Xiao Zhan and Jia Liebi were evenly matched. If they fought for long enough, Xiao Zhan would win, but if Jia Liebi tried to flee, Xiao Zhan couldn't stop him.
But if Xiao Lei stepped in, that was another matter.
Without using any Dou Technique, Xiao Lei simply stirred up his Dou Qi and swiftly closed in on Jia Liebi. Then he drew the long saber Xiao Yu had given him and suddenly slashed.
Emerald flames flickered along the blade, hissing as it cut through the air.
The sharp saber swept across Jia Liebi's neck, and the latter's head was severed from his body.
Jia Liebi's head flew through the air, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Though Liu Xi was a First-Rank Alchemist, most people knew little about him. Jia Liebi, on the other hand, had been a fixture in Wutan City for years.
To see someone who had once seemed so powerful and untouchable cut down before their eyes like a stray dog was a sight that struck hard.
After wiping the blood from his blade, Xiao Lei touched his Storage Ring, took out a pill, and handed it to Xiao Zhan.
"This is a third-rank pill, the Gale Pill. It can aid those who cultivate wind-type Dou Qi."
Xiao Zhan's decisive action earlier had earned Xiao Lei's respect.
Xiao Lei didn't like owing favors. Since Xiao Zhan had stepped in, he couldn't just pretend otherwise.
"Master Xiao Lei, you're too kind. Jia Liebi was an enemy of the Xiao Clan, too..."
Xiao Zhan was just about to politely refuse.
"Take it! I don't like owing people favors. Besides, there are still important matters to deal with."
Xiao Zhan was taken aback. After a brief pause, he accepted the pill from Xiao Lei. As for the important matters Xiao Lei had mentioned, naturally, he meant dividing up the Jia Lie Family's assets.
After all, with Jia Liebi dead, the Jia Lie Family could no longer hold on to its current interests.
Xiao Lei couldn't let those assets go, but he couldn't make use of many of the Jia Lie Family's holdings, such as its marketplaces. He had no way to quickly turn them into resources on his own.
He would need Xiao Zhan—or, more precisely, the Xiao Clan—to handle all that.
"Thank you for the gift, Master!"
Xiao Zhan knew his place. Xiao Lei was far younger, but he was already a Second-Rank Alchemist, and his strength was formidable. If Xiao Lei were still a member of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Zhan wouldn't have acted this way, since he outranked him by seniority.
But Xiao Lei had already left the Xiao Clan. If Xiao Zhan tried to pull rank based on age and seniority, he'd truly be a fool.
"Settle everything as quickly as you can. We'll split the spoils fifty-fifty."
Xiao Lei was very pleased with Xiao Zhan's response. He sent him a voice transmission, promptly settling the division of their gains.
There were still two Da Dou Shi left in the Jia Lie Family for Xiao Zhan to deal with, so giving him half the spoils was only fair. He would also have to consolidate the resources and handle the rest of the work—things Xiao Lei couldn't manage on his own.
Once that was done, Xiao Lei hurried over to Xiao Yu.
"Did you miss me?"
"Hmph. I thought you weren't coming back! I'll forgive you for now, since you stepped in just now!"
"Forget it. Let's go back first. We can talk once we're home!"
As she spoke, Xiao Yu naturally took Xiao Lei's hand and led him toward her place.
"Hey, hey, wait a second! Let me introduce you to someone first!"
Xiao Lei stopped Xiao Yu and looked up at the Blue Eagle in the sky.
"Xiao Yi Xian, you can come down now!"
Xiao Yu frowned at that. She'd been wondering why a Blue Eagle was following Xiao Lei around. So it was there to carry someone.
Xiao Yi Xian!
That name sounded like a woman!
At the thought, Xiao Yu's frown deepened.
How had Xiao Lei been gone for just a few months, and someone had already stolen her place at home?
The Blue Eagle quickly descended, and only then did everyone see the woman riding on its back.
