Seeing Old Master Cao so serious, Han Lang quickly replied.
"Just say it, Brother Cao! As long as I can do it, I will never refuse!"
Old Master Cao's face lit up with joy upon hearing this, and he said repeatedly.
"Thank you, Brother Han!" Then he said solemnly, "I've thought it through clearly. One must be strong oneself to forge iron! The Tian family's affairs have fully shown that even prominent families are no longer safe. Therefore, I want to implore you, Brother Han, to bring my Cao family into the world of cultivators!"
Han Lang and Tang Haoran were both surprised after this conversation.
"This..."
Seeing Han Lang hesitate, Old Master Cao quickly said again.
"Don't worry, I'm not asking for everyone! My old bones and Jian'er are not young anymore, and there's no need to waste your resources. But Xiao Rong'er is still young! And for the family business, I often have to be away. If something were to happen, wouldn't it be like tearing a piece of my heart out? Therefore, I only request that you, Brother Han, bring her alone into the world of cultivators. Is that alright?"
Han Lang was still a bit troubled, and he said truthfully.
"Brother Cao! It's not that I'm unwilling. Bringing Miss Tao into the fold, even teaching her cultivation methods, are minor issues. The key is that the current environment is not suitable for cultivation, and I don't have the capacity to supply cultivation resources for so many people simultaneously. Every additional person will affect everyone's cultivation progress! So..."
Old Master Cao became even more anxious upon hearing this.
"This... you are also taking care of the young lady from the Lao Xiao family, aren't you? Why is it not possible for my Xiao Rong'er? Brother Han, you can't show favoritism! After all, my Xiao Rong'er will be your sister-in-law in the future!"
"Uh..."
Han Lang and Tang Haoran were both speechless.
However, from these words, they could indeed fully understand that Old Master Cao might have truly lost his composure due to the Tian family's affairs. Otherwise, he would never have said such impolite and inappropriate words in front of Tang Haoran.
However, Tang Haoran's face still turned a little red from his words. He tentatively asked Han Lang.
"Brother Han, I think Old Cao's words have merit. How about we deduct half of Qin'er's resources and provide them to Cao Xuewrong? What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Old Master Cao cast a grateful look at Tang Haoran.
But after thinking for a moment, Han Lang directly refused, "This might not work either!"
"Why?" Old Master Cao and Tang Haoran asked hurriedly.
"This... how should I explain it to you?"
Han Lang pondered for a moment and continued.
"For example, imagine a piece of land! The crops on this land are just enough to feed four people. At this time, a fifth person suddenly arrives. If we divide the food equally among the fifth person, then none of the four of us will be full.
And if we keep the three people unchanged and give half of the fourth person's share to the fifth person, which is the plan you mentioned, then the fourth and fifth person will not be full.
But the key issue is that if the other three people continue to eat without change, their growth speed will be faster. And by then, my land will have to plant higher-grade food to meet their needs.
This food can only be eaten by the first three people after they have grown. The fourth and fifth people, because they cannot keep up with the progress, cannot eat this food.
So, the final result is that both the fourth and fifth person will never be able to grow.
Can you understand this explanation?"
The piece of land Han Lang mentioned was actually the three-story pagoda in his sea of consciousness.
But his analogy left Tang Haoran and Old Master Cao completely bewildered.
"I think I can roughly understand what you mean," Tang Haoran replied slowly after carefully sorting through it.
"In other words, the cultivation resources you can currently provide are enough to support yourself, Han Kang, Ma Long, and my Qin'er. If Cao Xuewrong wants to join, either it will slow down everyone's cultivation pace, or someone will have to fall behind completely with her. Is that right?"
Han Lang nodded: "Yes! So, Brother Cao. It's not difficult to temper Miss Tao's body, nor is it difficult to teach her cultivation. But without cultivation resources, she probably won't be able to break through the Foundation Establishment stage in her lifetime!"
Old Master Cao basically understood Han Lang's meaning, but he was still a bit unwilling and retorted.
"Then... can't you clear some wasteland and expand your land?"
Han Lang was speechless.
The three-story pagoda could indeed be upgraded, but such things depended on opportunities! It couldn't be expanded just by saying so!
So, he had to deny it helplessly, "This... I'm afraid that won't work!"
Old Master Cao's face fell upon hearing this.
His eyes dimmed, and he said dejectedly, "Is that so? Then it can only mean that my Cao family has no such fortune?"
Han Lang and Tang Haoran felt a pang of sympathy seeing this.
As the atmosphere was about to become awkward, Tang Haoran suddenly offered a suggestion.
"How about this, Old Cao! Let's still ask Brother Han to help your granddaughter with her initial tempering. As for subsequent cultivation, although Brother Han cannot provide it, I still have some myself. Although it's not comparable to Brother Han's Spirit Gathering Pills, if this continues, Foundation Establishment should not be a problem. As for you, I will personally be your bodyguard from now on. Do you think that's feasible?"
Tang Haoran said it casually, but Han Lang exclaimed in surprise.
"Brother Tang, you..."
But the words were stopped by Tang Haoran.
He smiled at Han Lang in a voice so low that only Cao could hear.
"Brother Han, you don't need to say anything more. Your ability to provide cultivation resources for Qin'er is already a great fortune for my Tang family, so it is only natural for my Tang family to contribute something!"
Perhaps it was precisely because of Tang Haoran's resolute words, tinged with a hint of jest, that Old Master Cao, who was immersed in fear, was completely awakened.
Instantly, he felt extremely ashamed. He quickly grasped Han Lang and Tang Haoran's hands and said with apology in his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Brother Han, Old Man! The Tian family's affairs have indeed made me a bit flustered, which is why I kept making such unreasonable requests. I was truly presumptuous!"
Upon hearing this, Han Lang quickly replied, "Your requests are not wrong, Brother Cao. How about this, we can call Han Kang and Miss Tao together later to discuss this properly. If Miss Tao herself is willing to cultivate and enter the Dao, we can provide her with cultivation resources according to Brother Tang's plan, how about that?"
Tang Haoran quickly chimed in, "Of course! No problem! No matter how we plan, we must respect the wishes of the person involved!"
Old Master Cao was deeply moved upon hearing this, and even bowed solemnly to the two of them.
"Old man, I have caused you both trouble!"
Han Lang and Tang Haoran quickly helped him up. Tang Haoran said repeatedly.
"Old Cao, what are you saying! From now on, in Le City, our three families will be a unified entity. We will support each other!"
Old Master Cao, with tears in his eyes, clasped their hands tightly and repeated.
"Yes! Support each other!"