Chapter 7: Innate Full Soul Power
Dugu Feng eagerly awaited his martial spirit awakening. His former self's talent had been extraordinary—otherwise, he wouldn't have experienced poison flare at such a young age.
Time passed quickly in anticipation, and a year and a half later, Dugu Feng turned six.
That morning, at dawn.
He ended his meditation and changed into a brand-new gray robe. A two-finger-wide green belt cinched tightly around his waist.
His tall, straight figure looked like that of an adult, far more imposing than Old Snake.
Standing before a bronze mirror, his most striking feature was his calm yet intense gaze, his emerald-green eyes gleaming faintly with light.
He felt it deep inside—he was the young master of the Dugu Clan, heir of the Jade Phosphor Serpent martial spirit, and a soul master from the Douluo Continent who had already endured poison flare so many times that his heart had turned to iron.
Even if given the choice, he could never go back to being an ordinary man.
The only thing bothering him was how suffocating life in the clan felt.
Old Snake, the chatterbox, brought occasional amusement, but his father remained unfailingly cold, casting a shadow of pressure over everyone.
Damn it, did your facial muscles go into hibernation? Not a single expression ever changes, Dugu Feng muttered inwardly, complaining about his father as usual.
Turning his head, his reflection showed a lock of green hair—standing out vividly among the rest of his black hair. That strand trailed down his temple, giving him a certain roguish charm.
That's enough. Any more, and I'll have a head full of green—it wouldn't look good.
The dan pearl needed to evolve soon.
After a year and a half of devouring food and absorbing poison, the energy inside his dan pearl had reached fullness.
But it hadn't changed yet.
It must be because it lacked soul power.
Once his martial spirit awakened, it would surely evolve.
He stepped outside, where Old Snake and Little Snake were already waiting.
"Young Master, come with me. The clan leader is waiting for you in the ancestral hall," said Old Snake.
Dugu Feng nodded and followed.
Beside him, Little Snake looked thinner and sharper. His height hadn't increased much—he was now clearly shorter than Dugu Feng.
Little Snake's vigilant eyes darted about; his hands were hidden inside his sleeves, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
He had already become a Grand Soul Master, rank twenty-one, and could release Jade Phosphor Violet Poison with both hands—the second stage of the technique, swift as lightning.
By his own words, he was now a true strongman. He could kill even a Soul Elder in secret, one step closer to his dream.
Dugu Feng only hoped Little Snake could survive when his poison eventually flared.
Even with the golden finger of the dan pearl, his own experience was horrific. He could only imagine the agony others suffered.
As he pondered, the three entered the ancestral hall.
The martial spirit awakening would take place here.
With the Dugu Clan's power, there was no need to depend on the Spirit Hall.
Dugu Feng saw his father, Dugu Shuo, again—he looked even older now, as though the poison within him was wearing him down. Dugu Feng wasn't emotionally close to him but knew the clan's survival depended on the leader's strength.
Over the past two years, he'd realized that the Dugu Clan was far from simple. He hoped his father could hold out for a while longer—later, when the time was right, he'd find a reason to explain the use of his dan pearl.
For now, with his martial spirit still dormant, it was better to remain cautious around Dugu Shuo.
At the center of the hall, Dugu Shuo had arranged six black stones in the shape of a hexagon.
Dugu Feng stepped inside without hesitation.
Silence filled the room. He didn't even see how Dugu Shuo activated it, but golden mist began to rise from the six stones, forming a faint golden barrier that surrounded him completely.
The glow was warm, much like the heat of his dan pearl—gentle, comfortable, soothing.
The energy seeped into him, tracing through his bloodline.
Finally, power surged to his forehead. Between his brows, a small diamond-shaped green scale shimmered into view—the mark of the Jade Phosphor Serpent.
Seeing this, Dugu Shuo quietly exhaled in relief. The martial spirit was flawless—the Jade Phosphor Serpent, just as it should be.
Next came the test for innate soul power. Dugu Shuo's expression tensed; this result would determine the clan's future.
"Feng'er, place your hand on this crystal ball," he said, holding up a blue crystal sphere.
Dugu Feng closed his eyes and placed his right hand on it.
The crystal ball gleamed faintly at first—but the moment his hand touched it, a flash of blinding light burst forth.
The entire ancestral hall flooded with blue radiance.
"Innate full soul power!"
"Innate full soul power!!"
"Innate full soul power!!!"
Three different voices echoed in astonishment. Even Dugu Shuo, usually composed, exclaimed softly, eyes shining with joy.
"Clan leader, this must remain secret," Old Snake said sternly. "Feng'er is the hope of our Poison Line's revival."
For once, Dugu Shuo's cold face broke into a smile. Such emotions were rare for him.
He nodded. "There are only four of us here. No need to fear leaks. When we send him to school, we'll say he has innate level-eight soul power. A level-eight talent from the Dugu Clan will be more believable."
His tone carried quiet pride—and subtle calculation. Dugu Feng noticed how easily his father drew Old Snake and Little Snake into his confidence.
"Feng'er, I'll give you a month to familiarize yourself with soul cultivation. After that, Old Snake will take you to Sunset Forest to hunt for your first soul ring," Dugu Shuo instructed.
"Yes, Father," answered Dugu Feng, unable to suppress his excitement. The lingering warmth of the golden light still coursed through him.
Innate full soul power—what an incredible gift! Poison flare at four years old truly meant unmatched potential. Still, he hadn't expected this level of talent.
In the whole of Douluo, only a handful were born this way.
Oscar, Feng Xiaotian… Qian Renxue with innate level twenty… and that "cheater" Tang San, whose so-called full soul power actually came from his internal training technique, Xuan Tian Gong.
True innate full soul power meant one thing—no bottlenecks all the way to Titled Douluo.
And soon he would gain his first soul ring—and with it, his first soul skill.
For the first time, Dugu Feng could clearly envision his future.
Then, Dugu Shuo turned over his wrist, revealing two gray-white snake eggs. Each was the size of a pinky nail, dotted with faint emerald flecks on the shell.
The markings were subtle, but Dugu Feng's eyes—sharp from years of devouring snake gall—spotted the pattern immediately.
They were stuck together, confirming his guess. No other kind of egg looked quite like that.
"Feng'er, tell me. Do you know what kind of snake these eggs belong to?" Dugu Shuo asked, his tone uncharacteristically gentle. This was, after all, his prodigy son.
"Nine-Section Jade," Dugu Feng replied without thinking.
The emerald speckles on the eggs were the defining trait of that species.
"Correct. These two Nine-Section Jade will hatch soon. Take them—they'll serve as your companions and protection. You already know the method of taming serpent pets. How strong they grow depends on you."
"Thank you, Father."
Dugu Feng smiled faintly, accepting the gift. For every member of the Dugu Clan, a snake pet was part of their strength—it could greatly boost fighting capability.
The eggs felt slightly soft in his palm. He pressed gently, then tucked them into his pocket close to his body for warmth.
(END CHAPTER)
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