Debating Soul Master Theory: Tang San Had Too Many Useless Spirit Skills

A vein throbbed on Yu Xiaogang's forehead.

His hand, hidden in his sleeve, gripped tightly the Martial Soul Theory Handbook he never parted with.

The edges of the book pages hurt my palms.

But this pain is nothing compared to the suffocation in my heart and that stubborn refusal to admit defeat.

"The power of Soul Skill lies entirely in its Spirit Ring!"

He raised his voice, with an almost obstinate emphasis.

"Spirit Ring provide Spirit Power Amplification, which is what allows Soul Skill to undergo a qualitative change!"

"That... that's just a regular Blue Silver Grass you summoned. No matter how fancy you make it, no matter how exquisitely you control it, it's still just a mortal thing! How can it compare to the explosive power of a real Soul Skill?"

He stared intently at Lin Qingmo's face.

I wanted to find a clue in those overly calm eyes, even just the slightest hint of guilt.

If the other side wavers even slightly, he can seize the opportunity and pull this collapsing debate back onto his familiar track.

Lin Qingmo did not reply immediately.

He lowered his eyes, his fingertips gently brushing against the tender leaves of a newly sprouted Blue Silver Grass beside him.

Stimulated by his Soul Power, the leaf instantly rippled with a layer of moist green light, as if the vitality of the entire spring was condensed in its veins.

'Tsk, Gangzi's getting anxious.'

Lin Qingmo muttered to himself.

'They're starting to emphasize absolute power. And rightly so; for those who believe in data and theories, the most terrifying thing is the unquantifiable 'possibility.''

He raised his eyes and looked at Yu Xiaogang.

His eyes were clear, yet like stones after the rain, cold and hard.

"Yu Xiaogang, you're only half right."

His voice wasn't loud, but it silenced all the whispers around him.

"The boost from Spirit Ring is certainly important."

As Lin Qingmo spoke, he casually raised his hand.

A few emerald green Blue Silver Grass sprouted from the soil at Yu Xiaogang's feet with a "whoosh," so fast that they left only a fleeting afterimage.

They Entanglement nimbly, twisting into a flexible yet powerful rope of grass, which gently draped over a waist-high bluestone nearby.

Lin Qingmo simply clenched his fingers slightly.

Creak--!

A tooth-grinding sound rang out.

The hard bluestone surface was actually scratched by this seemingly soft and harmless straw rope, which created a fine, spiderweb-like crack!

The gravel and powder fell in a flurry.

"But the direction of the increase is the key."

Lin Qingmo released his grip.

The Blue Silver Grass silently retreated underground.

It was as if nothing had happened, leaving only the cracked stone as proof.

"What if the Blue Silver Grass absorbed each Spirit Ring not to imitate snake venom, spider webs, or some other random ability, but simply to continuously strengthen its most fundamental vitality and resilience as a 'plant'?"

His palms were facing upwards.

A particularly crystalline Blue Silver Grass slowly grew out and coiled in his hand.

A rich, invigorating aura of plant life permeated the air, even overpowering the lingering scents of the previous battle.

Lin Qingmo looked at the Blue Silver Grass in his hand, which seemed to have its own life rhythm.

"When its fundamental power is stacked up strong enough, do you think it's still necessary to specifically pursue the burst of power brought by a certain ' Soul Skill '?"

"It is both the strongest spear and the toughest shield."

He paused, then turned his sharpened words to Yu Xiaogang's core theory.

"Moreover, plant Spirit Ring paired with plant Martial Soul are from the same source, resulting in the highest efficiency in Soul Power conversion, and often with additional attribute synergy and amplification."

"This kind of advantage is something that even animal Spirit Ring that are forcibly combined across attributes can't match."

He tilted his head, his tone carrying an undisguised doubt.

"Yu Xiaogang, you've studied Martial Soul Theory for so many years, surely you haven't really overlooked this most basic issue of ' Attribute Affinity '?"

That's a very casual question.

But to Yu Xiaogang, it sounded like a heavy blow to the head.

"!!!"

His face turned ashen instantly.

His lips trembled, opening and closing.

He made a "hoarse" sound in his throat, but couldn't string together a complete sentence.

