13, You're the Clan Leader Already? (Bonus Chapter for 50 Recommendation Votes)

In fact, there was one thing Xiao Han had never quite understood from the start.

In the original work, since Xiao Yan had already become an alchemist, aside from helping the Xiao Family through their first crisis, why didn't he continue refining higher-grade pills to develop the family? Later, Xiao Han realized that Xiao Yan, crushed under the weight of the three-year agreement, simply had no time to refine pills for the family. Every time Xiao Yan finished training in one place, he had to rush off to the next without even a moment to rest, all for the sake of growing stronger and defeating Nalan Yanran three years later—three years was far too tight a schedule.

Arriving at the family meeting hall, there wasn't a single person in sight—after all, it wasn't as if they gathered here every day. Xiao Han called over an errand boy from the family and told him to notify the three elders and the clan leader to come for a meeting.

Soon, the three elders and his uncle Xiao Zhan arrived. As for why these influential figures in the family cared so much about a junior like Xiao Han—it was because the market reform plan he had proposed a few years ago had brought them real benefits. That was also why, despite their different factions, all three elders chose to greet Xiao Han with smiles.

"Xiao Han, you just had your servant inform us that it's a matter of great importance, even involving the future development of the Xiao Family—what exactly is it?!" "Yeah! We're all very busy." Xiao Han sneered at that. If you were really that busy, you wouldn't have come running.

"Han'er, tell us quickly, what's going on?" Xiao Zhan looked at his nephew with concern. Among the younger generation of the Xiao Family now, who could compare to this outstanding nephew? Even the three elders had to admit that Xiao Han was the one who could lead the Xiao Family to prosperity.

"Uncle, and you three elders, there are too many ears and eyes here. Please follow me." Entering the spacious family meeting hall, Xiao Han locked the doors and windows, then had the four of them stand aside. With a flick of his finger, he covered the entire floor of the Xiao Family Meeting Hall with densely packed medicine bottles.

"Such a rich medicinal fragrance!" "Is this?! Pills?!" "Han'er? Where did you get so many pills?" "Hiss—there are actually four different types of pills, at least two thousand bottles of each!" Faced with so many pills, the four members of the Xiao Family were overjoyed. If the Xiao Family Market had this many pills for sale, Xiao Zhan could guarantee that within a month, they would completely seize the markets of the Obapa and Jia Lie Families! Once they succeeded in capturing the market, the Xiao Family could dominate Wutan City alone!

"Hehe, Han'er, do you have a channel to get so many pills?" Xiao Zhan's eyes gleamed. Seeing so many pills, he was overjoyed and laughed out loud.

"What channel or no channel?" Xiao Han frowned. "I'll just say it straight—I've been taken as a disciple by a High-Rank Alchemist. All these pills were refined by me during this one week of seclusion."

"Hiss—" The four present all sucked in a cold breath. If what Xiao Han said was true, then didn't that mean the Xiao Family had finally produced an alchemist?! And behind Xiao Han was a High-Rank Alchemist of unfathomable strength! Even the cheapest alchemist was someone they had to look up to! Even a Rank 1 Alchemist, as long as you could continuously produce pills, would be treated as an honored guest wherever you went.

"What?! Is this true?" "Xiao Han, are you a Rank 1 Alchemist now?" "If that's really the case, the Xiao Family will flourish!" The three elders shouted excitedly, while Xiao Zhan beside Xiao Han, though not as outwardly emotional as the elders, couldn't stop tears from streaming down his face.

Xiao Han was startled, never expecting that this matter would move the three elders and the clan leader to such an extent. Big brother, isn't this a bit too much?

"Ahem, don't get emotional yet. My plans are still to come." Xiao Han cleared his throat and then told the elders and Xiao Zhan about the Xiao Family development plan he had discussed with Old Man Yao earlier, only modifying some details. He also mentioned asking Old Man Yao to seek a pill for Xiao Zhan, and the plan to annex the other two families in Wutan City when Xiao Zhan advanced to Dou Ling.

After hearing Xiao Han's words, Xiao Zhan and the three elders exchanged glances, all seeing the shock in each other's eyes—a 14-year-old youth could actually come up with such a far-reaching plan, truly unbelievable!

"Hoo—" Xiao Zhan took a deep breath and looked around at everyone present. "I have a decision. Once Han'er comes of age, I will pass the position of clan leader to him and step back to become the Fourth Elder of the Xiao Family. Who agrees? Who opposes?" If it were an ordinary day involving factional disputes, the three elders would definitely oppose Xiao Zhan's decision! Though they had long coveted the clan leader's position, the juniors in their own branches, while not bad, were all worthless compared to Xiao Han! But now they weren't fools. From the Xiao Family's perspective, Xiao Zhan's decision was the most correct choice. When united against external threats, some decisions didn't need a second thought. The Xiao Family was finally about to rise, and the opportunity for that rise lay in the handsome 14-year-old youth before them.

"Hey hey hey, Uncle, wait, I'm not—" "No need to say more. Only you can lead us to victory!" "Han'er, you once told me, 'With great power comes great responsibility.' Now it's time for you to take on that responsibility." Looking at Xiao Zhan, who had placed both hands on his shoulders, Xiao Han said nothing. You've said it all, so what's left for me to say? Rolling his eyes, Xiao Han tossed out, "I only want one-tenth of the profits from these pills. Use the rest to develop the family."

"And also, regarding the treasures that can enhance soul power that my teacher needs, Uncle, you should also keep an eye out. Once my teacher refines the 'Spirit Breaking Pill,' I will deliver it to you."

