Returning to the Institute to Resolve a Crisis

After several days of travel, Xiao Tianhao and his companions finally returned safely to the Sacred Orchid Institute.

Their journey had been fairly smooth. Apart from a few small Bronze Rank demon beasts they encountered along the way, there had been no other surprises.

Once they returned to the institute, the group went their separate ways. After saying goodbye to Xiao Tianhao, Huyan Lanruo hurried back to the Huyan Family.

Before long, word of their rich haul from the Ancient Orchid City Ruins spread through the entire institute as though it had sprouted wings.

For a time, countless students cast envious looks their way, and discussions rose one after another.

"Have you heard? Xiao Tianhao and the others brought back loads of treasures from the Ancient Orchid City Ruins!"

"Exactly! I'm so jealous that they had such an opportunity. I wonder if we'll get to see those treasures for ourselves."

"Hmph, what's the use of being jealous? We don't have that kind of ability. We'd better keep our heads down and cultivate."

Everywhere in the institute, people discussed their adventures in Ancient Orchid City. Xiao Tianhao and the others suddenly became the talk of the campus.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the institute, Xiao Ning'er's worried face instantly blossomed into a delighted smile when she heard that Xiao Tianhao had returned.

She rushed toward Xiao Tianhao's residence, unable to wait another moment. She had missed him deeply, and she also wanted to tell him about the pressure she had faced within her family while he was at the Ancient Orchid City Ruins. She hoped he could help the Winged Dragon Family weather this crisis, just as he had before.

"Tianhao, you're finally back!" Xiao Ning'er spotted him from a distance, tears shimmering in her eyes and a slight tremor in her voice.

After all, she was only a thirteen-year-old girl. Bearing such immense pressure had left her heart in torment every day.

Xiao Tianhao had been immersed in his Soul Sea, familiarizing himself with his Demon Spirit's battle techniques!

Suddenly, a familiar voice reached him. He turned around and saw Xiao Ning'er's anxious yet excited expression.

Warmth filled his heart, and he hurried over to her. "Ning'er, I'm back. You look so anxious. Did something happen?"

All that remained between him and Xiao Ning'er was to pierce that thin layer of window paper. In truth, they were already boyfriend and girlfriend.

Xiao Ning'er's nose stung, and she nearly burst into tears. "Tianhao, our family is in a terrible situation right now.

"The Sacred Family keeps suppressing us. Many of our businesses and shops have suffered badly, and a lot of our family members are starting to resent it. I really don't know what to do anymore, so I could only come to you."

Xiao Tianhao frowned slightly and gently patted Xiao Ning'er's shoulder, comforting her. "Ning'er, don't panic. We'll work out a solution together. We'll find a way to resolve this. Come on, let's find somewhere to sit and talk first."

The two found a quiet corner and sat down. Xiao Ning'er told Xiao Tianhao every detail of the difficulties her family faced, her words filled with helplessness and worry.

After listening to her account, Xiao Tianhao pondered for a moment before saying, "Ning'er, I think we can start with the Alchemist Association.

"As you know, the pills the Alchemist Association makes using the pill formulas I provided are incredibly popular. Every day, there's an endless stream of people coming to buy them, and the association simply can't finish selling them all.

"We can speak with President Gu Yan and ask them to allocate some pills to the Winged Dragon Family to sell. Your family would only need to take ten or twenty percent of the proceeds.

"That would breathe life back into the Winged Dragon Family's businesses and resolve its financial difficulties.

"Once your strength grows, the Sacred Family naturally won't dare to use force against your family so readily."

Xiao Ning'er's eyes lit up, as though she had glimpsed hope. "Tianhao, that's a wonderful idea! But will the Alchemist Association agree?"

Xiao Tianhao smiled confidently. "Don't worry, Ning'er. I'm fairly well acquainted with President Gu Yan. Besides, the Alchemist Association won't lose anything from this. On the contrary, it'll expand the reach of their pill sales. I think he'll consider it."

"Then thank you, Tianhao. If you can resolve our family's crisis, you'll be a great benefactor to the Winged Dragon Family." Xiao Ning'er looked at him gratefully, her eyes full of trust.

Without wasting a moment, Xiao Tianhao took Xiao Ning'er straight to the Alchemist Association.

As soon as they entered, they saw people coming and going amid a bustling crowd.

The fragrances of various pills filled the air as students and customers selected the pills they wanted from the display cases.

Xiao Tianhao and Xiao Ning'er went directly to President Gu Yan's office.

When President Gu Yan saw them, a kindly smile appeared on his face. "Young Brother Xiao, Miss Xiao, what brings you here?"

Xiao Tianhao wasted no words and explained their purpose directly. "President Gu Yan, here's the situation. Ning'er's Winged Dragon Family is being suppressed by the Sacred Family, and its businesses are facing serious difficulties.

"I was thinking that, since demand for our Alchemist Association's pills now exceeds supply, could we allocate some to the Winged Dragon Family to sell? That would help them through this crisis while also expanding our sales channels. What do you think?"

After hearing him out, President Gu Yan pondered for a while.

He understood that Xiao Tianhao and Nie Li had made enormous contributions to the Alchemist Association, and this proposal would indeed benefit both sides.

But since it involved the distribution of the association's interests, he had to consider it carefully.

