Chapter 76

In the silent hall, one by one, burning gazes were fixed on the thousands of small jade bottles on the table. Such a large-scale display of medicinal pills was something almost no one present had ever seen with their own eyes.

Xiaoyu's pink tongue subconsciously licked her red lips. She, too, was stunned by the sheer number of medicinal pills, her face filled with shock. After a moment, she shook her head in amazement and looked at the black-robed man, her eyes twinkling.

The young woman in green, sitting by the window, tilted her head slightly and glanced at the pile of small jade bottles on the table. Her beautiful eyes flickered with surprise, and her gaze swept over the black-robed man beside her. Finding no suspicious points, she continued to focus on the ancient book in her hands.

Seeing the hall silenced by the medicinal pills on the table, the black-robed man coughed lightly, rousing Xiao Zhan from his stupor.

"Uh..." His face slightly flushed, Xiao Zhan smiled awkwardly. The respect in his eyes for the black-robed man grew even more. To casually produce over a thousand bottles of healing pills was not something an ordinary alchemist could do.

"Sir, you know the current situation of the Xiao family. We need healing pills to regain the popularity we've lost. Your action is like sending charcoal in the snow for us." Xiao Zhan sighed gratefully, then hesitated and cautiously suggested, "How about this: our Xiao family will be responsible for selling these healing pills, and the revenue will be divided, with you taking ninety percent and the remaining ten percent for us. Although it may seem a bit presumptuous, we do need this money to handle some matters. What do you think, sir?"

After speaking, Xiao Zhan looked at the black-robed man with some trepidation, fearing that his offer might displease him. The Xiao family now relied entirely on this mysterious alchemist.

"Hehe." The black-robed man chuckled and slowly shook his head.

Seeing this, Xiao Zhan's face changed slightly. Just as he was about to reduce his share even further, the old voice made him stand there helplessly.

"Clan Leader Xiao, you're too polite. Although the pills were refined by me, selling them is no easy task. How can I take such an advantage? Let's be fair, fifty-fifty, hehe."

Hearing this, the three elders and the entire hall of clan members, who had been anxious, were stunned into silence. After a while, they involuntarily touched their ears, doubting the reality of the words. Fifty-fifty? This... this old gentleman was really too considerate of the Xiao family. In the current situation, even if he took all the profit, the Xiao family would not dare to refuse.

"Is this really a pie falling from the sky..." Everyone exchanged glances, and this thought popped into their minds.

After a long moment of stunned silence, Xiao Zhan slowly came to his senses, took a deep breath, and smiled bitterly. "Sir, your generosity is truly overwhelming. We are already deeply grateful for your help in this time of need. How can we take any more advantage of you?"

Waving his hand casually, the black-robed man smiled faintly. "This profit means little to me. If not for your peace of mind, I wouldn't even bother taking that fifty percent."

Hearing this, Xiao Zhan could only nod with a bitter smile.

"These pills, you can sell as you wish. I'll come by when I have time." The black-robed man stood up and said, "I have other matters to attend to, so I won't stay long. Clan Leader Xiao, you don't need to see me off. Arrange the clan's affairs, hehe." With that, he walked straight out of the hall under everyone's watchful eyes.

As he reached the door, the black-robed man paused and smiled. "One more thing, Xiao Yan is indeed very good, hehe. Thank you, old man."

Hearing this, Xiao Zhan was puzzled and was about to speak, but the black-robed man had already floated out of the hall and gradually disappeared from view.

Looking at the disappearing black-robed man, Xiao Zhan sighed after a long while and smiled bitterly. "It seems that Yan'er and this old gentleman have a special relationship. Otherwise, why would he help us so much when we don't even know each other?"

The three elders exchanged glances and nodded with a sigh. From the old gentleman's evident admiration of Xiao Yan since he entered, it was clear that he favored him. His kindness to the Xiao family was likely due to Xiao Yan.

In the hall, the many clan members of Xiao Yan's age were filled with envy upon hearing the black-robed man's words.

The young woman in green, sitting by the window, tilted her head slightly and looked through the window at the corner where the black-robed man had disappeared, her eyebrows furrowed, and a hint of confusion flashed across her delicate face.

...

After leaving the Xiao family, the black-robed man continued to walk slowly. When the surrounding crowd thinned, a low complaint came from within the black robe: "Teacher, why did you drag me out? If I'm discovered, I can't guarantee I won't expose you."

"Hehe, just a spontaneous act. If not for Xiao Zhan's kindness to you since childhood, where would I find such a good disciple? So thanking him is only right." The old voice chuckled teasingly. "And without some connection, your cautious father would find it hard to believe I have no ulterior motives with the Xiao family."

Shaking his head helplessly, Xiao Yan looked around and asked casually, "Where are we going now?"

"Let's go to the auction house. Give them the Qi-Gathering Powder we refined to avoid owing them a favor. I hate owing favors... and the practice materials you burned are gone, so we should buy some other materials." The Old Medicine Master pondered for a moment and smiled.

Hearing this, Xiao Yan nodded and asked hopefully, "Teacher, can I now be considered a First-Class Alchemist?"

"Tch, do you think a few days of refining makes you an alchemist? Healing pills are the simplest type of pill. Refining them isn't something to boast about." The Old Medicine Master sneered and mercilessly doused Xiao Yan with cold water.

Rolling his eyes, Xiao Yan felt a bit depressed. "Then what does it take to become a true First-Class Alchemist?"

"The minimum standard for a First-Class Alchemist in the alchemy world is the ability to refine at least one type of pill, not just a simple mixture of ingredients."

"It seems there's still a distance to go." Hearing this requirement, Xiao Yan could only shake his head helplessly and set off towards the auction house in the city center.

(Seeking recommendations...^_^)