"Clan Head!"
The Great Elder was the first to speak, his old face flushed red.
"The Third Young Master is right! Our Xiao Family can't go on like before!"
"With all these pills, our Xiao Family's strength is sure to advance by leaps and bounds!"
"When that happens, let's see who dares look down on our Xiao Family!"
The Second Elder and Third Elder nodded again and again, their eyes full of excitement.
The other clan members buzzed with discussion, so thrilled they could hardly keep from jumping up and down.
"Long live the Third Young Master!"
"Long live the Xiao Family!"
Cheer after cheer rang out, filling the entire hall.
Xiao Zhan raised his hand, quieting the crowd, and said solemnly:
"Everyone!"
His voice was steady and powerful as his gaze swept over each person present.
"Every one of you shares the blood of the Xiao Family. The family's development depends on each and every one of us."
"Yan'er brought out these pills not so that one person could enjoy them alone, but for the sake of the entire Xiao Family!"
"So—"
He paused, his tone grave.
"We must establish rules for distributing the pills!"
"First, we'll consider your contributions to the Xiao Family!"
"Second, we'll consider your talent!"
"Finally, we'll consider your cultivation!"
He laid out three clear rules in one breath.
"Those who have contributed will receive priority!"
"Those with great talent will receive special training!"
"Those with higher cultivation will receive more resources so they can break through to a higher realm!"
"Not one of these three rules can be neglected!"
The crowd nodded at his words.
These rules were indeed fair and reasonable.
Giving priority to those who had contributed would encourage the clan members to work for the family.
Giving special training to those with great talent would secure the family's future.
Providing more to those with higher cultivation would help raise the family's overall strength as quickly as possible.
"The Clan Head is wise!"
The three elders spoke first, all voicing their approval.
The other clan members also nodded repeatedly. No one raised an objection.
After all—
The pills had been given by Xiao Yan, and the authority to distribute them lay in Xiao Zhan's hands. They were lucky to receive anything at all, so how could they dare to nitpick?
Seeing this, Xiao Zhan nodded with satisfaction.
"Good! Since that's settled, let's begin the distribution!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the three elders immediately got to work, taking stock of the clan members' contributions, talent, and cultivation.
The hall was a hive of activity.
Every member of the Xiao Family wore an excited smile.
With these pills, their cultivation was sure to advance by leaps and bounds!
The Xiao Family was truly going to rise!
[Ding—]
The system's notification rang in Xiao Yan's mind.
[As expected of the host, you old schemer. Heh heh heh...]
[With just a few words, you got the Xiao Family planning to spend their entire fortune on buying all kinds of medicinal ingredients to refine pills. This will secretly and thoroughly destroy the bloodline foundations of the Xiao Family's clan members!]
[Host receives +1,000 Super Villain Points!]
Xiao Yan: "..."
He was speechless.
This system could twist anything into a villainous scheme.
He genuinely wanted to improve the family's strength, so how had that become "destroying their bloodline foundations"?
Still—
Xiao Yan couldn't be bothered to explain.
As long as the system was happy.
He turned to Medicine Elder beside him and smiled.
"Medicine Elder, I'll leave it to you to choose suitable candidates to learn alchemy and teach them the techniques."
Medicine Elder nodded slightly and cupped his hands.
"Rest assured, leave everything to your sub—this old man!"
He had nearly said "your subordinate" again, but managed to correct himself in time.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly, not minding.
Medicine Elder was now utterly loyal to him. He would gladly be a subordinate, or even work like an ox or a horse.
"Then I'll trouble you, Medicine Elder."
Xiao Yan spoke courteously.
Medicine Elder waved a hand and smiled. "You're too kind, young master. This old man owes you his life. This little matter is nothing."
[Ding—]
[Heh heh heh, the host treats Yao Chen like an ox or a horse, squeezing every bit of value out of him, and the man is still happy about it!]
[Host receives +300 Super Villain Points!]
Xiao Yan's mouth twitched slightly.
This system was really...
At that moment—
Seeing Medicine Elder agree, Xiao Zhan was overjoyed.
He knew that Medicine Elder was an Eighth-Tier alchemist!
An Eighth-Tier alchemist!
Across the entire Dou Qi Continent, such a person stood at the very top of the pyramid!
Having such a great alchemist guide them was an immense opportunity for the Xiao Family!
Afraid he might change his mind, Xiao Zhan hurriedly said:
"Senior Medicine Elder, I'll go arrange for the clan members right away. Please choose whoever you wish!"
Without waiting for Medicine Elder to respond, he turned and headed outside.
"Someone!"
He shouted.
"Summon every member of the clan to the square!"
"Have Senior Medicine Elder select them personally!"
"Yes!"
Someone immediately answered and hurried off to deliver the order.
Xiao Zhan turned to the three elders and instructed them:
"Elders, send people to Wutan City right away to buy all kinds of basic medicinal ingredients!"
"Buy as much as you can!"
"Remember, be quick!"
The three elders nodded repeatedly and hurried off to arrange it.
In an instant, the entire Xiao Family was bustling with activity.
Xiao Yan watched with a faint smile.
He didn't need to worry about these trivial matters.
With his father and Medicine Elder there, everything would be handled properly.
All he had to do—
Was wait to reap the rewards.
After giving his instructions, Xiao Yan took Xiao Xun'er's little hand and strolled around with her.
The sunlight was lovely, and the breeze was gentle.
The trees lining the path were lush and green. Every now and then, a few leaves drifted down on the wind, lending the scene a quiet charm.
Xiao Xun'er lowered her head and let Xiao Yan hold her hand, a faint blush rising on her cheeks. Every so often, she sneaked a glance at him, then quickly lowered her head again. She was nothing like the aloof, proud genius of the Ancient Clan.
She looked just like a young girl who had fallen in love.
Xiao Yan saw it all and found it amusing, but said nothing.
They walked quietly side by side. Neither spoke, yet an unspoken understanding and warmth flowed through the air between them.
[Ding—]
[The host is alone with the Daughter of Luck, Xiao Xun'er. The atmosphere is ambiguous, and their feelings are growing stronger! You've successfully suppressed the chosen protagonist!]
[Chosen protagonist's Luck Value -200!]
[Host's Luck Value +200!]
[Received +300 Super Villain Points!]
[Heh heh heh... Keep it up, host. Try to win Xiao Xun'er over soon and make the chosen protagonist lose his childhood sweetheart for good! The chosen protagonist's Luck Value will plummet!]
Xiao Yan's mouth twitched slightly.
What on earth did this system think about all day?
Still—
He glanced down at Xiao Xun'er. Her profile looked fair as jade in the sunlight, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly. She was breathtakingly beautiful.
Just win her over?
Well... it wasn't as if that wouldn't work.
The two walked side by side, chatting and laughing. Before they knew it, they had reached the pavilion in the back courtyard.
Xiao Xun'er leaned against Xiao Yan's shoulder, feeling the warmth radiating from him. Her heart was utterly at peace.
But suddenly—
"Brother Xiao Yan."
She called to him, her voice gentle.
"Hmm?"
Xiao Yan answered.
"Do you... really not blame Xun'er?"
Xiao Xun'er raised her head and looked at him with clear eyes, a trace of unease flashing in them.
"Blame you for what?"
Xiao Yan was puzzled.
"For not telling you... Xun'er's true identity."
Xiao Xun'er bit her lip, her voice dropping.
"Brother Xiao Yan—"
"I believe someone as clever as you must have guessed that Xun'er had another reason for staying with the Xiao Family, right?"
Before you continue