A Hefty Penalty

"Xiao Ni, tell us exactly what happened." Xiao Zhan cast a sidelong glance at Xiao Ning before speaking in an even tone.

Xiao Ning had never gotten along with Xiao Ni, so Xiao Zhan still had to hear Xiao Ni's account before deciding what the truth was.

Of course, he trusted Xiao Ni's character. Even if that person's coma really had something to do with Xiao Ni, Xiao Ni could never have cultivated some evil art. After all, he had never heard of a combat skill capable of drawing out someone's blood. As for whether that so-called Foundation Elixir had been deliberately used by Xiao Ni to lure Xiao Ning and the others into drinking it, that was harder to say.

But even if Xiao Ni had done it deliberately, there was nothing wrong with that. Xiao Ning and his lot were always targeting Xiao Ni, so it was only right for Xiao Ni to use the Foundation Elixir to teach them a lesson.

"I was taking a bath just now when Xiao Ning and the others suddenly broke in. They snatched a bottle of Foundation Elixir from my table and asked what it was. As soon as I told them it was Foundation Elixir, capable of increasing the cultivation speed of anyone at eight-star Fighter or below, they started fighting to drink it." The innocent expression on Xiao Ni's face never faded. His talent for acting was quite impressive.

"Then how is this Foundation Elixir supposed to be used? And where did you get it?" Upon hearing Xiao Ni's explanation, Xiao Zhan's eyes immediately lit up, and even his voice grew excited.

The three elders were likewise stunned by the Foundation Elixir's effects. Based on Xiao Ni's description, this Foundation Elixir had surely reached the peak of the second grade, hadn't it? How had Xiao Ni obtained such a miraculous medicinal liquid? Could some great alchemist have given it to him?

"Patriarch, don't listen to his nonsense. I've never heard of such a medicinal liquid in Wutan City." Sensing that things were going badly, Xiao Ning hurriedly jumped out to object.

"Silence!" the Second Elder roared before saying calmly, "Xiao Ni, answer the Patriarch's question."

Although he disliked Xiao Ni just as much as Xiao Ning did, he absolutely could not let Xiao Ning disrupt things at a time like this. If the Foundation Elixir Xiao Ni spoke of was truly that miraculous, it would bring enormous benefits to their Lineage.

"The Foundation Elixir was given to me by an old man. Its medicinal power is too strong, so it can only be poured into water and used to soak the body, thereby increasing cultivation speed." After calmly answering Xiao Zhan's question, Xiao Ni glanced at Xiao Ning and continued with lingering fear, "If the Foundation Elixir is consumed directly, the lightest consequence is boiling blood; the worst is ruptured meridians, vomiting blood, and death. If I hadn't promptly used Siphon Palm to forcibly draw the elixir out of their bodies just now, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

"I went out today and heard that the Mittel Auction House will auction off a bottle of Foundation Elixir in two days. Its effects and method of use are exactly as Xiao Ni described. It seems Xiao Ning and the others really are at fault this time." Just as Xiao Ning was about to argue, the Third Elder spoke first.

"Xiao Ning, what else do you have to say?" A cold gleam flashed through Xiao Zhan's eyes as his imposing authority returned, frightening Xiao Ning and the other two into lowering their heads. For a while, they had no idea how to explain themselves.

"You useless spendthrift! You lot actually squandered such precious Foundation Elixir! Hurry up and apologize to Xiao Ni!" The Second Elder rolled his eyes in irritation. For a brief moment, he truly did not want to acknowledge this son of his.

"Father, I really didn't—"

"Apologize!" Before Xiao Ning could finish, the Second Elder cut him off in a deep voice.

"I..." Xiao Ning gritted his teeth and struggled to suppress the fury in his heart. Just as he was about to lower his head to Xiao Ni, Xiao Ni suddenly raised a hand.

"There's no need to apologize."

Hearing that, Xiao Ning quickly straightened up. But before he could relax for even two seconds, Xiao Ni continued, "Just compensate me instead."

