Three-Year Agreement

The air in the small courtyard had frozen for more than a dozen breaths.

Gu Yuan's expression shifted repeatedly as his gaze moved between Lin Hai's unfathomably calm face and Xiao Yan, who stood at the side with his palms sweating from nerves.

As the Ancient Clan Chief, he naturally had to consider more than his daughter's marriage. He also had to weigh the interests and future of the entire Ancient Clan. Agreeing outright would indeed cost the Ancient Clan face and make it difficult to win over its people; refusing flatly might completely offend this mysterious powerhouse, perhaps even drive him to become their enemy.

In that brief moment, he made up his mind.

Gu Yuan drew a deep breath. His face settled back into an unruffled calm, but his gaze was especially sharp as he looked at Lin Hai and said solemnly, "Your words are not without reason. Xiao Yan and Xun Er have been together since childhood and share a deep bond. I, Gu Yuan, am not an unreasonable man."

He changed tack, turning his gaze to Xiao Yan with a hint of scrutiny. "But marriage is no child's play, especially when it involves the bloodline of my Ancient Clan. Xiao Yan is still young...and has yet to show his strength. If we were to settle their engagement now, I fear it would be difficult to convince the clan, and others might criticize us as well."

"How about this?" Gu Yuan proposed a compromise. "Our two families can make an agreement. Let us set a term of three years."

"Within those three years, if Xiao Yan can break through to the Spirit King realm by his own ability, or... advance to become a fourth-grade alchemist, then achieving either one will prove that he is worthy of Xun Er and has the potential to shoulder the future. When that time comes, I, Gu Yuan, will personally preside over their wedding and proclaim it to the world! The Ancient Clan will have no objections!"

"But if he fails to achieve either..." Gu Yuan looked at Lin Hai again, a barely perceptible hint of probing in his gaze. "Then we will put this marriage aside for now and discuss it again in the future. What do you think?"

The terms were undeniably harsh.

To advance from Spirit Master to Spirit King in three years meant crossing the Great Spirit Master and Spirit Lord realms—a feat that was practically unthinkable for an ordinary person.

Becoming a fourth-grade alchemist also required extraordinary talent and an enormous accumulation of resources. It was no easy task.

Yao Chen listened from the side, his brows drawn tight. These terms put far too much pressure on Xiao Yan as he was now.

Xiao Yan clenched his fists, feeling the immense pressure. Yet a flame of defiance kindled in his eyes.

However, when Lin Hai heard this, his face showed not the slightest surprise or hesitation, as if Gu Yuan had proposed nothing more than a trivial request.

He didn't even look at Xiao Yan. Instead, he nodded calmly to Gu Yuan. "Agreed. We'll do as you say. A three-year agreement."

His tone was so casual it was as if he'd just agreed to have tea together tomorrow.

A trace of surprise flashed in Gu Yuan's eyes. He hadn't expected the other man to agree so readily. That only made him more wary; Lin Hai's confidence in Xiao Yan seemed beyond anything he had imagined.

"Good! Then it's settled!" Gu Yuan was a decisive man as well, and he immediately confirmed the agreement. "I'll send word back to the clan and inform Xun Er, too."

With the important matters settled, the atmosphere seemed to ease a little. Gu Yuan returned to the reason he had come in the first place. "Then...what about joining forces against the Soul Clan?"

Lin Hai remained calm. "As for the Soul Clan and the Ancient Emperor's Abode, I have my own plans. Once I've taken care of a few matters at hand, I'll go to the Ancient Realm in person. Then we can discuss the details of whether to join forces with the Flame Clan and the Thunder Clan."

Gu Yuan was shaken.

Not only had the other man agreed to visit the Ancient Realm in person, he had even brought up joining forces with the Yan and Lei Clans himself?

It seemed the other man had grand ambitions of his own.

"Excellent!" Gu Yuan suppressed the turmoil in his heart and cupped his hands. "Then I shall await your distinguished arrival in the Ancient Realm!"

His objective had been achieved. Although events had unfolded somewhat differently than expected, the result was good enough.

Gu Yuan did not linger. He gave Lin Hai a slight nod, and his figure slowly faded, finally vanishing completely as if he had merged into the air. The terrifying pressure that had filled the courtyard disappeared with him.

The small courtyard returned to its quiet, but no one's heart could settle for a long time.

Xiao Yan abruptly turned to Lin Hai, his face alight with excitement, nerves, and determination. "Uncle! A Spirit King or a fourth-grade alchemist in three years! I..."

Lin Hai cut him off, looking at him calmly. "Pressure can be a source of motivation. With Yao Chen guiding you and all the resources you need, if you can't do it, then you don't deserve to be my nephew."

His words were cold and direct, yet they swept away every stray thought in Xiao Yan's mind, leaving only a fierce, blazing determination!

"Yes, Uncle! I'll do it!" Xiao Yan nodded firmly, his gaze unwavering.

Yao Chen floated over as well, his expression grave. "Reaching Spirit King in three years...though difficult, it's not without hope. As for becoming a fourth-grade alchemist, this old man will teach you everything I know. With the endless medicinal ingredients your lordship can provide, your chances may be even better! Boy, you're in for a rough time from here on!"

At the side, Xiao Yixian watched Xiao Yan brimming with determination and quietly clenched her little hands, silently encouraging herself as well.

Lin Hai said no more. He sat back down and gazed into the distance, seemingly already planning his trip to the Ancient Realm and what would follow.