Douluo: Brains Over Bloodline

"My martial soul fusion technique has gained a new form. Previously, it was centered around the White Tiger martial soul, but now I can also use my Netherworld Spirit Cat martial soul to execute it," Wu Siduo said with a radiant smile.

She was quite satisfied with this change.

As a woman, she naturally preferred her Netherworld Spirit Cat martial soul and was more adept at using it. Additionally, for martial soul fusion techniques, she naturally hoped they would prioritize agility-based attacks rather than relying on brute force like the White Tiger.

"To be precise, it should now be centered around the Netherworld Celestial Cat," she corrected after some thought.

After her martial soul mutated, she added the character "Celestial" to its name.

The difference between her original Netherworld Spirit Cat and the newly evolved Netherworld Celestial Cat was that the latter had gained the ability to utilize Nether Energy, allowing her to vanish into shadows or transform into an energy state for teleportation.

"In fact, my White Tiger martial soul also underwent changes during this mutation—it just wasn't as significant. It successfully awakened a spiritual attribute."

Spiritual attribute?

Xu Yuan looked at Wu Siduo with surprise.

After this mutation, Wu Siduo could be considered reborn.

Gaining a spiritual attribute meant her dual-martial soul cultivation was secured. At the very least, she wouldn't lack spirit sources, and her path to becoming a Super Douluo was now much steadier.

Agility-based attacks couldn't rely solely on speed.

Both the ability to vanish into shadows and spatial attributes were essential.

Strictly speaking, the Netherworld Spirit Cat martial soul could only support a soul master in keeping up with top-tier martial souls, but its inherent strength was insufficient. The soul master had to independently grasp the principles of agility-based combat, develop their own power, achieve faster speeds, and employ more unpredictable tactics.

Now, with the addition of Nether Energy manipulation, her Netherworld Celestial Cat finally elevated her agility-based combat to the level expected of a truly top-tier martial soul.

"If you're using the Netherworld Celestial Cat martial soul as the core for your fusion technique, then the White Tiger martial soul likely provides spiritual attributes and physical enhancements, right?" Xu Yuan guessed.

Wu Siduo nodded.

"Mm. I've named my new fusion technique Nether Phantom Cat. It can drag enemies into a realm of illusory Nether energy, making it even more unpredictable when combined with Nether powers."

"Not bad," Xu Yuan praised.

This Demon Plane truly was a treasure trove.

"I have a rough understanding of your battle armor's new requirements now. Go ahead and choose the metals yourself. I'll do my best to forge Spirit Alloys that fuse their advantages."

Xu Yuan had already surpassed the stage of forging based on fixed recipes.

He could now study the properties of metals and formulate forging plans based on their unique characteristics and interactions.

"Class Leader, I plan to incorporate this metal into my battle armor," Wu Siduo said, presenting a dense purple-black iron block brimming with Nether energy.

Xu Yuan's eyes flickered with interest as he took the iron block and examined its internal structure with his spiritual power.

"My martial soul mutated because I discovered a deposit of this metal near the royal city of Nalundo. The mutation occurred due to the metal's influence."

Xu Yuan nodded.

"I understand. This metal doesn't exist in the Douluo Plane. It simultaneously possesses Nether energy and the ability to stimulate spiritual power. I'll need to study its structure before I can formulate a forging plan for you."

"Mm, no rush," Wu Siduo smiled.

She was still adapting to her new martial soul form and mastering her upgraded soul skills.

The mutation of her Netherworld Spirit Cat had caused all her soul skills to undergo slight changes, and she needed time to grow accustomed to these advanced abilities.

Xu Yuan turned his gaze to Ye Xinglan.

"Xinglan, Fang Yuan is set to break through to Level 50 within two months," Xu Yuan reminded her.

Ye Xinglan's expression tightened.

Fang Yuan had already caught up?

And he was about to break through in just two months?

She felt a sudden pressure.

Lately, her companions had been gaining opportunities one after another, transforming into superhuman beings. Meanwhile, she, Le Zhengyu, and Xu Lizhi were like primitive humans left behind.

Xu Yuan and Tang Wulin didn't need to be mentioned. Yuanen Yehui's martial soul had been fully unleashed, completely changing her combat style. With the Fallen Angel as her primary martial soul, she had undergone a complete transformation. Wu Siduo's martial soul had mutated, making her fusion technique more suited to her and bringing about a qualitative leap. Now, even Fang Yuan had gained an opportunity, breaking through levels in quick succession.

"I'm mentioning this to give you a sense of urgency. Your path isn't wrong. With your martial soul and your pure dedication to the sword, continuing forward won't leave you weaker than them. But motivation is still essential."

After finishing, Xu Yuan finally turned to Xu Lizhi.

"Lizhi, your cultivation speed has fallen far behind."

Xu Lizhi was currently only at Level 46.

While everyone else was striving toward Level 50 and completing their one-word battle armor, Xu Lizhi was stuck at Level 46.

Far too slow.

Xu Lizhi lowered his head.

Though auxiliary-type soul masters cultivated slower, this wasn't the reason for his sluggish progress.

"I know your mindset—you're obsessed with combat abilities. But studying those Tang Sect ultimate techniques won't help you much. Even if you master them, do you think others won't? In the end, combat skills derived from ultimate techniques are only useful for bullying soul masters who aren't on your level."

In short, curb stomping.

Xu Lizhi couldn't defeat any genius-level opponents in fair fights.

And if the opponent also knew a few Tang Sect ultimate techniques, even an average Soul Elder could defeat Xu Lizhi.

This was the difference brought by martial souls.

"Stay true to your martial soul. Your martial soul is the most fundamental talent of your body and soul. If you abandon it, no matter how far you progress, your achievements will always be limited."

Ji Juechen, who had once been obsessed with swords, seemed to transcend the limitations of his martial soul by cultivating external objects like meteorite iron. However, his foundation still rested on his martial soul having sword-related attributes.

Xu Lizhi bowed his head, Xu Yuan's words echoing in his mind. He felt deeply disheartened.

This was essentially a direct declaration that his previous cultivation methods had been wrong.

It was a negation of his past efforts.

But he couldn't refute it.

"If you're truly pursuing combat strength, you shouldn't focus on the Tang Sect ultimate techniques. Start from your martial soul."

Xu Yuan reminded him.

Xu Lizhi lifted his head, brushing aside his sadness from being criticized, and eagerly awaited Xu Yuan's more detailed explanation.

He was well aware that when it came to understanding martial souls, Xu Yuan was among the best on the entire continent.

Even the elder masters of the Sea God Pavilion might not surpass Xu Yuan's comprehension of martial souls.

"Food-based martial souls actually have mechanisms for growth. Oscar, from twenty thousand years ago, already provided the answer."

Xu Yuan gently guided Xu Lizhi.

"You don't need to emulate his Mirror Image Beast soul ring or rely on mirroring to gain combat strength. Instead, you should adopt his mindset—seek ways to enhance combat strength based on your martial soul."

Based on his martial soul?

Xu Lizhi became serious, pondering the unique characteristics of his Bun martial soul.

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