After the little incident, Dugu Bo exchanged a few pleasantries with Jiang Huai before leaving. Jiang Huai then entered the academy with Gu Yue and Xiao Wu.
Tang San told Jiang Huai, "Brother Huai, Tai Long's grandfather is Tai Tan, the head of the Strength Clan. He's an eighty-fourth-rank Soul Douluo, and his Martial Soul is also the Giant Ape. He's a Power Attack System Soul Master. I'm worried he'll come looking for trouble, but don't worry. Tai Tan calls me Young Master whenever he sees me, so I should have some sway with him."
Jiang Huai patted Tang San on the shoulder. "Got it, Xiao San. I'm tired from all the walking today, so I'll head back and rest."
Tang San nodded and watched Jiang Huai leave. After returning to his dorm, he picked up a pen and wrote a few lines on a sheet of paper, then had someone deliver the letter to the Strength Clan.
The head of the Strength Clan soon saw what was written in the letter:
'Jiang Huai is my big brother. Your descendants keep provoking him. I'm very displeased.'
Tai Tan knew at a glance who had written it. Had the Young Master he'd acknowledged not long ago really written this? The letter was signed, too.
Late that night, in a private room at Shrek's Dining Hall, Ning Rongrong used the know-how she'd gained from seeing the world to transform the room into a venue fit for a noble's birthday celebration.
Gu Yue and Xiao Wu were leading Jiang Huai toward the room, while Ning Rongrong hurried the staff to bring out the cake and finish serving the other dishes.
Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, Gu Yue, Tang San, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and the Shrek teachers had all gone to great lengths to make Jiang Huai feel at home. To find a suitable gift for him, Ning Rongrong had asked her father to buy something at the auction house well in advance.
Jiang Huai had now been led into the Dining Hall. Gu Yue covered his eyes with both hands, while Xiao Wu took his hand and led him forward.
Once Xiao Wu had brought Jiang Huai and Gu Yue to the right spot, she went outside to give the signal for everyone inside to get ready.
Ning Rongrong heard a bird call outside and immediately told everyone to get their confetti ready.
Ning Fengzhi and Sword Dao Chen Xin were there as well. They hadn't joined in with the children's festivities, but sat waiting for the birthday boy to arrive.
Naturally, they'd brought gifts, too. Who would attend someone's birthday party without bringing a present?
Xiao Wu quickly opened the door and pushed Jiang Huai inside. The moment he entered, Ning Rongrong and the others tossed shredded confetti into the air.
Ning Rongrong and the others shouted together, "Happy birthday!" x7
Jiang Huai froze in place, looking a little dazed. Gu Yue came forward and took his hand. "What's wrong?"
Jiang Huai shook his head. "It's nothing. It's just that this is the first time anyone's ever thrown me a birthday party."
Tang San stepped forward and playfully punched Jiang Huai's left shoulder. "What's the matter? Touched?"
Jiang Huai nodded with a smile. "Of course. I don't know where my family is, but you've all become my family."
Jiang Huai was soon led over to the large cake. Thirteen candles were stuck into it, and the words "Happy Birthday" were written on top.
Jiang Huai took a deep breath and blew out all the candles. Everyone cheered.
Jiang Huai soon began cutting the cake. He gave the first piece to Ning Rongrong, the host of the party.
Next came Jiang Huai's beloved, Gu Yue. He gave her the second piece, then cut the rest for everyone else.
Once they'd finished the cake and eaten their fill, it was time to give out the gifts.
Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin stood and walked over. Ning Fengzhi smiled warmly. "Xiao Huai, I'm Ning Rongrong's father. I wish you a happy birthday. Rongrong was the one who told me when your birthday was. Please accept this small gift as both a birthday present and a token of our introduction."
Jiang Huai stood and nodded. "Thank you, Uncle Ning."
