Xiao Mei's Request, a Fourth-grade Pill!

"C... Cousin Xiao Cang."

Xiao Yan greeted Xiao Cang awkwardly, his voice full of unease.

"Cousin Xiao Yan, it's been seven years. You've grown taller."

Xiao Cang smiled warmly and lightly patted Xiao Yan's shoulder.

Though Xiao Yan now possessed a steadiness and numbness beyond his years, he was still mostly immature. He could not even hide his embarrassment; it was written all over his face.

"Yan'er, your Cousin Xiao Cang is now a Dou King and a Fifth-grade Alchemist. Since he'll be staying with the family for a while, you must learn more from him. Perhaps he can resolve the strange issue afflicting you."

Xiao Zhan patted Xiao Yan's back and instructed him earnestly.

"Oh? What strange issue?" Xiao Cang asked with a surprised expression.

"Sigh. Nephew Xiao Cang, you don't know this. Yan'er was once talented in cultivation. At only eleven, he condensed a Qi Vortex and became a Dou Zhe. He was originally the clan member most likely to catch up to you, but three years ago, disaster suddenly struck. His realm plummeted overnight, and for the past three years, he has remained at the Third Stage of Qi Condensation without making any further progress."

Xiao Zhan sighed, pride and regret flashing through his eyes.

Xiao Yan's cultivation talent had once made him, as a father, immensely proud. Yet Xiao Yan's loss of talent also filled him with boundless regret.

Originally, he had believed that even if Xiao Yan could not match Xiao Cang, he would still have a chance to reach the ranks of Dou King or Dou Emperor in the future.

But now...

It was hard to put into words.

With only the Third Stage of Qi Condensation, even if he were assigned to one of the Xiao Family's markets, he would be looked down upon.

"Father, stop talking."

Listening to Xiao Zhan's words, a pained expression appeared on Xiao Yan's face.

Having this matter brought up before the person he admired was unbearably humiliating, even for someone who had tempered his state of mind over the past three years.

What was more, Xiao Cang was his imagined rival.

Back then, everyone in the Xiao Family had praised him as the family's second prodigy, saying that he might one day follow in Xiao Cang's footsteps.

But now...

Xiao Cang was already a lofty Five-star Dou King, while he was merely a worthless loser at the Third Stage of Qi Condensation.

The gap between them was as vast as heaven and earth.

Seeing Xiao Yan's dejected expression and the occasional sideways glances he cast at Xun'er, Xiao Cang found it rather amusing.

This brat Xiao Yan truly wanted to eat swan meat while being a toad.

He had already fallen so low, yet he still dreamed of reaching for Xun'er? He really refused to give up.

Though Xiao Cang thought this inwardly, he showed surprise and bewilderment on the surface.

"Such a strange thing actually happened? Rest assured, Cousin Xiao Yan. I will certainly help you investigate the cause and resolve this matter."

Xiao Yan's pained, embarrassed expression immediately turned to astonishment.

"Cousin Xiao Cang, you mean... you'll help me?"

"Of course. Don't forget, we are cousins."

"But this matter is extremely strange. Father has sought out many famous physicians for me, yet none could find the cause."

"Is that so? Has Uncle Xiao Zhan ever sought out a Dou King to examine you?"

"N... no..."

"Then has he sought out a Fifth-grade Alchemist?"

"No..."

"Then that explains it. Just because others could not find the cause does not mean your elder cousin cannot."

Xiao Cang wore a confident smile.

In truth, he could point out the cause and solution right now. Xiao Yan merely needed to remove the ancient Storage Ring from his hand.

Xiao Yan did not know what Xiao Cang was thinking, but upon hearing his words, his eyes filled with emotion.

That was right!

Others might have failed to diagnose the cause, but Cousin Xiao Cang was a Dou King and a Fifth-grade Alchemist. How could ordinary physicians compare to him?

If he personally examined me, perhaps there really is a chance to solve my cultivation problem!

"Little Yan thanks Cousin!"

Xiao Yan's previous dejection instantly transformed into hope as he solemnly cupped his fists toward Xiao Cang.

"Hahaha! Then I'll have to trouble you with this, Nephew Xiao Cang." Xiao Zhan also burst into hearty laughter.

"It's nothing, merely a small effort."

Xiao Cang waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over the ancient Storage Ring on Xiao Yan's hand.

It truly was only a small effort.

Once he found a suitable opportunity in a couple of days, he would remove the Storage Ring from Xiao Yan and claim it for himself.

