Chapter 75

Looking at the black-robed figure entering the door, Xiao Zhan and the three elders hurriedly got up from their seats, quickly walked forward, and respectfully smiled, saying, "Sir, the clan has been busy, and I didn't come out to greet you. Please bear with us."

"Hehe, no need for formalities." Under the black robe, an aged voice chuckled lightly.

Xiao Zhan nodded eagerly, gave a nod to the three elders, and hurriedly made way, smiling, "Please, sir, take a seat."

The black-robed figure smiled and nodded, not being overly polite, and walked straight to the seat beside the head of the table and sat down.

Seeing Xiao Zhan and the others treat the black-robed figure with such respect, the younger clan members couldn't help but whisper among themselves. Curious gazes continuously swept over the black-robed figure, and when they heard the elders mention that he was an alchemist, their eyes instantly became fervent and filled with admiration. No matter where they were, alchemists were always the most revered profession.

"Sis, isn't that the mysterious alchemist we saw at the auction?" Xiao Ning, eyes gleaming, tugged at Xiao Yu's sleeve and asked anxiously.

"Um." Xiao Yu nodded slightly, her beautiful eyes also fixed on the black-robed figure, her face showing a bit of surprise, "I didn't expect this old sir to really come to our Xiao family. It seems his talk of cooperation last time wasn't just casual. If he helps, the Xiao family's current predicament should be resolved smoothly."

Hearing the whispers of the clan members, Xun Er's brows furrowed slightly, and her clear eyes tightly focused on the bulky black-robed figure. For some reason, she always felt that the black-robed figure's actions and words seemed a bit disharmonious...

Frowning and thinking hard, Xun Er eventually gave up in frustration after a while.

"Hehe, Sir, may I ask why you have come to the Xiao family today?" Xiao Zhan personally served a cup of warm tea and asked with a smile.

"Just happened to be passing by, so I thought I'd come and see the talented young man of your clan who advanced several levels with just a bit of foundation-building elixir from me." Under the black robe, the aged voice chuckled lightly.

Hearing this, Xiao Zhan quickly scanned the hall but didn't see Xiao Yan's figure, and couldn't help but laugh bitterly.

"Hehe, Clan Leader Xiao, there's no need to call him. I've already met the young master, and he's a very good young man, very much to my liking..." Waving his hand to stop Xiao Zhan from sending someone to call him, the black-robed figure smiled, the admiration in his voice unhidden, which made the face of a certain young man hidden under the black robe somewhat embarrassed.

Hearing the black-robed figure's admiring tone, the people in the hall couldn't help but show a trace of envy in their eyes. To receive such praise from a high-level alchemist was no easy feat.

"That guy gets all the good stuff." Xiao Ning pouted, her voice filled with envy.

Xiao Yu also sighed helplessly, her hand supporting her chin, and muttered softly, "Is that guy really that good? I haven't noticed it."

Hearing the black-robed figure's words, Xiao Zhan's smile grew even wider, a hint of pride in his eyes.

"Hehe, Clan Leader Xiao, it seems the Xiao family's situation isn't good recently?" The smile on Xiao Zhan's face, which had just spread, was quickly dampened by the aged voice.

Nodding gloomily, Xiao Zhan smiled bitterly, "I'm sure Sir already knows the current situation of the Xiao family, right?"

"Um, I know a bit." The black-robed figure nodded and smiled.

"Alas, the Xiao family has been squeezed by the Jia Li family to the point where we've lost nearly half of our assets. If this continues, we might become a second-rate power in U坦 City." Xiao Zhan sighed, his brows furrowed, making him look older.

"Hehe, although I don't have a deep relationship with the Xiao family, I get along quite well with your young master. If Clan Leader Xiao isn't afraid that I might have ulterior motives, perhaps we could cooperate?" The black-robed figure smiled lightly.

Hearing this, Xiao Zhan was first stunned, then his face lit up with joy. He had been holding back, wanting to say exactly this... After exchanging excited glances with the three elders, he nodded without hesitation, "Sir, the Xiao family would be more than happy to cooperate with you!"

A high-level alchemist of at least the second rank was someone their family could hardly invite even if they tried. Xiao Zhan didn't think their family had anything that could attract a second-rank alchemist. From the way this old sir spoke, it seemed the cooperation was mostly because of Xiao Yan. As the leader of the clan, Xiao Zhan wouldn't easily let go of such an opportunity.

Seeing Xiao Zhan's response, the black-robed figure smiled and nodded. A pale hand emerged from the black robe, with a light red ring on the finger. He lightly tapped the ring, and instantly, a glow appeared...

Looking at the pale hand that seemed like a young man's, Xiao Zhan was momentarily lost in thought. This hand gave him a... somewhat familiar feeling.

Before Xiao Zhan could ponder where this familiar feeling came from, he was stunned by the large pile of jade bottles that suddenly appeared on the table.

In the blink of an eye, the large meeting table was completely covered by neatly arranged small jade bottles.

Seeing the countless small jade bottles that appeared out of nowhere, everyone in the hall, except for the green-robed girl by the window, was stunned by the massive number of pills, drawing in a sharp breath.

"These are 1,283 bottles of healing medicine called 'Blood Coagulating Powder.' Although it may not be the best in healing medicines, its healing effect is more significant than the 'Spring Return Powder' of the Jia Li family." Looking at the shocked gazes in the hall, the black-robed figure still introduced them calmly.

Xiao Zhan's mouth twitched, and he deeply inhaled the cold air, "This is truly a grand gesture!"

(Seeking recommendations and support, thank you, Potatoes ^_^)