The Rise of the Xiao Clan

Chapter 31: The Rise of the Xiao Clan

After receiving the invitation, the family heads and merchant district overseers under Wutan City secretly sent their families away. No one dared say for certain what the Xiao Clan would do next—would they casually chop up small fry like them as well?

The family heads arrived outside the Xiao Clan estate, trembling with fear. The wreckage left behind by the battle had not been cleared away; the deep craters, fissures in the ground, and thick scent of blood lingering in the air all bore witness to the fierce battle several hours earlier.

They stepped down from their carriages and drew sharp breaths. After exchanging bitter smiles, they walked shoulder to shoulder toward the Xiao Clan's council hall.

Xiao Zhan and the two Grand Elders sat at the head of the hall, expressionlessly watching the arriving family heads and merchant district overseers. They took their seats one after another. After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, more than a dozen seats remained empty at the back.

"It seems the rest are unwilling to be friends of my Xiao Clan."

Xiao Zhan took a sip of tea, the icy killing intent in his voice undisguised. "Third Elder, since those people are unwilling to be friends of my Xiao Clan, we can only ask them to leave Wutan City."

"And what if they refuse to leave?" the Third Elder drawled, feigning confusion.

"Kill without mercy!"

The First Elder slashed a hand through the air. His chilling voice echoed through the entire Xiao Clan council hall, making everyone present shudder in terror.

After the Third Elder left, Xiao Zhan saw that the intimidation had been sufficient and smiled.

"We invited everyone here today to share some good news."

"The Jia Lie Clan and Ao Ba actually colluded with roaming bandits from the empire in an attempt to launch a surprise attack on Wutan City... Fortunately, my Xiao Clan discovered their plot in time and crushed it in the cradle!"

"Now that the two clans have been executed, their forces have been taken over by my Xiao Clan. Do you all agree? Does anyone have any other objections?"

As he spoke, Xiao Zhan slowly rose to his feet, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below as though it were tangible.

"Roaming bandits?" The crowd exchanged looks, grumbling inwardly. One was a genius of the Misty Cloud Sect's outer sect, while the other was a fourth-tier alchemist accompanied by two Dou Spirit experts. Yet in Xiao Zhan's mouth, they had become roaming bandits?

They truly had been some formidable bandits!

But thoughts were one thing. Faced with such an overpowering Xiao Clan, how could they dare object? The family heads remained silent and nodded frantically.

"Allow me to introduce someone else. This is the Supreme Elder of my Xiao Clan, Master Chen Qiye!"

Xiao Zhan abruptly changed the subject and cupped his hands toward an inconspicuous spot on the other side of the raised seats, drawing the gazes of the family heads, each with their own thoughts, over there. Upon hearing that name, their expressions changed drastically as they looked closely.

What a young man he was. A faint smile rested on his handsome face, making him seem like the boy next door, without the slightest hint of arrogance.

He slowly rose to his feet and returned Xiao Zhan's salute. "Clan Head Xiao, you flatter me. I am unworthy of the title of Supreme Elder..."

"But..." Xiao Zhan was stunned as Chen Qiye strolled over and continued,

"I have no interest in power. If Clan Head Xiao truly wishes to thank me, then after taking over Wutan City's businesses, why not waive thirty percent of the commissions for every clan and merchant district? First, it would allow the merchants who have suffered under the Jia Lie Clan and Ao Ba for years to recuperate. Second, it would attract more merchants to conduct business and develop in Wutan City. Would that not be beneficial to everyone?"

The entire hall was shocked by these words!

"Ding! Emotion value from Xiao Zhan +600!"

"Ding! From..."

"Good, we shall do as Master Chen suggests." Xiao Zhan was, after all, the head of a clan. He immediately understood the pros and cons and made the decision on the spot.

"We thank Master Chen!" The people below expressed their gratitude one after another. Who ruled Wutan City did not matter much to them, but a thirty-percent reduction in commissions directly affected their own interests. The difference in importance was obvious.

With the matter settled, Chen Qiye did not linger and leisurely left the council hall. After a night of sleepless fighting, Xiao Yan, Little Fairy Doctor, and the other juniors had gone to rest early.

In his room, Chen Qiye leaned against his bed and entered the system with his mind.

Host: Chen Qiye

Realm: First-Stage Martial Spirit (One-Star Dou Spirit)

Experience: 26000/150000

Cultivation Technique: Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms

Master Value: 201

Master Level: Two Stars

Current World: Battle Through the Heavens

Disciples in This World: Xiao Yan, Little Fairy Doctor

Current Item: Dou Ancestor Aura Card

Current Mission: Twin Stars Shine

Disciple Reputation Value: 5

I've finally entered the Dou Spirit realm, but one hundred and fifty thousand experience for the next level is a bit much!

Chen Qiye shook his head. The entirety of Wutan City is discussing me now, but the steadily increasing emotion value is still far too little. I'm only a Dou Spirit at present. Dou Kings and Dou Emperors will probably require even more...

Based on the level of shock Chen Qiye had caused so far, even without any reduction, it would take at least two months for him to reach the Dou King realm.

But the half-year agreement was right there. Besides, this method of lying around and passively collecting income did not suit his principles. Moreover, the Jia Ma Empire was not limited to Wutan City... He needed to think bigger.

Having made up his mind, Chen Qiye opened the shop and filtered for poison cultivator techniques.

Five Poisons True Scripture: From the Unrivaled Tang Clan, the Tang Clan's supreme poison canon. Once mastered, one becomes immune to all poisons. Exchange requirement: 50 Master Value.

Myriad Poison Toad Art: From the Toad Demon Realm, the supreme cultivation technique of the Jade Poison Toad Sect. Once mastered, one can transform into a poisonous toad, with poison in every breath. Exchange requirement: 20 Master Value.

"Transform into a poisonous toad?"

Chen Qiye immediately shook his head. The image was too beautiful to bear looking at.

Though the exchange requirement was low, he truly could not bear to have Little Fairy Doctor cultivate such a technique. He steadied his mind and continued reading.

Poison God's Scripture: From the supreme Primordial World, an ultimate poison and sacred cultivation technique. Only those born with a poison body may cultivate it. Forced cultivation will result in mental disorder at best and soul annihilation at worst. Its upper limit is unknown; no one has ever cultivated it to completion. Exchange requirement: 100 Master Value.

"Isn't the Calamity Poison Body an innate poison body? This was practically tailor-made for Little Fairy Doctor!"

Chen Qiye considered it inwardly. I'll settle on the Poison God's Scripture for now. Next, I need to search for something that can deal with souls.

"Soul-Calming Card? Suppresses souls? Twenty Master Value?"

"It's time to have a proper talk with that soul."

Chen Qiye made his plans. If Yao Chen was willing to cooperate, that would naturally be for the best. After all, the Flame Mantra was immensely significant to Xiao Yan. If he refused to cooperate...

Although it could be exchanged from the system shop, one hundred Master Value was still far too expensive for the impoverished Chen Qiye.

There was already one ready-made.

At the same time, news of Yun Tianbing's fall and Xu Yi's miserable death continued to sweep across the Jia Ma Empire. However, the shock it caused was nowhere near as great as in Wutan City. After all, a Dou Spirit was not truly considered an expert in the entire Jia Ma Empire. As for the Dou Qi Continent... they were not much stronger than ants.

(End of Chapter)