Chapter 18: Family meeting 2
Nephew," my aunt began, "you are a powerful and extraordinary treasure. However, you must be cautious about revealing your abilities. If your power becomes known, people across the continent will do everything in their power to obtain you and exploit you for the rest of your life. They will see you as a valuable resource, a source of immense power that they can use for their own gain. They will stop at nothing to possess you, and they will be willing to do anything, no matter how cruel or inhumane, to achieve their goal."
"I understand, Aunt," I replied. "That's why only the most trusted individuals who have taken the oath are chosen to receive this gift. It's a matter of trust and loyalty. I would never reveal such a powerful secret to anyone who I didn't believe would keep it safe."
I asked if I could inquire about something personal. She agreed, and I asked about her past relationship with her cousin. She became slightly embarrassed and admitted that she had once been in love with him. Curious, I wanted to know what had changed.
She explained that the illusion I had removed was the reason for her feelings towards her cousin. Before the illusion was lifted, she had believed that she was in love with him. However, once the illusion was gone, she realized that her true emotions were those of a sister towards her elder brother. The illusion had distorted her perception of their relationship, making her believe that she was in love with him when in reality, she was not.
I asked her what she thought about love. As a six-year-old, I couldn't offer much insight, but I tried to describe my understanding. I explained that love is something that can change based on the relationship between two people. I also expressed my belief that true love is based on trust, respect, and selfless devotion.
She pondered my words for a while and nodded. "You have a good understanding of love for someone your age," she said. "Love is a complex emotion that can be difficult to understand, even for adults. It is a powerful force that can drive people to do incredible things, both good and bad."
Elder Yu admitted that he didn't understand a thing. "Love is a mystery to me," he said. "I've never really experienced it myself."
My aunt smiled. "That's because you've been too focused on your martial arts," she said. "You need to open your heart to the world around you. Love is all around us, if we only know how to look for it."
We left her to adjust to her newfound power. As I watched her walk away, I couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for her. She had experienced a great deal of pain and suffering, but she had emerged from it stronger and wiser than before. She had learned the importance of trust, loyalty, and love, and she was determined to live her life according to those values.
As the days turned into weeks, I continued to train with my grandfather and elder. I also gave lectures to the clan members, sharing my knowledge and experience with them. I was determined to help them improve their skills and reach their full potential.
During this time, I also spent a significant amount of time observing Du Busi. I wanted him to become part of the family, but I didn't want our relationship to be based on hierarchy or authority. I wanted him to feel like a true family member, respected and valued for his own unique qualities.
I considered using tricks like Kira from Death Note to manipulate Du Busi, but I ultimately decided against it. As an average manager and novel reader who had been transported to this world, I believed that a more straightforward and honest approach would be best. I didn't want to deceive him or take advantage of him. I wanted him to join our family willingly and out of his own free will.
Three years passed in the academy. I had reached level 54, becoming a Soul King. I was returning to the family, where my grandfather and Elder Yu were both level 89 and on the verge of becoming Title Douluo. Elder Emerald Poison, a level 95 Title Douluo, had personally come to escort me. He was expected to break through to level 96 soon.
As we traveled, I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia. I had spent so much time at the academy, learning and growing as a person. I was excited to return home and see my family again.
When we arrived, I was greeted with warmth and affection. Everyone was happy to see me, and I was equally happy to be back. I spent the night with my family, catching up on old times and sharing stories. My aunt stayed with us as well, and we had built a house for her, as she was now a full-fledged member of the family.
I was slightly disappointed that they hadn't been able to find the Eye of Ice and Fire. I wondered why.
As we arrived at the family, everyone greeted us. Senior Dugu Bo had a new child, and his wife was pregnant again. My mother was also pregnant. I spent the night with my family, and my aunt stayed with us as well. We had built a house for her, as she was now a full-fledged member of the family.
The next day, a family meeting was held. This was the first meeting I had called, and everyone was present, including all members above level 80. My mother, who was now level 79, was also allowed to attend, accompanied by my grandmother, who was level 88.
I began the meeting by congratulating all the clan members who had advanced to level 80 or higher. I also acknowledged their hard work in constructing the Dragon Hall, which was now complete, and the new businesses the family had acquired. These developments had contributed significantly to our family's growth.
I then took out a box and presented it to Elder Emerald Dragon. "Elder," I said, "you are the first member of our family to receive this medal." I opened the box to reveal a medal made of red stone and gold, featuring a green snake. I explained that although all of our martial souls had evolved into dragons, I had included a snake on the medal to remind us of our family's origins.
He expressed his gratitude for my thoughtful gesture. I then announced to all the family members, using my soul power to amplify my voice, that the Dragon Hall was now officially open. Everyone cheered.
Returning to my seat, I said that now that the greetings and formalities were over, I wanted to share some important information with everyone. I revealed that my martial soul was a god-level martial soul, which didn't surprise anyone given my achievements. I then announced that I would be giving simple orders to the family based on the information I had received from my martial soul after reaching level 50. Finally, I revealed my soul rings: purple, black, black, black, and red.
The sight of my fifth soul ring sent a shockwave through the room. Everyone was astonished, and they congratulated me. I explained that after acquiring the fifth soul ring, I had gained access to a space containing numerous herbs and skills. I would share this space with the family when I deemed it necessary.
However, I also wanted to emphasize the importance of individual growth and development. I believed that each member of the family had the potential to achieve great things, and I wanted to create an environment that would encourage them to pursue their own goals and aspirations.
To that end, I announced that I would be establishing a new training program that would provide opportunities for all members of the family to improve their skills and abilities. The program would be designed to cater to individuals of all levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners.
I also announced that I would be creating a new research and development division within the family. This division would be tasked with exploring new technologies, developing innovative products, and advancing our understanding of the world around us. I believed that by investing in research and development, we could position ourselves at the forefront of technological advancement and ensure the continued prosperity of our family.
Finally, I announced that I would be establishing a new council that would be responsible for making important decisions about the future of the family. This council would be made up of representatives from all branches of the family, ensuring that everyone had a voice in the decision-making process.
I believed that these initiatives would help to strengthen our family and ensure its continued success. I was excited to see what the future held for us, and I was confident that together, we could achieve great things.