Chapter 006:

(A/N: Sorry for slow updates, I was spending Christmas with my family. I should be returning to normal speed. In addition, At this point of the story, I will begin calling Wei's original grandfather 'Grandfather Zhang' as to prevent confusion with Dugu Bo, who is also his grandfather now.)

Dugu Wei stood before a large mirror, buttoning a fancy-looking shirt. His face made it clear that he was uncomfortable, but he did not voice anything. He was not alone, as his sister Dugu Yan was sporting a similar get-up and expression. Seeing her pulling at her waist, which was fastened by a band made of Spirit Beast pelt, he helped her adjust it.

Seeing as how she continued to pout, Dugu Wei sighed. "It can't be helped, Yan'er. You know that our grandfather does not like these things either, but today is different. Even His Majesty is here." Not only were the both of them going to awaken their Martial Spirits, but their grandfather Dugu Bo would also be formally announcing his ascension to Douluo Rank. As a result, representatives of noble families and powerful forces across the continent were in attendance, including the Heaven Dou Emperor himself.

Dugu Bo, being both a practical-minded and confident person, thought it would be best to deliberately set the two occasions to be celebrated on the same day, before all of the continent. After all, he was already certain that his grandson was a genius who had early awakened a martial spirit. In fact, he knew that many visitors treated this just like the news of his ascension to Douluo, as it was equally rare if not more.

However, this made Dugu Wei feel nervous. While he knew that his Sky Poison Pearl was not a Martial Spirit but instead a soul-bound treasure, the rest of the Dugu family did not and were still under the belief that he had awoken early. While Dugu Wei had learned that soul-bound treasures did exist, explaining how he had got his hands on them was going to be an even more difficult task than climbing the mountains.

Pulling on his own collar, Dugu Wei was lost in his thoughts. It seemed as if he could only layer lies with more lies to protect both himself and his family. During this time, he had not noticed that Dugu Yan was looking closely at his face, standing on her tippy toes to match his height. Then, she began to tug weakly on his collar with a look of determination but also confusi9on.

Seeing this, Dugu Wei smiled, as he knew that she was trying to help ease his burden even if she did not know what was bothering him. While he was blessed to have a great treasure as well as the accompaniment of his grandfather through reincarnation, he was sure he was even more blessed to be born with a sibling in this life. Taking her hand gently off from his collar, he led her through the doors of the room and into the large halls, before a large crowd whose heads instantly turned to them as whispers erupted.

As expected, most looks were directed at Dugu Wei. However, it seemed that his sister also had a fair amount of admirers as many young boys accompanying their parents were looking at her with adoration. Dugu Wei's careless smile became a bit darker, although no one noticed.

Before anything further was said or done, two large figures walked over. One of them was the familiar outline of their Grandftather, Dugu Bo who had long green hair and a regal look. The other figure was unfamiliar to Dugu Wei, but upon seeing the older man's golden hair and his grandfather's own modest expressions, he was quick to figure out who he was.

Standing before the man, he bowed sharply while gently nudging his sister to do the same. "Your subject greets you, Your Majesty." After saying that, Dugu Yan had a look of amazement on her face, marveling that the man before her was the Emperor of Heaven Dou.

The old man did have a noble demeanor, but it was not lofty and rather amiable, laughing kindly. "It seems that the intelligence of the Dugu family is indeed inheritable. You may rise."

At his word, the twins rose. Dugu Wei was slightly concerned as he had only lightly read upon courtesy in the empire, but seeing his Grandfather's pleased expression, he heaved a sigh of relief. Dugu Bo turned to the Heaven Dou Emperor named Xue Ming, returning compliments. "My grandchildren are indeed intelligent but they lack the noble bearing of your lineage." Pointing below, Dugu Bo said, "Might I ask which one he is?"

It was only then that Dugu Wei noticed a small figure around his size that was trailing behind the Emperor. He had similar blond hair and a bit of childish naivety which when looking at Dugu Yan, caused his face to become slightly flushed. Dugu Wei's face, on the other hand, fell. Admittingly, his sister had always been very pretty, but his actions of curing her of poison made her previously sickly complexion now porcelain white. That is to say that if Dugu Yan was a beauty then now she was like something of a fairy to these children.

Emperor Xue Ming looked down and introduced the child standing behind him. "This is my grandson, Qinghe. He's Little Ye's child. You remember Little Ye, right?"

Dugu Bo was not surprised to hear this. Nodding, he said, "He does resemble the child."

It was only at this time that he remembered how old his grandfather was, as cultivating spirit power allowed one to retain youthful looks. And after becoming Douluo, Dugu Bo looked younger than even the Emperor.

Ignorant to Dugu Wei's revelation, Emperor Xue Ming continued, "It's good that you remember because as of today, I am no longer the Emperor of Heaven Dou. He is."

Now this statement had shocked Dugu Bo into letting his emotion slip. "That brat?! As Emperor?!"

Xue Ming laughed loudly. "Old Bo, you're finally honest with me now."

Coughing lightly of embarrassment, he said, "I mean... Little Ye. Is he truly qualified to be emperor?"

Looking around the room, many were staring at the pair, clearly having overheard the conversation due to their expressions of shock. No longer turned to Dugu Bo, he instead faced the crowd as he said loudly, "Indeed, Xue Ye might have been slightly mischievous in his youth, however he has grown up. In many ways, he is more fitting as emperor than even me now. I am confident that he will be able to rule confidently and keep all of Heaven Dou in harmony."

While he was skeptical, Dugu Bo knew better than to call out his old friend before all these people. So, he said, "If that is your word, then I will trust it."

Seeing his friend's attitude as well as the reactions of the crowd, Xue Ming no longer looked so tense as when he had first arrived, now relaxed. As he wrapped his arm around Dugu Bo's father and began speaking words of arranging marriage between their grandchildren, he looked like any ordinary grandfather.

Holding a hand to his head, Dugu Bo said tiredly, "Since it has already reached this point, we should just get over the rest of the celebration." The people in attendance had no protests as they too were anxious to relate this very critical news of a new Emperor of Heaven Dou to their affiliations.

Taking both Dugu Wei and Dugu Yan by the arms, he placed both in front of him as he faced the crowd. "As you all know already, the Dugu family now has a living Douluo, me. So to close things out, I will now introduce and awaken my grandchildren. The girl is Dugu Yan and the boy is Dugu Wei."

At this time, many remembered that Dugu Wei was another subject of interest and listened in rapture. "I am sure many of you have also heard about my grandson awakening his Martial Spirit at 5 rather than 6, which is considered the universal age. And, I can say that it is true. Wei?"

Dugu Wei understood that his grandfather wanted to make a show of power, in order to establish the Dugu family. He summoned his 'Martial Spirit', as the Sky poison Pearl appeared above his hand.