By the time Xiao Lin found Tang San to show off, Tang San had already finished a round of smithing. Xiao Lin never grew tired of watching as Tang San used the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Technique to strike a glowing red iron block, removing impurities bit by bit.
It was truly worthy of being a powerful self-created soul skill.
In Douluo Dalu, creating a powerful soul skill from scratch was incredibly difficult. Xiao Lin was referring to the kind of self-created soul skills that any Soul Master could practice, rather than skills created by relying on the specific characteristics of a Martial Soul.
It wasn't like the "Blue Silver Binding" that Tang San could release at will nowadays; it was more like a Rasengan or a laser. For instance, Xiao Lin had once tried to use an external spirit bone to fire a laser.
However, he eventually gave up due to insufficient soul power and went to consult Tang San on whether it was possible for a Soul Master to manually create a laser-like skill.
Tang San's answer was that an average Soul Master would never be able to achieve such a skill, even if they knew the cultivation method.
Curious, Xiao Lin had asked why. Tang San gave him this reason: it was because the people of this world understood and utilized meridians far too little.
To manually create a laser and compress soul power to release it from a finger required the Soul Master to have extreme control, mental strength, and a profound understanding of the meridians in the fingers.
Finally, the Soul Master would need to perfectly develop the meridians in their fingers so they could withstand the compressed soul power. Only then did Xiao Lin realize that his previous unintentional use of an external spirit bone to fire a laser was actually the most correct choice.
Because the external spirit bone had no meridian limitations, Xiao Lin only needed to compress his soul power and channel it through. Although he ultimately failed due to a lack of soul power, the move couldn't be called a total failure.
Once the soul power issue was resolved, there was a high probability of success.
Speaking of self-created soul skills, Xiao Lin had somewhat given up, choosing instead to focus his time on training his physical and mental capabilities.
Because the difficulty of self-creating skills was so high, Xiao Lin couldn't afford to spend massive amounts of time on it during the period when his cultivation was easiest and most effective.
Most of the time, Xiao Lin would tell Tang San—the martial arts genius—his conjectures and ideas, letting Tang San help complete them.
Then, he would have Tang San teach him step-by-step. This way, Xiao Lin not only had more time to cultivate, but he could also help the "support version" of Tang San gain certain offensive means.
This was also what Tang San wanted, as his Clear Sky Hammer could not be exposed unless absolutely necessary, and hidden weapons were too dangerous and unsuitable for casual sparring.
With Xiao Lin providing Tang San with better and more perfect soul ring choices and configurations, the two of them enjoyed a win-win partnership.
Seeing Xiao Lin come to the blacksmith shop to find him, Tang San realized he couldn't dodge the encounter. He gave a sheepish smile and asked casually, "Brother Lin, what brings you here?"
Tang San didn't want to expose his Silent Sleeve Dart and felt quite guilty; he just wanted to win for once.
"Heh heh, Little San, let me tell you—my thesis is a huge hit." Xiao Lin held the Spirit Journal right in front of Tang San's face, his nose practically pointing to the sky with pride.
"This..."
Tang San looked at the content of the Spirit Journal in his hand, then at Xiao Lin's boastful expression.
How could he not understand Xiao Lin's meaning?
"Brother Lin, I'll give it to you. You're amazing."
Hearing Tang San say "you're amazing" felt as refreshing to Xiao Lin as eating a Popsicle in the middle of midsummer.
"Little San, hearing recognition from you is truly not easy," Xiao Lin said with a smirk, chuckling.
How should he describe Tang San? He was someone who was very reluctant to admit defeat and possessed extreme resilience. Even if Xiao Lin beat him in a fight, he wouldn't admit he lost; he was incredibly stubborn.
However, regarding Martial Soul theory, Tang San had no such hang-ups. He would decisively admit that Xiao Lin was brilliant. Sometimes, this actually made Xiao Lin feel a lack of satisfaction from being acknowledged.
"Whatever, I've had my fun anyway. I'm not planning to spar with you today," Xiao Lin said to himself, acting as if he had just come for a casual chat.
Sitting down to rest beside Tang San, Xiao Lin started today's topic.
"A few days ago, I studied Grandpa's Martial Soul and now I have a new conjecture."
As Xiao Lin spoke, Tang San propped himself up with his hands on the ground, listening intently with rapt attention.
"The conjecture is the possibility of turning Blue Silver Grass into a Food System Martial Soul, allowing your support capabilities to reach their peak."
As Xiao Lin's words fell, Tang San's face was filled with shock, and he cried out instinctively, "A Food System Martial Soul? Is that even possible?"
Tang San's face was full of curiosity.
After being educated on common knowledge by Xiao Lin, he was no longer a complete novice regarding Martial Souls. He had heard Xiao Lin say before that Food System Martial Souls could be considered the strongest type of Support System Martial Souls.
As for why, it was because Food System Martial Souls could be stored and then consumed later.
This meant that while a single soul skill from a Food System Martial Soul might not be as powerful as one from a top-tier Support System Martial Soul, what if the Food System Soul Master stored a large amount?
Coupled with the Soul Master creating more on the spot, Tang San could hardly imagine how strong his Blue Silver grass would be.
Furthermore, if a Food System Martial Soul had an exceptionally good soul skill, it might even help a Soul Master accelerate their cultivation. It was a path of getting stronger by eating—an easy way to gain power.
"Yes, if my conjecture is correct, it is entirely possible. Of course, the primary condition is that we must continue to ensure the vitality of the Blue Silver Grass."
Xiao Lin didn't want Tang San to fully transition into a pure Food System Soul Master.
His long-term strategic goal was to continuously increase the vitality of the Blue Silver Grass until it evolved into the Blue Silver Emperor. Now, Xiao Lin was just thinking of adjusting a part of the tactical objectives.
"If the Blue Silver Grass continues to absorb soul rings that increase vitality, even if it gains the abilities of a Food System Martial Soul, the resulting soul skills would likely be things like providing healing for teammates," Tang San blurted out.
By now, Tang San was capable of inferring new things from what he knew; he certainly hadn't wasted Xiao Lin's grooming.
"Exactly. That's what I'm thinking. Perhaps because your Blue Silver Grass's vitality is so strong, you might even get a food-type soul skill that buffs all of a Soul Master's attributes," Xiao Lin nodded in approval.
For a Support System Soul Master, support skills are usually weakest when applied to oneself, but what happens when they are given to a Power Attack System Soul Master who excels at combat?
The strong become even stronger.
This applied to Xiao Lin, and it would also apply to Tang San once he started using the Clear Sky Hammer in the future. If things really went according to Xiao Lin's plan, Tang San could already imagine the sheer power of using his Clear Sky Hammer under those conditions.
"Alright, I'm willing to try walking the path of a Food System Soul Master."
At this point, Tang San's trust in Xiao Lin was unconditional.
He believed Xiao Lin wouldn't come up with a conjecture that had no possibility of success.
"Good, then I'll explain my reasoning," Xiao Lin said, his blood pumping at being trusted so deeply by his good brother.
"First, I must point out that Blue Silver Grass is edible. Therefore, it possesses the basic requirement for a Food System Martial Soul."
Well, Xiao Lin wasn't wrong.
Since he was a child, Tang San had seen many elders in Holy Spirit Village cut Blue Silver Grass to feed the pigs.
"Secondly..."