The calm voice echoed in the silent room, each word clearly striking Nalan Yanran's heart.
Nalan Yanran shivered, instantly snapping back to reality.
She forcefully suppressed the tumultuous waves in her heart, took a deep breath, stepped forward, and bowed deeply to Xuan Jin, performing the highest salute a Junior would give a Senior.
"Junior Nalan Yanran, I did not realize it was Great Master Xuan. I was very presumptuous on the mountain path earlier, please forgive me, Great Master!"
Ge Ye also reacted, quickly following suit with a bow, his voice trembling uncontrollably.
"Junior Ge Ye, I failed in my discipline and offended the Great Master. I deserve death! Please punish me, Great Master!"
Xuan Jin waved his hand,
"Let's put this matter to rest. Consider it me giving Ya Fei some Face."
These words were spoken casually, yet they stirred different ripples in the hearts of the three people present.
Ge Ye and Nalan Yanran breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that he did not pursue the matter.
As for Ya Fei, a great joy surged in her heart.
The Young Master was backing her, elevating her status!
To say he was giving her Face in front of the Young Sect Master of the Yunlan Sect.
If these words spread, her status in the Mittel Family, and even the entire Jia Ma Empire, would rise significantly!
She looked at Xuan Jin's profile, and in her reverence, there was now a deeper, heartfelt admiration.
"Thank you, Young Master."
Ya Fei spoke softly, stepping forward to refill Xuan Jin's tea, her movements natural and intimate.
Nalan Yanran watched this scene, her heart a mix of emotions.
She recalled how, when she was in the Imperial Capital, Sister Ya Fei was an astute woman, navigating countless powerful men, yet always maintaining her integrity, with no one truly able to get close to her.
Now, however, she displayed such an attitude towards a young man.
Nalan Yanran composed herself and spoke again. This time, her posture was even more humble.
"Thank you, Great Master, for your magnanimity. Yanran has come this time to represent the Yunlan Sect and invite the Great Master to become a Guest Elder of our Sect."
She looked at Xuan Jin, her tone sincere.
"Our Yunlan Sect is willing to treat you with the highest courtesy. All Cultivation resources within the Sect, including Cultivation Techniques, Dou Techniques, and medicinal ingredients, are at the Great Master's disposal."
"If the Great Master has any requests, as long as our Yunlan Sect can fulfill them, we will never refuse!"
These words were not insignificant.
As the number one Sect in the Jia Ma Empire, the Yunlan Sect giving such a promise was already showing the utmost sincerity.
Ge Ye also nodded repeatedly from the side. If they could invite such a young Sixth-Grade Alchemist back to the Sect, it would definitely be a great achievement!
However, after listening, Xuan Jin merely shook his head gently.
He picked up his teacup, blew on the hot steam, and uttered a few words.
"The Jia Ma Empire is too small."
The Jia Ma Empire is too small.
These six words were like a heavy hammer, striking hard at the hearts of Nalan Yanran and Ge Ye.
Their proudly proclaimed number one Sect in the Jia Ma Empire was merely dismissed as "too small" in the other party's words.
What kind of breadth of mind, and what kind of arrogance was this!
Yet, they couldn't refute it.
Such a young Sixth-Grade Alchemist, his future achievements were absolutely limitless. The small Jia Ma Empire indeed could not contain him.
For the first time, Nalan Yanran's Face showed a sense of defeat.
All her pride, all her capital, became worthless in front of this Black-robed Youth.
Xuan Jin seemed to have no further interest in speaking with them.
"Ya Fei."
"Young Master, I am here," Ya Fei immediately responded.
"See them out."
Xuan Jin gave a faint instruction and then no longer looked at them, leisurely sipping his tea.
"Yes, Young Master."
Ya Fei gracefully curtsied to Xuan Jin, then turned to Nalan Yanran and Ge Ye, a professional smile returning to her Face.
"Sister Yanran, Elder Ge Ye, please."
Nalan Yanran bit her lip, but ultimately bowed once more to Xuan Jin's retreating figure.
"Then... Yanran will not disturb the Great Master any longer."
With that, she turned and left the room.
Ge Ye also quickly helped the unconscious Disciple on the ground and awkwardly followed them out.
The door was gently closed by Ya Fei.
Xuan Jin put down his teacup, walked to the window, and watched Nalan Yanran and her group hastily depart downstairs.
"Yunlan Sect..."
"The Three-Year Agreement. I might go watch the excitement."
"However..."
...The door was gently closed by Ya Fei, cutting off the inside from the outside.
Nalan Yanran and Ge Ye stood frozen, the unconscious Disciple behind them like a sack of goods.
Ge Ye's legs were still trembling; he now only wanted to leave Wutan City immediately.
Ge Ye leaned against the wall, his voice weak,
"Young Sect Master, let's... let's leave quickly."
Nalan Yanran did not move.
She just stood quietly, her moon-white skirt gently fluttering in the corridor's draft.
Her usually cool Face was now a mix of shock and frustration, along with a strange emotion she hadn't even recognized herself.
After a long while, Nalan Yanran finally let out a breath.
"Elder Ge Ye, you first take Senior Brother back to the inn."
Her voice had recovered some composure.
"What about you, Young Sect Master?" Ge Ye asked anxiously.
"I'll wait here for Sister Ya Fei."
Nalan Yanran's decision was unquestionable. She leaned on the railing, looking at the bustling crowd below Tianxiang Tower.
Ge Ye still wanted to persuade her, but when he met Nalan Yanran's profile, the words caught in his throat.
He could only drag the unconscious Disciple, practically scrambling, out of Tianxiang Tower.
In the corridor, only Nalan Yanran remained.
She leaned against the cold wooden railing, her mind a mess.
A Sixth-Grade Alchemist.
A powerful expert with unfathomable strength.
A graceful young man.
These three identities were incredibly concentrated in one person.
And she had actually wanted to represent the Yunlan Sect to recruit him?
The Jia Ma Empire is too small.
That calm statement now echoed repeatedly in her ears, shattering all her past pride.
It turned out that, in the Face of a truly vast world, the identity of the Yunlan Sect's Young Sect Master was so insignificant.
After an unknown amount of time, a familiar fragrance drifted from behind her.
Ya Fei had arrived.
"Sister Yanran, why are you still here?"
Ya Fei wore a perfectly appropriate smile, but the underlying tone of that smile was different from before.
Nalan Yanran turned around and, facing Ya Fei, actually bowed slightly.
"Sister Ya Fei, I want to ask you about... the Young Master."
She cleverly changed her form of address.
Ya Fei's smile deepened slightly. She reached out and supported Nalan Yanran.
"Let's go, come sit in my place."
...The top floor of the Mittel Auction House.
The steam from the fragrant tea curled upwards.
Nalan Yanran sat upright, her posture humble, like a Junior visiting for the first time to seek guidance.
"Sister Ya Fei, that Young Master... who exactly is he?"
Ya Fei picked up her teacup, gently skimming off the foam with the lid, her movements elegant.
"Sister Yanran, do you think this small pond of the Jia Ma Empire can raise a true Dragon?"
Ya Fei didn't answer directly but instead posed a rhetorical question.