Chapter 6: Preparing for the Martial Soul Awakening

Three years had passed since the day I suggested the soul bone method to store poison. Time had only reinforced the bonds I shared with my new family. In those years, Dugu Bo had procured a 10,000-year-old left-hand soul bone from a Serpent-like spirit beast. This treasure perfectly complemented Dugu Xin's martial soul, the Jade Phosphor Serpent. The method of storing poison in the soul bone proved effective. Both father and son reaped immense benefits from it. Dugu Bo's rank rose to 86 Spirit Douluo, and Dugu Xin became a rank 55 Spirit King at the age of 28, bolstered by relentless training.

As for me, I'd grown in both body and mind. At six years old, I was acutely aware of my impending martial soul awakening. It was a pivotal moment, one that could determine not only my future but also the plans I had for protecting my family.

That morning, as the sun filtered through the dense trees surrounding our home, I sat in the courtyard with Dugu Xin. He had taken it upon himself to teach me about spirit energy, the intricacies of training, and the responsibilities of a Spirit Master. His voice carried a mix of pride and worry as he spoke.

"Bei, today is a big day," he said, crouching beside me. "Your martial soul will awaken, and with it, your journey as a Spirit Master will begin. Are you excited?"

I nodded, but my heart felt heavy. I couldn't let my emotions show. "I am, Xin-ge. But I have a request."

His eyebrows raised in surprise. "A request? What is it?"

"I don't want the Spirit Hall to know about me yet," I said, keeping my voice steady. "I want the awakening ceremony to be private, just with our family."

Dugu Xin's expression shifted to one of concern. "Why? The Spirit Hall's resources could be invaluable for your growth. Their awakenings are conducted by professionals. It's…"

"Xin-ge," I interrupted, my tone firmer than usual. "Please. Trust me on this. I have my reasons."

For a moment, silence hung between us. Then, Dugu Xin let out a sigh, placing a hand on my shoulder. "All right. If this is what you want, we'll do it your way. But you should know that Father and I worry about you. We've trusted your instincts before, and they've led us well. But this… it feels different."

I nodded, grateful for his understanding. "Thank you, Xin-ge. It means a lot."

Later that day, we gathered in the main hall. Dugu Bo had been informed of my request and had, surprisingly, agreed without much resistance. He'd learned to trust my intuition, no matter how unconventional my ideas seemed. However, there was tension in the air, a simmering anger that neither Dugu Bo nor Dugu Xin voiced openly.

As Dugu Bo prepared the necessary items for the ceremony, he turned to Dugu Xin. "Have you ever wondered who left Bei in that forest?"

Dugu Xin's expression darkened. "I've thought about it every day. Whoever it was didn't just abandon him, they left him to die. And the only ones capable of such cold-heartedness are those with power."

Dugu Bo's eyes narrowed, his voice low and dangerous. "The Spirit Hall has many secrets. Too many. If someone there had a hand in this…"

His words trailed off, but the unspoken threat lingered in the room. They didn't need to say it aloud; the suspicion was clear. The Spirit Hall—an organization revered and feared across the continent—might have played a role in my abandonment.

I sat quietly, pretending not to hear their conversation. Inside, I felt a mix of gratitude and guilt. Gratitude for their unwavering support and guilt for the truths I still couldn't share. The truth about my past life, my knowledge of this world, and the identity of the woman who had abandoned me, Bibi Dong.

Dugu Bo's voice broke through my thoughts. "It's settled, then. The ceremony will be private. I'll make sure everything is ready by tonight."

He strode out of the room, his movements purposeful and filled with determination. Dugu Xin stayed behind, his gaze lingering on me.

"Bei," he said softly, kneeling to meet my eyes. "No matter what happens today, know that you're not alone. You're part of this family. Father and I… we'll protect you. Always."

I nodded, my voice catching in my throat. "I know, Xin-ge. And I'll protect you too. Both of you."

As the day wore on, I felt a growing anticipation. My martial soul awakening would be the first step toward fulfilling my goals, both for myself and for my family. But I couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The road ahead would be long and fraught with challenges. Yet, as I watched Dugu Bo and Dugu Xin prepare for the ceremony, their dedication unwavering, I felt a flicker of hope.

Tonight, I would awaken my martial soul. And with it, everything would truly begin.