Meanwhile, Chen Xin took out the sword he'd bought at the auction. "Jiang Huai, your name reminded me of my master. He was my teacher and an elder I respected greatly. Rongrong told me you enjoy practicing the sword, so I'd like to give you this as a present. Of course, you may not know who we are, but here's a little hint: the Heaven Dou Grand Auction House."
Jiang Huai froze, realizing something. "You two were the ones..."
Ning Fengzhi nodded, confirming Jiang Huai's guess. Ning Rongrong came over, picked up a box, and handed it to Jiang Huai. "Brother Huai, this is a pair of glasses Dad helped me pick out. I don't know if you're nearsighted, but I think guys look the most handsome in glasses. They're yours!"
Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward and handed him a box. Inside was a short dagger. In her cool voice, she said, "I had to prepare this in a hurry, so I hope you don't mind. This is one of the gifts my father gave me. It's a short dagger called the Golden Cat Dagger."
Tang San took out a Hidden Weapon and handed it to Jiang Huai. "Brother Huai, I got the inspiration for this Soul Tool from your Deathblow Void a while ago. I named it Three Thousand One Hundred Li. It doesn't attack with an energy ball; it fires an arrow. It has tremendous penetrating power and packs a powerful punch. I also coated the blade with a little poison."
Ma Hongjun stepped forward. "Brother Huai, I didn't know what to get you, so I just bought a painting at a high price in Heaven Dou City. It shows the core area of the Star Dou Forest. I hope you like it."
Oscar stepped forward and scratched the back of his head. "Brother Huai, you know I'm a bit socially awkward, but I made a pair of goggles by hand. They might not be worth as much as the others' gifts, but I put a lot of thought into them. I hope you like them."
Xiao Wu hopped in front of Jiang Huai. "It's my turn, it's my turn! Brother Huai, the gift I prepared for you is..."
Xiao Wu pulled a carrot from somewhere. A bow was tied around it, and it was a little wet. Jiang Huai asked, puzzled, "What's this?"
Xiao Wu blushed, then huffed in embarrassment. "Brother Huai, I prepared this especially for you! You can't refuse it!"
Jiang Huai reluctantly accepted it. Gu Yue walked over gracefully and kissed him on the cheek. "A-Huai, I made you a bracelet out of my hair."
Gu Yue took out a silvery-white bracelet with a small silver dragon charm hanging from it. She also took out a scale and handed it to Jiang Huai.
Jiang Huai accepted the scale. "Gu Yue, what's this scale?"
Gu Yue whispered, "It's one of my reverse scales. If you're in danger, pour Soul Power into it and I'll come straight to you to protect you."
As she spoke, Gu Yue put the bracelet on Jiang Huai's right wrist. Jiang Huai gently pinched her earlobe.
Gu Yue blushed and leaned against Jiang Huai's chest. Everyone fell silent at that moment.
Not far away, Jiang Huai and Tang San decided to spar for everyone's amusement.
Tang San used the method Jiang Huai had taught him to shape Blue Silver Grass into various weapons. He held a sword formed from Blue Silver Grass and pointed it at Jiang Huai.
Seeing this, Jiang Huai waved a hand. He stopped hiding his Martial Soul and summoned his Second Martial Soul, the Jinxu Longyuan Sword.
In the shadows, Jiang Yi stared at the Martial Soul, stunned. She clearly recognized the sword as the Longyuan Sword, but Jiang Huai's looked even more ancient than hers.
Chen Xin stared at it, too, stunned. Wasn't that the Longyuan Sword?
Chen Xin called out to Tang San. "Tang San, let's make this spar a little more interesting. I'll lend you some of my sword intent."
Jiang Huai crooked a finger at him. "Come on, Xiao San."
Tang San accepted the sword intent Chen Xin gave him, gripped the Blue Silver Sword, and charged.
Jiang Huai easily raised his sword to block. "Xiao San, why's your hand so weak?"
Jiang Huai knocked him away with a powerful swing, then prepared to use a sword technique.
"Xuanyuan: Hidden Edge Style!"
Before you continue