"You might feel in your hearts that the Agility Attack System is relatively weak. After all, their offensive power isn't necessarily stronger than the Power Attack System, and their defense is significantly lower."
"As for speed, the explosive power of a Power Attack System soul master is often quite formidable; unless their Martial Soul is naturally slow, their speed isn't actually a disadvantage when they burst with strength."
Xu Lin continued, "However, if you think that way, you are mistaken. While it's true that Agility Attack System soul masters generally have less raw strength, their offensive power relies more on the synergy between their Martial Soul and soul skills rather than winning through brute force."
"The hallmark of the Agility Attack System is the mutual cooperation of high attack and high speed. For an Agility Attack System soul master, missing either speed or attack is unacceptable."
"Without speed, you become a weakened version of a Power Attack System soul master, and the flaw of weak defense is magnified. Without attack—if you have only speed—the enemy might not be able to hit you, but you pose no threat or influence to them."
"You will simply be ignored. Moreover, a true Agility Attack System soul master can do everything a 'speed-only' soul master can do."
Returning to the podium, Xu Lin saw that the students below were listening intently, with some occasionally frowning in deep thought.
She was satisfied; she had finally piqued the interest of these little fellows.
"Therefore, the upper limit of the Agility Attack System isn't lower than the other three."
"It's just that the lower limit is much lower—or rather, becoming a qualified or powerful Agility Attack System soul master is much more difficult than the Power Attack or Defense Systems. It's no easier than the Control System."
"Now, let's talk about the Control System and the Defense System. If the Power Attack and Agility Attack Systems emphasize offense and pursuing the defeat of the opponent, the Control System pursues controlling or restricting the enemy."
"Control System soul masters generally do not excel at direct attack; most of their soul skills are used to restrain the enemy, with very few dedicated to pure damage. But this does not mean the Control System is weak."
"On the contrary, the Control System is very troublesome. Among the four directions, the combat style of a Control System soul master is the most complex. To defeat a Control System soul master is a very difficult task unless there is a massive gap in strength."
"The Defense System, as the name implies, also does not excel at offense. They specialize in defense—direct, straightforward defense against enemy attacks to protect themselves or their companions. Most Defense System soul masters also possess great strength."
Looking at the expressions of the students, Xu Lin felt motivated to continue. She asked the class, "These are the four major cultivation directions for Battle Soul Masters. Does anyone have any questions?"
Hearing this, Ling Xiao immediately raised his hand.
If he were truly a six-year-old child, his personality would likely prevent him from speaking up.
But with his adult mind, raising his hand was effortless. He did indeed have questions; listening to Xu Lin's introduction and connecting it to his knowledge of the Douluo Continent, several thoughts had surfaced.
Seeing a student actually raise their hand, Xu Lin was delighted. Such cooperation prevented the scene from becoming awkward. She said happily, "This student, what is your name, and what question would you like to ask the teacher?"
"My name is Ling Xiao. I do have a question. If a soul master truly follows one of these four directions, won't their abilities become very one-dimensional? Won't they be easily countered by one another?" Ling Xiao asked with a serious face.
"Hehe." Xu Lin looked at Ling Xiao—a small child with such a serious, solemn expression.
The contrast made her chuckle.
However, she quickly stopped. She hadn't expected the child to raise such an insightful point. She needed to explain this thoroughly.
"Mn, Student Ling Xiao has a very sharp eye. You are correct that after successfully cultivating in one of these four directions, one's abilities will appear somewhat singular," Xu Lin nodded.
"The reality is indeed thus. In these four directions, the Power Attack System allows a soul master to have extreme offense and frontal combat power, but because of the extreme pursuit of damage, they have almost no active defensive or control abilities."
"Even if they do, it's usually only one or two skills. Their speed is fast in short bursts of power, but it cannot be maintained for long. The Agility Attack System lacks strength and defense. Because of their poor defense, they are easily heavily injured if hit by a powerful attack."
"The Control System can restrict and trap the enemy, but they lack sufficient finishing power, often resulting in trapping without killing. The Defense System has incredible defense but is generally slow, with very singular attack methods."
"These four directions do have weaknesses, but!"
After listing the flaws, Xu Lin spoke solemnly.
"But these weaknesses only manifest because we are emphasizing the strengths of these directions. Students, we cannot look only at the flaws and ignore the virtues. Perfection is nearly impossible. The strongest soul master clan in our Spirit Hall is the Angel Clan."
"Their inherited Seraphim Martial Soul is revered as the number one Martial Soul in the world; rumors say its Innate Soul Power can reach Rank 20. This Martial Soul performs excellently in all aspects without any weaknesses and can develop in any direction."
"But even with such a Martial Soul, it is impossible to perfectly balance every single aspect."
"Because according to our soul master cultivation system, the most fundamental aspect is absorbing soul rings to gain soul skills. From one ring to nine rings, the added soul rings become stronger and stronger."
"The difference in effect between an initial Hundred Year soul ring and a final Ten Thousand Year or even One Hundred Thousand Year soul ring is massive. Under such a premise, regardless of how you plan your cultivation, the further you go, the stronger the specific attributes added by the rings become."
"It is simply impossible to reach an equally outstanding level in every single area. Moreover, not every Martial Soul is a comprehensive type. Some are naturally suited for one direction and clearly unsuited for another. Can you imagine an elephant-type Martial Soul master excelling at speed?"
Seeing Ling Xiao lost in thought, Xu Lin continued, "By following these four directions, reaching the pinnacle of one specific area makes you a powerhouse. And even that is not easily achieved! You shouldn't be too greedy."
"Furthermore, soul masters have other means to compensate for their weaknesses, but those are things to consider only after becoming a powerhouse in one direction."
Xu Lin smiled and, recalling Ling Xiao's last point, asked him, "Student Ling Xiao, you mentioned you feel these four directions are easily countered. What kind of counters were you thinking of?"
"Uh."
Hearing Xu Lin ask this, Ling Xiao suddenly felt like a schoolboy being put on the spot by a teacher, a situation that usually meant one had said something wrong. However, he could only bite the bullet and speak his mind.
"For example, I feel the Agility Attack System might be countered by the Control System."
"Oh? Hehe."
Xu Lin laughed softly.
"You think Agility Attack is countered by Control? Is it because the characteristic of the Control System is restraining and restricting the enemy?"
Seeing Ling Xiao nod, Xu Lin continued, "But the Agility Attack System also has extreme speed and attack. Why don't you think she can use her speed to dodge the Control System's abilities, or use her attack to break through the control? Why must she be the one controlled?"