"My other Martial Soul is this."
Tang San had no way to refute further.
He could only expose his secret, and at this moment, he truly believed that Xiao Lin was the person with the most profound understanding of Martial Souls in all of Nuoding City—perhaps even the entire Fasinuo Province.
Tang San now looked upon Xiao Lin as a true "Big Brother," simply because Xiao Lin could point the way for his future cultivation. In the middle of the deserted path, Xiao Lin was still somewhat shocked by Tang San's actions, and he secretly deactivated his Soul Power.
Looking at the miniature Clear Sky Hammer in Tang San's hand, Xiao Lin began to think that the "double-standard" version of Tang San from the future might have been a result of Yu Xiaogang's influence.
If that were the case, he didn't need to summon his Horned Dragon Staff to guard against him.
Seeing the clarity in Tang San's eyes, Xiao Lin smiled.
"Exactly as I thought."
In Tang San's eyes, that smile radiated absolute confidence.
At this, Tang San's admiration for Xiao Lin deepened. In this tiny village, a boy had managed to teach himself to such a degree that his theories were perhaps more advanced than those of the most learned scholars in the Fasinuo Province.
"Little San, put it away. That is the Clear Sky Hammer, currently the number one Tool Martial Soul in the world."
As Xiao Lin's words fell, Tang San was stunned.
"Number one in the world? Didn't you say a child inherits the stronger Martial Soul from their parents?"
If the Clear Sky Hammer was the best in the world, then his Blue Silver... King must also be top-tier. Then who were his parents?
Tang San had always been curious about his mother; now, believing Xiao Lin completely, he etched this clue about his mother into his heart.
"If I'm not mistaken, Little San, your father—Uncle Tang Hao—must be the legendary Clear Sky Douluo, the strongest Titled Douluo on the continent."
Xiao Lin spoke without hesitation.
Given the information he "could" have gathered, this conclusion was perfectly logical. He couldn't reveal things that virtually no one on the Douluo Continent knew yet.
"The strongest? Clear Sky Douluo?"
Tang San could feel that Xiao Lin was telling the truth, but when he thought about how they had barely enough to eat and no decent clothes, he was still confused.
The strongest... lives like that?
Tang San complained inwardly, resolving to ask for clarity once he got back.
"Little San, perhaps Uncle Tang Hao has his reasons."
Xiao Lin knew the truth, but he couldn't say it yet.
His goal was simple: gain Tang San's admiration to secure those Immortal Herbs later, so he had to give Tang San a massive shock.
Of course, the shock couldn't be too big, lest he put his own life at risk. However, judging by the clear and somewhat "innocent" look in Tang San's eyes, his life didn't seem to be in danger.
Thinking of this, Xiao Lin felt he needed to add one more layer of insurance to make Tang San admire him even more and ensure Tang Hao wouldn't harbor killing intent.
"Little San, do you know the greatest advantage of Twin Martial Souls?"
As soon as Xiao Lin spoke, Tang San snapped out of his daze and looked at him with clear, searching eyes.
Seeing Xiao Lin's confident expression, Tang San immediately pleaded.
"Brother Xiao Lin, please tell me."
"Hmph. Little San, I'm satisfied with your attitude, but don't add 'Little' in front of my name anymore. Just call me Brother Lin, understand?"
Xiao Lin crossed his arms, speaking with a hint of feigned dissatisfaction.
After intentionally letting Tang San wait anxiously for a few seconds, he began to explain the advantage of Twin Martial Souls.
"To put it simply, you can prioritize adding Soul Rings to the Blue Silver King. Once you reach the rank of Titled Douluo, you can then add nine Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings—or even Hundred Thousand Year ones—to the Clear Sky Hammer."
"Little San, do you understand? In this way, you might become the strongest Soul Master in the history of the continent."
Xiao Lin's words shook Tang San to his core.
The strongest Soul Master?
No man could say no to being the "strongest," and Tang San was no exception.
It can actually work like that?
"Also, Little San, never expose your Clear Sky Hammer in front of outsiders, or you will be in great danger. Many people hate it when others have what they don't; they love to hunt down geniuses. You must hide it well."
Xiao Lin warned him with deep concern, causing Tang San to nod solemnly.
"Alright, Little San, we'll part ways here today. I need to go test my Martial Soul. For me to have Innate Full Soul Power, it's either a mutation or some other reason. I have to research it."
Having said so much to Tang San, Xiao Lin was tired.
He wanted to run home and test the abilities of the Horned Dragon Staff. Some things Tang San's father would explain, so Xiao Lin didn't bother.
"Oh, one more thing." Xiao Lin turned back after a few steps.
"Little San, you can tell Uncle Tang Hao about the Blue Silver King or Blue Silver Emperor, but it's best not to mention it to outsiders. At most, just say it's a mutation."
"Got it, Brother Lin."
"Mhm." Xiao Lin nodded with satisfaction at the title and sprinted toward his home.
Returning to Old Jack's house, Xiao Lin couldn't wait to summon his Martial Soul. Soon, a bright silver staff, 2.5 meters long, appeared in his right hand. His hand sank instantly, and the Horned Dragon Staff nearly slipped from his grip.
"That can't be right. Why can Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer be a miniature hammer that fits his size, while mine is this big?"
Xiao Lin focused his mind, trying to control the staff with his will.
Smaller... a bit smaller.
Under his mental control, the Horned Dragon Staff eventually shrank to one meter in length, fitting perfectly in his grip, though the weight remained heavy.
"Total length 2.5 meters, weight 100 kilograms. If it weren't my own Martial Soul, I wouldn't even be able to lift it. This is undoubtedly a top-tier Tool Martial Soul."
Xiao Lin sensed the feedback from the staff.
His conclusion was based on a rough process, but he was confident. Even the Clear Sky Hammer, another top-tier Tool Martial Soul, couldn't possibly be heavier than the Horned Dragon Staff at Rank 10.
In terms of length, it definitely surpassed the hammer.
A metal staff is a blunt weapon; its destructive power is not inferior to a hammer. Combined with its length, Xiao Lin's basic attack range was much larger than the Clear Sky Hammer's.
No matter how you looked at it, 2.5 meters versus half a foot meant the advantage was his.
"But something's not right."
The knowledge he learned at Spirit Hall told him that simply summoning a Tool Martial Soul requires a significant amount of Soul Power, and it isn't "zero consumption" just because you aren't actively using a skill.
Yet, he didn't feel that drain.
Was it because he had more Soul Power, or did the Horned Dragon Staff not require any?
Watching the staff emit a faint silver glow, Xiao Lin grew curious.
Is this my cheat? My 'gold finger'?
Soon, the Horned Dragon Staff gave him an answer. To his disbelief, the silver Soul Power from the staff flowed into his right hand. Xiao Lin felt his right hand become indestructible.
He slammed his fist into the ground.
BOOM!
A crater was smashed into the earth, yet Xiao Lin's right hand was completely unharmed. It wasn't that he didn't consume Soul Power; it was that he was the Horned Dragon Staff itself.
"An Innate Soul Tool Avatar Physique!?"
Xiao Lin looked at the crater in shock.
He could only use the most fitting term to explain the situation. Furthermore, he felt that the potential of the Horned Dragon Staff went far beyond this. Perhaps only after absorbing a Soul Ring would he truly understand its power.