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"Achoo!"
In his study, Tang San rubbed his nose after sneezing, but paid it no mind, continuing to peruse the documents in his hand. He extracted various cases of martial soul fusion and conducted specific analyses.
Materials from the library of the Tian Dou Royal Academy, the book collection room of the Tian Dou City Martial Soul Branch, as well as data from families like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the Huo Clan, the Shi Clan, and the Ye Clan, provided Tang San with considerable insight into martial soul fusion techniques.
He had previously speculated that martial soul fusion techniques could be divided into three categories: soul force fusion, soul skill fusion, and martial soul fusion.
Soul skill fusion was the most common, followed by martial soul fusion, with soul force fusion being the most challenging.
Why was soul force fusion the most difficult?
Because different martial souls resulted in different attributes of cultivated soul force.
And the fusion of different martial souls meant the fusion of two distinct martial souls together.
During this process, martial souls could attract each other.
However, soul force fusion was different. Without one powerful martial soul to suppress and transform the soul force of other attributes, each individual had to control their own strand of soul force.
This point was not something even twins with the same martial soul could perfectly achieve.
Shi Mó and Shi Mo were examples.
On the other hand, soul skill fusion was the simplest. As long as the soul skills used by different individuals could complement each other, achieving an effect greater than the sum of its parts, even if it was just a 2.01-fold improvement, Tang San believed it could still be called soul skill fusion.
As for martial soul fusion, it meant two martial souls could compensate for each other's deficiencies, like two perfectly fitting puzzle pieces coming together.
Therefore, in writing the theoretical analysis of martial soul fusion, Tang San, based on existing cases, analyzed the advantages of martial soul fusion.
Firstly, it allowed two different martial souls to form a completely new one, which could potentially be inherited by descendants.
Secondly, the greatest advantage of martial soul fusion was the ability to unleash powerful strength, strengthening each other's most prominent advantages and combining their strengths to a greater extent.
Thirdly, it could enhance the soul force control ability of both parties involved in the fusion. After all, to control the new martial soul formed after fusion, both individuals needed to cooperate tacitly. Even if one person was the main controller, the other still needed to provide soul force.
Without strong soul force and mental power to control the new martial soul form after fusion, it would just be a waste of soul force.
Fourthly, martial soul fusion could accelerate the soul force cultivation speed of both soul masters.
Subsequently, Tang San also raised the impact of martial soul fusion on the emotional connection between the two parties involved.
Between siblings, if there was martial soul fusion, their relationship would be exceptionally good.
And if the two parties involved in martial soul fusion were unrelated by blood and of opposite genders, in most cases, as long as the age difference wasn't too significant, they were likely to become spouses.
According to Tang San's judgment, besides the mutual benefits of a strong alliance, the two parties involved in martial soul fusion were also attracted to each other under the influence of their respective martial souls.
Regarding this point, Tang San proposed two hypotheses: "People Control Martial Souls" and "Martial Souls Influence People."
For the former, such soul masters had a strong understanding of their own martial souls and could recognize the primary and secondary relationships between their martial souls and themselves. They could break free from this influence and become the true controllers of their martial souls. These soul masters often displayed their utmost advantages in the fields they excelled in.
For the latter, some martial souls passively influenced the personality of the soul master, causing them to develop certain quirks, such as an extraordinary lust for pleasure or alcohol, or exhibiting extremely exaggerated behaviors. Even those with weak wills were easily led astray and became puppets chasing after power.
After organizing the two theories, "The Three Major Classifications of Martial Soul Fusion Techniques" and "The Primary and Secondary Distinction Between Humans and Martial Souls," Tang San went to the Martial Soul Temple and handed them over to Ma Xiu Nuo.
"Do you have new theories again?" Ma Xiu Nuo flipped through the two theories Tang San handed over, nodding repeatedly. "Well reasoned and convincing. I'll report them to the Martial Soul City, and it should take about half a month."
Tian Dou City was relatively close to Martial Soul City, so Tang San's theories didn't need to wait several months like they did in Nuoding City to be published in the Martial Soul Journal.
"Thank you, Grandfather Ma Xiu Nuo," Tang San said as he handed over a small jar.
"What's this? Dried Blue Silver Grass?" Ma Xiu Nuo opened it to find indeed dried Blue Silver Grass, although there was very little of it; mostly it was a gray-brown powder, leaving him somewhat puzzled.
"It's a medicinal tea concocted by Xiao Wu. It's quite effective for refreshing and replenishing energy and blood," Tang San smiled. "Xiao Wu has been studying medicine recently."
"Is that girl actually interested in medicine?" Ma Xiu Nuo widened his eyes, recalling Xiao Wu's demeanor in Nuoding City, "The one who always acted like she was the boss?"
"Haha, Grandfather Ma Xiu Nuo, trust Xiao Wu for once. I've tried it myself, and it's indeed effective," Tang San chuckled. "It's her gesture of goodwill."
"I'll give it a try later. It shouldn't kill me," Ma Xiu Nuo joked, then asked about Tang San's experience in the Star Luo Empire.
Tang San recounted what he could, discreetly omitting the part about hunting the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger.
After reminiscing for a morning, Tang San left Ma Xiu Nuo's study and encountered the haggard-looking but bright-eyed Supreme Pontiff, Salas, in the hall.
Salas.
