The Xiao Family's Development

After Xiao Ming's persuasive explanation, she began to believe, with some skepticism, that her perception was flawed.

The next day, Xiao Ming, fully prepared, set off with Zi Yan and the others to begin their return to the Jia Ma Empire.

Eleven days later, in Wu Tan City, at the Xiao Family.

Today, the Xiao Family was as lively as ever. One by one, the heads of various powerful families arrived at the Xiao Family's gate in carriages, carrying gifts, all in an effort to establish a good relationship with the Xiao Family.

These people included not only the owners of the small factions in Wu Tan City, but also the Clan Leader of some families in the province and the heads of caravans from other provinces.

The two rows of guards standing beside the Xiao Family's gate were not surprised by this scene; these people had come to the Xiao Family to discuss cooperation.

Ever since the Xiao Family produced a prodigy Xiao Ming, the Xiao Family's power has expanded rapidly. First, they dominated Wu Tan City, and then their influence began to extend to the entire Northeast Province.

This expansion of power will certainly anger other forces, but, as I said before...

The Xiao Family has a prodigy Xiao Ming.

Although Xiao Ming is not often at the Xiao Family, his reputation as Grade Six Alchemist and his strength as Dou Emperor) command respect from everyone.

Moreover, even though Xiao Ming is no longer with the Xiao Family, the Xiao Family still has the Dou Wang he left behind, as well as the Dou Ling powerhouses he trained.

Those who refuse to give face should consider the consequences, which is why the Xiao Family's development in recent years has been incredibly rapid, almost to the point of dominating the Northeast Province.

Many matters involving out-of-province caravans within the Northeast Province required their leadership to be accomplished, so it became common for these people to visit the Xiao Family.

Just as the guards were about to continue checking the visiting cards as usual, a sharp-eyed soldier suddenly noticed a giant purple beast rapidly approaching Wu Tan City from the distant horizon.

He immediately informed the captain of the guards.

Upon hearing this, the captain looked up and observed carefully for a while, then a look of joy appeared on his face.

"That's Sixth Tier Amethyst Winged Lion King! The Supreme Elder must be returning! Quickly, inform the Clan Leader and the elders."

Watching the team members quickly leave after receiving the order, the captain immediately turned to the guests at the gate and said, "I'm sorry, the Xiao Family is not receiving guests today."

"Haha, it's alright, it's alright, we can come visit again tomorrow."

"Yes, yes, we'll come another day!"

Those at the door heard what the captain said: the Supreme Elder of the Xiao Family has returned.

Isn't the Supreme Elder of the Xiao Family that Xiao Ming?

If he comes back, the Xiao Family really won't have time to deal with them, so they'd better not make a fool of themselves.

At the same time, the others in Wu Tan City also spotted the rapidly approaching Amethyst Winged Lion King in the sky, and immediately exclaimed in alarm.

"Look! That's the Amethyst Winged Lion King!"

"Damn it, I led my team to the Magical Beast Mountain Range for a mission last time and didn't see one, but this time I finally did! Sixth Tier super Magical Beast is truly impressive!"

"If I could ride this Amethyst Winged Lion King, then my life wouldn't have been in vain!"

"Give me a break. Someone like you could be killed by a single sneeze from the Amethyst Winged Lion King. You think you're Xiao Ming?"

People were buzzing with discussion. Unlike the panic they felt upon first seeing the Amethyst Winged Lion King, their eyes now held more excitement and curiosity, for they already knew that Xiao Ming had subdued it.

Now that the Amethyst Winged Lion King has appeared, doesn't that mean Xiao Ming of the Xiao Family has returned?

A few minutes later, inside the Xiao Family's main hall.

As Xiao Zhan recounted the Xiao Family's development in recent years, Xiao Ming took a sip of tea. To his left, Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan sat side by side.

"The family's development over the years has somewhat exceeded my expectations," Xiao Ming said with some surprise after listening to Xiao Zhan's report, putting down his teacup.

"Haha, this is all thanks to Xiao Ming's help to the family, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to develop so quickly!"

The Great Elder stroked his beard and said with a smile, having been the Great Elder for half his life, he knew very well that the greatest credit for the Xiao Family's rapid development did not lie with Xiao Zhan, the Clan Leader, nor with any other member of the Xiao Family, but with Xiao Ming.

Without Xiao Ming, the Xiao Family is nothing now.

"I just did what I could." Xiao Ming chuckled, not taking credit for anything. He had a completely hands-off approach to the Xiao Family. After all, there were too many Xiao Family Members, and most of them weren't very talented. He couldn't possibly train them all by himself.

Providing them with some Cultivation Methods and Combat Skills, so that the Xiao Family can work hard to develop on their own, would be ideal.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Xiao Zhan asked, "Supreme Elder, you've come of age, but you haven't had your Coming-of-Age Ceremony yet. Shall we hold one?"

"Coming-of-Age Ceremony? Let's forget about that." Xiao Ming shook his head, feeling it was too troublesome. Once the word "ceremony" was involved, things became much simpler, and it wouldn't take much time either.

Although he has plenty of time, wasting it on this kind of thing is really unnecessary.

"Since you find it troublesome, let's just forget about it." Seeing that Xiao Ming didn't want the coming-of-age ceremony, Xiao Zhan and the others didn't insist. Although Xiao Ming was the strongest member of the Xiao Family and had always been relatively peaceful, it didn't mean they could offend him at will.

Xiao Ming nodded slightly, then glanced around the living room.

Aside from the admiring, excited, and curious gazes of the crowd, Xiao Shan was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Xiao Shan?" Xiao Ming asked immediately upon discovering that Xiao Shan was not there.

"Xiao Shan went to nearby Black City on business this morning. As you know, the family has developed quite rapidly in recent years, so this is inevitable. He'll be back in a few days."

"Never mind, it's fine to see you again in a few days." Xiao Ming said softly, "I will stay in the family for a while. If anyone wants to come looking for me, unless there are special circumstances, just say I'm busy refining medicine."

After saying this, Xiao Ming stood up and led Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan out of the hall.

Inside the hall, as soon as Xiao Ming and the others left, a heated discussion broke out.

"It's been almost two years since I last saw him, Supreme Elder seems to have grown even more handsome. He truly lives up to his reputation as a member of the Xiao Family."

"I don't know if it's just my imagination, but although the Supreme Elder always seemed very peaceful, there was something about him sitting there that I couldn't quite put my finger on. Perhaps his strength has improved significantly again."

"What nonsense are you spouting? So much time has passed, with his talent, he must have improved a lot!"

"Speaking of which, after Xiao Yan regained his talent a few years ago, just like the Supreme Elder, he broke through several levels in a year during the pre-Battle stage. Do you think Xiao Yan could become the next Xiao Ming?"

"..."

"Quiet!"

Seeing the hall becoming noisy, the hot-tempered Second Elder slammed his fist on the table, creating a loud bang.

After a moment, seeing the hall quiet down, the Second Elder said, "Did you all hear what the Supreme Elder said? He told us to announce to the outside world that he was refining medicine, did you hear that?"

"Yes!"