"Young Brother Xiao, your proposal is quite good. However, I'll need to discuss the allocation of pills with the association's other elders.

"Why don't you head back for now? Once I've discussed it with them, I'll give you an answer," President Gu Yan said.

Xiao Tianhao and Xiao Ning'er exchanged a glance, and a trace of disappointment flickered in her eyes.

Xiao Tianhao smiled at President Gu Yan instead. "All right, President Gu Yan. Sorry for the trouble. We'll await your news."

After they left the Alchemist Association, Xiao Ning'er was a little dejected. "Tianhao, do you think President Gu Yan will agree?"

Xiao Tianhao comforted her. "Ning'er, don't lose heart. President Gu Yan is a reasonable man. I think there's a good chance. Even if he doesn't agree, we'll just find another way."

Just then, more news began circulating through the institute.

Ever since Xiao Tianhao had taught him a lesson, Chu Yuan had nursed a grudge. Relying on his status as a young master of the Chu Family, he secretly gathered some students who were jealous of or dissatisfied with Xiao Tianhao, preparing to find an opportunity for revenge.

"Hmph, Xiao Tianhao, you dared to humiliate me. I'll make you pay," Chu Yuan said viciously.

Several lackeys beside him chimed in. "Don't worry, Young Master Chu. We'll help you teach him a proper lesson."

Shen Yue had not been idle either. He had been plotting how to deal with Nie Li all along.

After their trip to Ancient Orchid City, he understood that Nie Li was far from ordinary. If he did not eliminate him soon, Nie Li would become a major threat in the future.

Thus, he sent people to monitor Nie Li's every move while contacting experts from his family, preparing to strike at a suitable moment.

Aside from these surging undercurrents within the Sacred Orchid Institute, the other students continued cultivating according to their usual routines.

After returning to the institute, Nie Li plunged straight into the Library, cultivating Soul Force there with Du Ze, Lu Piao, and the others.

Inside the Alchemist Association, President Gu Yan gathered several elders and laid out Xiao Tianhao's proposal.

After hearing it, the elders each offered their opinions.

Some felt this was an excellent opportunity to expand the association's influence, while others worried that handing pills over to the Winged Dragon Family would draw them into its struggle with the Sacred Family.

Everyone held firmly to their own views, and the arguments continued without end.

At that time, Yang Xin happened to have left the Alchemist Association to purchase an important batch of medicinal herbs, so she did not participate in the discussion.

"I think we can agree to Young Brother Xiao's proposal. Although the Winged Dragon Family has declined in strength, it's still an established noble family with a long history. It still has connections and resources.

"Working with them would benefit the promotion of our pills," one elder said.

"That may be true, but I've heard the Winged Dragon Family is being suppressed by the Sacred Family. If we entrust them with selling our pills at a time like this, won't we become embroiled in their struggle with the Sacred Family? This is no small matter," another elder said worriedly.

President Gu Yan listened quietly to their discussion, weighing the advantages and disadvantages in his heart.

In the end, he decided to agree to Xiao Tianhao's request. After all, Xiao Tianhao had provided the pill formulas and helped the Alchemist Association time and again. They had to show some gratitude.

This was the first time Xiao Tianhao had asked them for help. Refusing him would be impossible to justify.

Meanwhile, at the Winged Dragon Family, Xiao Yunfeng felt both heartache and helplessness as he watched his daughter run about tirelessly over the family's troubles.

He was also working hard to reassure the other family members, hoping they could stand united and weather this crisis together.

After Xiao Tianhao and Xiao Ning'er returned to the institute, they continued waiting for the Alchemist Association's answer.

They knew that the Winged Dragon Family's fate now hung by a thread.

In truth, he had other ways to help the Winged Dragon Family, but all of them required him to do the work himself, such as producing refined blood for body tempering or various Inscription Scrolls.

If the Alchemist Association refused, he would have no choice but to handle it personally.

Meanwhile, the situation at the institute grew increasingly tense as the various forces secretly competed against one another.

On this seemingly peaceful campus, a storm was quietly brewing, waiting for the moment it would erupt...

Over the next few days, Xiao Tianhao comforted Xiao Ning'er, telling her not to worry too much, while continuing to cultivate and improve his strength.

With Xiao Tianhao's encouragement, Xiao Ning'er also regained her spirits and cultivated diligently, hoping to free her family from the Sacred Family's control as soon as possible.

Finally, on a bright, sunny morning, news arrived from the Alchemist Association... After discussing the matter with the elders, President Gu Yan had decided to allocate a portion of their pills to the Winged Dragon Family for a trial sale.

If sales went well, they would expand the scale of their cooperation.

When Xiao Ning'er learned the news, she almost jumped with excitement. "Tianhao, this is wonderful! President Gu Yan agreed! Our family is saved!"

Xiao Tianhao also smiled with relief. "Yes, but this is only the first step. Next, we need to carefully plan the sales arrangements and strive to restore the Winged Dragon Family's former vitality as soon as possible."

And so, Xiao Tianhao and Xiao Ning'er became busy. Together with the members of the Winged Dragon Family, they discussed sales strategies and prepared to face the challenges ahead.

Meanwhile, in the institute's shadows, Chu Yuan and Shen Yue continued plotting their schemes. The curtain seemed about to rise on a new conflict...

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