In the VIP section, Qi Lin raised an eyebrow, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.
This Three-Year Agreement was far less exciting compared to the original story.
The gap between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran was simply too vast, so the battle itself was naturally not as brilliant as in the original.
The women also felt quite disappointed; they had initially thought Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran would engage in a back-and-forth, evenly matched struggle, like the tales of grievances and affections.
After accepting Yun Shan's apology, Xiao Yan did not leave immediately. Instead, under everyone's gaze, he bowed slightly towards Qi Lin's direction.
"Mr. Qi Lin, my father instructed me to greet you whenever I encountered you, and to tell you that although the Xiao Family is currently weak, it still pledges its allegiance to you."
Previously, when Qi Lin was in the Xiao Family, Xiao Yan hadn't shown him much respect, treating him merely as a friend of his own generation.
It was only after Qi Lin left the Xiao Family that he learned a small part of Qi Lin's background from his father, which is why when he saw Qi Lin again now, his words carried more reverence.
When Xiao Yan finished speaking, the entire audience was stunned.
Qi Lin, in everyone's hearts, was undoubtedly full of mystery.
And the few who knew even a small part of Qi Lin's background regarded him as a god.
Such an existence, even if one only had a tiny connection to him, would absolutely be someone others looked up to.
Therefore, although they didn't know why the Xiao Family behind Xiao Yan had gotten involved with Qi Lin, this still didn't prevent them from taking the Xiao Family seriously.
Upon seeing this, Nalan Jie was filled with even more regret.
Because Nalan Yanran was the Young Sect Master of the Yunlan Sect, he knew more about Qi Lin than the Mu Family and the Mittel Family.
Precisely for this reason, he deeply understood how terrifying this young man truly was.
Even if he only revealed a small part of his power, it was still enough to make everyone present look up to him.
Now that the Xiao Family had boarded this ship, it would probably not be long before they soared to great heights.
"Alas, what a wonderful marriage it could have been. If Yanran hadn't gone to the Xiao Family to break off the engagement, how good would that have been?"
Nalan Jie sighed deeply.
On the other side, Qi Lin was slightly startled, then he remembered.
When he had helped the Xiao Family find the former Xiao Clan's inheritance, Xiao Zhan had indeed said that the Xiao Family would follow his lead from then on.
But to be honest, Qi Lin hadn't taken the Xiao Family's loyalty to heart.
After all, Qi Lin had no intention of establishing a force, so he naturally didn't need the Xiao Family's loyalty.
Even if he were to recruit subordinates, with his current strength and growth rate, the Xiao Family was still not qualified.
However, since Xiao Yan had stated it publicly, Qi Lin had no intention of refuting him and said with a smile, "Is your Xiao Family doing well?"
Xiao Yan replied respectfully, "Thanks to you, the Xiao Family is thriving now."
"Good. I'm very optimistic about the future of your Xiao Family. Of course, you are also very good; in just three short years, you have grown to this level," Qi Lin casually praised Xiao Yan.
Receiving Qi Lin's approval, a smile appeared on Xiao Yan's face, and he replied, "Without Mr. Qi Lin's help to the Xiao Family back then, how could I have achieved what I have today?"
Xiao Yan was well aware that his ability to reach this point today was certainly closely related to his teacher's guidance, but it also had a lot to do with the Heaven-tier cultivation technique he was currently practicing.
Upon hearing this, everyone present showed expressions of sudden understanding.
No wonder Xiao Yan, at such a young age, could achieve what he had today; it turned out to be with Qi Lin's help.
That seemed to make sense.
After all, Qi Lin's origins were mysterious, and he was very likely from a major force in the Central Plains.
It was rumored that he merely gave Fa Ma a few pointers, which helped Fa Ma break through to a Sixth-tier Alchemist.
And it was also because of him that Yun Shan broke through to the Dou Ancestor realm.
With the precedents of Fa Ma and Yun Shan, it seemed not impossible for him to help Xiao Yan grow from a mere good-for-nothing to his current level in just three short years.
Of course, Qi Lin had no idea that everyone's inner thoughts were so rich.
He waved his hand casually, then said to Xiao Yan, "Even without me, you would have reached this point; it's just a matter of time.
Alright, since you've paid your respects to me, I can't offer nothing in return. I've been in the Yunlan Sect these days. If you have any questions about your cultivation, you can come to the Yunlan Sect to find me."
"Thank you, Mr. Qi Lin."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's expression lit up with joy.
According to his father, this Mr. Qi Lin had repaired countless cultivation techniques and fighting skills for the family, including many Earth-tier and even Heaven-tier ones.
Therefore, Xiao Yan was well aware of how terrifying Qi Lin's attainments in cultivation techniques and fighting skills were; even his teacher felt inferior.
In fact, if it weren't for the inappropriate setting, Xiao Yan would have wanted to ask Qi Lin about cultivation problems right then and there.
Yun Shan, seeing this scene, a glint flashed in his eyes, and then he said with a smile, "So, young friend Xiao Yan is acquainted with young friend Qi Lin. In that case, why doesn't young friend Xiao Yan simply stay at the Yunlan Sect for a while?
This way, you can not only better seek guidance from young friend Qi Lin, but also allow my Yunlan Sect to offer young friend Xiao Yan some compensation."
"This..." Xiao Yan's eyes showed a flicker of hesitation.
In the end, he still stayed at the Yunlan Sect.
As the Three-Year Agreement concluded, in the following days, Xiao Yan cherished this opportunity immensely, constantly asking Qi Lin about cultivation problems.
At first, he only inquired about his own cultivation issues.
But later, Xiao Yan discovered that Qi Lin also had extraordinary attainments in alchemy, so much so that even Yao Lao felt inferior.
So Xiao Yan then began to ask questions about alchemy.
Initially, he asked for himself, but slowly it evolved into asking on behalf of Yao Lao.
Finally, Qi Lin couldn't take it anymore. After Xiao Yan asked another question on behalf of Yao Lao, he sighed and looked at the dark ring on Xiao Yan's hand, saying, "If you have any questions, you can come out and ask me directly. Why keep having Xiao Yan ask on your behalf?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Xiao Yan's expression subtly changed.
His teacher was exposed?
Just as Xiao Yan was wondering how to help his teacher remain hidden, Yao Lao's ethereal figure suddenly floated out from the ring on Xiao Yan's hand, a sheepish look appearing on his aged face.
Yao Lao cupped his hands and apologized, "This old man was judging a gentleman's heart with a villain's mind. With young friend's spirit power, you must have sensed this old man's presence long ago."
Qi Lin was too lazy to listen to him say all that and waved his hand casually.
"Alright, it's the same whether I teach one or two. If you have anything you want to ask, just ask it all at once."
"Young friend's broad-mindedness truly shames this old man."
...
Meanwhile, outside the Yunlan Sect, a cloud of black mist silently surged into the Yunlan Sect.
"Hehehe, that idiot Protector Wu lost contact here?
This protector wants to see what kind of dragon's den or tiger's lair this place truly is."