Douluo: From Internal Martial Arts to the Law of Heaven and Earth

Tao Ge's expression changed slightly, even though he had already made up his mind. The previous training had been grueling enough, and now he was being told that what he had learned was just the beginning. A chill ran down his spine.

Chapter 7 Pushing the Limits of Physical Training: Three Theories on Martial Souls

Despite the fear, training still needs to be done.

"Big brother, do you remember the push-up I taught you before? This time, I'll teach you a few more positions."

After watching Su Yuntao get into a push-up position, Tang Shan squatted down and patted one of her arms that was supporting her on the ground.

"Put this hand in, either behind or in front of you. Use your other hand for support and do push-ups. The key points are the same as before: keep your back and thighs in a straight line and do it slowly to fully stimulate your muscles."

Su Yuntao's expression twisted as she put one hand behind her back and bent the other as much as possible, slowly doing a one-handed push-up.

Seeing that there were no major problems with the movements, Tangshan continued to teach the training methods.

He taught the simple push-up, the one-handed push-up, the folded push-up, and the captain's push-up.

Every movement is an immense test of physical fitness.

Tang Shan nodded in satisfaction, noting that although it was somewhat forced, it was basically completed normally.

It seems my guess was right. After absorbing the soul ring, my physical qualities have undergone a huge leap. The physical exertion of these actions shouldn't be a big problem for an average soul master. The main issue is that I hadn't developed this part of my power before.

However, there are also drawbacks. These movements can only support the training of a Great Soul Master at most, and they probably won't play much of a role after breaking through to the Soul Venerable level.

As for the eldest brother, the absorption of the soul ring is already beyond that of ordinary soul masters. Even without using whale glue, the training effect would probably be almost non-existent once the eldest brother naturally reaches level 20.

Unfortunately, I only occasionally came across these kinds of training videos in my past life. It's true what they say, you only realize how little you know when you need it.

Setting aside his complicated thoughts, Tangshan continued to teach other training methods, such as single-leg squats, planks, dragon flags, etc.

Regardless of whether there are better or more favorable training methods later, at least I should pass on what I currently know to my elder brother.

"This is a burpee. You can think of it as a combination of frog jumps, squats, and push-ups. This movement must be done in one smooth motion without any pauses."

"Hu Chi... Hu Chi..."

The sweat, the size of soybeans, was particularly intense under the bright sun. Su Yuntao sat slumped on the ground, breathing rapidly.

Tang Shan stood beside him and patted his older brother on the shoulder.

"Brother, that's good. You just need a few more days to adjust before you feel so tired. After all, your physical condition is what it is after your breakthrough."

After a while, Su Yuntao took the water that Tangshan handed her and drank it in small sips. With a hoarse voice, she couldn't help but ask a question.

"Young man, where did you learn these movements? How come they have such a significant effect on physical exercise?"

"I found this in the library of the Spirit Hall of Nottingham City, but I forgot which book it was."

Tangshan lies without thinking, showing no awareness whatsoever that he is deceiving others.

"Don't be fooled by the current results. It's because you haven't experienced this kind of training before. Once you get used to it, the effects will decrease rapidly. I'm afraid that once you reach the Great Soul Master level, the training will be ineffective. I don't have any further training methods here."

"Little brother, is that all?"

To be honest, Su Yuntao felt a little regretful upon hearing the news. Although the training was painful, the feeling of sweating profusely and constantly improving was extremely exhilarating. If Tang Shan knew what Su Yuntao was thinking, he would definitely understand that it was because Su Yuntao's brain was secreting a large amount of dopamine, bringing him lasting pleasure.

"You two boys, come back for dinner."

Hearing Su Haichao's shouts coming from inside the pavilion, Su Yuntao tried to get up, but stumbled.

Fortunately, Tang Shan reacted quickly and stepped forward to lend a hand to the other party.

After finally regaining her balance, Su Yuntao wiped the sweat from her brow again and let out a long breath. ...

"Hey kid, did you just get pulled out of the water?"

Seeing Su Yuntao soaked to the bone and unable to move easily, Su Haichao was somewhat surprised as he brought out a plate from the kitchen.

He knew his youngest son's training methods were quite good, but he didn't expect that Su Yuntao would break through to become a Soul Master and still have such obvious results.

"Dad, would you like to practice with me?"

A malicious smile crept onto Su Yuntao's lips, but Tang Shan immediately shattered his illusions.

