Dugu Shuo was completely stunned.
Had something he had always dreamed of actually come true so suddenly?
He was the patriarch of the Dugu Family, yet he couldn't command Dugu Bo.
Although they had reached a cooperation agreement last time, it was merely that—cooperation.
This time, Dugu Bo had actually been subdued by his son through combat.
This happiness had come far too quickly.
"Feng'er, come, kneel down!"
Dugu Shuo abruptly stood up and knelt with a thud before the ancestral tablets.
He faced the two names carved on the tablets: Dugu Hai and Dugu Hao.
Dugu Feng didn't dare delay and respectfully knelt beside Dugu Shuo.
"I report to Grandfather Hai and Father Hao: My son, Dugu Feng, relying on his own strength, has defeated the unfilial clansman Dugu Bo and brought him back into the family, reuniting the Dugu Family.
Feng'er is the future master of the Dugu Family. I beseech Grandfather and Father to bless Feng'er's cultivation path, making it smooth and unobstructed, and to aid him in condensing the Seven-Colored Poison Pill, completely transforming the family's Martial Soul Defect!"
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Dugu Shuo kowtowed three times in succession, the sound reverberating throughout the ancestral hall.
Dugu Feng followed his father's actions without the slightest hesitation.
He had already figured out his father's temperament—when it came to family honor and reverence for ancestors, not a trace of disrespect was tolerated.
After Dugu Feng kowtowed, his head touching the ground, he sensed his father remaining completely still.
Since Dugu Shuo didn't move, he didn't dare move either.
Finally, there was a slight stir.
Only then did Dugu Feng realize his father was weeping, clearly overwhelmed with emotion.
Like a child who had achieved something and sought parental approval.
That was exactly how Dugu Shuo was.
A full quarter of an hour passed before Dugu Shuo finally stood up.
"Feng'er, your father is not your equal! You've accomplished what I could never achieve in my entire lifetime!"
Dugu Shuo patted Dugu Feng's shoulder, still deeply moved.
"Father, our Dugu Family will surely become the most powerful family!"
Dugu Feng also painted a bright future for his father.
Dugu Shuo nodded, not doubting Dugu Feng's words in the slightest.
The father and son then finalized the Soul Masters for the upcoming expedition in the ancestral hall.
Among the strong practitioners, Old Scorpion would accompany Dugu Feng alongside the main army.
The other Soul Masters would be led by Little Snake and would operate together with the Royal Soul Master Legion. Little Snake's cultivation had already reached level 65, gradually revealing top-tier talent.
It really came down to the Immortal Herb—the cultivation speed of Soul Masters who had consumed it and those who hadn't were simply incomparable.
After settling all this, Dugu Feng left the ancestral hall.
Since he rarely returned to the family, Dugu Feng took the opportunity to detoxify the Family Soul Masters once more.
With his current absorption ability, it only took a day for all the clansmen to be successfully detoxified.
By evening, Little Snake came looking for him.
"Young Master, I've brought delicious food."
He walked softly, carrying a food box in each hand, and entered quietly.
Dugu Feng couldn't help but chuckle. "Little Snake, how do you manage to maintain this height and build all the time!"
Little Snake's height still hadn't exceeded 1.5 meters, and with his slender build, he looked almost no different from when he was a child while carrying two large food boxes.
Little Snake remained composed and said calmly, "Young Master, isn't this fine?
When I took a wife, I forgot to choose a shorter one. Little Little Snake will likely grow taller than me, which isn't beneficial for his cultivation!"
Little Snake opened the food container, placing dish after dish on the table.
Dugu Feng's former favorites—braised pork, Sichuan peppercorn chicken, large carp, and roasted duck—were all served.
The steaming dishes looked incredibly appetizing.
In addition to these, there were fried scorpions and sliced snake meat, specialties of the Dugu Family.
Little Snake then retrieved a jug of wine from his Storage Soul Tool.
"Young Master, during this campaign, please speak to the Qinghe Emperor and let me take more action. When Old Snake was at my cultivation level, he had already assassinated a Soul Douluo, but I haven't had the chance yet!" Little Snake complained with resentment.
Lately, he had been leading the Dugu Family's Soul Masters in integrating with the Royal Soul Master Legion, doing nothing but training.
Even the steadfast Little Snake felt restless and eager to showcase his strength.
Dugu Feng popped a crispy fried scorpion into his mouth before replying, "No problem. This time, I'll make sure you get to kill to your heart's content and fulfill your assassin dreams!"
"Heh!"
Little Snake immediately laughed happily.
They ate heartily and drank generously, not parting ways until midnight.
Dugu Feng completely let down his guard and relaxed thoroughly.
Whether within the family or in Heaven Dou City, it was undoubtedly the safest place.
The night passed without incident. After a night's rest, Dugu Feng busied himself again.
After meeting with Qian Renxue, he attended several imperial meetings alongside Ge Long and Ge Ying.
As the representative of the Dugu Family supporting this war, no one dared to underestimate his presence.
After all, dealing with the Star Luo Emperor, a Titled Douluo, would rely solely on Dugu Bo.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Clear Sky Sect would not intervene; they were reserved for dealing with the Spirit Hall. Unless the Spirit Hall made a move, they would remain inactive.
Thus, several days passed in the blink of an eye.
Qian Renxue was finally about to depart.
The army had long been prepared, with vanguard and supply troops already advancing to the front lines.
They only awaited Qian Renxue's arrival with the elite forces and the Royal Soul Master Legion to commence the battle.
Outside Heaven Dou City.
An endless army stretched as far as the eye could see, banners fluttering like a massive dragon poised for action.
These were Heaven Dou's three top-tier legions: the heavy infantry, heavy armor cavalry, and light cavalry.
Closest to the city was the Royal Soul Master Legion.
Behind them were several luxurious carriages.
Dugu Feng, Qian Renxue, Meng Shenji, Ge Long, Feng Bailong, Ye Qingxin, and a few others stood before one of the carriages, observing the imposing army.
Qian Renxue, clad in military attire, looked valiant and extraordinary. Holding a horsewhip, she declared, "This battle will surely end in triumphant return!"
She intended to ride on horseback alongside the army, demonstrating her resolve to advance and retreat with the troops.
Qian Renxue glanced around, grabbed the reins of a nearby horse, and leaped onto it with heroic grace.
Of course, only Dugu Feng found her dashing; others simply saw Heaven Dou's new emperor as wise and mighty.
As the marshal, Ge Long also accompanied Qian Renxue on horseback.
The others, however, were exempt. Being Soul Masters, they could cultivate even while riding in carriages.
Dugu Feng clasped his hands in a salute to Qian Renxue and headed toward the first carriage at the rear.
Upon arriving, he was taken by surprise.
Ye Lingling and Ning Rongrong stood shoulder to shoulder outside the carriage.
Neither looked at the other.
It seemed they were waiting for Dugu Feng's arrival.
"You lucky dog, quite the romantic fortune! This time, it's like thunder striking fire, isn't it?" Ge Ying, standing beside Dugu Feng, remarked with a sly grin. He was well aware of Dugu Feng's situation.
Back at the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy, he had already noticed that Ning Rongrong and Ye Lingling had feelings for Dugu Feng.
"Teacher, you're supposed to set an example as an educator. Look at you now, sneaking around like that—it's really off-putting!"
"You should focus on handling your own situation first!"
Ge Ying patted his buttocks, completely unbothered, and walked toward a carriage at the back.
(End of Chapter)