Awakening of the Martial Soul, Heart of the Naaru

The next day, before the morning dew had dissipated, the valley was filled with a variety of fresh, fragrant scents.

Six-year-old Chen Jieqi was slightly taller than other children his age.

Dugu Yan was seven years older than Chen Jieqi, and thanks to the significant improvement brought about by the toxins of her Martial Soul, her personality had become lively and cheerful.

At this moment, in the house beside the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, a simple yet profound awakening array had already been prepared.

"Xiao Qi, are you ready?"

Dugu Bo asked with anticipation.

Compared to six years ago, Dugu Bo was dressed in his usual emerald green robe, but his typically messy hair was meticulously groomed, and a faint smile rested on his face.

Looking closely, one could see that his hair and eye color were slightly lighter than before, and even the pungent, sweet scent on his body was no longer as intense.

"I'm ready, Grandfather."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Jieqi stepped into the hexagonal array and waited quietly.

Dugu Bo smiled slightly. Unlike the way people at the Martial Soul Branch Hall usually performed awakenings, he did not use his Martial Soul Avatar.

He simply waved his hand, injecting six streams of thick soul power into the six soul stones, then said:

"Xiao Qi, relax your mind. Don't be nervous. Close your eyes, feel the power within your body, and let it flow out, guided by my soul power."

Chen Jieqi closed his eyes as instructed and took a deep breath.

He could clearly feel a gentle yet domineering soul power emanating from Dugu Bo's palm, slowly surging into his body.

It traveled along his meridians as if awakening some dormant power within him.

"Focus your mind, don't get distracted."

Dugu Bo's voice rang in his ears, carrying a hint of imperceptible anticipation.

Over the past six years, he had watched Chen Jieqi grow up and knew well that this child was extraordinary; he was also curious about what kind of Martial Soul this little boy he had picked up would possess.

Dugu Yan also held her breath, her eyes fixed tightly on Chen Jieqi's right hand, her face full of expectation.

The next moment, a layer of golden radiance rose from the six soul stones, forming a pale golden light barrier that enveloped Chen Jieqi.

"Extend your right hand!"

As the golden light intensified, the first thing Chen Jieqi felt while enveloped within it was warmth and comfort.

The meridians throughout his body became active, and the "Holy Light Power" he usually kept contained began to gather quietly.

As a steady stream of golden light particles entered his body, he could clearly feel something inside preparing to awaken and break through his skin.

Finally, the golden light particles within Chen Jieqi gathered toward the top of his head.

Slowly, a structure resembling a crystal aggregate emerged. Centered around a "core," it was surrounded by many crystalline structures, forming a cross-like puzzle that radiated a soft golden light, giving off a holy and pure feeling.

This was the crystallization of Holy Light energy—the Heart of the Naaru.

At the same time, a pale golden light shone from the palm of his right hand. As the radiance condensed, a strange longsword appeared. Unlike ordinary longswords with uniform blade widths, this one was different.

The blade of this longsword was wide and heavy. Near the tip, toward the upper section, there was a large golden disc; the center of the disc seemed to emit a soft light as it hovered within the blade.

Mysterious runes were carved into the blade, which gradually tapered toward the hilt. The hilt was red, accented with golden decorations, giving it a rustic, metallic texture.

This was the signature weapon of a Paladin—the Ashbringer.

With the appearance of the Heart of the Naaru, the surrounding air became peaceful and filled with a sacred sensation, showing faint signs of forming a domain.

Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan, standing to the side, felt a tingling sensation, and their bodies seemed to feel a bit lighter.

"Is this a Twin Martial Souls?"

"Little brother Xiao Qi, the golden light emitted by the Martial Soul above your head feels the same as the energy that used to leak from your body before.

It's just that now that it has condensed and crystallized, it looks so cool."

Dugu Yan said in surprise.

"Xiao Qi, what kind of Martial Soul is this?"

While investigating, Dugu Bo was not as astonished as Dugu Yan.

Ever since he had adopted Chen Jieqi, he had ceased to be surprised by anything that happened to the boy.

Over these years, not only had Dugu Yan seen obvious improvements, but even the backlash from Dugu Bo's own Martial Soul had been somewhat alleviated.

After stepping out of the array, Chen Jieqi activated his Martial Soul Avatar.

The cross-like crystal that had appeared above his head now hovered at his brow, and the longsword, after a flash of light, appeared in his hand.

Paired with his silver hair, he looked sacred and imposing.

"Grandfather, Sister Yanyan, my Martial Soul is called the Heart of the Naaru!

It is a pure elemental Martial Soul, belonging to the ultimate holy and light attributes. It has a natural restraint against negative attributes like darkness and toxins.

