Little Brother and Uncle

"Luo Yun, what's wrong with you? This is practical combat training, not private tutoring between the two of you. You don't need to hold back."

It was not only Coach Yan Feng; Xu Mingxi was also looking at Luo Yun across from him in confusion.

"Brother Yun, you don't have to hold back. I can handle it."

I'm not holding back because I'm afraid you'll get hurt. I'm afraid I'll get beaten to death.

Luo Yun was helpless too. Ever since he had learned that Xu Mingxi could be counted as his uncle, he really had not been able to bring himself to strike.

If he beat him up badly, Empress absolutely would not let him off.

"Mingxi, are you free tonight? My Father King and Empress would like to invite you to our home for dinner."

Hm?

The king and Queen of the Star Luo Kingdom? What did they want with him?

But thinking about it, Brother Yun had probably told them about the Star Crown's amplification effect on the Starry Tiger.

That was why they had called him over to ask about it. There probably would not be any major problem.

"All right. I'll definitely be there tonight."

"Then it's settled. I'll send a carriage to pick you up tonight."

"Sure. When the time comes, send the carriage to Chao Mansion. I'll wait there."

Xu Mingxi planned to call Chao Grandmother along. He was honestly a little scared to enter the Royal Palace alone.

Chao Mansion? Did the Xu Family have that connection too? Luo Yun did not ask anything and simply agreed.

"Hey, you two, do I not exist to you? Continue training, now, immediately, this instant."

Seeing that the coach had already started waving his clipboard and was about to come over and hit them, the two hurriedly resumed training.

Luo Yun finally put one worry to rest, though he had not even managed to drag it out for a single day.

After school, Xu Mingxi went to the teachers' office door to intercept Chao Tianxiang, then followed her home under her colleagues' shifty gazes.

"Cousin, couldn't you have come to find me tomorrow? Seriously."

"What, do you have a date today?"

Before Chao Tianxiang could answer, a figure suddenly sprang out from the side and stood in front of Xu Mingxi.

"Kid, stay away from Tianxiang."

Chao Tianxiang hurriedly separated the two of them and pulled the newcomer aside.

"Don't get the wrong idea. This is my cousin."

Only then did Xu Mingxi get a clear look at the newcomer's face. His expression was stern, unsmiling. This had to be the Dragon Duke.

"Hello, Xu Mingxi, Chao Tianxiang's cousin."

"Meng Shu. Hello, cousin."

Dragon Duke Meng Shu, born a commoner. If he wanted to win the beauty, he still had to treat her family a little better.

It was just that the smile he forced onto that stern face made Xu Mingxi cry inwardly; if he did not know how to smile, he really did not have to.

Dragon Duke and Snake Woman walked ahead, chatting back and forth as if they had endless things to say.

Xu Mingxi slowly followed behind, admiring the scenery beside him. Out of sight, out of mind.

"Tianxiang, I'll walk you up to here."

"Brother Long, be careful."

Dragon Duke Meng Shu was currently still just a mere Soul Emperor. If he wanted resources, he could only risk his life fighting in the Soul Beast Forest.

Xu Mingxi ignored the affectionate pair at the gates of Chao Mansion and walked straight inside.

"Mingxi? Why are you back? Did something happen?"

As soon as Xu Mingxi entered, he saw Chao Grandmother watering flowers in the courtyard and told her about Luo Yun's invitation.

"Oh my, look at this memory of mine. I completely forgot to tell you.

"Our Queen also has the surname Xu, same as you. Just go without worry."

The Queen was also surnamed Xu? Chao Grandmother would not bring that up for no reason. Could the Queen also be a member of the Star Crown Sect?

Still, Xu Mingxi lowered most of his guard. The Chao Family would not dare deceive the Star Crown Sect.

If anything happened to Xu Mingxi in Star Luo Royal Capital, the Chao Family would not be able to wash their hands of it.

Since Chao Grandmother had said as much, Xu Mingxi got into the carriage to the Royal Palace by himself.

Meanwhile, inside the Royal Palace, across from the king's family of five, sat someone they had not expected.

"Yue Grandmother, why have you come?"

"Little Ya, I didn't expect you to look quite a bit younger after becoming Queen."

Xu Mingya's parents had died in an accident when she was young, so she had practically been raised by the Second Elder. Now, looking at the old woman sitting across from her, she nearly burst into tears.

"You're joking. But looking at your appearance, you seem much younger. Could it be..."

The Second Elder gave a restrained nod. She had come this time to lend Xu Mingxi her support, so naturally she had to show her strength.

Of course she trusted Xu Mingya, but she did not trust Luo Yi.

The thoughts of someone who could sit firmly on a throne were not something recluses like them could fathom.

Only true strength would make Luo Yi not dare entertain any petty schemes.

