Douluo: I Can Choose My Own Soul Skills

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"Ye Lan? I know him—he's three years above you. I even saw him when he first enrolled, but afterward he rarely showed up on campus. What's on your mind, Xiao San? You're asking about Ye Lan because of his Blue Silver Grass spirit, right?" Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San curiously.

Tang San hung his head and sighed. "Yes. His spirit is the same Blue Silver Grass. Why, even though my soul power is three levels higher, can't I beat him?"

"Don't lose heart, Xiao San. Ye Lan has only practiced a few more years than you. With his innate Level 3 soul power, it won't take long before you outpace him by over ten levels! You'll become someone he can only admire from below—his future will be to look up at you." Yu Xiaogang patted Tang San's shoulder reassuringly.

"Really? He's the first opponent I've ever met who's this strong." Tang San's dejection vanished at once.

"Of course! You're born with full soul power—and twin martial spirits! Reaching Titled Douluo is your baseline. As for Ye Lan, with his aptitude, even breaking thirty levels and becoming a Soul Master is far from guaranteed. Don't underestimate yourself, Xiao San; you're always my pride!" Yu Xiaogang beamed.

"In a few days, I'll take you to the Spirit Beast Forest to claim your first spirit ring. According to my Core Competency Theory—Martial Soul Mimesis—your Blue Silver Grass spirit can absorb not only plant-type spirit beast rings but also beast-type rings. Although Blue Silver Grass is weak, its greatest advantage is compatibility. Absorb a beast-type ring, and your spirit will truly become battle-ready."

"And based on my Ring Absorption Age Limit Theory, your first ring should come from a beast no older than 423 years to avoid life-threatening backlash. When the time comes, I'll pick the most extreme ring for you!" Yu Xiaogang spoke with calm confidence as he laid out Tang San's plan.

Hearing this, Tang San's confidence soared. Aside from innate soul power differences, my greatest edge is having a teacher like him! He accepted the chicken drumstick Yu Xiaogang offered and felt a warm surge of gratitude. After bidding his teacher farewell, he went in search of Xiao Wu.

Once Tang San left, Yu Xiaogang pondered over Ye Lan. That kid started with only Level 3 innate soul power and a simple Blue Silver Grass spirit. I never paid him much mind, yet he's given me a real puzzle. To defeat a full–soul-power genius like Tang San at Level 7… is Ye Lan some kind of innate prodigy? Yu Xiaogang shook his head. No matter—once Tang San secures his 400-year ring, Ye Lan will only be a stepping-stone. Tang San's talent and character are unparalleled. When he rises to Titled Douluo and becomes renowned across the continent, my reputation as the foremost Theory Master will be cemented.

Half a month later, Ye Lan intended to visit Su Yuntao for more food-based cultivation supplies, but instead he encountered Tang San just back from the Spirit Beast Forest. Tang San's clothes were neat, and at his waist was a black belt set with twenty-four milky-white jade stones.

No longer the plain, modest student at the start of term, Tang San now exuded unshakeable confidence.

Seeing Ye Lan, Tang San paused briefly before challenging him in full battle intent: "Ye Lan, let's spar again. This time, I won't lose to you."

"I'm not interested. I have other business," Ye Lan replied without hesitation.

But Tang San pressed on, unfazed: "Maybe you don't know what I've gained with Teacher's help. I'm stronger than ever!" He lifted his chin in proud defiance.

Ye Lan watched the triumphant look on Tang San's face and felt that nameless fire stir within him once more. For some reason, he desperately wanted to crush the youth before him.

Suppressing his anger, Ye Lan smirked and reminded him: "Gain or no gain, nothing changes the fact that as a spirit master, you still can't match me."

Tang San ignored him and extended his right hand. From its center sprouted a tendril of Blue Silver Grass.

But this stem was thicker—about five centimeters in diameter—and its leaves were far broader. The usual blue veins had vanished, replaced by a pattern of snake-like scales that gave it a vaguely unsettling appearance.

"See? This is my spirit's new evolution—much more powerful! I've absorbed a beast-type spirit ring. According to Teacher's Martial Soul Mimesis Theory, a plant-type spirit can take beast-type rings!" Tang San looked at the sky in worshipful reverence of Yu Xiaogang's teachings.

Ye Lan barely contained a laugh. With an innocent tilt of his head, he asked, "Tang San, tell me—are there any Hammer Sprits or Rod Sprits in this world?"

"No—why?" Tang San blinked in genuine confusion.

"Exactly," Ye Lan continued. "Then let me ask—what spirit rings would Hammer, Rod, or Sickle spirits absorb?"

Tang San frowned, at a loss. "Well… not Hammer Sprits or Rod Sprits, certainly." He clearly had no idea which type of ring best complemented those weapon spirits.

At that moment, Ye Lan's lips curled into a faint smile as he laid his final card on the table. "Let me explain: because no one's ever discovered Hammer Sprits or Rod Sprits, weapon-spirited masters long ago realized that weapon spirits can absorb beast–type spirit beast soul rings. Since weapon spirits can absorb beast rings, it's commonsense that a weapon spirit like Blue Silver Grass can do the same."

Tang San's eyes blazed. "No—you can't besmirch Teacher! Most plant spirit masters absorb only plant spirit beast rings. When I took the Mandragora Snake ring, my spirit power skyrocketed! Teacher's theory is absolutely correct!"

Ye Lan merely raised an eyebrow. He had no intention of explaining the rare Blue Silver Monarch form—let alone how it could gain a poison attribute (a nonsensical concept, given that poison and vitality are mutually exclusive). Even after awakening Blue Silver Monarch, Tang San would still treat it as a mere auxiliary spirit, falling back on his Haotian Hammer above all else.

With that, Ye Lan stepped past Tang San and moved for the door.

But Tang San seized his shoulder and wouldn't let go. "Don't walk away! Let's spar right now. I'll prove to you once and for all that Teacher's theory is right!"

Ye Lan closed his eyes against the rising irritation, then looked back with cool detachment. "Fine—just this once. But if you lose, never bother me again."

Tang San grinned, certain of victory. He backed up to create space between them, then announced confidently,

"Tang San—martial spirit: Blue Silver Grass; Instrument Soul Master, Level Eleven!"

Ye Lan's voice was calm as he replied,

"Ye Lan—martial spirit: Blue Silver Grass; Soul Power Level Seven."

And with that, their final duel began.

(End of Chapter)