Martial Soul

Biodata

Power Progression

The following developments are documented through Nan Zhuliu's Prison-Subduing Dragon; they are not a universal progression for every Martial Soul.

Classification

• Classification is not exhaustive: Wang Yan explains that additional branches have emerged, but their low numbers have prevented separate categories from being established for them 18.
• Attribute and category are distinct: The Prison-Subduing Dragon has a lightning attribute, while Spirit Eyes has a spiritual attribute 13 18.

Awakening and Mutation

Awakening Ceremony

• Nan Zhou performs Nan Zhuliu's awakening using six jet-black stones arranged in a hexagon, described as the most primitive and convenient method available on the Douluo Continent 1.
• Small households conduct awakenings when children reach the appropriate age; established clans and sects may hold ceremonies on fixed days each month 1.
• Soul Power is tested after awakening. Nan Zhuliu's result of ten is recognized as innate full Soul Power 2.

Inheritance and Mutation

• Martial Souls can be inherited, while mutation offers another route to exceptional quality. Nan Zhuliu's awakening produces a beneficial mutation rather than an ordinary lightning-dragon manifestation 1.
• Mutation is not necessarily beneficial: dragon-associated Martial Souls are generally powerful unless they suffer an irreversible negative mutation 26.
• Jiang Jingyan's lightning-attribute dragon Martial Soul evolved after she ate an unidentified spirit fruit while pregnant 1.
• A Beast Martial Soul awakening has an extremely small chance of altering its user's body permanently, leaving features associated with the Martial Soul 18 25.
• Nan Zhuliu's horns and scales predate his awakening. Although he publicly attributes them to an awakening mutation, his parents' account places their appearance at birth 1 16.

Second Awakening

• The Body Sect possesses a secret method with a high chance of giving Body Martial Soul users a second awakening 15.
• This process can greatly improve a Body Martial Soul's quality even when it is innately deficient. Nan Zhuliu recommends it to Huo Lingtong, but she has not undergone it in the supplied chapters 15.

Soul Rings and Soul Skills

Ring Acquisition

• Soul Rings can be obtained from slain Soul Beasts and absorbed through a Soul Power connection. Nan Zhuliu uses this method to absorb the Thunder Tiger's ring 5.
• Absorption can break cultivation bottlenecks and strengthen the user's body as well as grant a Soul Skill 5 6.
• Physical endurance matters when selecting a ring. Nan Zhuliu's strengthened constitution and thousand-year whale glue treatment support his attempt to absorb a thousand-year first ring 4 5.
• Skydream Iceworm provides an exceptional case by choosing Huo Lingtong as her host and becoming her million-year Soul Ring 13 14.

Skill Development and Limits

• Ring-granted Soul Skills are random. Soul Beast selection nevertheless allows users to pursue desirable attributes and likely applications 5.
• Offensive Soul Skills become stronger as Soul Power rises, but the originating ring's age limits their growth. Nan Zhuliu therefore prioritizes versatile enhancement and utility skills for his early rings 5.
• Powerful ring skills consume substantial Soul Power; a typical Soul Elder cannot sustain a thousand-year ring skill for long 10.
• Soul Masters can also create their own skills. Nan Zhuliu develops Dragon Transformation through meditation and later refines it by integrating a ring-granted ability 7 11.

Bloodline Interactions

Suppression

• Nan Zhuliu's Golden Dragon King bloodline suppresses Beast Martial Souls, hindering opponents even when their cultivation exceeds his 10 11.
• Bei Bei's Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon reacts with fear and an impulse to submit 14.
• Xu Sanshi reports a similar response from his Black Tortoise Martial Soul, while Wang Dong feels her Radiant Butterfly Goddess suppressed by the Prison-Subduing Dragon 25 29.
• Suppression does not guarantee an easy victory: two suppressed Soul Emperors still prove difficult for Nan Zhuliu to defeat 11.

Bloodline Abilities and Companion Weapons

• Bloodline abilities need not operate independently of a Martial Soul. Nan Zhuliu's Golden Dragon Claw requires Martial Soul possession, unlike the independent bloodline abilities he recalls from Tang Wulin 3.
• His Prison-Subduing Dragon Spear is an innate companion weapon, not a separate Martial Soul. It appears during awakening and can withdraw into his bloodline 1.
• External abilities can become dependent on Martial Soul manifestation: Nan Zhuliu's fused palm-bone skill only responds after he activates his Martial Soul and Golden Dragon Claw 17.

Study and Training

• Wang Yan specializes in Martial Soul theory. The rarity of Body Martial Souls makes Huo Lingtong his first practical encounter with one 18 19.
• Mu Jin teaches Martial Soul mutation, using Nan Zhuliu's dragon horns as a classroom example 25.
• Body Sect accepts only Soul Masters with Body Martial Souls and trains them using specialized methods 15.
• Shrek Academy considers unusual Martial Souls and useful skills when evaluating students: Huo Lingtong's Spirit Eyes and Spiritual Detection Sharing earn Wang Yan's recommendation for admission 19.