Aunt Liu's Arrival

The day after Zhang Niu and Zhang Ma's families officially settled down in Liu Family Village, warm sunlight spread over the peaceful village.

Early that morning, Zhang Niu's courtyard was already bustling. It was filled with lavish dishes whose fragrance drifted everywhere, making even Liu Feng unable to resist peeking in from outside.

Zhang Niu had specially invited Liu Feng's family for a meal, saying they should properly celebrate the Joy of Moving while also marking the beginning of their cooperation in exploring the Mysteries of Soul Skills.

When Liu Feng and Liu Qing arrived at Zhang Niu's home, Zhang Ma's family was already there.

Everyone sat around a table laden with delicious food, their laughter never ceasing.

Zhang Niu stood up and raised his Wine Glass, his face covered in an enthusiastic smile. "Today, we're all gathered here for two reasons. First, to celebrate Zhang Ma's family and mine settling into new homes in Liu Family Village. From now on, we're proper neighbors."

"Second, to kick off our Great Cause of Soul Skill Analysis. Come, a toast to everyone. May everything go smoothly for us from now on, and may we all become powerful Soul Masters!"

Everyone raised their glasses and drained them in one go.

During the meal, they savored the fine dishes while chatting freely about their future plans.

Liu Feng listened with particular focus, occasionally offering his own ideas and questions. Zhang Niu and Zhang Ma patiently answered him and shared amusing stories from their days as Mercenaries that involved Soul Skills.

Liu Qing smiled from the side. Watching the Young Person brim with enthusiasm for exploring Soul Skills filled him with comfort.

After the meal, Liu Feng helped clear the dishes before returning home with his father.

Liu Feng was in an especially good mood that day.

Early the next morning, Liu Feng prepared to head to the Waterfall as usual to train. He stretched lazily, breathed in the fresh Early Morning air, and stepped out of the house with a light stride.

The moment he reached the entrance, he saw Zhang Niu and Zhang Ma engaged in animated conversation with several people.

Curious, Liu Feng walked closer and realized they were the Soul Masters who had built the houses before.

"Uncle Zhang Niu, Uncle Zhang Ma, what are you discussing?" Liu Feng politely greeted them before unable to resist asking.

Zhang Niu and Zhang Ma exchanged a glance, mysterious smiles appearing on their faces.

Zhang Niu scratched his head and said, "Liu Feng, we're planning to build another house next door."

Liu Feng was even more confused and asked further, "Another house? Who's going to live there?"

The two hesitated, and Zhang Ma smiled as he smoothed things over. "Don't ask. You'll find out when the time comes. It's a surprise!"

Liu Feng's heart itched as though a cat were scratching it, and his curiosity was completely aroused.

But no matter how he pressed them, Zhang Niu and Zhang Ma refused to reveal even the slightest bit of information.

Helpless, Liu Feng could only head to the Waterfall to train with a belly full of questions.

Over the following days, every time Liu Feng saw those Soul Masters busily working on the construction nearby, his curiosity grew stronger.

He often guessed in his mind who exactly was moving in. Could it be one of Zhang Niu and Zhang Ma's relatives? Or perhaps a mysterious Soul Master they had invited?

With that curiosity in his heart, Liu Feng waited for three whole days.

Finally, on a sunny afternoon, a Horse Carriage slowly entered Liu Family Village.

The carriage stopped before the new house still under construction, and a young married woman dressed in a white tight-fitting outfit stepped down from it.

Liu Feng happened to be passing by and was immediately drawn to the woman's unique bearing.

Her white tight-fitting outfit was neatly tailored, but its sleeves were unusually wide. They fluttered softly in the breeze, making her figure appear even more light and graceful.

Her long hair was tied into a high ponytail that swayed gently with her movements, full of vitality.

She had an oval face and lovely features, with lively yet capable eyes.

As Liu Feng stared in fascination, Zhang Niu and Zhang Ma had already gone forward to greet her warmly.

Liu Feng hurried over and heard Zhang Niu introduce her. "Liu Feng, come meet your Aunt Liu, Liu He. She used to be one of our old teammates."

Liu Feng quickly greeted her respectfully. "Hello, Aunt Liu!"

Liu He smiled and rubbed Liu Feng's head. "So this is Liu Feng? You've grown so much! I heard about you from your Uncle Zhang Niu and Uncle Zhang Ma. You really are an extraordinary child!"

Liu Feng scratched his head awkwardly, though he remained puzzled. Who exactly was this Aunt Liu? Why had she moved here?

As it turned out, Liu He was a level thirty-eight Agility Attack System Soul Elder. Her Martial Soul was the Soaring Crane, and she was mainly responsible for Reconnaissance Missions.

She, Liu Qing, Zhang Niu, and Zhang Ma had once been teammates in a Mercenary Team, traveling across the continent together.

