Another Gold Pull? · Part Two

Elsewhere, under the treatment of a healing-type Soul Douluo, Ye Lulu recovered her health that very day.

Soul skills were amazing, weren't they?

However, Qian Mo was somewhat surprised that Le Jia had not taken the initiative to bring up marriage.

But Qian Mo did not dare let his guard down in the slightest. He always felt that the other side was holding back something big.

Yet refusing was clearly impossible.

Not to mention that he was the one whose age was a little problematic; Ye Lulu had long since fully matured.

If he really pushed a woman who had completely melded with him, body and soul, into another man's arms...

Qian Mo did not think he had a cuckold fetish.

The only thing Qian Mo hoped for now was that this could be delayed a little longer.

After all, having been poisoned by the chaotic relationships between men and women in his previous life, he had remained a virgin wizard for his entire past life without even considering such matters. It truly was not so easy for him to completely accept a partner.

After all that, Qian Mo and his group finally returned to their loyal Golden Ear City.

On the very day the message was received, Sister Zhang came calling, bringing Dan Lei with her.

Looking at Qian Mo, Sister Zhang introduced him with a delighted expression.

"My lord, you're finally back! Today, I've brought you some tremendous news. Among the children you took in, this child's talent is incredible. He actually possesses the legendary Innate Full Soul Power!"

Qian Mo smiled and nodded. In truth, his subordinates had reported this news to him the moment he returned. He merely pretended not to know so Sister Zhang could be happy a little longer.

Still, even Qian Mo had been greatly shocked upon learning that his act of kindness had somehow brought him another genius with Innate Full Soul Power.

He even muttered to himself in disbelief.

"Another gold pull? The odds of producing geniuses from this batch of orphans are way too high, aren't they?!"

Qian Mo could understand Lu Yueqi, since she was suspected to be some kind of flawless mirror.

But what was going on with Dan Lei?

Both his name and Martial Soul gave Qian Mo the strange sensation of seeing Dan Heng. But Dan Heng had been the reincarnation born from the shedding of the Dragon High Elder's scales. What right did a Douluo native like this kid have?

Surely he could not also be the reincarnation of some god?

But that seemed impossible. If he truly were a god's reincarnation, Dan Lei could not possibly have remained unknown during Tang San's era in the future.

However, Qian Mo considered that the world had already diverged somewhat due to his appearance, so perhaps it was not impossible for another god's reincarnation to emerge.

Still, Qian Mo felt it was more likely that he had simply struck it lucky this time.

To be honest, even though Qian Mo had read extensively, he was still full of question marks when it came to Innate Soul Power.

Whether it was the current Douluo academic world or the various settings from the original work, everything concerning this was a complete mess, with no real reference value at all.

However, Dan Lei's situation did remind Qian Mo of an example.

Bone Douluo, Gu Rong.

Dan Lei's circumstances were rather similar to those of that famed powerhouse of Douluo Continent.

Through a manga side story, Qian Mo had learned that Gu Rong had likewise been born a beggar, had likewise awakened his Martial Soul at the age of seven, and had likewise possessed the aptitude of Innate Full Soul Power.

And even if Dan Lei really was the reincarnation of a god, however slim the odds, Qian Mo was not worried in the slightest. If anything, he was a little excited.

Judging solely from the type and attributes of his Martial Soul, he clearly would not become some evil god.

So long as Dan Lei became a god in the future...

And as long as Qian Mo was not as useless as Yu Xiaogang, then not only could he claim to have nurtured a god, he could even be taken directly to the God Realm. Just thinking about it made it an absurdly profitable deal!

At that thought, Qian Mo's smile grew gentler. Then he said,

"Your name is Dan Lei, right? Do you mind if I call you Xiao Lei?"

Dan Lei's expression remained unchanged, as though his face were paralyzed, but he obediently nodded.

Qian Mo clicked his tongue inwardly. Why does this character setup overlap with Dan Heng, that cold-faced little azure dragon, again? He's an iceberg too. I wonder if he's the type who seems cold outside but is warm inside.

Yet Qian Mo's expression remained unchanged as he continued,

"Then, Xiao Lei, first of all, congratulations on awakening Innate Soul Power and gaining the potential to become a Soul Master.

"Second, as the person who brought you here, I have an obligation to take responsibility for you. So I need to make it clear that there are two paths before you now.

"The first is that I will issue you a work-study student certificate. After that, you can attend an academy and earn your living expenses through your own labor."

Upon hearing this, Dan Lei's heart stirred slightly. He knew that work-study students existed, but this was the first time he had learned that they could earn enough to support themselves.

However, Dan Lei did not rush to make a choice, because he wanted to hear the other option.

"The second is that you become my disciple and serve me in the future. Then, whether it concerns cultivation or obtaining Soul Rings, I can secure the best possible solution for you."

Hearing the second option, Dan Lei was immediately tempted.

After all, why work when he could simply find someone to support him?

Yet Dan Lei deeply remembered his father's teaching that the greater the benefit, the more likely there was a trap. He did not rush to choose and instead asked warily,

"My lord, your second option sounds better, but may I ask what exactly I would need to give in return?"

Before Qian Mo could speak, however, Sister Zhang beside him became anxious first.

She gave Dan Lei a light shove and whispered,

"Why are you being so foolish, child? If my lord gives you the chance to become his disciple, hurry up and accept! This lord is the most esteemed person in Golden Ear City! It'll only benefit you in the future!"

Qian Mo could not help laughing as he waved his hand.

"Sister Zhang, don't do that. Let the child think it through carefully.

"After all, this concerns his own future. No matter how young he is, he should weigh it carefully himself. Others can help him for a while, but they cannot help him for a lifetime."

Since Qian Mo had spoken, Sister Zhang naturally said nothing more. Yet the look in her eyes as she watched Dan Lei clearly urged him to choose Qian Mo.

After living for so many years, she more or less knew what work-study students were.

They were the bottom rung of Soul Master academies, people who were often bullied. Dan Lei was like her child now, so how could she want her child to be bullied by those people?

Then, facing Dan Lei's fixed gaze, Qian Mo stroked his chin and murmured,

"What would you need to give in return?"

At the same time, Qian Mo felt increasingly sentimental. This kid really was becoming more and more like Dan Heng. Even the way he handled matters carried Dan Heng's steadiness.

Then Qian Mo explained,

"It's hard to say exactly what you must give. You can think of it as joining my faction. Whenever there is a battle, you will need to fight, and you will also need to take charge of certain management matters.

"As for anything else, there probably won't be much. I will neither restrict your personal freedom nor deny you a salary. Once you formally join, I will pay you regularly. Even if you choose an idle position, I can arrange one for you."