Chapter 112 - Soul Master

"It's more or less as you guessed."

Zhou Qing affirmed part of Tang San's explanation. "The tank role refers to defense-type soul masters. Whether their martial soul is beast-type or tool-type, the expression of defense varies—some rely on the durability of their body after Martial Soul Possession, while others use soul skills to generate defensive techniques. As long as they can endure or reduce incoming damage, they're considered a good tank."

"Mages are soul masters whose martial souls mainly release energy-based soul skills. It's not just about large attack ranges."

"Archers aren't just soul masters with bows or crossbows as martial souls. It refers to soul masters whose soul skills can perform ranged attacks—those who can strike from afar with precision."

"Support—there's no need to explain much. Whether it's healing allies, boosting their power, or controlling enemies to create openings for the team, they all fall under Support. The definition should be broader. Sometimes even a tank can be considered support. After all, by absorbing damage with high defense and drawing out enemy soul skills, they also create opportunities for teammates."

"Assassins aren't exactly what you imagine, but close enough. They refer to soul masters with high attack power and speed but low durability. In a team battle, they roam the field looking for key opportunities. When teammates land a control effect, they finish the enemy off in one blow or clean up with a final strike."

"Warriors, as you said, are the most balanced type. They can tank, fight, support, and even execute assassination tactics."

Although there are many kinds of martial souls in Douluo Continent, Zhou Qing's six-role classification really could encompass almost all of them.

After all, a soul master's actual role is mostly determined by the soul skills they gain from spirit rings. Judging solely based on their martial soul isn't accurate.

Soul masters are human, and humans won't strictly develop according to the theoretical path of their martial soul. Reality often differs from theory. Most soul masters have to make compromises to adapt to real-world challenges.

Even the disciples of prestigious clans rarely train exactly according to theory.

Xiao Wu, looking a little dazed from all the info, asked, "So what's my role supposed to be?"

"Based on the soul skills of the Soft Bone Rabbit as described by your family, you could be an Assassin. With teleportation and Eight-Stage Throw in the future, you'll be able to close in on enemies—but I estimate you'll only be able to instantly kill those below your level. The Soft Bone Rabbit's innate traits mean you're only suited for favorable matchups."

That was just how it was. Martial soul evolution wasn't easy. It couldn't be achieved through spirit rings alone. Xiao Wu's original form had cultivated to the hundred-thousand-year level—her bloodline must have already undergone multiple evolutions. If she wanted to evolve further—

According to Zhou Qing's guess, she'd need to use spatial power to stimulate her soft bones and awaken even more of her bloodline, achieving a true transformation.

Unfortunately, she had already taken human form.

But if she didn't, she would've died in the Heavenly Tribulation.

For those powerful bloodline beasts, facing a tribulation is always a life-and-death struggle—let alone a Soft Bone Rabbit.

This world's rules didn't allow soul beasts to become gods.

Xiao Wu didn't understand all of this, but hearing Zhou Qing say she was only suited to be an Assassin and only in favorable fights left her extremely dissatisfied. "Why? Can't I be a warrior instead?"

"Of course you can. You're free—no one's stopping you." Zhou Qing understood that forcing someone down a path they didn't like, even if it made them stronger, could easily backfire and provoke resistance.

"As for me, I'm clearly Support," Tang San said, understanding his current role well. With only the Blue Silver Grass martial soul available, he could only function as support for now.

If he switched to the Clear Sky Hammer, he'd be a warrior.

If he used soul-engineered hidden weapons like the Soul-Tool Zhuge Divine Crossbow in battle, he could function as an archer.

And paired with Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, he could even be an assassin.

"Exactly."

Zhou Qing then added, "As for me, I'm a pure warrior."

"I'm telling you all this so you can determine your development path. Once that's clear, I can help you plan your future."

Xiao Wu thought for a moment and said, "Being an assassin isn't completely off the table, but I still prefer direct combat. Sneak attacks don't suit my style as Sister Xiao Wu. So, which Soft Bone Rabbit skill should I choose as my second spirit ring soul skill?"

Zhou Qing countered, "Which one do you think it should be?"

Without hesitation, Xiao Wu replied, "How about Charm? My first soul skill is Waist Bow, which enhances my waist strength and flexibility. Combined with my grappling techniques, I'm good in close combat. Against warriors like you, it's tough, but if I can confuse you, I'll get an opening to strike."

Zhou Qing was a bit surprised.

He had assumed Xiao Wu's second skill being "Charm" in the original story was a random decision. He hadn't expected her to put real thought into it.

But it made sense.

Before reaching the hundred-thousand-year level, the Soft Bone Rabbit sat at the bottom of the food chain. Without awakened spatial powers and unable to outrun other rabbit-type soul beasts, they needed other ways to avoid being eaten like temporarily stunning predators.

Thus, Charm a spiritual ability naturally evolved.

It was a survival skill essential for Soft Bone Rabbits before reaching a thousand years of cultivation.

But Zhou Qing felt it was unnecessary for Xiao Wu in her human form.

Why?

Because in human society, especially during childhood and early development, she wouldn't be hunted by predators. Her survival ability had drastically improved. The Charm ability wouldn't be useful, and since her spiritual power was being retrained from scratch after reincarnation, it wouldn't overpower other soul masters either.

Though Charm would give Xiao Wu earlier exposure to spiritual power manipulation, their team already had someone like Romantina.

As long as Romantina frequently shared mental energy through her Spirit Sharing skill, Xiao Wu would gain spiritual exposure anyway.

So Charm for the current Xiao Wu was pretty much a chicken-rib skill: tasteless, but wasteful to discard.

Thus, Zhou Qing rejected it. "Charm won't be of much use. The Soft Bone Rabbit probably evolved that skill just to temporarily daze predators and escape before reaching a thousand years of cultivation. As a soul skill, it's kind of underwhelming."

A skill meant for fleeing?

That was the truth.

But Zhou Qing's comment still made Xiao Wu puff her cheeks and huff, "Then what do you think my second soul skill should be?"

"You mentioned earlier that besides Eight-Stage Throw, the Soft Bone Rabbit has other offensive skills, though they're weaker like Rabbit Kicks the Hawk."