Chapter 20

"Is it just fine to break through to the third stage by the end of the year?" Huang Xiaolong listened to his father’s words, his expression strange.

Seeing his son’s expression, Huang Peng thought that the requirement for Huang Xiaolong to break through to the third stage by the end of the year was too difficult, so he comforted him, "Actually, your father and mother also know that it’s too difficult for you to break through to the third stage by the end of the year, so Xiaolong, you shouldn’t feel too much pressure." At this moment, Huang Peng hesitated for a moment and said, "As long as you can reach the peak of the second stage by the end of the year, it’s fine!"

"Peak of the second stage?" Huang Xiaolong’s expression became even stranger.

"Yes, Xiaolong, if you can’t reach the peak of the second stage, reaching the second stage will also make us very happy," his mother, Su Yan, added.

Huang Xiaolong was speechless, feeling helpless and bitter inside.

Third stage? Peak of the second stage? Second stage?

"Father, Mother, I’ll go back to the courtyard first," Huang Xiaolong stood up and said. He was afraid that if he continued, his parents might lower the requirement to the peak of the mid-second stage, and he was afraid that he would not be able to hold back and tell them that their son had already reached the peak of the early fourth stage!

"Right, Xiaolong." However, just as Huang Xiaolong was about to leave, Huang Peng remembered something and said, "In a few days, it will be Elder Li’s 80th birthday. Elder Li is hosting a grand birthday banquet and has invited our Huang Family Village. However, that girl Li Lu insists that you also attend."

"Insists that I attend?!" Huang Xiaolong was taken aback. Damn, could this little girl really have a crush on him? Just because he beat Huang Wei into a pig’s head in a stylish way during the annual meeting?!

"Father, Mother, can I not go?" Huang Xiaolong asked weakly.

"What do you think?" Su Yan glared at him.

Huang Xiaolong felt depressed; it seemed he couldn’t avoid it.

Seeing her son’s expression, Su Yan couldn’t help but tease, "Don’t be ungrateful, that Li Lu is Elder Li’s most beloved granddaughter, possessing a level 9 martial soul, and she will definitely grow up to be a beauty."

Huang Xiaolong was even more speechless. What was this all about? If his mother knew that her son possessed a super martial soul, and even a dual super martial soul, she probably wouldn’t think this way.

At this moment, Huang Peng also joined in, "That’s right, Xiaolong, your mother is right. Actually, if you really marry Elder Li’s granddaughter Li Lu in the future, that would be good for both your father and me."

However, before Huang Peng could finish, Huang Xiaolong interrupted, "Alright, Father, I understand. I’ll go when the time comes. When is it? Will you take me there?"

Su Yan couldn’t help but laugh, "Oh, our son is actually shy." She didn’t continue teasing and said, "We’ll leave the day after tomorrow. Besides you and your father, your grandfather, your uncle, and Huang Wei will also go."

Huang Xiaolong frowned and nodded, "Alright, I understand. If there’s nothing else, I’ll go back first."

Huang Peng and Su Yan nodded.

Huang Xiaolong turned and left.

Su Yan looked at her son’s back and sighed, "If our Xiaolong could really marry Li Lu in the future, that would be great!"

Huang Peng shook his head, "Given Li Lu’s status and talent, she won’t really fancy our Xiaolong. Li Lu is only eight years old now, but she will understand when she grows up."

Huang Xiaolong didn’t hear his parents’ conversation. After returning to the courtyard, he continued to practice the Hell Wind.

Two days passed quickly, and it was time to leave. Huang Xiaolong arrived at the East Hall and was taken to the Main Hall by his father, Huang Peng. When he arrived at the Main Hall, his grandfather Huang Qide, his uncle Huang Ming, and Huang Wei were already there.

Seeing Huang Xiaolong arrive, Huang Wei’s face was full of hatred. It seemed that if Huang Qide wasn’t there, he would have pounced on him.

"Father." "Grandfather."

Huang Xiaolong and his father came to Huang Qide, ignoring Huang Wei’s fierce gaze, and bowed to Huang Qide.

Huang Qide nodded and smiled, "Since everyone is here, let’s go now." He took the first step, and the four of them followed closely behind.

Although the Huang Family Village and the Li Family were both major forces in Canglan County, they were not close to each other.

The Li Family was in the city of Canglan County, while the Huang Family Village was hundreds of miles away from the city.

Therefore, when the five of them, including Huang Xiaolong’s grandfather, arrived in the city of Canglan County, it was already late afternoon, approaching dusk.

"Brother Qide, you have come from afar for my birthday, I apologize for not welcoming you earlier!" When they arrived in the city, Elder Li Mu chuckled, having already led a group to wait for them.

"Brother Li Mu, you are too polite!" Huang Qide laughed heartily.

Huang Xiaolong looked over and saw that the little girl Li Lu was standing behind a round-faced middle-aged man. The man was a bit fat, with small eyes, and looked very friendly.

This is Elder Li Mu’s only son, Li Cheng, and Li Lu’s father, Huang Xiaolong thought to himself.

At this moment, Li Lu, standing behind Li Cheng, stuck out her tongue at Huang Xiaolong playfully and giggled, looking very cute.

Huang Xiaolong rolled his eyes and ignored her.

Seeing Huang Xiaolong’s expression, Li Lu pouted.

This scene fell into Huang Wei’s eyes, making him seethe with anger. Although the engagement with Li Lu during the annual meeting was canceled due to Huang Xiaolong, in his heart, Li Lu was already his wife. Now, his wife was openly flirting with Huang Xiaolong in front of him?!

After a round of greetings, they entered the city and headed for the Li Family Manor.

The Li Family Manor was not located in the center of the city but in the southern area. When Huang Xiaolong and the others arrived at the Li Family Manor, they saw that the street in front of the manor, which was several dozen meters wide, was bustling with traffic, decorated with lanterns, and extremely lively. For Elder Li Mu’s 80th birthday, besides the Huang Family Village, many clan leaders from Canglan County had already arrived.

However, the main birthday celebration was the next day, so some clan leaders had not yet arrived.

After arriving at the Li Family Manor, Elder Li Mu personally led Huang Xiaolong and the four others to the arranged courtyard.

"Brother Qide, if you need anything, just tell the guards. If there are any shortcomings, please forgive us," Elder Li Mu smiled at Huang Qide.

Huang Qide waved his hand and smiled, "You are too polite. Alright, you go ahead and take care of things. We’ll have a good drink tomorrow."

Elder Li Mu chuckled, "Certainly." He then bid farewell and left.

However, what made Huang Xiaolong somewhat depressed was that not long after Elder Li Mu left, the little girl Li Lu came over, greeted Huang Qide, Huang Ming, and Huang Peng, and then came to Huang Xiaolong, saying in a sweet voice, "Xiaolong, it’s your first time in the city, right? Come, let me take you for a walk!" Without waiting for Huang Xiaolong to respond, she grabbed his hand and walked out of the courtyard.

Huang Wei stared tightly at Li Lu holding Huang Xiaolong’s hand, and then watched as Li Lu and Huang Xiaolong left the courtyard, his face turning extremely ugly. Huang Ming’s expression was also not good.

Huang Qide opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say. Only Huang Peng stood there, feeling extremely pleased inside.