Chapter 60: The Unfinished Theory, Porcupinefish Douluo's Sigh; Requesting Collection and Subscription
Recalling his grandfather's narrative, a guess gradually formed in Xue Qinghe's heart.
Could it be that before perceiving one's Spirit, there exists a stage of compatibility with it? If one isn't even compatible enough with their own Spirit, how can they talk about perceiving it or breaking through its limits?
The reason those Titled Douluo encounter Bottlenecks might be that their compatibility with their own Spirits is still insufficient.
However, the cultivation of a Titled Douluo was too far away for him after all. Xue Qinghe stopped focusing on it and turned to continue discussing Spirit cultivation topics with Tang Shan.
"Your master's research on Spirits is truly remarkable, to be able to explain the principles of Spirit cultivation in such a simple and easy-to-understand way."
Xue Qinghe looked at Tang Shan with admiration; ultimately, what she truly admired was the Grandmaster hidden behind Tang Shan.
"Your Highness, the mysteries of Spirit cultivation are profound and boundless. Teacher said he has only touched upon a fraction of it, and it's nothing to be complacent about."
Tang Shan picked up the cup in front of him and took a sip of water to moisten his throat, while also organizing his thoughts and subsequent words.
"What I'm going to talk about next is my master's research on the Beast Soul True Body. It contains many unorthodox views, so please be prepared, Your Highness."
Xue Qinghe was stunned and asked with a face full of astonishment, "The theory mentioned before... wasn't all of it?"
Tang Shan was also stunned and responded subconsciously, "Of course not. Before, I only introduced the basic understanding of Martial Soul True Bodys from me and my master; I haven't had time to talk about his real research results yet."
Xue Qinghe fell into silence. Had she underestimated the Grandmaster, or was the Grandmaster's research on Spirits far deeper than imagined? The exploration of Martial Soul True Bodys, which was already stunning enough in her eyes, was actually just basic understanding to the Grandmaster. This truly exceeded her expectations.
Xue Qinghe raised her teacup, her expression becoming solemn as she looked up at Tang Shan.
"Tang Shan, I hereby use tea instead of wine to apologize to your master. I underestimated your master's talent before."
After speaking, Xue Qinghe drained the tea in her cup. When she looked up, a complicated light flashed in her eyes.
'Sir, I have ultimately underestimated you.'
At this time, Tang Shan finally noticed something was wrong. It was just a misunderstanding that the theory was finished; why did this 'First Prince of Heaven Dou' need to apologize so solemnly? Could it be that the other party truly had a powerhouse related to the 'Grandmaster' hidden in the shadows?
"Your Highness, you are exceptionally respectful toward my teacher."
"That is only natural."
Xue Qinghe quietly calmed her emotions, and a smile reappeared on her face.
"Your master has cultivated two such outstanding Geniuses for my Heaven Dou Empire; how could I not be respectful?"
Xue Qinghe naturally didn't tell the truth. She couldn't tell Tang Shan that his teacher held a special position in her heart. If she said that, she was afraid Tang Shan would run away the next day.
"Your Highness, I haven't agreed to join your service yet?"
Tang Shan felt a bit helpless. Was this "Miss Angel" being too enthusiastic? Her desire to recruit him was too urgent; they hadn't been together long, and she had already categorized him into the Heaven Dou Empire's camp. Moreover, her attitude toward the Grandmaster clearly showed a bit of something special——
First, it was certain that the identity of the Disciple of the Grandmaster had basically been confirmed in her mind. But Tang Shan didn't believe that being the Grandmaster's disciple could have such a large influence. After all, the Grandmaster was ultimately just a theoretical researcher. Even if he was suspected of having profound cultivation, it wouldn't warrant such deliberate recruitment.
Thinking this way, Tang Shan gradually had an answer. It must be that the talent of his Body Martial Soul had left a deep impression on her, causing her to be so solemn toward the Grandmaster as well.
