Yu Xiaogang wasn't the only one curious about the changes brought by his Martial Soul Possession. Even the Grand Elder was eager to understand exactly what had happened.
Logically speaking, the greatest benefit of Martial Soul Possession should have been a significant increase in physical strength.
Although other attributes, such as spirit power, would also improve, they normally wouldn't surpass the enhancement of the user's physique.
However, Yu Xiaogang's situation was completely different.
His physical abilities had certainly improved, but compared to the dramatic increase in his total spirit power, the enhancement to his body seemed surprisingly small.
It simply didn't make sense.
Considering Little Dragon's enormous size and overwhelming physical capabilities, the boost to his physique should have been extraordinary.
Yet that wasn't the case.
His body had become stronger, but the increase was nowhere near as remarkable as the growth in his spirit power.
Yu Xiaogang had never heard of a Beast Spirit Master whose Martial Soul Possession increased spirit power more than physical strength.
He looked toward his father.
"Father, when we fought just now, how did my close-combat abilities feel to you?"
Yu Yuanzhen was about to answer when the Grand Elder suddenly raised a hand to stop him.
Instead, the Grand Elder turned toward Bibi Dong, who had quietly been observing from the side.
"Young Miss Bibi Dong, would you mind excusing us for a while?"
Bibi Dong blinked in surprise before quickly understanding the reason.
Now that they were about to discuss the secrets of Yu Xiaogang's Martial Soul, it wasn't appropriate for an outsider to remain.
After all, no Spirit Master would willingly reveal the secrets of their Martial Soul to others.
"I'm sorry."
"I had just finished my daily training and happened to see your battle, so I came over."
Yu Xiaogang smiled and waved his hand.
"It's alright."
"As long as you don't tell anyone, I don't mind."
Watching the battle itself wasn't a problem.
As long as the true secrets of his Martial Soul remained hidden, there was little to worry about.
Besides, once he traveled to Spirit City in the future, he would undoubtedly spar with Bibi Dong again.
She would eventually witness these abilities for herself.
Even so, Yu Xiaogang didn't object to the Grand Elder asking her to leave.
The Grand Elder was simply acting in his best interest.
Under the watchful eyes of the three men, Bibi Dong quietly left the training ground and headed toward another practice area to complete her daily cultivation.
As she walked away, however, she looked back several times, though no one could tell exactly what she was thinking.
Yu Yuanzhen chuckled.
"You little rascal."
"You don't seem very cautious."
"Have you already started treating that girl as one of us?"
Yu Xiaogang coughed awkwardly.
"...Let's leave that discussion for another time."
"Right now, figuring out the details of my Martial Soul Possession is more important."
Even he hadn't realized how much he trusted Bibi Dong.
Normally, he remained vigilant around everyone outside his family.
Even among trusted allies, he rarely revealed everything about himself.
If there was anyone in the world he trusted without reservation, it was only his father.
Yet somehow, Bibi Dong had already become someone he instinctively trusted.
Why?
Yu Xiaogang rubbed his forehead.
There would be plenty of time to think about that later.
For now, understanding Little Dragon's Martial Soul Possession was his priority.
He took out a notebook.
"Father, tell me honestly."
"What did you experience while fighting me?"
Yu Yuanzhen thought carefully before answering.
"To put it simply..."
"Your Martial Soul Possession greatly enhances your physical abilities."
"Your speed, strength, and overall combat performance are on an entirely different level."
"I was already impressed by your physical improvements."
"But during the battle, I realized something."
"Your spirit power seems to have increased even more than your physical strength."
Yu Xiaogang nodded.
"I feel the same way."
"My spirit power has increased dramatically."
"But why?"
"I searched both the family's library and the Spirit Hall archives."
"Neither contains any record of a Martial Soul Possession like mine."
Yu Yuanzhen fell silent.
The Grand Elder then added his own observations.
"There's another strange point."
"Your body itself."
Yu Xiaogang looked toward him.
"What do you mean?"
The Grand Elder explained patiently.
"Think about ordinary Beast Spirits."
"When someone possesses a Martial Soul with a massive body and tremendous strength, their physique naturally changes during possession."
"Our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon is the perfect example."
"Even a physically weak Spirit Master becomes much stronger after possessing the Martial Soul."
"The same applies to Martial Souls such as bears, lions, tigers, oxen, rhinos, and elephants."
Yu Xiaogang nodded thoughtfully.
"That's true."
The Grand Elder continued.
"But look at Little Dragon."
"Its body is enormous."
"Yet after Martial Soul Possession, your appearance barely changes at all."
"That's highly unusual."
Yu Xiaogang nodded once again.
He had noticed the same thing.
Why was his Martial Soul so different?
He carefully organized everything he knew.
As a Spirit Master, he possessed abundant spirit power.
However, his physical strength couldn't compare to Little Dragon's constantly evolving body.
Little Dragon itself possessed the strength of a powerful Spirit Beast.
Before Martial Soul Possession, they existed as two separate entities.
When possession began, Little Dragon transformed into light and merged with his body.
Afterward, instead of dramatically strengthening his physique, the process mainly increased his total spirit power.
It felt less like ordinary Martial Soul Possession...
...and more like a complete fusion between himself and Little Dragon.
Rather than simply granting him physical power, the fusion amplified his greatest strength as a Spirit Master, allowing the two of them together to unleash power far beyond what either could achieve alone.
Yu Xiaogang frowned.
"Wait..."
"Why does this sound so familiar?"
Two separate beings.
A complete fusion.
A combined power far greater than the sum of its parts.
There was only one similar concept in the history of the Douluo Continent.
Suddenly, a realization flashed through his mind.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
"No way..."
He drew in a sharp breath.
"Could it really be..."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)