When the time came, Xiao Yan would naturally reclaim his astonishing cultivation talent.

And he would also obtain Old Yao's Soul Body and the Bone Spirit Cold Flame!

Only then did Xiao Cang turn his gaze back to Xun'er.

"Xun'er, I returned in too much of a hurry this time, so I didn't bring you any gifts."

"These are pills I refined on the road. They happen to be suitable for you to take at your current stage."

Xiao Cang touched the Storage Ring on his hand, and with a flash of white light, a brocade box appeared in his palm.

"Snap."

He opened one of the brocade boxes, revealing a jade-green pill the size of a longan. A peculiar Pill Fragrance immediately spread through the air.

"This is..."

Xiao Zhan and the Three Elders looked at the pill, their expressions instantly changing as their bodies trembled.

"Qi Gathering Powder!"

As the elder's voice rang out, the younger generation immediately erupted into an uproar.

Countless burning gazes turned toward the brocade box in Xiao Cang's hand.

"Qi Gathering Powder? The pill said to give cultivators at Ninth Stage Dou Qi a one hundred percent chance of condensing a Qi Vortex and advancing to Dou Zhe?!"

"Gasp! If I remember correctly, Qi Gathering Powder is a Fourth-grade Pill! Cousin Xiao Cang actually gave one to Miss Xun'er so casually!"

"Cousin Xiao Cang truly deserves to be called a Fifth-grade Alchemist. He can give away such a precious Fourth-grade Pill without a second thought!"

"I'm so jealous! If I could obtain a Qi Gathering Powder, I would have the qualifications to challenge the Dou Zhe realm in the future! My future would be completely different!"

"..."

Exclamations of shock rang out one after another.

Even the Three Elders stared at the Qi Gathering Powder with incomparably fervent eyes!

Their descendants of the younger generation were still at the Dou Qi stage. Whether they could condense a Qi Vortex and advance to Dou Zhe in the future was still uncertain.

If they could obtain a Qi Gathering Powder, they could ensure that their descendants advanced to Dou Zhe. They would then possess the potential and possibility of entering the Xiao Family's core ranks in the future.

"Thank you, Brother Xiao Cang."

A flash of delight passed through Xun'er's lively eyes. She quickly reached out and held the brocade box in her hands, unwilling to put it down.

As the Proud Daughter of Heaven of the Gu Clan, she naturally did not lack resources such as Qi Gathering Powder.

But this Qi Gathering Powder had been given to her by Xiao Cang, so its significance was entirely different!

"Brother Xiao Cang, Mei'er wants one too."

Xiao Mei licked her pink lips, her eyes filled with longing!

Before long, she too would reach Ninth Stage Dou Qi.

When that time came, she would attempt to break through to the Dou Zhe realm as well.

But she had no confidence at all.

After all, not everyone could be as monstrous as Xiao Cang, condensing a Qi Vortex in one go at the age of ten.

More people failed at the final step. Not only did they fail to break through to Dou Zhe, but they could even fall one to three minor realms.

That was why, upon seeing the Qi Gathering Powder, she could no longer care about saving face and directly asked Xiao Cang for one.

Xiao Cang found it amusing when he heard that.

What a tactless little girl.

Qi Gathering Powder was, after all, a Fourth-grade Pill. It could be used to obtain the favor of a Dou Ling expert.

And unlike Xun'er, she possessed neither beauty capable of toppling kingdoms nor a background like the Gu Clan's.

Why should he give her one just because she wanted it?

Yet Xiao Cang did not refuse.

Xiao Mei was not entirely without capital.

At the very least, after several years apart, Xiao Mei had grown increasingly mature and alluring.

"Your cousin came in too much of a hurry this time and did not bring enough pills. Come find me in a few days, and I'll personally refine one for you. How does that sound?" Xiao Cang said.

"Really? That's wonderful! Thank you, Cousin Xiao Cang!" Xiao Mei exclaimed excitedly, jumping up.

"Alright. Uncle Xiao Zhan, Three Elders, your nephew is somewhat tired, so I'll return to rest first. My room should still be there, right?" Xiao Cang said.

"Of course! Your room has been kept all these years, and servants clean it every day. I'll personally take you there," Xiao Zhan said.

"There's no need. Xun'er and I can go ourselves. We can catch up while we're at it."

"That works too." Xiao Zhan nodded.

Thus, amid the envious gazes of the Xiao Family's younger generation, Xiao Cang took Xun'er's small hand and headed toward his room.