In the afternoon, Xiao Xiao and Luo Yan were already waiting for Cao Yu and the others at the entrance of the dormitory building.
In addition to Tang Ya, Ning Tian Jiang Nannan, three other people also attended the gathering.
The party ended late into the night amidst laughter and chatter.
7:30 AM.
Cao Yu and Huo Yuhao, along with Tang Ya and the other two, embarked on their journey home.
Sun Moon Empire, Cao Clan Branch.
At this moment, three people were sitting in the dimly lit hall. The person in the head seat was making a clicking sound as he held blackened wooden beads in his hand.
At the same time, two people of different shapes sat on either side of the lower seat.
With a large belly and a waist as thick as a water barrel, he sipped his tea with a contented expression.
The other was wearing a cloak, his face obscured and appearing dim, making it impossible to see his features clearly. However, his aura was increasingly cold, giving off a feeling of "keep away."
At this moment, the man with the large pregnant belly spoke up, " Cao Tian, so much time has passed, how have you considered this matter?"
The man at the head of the table put down the wooden beads in his hand and said unhurriedly, "I am not the true head of the Cao Clan. It's no use coming to me."
"What if I help you become the true head of the Cao Clan?" the man asked again, his eyes turning contemptuous as he saw Cao Tian's slightly tempted expression.
Haha! I thought this bone would be hard to chew.
"This... is impossible."
The man said nonchalantly, "But do you know that trafficking high-level Soul Tool in the Sun Moon Empire is a serious crime, Cao Tian? Don't think I didn't notice your clandestine activities."
"Are you threatening me?" Cao Tian slammed his hand on the armrest in apparent anger, but he didn't actually use his full strength.
"One sentence, will you agree or not?" the man issued his final ultimatum.
Cao Tian's eyes darted around. "Give me a few more days to think it over."
Just as the obese man and the cloaked man were about to leave through the gate, another voice came from behind.
"Remember to invite plenty of people then."
"Haha, no problem, then I should call you Cao Clan, heh!" The fat man laughed loudly, and finally even the cloaked man next to him let out a sinister laugh.
"What! Little Yu is back?" Xu Tianshui put down the thick book in his hand, stood up quickly, and seemed to be packing his things, eager to go out.
Cheng Gang had just heard the news that Cao Yu had returned to the Cao Clan, so he quickly came to the hall to inform Xu Tianshui and the others.
Liu Kongzhu and Lu Xuanshui then stood up and said, "Let's hurry up and go see if Little Yu has made any progress at the Shrek Academy this year."
"Right, let's go! Let's go take a look. By the way, did you bring any wine or anything like that?" Xu Tianshui finally realized and asked the others.
"I brought it a while ago. I was hoping to have a good drink at the Cao Clan. Let's go, stop dawdling."
Inside the vast Cao Clan mansion.
The place was bustling with activity, and the pedestrians on the street were all in high spirits. Most of these people were the uncles and aunts that Cao Yu knew from his childhood.
Old Master Cao Yanjun looked around at Cao Yu, who had just returned, his expression slightly excited.
Grandpa, Dad, Mom.
"Wow! Little Yu has grown so tall! What did you eat to grow so big this past year?"
The old man held him tightly, so much so that Cao Xiang and Luo Lingyun stood there anxiously behind him, unable to get close to their son.
"Dad, let us take a good look too. After all, it's been almost a year since we've seen Little Yu," Luo Lingyun couldn't help but say.
"Well... alright, you guys hurry up, I still need to chat with Little Yu a bit more." The old man reluctantly made room for him.
Cao Xiang stroked his hair, his face beaming with a smile, "Good lad, you've grown so tall already, you might even surpass me in a few years."
Luo Lingyun gently touched his face and said softly, " Little Yu is getting more and more handsome. Are there any girls who like you at school?"
"Yes, there are plenty more." Cao Yu grinned, which made Cao Xiang next to him burst into laughter. "Hahaha, you really didn't let your father down! You've accomplished the dream your father couldn't achieve. Well done!"
Hearing this, Luo Lingyun's eyes widened instantly. "What, you have other ideas?"
Cao Xiang immediately admitted defeat, "I wouldn't dare!"
Before long, Cao Yu was pulled into the hall by them, and the old and young men began to chat about everyday things.
The warm scene was soon broken as Xu Tianshui and his group rushed into the Cao Clan.
Cheng Gang laughed loudly, "Hahaha, Little Yu, your uncles from Heavenly Water have come to see you!"
The group was carrying several bottles of fine wine, while Lu Xuanshui and Liu Kongzhu were also holding several pieces of meat. Clearly, they had come here to freeload a meal.
"Uncle Heavenly Water, please have a seat."
"Wow, you've grown so tall! What level is your Soul Power now?"
"You're now Soul Ancestor." Cao Yu helped them accept the things they brought.
Xu Tianshui nodded, looking pleased. "That's good, that's good. These pills were specially left for you; they'll greatly benefit your meridian circulation. Take them."
Afterwards, Cheng Gang and the others gave him some nice things. "Then thank you, Uncle and all the uncles."
Xu Tianshui and his group stayed at the Cao Clan mansion that night.
A large round table was set up in the courtyard, laden with fine wine and fragrant food.
Cheng Gang raised his glass and said loudly, "Hahaha! Patriarch Cao Clan, tonight we'll drink until we drop! By the way, does Little Yu want a drink?"
"Absolutely, we have to have at least a few drinks."
"Come on, let's do it!"
"Young Master, please walk slowly, don't fall." Butler Uncle Li had already tidied up the room and was preparing to take Cao Yu back to his room to rest.
Having drunk so much, Cao Yu was now slightly tipsy, and he was walking unsteadily.
Fortunately, the old man helped stop him, otherwise Xu Tianshui would have kept pouring wine into his glass.
Of course, Xu Tianshui was also drunk. He mumbled, " Little Yu, when you're drunk later, I'll take you to see Xu Jiujiu. She's been talking about you nonstop all this time. As her uncle, it breaks my heart to see her like this."
"Once you have children, we elders won't have to worry anymore. Listen to me, drink up, and if you get drunk, you'll have to come with me to see Jiujiu."
Having escaped unscathed, Cao Yu was eventually helped back to his room by the steward, Uncle Li.
Only after seeing him fall asleep did Uncle Li close the door and leave, relieved.
That evening, Cao Xiang saw Xu Tianshui off. Judging from their departing manner, it seemed that these people were still somewhat unwilling to give up.
The old man muttered to himself, "There's not a single good person among them! Xiang'er, you'd better be careful with them in the future. Little Yu is still young, I don't want to hold my great-grandson so soon."
Cao Xiang nodded in agreement and said, "I understand, Dad. Everything should be focused on Little Yu's studies."
(End of this chapter)