The two people sitting face to face both had thoughts churning in their minds, but on the surface, they remained calm, tacitly hiding their true thoughts.
"Your Highness, my master's research on the Beast Soul True Body is indeed very unorthodox. If you have doubts, just listen to it as casual conversation; there's no need to take it too seriously."
Tang Shan still gave a warning first. After all, what he was about to say could almost be considered a mockery of all top-tier Beast Spirit Spirit Masters.
But the more Tang Shan laid the groundwork like this, the more interested Xue Qinghe became. It was like some children; the more parents forbid them from doing something, the more they want to try it.
"My master believes that almost all Beast Spirit Spirit Masters' Martial Soul True Bodys are incomplete."
Tang Shan threw out the core conclusion first, making Xue Qinghe freeze involuntarily: What did he mean by almost all Beast Spirit Spirit Masters' Martial Soul True Bodys being incomplete? She could understand the literal meaning, but pondering it carefully made it feel baffling. Could there actually be a distinction between complete and incomplete Martial Soul True Bodys?
"In terms of the upper limit of performance, Tool Martial Soul True Bodys are higher. That's correct, right?"
Hearing Tang Shan's question, Xue Qinghe subconsciously nodded.
"Since they are both the seventh Spirit Ability, why is there such a clear gap between their upper limits? Is it possible that the Beast Soul True Body itself is incomplete?"
Xue Qinghe's brow furrowed slightly, and she answered hesitantly, "While you put it that way, isn't this claim a bit forced?"
"Although I don't know much about the details of cultivation, it shouldn't be said that the former is deficient just because the upper limit of the Beast Soul True Body isn't as good as the Tool Martial Soul True Body."
Tang Shan was in no hurry to refute but instead asked another question.
"Your Highness, what is the difference between Spirit Saints or even stronger Spirit Masters who use the Beast Soul True Body, while in their Martial Soul True Body state, compared to a real Spirit Beast?"
Hearing this question, Xue Qinghe's heart shook violently, and she blurted out four words: "No difference."
"No, there is still a difference. They don't have the pure combat instincts of a Spirit Beast, nor do they have the fighting experience accumulated by Spirit Beasts over long years. But my Big Brother does."
As he spoke, Tang Shan patted the shoulder of Su Yuntao beside him. At this moment, Su Yuntao was eating a spiritual fruit produced by a plant-type Spirit Beast of several decades. Being patted like this, he blinked his eyes and looked at the two of them with some confusion.
"You mean, a true Beast Spirit Saint, after activating their Martial Soul True Body, can completely transform into a Spirit Beast in a short time, even fully possessing its combat instincts?"
"Exactly. According to my teacher's speculation, once entering that Martial Soul True Body state, it will similarly consume Soul power just like a Tool Martial Soul True Body."
"Then how does one enter this special Martial Soul True Body state?"
Even if this theory sounded somewhat like a fantasy, Xue Qinghe still had a considerable foundation of trust. Her view on cultivation had already been overturned once, so she quickly grasped the main point and subconsciously fixed her gaze on Su Yuntao.
Clearly, Tang Shan's words just now had made it very plain: Su Yuntao possessed the potential to enter this so-called true Beast Soul True Body.
"In fact, every Beast Spirit Master possesses this potential; it just depends on whether it can be developed."
Seeing Xue Qinghe attracted by the theory he was narrating, the corners of Tang Shan's mouth curled up slightly.
"As long as it's a Beast Spirit, some Spirit Beast Bloodline will remain in the Spirit Master's body, and the Spirit also contains part of the ancestors' combat instincts. This can be seen from how the Spirit Master's grasp of combat timing and use of the beast-like body improve after activating the Beast Soul True Body."
"The important thing is never whether one has such potential, but whether it can be developed. As for exactly how to develop it, my teacher has no definite method. Even my Big Brother only achieved it through a lucky Opportunity."
Xue Qinghe closed her eyes and fell into deep thought. Tang Shan did not disturb her and waited quietly for her response.
