Douluo: Brains Over Bloodline

Xu Lizhi pondered for a long while but still couldn't come up with an answer.

Finally, he could only look at Xu Yuan, waiting for his explanation.

"In fact, this should be considered a common trait of food-based soul masters—absorption and digestion."

Absorption and digestion?

"Food-based soul masters can absorb the power of spirit rings, replicate the forces contained within them, and compress that power into food. This ability is actually quite significant."

Xu Yuan looked at Xu Lizhi and slowly explained his perspective.

At this point, Xu Yuan assumed Xu Lizhi would have some ideas.

Unfortunately, he hadn't grasped it yet.

The other three also hadn't thought of a solution—they were still trying to comprehend this characteristic of food-based soul masters.

Absorption and digestion?

"In my understanding, a soul master's soul skills are essentially the latent potential of their martial soul. Under the premise that the martial soul possesses this potential, the specific spirit ring gained from a spirit depends on both the spirit and the soul master. If the spirit excels in a particular skill, it's more likely to grant that skill. If the soul master needs a particular skill, they're more likely to obtain it."

In simple terms, although it appears random, both the soul master and the spirit beast can influence the probabilities within this so-called randomness.

A strong intention is too abstract; another way to put it is that a deeper understanding of the essence of a soul skill makes it easier to grasp.

If you've already nearly uncovered the essence of a soul skill and are just one step away, using a spirit ring to complete the final step greatly increases the likelihood of mastering that skill.

"Food-based soul masters amplify soul masters through food, and the key lies in how this amplification is achieved. For example, by obtaining a speed-type spirit, you might digest the mechanism by which the spirit uses soul power to stimulate the meridians for acceleration, then incorporate that mechanism into the food you create. This allows the food to indirectly help the soul master who consumes it perform that skill."

Xu Lizhi's eyes widened.

He felt Xu Yuan's explanation was quite complicated.

"So, if you want to gain strength through your martial soul, you'll need to leverage this aspect," Xu Yuan said. "Back in the day, Oscar infused the mirroring ability of the Mirror Image Beast into his food, giving his creations that effect and thereby gaining power."

Xu Lizhi fell into deep thought.

"Ultimately, it's about using your martial soul to enhance yourself, thereby increasing your strength. The key lies in the type of enhancement you choose."

When Xu Lizhi ate his own buns, he could enjoy the enhancement effects, but they would weaken over time.

Moreover, the boost his Bun martial soul gave to his physical attributes was minimal. Even though he could benefit from various types of buns, these enhancements alone weren't enough to give him real combat strength.

"You need a combat-oriented food—for example, a bun that has digested the mechanism of a control-type skill."

Control-type skill?

"If eating your bun grants someone temporary mastery over the five elements, the impact of your buns will be several times greater than those Tang Sect ultimate techniques."

Xu Yuan laid out his thoughts and waited for Xu Lizhi to process them.

In essence, it was about shifting Xu Lizhi's mindset.

Due to ingrained notions in the world of soul masters, Xu Lizhi's understanding of food-based martial souls had been limited to various enhancement-type soul skills, and his cultivation followed this idea.

However, in reality, how a martial soul is cultivated is closely tied to the soul master's mindset.

Only by fundamentally changing his perspective could Xu Lizhi reverse-engineer this mechanism and truly achieve the results he desired.

"I understand," Xu Lizhi said, his voice tinged with awe.

He had grasped Xu Yuan's meaning.

"A pure force of will has little chance of influencing the acquisition of a soul skill. You'll still need specific cultivation practices to assist in obtaining the desired skill."

Xu Yuan looked at Xu Lizhi and asked, "So, what kind of power do you want your soul skills to grant you? Think it through carefully. Then, in your future cultivation, use the time you previously spent studying ultimate techniques to develop these powers instead."

Xu Yuan offered Xu Lizhi a suggestion.

In the end, Xu Lizhi chose the direction of elemental control.

More specifically, earth attribute control.

The reason was that his second spirit was earth-attribute.

His next soul ring would undoubtedly come from this spirit, so naturally, he would choose the powers possessed by this spirit.

"Under normal circumstances, your fifth soul skill from this spirit could grant a defensive effect—for example, consuming it could create a crystal-like protective layer on your body surface for one minute, similar to the outer layer of your spirit's body, enhancing your defense. On this basis, try to alter the nature of this soul skill."

"Communicate more with your spirit, use it to feel the power of the earth attribute, and do your best to grasp the sensation of controlling earth elemental forces."

---

After meeting with his companions and exchanging thoughts, Xu Yuan left Shrek City.

---

Yuan City

By now, a large-scale soul-guided array had been set up here, filtering out much of the volatile factors in the surrounding ambient energy. This allowed soul masters who had undergone one round of ambient energy refinement to live normally.

This place had become an important bridge for communication between Shrek and the outer layers of the Demon Plane.

To the west of Yuan City, deep within Nalundo's vast territory, lay the domain of a wandering lord.

Across the entire Demon Plane, the nine most powerful regions were naturally ruled by the nine Demon Lords. Between their territories lay smaller, scattered domains controlled by lesser demon lords, akin to small nations nestled between larger ones, serving as effective buffer zones.

"Yuanen, have you still not sensed Alba's presence?" Xu Yuan asked upon seeing Yuanen Yehui.

Yuanen Yehui shook her head, looking somewhat helpless.

Alba was the origin of her bloodline, so if Alba were nearby, she should theoretically be able to sense something.

However, since their last battle, Alba had vanished completely.

Six months had passed without a single trace.

If not for the fact that her bloodline connection told her Alba was still alive, she might have suspected Alba had been ambushed and killed by other Demon Lords after leaving his territory.

"The deeper he hides, the greater his ambitions must be. You've temporarily gained control over yourself, but you must remain vigilant. Continue cultivating here for three more months. If Alba still shows no signs of activity, leave the Demon Plane."

While others like Fang Yuan could train independently in the Demon Plane, Yuanen Yehui needed to be cautious. If Alba seized the opportunity to manipulate her through her bloodline, she might lose consciousness and fall under his control.

Although she had cooperated in opening the Gates of Hell before, she had been fully controlled during that time.

"Alright," Yuanen Yehui nodded, then brought up some difficulties with her battle armor production.

"By the way, my battle armor may need some improvements. I'll need your help with forging certain Spirit Alloys."

"What Spirit Alloys do you need?"

After noting down Yuanen Yehui's requirements, Xu Yuan chatted with her for a bit longer before leaving Yuan City.

This time, Xu Yuan headed toward the even vaster western regions.

------------------------------------------------------

40+ Chapters Ahead Guaranteed: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow

There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)