Back then, the young Liu He had secretly developed feelings for Liu Qing. Unfortunately, Liu Qing had already met Liu Feng's mother and was deeply in love with her, so he could only politely refuse Liu He.

Later, the team disbanded for various reasons. Liu He also married and lived an ordinary life.

However, fate played a cruel joke on her. A few years ago, her husband encountered a powerful Soul Beast while Soul Hunting and died tragically, leaving her a widow.

This time, Liu He had happened to run into Zhang Niu and Zhang Ma in town while they were moving. After learning that they were relocating to Liu Family Village to explore the Mysteries of Soul Skills with Liu Qing's family, she felt somewhat lonely at the thought of living alone.

Liu He also had a strong interest in exploring Soul Skills, so Zhang Niu and Zhang Ma warmly invited her to Liu Family Village to keep them company. They could study Soul Skills together as well.

At that moment, Liu He was sitting in the courtyard with Liu Qing, Zhang Niu, and Zhang Ma, reminiscing about the time they had spent adventuring together.

Liu Feng sat quietly to one side, listening intently.

He had never imagined that his father, Uncle Zhang Niu, and Uncle Zhang Ma had such an exciting past. He had even less expected that Aunt Liu and his father shared such a story.

"Back then, when we encountered that five-hundred-year Man Faced Demon Spider in Sunset Forest with the captain and the others, we would've been in real danger if Liu Qing hadn't made a quick decision and used traps to hold it back!" Zhang Niu said with emotion.

Liu He nodded with a smile. "Yes. Brother Liu's observational skills were already incredible back then. It's just a pity that the team later broke apart and everyone went their separate ways." A trace of loneliness flashed through her eyes as she spoke.

Zhang Niu continued, "Fortunately, we're together again now, and we even have such an outstanding child as Liu Feng. I believe we'll definitely gain a great deal by studying Soul Skills together!"

Before they knew it, the sky had darkened, and it was time for dinner.

As the newly arrived neighbor, Liu He warmly invited everyone to eat at her home. She said she would cook personally and let them taste her culinary skill.

Seeing this, Liu Feng thought that they had not met for a long time and surely had much to say. He took the initiative to say he would eat at home. "Aunt Liu, you haven't seen each other in so long. You must have a lot to talk about. I'll head home to eat first, so you can properly catch up."

No one forced him to stay, and Liu Feng turned around and went home.

Liu He's culinary skill was indeed excellent. Before long, an enticing aroma drifted out from the Kitchen.

She made several signature dishes: Braised Soul Beast Meat, Steamed Spirit Fish, and a cold dish made with fresh Spirit Plants.

The four sat around the table, tasting the delicious dishes and praising them without end.

As Liu Qing drank, he recalled the old days, and his heart was filled with emotion.

After several cups of wine, his face gradually flushed, and he began talking more.

Zhang Niu picked up a bite of food with his chopsticks, carefully chewed it, and swallowed. Then he suddenly said, "Xiao He is still very lonely by herself. She should find someone to live with." After saying that, he looked straight at Liu Qing, his gaze carrying a hint of deeper meaning.

Liu Qing was slightly stunned when he heard this. He then fell silent, lifted his Wine Glass, and looked up as he took a large gulp. The liquor slid down his throat, his Adam's Apple bobbing.

Sensing that the atmosphere had become somewhat delicate, Zhang Ma hurriedly raised his Wine Glass, stood up, and loudly said, "Come on, come on! Don't just talk, drink! Let's drink to our reunion, and to the Great Cause of Soul Skill Analysis ahead of us. Bottoms up!"

Everyone raised their glasses. The Wine Glasses clinked together with a crisp sound, and amid the slightly awkward atmosphere, they all drained their drinks.

Wine entered his sorrowful heart, and Liu Qing's thoughts wandered far away. He remembered every little moment he had shared with his wife, then looked at Liu He before him, his heart a tangled mess of emotions.

Liu He still wore a smile, but it seemed to conceal feelings that were difficult to put into words.

Zhang Niu and Zhang Ma continued finding topics to discuss, trying their best to liven up the atmosphere again.

"Xiao He, you've had it hard these past years." Liu Qing looked at Liu He and spoke sincerely.

Liu He smiled. "It's all in the past. Now that I can be together with everyone again, I'm very happy."

Zhang Niu and Zhang Ma watched from the side and sighed with feeling as well.

They drank and chatted, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

Before they knew it, the night had grown deep.

Liu Qing was thoroughly drunk, his steps unsteady. Zhang Niu and Zhang Ma escorted him home, and Liu Feng hurried out to receive them, helping his father onto the bed.

After Liu Qing lay down, he said only a few words before falling into a deep sleep.

Liu Feng looked at his father's sleeping face, his heart filled with mixed emotions.