The group had returned to the cultivation room and were now gathered around the large table, enthusiastically discussing the Soul Fighting match. Their voices rose and fell in a lively din.
"Boss, what did you think of the fight between Captain Chen and Boss Yu?"
Yu Feng suddenly chimed in, turning to Dugu Yan, his eyes full of earnest curiosity.
Dugu Yan glanced at him, then turned to Chen Jieqi, who was deep in thought, tapping his fingertips against the table.
"You'd better ask Xiao Qi about that. Ever since my Martial Soul evolved into a Single-Horned Golden Flood Dragon, I've let him decide everything: my cultivation path, my Soul Ring combinations, even how I should develop in the future."
At her words, the room fell silent for half a second.
Yu Tianheng, Osler, Yu Feng, the Shi Mo brothers, and even the usually aloof Ye Lingling all froze, their eyes turning in unison toward Chen Jieqi.
As far as they knew, Dugu Yan was already the strongest person on the team. And now she was saying that she let a boy who wasn't even twelve make all her decisions?
Seeing the shock and confusion on their faces, Dugu Yan chuckled and continued to lay it all out.
"What I said before the match was true. The reason I'm lazy is that Xiao Qi planned everything out for me long ago.
"All I have to do is follow the plan and cultivate."
She paused, her gaze softening as it settled on Chen Jieqi. Her voice held a hint of adoration she could barely conceal.
"So if you want an assessment of the fight, or advice on how to improve, you'd better have your captain break it down for you.
"As for me, I'll stick to what I said: my job is to look pretty."
Dugu Yan shrugged, her tone languid. Her laid-back attitude earned her several enormous eye rolls from those around her.
The others ignored her boastful joke and fixed their eager, hopeful gazes on Chen Jieqi at the head of the table. Their eyes even held a hint of mischief.
"Captain~"
They deliberately drew out the word in a syrupy, cloying chorus. Dugu Yan instantly broke out in goosebumps and rubbed her arms.
"Ugh... All right, all right, stop being so gross.
"I've only just eaten. You're about to make me throw it all up."
Her remark set everyone laughing.
As for Chen Jieqi, even with two lifetimes behind him and decades of life experience, those nauseating calls still brought a slight flush to his cheeks.
He cleared his throat twice, hiding his embarrassment.
"Since you put it that way, I'll say a few words. Everyone else can add their thoughts, and we can compare notes."
He cleared his throat and got straight to the point.
"After Yanyan's Martial Soul evolved into a Single-Horned Golden Flood Dragon, it became a Sub-Dragon Species Martial Soul with an earth attribute.
"In terms of quality, it's a top-tier Beast Martial Soul. It may not be as strong as the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, but it isn't far behind.
"Generally speaking, the best way to cultivate a dragon-type Martial Soul like this is as a Power Attack System Soul Master. Tian Heng, you should know that better than anyone, right?"
Chen Jieqi turned to Yu Tianheng, his tone calm but certain.
"That's right, Captain Chen!"
Yu Tianheng answered at once, his expression full of agreement.
"Besides those who awaken the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, plenty of people in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan awaken Mountain Dragon or other Sub-Dragon Species Martial Souls.
"Basically, anyone with a dragon-type Martial Soul follows the Power Attack System path. There are no exceptions."
Chen Jieqi gave a small nod, then changed the subject.
"Then are you wondering why I had Yanyan continue on her old Control System path instead of switching to the Power Attack System?"
He paused and looked at Yu Tianheng, his voice tinged with insight.
"And judging by today's match, you spar with Yanyan often and have already started unconsciously imitating her fighting style, haven't you?"
"That's right, Captain Chen!"
Yu Tianheng nodded respectfully and was about to ask more, but Chen Jieqi spoke first.
"There are two main reasons I had Yanyan continue on the Control System path."
He scanned the group and explained in a clear, orderly way.
"First, before her Martial Soul evolved, Yanyan's Jade Phosphor Snake Martial Soul already followed the Control System path. She's used to its fighting rhythm.
"If she switched to the Power Attack System without warning, she'd have to relearn how to fight, and it would cost her a great deal of cultivation time."
"Second, it comes down to the evolved Single-Horned Golden Flood Dragon's traits. Its earth element is suited to controlling and suppressing the battlefield, both of which are in keeping with the principles of the Control System."
He paused to let everyone take that in, then looked at Dugu Yan.