"Dad is a Soul Master. Even if he trains with you, it won't have any effect. He might not even break a sweat. You should just enjoy yourself, brother."

Su Yuntao, feeling stifled, wanted to vent her anger on her underlings, but Tang Shan, being incredibly perceptive, had already run to the dining table the moment she finished speaking.

"Brother, you should go and rest for a while, and come back for dinner later. It will be good for your health."

……

Moonlight streamed through the window onto the table, and the soul-guided lamp, infused with soul power, emitted a soft glow.

The little one was lying on the table, sometimes deep in thought, sometimes writing.

Tang Shan was writing a theory of martial spirit to submit to the Spirit Hall. At first, he was a little worried. After all, he had never written any papers in his previous life. Now, he really felt at a loss as to where to start. But soon, he had an idea. What gave him inspiration was a certain master's "Ten Core Competitive Advantages of Martial Spirit".

He quickly wrote down standard characters, his thoughts flowing like a spring. The main focus was on modifying some theories in "core competitiveness," with only a few being his research findings.

Three Theories on Martial Soul

First: Twin Martial Souls. Based on my reading and understanding, the two Martial Souls in a Twin Martial Soul combination must be extremely similar or even identical in quality; there is no possibility of one being stronger than the other. After all, under normal circumstances, a child only inherits the stronger Martial Soul from one of their parents, and some are mutated Martial Souls that combine the characteristics of both. For Twin Martial Souls to be born, besides the inherent strength of the two, their equal quality is also one of the necessary conditions for their birth.

Furthermore, although all the twin martial souls discovered so far have innate full soul power, I believe that not all twin martial souls have innate full soul power. This is because the quality of the martial soul determines the level of innate soul power, not the quantity. If a person awakens a longsword and a broadsword, both ordinary iron weapons, even if their innate soul power is relatively high, they may not necessarily achieve innate full soul power. Of course, some of the above is based on my verification, while some is based on my speculation. If readers have the opportunity to verify my theories and find them to be incorrect, please feel free to point them out.

Second: Regarding the effectiveness of continuing cultivation after reaching a bottleneck, the author has verified that while continuing cultivation after reaching a bottleneck can indeed allow for the continued accumulation of soul power, the author believes that it is generally advisable for Soul Masters to break through as soon as possible after reaching a bottleneck. After all, even if soul power can be accumulated, can the cultivation level of Soul Masters at different realms be equal? ​​This is undoubtedly not the case. Wasting time accumulating soul power and then unleashing it all at once after breaking through is, in the author's opinion, tantamount to self-deception. As for why the author refers to "general Soul Masters," this is related to the author's later theory. Please be patient; based on the above reasons, it is generally advisable for general Soul Masters to break through as soon as possible.

Thirdly, regarding soul ring absorption, when a soul master reaches a bottleneck, they must hunt soul beasts and absorb soul rings to break through. The effects of the acquired soul skills are mainly related to three factors: the age of the soul beast, the type of soul beast, and the master's own martial soul. Among these three factors, the type of martial soul and the type of soul beast are different, which will not be discussed in detail here. The author's theory here mainly concerns the age of the absorbed soul ring.

The vast majority of level 10 Soul Masters absorb Soul Rings with a maximum lifespan of around 400 years, with very few exceeding 400 years. This suggests that, under normal circumstances, the maximum lifespan of the first Soul Ring is around 400 years. However, this is just a general observation; are there any exceptions?

Yes, it is possible. If one engages in regular, high-intensity physical training after reaching a bottleneck, the maximum number of soul rings absorbed can be increased by nearly a hundred years. This is the result I have obtained through various verifications. It can be seen that before absorbing a ten-thousand-year soul ring, one must not have suffered a soul shock from a ten-thousand-year soul beast. The number of years a soul ring can be absorbed is related to the soul master's own physical qualities.

The intense physical training may seem like a waste of a year's cultivation time, but readers can ask themselves honestly whether, even if they break through this year, they can theoretically increase their soul power by one level. You should know that if you absorb the soul power of a high-age soul ring, you can also increase it. The lost cultivation time can be easily made up.

Therefore, I suggest that if your own conditions allow, and your innate soul power is not at level eight or nine or even at full innate soul power, and you cannot improve by one level every few months, it is better to waste a year pursuing a higher level and a soul ring that can significantly increase soul power after the breakthrough. If you are a genius in innate soul power, it is advisable to break through as soon as possible, since it is better to reach a higher realm sooner rather than waste time.

