Chapter 234: Grueling Training

"Such things cannot be forced. If we are destined to meet, it will happen naturally. For now, let him be." The old man's shadow pondered for a moment before speaking slowly.

"From now on, do not contact me. Knowing that he is safe is enough. After all, our communication carries the risk of being detected. Do you understand?"

Upon hearing the old man's instructions, Zhou Yian nodded repeatedly, indicating that he understood.

The old man's shadow gradually dissipated, eventually disappearing from Zhou Yian's sight.

As the shadow vanished, Zhou Yian's previously tense expression relaxed, replaced by a look of joy.

"Perhaps, through the young master, we might one day return to the master's side." Zhou Yian muttered to himself, staring into the empty void ahead.

If anyone had witnessed this scene, they would have been shocked. The former leader of the Xiaoyao Sect, such a powerful figure, acting as someone else's servant? If word got out, it would shake the entire southern region.

After ending his meeting with the old man's shadow, Zhou Yian dove back into the seawater, returning to the massive coral island.

After all, the Eight-Armed Sea Clan's gathering was still ongoing, with the three additional competitions yet to conclude. His presence was still needed to oversee the proceedings.

Meanwhile, back at Lin Qian's location, the intense training regimen continued. In the training grounds, the battle dynamics had shifted.

Lin Qian and Ye Xin had joined forces to face Li Yunfeng, Zhang Zide, Zhang Qi, and Zhang Wenshuan together.

Despite being outnumbered, Lin Qian and Ye Xin held their ground, fighting the four to a standstill.

While Lin Qian and Ye Xin were at a disadvantage in terms of cultivation levels, the actual power they could unleash far exceeded what their apparent levels suggested.

Especially when Ye Xin's martial soul manifested as a top-tier ancestral weapon, it left everyone shocked. They realized that Lin Qian's fiancée was no ordinary person.

Moreover, Ye Xin's combat experience and skills were only slightly inferior to Lin Qian's.

Time passed quickly, and a full year had elapsed since Lin Qian left Linhai Prefecture.

Five months earlier, the Eight-Armed Sea Clan's gathering had officially ended, but Lin Qian and his companions remained on the coral island, continuing their intense training at the East Branch Clan's estate.

During these five months, the estate had been completely sealed off, with no one allowed entry unless they voluntarily left. Even the clan leaders Zhang Tianxin and Zhou Yian were no exception.

No one knew what had transpired within the estate during those five months of seclusion.

Now that the gathering was over, both Zhang Zide and Zhou Yian were curious about how much stronger Zhang Zide and Li Yunfeng had become through their rigorous training.

It wasn't just them; the West Branch Clan leader was also anxious. He had heeded Zhang Qi's advice to offer Lin Qian so many rare manuscripts and send Zhang Wenshuan to train with him.

No one knew what the outcome would be.

"To be honest, you probably got swindled, Zhang Ziyi!" As they headed to the portal leading to the small world, Zhang Keran sneered at the West Branch Clan leader walking nearby.

Zhang Ziyi frowned and looked at Zhang Keran.

He had received news from Zhang Tianxin that the grand event at the Ancient Human Ruins was about to begin.

As a result, Zhang Tianxin had already notified the group in the small world to exit today.

Lin Qian and his companions weren't the only ones training in the small world—Zhang Zhan from the North Branch Clan and Zhang Ziqi from the South Branch Clan were also there.

After all, the spiritual energy within that small world was incredibly dense, and with only a few people utilizing it, their training naturally became twice as effective.

"Swindled? What makes you say that?" Zhang Ziyi asked, frowning.

Zhang Keran sneered, "That human Lin Qian might have some skill, and he did manage to connect with the Xiaoyao Sect and the main clan, but do you really think he has the ability to teach others?"

"Your precious granddaughter ranked higher than him in the finals. Do you really think someone weaker than her could teach her to improve rapidly?"

"Haha, what a joke."

With that, Zhang Keran glanced at Zhang Ziyi's darkening face before striding away confidently.

As Zhang Ziyi slowly made his way along the path, his expression grew even more grim. Deep down, he wondered if he had truly been deceived by that boy.

"And even if I have been tricked, what can I do about it?" Zhang Ziyi sighed, feeling helpless.

Lin Qian had somehow connected with Zhang Tianxin, and Zhou Yian from the Xiaoyao Sect seemed to hold him in high regard. Zhang Zide and Li Yunfeng even called him a brother.

Moreover, the East Branch Clan was allied with Lin Qian, and Zhang Nianxin seemed to respect him greatly, likely offering him protection.

Even if Zhang Ziyi had been deceived, seeking retribution would likely be futile.

With these thoughts weighing on his mind, Zhang Ziyi finally arrived at the portal to the small world.

Upon his arrival, he noticed that many others had already gathered.

Zhang Keran was already there, along with Zhang Nianxin from the East Branch Clan and Zhang Xinhai from the South Branch Clan.

Additionally, Zhang Tianxin, the main clan leader, and Zhou Yian from the Xiaoyao Sect were present, standing before the portal.

Not only that, but many prominent elders from the main clan had also gathered, quietly awaiting something.

The sight of this made Zhang Ziyi raise an eyebrow.

"Hey, why are almost all the main clan's prominent elders here?" Zhang Ziyi asked through a soul transmission as he approached Zhang Nianxin.

Zhang Nianxin chuckled and responded through the same method, "They're here to witness the results of the training. Before entering seclusion, Lin Qian promised Zhang Tianxin and Zhou Yian that he would help improve Zhang Zide and Li Yunfeng's strength. So, these elders want to see just how much their power has increased."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ziyi recalled Zhang Keran's earlier words and asked, "Aren't they worried that Lin Qian might not have the ability to improve their strength? What if he's just bluffing?"

"I might doubt others, but if Lin Qian says he can improve their strength, then I believe he can do it," Zhang Nianxin said with a smile. "I bet you're worried that those two million manuscripts were wasted and that you were tricked by Lin Qian, right?"

Zhang Ziyi let out an awkward laugh, embarrassed that Zhang Nianxin had seen through his concerns.

Suddenly, a low humming sound filled the air.

The portal to the small world began to stir, signaling that someone was emerging from within.