"More importantly, after her Martial Soul evolved, Yanyan's first two Soul Skills became [Earth Power] and [Elemental Simulation].
"One strengthens her earth attribute, while the other lets her simulate elements and create all kinds of changes. They're practically tailor-made for the Control System.
"As long as her later Soul Rings continue to refine and strengthen her attributes while making up for her Soul Power consumption, she'll have a complete control-based fighting style. There's no need to abandon what she's good at just to switch to the Power Attack System."
Chen Jieqi continued, his tone showing a precise understanding of the Martial Soul's traits.
"Most importantly, Yanyan doesn't have the weak physique that most Control System Soul Masters suffer from, and she isn't afraid of ordinary close combat."
"As a Sub-Dragon Species Martial Soul, the Single-Horned Golden Flood Dragon already has excellent offense and defense. Her later Soul Rings will strengthen her attributes while also providing plenty of physical enhancement.
"That'll make Yanyan no weaker than an ordinary Power Attack System or Defense System Soul Master."
He summed up his point.
"So even though Yanyan's Martial Soul evolved from a snake into a Sub-Dragon Species, that's why I still had her follow the Control System path."
The others in the cultivation room stared at him in astonishment.
They'd never imagined that Martial Soul development and choosing a path could involve so many intricacies. Even Dugu Yan looked enlightened.
Yu Tianheng frowned, then finally asked what was on his mind.
"Then was I putting the cart before the horse by imitating Yanzi's fighting style?"
Chen Jieqi looked at him, his expression stern and certain.
"Yes!
"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon is known as the 'world's number one Beast Martial Soul' because of its powerful physique, its devastating lightning attribute, and the Dragon Transformation secret technique.
"To bring out those strengths, you have to fight at close range. The Power Attack System is the clear choice."
"The lightning attribute is domineering, but it needs to be concentrated to reach its full potential. That's why close-range bursts are the key.
"Focus your power and strike to kill!"
Chen Jieqi's voice rang out, crisply driving home the essence of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.
"By choosing to attack from a distance like you did in the match, you let its power dissipate. And against a fast Agility Attack System Soul Master or a flying Soul Master, you might not even land a hit.
"You'd waste Soul Power and leave yourself at a disadvantage. So no, you weren't wrong to say you were putting the cart before the horse."
"Thank you, Captain Chen."
After hearing him out, the frown on Yu Tianheng's face finally relaxed. The confusion in his eyes vanished, replaced by sudden clarity. He thanked Chen Jieqi solemnly.
"No need to thank me. We're all on the same team."
Chen Jieqi waved a hand, his tone even.
"You may simply have been too eager. As one of the few established sects, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has had generations to study and refine its cultivation methods. You already have a mature system for cultivating your own Martial Soul.
"In particular, you and the White Tiger Clan of the Star Luo Dai Family have nearly flawless choices for your first three Soul Rings."
"As for what comes after that, it all depends on your luck and personal choices.
"Isn't that right, Tian Heng?"
Chen Jieqi calmly finished his point and looked sharply at Yu Tianheng.
Yu Tianheng's heart jolted, and surprise flashed through his eyes. This was core knowledge of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!
He drew a deep breath and nodded solemnly.
"That's right.
"Starting with the fourth Soul Ring, the age requirements increase, and lightning-attribute Sub-Dragon Species Soul Beasts become rarer. They can't be raised in large numbers.
"So getting later Soul Rings depends entirely on luck and opportunity."
"Exactly."
Chen Jieqi sighed softly.
"Every Soul Master wants a Soul Beast perfectly suited to them, but as they grow stronger, chances like that become few and far between."
He looked around the room, his voice tinged with emotion.
"Those of us with powerful clans can at least get the best possible Soul Rings. But across the whole Douluo Continent, many ordinary Soul Masters have to settle for the most basic white ring for their first Soul Ring. The gap between them is like heaven and earth."
One after another, the group lamented the harsh realities and helplessness of the Soul Master World. They were left with a deeper understanding of its cruelty: every step toward greater strength could mean rivers of blood.
As the others voiced their thoughts, Yu Tianheng silently added to himself,
There's one more thing he didn't mention. To maintain Dragon Transformation, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon needs a sufficient bloodline from dragon-type Soul Beasts. Captain Chen didn't bring it up, but he must know that too.
He took a deep breath, then looked up at Chen Jieqi, his eyes full of earnest hope.
"Captain Chen, how can I improve further?"