"Great Sumeru Hammer?"
Tang Hao nearly cried out in surprise; he had never even considered thinking in such a direction.
If what Xiao Lin said was true, then the Great Sumeru Hammer might very well be a further evolution of the Clear Sky Hammer. Unlike Tang Hao's vocal shock, Tang San had no real concept of the Great Sumeru Hammer.
He merely lowered his head, contemplating the matter.
He knew that to awaken the Clear Sky Hammer, having an Innate Soul Power of Rank 8 or 9 was practically a requirement. He himself possessed Innate Full Soul Power, yet even so, there wasn't a shadow of the Great Sumeru Hammer during his awakening.
If such a thing truly existed, wouldn't it require an even higher Innate Soul Power to awaken? Could such a situation actually exist?
"In truth, don't be so surprised, you two. As far as I know, the act of a Martial Soul absorbing a Soul Ring is itself a process of evolution," Xiao Lin said, waving his hands dismissively toward the two.
"Blue Silver Grass specializes in vitality. By continuously absorbing Soul Rings from Soul Beasts with powerful life force, it should be possible to make the grass evolve.
"If Little San's Martial Soul isn't just ordinary Blue Silver Grass but a Blue Silver King, then it will inevitably evolve into the Blue Silver Emperor in the future. The same applies to Little San's Clear Sky Hammer."
"By continuously absorbing strength-type Soul Rings, there's hope for it to evolve into the Great Sumeru Hammer. Furthermore, Little San has Twin Martial Souls. His second Martial Soul will start with ten-thousand-year or even one hundred thousand year Soul Rings, making evolution even easier."
As Xiao Lin spoke, he suddenly remembered that in the original future, Tang San didn't actually "evolve" the Clear Sky Hammer into the Great Sumeru Hammer as a base form, and he felt a momentary wave of awkwardness.
Ah... even after becoming a God he didn't do it? Well, forget the Great Sumeru Hammer part then.
In any case, the Blue Silver Emperor was a certainty.
Xiao Lin subconsciously rubbed his nose; even if the evolution failed, it didn't mean his theory was wrong.
Perhaps the age of the Soul Rings simply wasn't high enough?
The Great Sumeru Hammer was a technique that required Tang Hao to perform "Ring Bursting" just to manifest a phantom image; how could it be that simple?
After comforting himself mentally, Xiao Lin immediately changed the subject.
"What I am talking about is the Theory of Martial Soul Shattering Evolution. This theory is only applicable to 'trash' Tool Martial Souls like Blue Silver Grass. Because the shattering of the grass has little impact on Little San, I really hope he can give it a try."
It was like harvesting leeks.
A patch of light green leeks, after being cut harvest after harvest, would turn a deep, vibrant green and become tougher. This "aging" was a form of resilience. Weren't Blue Silver Grass and leeks remarkably similar?
Even if it didn't trigger a true evolution, constantly making the Martial Soul regenerate would make Little San's grass tougher and more resilient. At the very least, it would be several—or even dozens—of times stronger than a standard Blue Silver Bind.
"Alright, I'm willing to try. I'll shatter it once a day," Tang San said after a moment, a flash of determination in his eyes.
Xiao Lin felt a bit touched. He punched Tang San's shoulder and shouted, "Good brother!"
Currently, Xiao Lin's theory held no benefit for top-tier Tool Martial Souls like the Clear Sky Hammer or the Horned Dragon Staff.
But for Blue Silver Grass, it was different.
Besides, although Xiao Lin hadn't watched much of Soul Land 2, 3, or 4 in his past life, he seemed to recall someone whose Martial Soul was an iron sword. After the sword shattered, it became stronger than before—the broken blade gave that person a different set of possibilities.
Was that not a form of evolution? Of course, it also proved the saying: "There are no trash Martial Souls, only trash Soul Masters."
That person was truly an exceptionally gifted individual.
As for the Theory of Martial Soul Shattering Evolution, Xiao Lin wasn't obsessed with researching it for his own sake. However, if it succeeded, it could help many Soul Masters in the future. It could be considered a way to accumulate some "merit."
"Mhm. This is between you two; I won't interfere. Since Little San is already a Soul Master, don't forget to collect the money from Spirit Hall," Tang Hao said indifferently.
As long as the Blue Silver Grass grew stronger, it would help in resurrecting Ah Yin later.
Tang Hao then turned to Xiao Lin. After pondering for a moment, he spoke, "Xiao Lin, what Soul Beast do you need to kill for your ring? I'm free right now; I'll help you obtain your first Soul Ring."
Tang Hao didn't have much time; he had his own business to attend to.
Otherwise, in the original story, he wouldn't have entrusted Tang San to that waste, "Grandmaster." He only reappeared when Tang San went to Shrek. Now, he realized that Yu Xiaogang not only had useless theories but his actual strength was also pathetic.
Tang Hao believed that once Xiao Lin had his first Soul Ring, his strength would definitely be greater than that waste Yu Xiaogang. He understood the power of a top-tier Tool Martial Soul all too well.
At this moment, Xiao Lin's expression remained unchanged, but internally, he was incredibly moved.
You finally thought of me, Uncle Hao!
In Xiao Lin's eyes, the first Soul Ring was vital. He believed in the principle of "start strong, stay strong." Thus, he blurted out his goal immediately.
"Uncle Hao, my goal is a Vajra Giant Ox of around 500 years from the Soul Hunting Forest."
The moment he spoke, both Tang Hao and Tang San were shocked.
500 years was nearly a quarter beyond the established limit for a first Soul Ring. Even the ring Tang San had absorbed was just a weakened, 450-year Three-Eyed Salamander that had lost its will to live.
"Xiao Lin, are you sure?" Tang Hao asked seriously. He didn't want his son's future helper and good brother to die from body-bursting while absorbing a ring.
"Yeah, Brother Lin, this is too exaggerated," Tang San added anxiously.
"Uncle Hao, Little San, actually my original plan was even crazier: an 800-year Vajra Giant Ox. Uncle Hao, you might not know, but my Martial Soul has granted me a body that is practically 'Vajra Imperishable,' at least among those of the same rank. This level of power is enough to guarantee my safety."
As he spoke, Xiao Lin activated his Vajra Imperishable Divine Skill.
The silver Soul Power of the Horned Dragon Staff coated his right hand as he smashed a fist into the ground.
Bang!
Under Tang Hao's incredulous gaze, Xiao Lin punched directly through the earth, creating a pit nearly twenty centimeters deep.
"Uncle Hao, that was without me using much force," Xiao Lin said calmly, shaking the dirt off his hand and striking a casual pose.
"Fine. A 500-year Vajra Giant Ox it is. I'll take you now. Remember, if it feels impossible, you must absolutely abandon the absorption." Tang Hao shook his head with a final warning.
It was one thing for Little San to be a monster, but he hadn't expected Xiao Lin to be one as well. Could a tiny place like Holy Spirit Village truly produce such a pair of peerless geniuses?
"Uncle Hao, in that case, can I try to absorb an 800-year Vajra Giant Ox?" Xiao Lin asked immediately.
Since abandonment was an option, why not try a more powerful ring?
"It's possible, but abandoning an absorption carries its own risks. Otherwise, Soul Masters wouldn't die from body-bursting," Tang Hao nodded, unsure of what else to say.
"That's enough then. Uncle Hao, just trust me." Xiao Lin was full of confidence.
He was, after all, born with the "Innate Tool Soul Avatar Physique."