Furthermore, I have a wild idea: if a person continuously trains their body, and their physical fitness reaches a certain level, could they possibly achieve the second ring of the millennium or even the first ring of the millennium...?

Tang Shan completed the three theories in one go. Looking at his research results, he nodded with satisfaction. Some of the knowledge was valuable, while some was just a summary and modification of some past theories.

For example, the first theory is about twin martial souls. He plagiarized, or rather, borrowed from a future master's classic theory and modified it. How can you call it plagiarism when it's between scholars? Besides, the master's theory hasn't even been published yet.

In the first theory, he affirmed that the quality of twin martial souls must be close to or even equal. This theory was mainly used to pad the word count, but padding the word count is one thing, the information in it is not fabricated. Unlike a certain master, who said that the quality of twin martial souls must be equal, and then said that your grass cannot provide innate full soul power, so there must be a martial soul of higher quality.

It's like having your own theory contradicted – it's like being stabbed in the butt with a knife, it's an eye-opener.

The second theory, besides drawing on a certain "core competitiveness," also serves as a prelude to the third theory.

It can be said that what he truly valued was the third theory, which was the real substance. It contained his thoughts on the cultivation of Soul Masters with insufficient talent. If you are not talented enough, you might as well obtain a high-age Soul Ring, which can improve your talent to a certain extent and also give you an absolutely excellent Soul Skill. Why not?

P.S.: Thank you to readers 52HERTZ929 and DaSuda for the recommendation votes! Please add this to your favorites and continue reading!

Chapter 8 Theoretical Reporting, The First Indirect Encounter

The following morning, Tangshan handed over its findings to Su Haichao.

Su Haichao glanced through it briefly and was somewhat surprised.

"Shanzi, you didn't write about the influence of a Soul Master's consciousness on acquiring Soul Rings and Soul Skills."

“Yes.” Tang Shan nodded. “This theory has too great an impact on the cultivation of Soul Masters, and our family cannot withstand it. Right now, these theories are enough to cause a certain sensation, but their impact on the cultivation of Soul Masters is not too strong, which is just right.”

Tangshan hasn't actually explained everything yet. Even if people know that Soul Masters affect the Soul Skills they acquire, how many people can actually react and acquire rule-based amplification Soul Skills or even rule-based attack or defense Soul Skills at a lower level?

He never underestimated anyone, but he also never overestimated anyone. He could roam the continent with the Xuan Tian Gong, but the Hammer Technique of using the opponent's strength against them was the secret technique of the number one sect in the world. He really dared not overestimate the creativity of the Soul Masters of Douluo Continent.

Some might say that anyone with a brain should be able to discover the pattern, but Tangshan can only say that this is the case from the perspective of having the answer.

There are countless examples of people in the world who have been hit by apples, yet only Newton discovered universal gravitation and still couldn't explain it? This is a cognitive bias. People often realize how simple it is after they discover it, thinking, "I could do it too," but they are blind to it before they discover it.

His concealed theories are too shocking. If they were to get out, the best outcome would be that the Spirit Hall would "invite" him back to study them, while the worst outcome would be hard to say.

Tang Shanfa's primary purpose in developing his theory is to make money, not to gain fame. If it can help current Soul Masters in their cultivation, he would be happy to do so as a side benefit. However, he would never put himself at a disadvantage just because his theory could greatly benefit other Soul Masters.

“Alright, I’ll transmit this theory to the Spirit Temple in Heaven Dou City in the next few days and see how it develops.”

After discussing the possible developments and responses with Tang Shan, Su Haichao hurriedly left home and headed towards Nottingcheng's Spirit Hall, where the equipment connected to the Spirit Temple of Heaven Dou City was located.

Watching his father depart, Tang Shan was filled with complex emotions. Perhaps the situation and future of the entire mainland would undergo subtle changes because of his theory, and Tang Shan was certain that it would affect the original trajectory of the future. The trajectory of his birth on this mainland was destined to change, and rather than dealing with it passively, he should actively embrace it.

They can become gods, live forever, and be eternal; why can't I?

Snapped!

"Hey bro, what are you doing standing here? You look like you've been through a lot."

Su Yuntao suddenly appeared from some corner and vigorously rubbed Tang Shan's head. Tang Shan, who was originally feeling melancholy, instantly realized what was happening, but Su Yuntao had already run to the side.

"Why do I have to wait three more years to awaken my martial soul? Big brother, just wait and see how I deal with you later."

