Chapter 33: A Long Awaited Reunion and Their Choice
After an uneventful night, Han Li gave orders the next morning for the mansion in the city to be cleaned and prepared.
The residence gifted by Golden Crocodile Douluo wasn't huge compared to his current place only about 1,200 square meters. However, since this was a privately owned estate rather than a government property on the mountain, it was a different kind of status symbol. Especially considering that most of his neighbors were high ranking officials in the Martial Soul Hall it was a valuable social circle.
Just as Guang Ling had predicted, four days before Han Li's birthday, Matthew Nuo and Su Yuntao arrived early, and Han Li took Qiu'er along to greet them.
It had only been a year, but when the two men saw Han Li and Qiu'er who had both changed drastically they almost didn't recognize them. If Han Li hadn't immediately run up and hugged them, and if Qiu'er didn't still have her signature round ears, they might not have dared to strike up a conversation.
"Grandpa Matthew, Brother Tao, long time no see! I originally planned to visit you during the New Year, but at the time, my teacher was in seclusion, and he arranged an intense training regimen for me. Plus, I wasn't sure about your relocation, so I couldn't just leave without knowing where you'd be."
After Qiu'er greeted them, Han Li dismissed his attendants and personally took their hands, leading them toward his residence while chatting casually.
Even after a year, he felt no distance between them. These two had taken care of him for nearly three years compared to always having to think twice before saying anything in the Martial Soul Hall, he felt much more at ease around people who were kind to him simply out of affection.
"It looks like you're doing well here, Han Li. You've grown so much in just a year, and you're still as thoughtful as ever." Matthew Nuo sighed in relief.
"Not just that," Su Yuntao added, a bit overwhelmed. "Did you see those attendants earlier? Their spirit power fluctuations are about the same level as mine. No wonder they call this place the Holy Land of Soul Masters."
Han Li chuckled. "Oh, Brother Tao, those were just the people my teacher arranged nothing to do with me. If you want, I can assign you one too." He winked.
Su Yuntao's eyes widened. "No, no, I couldn't possibly ! By the way, Han Li, where exactly are we going? Isn't the hotel that way?" He pointed to the right.
"Of course, we're going to my place! You've come all the way to Martial Soul City how could I let you stay in a hotel? Once we get there, you can pick any room you like. The mansion was a gift from my Senior Uncle. To be honest, I haven't even stayed there yet Qiu'er and I have been living up on the mountain, training under my teacher."
As he spoke, he gestured toward the faraway peaks of the Worshipper's Mountain.
Moments later, they arrived in front of a large estate, and Han Li led them inside.
After showing them around, they enjoyed a specially prepared lunch, during which Su Yuntao who had been struggling to suppress his soul power broke through to Rank 29 on the spot.
Han Li had previously arranged for his teacher to send them cultivation resources. While those materials were no longer useful for Matthew Nuo, they had clearly helped Su Yuntao advance by one rank within a year.
Of course, Guang Ling had only sent them basic resources nowhere near as valuable as what Han Li himself used. After all, giving them overly rare materials wouldn't necessarily be a good thing for them.
By this point, neither Matthew Nuo nor Su Yuntao could even be surprised anymore. They had come to realize just how vast the gap was between top tier and lower tier soul masters. But at least Han Li hadn't changed at all that alone was comforting.
After lunch, the three of them relaxed in a medicinal hot spring, chatting as they soaked.
When they brought up Nuoding City, Han Li was stunned to hear about what had happened to Yu Xiaogang and Tang San. Upon learning that their spirit master stipends had been revoked, he couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"What about after that?" he asked curiously. "Did anyone come after you?"
"No," Matthew Nuo shook his head. "Not long after, we were transferred to the Martial Soul Sub Hall in the Balak Kingdom's capital. From what I heard, neither of them ever returned to collect their stipends. Other than that, we don't know much."
"Sigh, what a shame about that Tang San kid. He was born with innate full spirit power after all," Su Yuntao said with some regret.
Han Li scoffed. "That was his choice, Brother Tao. You don't need to feel bad about it. You already did your part by explaining things to him. Besides, for all we know, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan already recruited him."
Su Yuntao blinked, then chuckled self deprecatingly. "You're right. With that level of talent, even if his martial soul is trash, there's no way he'd go to waste. Who am I to worry?"
"Hey, don't say that," Han Li grinned. "After all, you were the one who awakened my martial soul, weren't you? Speaking of which Grandpa Matthew, Brother Tao, now that you're here, why not stay in Martial Soul City?"
Matthew Nuo seemed calm, but Su Yuntao's eyes lit up he was clearly tempted.
He was still in his twenties, nearly at Rank 30, and although he liked Balak Kingdom, Martial Soul City was the ultimate dream for soul masters. Now that he had a chance to stay, how could he not be interested?
Matthew Nuo glanced at him, then smiled.
"Han Li, let's think about it first. If we do decide to stay, we'll need to trouble you for help."
Han Li beamed. "Of course! And don't feel pressured you know this is nothing for me."
"Don't worry, we won't be shy about it," Matthew Nuo laughed. "Right, Yuntao?"
"Ah y yeah! Of course!" Su Yuntao quickly nodded, his face slightly flushed.
For the next few days, Guang Ling allowed Han Li to take a break from his other lessons, as long as he didn't skip his daily training.
Taking full advantage of this, Han Li spent time with Qiu'er, Matthew Nuo, and Su Yuntao, giving them a grand tour of Martial Soul City and letting them fully experience the prosperity of the Holy Land of Soul Masters.
Surprisingly, even without the mimicry training environment, Han Li found that his cultivation speed didn't slow down at all. In fact, he even felt a slight increase maybe the combination of work and relaxation really was the best approach.
He grinned to himself at the realization.
Just like that, his birthday came and went without much fanfare.
He received five gifts:
One from Matthew NuoOne from Su YuntaoOne from Uncle Xiao, who had sent his through themOne from Guang LingOne from Qing Luan
And then there was Qiu'er who snuck up and kissed his cheek before dashing back to her room.
No matter how much Han Li tried to coax her out, she refused to show her face for the rest of the night.
Afterward, Matthew Nuo and Su Yuntao made their decision they would stay.
Neither of them had any family ties elsewhere otherwise, they wouldn't have left Nuoding City in the first place. Being able to settle down in Martial Soul City was a dream come true.
After discussing their future plans, Han Li bought them a small courtyard, left them a sum of money, and through Guang Ling's affiliated families arranged for them to work at a Martial Soul Hall affiliated orphanage.
He also prepared medicinal herbs for them.
For Matthew Nuo, whose cultivation had reached its limit, Han Li simply helped improve his health. But for Su Yuntao, he used purified whale glue to enhance his body, instructing him to inform him when it was time to obtain his third ring.
His plan? To personally guide Su Yuntao's martial soul evolution.
If nothing else, he wanted to ensure that future generations would benefit from it.
With everything settled, Han Li returned to training occasionally visiting them during his free time.
Moving into the city could wait. For now, he needed to reach Rank 20 as quickly as possible. Only then would he have an excuse to leave Martial Soul City.
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