He hadn't expected Xiao Ni to have been waiting for this. Xiao Ning's face turned livid as he shot the Second Elder a pleading look, only for the Second Elder to ignore him completely.

"Mm. Xiao Ning and the others not only damaged your door, but also wasted your incomparably precious Foundation Elixir. They should indeed compensate you." Xiao Zhan nodded in complete agreement.

Xiao Ni's father had been quite close to him when he was alive, so Xiao Zhan naturally intended to take better care of Xiao Ni.

"Fine. I'll compensate you one hundred thousand gold coins on behalf of this brat." As he spoke, the Second Elder took out a card.

Xiao Ni's door was worth little, but the Foundation Elixir was extremely valuable. How could Xiao Ning possibly afford to repay it?

"Second Elder, this Foundation Elixir is worth far more than one hundred thousand gold coins. Isn't it a little inappropriate to think you can dismiss Xiao Ni with so little?" Xiao Zhan's eyes shifted as a crafty idea immediately entered his mind.

"Then name your price, Patriarch." The Second Elder knew Xiao Zhan was up to no good, but he could only remain calm and respectful. After all, Xiao Zhan was the Patriarch.

"My suggestion is that you first give Xiao Ni one hundred twenty thousand gold coins. Then, go to the Mittel Auction House and successfully bid on that bottle of Foundation Elixir, and give it to Xiao Ni." After speaking casually, Xiao Zhan even winked at Xiao Ni.

"Patriarch, isn't that request a little..." The Second Elder wanted to tactfully decline Xiao Zhan's proposal, but Xiao Ni's next words instantly changed his mind.

"I can have someone refine several bottles of Foundation Elixir!"

"I can accept the Patriarch's suggestion. However, a distinguished guest will be visiting the Xiao Household in two days. Wouldn't it be inappropriate if I didn't go welcome them?" Although the Second Elder no longer objected to Xiao Zhan's proposal, he truly did not want to miss this chance to meet the distinguished guest.

"The distinguished guest only needs me and the First Elder to receive them." Xiao Zhan mercilessly shattered the Second Elder's little scheme. He knew the Second Elder merely wanted to use the opportunity to curry favor with the distinguished guest.

"Xiao Ni, are you satisfied with the way I've punished Xiao Ning?" Seeing the Second Elder fall silent, Xiao Zhan once again looked at Xiao Ni with a gentle smile.

"Uncle Xiao's punishment is naturally very fair. However, Xiao Ning committed the offense, yet only the Second Elder is being punished. That doesn't seem quite appropriate." Xiao Ni slowly rose from the ground, swept his gaze over Xiao Ning, and continued, "What do you think of this, Uncle Xiao? The Second Elder's punishment remains unchanged. Xiao Ning will help me replace my door, and he must compensate me fifty thousand gold coins within one year."

"In your dreams!" Unable to endure it any longer, Xiao Ning threw a punch at Xiao Ni.

Fifty thousand gold coins was no small sum to him. Forget one year—even ten years would not be enough for him to repay Xiao Ni. His father had already paid a heavy price, yet Xiao Ni was still pushing for more. Worse still, the charges pinned on them were completely fabricated. It was enough to make him furious.

"Mountain-Shattering Fist!"

Xiao Ning's fist was covered in dense battle qi as it smashed into Xiao Ni's chest with a sharp whistle through the air. Xiao Zhan slammed a palm onto the table, shattering it, and rose from his seat in fury.

This Xiao Ning simply had no regard for him as Patriarch. He actually attacked Xiao Ni right under his nose, and even used a yellow-tier mid-grade combat skill. Was he trying to cripple Xiao Ni?

"Second Elder, if Xiao Ni suffers even the slightest harm, I won't let this go with you!" Xiao Zhan glared viciously at the Second Elder and was about to step forward and kick Xiao Ning away. But the Second Elder moved first, sending Xiao Ning flying with a kick—straight to the face.