"Alright, I'll take my leave now!"

Watching Xiao Han depart, the Three Elders and Xiao Zhan couldn't help but sigh—the Xiao Family truly had produced a Qilin Son.

The next day, Xiao Han went to the Xiao Family Market to buy medicinal herbs, only to be told he could take whatever he wanted. Since that was the case, Xiao Han was happy to oblige and accepted without hesitation.

Oh, right. Because Xiao Han trusted Qinglin, after obtaining Old Man Yao's consent, he revealed Old Man Yao's existence to the little girl Qinglin, lest this girl faint from fright when she saw him talking to thin air.

Over the following week, Xiao Han began receiving guidance from Old Man Yao on cultivation.

Since Xiao Han lacked a good Heaven Stage combat skill, Old Man Yao taught him the famous close-combat technique from the original work, Eight Extremes Collapse.

As an Alchemist, Old Man Yao wasn't fond of using swords, so he hadn't collected any sword techniques in his lifetime—there was nothing he could do about that.

However, Xiao Han's body had previously been strengthened by the Demon Armor, and when he executed it, the Eight Extremes Collapse, which placed great demands on the Physical Body, came quite naturally, at least increasing Xiao Han's unarmed combat power by 30%.

During this time, Old Man Yao also witnessed the Swallowing Spirit Technique that Xiao Han cultivated. This peculiar technique shared similarities with his own Flame Mantra.

Originally, seeing that his disciple had already cultivated an Earth Rank technique, Old Man Yao was reluctant to let his student jump into the 'Flame Mantra' fire pit, which required devouring flames to evolve.

After learning that the Swallowing Spirit Technique could fuse with other techniques' characteristics, Old Man Yao, with a gambler's mentality, had Xiao Han try fusing it with the Flame Mantra. To his surprise, it actually succeeded.

But it only elevated the Swallowing Spirit Technique by a small tier, from Earth Rank Low to Earth Rank Middle. After the fusion, the Swallowing Spirit Technique also gained the Flame Mantra's characteristics, including evolving by devouring strange fires and refining the body.

So Xiao Han then told Old Man Yao about the Demon Armor and Demonic Flame inside him, leaving the old man utterly astonished.

For someone as weak as Xiao Han to stuff so many strange time bombs into his body and still be alive and well was truly baffling.

Just imagine an ordinary person stuffing two nuclear bombs into their body, and you'd get the idea.

After Old Man Yao did some tinkering, he discovered that the Demonic Flame's power was already no less than his own Bone Chilling Flame. He could only silently marvel at Xiao Han's luck—being able to subdue such a formidable strange fire at such a weak level. Other Alchemists would probably be green with envy.

Lemon tree bears lemon fruit, lemon tree shade holds you and me.

With Old Man Yao's help, after fusing the Demonic Flame to evolve the Swallowing Spirit Technique, Xiao Han not only fully mastered the Demonic Flame but also directly elevated the technique to Heaven Rank Low, showing just how extraordinary the Demonic Flame was.

In the following days, Old Man Yao taught Xiao Han how to use strange fire for alchemy, how to use strange fire in battle, including how to wrap weapons and even his body in strange fire, and also passed on the spiritual technique he had won back at the Alchemy Conference for training soul power—all methods of an Alchemist.

It could be said that ever since the Han Feng incident, Old Man Yao had rediscovered the joy of being a teacher with his new disciple, Xiao Han.

After over a month of hellish training, Xiao Han's cultivation had reached 6-Star Dou Practitioner, and his combat skills and strength had been rapidly elevated.

In Xiao Han's own words, he could now knock out the version of himself from a month ago with a single punch.

Of course, during this time, Xiao Han also activated the Demon Armor for Old Man Yao to see. The terrifying, overwhelming Demonic Might nearly attracted the Dou Emperor guarding Xiao Xun'er, but fortunately, Old Man Yao acted in time to prevent Xiao Han's exposure.

"Hoo—"

Exhaling a mouthful of Turbid Qi, Xiao Han opened his eyes and withdrew from his cultivation state.

He was now at the 6-Star Dou Practitioner peak level; he only needed an opportunity to break through to 7-Star Dou Practitioner.

He placed the luggage he had packed the night before into his Storage Ring, combed his hair into an adult's style, and put on a handsome, form-fitting Qi Energy outfit.

Xiao Han took a Deep breath, finally ready to set out for the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

"Young Master, are you leaving? Qinglin... Qinglin doesn't want you to go."

Suddenly, a soft Slender Body embraced Xiao Han from behind. Feeling Qinglin's trembling frame and slightly sobbing voice, Xiao Han turned around and pulled this beloved Maid into his arms.

Xiao Han held the little darling tightly, showering Qinglin with all kinds of sweet talk as if it cost nothing, until finally stopping when Qinglin was too shy to bear it anymore.

Watching the blushing Little Loli run off, Xiao Han smiled helplessly, cupped his hands toward Old Man Yao, who was hidden in the air, and said, "Teacher, I'm off."

"I hope that while I'm away, Teacher can look after Qinglin for me. After all, no matter how strong that girl is, she's still just a 12-year-old little girl."

"Brat, learning to flirt at such a young age?"

Old Man Yao scolded with a laugh. "Go on, go on. As long as you're careful, even an ordinary Three-Star Dou Master can't do anything to you now."

"Teacher, is there nothing you want to say to me?"

Xiao Han was about to leave but suddenly turned back to ask Old Man Yao.

"..."

After a moment of silence, Old Man Yao sighed. "Remember, if you can't win, run for your life. There's no shame in surviving by any means."

"Your disciple understands."