Chapter 95

As the days slowly passed, the number of healing potions sold by the Gale Family in all the markets of Utan City gradually decreased. On the last day, after the last bottle of healing potion was sold, the Gale Family member selling the potions could only awkwardly smile at the crowded mercenaries outside the door: "I'm very sorry, but due to a stock crisis, we need to temporarily close the shop."

Outside the shop, upon hearing this, the mercenaries who were still pushing and shoving each other immediately fell silent. They glared at the person selling the potions for a long time before dispersing with curses.

As they dispersed, some of the mercenaries' harsh insults made the person selling the potions turn pale with anger.

Within less than an hour after the Gale Family's healing potions were sold out, the news spread throughout almost the entire city of Utan. People were taken aback, some secretly gloating, some feeling regret, and some sighing... Without the support of healing potions, the Gale Family's battle against the Xiao Family would undoubtedly end in a crushing defeat. After this major defeat, the Gale Family would clearly be severely weakened, and their influence in Utan City would likely never return to the level where they could command a hundred responses with a single call.

Xiao Family, the Grand Hall.

"Has the source of the Gale Family's healing potions been cut off?" Upon hearing the report from his subordinate, Xiao Zhan was stunned for a moment before suddenly standing up, his face filled with barely concealed joy.

Excitedly exchanging glances with the three elders, he saw that they were also overjoyed. Xiao Zhan walked a few steps in the hall, then finally suppressed his joy and asked the person reporting, "What about their alchemist, Liu Xi?"

"Unknown. Since the day Liu Xi had a conflict with Young Master Xiao Yan, he hasn't been seen again the next day."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhan and the three elders were slightly taken aback. Then their gazes subtly shifted to Xiao Yan, who was sitting in a chair.

"What are you looking at me for? It's not my fault." Seeing the four people looking at him, Xiao Yan rolled his eyes and said innocently.

Xiao Zhan shook his head helplessly. He wouldn't believe that it had nothing to do with Xiao Yan. If it wasn't related to you, why would that person disappear after having a conflict with you?

"By the way, Clan Leader, I overheard a member of the Gale Family say that the second elder of the Gale Family, Gale Nu, seems to have been killed by a mysterious black-robed person while transporting medicinal herbs." The person reporting hesitated slightly before suddenly speaking in a low voice.

Xiao Zhan's steps suddenly froze, his eyelids twitching slightly. He then nodded and waved the person away. His gaze fixed on Xiao Yan, he smiled and said, "Yan'er, the ability to easily kill a three-star Great Battlemaster like Gale Nu, in the entire city of Utan, besides your teacher, there's probably no one else who could do it, right?"

Xiao Yan touched his nose, sighed, and nodded helplessly, "Gale Nu is indeed dead."

Upon hearing Xiao Yan's confirmation, Xiao Zhan also sighed, shaking his head. The Gale Family, which had been in conflict with the Xiao Family for decades, was gradually declining due to a single young man. This feeling... He laughed bitterly and sighed, "I know that the old man helped our Xiao Family mostly because of you. However, if you have the time, thank him on behalf of our Xiao Family. We owe him a lot."

Xiao Yan shrugged and nodded casually.

"Next, let's see how the Gale Family will clean up this mess." Xiao Zhan chuckled, the gloating in his laughter hard to hide.

Indeed, in this competition for the healing potion market with the Xiao Family, the Gale Family suffered a major defeat. This defeat severely weakened them, while the Xiao Family became the biggest beneficiary of this competition.

In just two months of confrontation, the Xiao Family almost miraculously turned a dire situation around, from a tragic fall to a miraculous comeback. The profits from two months of healing potions not only rivaled the total income of a normal year but also significantly increased the Xiao Family's influence in Utan City, surpassing both the Gale Family and the Oba Family. Moreover, due to Xiao Yan, even the Mitter Auction House was constantly showing goodwill towards the Xiao Family. All these factors made the Xiao Family the most prominent force in Utan City.

However, although the Gale Family suffered a significant blow, they were not a force to be underestimated. Even without the profits from healing potions, the armed forces they had cultivated over the years were still formidable, and few in Utan City dared to ignore them.

The Gale Family was also very clear about the Xiao Family's current influence. Therefore, after realizing that the competition was hopeless, they could only quietly huddle like a venomous snake, secretly nursing their wounds, waiting for an opportunity to strike back.

