"My mom said that it might have triggered a deeper, more powerful bloodline hidden within the Soft Bone Rabbit."
That's what Xiao Wu said.
Zhou Qing silently thought, As expected. He believed that stimulating the spine using spatial force was the fundamental condition to awaken the true bloodline of a hundred-thousand-year Soft Bone Rabbit.
But it was a pity—
So far, the only two known Soft Bone Rabbits that had reached the hundred-thousand-year level both chose to transform into human form.
The first was Xiao Wu's mother. The original story didn't explain why, but Zhou Qing speculated that it was most likely because she knew she couldn't survive the Heavenly Tribulation, so she chose to transform and start cultivating anew.
And then she was killed by Bibi Dong.
The second was Xiao Wu herself. Her reason was much simpler she came to the human world to find and take revenge on the one who killed her mother. In the original, she was eventually blinded by the allure of the human world, and because Tang San protected her so well, she became a love-obsessed fool.
That's why what a hundred-thousand-year Soft Bone Rabbit could truly evolve into… remained an eternal mystery.
"Alright then, since you already have your own ideas, I won't say much more. But judging from the soul skills of the Soft Bone Rabbit you've mentioned: Waist Bow, Charm, Teleportation, Soft Bone Lock, Void, Invincible Golden Body, Eight-Stage Kick..."
"Eight-Stage Throw, not Eight-Stage Kick," Xiao Wu corrected.
"Forgive me, I just imagined a rabbit kicking with its feet."
"Who says you can only throw with your hands? Legs and feet can work too, okay? Besides, the bodies of Soft Bone Charm Rabbits over ten thousand years old are nothing like ordinary rabbits!" Xiao Wu interrupted Zhou Qing directly, pointing indignantly at her long legs. "Also, my knees and ankles are incredibly flexible now. I can hook, lift, stomp, and squeeze—why couldn't I throw with them?"
Zhou Qing: "..."
Are we even talking about the same thing?
After a moment of silence, Zhou Qing cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk about our future development paths."
Currently, the soul master world is divided into six main categories: Power Attack, Agility Attack, Control, Defense, Support, and Food Systems.
"Based on our martial souls and soul skills, I'm definitely a Power Attack type—no doubt. Tang San's Blue Silver Grass is currently only suited for Support. And you... can't really be considered Agility Attack."
This was a bit awkward for Xiao Wu.
Calling her Power Attack—
Her offensive power wasn't particularly strong, and her skills mostly required close combat.
Even if she used the full potential of the Soft Bone Rabbit's talents, none of the skills could be used at long range.
Calling her Agility Attack—
She was nimble and reactive, but she lacked in raw speed. Her straight-line running speed was only on par with Zhou Qing.
Even though he had higher spirit power—which was only about two levels higher—it was surprising that Xiao Wu couldn't outrun him.
Not to mention Tang San. With his Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, he completely outclassed Xiao Wu in both agility and speed.
Defense, Support, and Food Systems weren't even up for discussion.
The only possible fit was Control. In the future, once Xiao Wu unlocked her Soft Bone Lock ability, she could be of some use in close-range control. But compared to soul masters who could control enemies from a distance, she was far less effective. She would need top-tier battle talent and a wealth of combat experience.
"I don't want to be Agility Attack anyway," Xiao Wu said flatly.
Though the Soft Bone Rabbit wasn't exactly slow, Xiao Wu never intended to develop along the speed route.
And her reason was simple—she knew the Soft Bone Rabbit's real potential lay in its soft bones and space attributes. Before transforming, under her mother's guidance, she had already been cultivating along those two paths.
The so-called speed talent was just a basic trait shared by all rabbits. Xiao Wu wasn't about to give up something substantial to chase after minor gains—she wasn't going to waste time trying to become an Agility Attack type.
And Zhou Qing, now fully understanding this, gave up on the idea of pushing her toward the Agility path once he learned all six of her soul rings had to come from Soft Bone Rabbits.
In the original story, Xiao Wu's first six soul skills looked full of flaws, but based on her current knowledge about the Soft Bone Rabbit, those six rings actually showcased every single one of the Soft Bone Rabbit's innate abilities through soul ring skills.
"Actually, I think these six soul master categories—if we look only at the first five—seem to exist purely to match the format of soul master tournaments. But once you add the sixth one, the Food System, it suggests a different purpose."
Zhou Qing's tone turned mysterious.
"What do you mean?" Xiao Wu asked curiously.
Tang San was also confused.
"When it comes to the Food System, whether it's the basic academy textbooks or Teacher Mo Hen's explanations, it always says: 'The martial soul can be consumed. A powerful Food System soul master can provide adequate supplies for an entire army.'"
Zhou Qing said seriously, "The first half is nonsense. If it can't be eaten, how can it be a Food System? What matters is the second half. Do you know what that implies?"
Xiao Wu shook her head, eyes innocent and clear. When it came to gaps in her knowledge, she was as pure as a three-year-old child. But in the things she did know—like swearing or matters between men and women—she was totally a little "pervy rabbit."
"To supply an army… war?" Tang San guessed, though not quite sure.
"Exactly. It's about war," Zhou Qing said solemnly. "Just look at Nuoding City. Even a tiny hundred-year spirit bone in my possession caused unrest. The conflict between the two great empires must be far worse—they both want to conquer and unify the other."
"These six soul master categories seem more like a system developed to serve warfare:
Power Attack: frontline combat troops;
Agility Attack: scouts and assassins who also need combat capabilities;
Defense: the army's shield and line-holders;
Control: leaders within a soul master unit who not only control the battlefield but must also be excellent tacticians;
Support: enhance their team's combat effectiveness through buffs and boosts;
Food System: no explanation needed—the textbook even explicitly states they exist to feed armies in war."
"That's why I think these current categories aren't quite right. If you were just dividing soul masters for tournament purposes, you could simply use six roles—Tank, Mage, Archer, Support, Assassin, and Warrior—and cover nearly every type."
Tang San nodded thoughtfully and said, "That's true. Power Attack, Agility, Defense… all sound like classifications designed for war. But what about your six roles—how are they different?"
Tank was easy to understand—a soul master with strong defense.
Support likely referred to Support Types, and maybe also included Food and Healing types.
Warrior probably meant soul masters who were all-rounders—able to fight, take hits, and help teammates.
The other three were less clear.
Mage likely referred to those who could unleash powerful energy-based attacks. After all, he remembered Zhou Qing naming Romantina's massive black staff the "Phoenix Parasol Magic Staff," so maybe that was related…
Assassin couldn't be taken literally, right?
And Archer was that meant only for soul masters whose martial souls were bows or crossbows?