Xiao Yan, Young Clan Leader

Night fell, and Jia Liebi and Ao Ba Pa finally emerged from the tavern.

"Since that's the case, we'll first use that Alchemist Liu to test just how strong the Xiao Tribe has become.

"If even he is no match for the Xiao Tribe, then there will naturally be no need for us to consider anything further.

"That would mean the Xiao Tribe is now undoubtedly stronger than our two families combined."

Ao Ba Pa drew a deep breath of the cold air, his eyes filled with gravity.

"Indeed. If it truly comes to that, then Xiao Zhan that bastard will have been lucky. In that case, I can only bow my head and submit to him."

Jia Liebi narrowed his eyes slightly, a fierce unwillingness in his gaze.

As the sky darkened, fewer and fewer pedestrians remained on the streets. Yet one household after another began lighting warm orange lamps.

As the night grew ever darker, countless lights sprang up throughout Wu Tan City, and a festive atmosphere quietly arose.

Seeing the dwindling number of pedestrians, the Xiao Family Market stopped receiving customers and began closing up as well. No matter which world one was in, the beginning of a new year was an important festival.

The Xiao Family's main hall was exceptionally lively. Tonight's family gathering surpassed any before it; even some clan members responsible for the Xiao Tribe's rural businesses had returned.

For a time, the Xiao Family hall, which could accommodate hundreds, seemed somewhat crowded.

Yet today, nearly every member of the Xiao Tribe was in an incomparably excited state.

That was because the money the Xiao Tribe had earned today was more than ten times what it had made on past New Year's Days.

"Cousin, you have no idea. The market under my management alone took in nearly a hundred thousand Gold Coins today.

"In the past, I wouldn't even have dared dream of something like this."

"Haha, mine wasn't quite that exaggerated, but it was still a tremendous harvest. The appeal of First Grade Pills increased the traffic at our family markets by nearly tenfold.

"Oh, and more than half of the three hundred pills the family assigned to me have already been sold."

Whenever pills were mentioned, the expressions on everyone's faces grew even more excited. Their gazes all turned toward the black-clad youth seated quietly in the center of the hall, chatting and laughing with the young girl beside him.

Everyone understood that the Xiao Tribe's enormous changes today were all because of that youth, who was not yet thirteen years old.

With such a monstrous talent among them, the Xiao Tribe's rise was already unstoppable.

"Everyone!"

As the crowd conversed, a deep, powerful voice blanketed the entire hall and reached everyone's ears.

Xiao Zhan stood there in a splendid, dignified robe, lending even more authority to his naturally imposing face.

Though he appeared immensely majestic, Xiao Zhan's face was full of smiles today, like a general returning victorious from battle.

"Today, the Xiao Tribe's eight markets and twenty-three shops brought in more than one million in total!

"This is the greatest New Year's revenue the Xiao Tribe has earned since coming to Wu Tan City."

Xiao Zhan's words landed in everyone's ears, making their hearts jolt violently.

Revenue of one million meant that even the net profit had to be at least two or three hundred thousand Gold Coins.

That sum was already equivalent to the Xiao Tribe's net income for an entire year in the past.

"The reason we achieved such results is not only because all members of the Xiao Tribe worked together with one heart, but also because our Xiao Tribe has produced an extraordinary young man."

The moment his words fell, Xiao Zhan's gaze led the Xiao Family members toward the black-clad youth seated in a corner.

"Brother Xiao Yan, the commotion caused by your recent pill refining has really been huge."

Xun'er, seated beside him, stared at Xiao Yan with her lively eyes and could not help laughing.

According to Ling Lao, a twelve-year-old First Grade Alchemist would be an exceptionally rare genius even in Central State. Once exposed, he would likely be fought over madly by those old fellows from the Alchemist Tower.

When Xiao Yan had displayed such terrifying talent, even Ling Ying, who came from the Ancient Clan, had been thoroughly startled.

"Hehe, I was just stretching my skills a little, and earning the family some pocket money while I was at it."

Facing everyone's scrutiny, Xiao Yan merely smiled faintly, utterly composed.

In his previous life, he might have awkwardly rubbed his nose. But after being regarded as an important figure for so many years, he had long grown accustomed to such reverent, fervent gazes.

The instant Xiao Zhan led everyone's attention toward Xiao Yan, the Grand Elder at his side suddenly raised his voice.

"Everyone, the Xiao Tribe's enormous profits today are all thanks to Xiao Yan!"

"Many of us watched Xiao Yan grow up, so we surely all understand his character.

"Moreover, his talent is unprecedented not only within our Xiao Tribe, but even throughout the entire Jia Ma Empire.

"With Xiao Yan, the family can flourish and develop in an even more powerful direction!

"He is the future of our Xiao Tribe. Therefore, in my capacity as Grand Elder, I propose that from this day onward, Xiao Yan be made the Young Clan Leader of our Xiao Tribe!"

The moment the Grand Elder's voice fell, the Second Elder and Third Elder at his side immediately raised their hands.

"Seconded."

"I second it!"

With the positions taken by those three old fellows, the Xiao Family's upper ranks immediately voiced their agreement. Not a single person in the entire hall expressed any dissatisfaction.

What a joke. If Xiao Yan rose to greatness alone in the future, they would be the chickens and dogs ascending to heaven alongside him. If they gave up this chance to be those chickens and dogs now, they would surely regret it until their intestines turned green.

At once, the Xiao Tribe members throughout the hall all began shouting in agreement.

"Me too!"

"Xiao Yan!"

"Young Clan Leader!"

"Young Clan Leader Xiao Yan!"

"Young Clan Leader Xiao Yan!"

Even Xiao Yu in the distance could not help shouting along twice.

Having broken through to become a Dou Zhe, Xiao Yu should have been one of tonight's focal points as well.

But her achievement was undoubtedly like a firefly before the bright moon when compared with Xiao Yan's current accomplishments, its light almost completely eclipsed.

Yet Xiao Yu felt no dissatisfaction whatsoever. Her pride and former prejudice toward Xiao Yan had long been subdued by his monstrous talent.

What was more, the reason she had been able to break through so smoothly and become a Dou Zhe was also because Xiao Yan had given her that opportunity.

When she recalled how she had actually offered to let Xiao Yan play with her legs that night, a blush appeared on Xiao Yu's fair face.

"Young Clan Leader Xiao Yan!"

Xun'er, seated beside Xiao Yan, also raised her jade-white little fist high.

Her increasingly exquisite little face was filled with an excited smile, and there even seemed to be tiny stars gleaming in her clear eyes as she looked at Xiao Yan.

Outstanding boys had always been easy to admire, especially when that outstanding boy was the one she loved.

"You silly girl."

Looking at Xun'er's excited appearance, Xiao Yan could not help lightly scraping her pert little nose. Then, beneath everyone's fervent gazes, he smiled softly.

"Since everyone seconds it, then I'll second it too."