In the following few days, Xiao Yan was almost glued to the medicine cauldron, refining day and night. Although life was extremely arduous, his storage ring was filled with healing medicines, which brought him some joy even during his breaks.
Of course, it is worth mentioning that due to the continuous refining of medicine over the past five days, the Dou Qi in Xiao Yan's body had also unknowingly become much stronger. His current level was estimated to have reached a One-star Dou Zhe.
With heavy steps, Xiao Yan finally dragged himself home. You are reading this story at – http://xtruyen.vn
While Xiao Yan was gritting his teeth and refining medicine in the mountain cave, in Wu Tan City, the atmosphere between the Xiao Family and the Jia Lie Family became increasingly tense. Two days ago, the Jia Lie Family saw their opportunity and offered extremely favorable conditions to various families. Immediately, more than half of the merchant guilds that were still observing turned their attention to the Jia Lie Family's market.
For the Jia Lie Family, these actions were intended to shake the foundation of the Xiao Family. The high-ranking members of the Xiao Family were furious, almost to the point of murderous intent.
"Damn it, we can't endure this any longer! In just five short days, our Xiao Family's profits have decreased by at least fifty to sixty percent. If this continues, our market will have to close down!" Inside the deliberation room, the Third Elder said angrily, his expression fierce.
In the main hall, all the clan members with significant status in the family were seated, their faces grim, their hearts filled with burning anger.
"Indeed, we cannot let this continue..." The First Elder slowly sighed and said, "Although Grandmaster Gu Ni of the Mi Te Auction House refined over a hundred bottles of healing medicine for our family, the quantity is too small. It simply cannot compare to the massive quantity of the Jia Lie Family. In the short term, we can still contend with the Jia Lie Family, but in the long run, once that batch of healing medicine is consumed, we will fall back into our previous embarrassing situation."
Sighing again, the First Elder gave a bitter smile and said, "If that Gu Ni were to fully assist us, the quantity might far exceed that of the Jia Lie Family's First-grade Alchemist. But after all, he is a member of the Mi Te Auction House. They rarely participate in battles between families. That he could help us to this extent today is already beyond people's expectations."
In the seat of honor, Xiao Zhan nodded grimly. Although the Jia Lie Family's healing medicine was of very low quality, the quantity was extremely large, and the price was cheap. It was very suitable for sword wounds, so mercenaries loved it.
"If we could invite a First-grade Alchemist, then we could contend with them..." someone in the main hall whispered.
Hearing this, Xiao Zhan helplessly shook his head. The number of Alchemists in Wu Tan City was extremely small. Inviting one would require a lot of effort and reputation; it was not easy at all. This time, the Jia Lie Family had no idea what kind of dog-shit luck they had to get an Alchemist to come forward and assist them.
In a corner of the main hall, Xiao Yu and Xiao Ning, along with other young clan members, were also seated. Looking at the grim faces of their elders, they dared not interject randomly. The silent atmosphere was heavy with pressure.
"Sister, is a first-grade alchemist really that important?" Unable to bear the heavy atmosphere, Xiao Ning softly asked Xiao Yu beside her. Hearing this, Xiao Yu sighed, and said with a bitter smile in a low voice, "Alchemists are indeed a profession blessed by the heavens... A first-grade alchemist, at most, has the strength of a Dou Zhe. If they were to fight head-on, any elder in our family could easily kill them. But the terrifying thing about alchemists is not their direct combat ability. They can concoct miraculous elixirs that drive people crazy, and because of these elixirs, they possess an unusual power of appeal. It's also because of these elixirs that many powerful cultivators are willing to act on behalf of alchemists."
"On the Dou Qi Continent, many people hope to have an alchemist of their own. As long as they have one, they can act without restraint countless times. Just imagine, even if a hundred powerful cultivators surrounded them, what then? Even if they can't kill them all, they can make them tired and give up."
Hearing such an example, Xiao Ning shivered, her expression full of envy.
"But don't fantasize. The conditions to become such an alchemist are extremely strict. You're not unaware that the probability is even lower than a star appearing in the sky during the day." Glancing at Xiao Ning's pale face, Xiao Yu unceremoniously poured a basin of cold water on him.
Hit by Xiao Yu's words, Xiao Ning felt a little dejected. She pouted and said, "I'm afraid our entire Xiao family doesn't have the good fortune to produce an alchemist!"
Hearing this, Xiao Yu was about to nod when the image of a black-clothed youth suddenly appeared in her mind, looking somewhat like Xiao Yan...
Shaking her head vigorously, Xiao Yu secretly thought, "Why am I thinking of that scoundrel? If he could really become an alchemist, then perhaps alchemists in this world wouldn't be so valuable anymore!"
After cursing Xiao Yan for a while in her heart, Xiao Yu's gaze shifted to another corner. There, a girl in a green dress was holding a thick, ancient book. Her fingers occasionally turned the pages, her eyes flowing, her demeanor calm and composed, causing many clan members of the same age around her to steal glances repeatedly.
"Such a good girl, why does she repeatedly favor that little scoundrel so much?" Shaking her head helplessly, Xiao Yu fell silent once more.
Sitting quietly by the window, although her mind was immersed in the book, Xun'er could also sense the oppressive atmosphere in the hall. Her willow-like brows furrowed. No matter what, she had been in the Xiao family for over ten years, and nothing inconvenient had happened. Even if it was because of Xiao Yan, she truly wouldn't stand by and let the Xiao family be annihilated by the Jia Lie family.
"Sigh, I hope this fellow won't go too far..." With a sigh in her heart, Xun'er's gaze returned to the page. Without Xiao Yan by her side, she had no intention of speaking.
While the hall was discussing strategies, a family guard ran over and respectfully said, "Patriarch, there is a black-robed person outside who says he has some business to cooperate on and wishes to speak with you."
Hearing this, Xiao Zhan and several elders were all stunned. They exchanged glances, and at the same time, their previously gloomy expressions suddenly turned to ecstatic joy. The several people immediately stood up simultaneously and shouted, "Please invite him in quickly!"
Seeing Xiao Zhan and the three elders in such a state, everyone in the great hall was extremely surprised, looking at each other in bewilderment.
"Ah, ah, Clan Head Xiao, there's no need to invite me. This old man has come uninvited." Just as Xiao Zhan's voice fell, an aged laugh immediately came from outside the door.
Following the sound, a figure enveloped in a large black cloak slowly and steadily entered the great hall before everyone's eyes.
As soon as the black-robed figure entered the hall, Xun'er, who had been focused on the pages of her book, suddenly furrowed her delicate brows. She slowly raised her small face, her autumn-like eyes intently fixed on the figure stepping through the doorway.