Tang Shan forced himself to calm down, gritting his teeth. Seeing that Su Yuntao was no longer running, he put on a kind smile.

“Brother, you've recovered quite well, and it's clear you haven't reached your physical limits yet. So let's increase the training volume a bit today. Don't worry, brother, this isn't revenge. I'm doing this for your own good. Think about it, that's the second ring of the millennium…”

……

This is a huge room, estimated to be nearly 200 square meters in size. A huge table is placed in the center of the room, with all kinds of scrolls, books and documents scattered on the table.

"Is there anything else you need me to handle?"

Su Haichao, who had been working at his desk for quite some time, couldn't help but rub his temples and look at his assistant beside him.

"Without the Palace Master, all the documents that accumulated during your absence have been processed."

“Okay.” Su Haichao waved his hand, and his assistant tactfully withdrew.

As the head of the Spirit Hall in Notting City, Su Haichao naturally had official business to attend to. Some time ago, he took Su Yuntao to hunt for spirits, and within a week, a large number of documents had accumulated waiting for his processing. He had only just finished processing them.

Su Haichao leaned back in his seat for a while before he calmed down.

He took out a long, rectangular soul tool from his storage bracelet, pressed the button on it, and injected soul power into it.

Soon, a dignified voice came from the other side.

"I am Salas."

Upon hearing a response from the other side, Su Haichao quickly and respectfully replied.

"Greetings, Bishop Salas. I am Su Haichao, the Hall Master of the Spirit Hall in Notting City. I have been commissioned by a mysterious Spirit Master to publish his Spirit Master theory."

"Soul Master Theory".

Salas's tone now carried a hint of keen interest.

“You can report it through normal channels. After all, our Spirit Hall has the responsibility to research spirits. Your use of special channels to use a communication soul tool must be something special.”

Hearing that Salas did not immediately sever the soul tool, Su Haichao clenched his fist inwardly; the matter was half accomplished.

He hurriedly and respectfully replied, "Bishop, this theory is indeed quite special, and it is very likely to have a significant impact on the lower-level Soul Masters, which is why I reported it."

Su Haichao paused, allowing Salas to absorb as much information as possible from his words, before continuing, "This theory seems capable of reaching the second ring of a thousand years. Based on my understanding of martial spirit cultivation, it has an extremely high probability of realization and universality. I have already had my child try it. Your Excellency, what do you think we should do?"

"what!"

The magnificent yet empty hall is filled with huge murals of angels, exuding an aura of holiness, mystery, and inviolability.

Dressed in a red robe, the bishop of the Spirit Temple, Salas, the temple master of the Heavenly Dou Spirit Temple, stood in the empty hall, facing the huge mural.

Upon hearing the name of the second ring of the millennium, a terrifying aura immediately emanated from the other party. The overwhelming pressure made the air thick and viscous. If one's cultivation level was insufficient, one would probably be crushed by this terrifying pressure as soon as one stepped into the hall.

Faced with the sudden silence, Su Haichao was not surprised at all. Heaven knows how shocked he must have been when he first learned about Tangshan's wild idea.

As the saying goes, the more you know, the more you understand awe. As a platinum bishop, Salas knows far more secrets than Su Haichao. He knows that soul rings can be changed later in life, but that involves divine trials. And to achieve the second ring in a thousand years, currently, apart from divine trials, probably only twin martial souls can do it.

He was astonished to be told that a theory could potentially create the second ring of the millennium on a large scale.

After a long silence, Salas spoke in a deep voice.

"I will send someone to Nottingham City right now to retrieve that Soul Master's theory. Do they have any other requests?"

Su Haichao replied respectfully, "The other party said that the royalties would be given to me at that time, and I would be responsible for handing them over to him."

“Okay.” Salas didn’t think much of it. Some scholars who study martial spirit theory do have some quirks. He had seen plenty of such people when he was in Martial Spirit City, so one more wouldn’t make a difference.

……

"The Three Theories of Martial Soul! What a wonderful Three Theories of Martial Soul!"

A few days later, Salas looked at the theory before him with undisguised amazement in his eyes.

"No wonder, no wonder. It turns out that the upper limit of the number of years one can absorb soul rings is so closely related to one's physical qualities. And this suggestion for soul masters with insufficient talent is simply a blessing for lower-level soul masters."

He touched his chin, as if suddenly remembering something, and abruptly stood up, his eyes filled with undisguised fervor.

Without hesitation, he took out the communication soul guide that the Spirit Hall had painstakingly replicated and injected soul power to activate it.