze over the group, his tone carrying a hint of emotion.

"Those of us with family backing can at least obtain the best configuration of spirit rings. Looking at the entire Douluo Continent, many ordinary spirit masters have only the most basic white ring for their first spirit ring. The gap is more than just heaven and earth."

Everyone chimed in, one after another, sighing over the reality and helplessness of the spirit master world, yet it also made everyone understand more deeply:

The cruelty of the spirit master world—every increase in strength might be accompanied by a "river of blood"!

Watching everyone sigh, Yu Tianheng silently added in his heart:

"There is one more point that wasn't detailed: to maintain Dragon Transformation later on, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon requires sufficient dragon-type spirit beast bloodline."

"Although Team Leader Chen didn't mention this, he must be aware of it as well."

He took a deep breath, looked up at Chen Jieqi, his eyes full of earnestness.

"Team Leader Chen, then how should I further improve?"