Taking Control of the Drug Hall and Trade Routes

News of Xiao Yan breaking through to Dou Zhe overnight spread through the entire Xiao Clan like it had grown wings, reaching everyone in less than half a day.

When the Xiao Clan disciples saw that the youth who had been mocked as trash just days ago now radiating the aura unique to a Dou Zhe, every one of them was dumbstruck.

Some rubbed their eyes in disbelief, some sucked in sharp breaths, while others discussed it privately with faces full of shock.

Could it be that the Three-Year Agreement had truly led this kid to some heaven-defying opportunity?

"Holy shit! He was at Three-Stage Dou Qi just a few days ago. How long has it been, and he's already broken through to Dou Zhe?"

"Could he have suffered cultivation deviation and be putting on a show?"

"Bullshit! Didn't you see that aura around him? He's a genuine Dou Zhe!"

Several clan elders by the training grounds exchanged looks, their faces all grave.

They knew better than anyone that the gap between Three-Stage Dou Qi and Dou Zhe was like a chasm. Even ordinary geniuses might not cross it after years of bitter cultivation.

Yet Xiao Yan had shattered that bottleneck overnight.

If there was no expert guiding him from behind the scenes, they would never believe it even if beaten to death!

"Could it be... Elder Xiao Chen?"

"Shh—watch your words! That elder is not someone we can touch now."

For a time, undercurrents surged throughout the Xiao Clan.

Xiao Zhan, meanwhile, was even more direct.

That night, in the Xiao Clan's inner hall.

"Elder Xiao Chen, please, have a seat."

Xiao Zhan personally rose to greet him, inviting Xiao Chen to the seat of honor and pouring him a cup of hot tea himself.

The Xiao Clan chief, who was usually highly imposing within the clan, now wore an overly warm smile. His manner even carried a faint hint of deference.

"You are too courteous, Clan Chief."

Xiao Chen modestly inclined his body, lifted the teacup, and took a light sip.

"May I ask why the Clan Chief summoned me so late at night? Is there some important matter?"

"Haha, Elder Xiao Chen, what are you saying?"

Xiao Zhan laughed heartily, then abruptly shifted the subject, his blazing gaze fixed on Xiao Chen.

"You must have heard that my son Yan'er broke through to Dou Zhe last night, Elder Xiao Chen?"

"I heard a little."

Xiao Chen set down his teacup.

"Little Yan possesses extraordinary talent. It was only a matter of time before he broke through to Dou Zhe."

"Only a matter of time?"

Xiao Zhan's eyes narrowed slightly, his tone carrying a hint of probing.

"But why did I hear that Yan'er was able to break through overnight thanks to a bottle of spiritual liquid gifted by Elder Xiao Chen?"

At that, Xiao Chen smiled faintly, neither denying nor admitting it.

"You jest, Clan Chief."

"I merely saw Little Yan suffer some grievances while he was in the spotlight, so I gave him a bottle of Foundation-Building Spiritual Liquid as a token of goodwill. Whether he could break through depended entirely on his own fortune."

"That bottle of spiritual liquid... was refined personally by Elder Xiao Chen?"

Xiao Zhan's gaze grew ever more fervent.

Xiao Yan's breakthrough to Dou Zhe had certainly delighted him, but what truly shook him was that bottle of spiritual liquid capable of allowing someone at Three-Stage Dou Qi to break through a bottleneck overnight.

It was at least of second-grade quality!

And how could someone capable of refining such spiritual liquid possibly be an ordinary person?

"Just luck, just luck."

Xiao Chen smiled and waved his hand, looking utterly unconcerned.

"When I was young, I dabbled a little in alchemy. I simply haven't shown it for many years, so the clan has likely forgotten someone like me."

"Elder Xiao Chen is far too modest!"

Xiao Zhan's eyes lit up before his expression turned solemn.

"Elder Xiao Chen, you are a clan elder and possess such ability, yet you have remained in the side branch all this time. That is truly a loss for the clan!"

"I invited you here today precisely to solemnly thank you for looking after Yan'er. From today onward, Elder Xiao Chen will be a senior elder of real authority in the Xiao Clan. The Drug Hall and the clan's trade routes will all be entrusted to your management. What do you say?"

