Xiao Father's Approval, Xiao Wu Meets the Parents

[Ding!]

[Jiang Yi clenched his fists tightly and rubbed his eyes in disbelief. His son had instantaneously killed a six-ringed Soul Emperor with the cultivation of a three-ringed Soul Master! — Emotion Points +999!]

[Xiao Xiao covered her mouth in surprise. Just moments ago, she had been worried that Ziming might get hurt, but he had only used a few moves to instantly kill his opponent? — Emotion Points +999!]

[Xiao Zhentian remained silent for a long time before slowly letting out a breath. He had lived for most of his life and seen countless geniuses, but he had never seen a twelve-year-old boy crush a six-ringed Soul Emperor with the cultivation of a three-ringed Soul Master! — Emotion Points +999!]

[The elders collectively fell silent. They looked at Jiang Xiaogang, covered in blood on the stage, then at the boy calmly sheathing his sword. The same thought arose in all their minds: it was time to become turncoats! Loyalty to the young master! — Emotion Points +999!]

[Jiang Jiahao slumped amid the crowd, his face as pale as paper. He had actually dared to attack Jiang Ziming just now? He had even wanted to snatch his maid? — Emotion Points +999!]

[The gathered clansmen and servants all took a step back, their gazes toward the boy filled with awe. From this day onward, no one would dare question the title of young master of the Jiang Family again! — Emotion Points +999!]

Jiang Ziming put away the Xuanyuan Sword. Without even sparing the dying old man on the ground a glance, he turned and stepped down from the arena.

Xiao Wu immediately came forward, took out a handkerchief, and gently, naturally wiped away the nonexistent sweat from his brow.

Jiang Ziming let her finish, then looked past the crowd toward the girl in the goose-yellow dress.

Xiao Xiao was staring at him with a still-dazed expression. When she saw him looking over, she gave him a lively, adorable smile.

Jiang Ziming smiled as well and walked toward her.

"Xiao Xiao, we meet again so soon."

Xiao Xiao nodded vigorously, her voice brimming with undisguised excitement.

"Seriously, it's only just vacation, so how did you get this much stronger again? Could you at least leave us ordinary Soul Masters a way to survive?"

Jiang Ziming chuckled.

"I got lucky. I encountered a soul beast suited to my martial soul."

Xiao Xiao wanted to say more, but Xiao Zhentian had already stepped forward. He cupped his hands toward Jiang Ziming, his tone carrying a measure of solemnity.

"Young Master Jiang, you are truly promising at such a young age. Xiao has had his eyes opened today."

Jiang Ziming returned the gesture politely.

"Uncle Xiao flatters me. This junior was merely fortunate."

Xiao Zhentian smiled without exposing the polite lie.

Fortunate?

Who was he trying to fool?

A three-ringed Soul Master instantly killing a six-ringed Soul Emperor—if that was luck, then there were no geniuses on Douluo Continent.

After they exchanged a few pleasantries, the sky had already begun to darken.

Since there were still fellowship gathering arrangements for the next day, the Xiao Family would be staying overnight at Jiang Residence.

Jiang Ziming had Xiao Xiao rest in the guest room first, while he brought Xiao Wu to see Jiang Yi.

The father and son spoke in the study.

The candlelight flickered, illuminating two similar faces.

Jiang Yi sat behind his desk, looking at the son he had not seen in a year, his heart filled with complicated emotions.

"Ziming, you've grown up."

His first words carried both gratification and sentiment.

Jiang Ziming sat across from him and smiled.

"A year apart, and Father seems to have aged a little."

Jiang Yi laughed and cursed.

"You brat, the first thing you do when you come home is make fun of your father."

After laughing, father and son fell silent for a moment.

Then Jiang Yi spoke, his tone turning serious.

"What exactly did you experience during this year at Shrek? That sword, and those three ten-thousand-year soul rings... what is going on?"

Jiang Ziming smiled openly and briefly recounted his experiences at Shrek.

Winning the freshman assessment, receiving a soul bone as a reward, awakening twin martial souls...

As for subduing the Ice Emperor in the Extreme North, and the system, he naturally omitted those parts entirely.

Jiang Yi fell silent for a long while after hearing everything.

Then he let out a long sigh, rose to his feet, and walked to the window. Looking out at the deepening night, his voice was somewhat hoarse.

"Heaven has blessed us... blessed my Jiang Family."

He turned back to Jiang Ziming, his eyes gleaming with gratification.

"You have done very well, far better than I imagined."

Jiang Ziming also stood and walked to his side, speaking softly.

"Rest assured, Father. I will not let the Jiang Family decline in my hands."

Jiang Yi nodded, then his gaze fell upon Xiao Wu, who had been standing quietly by the door.

"This young lady is...?"

Jiang Ziming beckoned, and Xiao Wu walked over. She gave Jiang Yi a slight bow, her voice gentle and respectful.

"Greetings, Master. I am my master's personal maid. Just call me Xiao Wu."

Jiang Yi glanced at her, his heart tightening slightly.

He could not see through this girl's cultivation at all.

With the strength of a seven-ringed Soul Sage, he could not discern the depth of a girl who looked no more than seventeen or eighteen!

Jiang Yi was not foolish enough to truly regard Xiao Wu as his son's maid.

He did not ask further. He merely nodded and said,

"Since you are someone by Ziming's side, you are one of the Jiang Family. From now on, there is no need to be reserved in this residence."

Xiao Wu smiled slightly and bowed again.

"Thank you, Master."

The next day, the fellowship gathering between the Jiang Family and the Xiao Family was held as scheduled.

Jiang Residence was decorated with lanterns and colored banners, with red silk hanging high everywhere. It was even more grand than the day before.

Dozens of banquet tables had been set up in the main courtyard. Every member of the Jiang Family was present, as were all the attendants brought by the Xiao Family.

Jiang Yi sat in the seat of honor, talking with Xiao Zhentian beside him. The two were getting along quite well.

After yesterday's battle, Xiao Zhentian's attitude toward the Jiang Family had clearly become much warmer.

Or rather, his attitude toward Jiang Ziming had become much warmer.

Xiao Zhentian repeatedly referred to him as "nephew" in conversation, his tone cordial and utterly unlike the businesslike manner he had displayed upon arriving the day before.

The elders had also abandoned their wait-and-see attitude from yesterday and took the initiative to toast Jiang Yi, their words full of flattery.

As for the Grand Elder, Jiang Xiaogang, he naturally did not attend.

It was said that he was still recovering from his injuries in his room, with healing-type Soul Masters from the clan visiting daily to treat him.

As for what would happen after he recovered, no one cared anymore.

The Jiang Family's tide had completely shifted after yesterday's battle.

Yet Jiang Ziming, yesterday's central figure, was not seated among the honored guests at the banquet.

He sat at a table in the corner, with a bowl of rice and several small dishes before him, eating leisurely.

Xiao Wu was not by his side.

Steward Sun had called her away, saying she needed to learn some of the management affairs of Jiang Residence.

After all, she was the young master's personal maid. She would inevitably need to move about the residence in the future, so it was only natural for her to familiarize herself with its rules and personnel in advance.

Xiao Xiao sat across from Jiang Ziming, poking at the food in her bowl with her chopsticks, looking utterly uninterested.

"So boring..."

She lay sprawled over the table, her emerald-green eyes half-closed like a sleepy kitten.

"I thought the fellowship gathering would have some fun activities, but it's just drinking, drinking, drinking. I can't even get a word in when the adults are talking..."