Kunwhale Bone Ship, fifth level.
"Now that we're here, rest easy. As long as Blood Venerating Island doesn't dare sink the bone ship, they won't dare act rashly!"
After obtaining a hundred million Immortal Crystals in compensation, Xiao Ying neither pushed his luck nor prolonged the dispute. He soon brought Ye Yuqiu and Steward Tan back to his cabin.
Of course, Xiao Ying was not so nobly generous as to hand the hundred million Immortal Crystals over to Steward Tan as compensation. He could only do his best to look after the pair and keep them safe. In any case, ten million Immortal Crystals would give them ample resources to cultivate in peace. He suspected that these two were all that remained of the once-renowned alchemy lineage, the Ye Clan!
"Thank you, Senior..."
After learning Xiao Ying's true identity and strength, Steward Tan and Ye Yuqiu became much more reserved. Neither resisted his kindness, and they obediently returned to the cabin.
Xiao Ying waved his large hand, intending to correct Steward Tan's deferential address, but paused. It occurred to him that neither of them knew what else to call him. High Priest, fellow Daoist, and his alias Earth were all unsuitable, so he simply let it be.
The words reached his lips, then changed just in time. "What are your true cultivation levels? What are you skilled at? If there's anything you need, just ask. This... I'll do my best to provide it if I can. No need to stand on ceremony!"
Steward Tan deliberated for a moment, then slowly released his concealment technique, revealing his cultivation as a Grand Luo Golden Immortal. His face filled with shame and desolation as he reproached himself. "This junior is incompetent. My lord placed great trust in me, yet my aptitude is poor.