While Master Meng and Zi Yang were talking, most guests had already arrived.

Only Zi Ming was still getting ready together with Yi Hai with Mama Mei. He was still admiring his new matching clothes he bought with Zi Yang in the morning.

The guests also heard the conversation and congratulated Master Meng and Jian Guo.

They were also happy for Zi Yang.

His status would skyrocket now that he had access to Potion master’s association. Even if he can’t become one yet or maybe even in the future – just having access to this circle will help him a lot.

They were amazed that Zi Yang had such talents.

Yi Xin was present too. Every day the things he sees here, strengthens his thoughts of having his sons follow the Zi brothers.

Perhaps the only one fuming was the Void Empress, otherwise known as Aunt Jing, in the party.

She also congratulated Master Meng as normally as everyone did, but both Baize and Dark Void knew that the Empress was on the verge of going crazy.

She had already been on the verge of going crazy when she learned that a ‘Master Meng’ favored Zi Yang enough to teach him potions when he knew he was a deficient of spirit qi sensing.

Then reports of how this Meng grew increasingly fond and started flaunting Zi Yang’s talent around in his circles came out.

He argued that he would definitely invent a cure for his disciple.

That day itself, the Void Empress instructed Dark Void to ship away this Meng from the city. Hence, being invited to become a resident potion master at the plateau of emptiness.

Meticulous as Dark Void always is, she quickly sent a message on her phone and the next second, Master Meng had to regretfully leave the party as he was required to report to work on immediate basis.

He sent new year greetings to all guests and then left with Jian Guo.

Dark Void was not he only one who noticed details. Baize noticed too. He noticed that when Zi Yang accepted his identity as Meng Yijun’s student – his luck increased exponentially.

His previous luck could only support him to barely reach lord level after difficult attempts, if he did not get a chance.

But it seems he did.

He could now very well be a future king-level strongman and if fortune prevails, can tackle the shackles of the emperor’s cultivation.

Heaven was really showering luck on people with Zi Yang’s karmic relationships.

Soon, Zi Ming entered the room and everyone cheered for the birthday boy.

Aunt Ling, as Zi Ming’s music teacher was requested to play a piano tune, for which she chose a classic happy birthday song a new year vibes tune.

The mix-up was done well.

Zi Ming cut the cake and waited eagerly for his favorite part.

Gifts receiving and opening.

All the aunties surrounded the birthday boy and showered clothes, toys and the like.

Yi Hai gave a self-drawn drawing of an imaginary beast which can dive deep into the oceans.

Yi Feng gave a small flute.

When Zi Yang presented his clothes – Zi Ming’s face made everyone laugh. Turns out the clothes were woven out of threads spit by cave spiders of the Marshy slit valley in the distant city of webbed terra.

This city is covered in slit land cause by dryness and overflowing ores underneath. A lot of the beasts occupy the land underneath than they do over the ground.

Cave spiders in the city eat a lot of ores and the threads the spit is naturally hard and heavy.

“Zi Ming is growing up now and should exercise more. So, Zi Ming can wear these clothes all year round. They help you exercise. Their material is hot in winters and cold in summers. Perfect for you now.”

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

People didn’t expect Zi Yang to put a damper on Zi Ming today.

But even though Zi Ming struggled to hold, the cute little thing smiled the most beamingly when he received Zi Yang’s gift.

People had to sigh multiple times on how strong this bond was.

Mama Mei helped him put the clothes aside.

Aunt Jing presented a purple jade pendant – Zi Ming through that the pendant looked familiar and he habitually want to duck when seeing purple.

Fortunately, Zi Yang received it for him and put it on his neck.

Aunt Ling offered a small keyboard for Zi Ming to practice at home.

Uncle Baize had already installed a swing in the backyard for him to play.

Uncle Bai Tu presented something odd. He gave an envelope.

When Zi Ming opened it, it contained an admission letter and ID card. It also contained a city exit permission card conditional to the presence of an adult.