She wore a long white dress, and an air of elegance surrounded her. With her tranquil features, she was breathtaking.
Xiao Yu sensed trouble!
"Is everything taken care of?"
Xiao Yi Xian had seen Xiao Lei kill before. She'd watched him wipe out the entire Wave Head Mercenary Group in Green Mountain Town. Killing two people now was nothing unusual.
"Yeah. This is my cousin from the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yu. I told you about her—she's always treated me well."
"Hello. You can call me Xiao Yi Xian!"
Since Xiao Lei had put it that way, Xiao Yi Xian understood that Xiao Yu was special to him.
After all, Xiao Lei had barely paid any attention to the Xiao Clan Patriarch, yet he had gone out of his way to introduce Xiao Yu. Clearly, she and Xiao Lei were very close.
Xiao Yi Xian walked up to Xiao Yu and held out her hand.
Xiao Yu could tell that Xiao Yi Xian was a friend Xiao Lei had met while away. She didn't make a scene in front of everyone, but naturally reached out and shook her hand.
"Hello. Thank you for looking after Xiao Lei while he was away!"
Several more weeks passed. By then, the Xiao Clan had finished dealing with the Jia Lie Family's affairs and gathered all its resources under its control.
The Aoba Clan, one of Wutan City's three great clans, had been terrifyingly quiet, not daring to get involved at all. Xiao Lei had been staying with the Xiao Clan during this time.
More precisely, he had been staying at Xiao Yu's house. The Aoba Clan knew that Xiao Lei had a share in the resources the Xiao Clan had seized from the Jia Lie Family. Touching them would be tantamount to provoking him.
After several more days, the Xiao Clan finally finished tallying the resources and figuring out Xiao Lei's share.
Then...
"Yan'er, you're going?"
Xiao Zhan looked at Xiao Yan in surprise. His son had shown little interest in clan affairs for a long time, so it was rare for anything to catch his attention.
"Yes, Father. I greatly admire Master Xiao Lei. Let me deliver these resources and see if I can get to know him."
If it had been some other matter, Xiao Zhan would have been glad to let Xiao Yan handle it as practice. But this involved Xiao Lei. Xiao Lei's talent was extraordinary, and he had reached such strength at such a young age. Xiao Zhan couldn't help thinking he might be arrogant.
His own son, Xiao Yan, was a young genius as well. If the two proud young men clashed, it would be a real headache.
"Don't worry, Father. I greatly admire Master Xiao Lei. I certainly won't pick a fight with him."
Xiao Yan saw what worried Xiao Zhan and reassured him.
"Then you may go. But remember, don't act rashly. Think carefully before you say anything..."
People with great strength were usually difficult to deal with. Xiao Zhan could only do his best to caution Xiao Yan.
Taking the Storage Ring from Xiao Zhan, Xiao Yan hurried toward the place he knew Xiao Lei was staying.
Xiao Lei soon noticed Xiao Yan approaching.
"Oh! It seems that Venerable Yao wants to meet me!"
Xiao Lei knew all about Xiao Yan. Whatever Xiao Yan did was either at Yao Lao's request or with his tacit approval.
Making his acquaintance would be a good thing. After all, that Venerable Yao had a very deep treasure trove. There might even be room for a deal down the road.
Not to mention Bone Spirit Cold Flame, one of Xiao Lei's future targets for replication. The various Dou Techniques in Yao Lao's possession alone were things Xiao Lei badly needed right now.
After all, Xiao Lei didn't have many Dou Techniques that suited him, and high-tier Dou Techniques were scarce in the Jia Ma Empire. Wouldn't it be great if he could get some from Xiao Yan?
Besides, Xiao Lei hadn't forgotten that Yao Lao also possessed the Poison Pill Method.
At least for now, it seemed to be the best way to resolve the Woe Poison Body, making it ideal for Xiao Yi Xian.
In short, Xiao Yan and his master were valuable allies, and well worth befriending.
Before you continue