At those words, an imperceptible glint flashed through Xiao Chen's eyes.

The Drug Hall and trade routes...

They were precisely what he wanted!

With these two things, he would have more resources to provide for Xiao Yan and the other Sons of Fortune!

However, he remained expressionless, instead putting on a look of flattered alarm.

"The Clan Chief honors me too greatly. I am old and fear that I cannot bear such a heavy responsibility."

"Elder Xiao Chen, do not decline!"

Xiao Zhan waved his hand, his words firm and decisive.

"You possess talent in alchemy as well as a head for business. None but you can manage the Drug Hall and trade routes! Besides..."

He paused, lowered his voice, and stared intensely at Xiao Chen.

"Elder Xiao Chen, there is something I wish to ask. Did you give Yan'er that spiritual liquid because you think highly of this child's future?"

"Young Master Yan is indeed a promising talent."

Xiao Chen pondered briefly before speaking slowly.

"What the Xiao Clan lacks is not talent, but people capable of protecting talent. If the Clan Chief trusts me, I am willing to protect this promising seed for the Xiao Clan."

His words stopped precisely there.

Hearing this, Xiao Zhan was immediately overjoyed. He clapped his hands and laughed. "Good! Good! Elder Xiao Chen, with those words from you, I can rest easy!"

That night, Xiao Zhan and Xiao Chen spoke happily until they finally dispersed late into the night.

As he walked out of the inner hall, the corner of Xiao Chen's mouth curled.

"Xiao Zhan, Xiao Zhan, you think you picked up a treasure, but little do you know... I'm the one making the greatest profit!"

Xiao Chen walked down the path back to his courtyard with his hands clasped behind his back.

"The Drug Hall, the trade routes... I finally have something to gain a foothold in Wutan City."

"Next, I should see what resources I can use to improve my strength."

Early the next morning.

Xiao Chen assumed his post and formally took over the Xiao Clan Medicine Hall.

When he stepped through the Medicine Hall's doors, dozens of medicine apprentices and stewards had already lined up to await him.

The young medicine apprentice who had mocked him yesterday was now huddled at the very back of the crowd, scarcely daring to breathe.

Xiao Chen swept his gaze calmly over everyone. After pausing briefly on the medicinal ingredients arranged on the shelves, he had already grasped the Medicine Hall's full reserves.

"From today onward, all procurement, refining, and sales at the Medicine Hall will be scheduled under this elder's unified authority."

Xiao Chen stood with his hands behind his back. His voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable pressure.

"Let me make this clear first: whoever dares line his own pockets or pass off inferior goods as quality products, do not blame me for showing no mercy."

As his words fell, every medicine apprentice and steward in the hall felt their hearts tighten.

This newly appointed elder looked mild enough, yet the aura he revealed in that instant sent chills down their backs.

Only the Medicine Hall elder from yesterday knew that this seemingly unremarkable figure could casually refine second-grade spiritual liquid.

His attainments in alchemy were unfathomable!

Three days later, the Xiao Clan held a clan banquet.

Though the Xiao Clan was merely one family in Wutan City, the banquet's scale was not lacking in the slightest.

As the lanterns lit up, the Xiao Clan's main hall was already packed to the brim. Clan elders, direct-line disciples, and representatives from the various forces attached to the Xiao Clan filled dozens of tables.

Amid the clinking of cups and the passing of wine, the atmosphere was lively.

As a newly promoted elder with real authority, Xiao Chen naturally attended the clan banquet as well.

He sat beneath the seat of honor, slowly savoring the wine in his cup. He appeared careless, but his gaze had already quietly swept across the entire hall, taking in every person at the feast.

Xiao Chen's gaze slowly passed over the room before suddenly stopping at a corner.

There sat a young girl in silence.

She looked around fifteen or sixteen, dressed in an elegant pale green gown. Her skin was smooth as jade, her features picturesque, and her clear eyes seemed capable of seeing through people's hearts.

She sat quietly among the guests, neither speaking with anyone nor sparing a second glance for the delicacies on the table, as though she did not belong at this noisy banquet at all.

"Xun'er... you little girl!"