After Qi Lin's guidance, even Yao Lao found himself immersed in it without realizing it.
After they left, Yao Lao said to Xiao Yan with emotion, "Previously, as your master, when I was in the Bone Flame Ring, I heard Young Friend Qi Lin guide you in alchemy. Although I found it exquisite, I couldn't perceive his specific alchemy realm..."
"Then, Master, do you perceive it now? What level is Qi Xiong's alchemy truly at?" Xiao Yan asked curiously.
In private, his attitude towards Qi Lin was not as formal as before. After all, he had addressed Qi Lin in the same way back at the Xiao Family.
And Xiao Yan himself was not the kind of person who would flatter or judge people based on their status.
However he treated you before, regardless of your strength, he would continue to treat you the same way afterward.
Yao Lao pondered for a moment, then said, "My alchemy is but one step away from the Ninth Grade, yet even when I face Young Friend Qi Lin's guidance, I still feel like an apprentice."
"What?!" Xiao Yan's heart jolted with shock upon hearing this.
Since even his Master had to seek guidance from Qi Lin, Xiao Yan naturally assumed his Master's alchemy was slightly inferior to Qi Lin's.
But in Xiao Yan's mind, even if Qi Lin's alchemy was stronger than his Master's, it shouldn't be by much.
After all, his Master's alchemy was among the most top-tier in the entire Dou Qi Continent.
He had even said before that, looking across the Dou Qi Continent, those who could surpass him in alchemy could be counted on one hand.
Yao Lao: No, I was just boasting. You actually believed it?
Seeing Xiao Yan's shocked expression, Yao Lao sighed with emotion, "I have also met one or two Ninth Grade Treasure Pill Alchemists, but their alchemy, compared to Young Friend Qi Lin's, still has a world of difference.
If it weren't for the rumor that Emperor Grade Alchemists have long been extinct, even rarer than Dou Emperors, I might truly believe that Young Friend Qi Lin's alchemy has reached that realm, capable of turning decay into wonder."
"Wh... what, Emperor Grade Alchemist?!"
Xiao Yan was stunned. His Master's evaluation of Qi Xiong was a bit too exaggerated.
Yao Lao said, "The possibility of an Emperor Grade Alchemist is minuscule, but Young Friend Qi Lin's alchemy is right here, so I speculate he is very likely a Ninth Grade Golden Core Alchemist."
"Ninth Grade Golden Core Alchemist!" Xiao Yan's pupils constricted upon hearing this... On the other side, after seeing Xiao Yan and Yao Lao off, Qi Lin returned to the palace.
The women saw him return and said with a smile, "You've been truly busy these past few days!"
Qi Lin shrugged and said, "Who told Xiao Yan and his Master to be so eager to learn?"
The women had already learned about Yao Lao from Qi Lin, so they were not surprised by this.
It was Shui Yue'er who suddenly had a thought and said, "The mysterious old man in the ring, Brother Qi Lin, why is Xiao Yan's story so dramatic, just like the protagonists in those folk tales?"
Qi Lin couldn't help but chuckle at that.
Isn't Xiao Yan the protagonist?
Of course, perhaps among the myriad of beings, everyone is the protagonist in their own script, including himself.
After chatting with the women for a while longer, Qi Lin then discussed with them.
They had stayed at the Yunlan Sect for some time. Now that the Three-Year Agreement had concluded and the Saintly Sky Conqueror had been resurrected, and the women had also received varying degrees of improvement in the Saintly Sky Conqueror's secret realm, it was time to leave.
Upon learning of Qi Lin and the women's discussion, Yun Yun's heart trembled, and a hint of reluctance appeared in her gaze towards Qi Lin.
Perhaps it was due to her Master's constant admonishments, or perhaps because Qi Lin was truly too outstanding.
Yun Yun had indeed developed a peculiar affection for Qi Lin now.
However, Yun Yun was too thin-skinned, so she could only suppress this affection deep in her heart.
Of course, when in doubt, she could always go to her Master.
Yun Shan was thick-skinned enough; he would proactively ask Qi Lin to stay at the Yunlan Sect for a while longer.
Yun Yun thought this in her heart.
Meanwhile, Yun Shan was encountering trouble.
In a side hall deep within the Sect's main hall.
Yun Shan's eyes were closed as he was immersed in cultivation.
But at this moment, a familiar sinister laugh suddenly echoed in his ears.
"Hehehehe~"
Hearing this familiar sinister laugh, a not-so-pleasant memory immediately surged into his mind.
From this characteristic laugh, Yun Shan thought of an old acquaintance who had perished long ago.
Protector Wu!
Yun Shan suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze vigilantly sweeping around, and he said in a deep voice, "Since you have arrived, why hide yourself so?"
"Hehehehe, you must be the Sect Master of this Sect, right?"
No sooner had Yun Shan finished speaking than a dense black mist suddenly surged out from a corner of the palace, finally condensing into a blurry black figure in front of Yun Shan.
This scene was exactly the same as when Protector Wu first appeared before Yun Shan's eyes.
One could only say that they were indeed from the same organization, practically carved from the same mold.
Yun Shan calmly glanced at the black figure before him.
With Qi Lin and his confidantes present, Yun Shan felt no panic at all and responded indifferently, "This Elder is precisely Yun Shan, the Sect Master of the Yunlan Sect. May I ask what business you have, sneaking into my Yunlan Sect without permission?"
"Hehehehe~"
The black figure let out a sinister laugh and said, "What if I came without permission? There is no place on this Dou Qi Continent that my Hall of Souls cannot go."
Hall of Souls!
Upon hearing these two words, Yun Shan's eyes narrowed slightly.
As early as when Protector Wu died, he had anticipated the arrival of this day.
The Hall of Souls, to him and even to the entire Yunlan Sect, was undoubtedly a colossal entity.
If Qi Lin were not here, Yun Shan might temporarily feign civility with the newcomer, but now... Yun Shan smiled coldly, showing no respect to the person before him.
"This Elder doesn't care who you are. If you cannot provide a reasonable explanation today, then don't blame this Elder for being merciless!"
The black figure was startled upon hearing this, seemingly not expecting that even after revealing its identity, Yun Shan would still dare to be so arrogant in front of it.
Had he not heard of the Hall of Souls?
However, after only a brief moment of surprise, the black figure began to laugh sinisterly again.
"Hehehehe, what big words!"
"Very well, let this Protector capture you first, then interrogate you about Protector Wu's whereabouts."
After saying this, the black figure moved.
With a clattering sound, two dark chains, like venomous snakes, suddenly shot out from its body, carrying a howling gale, and coiled towards Yun Shan.
And at the moment the black figure moved, Yun Shan's pupils sharply constricted, and he formed hand seals, pushing forward.
A surging wave of azure energy immediately erupted from his hands, smashing onto the dark chains.
Bang!
At the moment of impact, the chains were sent flying by the azure energy.
Yun Shan's figure slowly rose into mid-air, standing with his hands behind his back, looking down at the black figure.
"Your strength is decent, but your demeanor is somewhat lacking."