Is this true Beast Soul True Body state he spoke of real or fake?
This question lingered in Xue Qinghe's heart, refusing to dissipate.
"Young Lord, that Grandmaster's theory should be correct."
Porcupinefish Douluo's complex voice sounded in Xue Qinghe's ear, communicating through voice transmission.
"Uncle Porcupinefish, how can you tell?"
Xue Qinghe still maintained her thoughtful appearance, responding calmly through voice transmission.
"Just now, the two of us recalled Su Yuntao's battle on the arena. When he fought those two Prince's Mansion Spirit Masters under you before, he entered a certain special state, which we both saw. Just now, I carefully deconstructed the details of his battle and discovered that Su Yuntao's subsequent combat rhythm and grasp of timing had reached an extremely terrifying level. Moreover, his behavioral habits were basically no different from a real Spirit Beast."
"Then how much of a boost to strength does this state provide?"
Porcupinefish Douluo sighed, his tone full of emotion: "Very strong. If I could fully master the combat experience and instincts corresponding to my Spirit, even with just my newly broken-through Rank 91 spirit power, I would be confident in challenging a Rank 93 Titled Douluo."
Xue Qinghe naturally understood why Porcupinefish Douluo sighed. After working so hard to Cultivate to the level of a Titled Douluo, only to be told in the end that one's Martial Soul True Body was incomplete—this was a huge blow to any top-tier Spirit Master. No wonder Tang Shan said this theory was unorthodox; this wasn't just unorthodox, it was practically pointing at the noses of all top-tier Beast Spirit Spirit Masters and saying: Your cultivation is all wrong, you're all missing a key part.
"Uncle Porcupinefish, don't worry. I'll ask Tang Shan later to see if there's any possibility of making up for this deficiency."
Xue Qinghe comforted Porcupinefish Douluo with a few transmissions, but her own heart became increasingly complicated.
Since Porcupinefish Douluo's cultivation had such a problem, what about Grandpa Golden Crocodile? Did the other Beast Spirit worshipers in the Hall of Worship have the same situation?
Even in a certain sense, her Seraphim Spirit could barely be classified as a type of Beast Spirit. Would her own cultivation also have problems in this area? Did that mean that her grandfather, who was a super Douluo, also had the same cultivation flaw?
Xue Qinghe reopened her eyes, her gaze returning to its usual calmness. She looked at Tang Shan with an incredibly serious expression.
"Your master truly deserves to be called a Prodigy. Such a perception-shattering theory is actually reasonable upon careful consideration. Such remarkable talent is simply unprecedented. Although there is currently no specific development method, I wonder if there is a general development direction?"
"If you are willing to tell me, Tang Shan, I am willing to give a thousand-year Spirit Bone as a thank-you gift."
Tang Shan hurriedly waved his hand and spoke sincerely, "Your Highness, there's no need for that. Anything I can tell you is something my master has allowed outsiders to know; there's no need for any concealment. As for the development direction, one does indeed exist: that is to imitate the daily behaviors and movements of the Spirit Beast corresponding to the Spirit, and then attempt to completely fuse the form of the Spirit Beast with oneself. If one's talent is sufficient and luck is on their side, they might have a chance to activate this special state."
Tang Shan paused and added another sentence: "It's called development, but it's actually more like having the Spirit Master and Spirit perform a Fusion of combat experience, so my master calls this state 'Martial Soul Fusion.' However, my master speculates that the higher the spirit power Rank of a Beast Spirit Master, the harder it is to enter this state. Because in his view, this state is the result of perfect compatibility between the Spirit Master and the Spirit. Many Beast Spirit Masters usually fight in a way that favors human combat styles. Over a long period, they have already polished away and silenced the Spirit Beast combat instincts and experience remaining in their Spirit and Bloodline through subtle, long-term influence."
PS: God Spirits are relatively special and will be explained later; they will not be on the same level as Beast Spirits.
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