Lin City, the Xiao Clan!

Today was destined to be an unforgettable day for the Xiao Clan.

Today was the day they officially took charge of Lin City, the day Xiao Zhan officially became an Outer Sect Steward of the Misty Cloud Sect, and the day Xiao Yan would receive his Fourth-Rank Alchemist badge.

Such joyous occasions naturally called for a grand celebration. Even the notoriously stingy Xiao Clan Grand Elder was unusually generous this time.

With a sweeping gesture from their clan leader, the entire Xiao Clan poured out in force, booking banquets, renting venues, and purchasing supplies. Gold Coins flowed like water.

At Yun Congxin's direction, everyone knew that the Xiao Clan had a Fourth-Rank Alchemist, and that the appointment of a Xiao Clan member as an Outer Sect Steward had been personally granted by the Misty Cloud Sect Master. Thus, whether they were factions hoping to compete for Lin City or local inhabitants, they all abandoned any thoughts of opposing the clan. Instead, they sent representatives to Lin City to offer congratulations, hoping to forge a friendly connection with the Xiao Clan.

Even the brothers Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, far away in the Desert, hurried back from a thousand miles away. They then took the Xiao Clan's invitations to the Misty Cloud Sect and the Imperial Capital respectively.

As for Xiao Yan, he once again played the hands-off boss, finding some excuse to escape all these trifling affairs.

In short, Lin City was particularly lively that day. Inside the Xiao Clan's new residence, Xiao Zhan had changed into a brand-new, custom-made formal outfit and was greeting each arriving guest.

"Clan Leader Teng Shan of the Mittel Family has arrived!" The boy at the entrance glanced at the invitation and called out loudly.

Xiao Zhan hurried forward and cupped his hands in greeting. Teng Shan returned the gesture with a broad smile. "Congratulations, Clan Leader Xiao. Two blessings have come to the Xiao Clan's door today. Forgive this old man for imposing."

"Not at all, not at all. Please, come in, Clan Leader Teng Shan." Basking in his newfound glory, Xiao Zhan looked as though he had grown ten years younger.

"Even the Mittel Family's clan leader came? Does the Xiao Clan really command that much respect?" someone exclaimed in surprise.

"You don't know, do you? The Xiao Clan's young master was the champion of this year's Alchemist Tournament. I heard he left quite a few romantic debts behind in the Imperial Capital, including one with the Mittel Family's prized beauty..."

"The champion? Wasn't the champion someone called Yan Xiao?"

"Are you stupid? Yan Xiao, Xiao Yan. Say them aloud and you'll get it!"

Before the crowd's exclamations had subsided, the boy called out again, "Master Fa Ma has arrived!"

As a Fifth-Rank Alchemist, Fa Ma was practically a walking signboard. He needed neither a title nor an introduction. His name alone provoked an even greater uproar than Teng Shan, a Dou Wang expert, had.

"Good heavens! Even Master Fa Ma came! They say the Nalan Family couldn't get him to attend their celebration when their old patriarch recovered!"

"What does the Nalan Family count for? Xiao Yan defeated those people from the Chu Yun Empire and brought our Jia Ma Empire tremendous glory! Come to think of it, even Master Fa Ma owes him a favor!"

"Master Otto and Master Frank of the Black Rock City Alchemist Guild have arrived!"

Distinguished guests crowded the entrance, and the doorman's announcements never ceased. Every name belonged to the leader of a faction, a Dou Wang expert, or an Alchemist of the fourth rank or higher. The onlookers were growing numb to it all, and the same question arose in everyone's mind: when had a family with such formidable connections appeared in the Jia Ma Empire?

"Nalan Su, Clan Leader of the Nalan Family, has arrived!"

As he watched Xiao Zhan approach to welcome him, the smile on Nalan Su's face was decidedly bitter.

Originally, the Nalan Family and the Xiao Clan had enjoyed a close relationship. Had the engagement not been broken off, the two families would have been joined in marriage. The Nalan Family would not only have gained a Fourth-Rank Alchemist son-in-law with limitless prospects, but also powerful in-laws in the Xiao Clan, the rulers of Lin City...

But now, not only was the Engagement void, the relationship between the Xiao Clan and the Nalan Family had become awkward because of its cancellation. Naturally, all those beautiful prospects had turned to ashes...

Seeing Nalan Su's somewhat stiff smile, Xiao Zhan felt a little awkward himself.

After showing Nalan Su to a seat reserved for distinguished guests, he was about to exchange a few pleasantries to ease the awkward atmosphere when he heard the boy at the entrance begin to tremble as he spoke.

"M-Misty Cloud Sect Master Yun Shan has arrived!"

"Brother Xiao, have you been well?" From afar, Yun Congxin spotted the awkward Xiao Zhan and the bitterly smiling Nalan Su. He cupped his hands and called out to them.

For a moment, silence fell both inside and outside the Xiao Clan residence. Whether seated guests or spectators watching from outside the entrance, everyone was stunned speechless.

Every gaze converged on Yun Congxin, who cut a striking figure in his formal attire. Everyone rose involuntarily from their seats.

Xiao Zhan gave a wry smile. After excusing himself to Nalan Su, he hurried forward to welcome Yun Congxin.

Nalan Su also understood that, with the Misty Cloud Sect Master present, Xiao Zhan had already shown the Nalan Family ample respect by excusing himself before going to greet him. Still, he felt somewhat forlorn. Given the old friendship between their families, Xiao Zhan would never have addressed him with something as distant as "Clan Leader Nalan"...

"Y-you are..." Seeing Yun Congxin's face, Xiao Zhan was so astonished that he stammered.

"What, do you no longer recognize me, Clan Leader Xiao?" Yun Congxin clasped Xiao Zhan's outstretched hand. "I came uninvited. I hope you won't hold it against me, Clan Leader Xiao."

"No, no, no, of course not... but..." Xiao Zhan's mind still could not quite make the turn.

He could not understand why the lofty Misty Cloud Sect Master would personally travel to Wutan City to rescue the Xiao Clan from their predicament. Still less could he understand how Xiao Yan had become friends with the Misty Cloud Sect Master.

Recalling Yun Congxin's easygoing manner in Black Flame City, Xiao Zhan gave a bitter smile and said quietly, "I... I had eyes but failed to recognize the towering mountain before me. To think I never recognized you, Sect Master Yun. If I have given any offense, I beg your generous forgiveness..."

"What are you saying, Clan Leader Xiao? Friends—we're all friends, aren't we?" Yun Congxin patted Xiao Zhan's arm with his other hand in a gesture of warmth, then released his hand and raised his own toward the standing guests. "Everyone, please sit. This isn't the Misty Cloud Sect. There aren't so many rules here. Relax, all of you."

Although he said that, who among those present dared sit before Yun Congxin took his seat?

"Your presence brings splendor to our humble home, Sect Master Yun. Please." His mind all but frozen by shock, Xiao Zhan recited the words he had prepared long beforehand and escorted Yun Congxin to the most honored seat.

"Brother Xiao, there's no need to fuss over me so much. Another important figure will be arriving shortly."

Seeing this middle-aged man so nervous that he did not know where to put his hands, Yun Congxin nearly laughed aloud. In the spirit of a spectator who never minded making the spectacle bigger, he offered that reminder.

Indeed, everyone had only just sat down after seeing Yun Congxin take his seat. Their chairs had not even warmed yet. If another important figure arrived, wouldn't they all end up practicing squats in the Xiao Clan's new residence?

"M-Master Gu He has arrived!"