The Golden Thigh Was Secured

Inside the Awakening Hall, Li Yunhai quickly awakened the Martial Souls of the remaining three children. As expected, they all awakened the common Horned Horse and antelope Martial Souls found in the village. Other than Dugu Chen, none of them possessed any Soul Power.

"All right, children. The Martial Soul Awakening is over. Don't be discouraged if you don't have any Soul Power. You can return home and inherit your fathers' trades. You'll still be able to make a living."

After offering a few words of encouragement, the red light around Li Yunhai's body faded as he withdrew his Martial Soul Possession. He packed up his belongings and walked outside.

The door opened, and the Old Village Chief greeted Li Yunhai nervously. "Master, how did it go? Does our village have any children who can become Soul Masters this year?"

Li Yunhai looked at him and said excitedly, "Hahaha, Old Village Chief, you have to buy me a drink! One of them has Soul Power, and it's even Innate Full Soul Power."

Whoosh!

"Innate Full Soul Power!"

"Whose child is it? Their ancestors must be smiling down from heaven!"

The words "Innate Full Soul Power" immediately drew a wave of astonished cries.

An incredulous look appeared in the village chief's eyes. He exclaimed, "Innate Full Soul Power? Master, then exactly who is it...?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the group behind him hurriedly looked over. They wanted to know as well.

"The child is called Dugu Chen. He has a mutated top-tier Beast Martial Soul. According to him, his Martial Soul is called Qilin. After all these years of performing awakenings, this is the first time I've awakened someone with full Soul Power." Li Yunhai's eyes were still filled with astonishment, and even now, he could hardly believe it.

"Xiao Chen." The village chief, Ma Jun, stood before Dugu Chen, completely stunned. Good heavens, the ancestors of Majia Village really are smiling down on us. I only hoped you would have Soul Power and become a Soul Master. I never imagined you'd exceed all expectations.

"Grandpa Ma, I can become a Soul Master now. I didn't let you down." Dugu Chen felt a little embarrassed under the gazes of the village chief and the surrounding villagers. He spoke softly.

"Good, good child. Grandpa knew from the moment you were little that you would amount to something." Ma Jun also came back to his senses, his face brimming with excitement.

"It's getting late, and I still have to go to the next village. This is the Martial Soul certification for these children. I'll leave it with you. Village Chief Ma, Dugu Chen has excellent talent. Try to persuade him whenever you can. Only by joining the Spirit Hall can his talent be fully utilized." Seeing that it was almost noon, Li Yunhai planned to hurry to the next village.

"All right. I'll see you off, Master," Ma Jun said.

Li Yunhai waved with a smile. "There's no need to see me off. This time, your Majia Village has truly struck it rich."

After saying that, Li Yunhai glanced at Dugu Chen and left. In his view, with the village chief advising him from the side, a genius from a small village like this would never refuse to join the Spirit Hall.

Soon, a grand celebratory feast began.

Every household in the village joined forces to prepare a banquet, celebrating the village's first child with Innate Full Soul Power.

Everyone understood that as long as Dugu Chen grew up, the village's future would be bright.

The banquet did not end until nighttime.

A crescent moon hung in the night sky, radiating pure moonlight. Its pale glow spilled into the courtyard.

The evening breeze carried a pleasant coolness, sweeping away the heat of the day.

His Martial Soul had awakened, and as expected, he possessed Innate Full Soul Power. There was also a Golden Thigh in the house. At that moment, many thoughts filled his mind.

"Boy, aren't you coming in?"

Just as Dugu Chen was thinking about his plans for the future, a calm, hoarse voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts.

Dugu Chen was startled. He hurriedly stood up and walked quickly to the door before pushing it open.

"Senior, you're awake. Has your injury improved?" After entering, Dugu Chen poured a bowl of water and brought it over as he asked.

The Green-haired Old Man looked Dugu Chen up and down. "Where is this place? Was it you who saved me, boy?"

"Senior, this is Majia Village, at the border between Star Luo and the Heaven Dou Empire. I brought you back to my home yesterday."

Hearing this, the old man's expression softened slightly. He said, "I am Dugu Bo. I must thank you for saving my life, little friend. Otherwise, I might have ended up buried in the wilderness."

"So you're Senior Dugu Bo. I'm Dugu Chen. Saving you was merely a fortunate coincidence. Since you're awake, I'll go get you something to eat." When he heard the old man call himself Dugu Bo, Dugu Chen finally relaxed. Although he had been ninety-nine percent certain that this man was Dugu Bo, there had still been that remaining one percent of doubt.

Next, while Dugu Bo recovered from his injuries, he would build up his goodwill little by little and slowly win over this Golden Thigh.

"Oh? Your surname is Dugu. It seems we're fated to meet. I heard how lively it was outside just now. Is there some kind of celebration in the village?" Since the boy shared his surname, Dugu Bo's expression became even gentler.

"Senior, today is the village's Martial Soul Awakening Day. Everyone was celebrating because someone awakened Innate Full Soul Power."

As he answered Dugu Bo's question, Dugu Chen brought the congee he had prepared earlier and placed it in front of him.

"Innate Full Soul Power." Even a Titled Douluo like Dugu Bo was surprised to hear that a small village had awakened someone with Innate Full Soul Power. In the past hundred years, only nineteen people with recorded Innate Full Soul Power had appeared on the continent. On average, there was only one every five years. This showed just how rare Innate Full Soul Power was.

"Then your village will prosper in the future. By the way, you awakened your Martial Soul today too, didn't you? What Martial Soul did you awaken, and what level is your Innate Soul Power?" Dugu Bo asked as he drank the congee.

