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*****
After sending off Tang Yuehua, Tang San called in Fan Niu and Fan Ma to study their martial souls.
When the two invoked their martial souls, they didn't appear much different from normal.
Fan Niu's martial soul manifested in his chest. When activated, his pectorals vanished, transforming into pure muscle, appearing extremely hard. His chest's defense was significantly stronger than that of an average person, with an abstract face vaguely visible.
Fan Ma's martial soul appeared on his back. Upon activation, his back muscles became knotted and firm. Combined with his shoulder bones, they formed a more abstract face.
Testing revealed that with their martial souls activated, both experienced a doubling of overall strength. In terms of defense, Fan Niu's chest became twice as strong, while Fan Ma's back defense also doubled.
However, their flexibility decreased.
This is a common issue with large, muscular individuals: their height and dense muscles reduce limb flexibility. Their arms' range of motion was smaller than that of an average person, unable to touch certain areas of their backs.
For Fan Niu and Fan Ma, their talent lay in their chest and back muscles. Focusing on flexibility would have been counterproductive.
"What are your first spirit abilities?" Tang San asked.
"My first spirit ability hardens my chest, making the face on it more lifelike," Fan Niu replied. His white spirit ring flashed, and his chest muscles immediately tightened into a mass resembling a fierce face.
Fan Ma followed, displaying his first spirit ability. The ghostly face on his back became more terrifying, likely to scare any ordinary person. The effect was similar to Fan Niu's, hardening the muscles.
Tang San inspected them and found that their first spirit abilities, while seemingly just hardening muscles, actually involved a unique flow of energy within their chest and back muscles.
This energy, though faint, was indeed present.
In Tang San's theory, innate full spirit power should be common in body-based martial souls because they are part of the human body, naturally compatible with the person.
However, martial souls are unique because they exist between material and energy realms, possessing their own spirituality. This means they need to be understood, and their performance is closely tied to the person's physical state.
If someone was malnourished or unhealthy before awakening their martial soul, their innate spirit power would naturally be low.
"Earl, are our first spirit abilities very weak?" Fan Niu asked nervously. "Will we ever break through to the level of a Grand Spirit Master?"
"In terms of the spirit ability effect, they are quite basic. But the fact that they touch upon the energy flow within your muscles is a unique strength of body-based martial souls. This might make it easier for you to tap into this energy than some powerful beast martial souls." Tang San acknowledged their assessment but emphasized their strengths. "This energy is key to your future cultivation. Whether you reach the level of a Grand Spirit Master, or even higher, depends on your effort."
Tang San then tailored a training method based on the Jade Bone Golden Muscle Scripture for them, saying, "This is the Tiger and Bear Body Technique. It can help you develop a bear-like back and a tiger-like chest. In future hunts, choose bear or tiger-type spirit beasts to emulate their aura. This might help you break through to the Spirit King level or beyond."
"Thank you, Count, for your guidance!" the brothers exclaimed, kneeling before Tang San. "We and our descendants pledge to serve you and your descendants forever, never betraying you!"
Tang San helped them up, smiling, "No need to be so solemn. I'm merely using you to test my theories. We all benefit from this."
Fan Niu's eyes were resolute. "We're serious about this!"
Fan Ma echoed, "My brother is right!"
Tang San brushed past this topic and led them to an open space. He began teaching them the Tiger and Bear Body Technique, instructing them on how to control their muscles through limb movements and indirectly harness the subtle energy within their bodies. He focused on using the chest and back as cores to refine this energy, then distribute it throughout their bodies.
Both men, being in their thirties, had some difficulty with memory. Tang San patiently repeated the instructions over forty times until they grasped the essential techniques.
"In the future, when you teach others, remember to be patient," Tang San advised, noticing it was nearly noon. "Before you head to Spirit City, I'll teach you daily until I'm confident you can practice on your own. Don't practice recklessly without proper guidance."
"We understand," Fan Niu replied, aware of his and his brother's limited talent and memory. Anyone else might have lost patience after a few repetitions, but the Count had taught them nearly fifty times! They couldn't imagine anyone more patient and responsible.