"That's wonderful, Yue Grandmother. You've finally gotten your wish."

Xu Mingya wept with joy, and Luo Yi also sat up a little straighter.

A Titled Douluo. That was the very peak of power on the Douluo Continent.

"May I ask if Elder has come to my Star Luo Kingdom because the Star Crown Sect has some matter to command?"

Faced with family affection, Xu Mingya could no longer think clearly, but Luo Yi had no choice but to consider the influence a Titled Douluo brought.

"Heh. This old woman has come only to protect Little Mingxi. All other matters have nothing to do with me."

To protect Xu Mingxi—this classmate of Little Yun's was not simple. Not just anyone was qualified to have a Titled Douluo protect them.

"Elder, rest assured. We absolutely will not take the initiative to interfere with Mingxi's studies or life."

"Then this old woman thanks the Star Luo King. I shall take my leave first."

The Second Elder vanished from the hall, leaving only Luo Yi's family looking at one another.

"Queen, I remember this elder ranked second in your Star Crown Sect, correct?"

Xu Mingya glanced at Luo Yi, understood what he meant, and nodded.

Although Luo Yun did not know what riddle his Father King and Empress were speaking in, he also knew the importance of that old grandmother just now.

For his Father King and Empress to respect her so much, she had to be powerful. If she was not a Titled Douluo, she was at least a Soul Douluo.

And such a powerful figure was actually Mingxi's guardian.

Luo Yun instantly recalled Xu Mingxi's appearance and seemed to understand something.

"Father King, Empress, I think I know why that old grandmother came just now. This new classmate of mine, although his enrollment records say he's seventeen, judging by his looks and height, he's at most around fourteen."

That was something neither the Star Luo King nor the Princess Consort had expected.

Although they had heard some information about Xu Mingxi from Yun'er, they had never truly met him.

"Yun'er, you must take good care of this uncle of yours."

"Yes. I know what to do."

The Star Luo King nodded. He believed his son would definitely not disappoint him.

By the time Xu Mingxi rode in a carriage into the Royal Palace, the Star Luo King had long since been waiting there.

"Mingxi is here. Come, sit quickly."

Before Xu Mingxi knew what was happening, he had been pulled over and seated in the guest of honor's place.

Looking at the Star Luo King and Queen seated on either side of him, then at Luo Yun and his two brothers sitting below, Xu Mingxi was a little dazed.

"Um, His Majesty the King, there's no need to be so polite. Brother Yun has helped me a lot at the academy too."

"Eh, Mingxi, you should call me Brother-in-law. My empress, Xu Mingya, is your Elder Sister."

What? Wasn't she his aunt?

"Oh, oh. Hello, Elder Sister, Brother-in-law."

"Right, and there's this brat Luo Yun too. He's your Little Nephew, so if there's anything you need, just order him to do it."

Xu Mingxi felt embarrassed on Brother Yun's behalf. This seniority was really a mess.

"No, no need. I'll just call him Brother Yun. He takes good care of me at the academy."

"Good, good. Mingxi, just treat this place like your own home. If you want to come, just tell Luo Yun anytime."

Xu Mingxi turned and glanced at Luo Yun. Their eyes met, and they awkwardly looked away.

"Then thank you, Elder Sister and Brother-in-law."

"It's nothing. Come, eat."

Today could be considered a family banquet. Once the news spread, every family in Blue Sunshine City marked Xu Mingxi as someone not to be provoked.

Even the City Lord's Mansion, though established to monitor the Star Luo Kingdom, did not, as far as the city lord himself was concerned, wish to offend a powerful kingdom.

Many factions warned their descendants studying at Canghui Academy not to provoke people they could not afford to provoke.

In Blue Sunshine City, Xu Mingxi had gained the greatest backer, and no one would disturb him again.

And the Star Luo Kingdom had also established ties with this genius protected by a Titled Douluo.

Both sides benefited.

Only Luo Yun, when sending Xu Mingxi back, spoke up in extreme embarrassment.

"Um, well..."

"Brother Yun, you should just call me Mingxi."

"Oh, right, Mingxi. If anything comes up in the future, call me anytime."

Luo Yun looked as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, like he had finally completed some mission, and let out a sigh of relief.

"By the way, Brother Yun, how did you end up going to Canghui Academy? Why not study at an academy in Star Luo Royal Capital?"

"Don't even mention it. I just wanted to stay farther away from Father King and Empress. They're seriously too naggy.

Don't tell them, okay? I'll just see you off here. I'm leaving first."

Xu Mingxi watched Luo Yun flee in a panic and couldn't help laughing.

Luo Yun usually took care of everyone in the team like a big brother, Ye Zhiqiu included.

This was the first time Xu Mingxi had seen him like this. It was honestly pretty funny.