This boy had a kind nature. If he had awakened Soul Power, Dugu Bo could guide him a little. If he had no Soul Power, then he could grant him a life of wealth and honor. Dugu Bo had always clearly distinguished between gratitude and grudges.

Hearing this, Dugu Chen scratched his head and said, "I'm the one who awakened Innate Full Soul Power."

"Pfft!" Dugu Bo nearly choked on his congee when he heard that.

"You're the one with Innate Full Soul Power?" Dugu Bo stared at Dugu Chen before him with wide eyes, shock filling his face. He could not help but question his entire life.

Last year, his deadly poison had flared up, and Dugu Bo had thought he was about to die. Instead, he had accidentally entered a treasured place, where not only had the poison been suppressed, but he had also broken through to become a Titled Douluo. A few days ago, he had returned from the Douluo Hall after going to the Spirit Hall for certification. On the way, he had encountered his old rival, Ju Hua Guan, and they had fought. Going from a Soul Fighting Douluo to a Titled Douluo seemed to make no difference at all—they still could not defeat each other. He had nearly lost his life again, only to be saved by the boy before him. And after waking up, the boy had told him that he possessed Innate Full Soul Power. Had Dugu Bo's fortunes finally turned? Was destiny on his side?

After a while, Dugu Bo regained his composure. "Good lad, your talent is greater than mine was back then. Release your Martial Soul and let me have a look."

Hearing this, Dugu Chen retreated to the center of the room. "Senior, my Martial Soul is the Qilin, a mutated Martial Soul. I ask Senior to guide me."

"Kirin Avatar!" Dugu Chen roared. Dense red and yellow light appeared on his body at the same time. His arms became covered in red Dragon Scales and stretched out to either side. His Chest was covered in yellow scales as well. His entire skeleton crackled, and his muscles suddenly swelled, stretching the clothes over his body. Every muscle became clearly defined beneath his clothes, and even the air around him seemed to grow heavy and violently explosive.

His short black hair instantly grew to his waist, turning golden, with flames dancing through it.

The greatest change occurred in his hands. They had become a pair of red Dragon Claws. As his ten fingers flexed, ripples spread through the air, making it easy to imagine how sharp they were.

His eyes turned red and yellow, one color each. He gave off a feeling of both explosive force and immense weight. Though these two opposing sensations appeared in the same person, they were remarkably harmonious.

Once Dugu Chen completed his Martial Soul Possession, a yellow halo spread outward, enveloping a circle with a radius of fifty meters.

Dugu Chen now felt as though his entire body was filled with strength, as if he could shatter the heavens with a punch. He could also feel an endless stream of energy surging into his body from the earth beneath him.

Dugu Chen looked at Dugu Bo. "Senior, what do you think?" Seeing Dugu Bo's dumbfounded expression, he felt slightly pleased with himself.

Dugu Bo had already risen in shock when the halo enveloped him earlier, completely disregarding his injuries.

"A top-tier mutated Beast Martial Soul, with fire and earth attributes coexisting, and an Innate Domain as well. You really are a little monster!" Dugu Bo exclaimed in amazement.

"Little monster, you exposed all your secrets before me without holding anything back. Aren't you afraid I'll kill you to silence you? You should know that a dead genius is nothing." Dugu Bo's gaze sharpened as he looked at Dugu Chen, a faint killing intent in his eyes.

Dugu Chen felt a chill shoot from the soles of his feet to the back of his head. The air around him seemed to turn viscous, and his Martial Soul Possession was forcibly undone. He staggered back four or five steps before landing heavily on the ground.

A trace of fear appeared in his eyes as he looked toward Dugu Bo.

"Of course I'm afraid of dying. But I have no enmity with Senior, and I believe Senior won't kill me." Dugu Chen forced down the fear in his heart and stood up fearlessly, meeting Dugu Bo's gaze.

The two of them stared at each other for a long time, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

Dugu Bo suddenly burst into laughter, and the heavy atmosphere instantly dispersed.

"Hahaha, good! Since you trust me so much, how could I repay your kindness by taking your life? Little monster, are you willing to become my disciple?"

Dugu Chen dropped onto the ground, drenched in sweat. He grumbled inwardly, That rotten old man. They all like pulling this trick. Fortunately, I've read the script and know that Dugu Bo isn't the sort of person who repays kindness with murder. Otherwise, I really wouldn't have been able to hold out just now. I finally got my Golden Thigh.

Dugu Chen straightened his clothes and knelt before Dugu Bo. "This disciple pays respects to Master."

Dugu Bo froze. "What are you doing? Why are you kneeling to become my disciple? Don't you know that kneeling is only done when paying respects to the emperor and one's parents? A bow is enough."

Dugu Chen said solemnly, "Once a teacher, always a father. You deserve my kneeling."

Hearing this, Dugu Bo hurried forward and helped Dugu Chen up, murmuring, "Good child. How fortunate I, Dugu Bo, am to have gained such a fine disciple."

Looking at Dugu Bo's dazed appearance, it was obvious that he had been reminded of something painful.

It seems Master thought of his son. With Jade Phosphor, he wins and loses by the same thing. I need to tell him Tang San's method as soon as possible. To be safe, Master should research it himself first, in case there are any aftereffects. As for that Snake Demon, Dugu Yan, I'll get along with her too. Consider it compensation for scaring me just now. From now on, I'll call you Master, and you'll call me grandson-in-law.

Dugu Chen's thoughts raced, and in the blink of an eye, hundreds of ideas had already surfaced.

If Dugu Bo knew that this newly accepted disciple had already set his sights on his granddaughter, would he slap him into the wall?

Thank you all for your support. This novel will be changing the ages of the original characters. Please be understanding if there is anything you dislike!