However, this period of hibernation did not last long. The day after the Gale Family's healing potions ran out, the Tran City medicinal herb family, led by two Great Battlemasters, stormed into the Gale Family, very "politely" demanding that Gale Bi pay off the 300,000 gold coins owed for the medicinal herbs within two days.

The Tran City medicinal herb family's actions were undoubtedly a heavy blow to the Gale Family. Despite Gale Bi's intense anger, he did not dare to offend a force that was not weaker than the Gale Family at this time. Therefore, he had to swallow his anger and start frantically raising money.

However, even after turning the family upside down, Gale Bi could only gather about 100,000 gold coins, which was far from the amount owed.

In desperation, Gale Bi had to swallow his pride and seek help from forces that had a good relationship with him, but while there were many people who would add flowers to brocade, there were very few who would bring charcoal in the snow. Seeing the Gale Family's current plight and the Xiao Family's watchful eye, even those who had a good relationship with the Gale Family would not want to get involved.

Helping the Gale Family at this time would undoubtedly offend the rising Xiao Family. Therefore, even after visiting many forces, Gale Bi still failed to raise the remaining amount.

Returning to the family with a sullen face, after a furious outburst, Gale Bi had no choice but to make a shocking decision that left everyone stunned: sell the markets!

The Gale Family had three medium-sized markets and four small markets in Utan City. The two markets that Gale Bi planned to sell were the best-located and most popular among the three medium-sized markets!

This decision caused a strong reaction within the Gale Family and sent shockwaves throughout the entire city of Utan. The income from the markets accounted for about half of the Gale Family's profits. The fact that Gale Bi had to resort to selling markets showed how dire the situation had become for the Gale Family.

If a market had enough popularity, it would always be profitable. However, there were only about a dozen markets in Utan City, and these markets were mostly controlled by the Gale Family and the Xiao Family. The Oba Family did not rely on markets for their income; their profits mainly came from underground casinos and pleasure houses. Therefore, when they learned that the Gale Family planned to sell their best-located market, many people were interested, but after the initial excitement, they became discouraged.

Currently, the Xiao Family dominated the popularity of the markets in Utan City. Only the Xiao Family's markets were still highly profitable, while other markets could only maintain a break-even state. Buying a market at this time would undoubtedly be a loss, and most importantly, whoever bought the Gale Family's market would offend the Xiao Family. Therefore, those who had considered it had to reluctantly give up their thoughts.

After announcing the sale of the markets, Gale Bi, who had expected a bustling crowd, once again faced an awkward situation. He did not realize that the Xiao Family's influence had become so strong.

The two-day repayment deadline was approaching, but Gale Bi still had not raised the remaining amount. He was sweating profusely with worry. However, just as Gale Bi was in a panic, a stranger finally came in. They debated the price for the entire afternoon, and in the end, the stranger bought the two markets for 200,000 gold coins, a bargain price. Despite Gale Bi's sullen and almost murderous expression, the stranger left the Gale Family satisfied, pocketing the transfer contracts.

With the 200,000 gold coins from the sale, the Gale Family finally managed to pay off the Tran City medicinal herb family. Watching the debt collectors leave like bandits, Gale Bi almost felt like crying.

Just as he had sent away the debt collectors, a family member rushed in to report that the two markets sold in the morning had now been transferred to the Xiao Family's name.

Upon hearing this news, Gale Bi, overwhelmed with anger and frustration, stood there in a daze for a moment before spitting out a mouthful of blood and fainting.

Seeing Gale Bi being hurriedly carried into a room, all the members of the Gale Family sighed desolately. From now on, the Gale Family would be a second-rate force in Utan City...

(For the recent enthusiastic book reviews, I really have to say a few words. When did I, a small writer, deserve such treatment?

Hehe, I won't comment on the troublemakers.

I hope all the brothers who like "Battle Through the Heavens" can ignore the unnecessary insults. Thank you all!

The success of "Battle Through the Heavens" has really exceeded my expectations. I am truly grateful to everyone. A bit of rambling...

I hope those who can support the official version will do so. Without your support, I would have no motivation. ^_^ O(∩_∩)O~ I sincerely wish all my readers a long and healthy life. Cheers!

Wishing you a new month, a new beginning!

Thank you for your support over the past month!

I am really grateful for your enthusiastic support (Uh, am I being too verbose? Embarrassed.) Also, with the new book release, I'm rolling on the ground to beg for monthly votes (*^_^*). Anyway, I'm Potato, and I'm not afraid of getting dirty...)

(To be continued)