"Alright, enough thanks. Go eat, then head to the gate for guard duty. I'm not a benevolent capitalist," Tang San's tone shifted. "If you neglect your duties, I'll dock your pay."
"Yes, sir!"
"Immediately, sir!"
Fan Niu and Fan Ma stood at attention, saluted, and headed off to the dining room.
---
After lunch, Tang San went to the Spirit Hall in Tian Dou City to deliver his "Theory of Martial Soul Evolution" to Ma Xiu Nuo, asking him to send it to Spirit City.
"Greetings, Holy Son!" Ma Xiu Nuo quickly stood and bowed, but Tang San stopped him midway.
"Grandpa Ma Xiu Nuo, what are you doing?" Tang San said with a mix of amusement and exasperation, helping him back to his seat. "I'm not one to forget my roots."
"Haha, just kidding," Ma Xiu Nuo chuckled, stroking his gray beard like a playful old man. "But it still feels like a dream that you became the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall, rivaling even the Pope... You're truly a prodigy in martial cultivation!"
"You might even reach the legendary hundredth level!"
Tang San smiled without commenting, brewing tea for Ma Xiu Nuo as they chatted. "How have you been, Grandpa Ma Xiu?"
"Pretty good. Here in the Spirit Hall of Tian Dou City, thanks to you, my position remains unchanged, but my status is just below Platinum bishop Salas. Sometimes, Salas even speaks kindly to me," Ma Xiu Nuo laughed heartily, then sighed. "However, my son is disappointing. He often comes to me, seeking ways to amass wealth and get promotions... When I refused, he fell out with me. What a disgrace, thinking more about opportunism than earning merits."
Tang San, not wanting to delve into Ma Xiu Nuo's family issues, offered some solace. "Don't be upset. Young people go through rebellious phases; it's normal."
"He's over thirty and still rebelling?" Ma Xiu Nuo fumed, sipping his tea to calm himself. "But you, Xiao Tang, are so young yet so mature. If my son were like you, I could relax and retire in Phoenix City."
"But alas, my son..."
Listening to Ma Xiu Nuo vent his frustrations, Tang San remained calm. He understood that Ma Xiu Nuo needed someone to listen, not someone to offer advice. Just speaking about his troubles would help him feel better.
Three hours later, Tang San finally left the Spirit Hall, stretching and thinking, "Listening to the old generation's complaints is more exhausting than researching energy flow with Xiao Wu and Guang Ling. That's invigorating..."
Refocusing, Tang San walked toward Silver Blue Manor.
"Brother, long time no see! How have you been?"
Outside the manor, Ning Rongrong arrived just in time. Seeing Tang San, she hurried over, smiling brightly. "I heard you were back in Tian Dou City, so I came to visit. What a coincidence!"
Tang San smiled back, "Rongrong, would you like to come in and sit for a while?"
Ning Rongrong giggled. "Sure, I've never been inside Silver Blue Manor before."
She was still the same lively and spirited girl!
Fan Niu, Fan Ma, and the other two guards watched as Tang San and Ning Rongrong walked in, chatting and laughing. Fan Ma couldn't help but remark, "The Count is really popular with the ladies."
Fan Niu scolded, "Don't say that. She's a friend of the Count."
"Not necessarily," another guard said conspiratorially. "I heard the Count has a fling with every girl in the Tian Dou Royal Team. They all willingly climb into his bed, even sharing him."
The other guard added with a knowing tone, "I heard they're after the Count's excellent genes to pass on to their families."
As Tang San's reputation grew, inevitable rumors and gossip swirled privately.
---
"Brother, your people seem to be discussing your romantic exploits," Ning Rongrong said, despite the guards' lowered voices. As a spirit master, she still heard them, though she showed no embarrassment, instead smiling cheerfully. "I didn't know you had a thing with every girl in the Tian Dou Royal Academy. Xiao Wu and Guang Ling are still virgins despite being close to you."
Tang San, not losing his composure, replied with mock pride, "That's because my first spirit ability can heal injuries and restore virginity."
Ning Rongrong: "..."
(End of Chapter)