Uncle Bai looked around and said in a yin-yang tone when he saw Yi Hai, “Zi Ming and Bai Lian are at the age of going to school. I enrolled them both in the same class. The class was full. Luckily, I got the last two seats.”

Everyone present knew that this small-minded daughter-fool dad was still sulking over having a make-believe husband for his daughter.

They all chucked inwardly.

“Also, Zi Yang can accompany me as adventure scouts out of the city.”

Yi Xin didn’t care about the school. His Yi Hai was also enrolled in the same school. He saw Bai Tu when he was enrolling. Same class or not did not much difference. But he cared that Bai Tu was taking him out as an adventure scout.

If that’s the case, how could he get his son and him bond in beast regiment junior training?

So, he immediately shot back – “Wow, that’s quite irresponsible to take a young kid out of the city into the wild. Even if you protect all the time, there’s no absolute guarantee.”

Bai Tu was not to be left behind. He retorted, “yeah? What are you, a sissy? Should he lay down a foundation and get to know the world”

“He can lay a foundation in the beast regiment junior training. There are regular sessions for off-site trainings as well.”

The two started fighting.

Bai Tu did not want the Yi family to get any closer because that would leave a way out for that yellow haired kid to crawl back in. He was going to stifle it.

Gradually the guests frowned. The farce had escalated now.

Even Aunt Lan was unable to control it now.

Baize thought that as Zi Ming’s godfather, he should settle it now.

But he saw Lady Mei preempted him.

She put a stick in her hand and banged the table loudly. The fight stopped at once.

Not because the loud was too loud, but because it was Mei Li.

Even though her presence is always overshadowed by Baize and Zi Yang at the residence.

And by other people during other occasions.

No one dared to forget that she was both Zi brother’s godmother.

Technically, she had the most authority on the subject. She just never wielded it.

After everyone quieted down, everyone was curious what spurred the sudden outburst from this sweet godmother today.

Equally curious was the void empress.

She had always considered this lady to be a background support and had never seen or heard of her being assertive.

Today’s party really brought a lot of beginnings.

Mei Li put down the stick and did not wait for anyone to ask or express concern.

She stated outright in her usual calm, waxy voice, “Zi Ming will go to school. Thank you for enrolling Bai Tu. If you hadn’t enrolled, we would have missed it for another year.”

She bowed slightly to Uncle Bai Tu and Aunt Lan.

She then continued speaking as the host, “Over the years as Yi Nuo passed away, Zi Yang supported the house and earned money. You all supported one way or another. Thank you for that.

But while the child earned money, he had to forgo his childhood.

Zi Yang is talented and does not need to lay a foundation now. He can wait for three more years and enroll in the last year or take crash courses before coming-of-age ceremony.

From now on, I will enroll him in swimming classes and dancing classes or music classes.

Bai Tu, Mr. Yi; if we want to, you can take him out of the city for camping and fishing but no learning fighting just yet. He will exercise but he needs rest too.”

No one expected that the always quiet Mei Li would be so assertive and put the final word down like this.

Void Empress in the corner watching the drama unfold, also had appreciative eyes. She liked the assertive Mei Li better.

Bai Tu and Yi Xin were embarrassed but Bai Tu thinker skin after all and he knew Mei Li for longer than most people as she grew by Yi Nuo’s side.

So, he immediately said, “Okay, Zi Yang – we’ll go for camping and fishing soon.”

Yi Xin also took the initiative, “After school, Yi Hai and Zi Ming come to beast regiment quarters for help in their exercise. Zi Yang can also come whenever he wants. Yi feng, you coordinate.”

“Okay dad.”

Yi Feng had no issues.

That’s how on a New Year’s Day – future plans for both kids were decided without their consent.

Zi Yang opened his mouth several times, but he couldn’t get a word in.

When the godmother took charge and set the tone for the entire village to play their respective roles in raising her children – no one could get a word in!