Target, Monster Mountain Range

However!

Ya Fei shook her head at these words and chuckled softly.

"Clan Leader Xiao, there is no need for such formalities."

"I still have urgent matters to attend to, so I shall not impose any further today."

"When I have time in the future, I will certainly pay a formal visit."

Having said this, she bowed slightly to Xiao Zhan and turned to leave.

Xiao Zhan did not press the matter, cupping his hands in a salute. "Very well! Then I shall not see you out. Safe travels, Miss Ya Fei."

Ya Fei nodded, turned, and departed with her attendants.

Stepping out of the Xiao Family gates, Ya Fei let out a quiet sigh of relief.

"The first step has been taken..."

She murmured to herself, a flicker of determination in her eyes; she had already demonstrated her sincerity to Xiao Yan.

Now, the next step was to return to Gama Holy City and convince the old fogies of the Mittel Family.

It would be difficult, but—

She glanced down at the pale cyan storage ring on her finger, and a sense of confidence surged within her.

With the items Xiao Yan had given her, plus an escort of one hundred Dou Kings...

Even if those old men were unwilling, they would have no choice but to be!

At the thought of this, a smile curled the corners of Ya Fei's lips. This was the confidence that came with having backing and support.

Just as she was about to quicken her pace—

Suddenly!

A strange figure appeared silently before her.

It was a man dressed in black, wearing a Demon Shadow Mask. His posture was cold and stern, and a heart-palpitating aura emanated faintly from his body.

He stood there quietly, yet he felt like a mountain, blocking Ya Fei's path.

Ya Fei halted, her heart tightening.

"Who goes there?"

She instinctively took half a step back, her Dou Qi beginning to circulate.

Though she knew that with her meager cultivation, she would be no match for any real danger.

The man in black remained expressionless, speaking only in a flat tone:

"My master has ordered us to escort you back to the Mittel Family."

Ya Fei was stunned.

Master?

Could it be Xiao Yan?

She understood immediately, and her tense body relaxed slightly.

"Are you... sent by Young Master Xiao Yan?"

Ya Fei asked tentatively.

The man in black nodded without a word.

A warmth welled up in Ya Fei's heart.

She had not expected Xiao Yan to actually arrange guards to escort her back.

With this, she felt even more certain about the tasks ahead...

"Why are you the only one here?"

Ya Fei looked around, asking with confusion.

"Didn't Young Master Xiao Yan say he would arrange one hundred Dou Kings?"

If it were only one Dou King, it might not be enough to convince those old men.

The man in black replied expressionlessly:

"The others are already waiting outside the city."

"Understood!"

Ya Fei nodded, though a storm of emotions surged within her.

One hundred Dou Kings...

Xiao Yan actually had one hundred Dou Kings under his command, but they had been hidden in the shadows, so no one else in Wutan City knew!

What kind of concept was this?

Across the entire Gama Empire, I fear that even if you added up all the Dou Kings from every faction on the surface, there wouldn't be this many!

Yet Xiao Yan alone possessed one hundred of them!

Such a foundation was simply terrifying beyond measure!

"Senior, let us depart."

Ya Fei took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in her heart, and bowed to the black-robed figure before her.

After all, the other party was a Dou King powerhouse; it was entirely appropriate for her to address him as Senior.

She glanced back at the gates of the Xiao Family one last time, a flicker of determination flashing in her eyes.

"Young Master Xiao Yan, please rest assured!"

"Since you have chosen Ya Fei!"

"Then I, Ya Fei, shall certainly not betray your trust!"

Inside the Xiao Family hall.

Xiao Zhan looked at the dozens of carts piled high with medicinal herbs, the smile on his face never once fading.

"Good, good, good!"

He repeated the word "good" three times, grinning from ear to ear.

"As expected of the Mittel Family's branch in Wutan City! To think they possessed such a vast quantity of spiritual herbs!"

"With these materials, our Xiao Family's alchemy supplies will be even more abundant!"

He turned to look at the three elders and waved his hand grandly:

"Men! Move all these herbs into the storehouse and keep them well-guarded!"

"Yes!"

The three elders responded in unison, their faces also filled with joy.

They had not expected the Mittel Auction House to deliver these goods to their doorstep voluntarily.

This was truly—

A pillow delivered just as one was falling asleep!

Xiao Zhan watched the busy crowd, his heart filled with deep emotion.

All of this was brought about by Yan'er...

He looked up toward the direction of Xiao Yan's small courtyard, his eyes brimming with gratification and pride.

With a son like this, what more could a man ask for?

At this very moment.

Xiao Zhan could not have been more proud.

The current Xiao Family had already become the undisputed number one clan in Wutan City.

However—

Xiao Zhan did not dare to be arrogant or careless.

After all, he had learned the secrets of the Xiao Family's ancestors from Xiao Yan, and compared to those imperial clans, the Xiao Family was clearly still too weak.

"We must use every ounce of our strength to accelerate the Xiao Family's development!"

Xiao Zhan thought to himself; only by possessing a sufficiently powerful foundation could they contend against any opponent.

Even if—

Their generation might exhaust their potential through reckless, desperate cultivation, it would be a price worth paying.

Because only by fighting with everything they had could they grant the future members of the Xiao Family a broader sky!

Xiao Yan stood by the window, watching his clansmen bustling in the distance, the corners of his mouth curling upward slightly.

"Ya Fei is indeed a clever person."

He spoke calmly, his tone carrying a hint of appreciation.

Although he had not witnessed Ya Fei's actions at the Xiao Family gates with his own eyes, with his current soul strength, the entire Xiao Family was within his perception.

Ya Fei's attitude, her decisiveness, her resolve...

Everything left Xiao Yan very satisfied.

"She is indeed a clever one."

Medicine Elder stood behind him, nodding slightly.

"She knows exactly what she wants and knows exactly what to do. Used well, such a person will be a great asset to you, Young Master."

Xiao Yan chuckled softly, saying nothing more.

He turned to look at Medicine Elder and asked, "Medicine Elder, how is the progress of the Xiao Family's alchemy disciples?"

Medicine Elder pondered for a moment and replied truthfully, "Most are still learning the basics. Currently, only three are capable of refining a first-grade pill on their own."

"Three?"

Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow.

This number was lower than he had anticipated.

Medicine Elder sensed his thoughts and explained, "Young Master, do not be impatient. The path of alchemy relies on both talent and accumulation."

"While these children of the Xiao Family have average talent, they excel in their willingness to work hard."

"Given time, the Xiao Family can cultivate at least ten third-grade alchemists. As for fourth or fifth-grade..."

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of uncertainty.

"That will depend on their individual fortunes."

Xiao Yan nodded, though he was not overly disappointed.

After all, due to Xiao Xuan, the clansmen's talents in all aspects were unremarkable.

A third-grade alchemist was already quite respectable.

Without Medicine Elder's guidance, even mastering the basics of alchemy would have been difficult.

Furthermore, he had never expected the Xiao Family to transform into an alchemy clan overnight.

As long as the foundation was laid, the rest would come in time.

"By the way—"

"I may need to make a trip to the Monster Mountain Range soon."

"I will have to trouble you to look after the Xiao Family, Medicine Elder!"

Xiao Yan gazed at the distant sky and spoke with a sudden smile.