When leaving, Lin Fan directly took out the betrothal gifts he had prepared.

"In-law, I have placed the betrothal gifts inside this Storage Pouch."

As for what was inside, Lin Fan did not say.

In any case, Xie Guangzhi would know once he opened it.

After handing the Storage Pouch to Xie Guangzhi, Lin Fan left, bringing Luo Yiran and Lin Haochen with him.

Since the marriage was imminent, it was inappropriate for Lin Haochen to remain here.

To be honest, Xie Guangzhi was still somewhat dazed after learning Lin Fan's true identity.

After Lin Fan and the others left, Xie Xinyao saw her father still standing blankly at the door.

She couldn't help but urge him, "Father, Uncle and the others have left, let's quickly go back inside!"

"Uh... alright!"

Snapping out of his daze, Xie Guangzhi smiled and praised Xie Xinyao, "Xinyao, your judgment is truly excellent!"

"Hmph! Don't you know who I am!" Saying this, Xie Xinyao displayed a proud expression.

"Alright, Father, I won't chat anymore. I need to cultivation. If I don't work hard, the gap between Brother Chen and me will only grow wider!"

With that, Xie Xinyao ran off.

"This girl finally knows how to work hard at Cultivation!"

Watching Xie Xinyao's retreating figure, Xie Guangzhi felt somewhat gratified.

After returning to his residence, Xie Guangzhi began examining the Storage Pouch Lin Fan had given him, alone.

He had long heard of Lin Fan's generosity, so he was mentally prepared.

But after he finished looking through the contents, Xie Guangzhi was even more shocked.

The contents were far more extensive than he had imagined.

There were six Low-Rank Profound Grade Medicinal Pills alone, two used for breaking through Realms, and the others for healing or detoxification.

These were all excellent life-saving items.

Besides the Profound Rank Medicinal Pills, there were even more yellow-rank pills.

There was also a significant amount of Spirit Wine.

With these resources, the Xie Family's strength would be boosted by several levels.

"Haha, our Xie Family is about to rise! But this is all thanks to Xinyao!"

"With Xinyao providing this connection in the future, our Xie Family will be able to purchase even more Medicinal Pills!"

Their Xie Family was not lacking in Origin Stones, nor Spirit Herb.

Although consuming Spirit Herb directly could also increase Cultivation speed.

Compared to Medicinal Pills, however, there was still a large gap... Just as Xie Guangzhi was secretly rejoicing.

The news that the Xie Family was entering a Marriage Alliance with the Lin Family of the Zhao State spread throughout the Imperial City of the Wu Kingdom.

Lin Fan's arrival was not a secret, nor did Lin Fan intend to hide it.

After all, when it came to a Marriage Alliance of this kind, Lin Fan naturally hoped for maximum exposure; publicizing it widely was better.

Moreover, there were many informants from other powers within the Xie Family.

The Xie Family was not like Lin Fan, capable of discerning the loyalty of its subordinates.

Inside the Imperial Palace, Chu Yueyao hurriedly sought out Empress Wu Qinghan once again.

"Your Majesty, the power behind Lin Haochen has been investigated."

"His father is none other than the Lin Family Patriarch of the Zhao State—the Profound Rank Alchemist who has been the subject of recent widespread rumors!"

Wu Qinghan was very surprised upon hearing this news.

Although Lin Haochen also had the surname Lin, she had never before connected this matter to Lin Fan.

"I didn't expect Lin Haochen to be a member of the Zhao State's Lin Family, and the son of that Lin Family Patriarch."

"No wonder he possesses such powerful strength at such a young age!"

"With a Profound Rank Alchemist as a father, the speed of his strength improvement is indeed rapid!"

Thinking of this, Wu Qinghan looked at Chu Yueyao: "Yueyao, is this news accurate?"

"Your Majesty, this news is absolutely true. Just now, this Patriarch Lin went to the Residence of the Duke of Yi to propose marriage, and the wedding is set for one month from now!"

"It is expected that this matter will spread throughout the Imperial City very soon!"

"I didn't expect them to be engaged so quickly. The Duke of Yi's Residence is truly fortunate to have such an fated opportunity!"

At this point, Wu Qinghan's expression turned serious: "Yueyao, is there any way we can draw the Wu Kingdom closer to this Patriarch Lin?"

Wu Qinghan was extremely interested in Lin Fan.

Lin Fan was not only a Profound Rank Alchemist but also a Divine Platform Realm expert.

Judging by Lin Fan's accomplishments, he was probably even stronger than their Wu Family's Old Ancestor.

If they could win Lin Fan over, the strength of the Wu Kingdom would further increase.

More importantly, the Xie Family of the Duke of Yi was now connected to the Lin Family through a Marriage Alliance.

With the supply of Medicinal Pills from the Lin Family, the Xie Family's strength could rapidly improve.

Given enough time, the Xie Family might even threaten the ruling position of their Wu Family.

Wu Qinghan absolutely could not allow such a potential consequence to arise.

Therefore, she had to find a way to establish good relations with the Lin Family, no matter what.

Facing such a problem from Wu Qinghan, Chu Yueyao was also racking her brains.

Not only did Wu Qinghan want to win over the Lin Family, but the Chu Family behind her also desperately wanted to draw closer to the Lin Family.

"Your Majesty, the only way to establish closer ties with the Lin Family right now is through a Marriage Alliance!"

After much thought, Chu Yueyao concluded that only this method was feasible.

"Yueyao, is a Marriage Alliance the only viable option?" Wu Qinghan asked with slight hesitation.

"Your Majesty, I believe a Marriage Alliance is the only solution currently available."

"It must be known that the Lin Family was established recently, and what it lacks most right now are clansmen!"

"The great clans and the Royal Family of the Zhao State have already entered Marriage Alliances with the Lin Family!"

"With this connection, those great clans in the Zhao State can purchase many of the Medicinal Pills needed for Cultivation from the Lin Family."

"The strength of these great clans is now incomparable to what it once was; in fact, each family has gained at least one Purple Mansion Realm Martial Artist."

"If our Wu Kingdom still fails to take action, once the Zhao State grows even stronger, they might begin mobilizing troops to conquer neighboring countries."

Hearing the mention of mobilizing troops, Wu Qinghan grew serious.

Based on the Wu Kingdom's current strength, it was no weaker than its neighboring countries.

But if the Zhao State continued to grow stronger in this manner, it would eventually dominate all others.

If she were in their position, after gaining great strength, she would also consider moving troops against neighboring countries.

After all, the larger the territory, the more Cultivation resources could be acquired.

Thinking of this, Wu Qinghan made up her mind.

"Yueyao, do you have a candidate for the Marriage Alliance in mind?"

"Your Majesty, I believe the Eldest Princess is a viable option!"

Hearing Chu Yueyao mention the Eldest Princess, Wu Qinghan frowned: "Yueyao, are you referring to my younger sister Qingwan?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, Eldest Princess Qingwan is the most suitable candidate!"

After confirming that Chu Yueyao was referring to Wu Qingwan, Wu Qinghan fell into deep thought.

Wu Qingwan was her full-blooded younger sister.

This younger sister of hers also possessed extremely high Aptitude, reaching Earth Grade Supreme Quality.

However, what was publicly announced was Earth Grade Low-Rank.

Currently, Wu Qingwan, at the age of 35, had Cultivated to Qi Sea Realm Perfection and was attempting to break through to the Purple Mansion Realm.

If she were to marry off this Genius younger sister, she wondered if the Clan Elders would agree.

Thinking of all this, Wu Qinghan felt a headache coming on.