"Are you a student of the Tian Dou Royal Academy? Did you come out from Ma Xiu Nuo's place? His grandson?" This was the first time Salas had seen Tang San and was unaware of his identity.
"I'm not his grandson," Tang San calmly introduced himself, "Respected Supreme Pontiff Salas, I am Tang San."
"Tang San? Are you that Tang San!?" Salas looked at the young face before him, hardly able to believe it.
As the Supreme Pontiff, he indeed didn't know what Tang San looked like, but he knew that Tang San and Ma Xiu Nuo had once been in the same city.
The fact that Tang San walked out from Ma Xiu Nuo's office now, didn't that mean he was the martial soul theory master?
"I think you're the Tang San he mentioned." Tang San admitted his identity.
"Indeed." Salas chuckled, then his expression turned cold, his face changing as quickly as blinking, "Tell me, why don't you join the Martial Soul Temple?"
"I suppose you've heard from Grandfather Ma Xiu Nuo that I don't want to be restricted by existing education. Besides, as you can see, I have ambitions. If I join the Martial Soul Temple, all my achievements will be attributed to the Martial Soul Temple." Tang San smiled, "To gain more attention and power, one must first demonstrate extraordinary value, isn't that right?"
"Haha! Quite ambitious, aren't you? Do you intend to defeat the Martial Soul Temple's team in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament next year?" Salas shook his head, his expression profound.
"Young man, having dreams is a good thing. Although your theories have made the structure of soul masters on the continent more 'organized,' and team formations more reasonable, the Martial Soul Temple has numerous talents. They can conduct even more detailed research on your theories."
"Strength is fundamental!"
Tang San laughed, saying, "As the Supreme Pontiff said, strength is fundamental. I believe I have that strength. When the final round of the tournament begins, I think I can surprise everyone."
"Hmph!" Salas snorted coldly and left, flicking his sleeves.
As the Supreme Pontiff, Salas wasn't exactly approachable. If it were anyone else speaking to him like that, he would have lashed out immediately.
Unfortunately, the person before him was Tang San.
His concerns weren't about Tang San's identity as a master of martial soul theory, but rather the orders from the Martial Soul City.
After all, Tang San was dispatched by the Pope with a Titled Douluo to secretly guard him.
In terms of status, Salas, as the Supreme Pontiff, was indeed higher than Spirit Bunting. But Spirit Bunting came from Martial Soul City and was expected to become a Titled Douluo before the age of fifty. Salas couldn't afford to offend him.
Frankly speaking, this was also a flaw in the management of the Martial Soul Temple.
Although the Martial Soul Temple had branches all over the continent, the managers of each branch, such as the Hall Masters and the Supreme Pontiffs, respected and revered both the Martial Soul City and the Pope. However, when there were no orders from the Martial Soul City, each branch had considerable autonomy.
Seeking personal gain through power is inevitable.
Not to mention, there's no surveillance in this world.
However, after the emergence of soul-guided cameras and soul-guided photography boxes, some do-gooders formed private investigation teams, specifically capturing scandals to sell to the Tian Dou Newspaper for profit.
As a result, some influential figures wanted to stop the production and sale of soul-guided cameras and soul-guided photography boxes.
Unfortunately, Tang San was in collaboration with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School's status in the Tian Dou Empire was second only to the Tian Dou Royal Family. Even when Ning Fengzhi went to the Tian Dou Imperial Palace, the Snow Emperor had to personally come out to greet him.
Moreover, the Martial Soul Temple also protected the intellectual property and patents of these two soul-guided devices.
For those influential figures who wanted to stop the circulation of soul-guided cameras and soul-guided photography boxes, their efforts were in vain, and many of their scandals were exposed.
Once, these influential figures wanted to use their status to prevent the Tian Dou Newspaper from spreading their scandals. However, Xue Qinghe intervened, and since their status was not as high as Xue Qinghe's, after these scandals were reported, Xue Qinghe sent people to hold them accountable, earning praise from loyalists of Tian Dou and gaining popularity, playing it smoothly.
Salas' unfavorable attitude towards Tang San also had similar reasons—he was caught in an indecent situation in a pleasure establishment, and the pictures were delivered to the Tian Dou Newspaper.
Upon seeing this, the managers of the Tian Dou Newspaper directly published it.
After all, this was an excellent opportunity to strike at the Tian Dou City Martial Soul Branch!
Although this incident occurred last year and Salas did not commit any fundamental errors, discussions were still ongoing in private today, making him quite uncomfortable.
Tang San was unaware of this. He wasn't interested in the scandals and anecdotes of the influential figures.
Even if he knew, he wouldn't care.
After all, the emergence of every new thing brings both benefits and drawbacks. The so-called win-win situation is actually just a compromise made by both sides in private, where the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
The pitfalls of the Martial Soul Temple are obvious. Summing up its apparent ruling method, it can be said in one sentence:
"The emperor is far away."
The overall situation in the various kingdoms, duchies, and independent cities within the Tian Dou Empire is almost the same. The only difference is that the personnel of the Martial Soul Temple have a bit more faith.
The faith of angels... The grassroots personnel of the Martial Soul Temple probably don't care much about it, at most just a cliché. As for the high-level personnel, based on the original work's portrayal, only the offering of the Qian Dao Stream lineage is most devout in their faith in angels. For others, it's mainly for material, status, beauty, and other practical benefits, rather than the illusion of angelic faith.
But this should barely be considered a kind of spiritual cohesion or something?
(End of this chapter)