Chapter 74

In the following few days, Xiao Yan almost spent the entire time by the side of the alchemy cauldron. Although the days were extremely tough, the full storage ring of healing medicines made him feel quite comforted during his rest.

Of course, what was worth mentioning was that during the nearly five days of continuous alchemy, Xiao Yan's internal fighting qi had unknowingly become much more robust. At his current level, he had probably reached the rank of a First-Class Fighter.

Encouraged by these two factors, Xiao Yan finally gritted his teeth and persevered.

While Xiao Yan was hiding in the cave, gritting his teeth to refine medicines, the atmosphere between the Xiao Family and the Jia Li Family in U坦 City became increasingly tense. Two days ago, the Jia Li Family seized the opportunity and offered various favorable conditions to merchants, causing most of those who were still on the fence to start shifting their allegiance to the Jia Li Family's market.

In response to the Jia Li Family's measures, which aimed to shake the very foundation of the Xiao Family, the higher-ups of the Xiao Family, in their rage, almost began to entertain thoughts of murder.

...

"Damn it, we can't take this anymore. In just five days, our family's profits have decreased by at least fifty to sixty percent. If this continues, all our markets will go bankrupt!" In the meeting hall, the Third Elder, with a fierce expression, angrily said.

In the hall, the family members of high status were all seated, their dark faces revealing their inner fury.

"We can't drag this on any longer..." The First Elder slowly exhaled and said, "Although Master Gu Ni from the Miter Auction House has refined over a hundred bottles of healing medicine for our family, this quantity is far too small to compete with the massive amount the Jia Li Family has. In the short term, we can still hold out against the Jia Li Family, but if the time drags on and the healing medicines are sold out, we will be back in a difficult situation."

Sighing, the First Elder smiled bitterly and said, "Although if Master Gu Ni were to fully assist us, we could certainly outlast the Jia Li Family's First-Class Alchemist in terms of quantity, he is ultimately a person from the Miter Auction House. They rarely get involved in family conflicts, and it's already quite surprising that he has done this much for us."

Xiao Zhan, seated at the head of the table, nodded with a dark expression. The healing medicines sold by the Jia Li Family, although of a very low grade, had the advantage of quantity and low price, making them very appealing to mercenaries who often risked their lives.

"If we could also hire a First-Class Alchemist, we could stand up to them..." In the hall, someone whispered.

Xiao Zhan shook his head helplessly. There were very few alchemists in U坦 City, and it was extremely difficult to hire those arrogant individuals. The Jia Li Family must have had some incredible luck to actually manage to get an alchemist to assist them.

In a corner of the hall, Xiao Yu and Xiao Ning, along with other young members of the family, were also seated. Seeing the dark expressions of their elders, they dared not speak out of turn, and the atmosphere was silent and oppressive.

"Sister, is that First-Class Alchemist really that strong? To have reduced our family to this state?" Unable to bear the oppressive silence, Xiao Ning quietly asked Xiao Yu beside him.

Xiao Yu sighed and smiled bitterly, whispering, "Alchemists are indeed a uniquely privileged profession... A First-Class Alchemist's strength is at most at the Fighter level. If it came to a direct confrontation, any elder in our family could easily kill him. However, the terrifying aspect of alchemists is not in direct combat. They can refine miraculous medicines that drive people mad, and with these medicines, they have unparalleled influence. Many powerful individuals are willing to serve as their lackeys to obtain these medicines."

"On the continent of Dou Qi, many people compare alchemists to a beehive. Once disturbed, they can immediately summon countless fighters. Imagine being beaten by over a hundred powerful individuals; even if they don't kill you, they will probably exhaust you to death."

Thinking of such a scene, Xiao Ning shivered and then looked envious.

"Don't daydream. The conditions to become an alchemist are extremely stringent, and you know that. The probability is even lower than finding a pie falling from the sky." Glaring at Xiao Ning, Xiao Yu mercilessly poured cold water on his hopes.

Feeling somewhat deflated by Xiao Yu's words, Xiao Ning pouted and said, "I'm afraid our entire Xiao Family doesn't have the luck to produce an alchemist."

Hearing this, Xiao Yu was about to nod but suddenly thought of a black-clothed young man, who seemed to be Xiao Yan...

Shaking his head fiercely, Xiao Yu muttered to himself, "Why am I thinking of that little rascal? Humph, if that guy could become an alchemist, alchemists wouldn't be worth much in this world."

After cursing Xiao Yan in his mind, Xiao Yu turned his gaze to the corner by the window, where a young woman in a green robe was quietly holding a thick, ancient book. Her slender fingers occasionally turned the pages, and her calm and elegant demeanor attracted the covert attention of many nearby peers.

"What a good girl, but why does she favor that little rascal so much?" Shaking his head helplessly, Xiao Yu fell silent again.

Sitting quietly by the window, although she was immersed in her book, Xun Er could sense the oppressive atmosphere in the hall. Frowning slightly, no matter what, she had been with the Xiao Family for over a decade. Even if it wasn't for the sake of the family, she wouldn't let the Xiao Family be completely crushed by the Jia Li Family because of Xiao Yan.

"Sigh, I hope those people don't go too far..." She sighed softly in her heart and returned her gaze to the book. Without Xiao Yan by her side, she almost didn't want to speak.

Just as the hall was discussing strategies, a family guard rushed in and respectfully reported, "Clan Leader, there is a man in a black robe outside who says he has some business to discuss with the Clan Leader."

Hearing this, Xiao Zhan and the elders were taken aback. They exchanged glances, and their dark expressions suddenly turned to wild joy. They all stood up quickly and shouted, "Quick, invite him in!"

Seeing the reaction of Xiao Zhan and the three elders, everyone in the hall was surprised and looked at each other.

"Hehe, no need to invite me. How has Clan Leader Xiao been? I came uninvited." Just as Xiao Zhan's voice fell, a hoarse laugh echoed from outside the door.

As the voice entered, a figure cloaked in a black robe slowly and unhurriedly walked into the hall under everyone's watchful eyes.

At the moment the black-robed figure entered, Xun Er, who had been immersed in her book, suddenly raised her eyebrows and slowly lifted her face. Her clear eyes tightly fixed on the black-robed figure who had just entered.