Dugu Feng had been waiting for this day with endless anticipation. His predecessor's talent was extraordinary. Otherwise, how could he have suffered poison outbreaks so young?
Time passed quickly in his expectation. A year and a half later, Dugu Feng turned six.
That morning, he finished his meditation and changed into a new gray robe, tied at the waist with a green belt.
His figure was tall and straight, already carrying the presence of an adult. Compared to Old Snake, he looked far more imposing.
Standing before a bronze mirror, the most striking thing in his reflection was his calm yet heavy gaze. His emerald eyes glinted occasionally with light.
He felt it clearly. He was no longer just a boy. He was the young master of the Dugu clan, a soul master with the Jade Phosphor Serpent martial soul, someone who had endured constant outbreaks and built unshakable willpower.
Even if given the chance to return and live as a normal person, he could not go back anymore.
What weighed on him most was the suffocating atmosphere of the Dugu household.
Old Snake's chatter sometimes brought laughter, but his father, Dugu Shuo, was always cold-faced, making the family feel like a cage.
Damn it, are your facial muscles hibernating? You never change expressions.
He mocked silently.
Turning his head, he caught sight of a strand of green hair among his black locks. It hung by his temple, strangely adding to his looks.
No more. If it spreads and I end up with a full head of green hair, it won't look good.
The Pill Pearl had to evolve.
After endless eating and poison absorption, its energy was finally full.
Yet there was still no change.
It must be lacking soul power.
When his martial soul awakened, the Pill Pearl would surely transform.
He stepped outside. Old Snake and Little Snake were already waiting.
"Young Master, come with me. The clan leader is waiting in the ancestral hall."
Dugu Feng nodded and followed.
Little Snake looked thinner than ever, his height already far behind Dugu Feng's.
His sharp eyes scanned his surroundings, hands hidden in his sleeves as if ready to strike at any moment.
He was now a rank twenty-one Soul Grandmaster. His Violet Poison had entered the second stage—released from the hands, swift like blades.
By his own words, he was already strong enough to kill even a Soul Elder in secret.
Dugu Feng only hoped Little Snake could survive his future outbreaks.
With the Pill Pearl, even he barely endured. What about the others without it?
As he pondered, the three entered the ancestral hall.
The awakening would take place here.
With the Dugu clan's power, they had no need to rely on Spirit Hall for such ceremonies.
Dugu Feng saw his father again. Dugu Shuo looked more aged than before, his time clearly running out.
Dugu Feng felt little attachment, but he knew well that the clan's vast resources relied on the clan leader's strength.
These past two years had shown him the Dugu clan was far deeper than outsiders imagined.
He hoped his father could last a while longer. When the time was right, he would reveal the importance of soul bones.
For now, with his martial soul still dormant, he had to stay cautious.
At the center of the hall, Dugu Shuo had arranged six black stones in a hexagon.
Dugu Feng stepped inside without hesitation.
The hall fell silent.
He did not see what method Dugu Shuo used, but golden light rose from the stones, forming a faint golden barrier around him.
The warmth washed over him, just like the comfort of the Pill Pearl.
It seeped into him, pulling on his bloodline.
At last, energy surged into his forehead. A green diamond-shaped scale appeared between his brows—the mark of the Jade Phosphor Serpent.
Dugu Shuo exhaled quietly, relieved. The martial soul was perfect.
Now came the test of innate soul power. This was what would decide the clan's future.
He stared intently.
"Feng'er, place your hand on this crystal."
He produced a blue crystal ball.
Dugu Feng did not hesitate. He closed his eyes and pressed his right hand onto it.
The crystal was clear, glowing faint blue. The moment his palm touched, dazzling light burst out.
Blue brilliance filled the hall.
"Innate full soul power!"
"Innate full soul power!!"
"Innate full soul power!!!"
Three voices, big and small, cried out in shock. Even Dugu Shuo's eyes blazed as he exclaimed.
"Clan leader, this must be kept secret. Feng'er is the hope of our Poison Lineage's revival!" Old Snake said seriously.
For the first time, Dugu Shuo's cold face cracked into a smile. It had not been easy, but finally.
He nodded. "There are only four of us here. No fear of leaks. When Feng'er enters school, we will announce he has innate rank eight soul power.
A genius of rank eight is still remarkable for our clan."
It was a clever move. With one sentence, he tied Old Snake and Little Snake firmly to himself.
"Feng'er, you have one month to familiarize yourself with soul power cultivation. After that, Old Snake will take you to Sunset Forest to hunt your first soul beast."
"Yes, Father."
Dugu Feng's face was flushed. Partly from the lingering warmth of the golden light, partly from excitement.
Innate full soul power. He had guessed his talent was strong, but this surpassed his expectations.
Across all of Douluo, how many had such talent?
Oscar, Feng Xiaotian, Qian Renxue with her innate rank twenty, and Tang San with his false full soul power courtesy of his Xuantian Skill.
Innate full soul power meant no bottlenecks until Title Douluo.
And now, he would soon obtain his first ring and his first skill.
For the first time, Dugu Feng allowed himself to dream of the future.
Then, with a flick of his wrist, Dugu Shuo produced two tiny snake eggs.
Each was only the size of a pinky nail, gray with faint emerald flecks.
Dugu Feng's sharp eyes, sharpened by years of eating snake galls, caught the detail instantly.
He knew at a glance. Unlike bird eggs, these were fused together. Only serpent eggs formed this way.
"Feng'er, tell me, do you recognize these?" Dugu Shuo's tone was uncharacteristically gentle.
"Emerald Nine-Section Snake," Dugu Feng answered immediately.
The emerald flecks gave it away.
"Correct. These two will hatch soon. Take them as your snake pets. You know the methods of raising them. Their strength will depend on you."
"Thank you, Father."
Dugu Feng accepted them gladly.
For the Dugu clan, serpent pets were part of a soul master's strength, greatly boosting their battle power.
He placed the two soft eggs against his chest, storing them carefully.
The future of the Poison God had begun.