"Mr. Zhuge heaps praise upon me, and I do enjoy hearing such words."
Lin Xiao chuckled and offered Mr. Zhuge a cup of wine, saying, "Here, please have a taste."
"Little friend Lin, you are truly not one for modesty," Mr. Zhuge laughed heartily. He didn't find anything inappropriate about it. For Lin Xiao, these were simply facts, and to be modest would seem disingenuous.
"What is there to be modest about in such matters? It's merely the truth, Mr. Zhuge, wouldn't you agree?"
As Lin Xiao spoke, he raised his cup in a toast.
"Indeed, it is so. Now, you will soon have the opportunity, just as I did in the past, to personally venture out and witness this vast universe, this great myriad world," Mr. Zhuge said with a sigh. "At that time, you may have the chance to enter higher realms."
"If I have the time, I will certainly go and see. However, recently, I fear I won't have much time," Lin Xiao sighed. "I've only just returned from the Kui Tian Sect. I have a year-long pact with their sect leader, and after one year, I will visit the Kui Tian Sect again."
"Kui Tian Sect? A year-long pact?"
Mr. Zhuge's hand paused mid-air, and he set down his wine cup. At that moment, he seemed to realize that something was not quite right.
A year from now?
At that time…
Mr. Zhuge's fingers fiddled a couple of times, and he subconsciously cast a divination.
Upon seeing the results, Mr. Zhuge's expression changed dramatically. Now he understood. It was no wonder that someone like Lin Xiao, whose cultivation speed was like cheating, existed. It was all to deal with the calamity that would occur a year from now.
"Yes, this year's time should be sufficient for me."
Lin Xiao pondered. By then, he would see if he could find some places to absorb spiritual energy properly. A year of arduous training would at least allow him to bully that Grand Elder.
As for Tian Suanzi,
He had no confidence at all.
At the very least, he could see that Tian Suanzi's strength was comparable to the Old Heavenly Master, and judging by their appearances, their strengths were not far apart.
It was merely a matter of their individual strengths.
"For you, it might be sufficient."
Mr. Zhuge said.
At this moment, Mr. Zhuge's face was already etched with worry.
He had been trying to keep himself dormant to conserve strength these past few days. He hadn't expected that upon his emergence, he would be greeted with such significant news.
"Mr. Zhuge, are you… hinting at something?"
Lin Xiao noticed that Mr. Zhuge's words seemed to conceal some information, but Mr. Zhuge did not reveal it.
"The secrets of heaven cannot be divulged."
Mr. Zhuge shook his head and turned to look at the red sun in the sky.
Lin Xiao followed Mr. Zhuge's gaze and stared at the setting sun, saying, "The sunset is infinitely beautiful, but it is near dusk."
"Yes, it is near dusk."
Mr. Zhuge sighed deeply. He hadn't expected that the great tribulation would arrive so soon. He now understood why he and Lin Xiao were meant to meet, and why Zhuge Lan and Lin Xiao had such a friendly relationship.
It was all predestined.
"Lin Xiao."
Suddenly, he looked at Lin Xiao and said, "For the coming days, I would trouble you to take good care of Zhuge Lan. Although he is two years older than you, you understand his cultivation matters better than he does now. At times, you can also offer him guidance."