He involuntarily took half a step back, his back slamming heavily against the rough tree trunk.

My fingertips were icy cold and began to tremble slightly uncontrollably.

The Theory Manual that he treasured and had worn out seemed to have suddenly lost all weight and warmth.

Lin Qingmo had no intention of stopping there.

Anyone who participates in a debate knows that to maintain an advantage, you must not give your opponent any breathing room.

His gaze shifted and landed on Tang San, who had been silently meditating beside him.

Tang San lowered his head, obscuring his expression, but his clenched fists showed that he was not completely oblivious.

Let's not talk about me yet.

Lin Qingmo's lips curled into a smile.

Tang San, I wonder if you'll still be able to stay calm after hearing what I'm about to say.

"Take Tang San for example. Haven't you ever felt that his first and third Soul Skill are a bit redundant?"

"What's the meaning?"

Yu Xiaogang suddenly looked up.

"Look."

Lin Qingmo extended two fingers and bent them down one by one.

"First Spirit Skill: Entanglement. Third Spirit Skill: Spider Web Binding."

"The names are different, and the latter sounds more advanced, right? But frankly, aren't they all about using Blue Silver Grass to 'bind' the opponent and restrict their movements?"

"It's at most a difference between 'a rope' and 'a net,' going from 'entanglement' to 'cover,' the Binding area is a bit larger, and the activation might be a bit faster."

He bent down his second finger.

"But the Second Spirit Skill, ' Parasite '."

Lin Qingmo's eyes lit up slightly. "That's different."

"The seed attaches silently, bursts into growth at a critical moment, enabling precise internal control and a potential series of subsequent strikes."

"This is a qualitative leap in the functionality of Soul Skill, truly expanding the dimensions of Blue Silver Grass's application."

He withdrew his hand and concluded, "Therefore, of the three Spirit Ring slots, two gave ' Binding ' effects that were highly repetitive, and only one brought a new tactical possibility."

"The utilization rate of these Spirit Ring slots... Yu Xiaogang, do you think it's worth it?"

In fact, in the original novel, Tang San's Fourth Spirit Ability, the amazing Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring Soul Skill Earth Cave Spider, was also called the Blue Silver Cage, but its effect was just so-so.

Before Yu Xiaogang could react to this new, utilitarian perspective on "cost-effectiveness," Lin Qingmo's Soul Power fluctuated once again.

"It's the same Blue Silver Grass, but my path is much simpler."

Lin Qingmo's voice was crystal clear under the glow of his Spirit Ring.

"All the Spirit Ring serve only one purpose—to infinitely strengthen the Life Origin of the Blue Silver Grass itself."

"When the 'root' of Martial Soul is strong and robust, skills like ' Entanglement ' and ' Binding ' are not skills that require specific Spirit Ring to bestow; rather, they are things that can be done naturally once the martial soul becomes powerful."

"Just like a tree that grows up, it naturally provides shade, bears fruit, and attracts birds to build their nests."

"Does providing shade, bearing fruit, and attracting birds really require three different 'tree rings'?"

This metaphor is too straightforward and too vivid.

Oscar's eyes lit up, and he slapped his thigh.

"Yes!"

"Now that you mention it, Qingmo's line of thinking is the right one!"

"Spirit Ring and Soul Skill slots are so precious, it's such a waste to use them all for redundant construction!"

Xiao Wu nodded like a chick pecking at rice, pointing to the highly spiritual Blue Silver Grass in Lin Qingmo's hand.

"That's right!"

"A-Qing's grass looks so lively and fresh, you can use it however you want."

"Tang San's Blue Silver Grass is pretty useless; it seems like it can't move without those few Soul Skill."

Dai Mubai's brows remained tightly furrowed.

He crossed his arms, his gaze shifting back and forth between Lin Qingmo and the distraught Yu Xiaogang.

Clearly, this revolutionary debate is also challenging his preconceived notions.

Ma Hongjun scratched his head.

Look at this, then look at that.

Finally, she whispered, "I feel like Lin Qingmo's words make more sense, although the Grandmaster doesn't seem to be wrong either..."

"..."

Zhu Zhuqing remained silent, her cool eyes filled with contemplation.