The longsword in my hand is a companion Martial Soul; it cannot have soul rings added to it independently, but it will grow stronger as the Holy Light of the Naaru condenses. It is not a Twin Martial Souls."

Chen Jieqi said with satisfaction.

Chen Jieqi was truly satisfied. Setting aside the various hidden dangers brought about by Twin Martial Souls, they only offered the advantage of being able to absorb more soul rings in the later stages to accelerate cultivation and increase one's Soul Power Level.

In essence, there was no significant bonus or fundamental change to individual combat power.

Because regardless of whether you had a single martial soul or Twin Martial Souls, under normal circumstances, the volume of your soul power at the same level should be equivalent.

And when the volume of soul power is equivalent, the release and duration of soul skills are also similar.

Therefore, Twin Martial Souls merely provided a difference in the choice of soul skills; it did not make your soul power any denser.

Some might argue that in the later stages of Twin Martial Souls, the second martial soul can be equipped with high-age soul rings, which provide much higher attribute and soul skill bonuses than the first martial soul.

Yes, that logic is correct!

However, one must note that a soul master cannot use two martial souls simultaneously, and one must also consider whether the body's strength can withstand the risk of exploding.

This leads to the fact that the soul rings for the second martial soul might not necessarily be absorbed successfully or reach their maximum potential.

Based on this, Chen Jieqi was truly satisfied with his own martial soul; after all, it was an ultimate martial soul, and it was two souls in one.

Ultimately, many times, flashy tricks are not as powerful as mastering one thing to the extreme.

"Quick, quick, quick... Grandpa, hurry and test Xiao Qi's Innate Soul Power."

After understanding the situation, Dugu Yan said hurriedly.

Dugu Bo also brought out the soul power crystal with high spirits.

"Come, let's test your soul power first!"

As a blue halo filled the entire crystal ball, the blue crystal ball emitted an extremely dazzling light, reflecting the surprised faces of the two.

"Innate Full Soul Power!"

Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan said, word for word.

"Hahahaha..."

At this moment, Dugu Bo let out a hearty laugh, then said:

"There have only been 19 known cases of Innate Full Soul Power in the last hundred years. Now with Xiao Qi, the continent will surely become lively.

As far as I know, the younger generation of the Martial Soul Hall this year doesn't even have a single person with Innate Full Soul Power.

From now on, as long as Xiao Qi doesn't encounter any accidents along the way, reaching the pinnacle of soul masters is just around the corner."

"Congratulations, little brother Xiao Qi, Innate Full Soul Power!

Sister Yanyan will be counting on you to protect her from now on~"

Dugu Yan also teased from the side.

Dugu Yan was different now than before; when she appeared in the original work, she was 19 years old and only level 38.

In 13 years, her soul power had only increased by 31 levels, averaging less than 2.4 levels per year. Whether due to the toxins in her martial soul or other reasons, this cultivation speed could only be considered average for a genius.

But things were different now. The toxin problem in Dugu Yan's martial soul had been significantly alleviated and controlled, and her cultivation speed had also improved significantly. She was only 13 years old and had already reached level 27, so her saying she wanted Chen Jieqi to protect her was purely a joke.

"Grandpa, Sister Yanyan, please stop teasing me.

If it weren't for you, Grandpa, taking me in, where would I be today? I would have long since ended up in the belly of a soul beast."

"Sister Yanyan, don't worry. From now on, no matter who bullies you, they will have to step over my dead body first."

Chen Jieqi said with a solemn expression on his youthful face.

After living together for a few years, Chen Jieqi had long considered them his family.

"Then little brother Xiao Qi, you must work hard. Sister is waiting for the day you protect me."

Dugu Yan giggled.

Chen Jieqi looked up, seeing the relief and expectation in Dugu Bo's eyes, and then looked at the joyful Dugu Yan beside him; his heart felt warm.

He knew that from this moment of martial soul awakening, his path on the Douluo Continent had truly entered the right track, and he finally had the confidence to stand on his own.

After some laughter and play, Dugu Bo spoke up:

"Xiao Qi, since you have Innate Full Soul Power, your first soul ring needs to be arranged as soon as possible. Do you have any thoughts or plans for your requirements?"

"Grandpa, because of my two souls in one, I don't lack offensive means in the early stages. I plan to take the augmentation route for the first few soul rings.

This way, it can not only maximize the amplification of my Heart of the Naaru to boost the Holy Light, but also strengthen my Ashbringer.

This way, the effects of the soul skills from the first few rings will still play a corresponding role even in the later stages, so they won't be wasted.

And once my Soul Power Level rises, I can then supplement with offensive or control means based on my own situation. What do you think?"