After a busy night, Cao Yu finally ate instant noodles in the morning.
Ma Xiaotao walked over, then gently hugged him from behind, whispering in his ear:
"Is this all you eat for breakfast?"
"What else? I want to slack off a little more."
"Oh, you've gotten lazy."
Ma Xiaotao gently kissed him on the cheek, then got up and walked towards the kitchen.
"Don't eat these unhealthy foods, I'll make you something nice to eat."
"Darling, you're so virtuous!"
"Always talking nonsense." Ma Xiaotao glared at him with a coquettish laugh, then tied on her scarf and began preparing the ingredients.
After waiting for half an hour, the fragrant breakfast was served.
The two sat close together around a round table, picking up food for each other and placing it in each other's bowls or bringing it to each other's mouths.
" Little Yu, what are your plans after this?" Ma Xiaotao tucked her long hair behind her ear, eager to hear what Cao Yu was thinking.
For Cao Yu, with his current strength that is about to reach the Soul Douluo level, Shrek Academy can't really teach him much more.
You could choose to do what Ma Xiaotao did; after returning from the Soul Fighting Tournament, she chose to graduate from the Inner Court.
Of course, one could also choose to stay in the Sea God Pavilion like the other elders, improving and consolidating one's skills while managing the academy's affairs.
This idea was certainly feasible, but the Star Luo Empire was, after all, his current homeland, and he also had to be wary of the powerful ambitions of the Sun Moon Empire, so it was destined that he could not stay here for long.
Cao Yu thought for a moment and said, "I might graduate from the Inner Court after this semester ends and then return to the Star Luo Empire."
"Then what will happen to your position in the Sea God Pavilion?"
What he said was within Ma Xiaotao's expectations, so she wasn't too surprised.
Then she continued, "I heard that Xuan Zi and Mu En are grooming you to be the next Pavilion Master. Aren't you letting them down?"
"There's nothing we can do about it. At most, I'll try to come back and visit sometime in the future, and maybe help out a bit. Besides, isn't it thanks to Yan Shaozhe and the other deans that we're holding things together?"
For Cao Yu, the position of Sea God Pavilion Master didn't actually hold much appeal.
After all, being confined to a single academy limits one's full potential.
"Why don't you come back with me then? We'll pick an auspicious day and get married, and you can give me a big, healthy son. What do you think, Xiaotao?"
Cao Yu held her in his arms, looking at her with doting eyes. Hearing this, Ma Xiaotao blushed, nodded, and whispered:
"Okay, whatever you say." After a while, Ma Xiaotang became lively again, and said with a grin, "Big Fatty, slow down a bit, after all, I haven't had enough fun with you yet, have I, Little Yu?"
"You're being naughty again." He gently flicked her fair nose, and the two spent a happy morning amidst laughter.
At noon, Cao Yu arrived at the Sea God Pavilion, where the elders were already waiting for him.
"The old king of the Sun Moon Empire is becoming increasingly ill; it seems that Xu Tianran's ascension to the throne is not far off."
How much time do you estimate we have left?
"Given the current health condition of the old king of the Sun Moon Empire, it's estimated that he'll pass away within the next two years."
At this moment, Cao Yu asked, " Xuan Zi, haven't you arranged for people to monitor that Evil Soul Master by now?"
"Yes, based on the location you provided, we have made preparations in advance and have ambushed quite a few people in the area where they are active."
"However, in order not to alert the enemy prematurely, they remained inactive in the surrounding area."
After a while, Yan Shaozhe began to explain, since it was he who had proposed the idea.
"Once Xu Tianran takes power and launches wars against other empires, the defensive forces of Mingdu will definitely be greatly reduced. At that time, we can take the opportunity to attack the Holy Spirit Cult!"
"So we'll leave the battlefield behind enemy lines to us; the main battles will have to be left to you, Cao Yu."
After all, everyone present knew that Cao Yu was now the son-in-law of the Star Luo Empire, and he could conveniently get involved in the imperial war.
After listening, Cao Yu nodded in agreement and said with a soft smile, "However, after graduation, I may have very little time to return to the academy, which would be a shame if I failed Mu En, Xuan Zi, and all the other senior elders."
The elderly Mu En forced a smile and slowly said, "Originally, I was going to reserve this position for you, but alas, you still want to go back to be the prince consort."
"You should treat Xiaotao and the others better too."
At this moment, Xuan Zi burst into laughter. " Little Yu, remember to let this old man know when you hold your wedding. Prepare plenty of good wine and food, and I'll give you a big red envelope."
"That's for sure. I would also like to welcome all the senior members and deans to my wedding."
Those present smiled and nodded, replying in unison, "We'll definitely be there! Don't forget to let us know!"
"Haha, the notification will definitely be delivered on time."
After leaving the Sea God Pavilion, Cao Yu rushed to the research institute in the suburbs without stopping.
A large crowd had already gathered outside the building, including both the Snow Empress and the Ice Empress.
" Little Yu, come quickly and see, the Star Luo Empire has sent some new things."
Snow Empress smiled and waved to him, while Ice Empress beside her looked somewhat displeased.
Why did this guy come back so quickly?
After all, Cao Yu used to enjoy tricking her and sometimes even taking advantage of her; for example, that bastard Cao Yu stole her first kiss.
At this moment, a middle-aged man stepped out. Judging from his clothing, he was an official of the Star Luo Empire, and of a fairly high rank.
He bowed slightly to the courtier Cao Yu with a respectful attitude and said, "Your Highness, my name is Shen Cheng. I have been ordered by His Majesty to deliver a message and escort goods."
"Okay, let's go in first and talk about it then."
The group entered the building and sat down on the sofas in the lobby.
Shen Cheng spoke up, "Your Highness, His Majesty sent me here with another purpose: to ask when you plan to return?"
Cao Yu understood the meaning of those words. The "going back" in those words did not simply mean going home to visit relatives, but rather truly returning to the Star Luo Empire and doing what needed to be done.
It seems my brother-in-law is getting a little anxious.
"After this semester ends, I will graduate from the Inner Court, and then I will go back and ask my brother-in-law for an official position."
Shen Cheng smiled and said, "Your Highness, His Majesty has already prepared an official position for you. He even specially changed the title of Prime Minister to Chancellor, saying that Your Highness prefers this title."
"His Majesty still remembers what you said back then."
(End of this chapter)