"This means our engagement should be dissolved too, right?" Lin Yue asked with a smile after hearing Lin Tian's words.
"Mm, once Zhou Yan's injuries are healed, I'll propose to him to break off the engagement."
"Alright, let's do that then." Lin Yue nodded.
...
As Lin Tian and Lin Yue entered the courtyard, they heard Zhou Yan's excited shouts.
"Haha, Uncle Lin, you must have a few more drinks today! Young Yan toasts you." Zhou Yan picked up the wine pot and poured it into his mouth.
Seeing this, Lin Tian smiled, then directly sat in the main seat, picked up his wine cup, and drank it dry.
When Zhou Yan saw Lin Tian's demeanor, he didn't stand on ceremony. He directly lifted the wine jar and also drank all the wine inside in one gulp, passing the jar to Lin Tian at the same time.
Lin Tian smiled and nodded, taking the wine jar.
"Good wine, excellent wine."
Lin Tian placed the wine jar aside and praised it.
Zhou Yan chuckled, "This is a vintage our family has treasured for many years. We're usually reluctant to drink it. I never expected Uncle Lin to finish it all today. Young Yan is truly grateful."
"You brat, aren't you usually fond of chasing girls? Why are you so timid in front of Uncle Lin?" Lin Tian teased, then asked, "What's the matter that brought you to find me today?"
As soon as Lin Tian finished speaking, Zhou Yan's expression instantly turned gloomy, his eyes dim.
Seeing his state, Lin Tian frowned and asked, "What's wrong? Did you have a fight with your mother?"
As Lin Tian's voice fell, Zhou Yan's body trembled slightly, and he then said in a low voice, "Uncle Lin, Mother doesn't want me anymore."
"What did you say?"
Lin Tian was greatly surprised upon hearing this and quickly asked, "What happened?"
"Mother..."
Zhou Yan lowered his head, tears streaming down his face, and choked out, "I don't know what happened."
"Mother has always wanted to send me away, but how could I bear to leave Uncle Lin? So, I argued with Mother."
Lin Tian nodded and gently comforted him, "Don't cry. Tell Uncle Lin, what exactly happened?"
Zhou Yan looked up at Lin Tian, his eyes full of grievance. He choked out, "Mother wants me to learn calligraphy, painting, music, and chess, but I've never liked these things, so Mother won't allow me to continue learning them."
"Uncle Lin, Young Yan begs you, please don't send me away. I want to stay by Uncle Lin's side forever. I don't want to leave you." Zhou Yan pleaded.
Lin Tian couldn't help but shake his head. He hadn't expected his little disciple to be so stubborn, unwilling to learn calligraphy, painting, music, and chess, and instead focusing solely on medicine.
"Alright, Uncle Lin promises you. I will definitely not let you leave my side." Lin Tian said.
"Thank you, Uncle Lin." Zhou Yan's face immediately lit up with a bright smile upon hearing this. He then started eating the dishes again, savoring them with great enjoyment.
"By the way, Zhou Yan, is your injury getting better?" Lin Tian looked at Zhou Yan and asked with concern.
"Thanks to the pills Uncle Lin gave me, my injuries are recovering very quickly. Just a few more doses of healing pills and I'll be completely healed."
"Mm, if there's nothing else, I'll be going back now. I still have some matters to attend to."
Lin Tian stood up, preparing to leave.
Seeing Lin Tian about to leave, Zhou Yan also stood up, "Uncle Lin, Young Yan will accompany you. You can leave this place to Young Yan."
Hearing this, Lin Tian was momentarily stunned, then said, "No need. Young Yan's cultivation talent is also very high. You should focus on your own cultivation. Young Yan also needs plenty of rest for his injuries."
Lin Tian refused.
He knew his disciple's personality. No one could force him to do something he didn't want to do.
Zhou Yan heard this and didn't insist further.
"Then let's head back. We won't return until we're drunk tonight!" Lin Tian smiled slightly and then walked out with Zhou Yan.
"Won't return until we're drunk?"
"Haha, Young Yan is getting bolder and bolder."
Lin Tian smiled and shook his head, feeling immensely gratified.
...
"Uncle Lin, you are the number one alchemist in the world!" After walking for a while, Zhou Yan finally couldn't help but speak.
"Heh heh, this is just the superficial stuff. The true master alchemist is your father. He is the number one alchemist in the world."
"Back then, at the auction house in Tianxing City, I spent five hundred million taels of gold to buy three treasures. It's a pity that person's eyes were blind, otherwise, you brat wouldn't have gotten such a great deal." Lin Tian said with a smile, showing great affection for his disciple.
"Uncle Lin, you mean the treasure you have was given to you by my father?" Zhou Yan's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Mm."
Lin Tian nodded gently.
"Uncle Lin, where is your treasure? The one you cherish so much?"
"I found that box in your father's refining chamber." Lin Tian recalled.
Zhou Yan looked disappointed upon hearing this.
"Uncle Lin, is your treasure that box?"
Lin Tian nodded, "That's right. That box is called the Qiankun Cauldron. It's an ancient artifact. I'm not sure of its exact functions, but this treasure is a supreme item for cultivators. Because its grade is too high, and it has the ability to absorb spirit stones and purify spiritual energy, it's a great asset for anyone."
"Uncle Lin, you said that box is an ancient artifact, so it must be very powerful, right?" Zhou Yan asked with great excitement.
"Heh heh, I don't know if it's powerful or not. Anyway, I've never witnessed it, and I can't activate it, so you'll have to be the one to use it."
"Okay, then Young Yan will keep it safe on behalf of Father!" Zhou Yan nodded and put away the Qiankun Cauldron.
Lin Tian didn't stop him.
"By the way, Xiaoyan, have you had any interesting experiences or encounters lately?" Lin Tian asked curiously.
Upon hearing Lin Tian's question, Zhou Yan's expression suddenly turned serious. After a moment of thought, he said, "Uncle Lin, when I was in the clan, I often heard people discussing strange events. It seems that in a mountain range to the south, a cave was discovered. Inside, there were all sorts of strange creatures, even monstrous beasts, and some rare materials!"
"Oh?"
"Are you sure?"
Lin Tian's brow twitched, and he asked curiously.
Zhou Yan nodded heavily, "I'm sure. And those creatures are all alive and very terrifying!"
"So, does your family also have similar creatures?" Lin Tian asked curiously.
"That's right. My father once personally witnessed a giant python swallowing an entire mountain range, and after it finished, it disappeared without a trace, its whereabouts unknown!" Zhou Yan said.