The next morning, in the Xiao Clan's dining hall, a faint trace of a strange odor still seemed to linger in the air, even after an entire night had passed.
It was the "lingering echo of history" drifting over from the Jia Lie Family's direction, prompting the residents of Wutan City to quietly reach a mutual understanding: open the windows less often.
Xiao Yan sat at the table, eating his breakfast rather distractedly. Last night's earth-shaking "War God" spectacle still refused to leave his mind, especially that final "Filth Explosion: Heaven-Shattering Earth-Splitting." It had been an utterly devastating assault on both sight and smell.
As he ate, a faint commotion arose outside, along with people's hushed conversations, drifting into the dining hall in scattered snatches.
"...Did you hear? That master Alchemist the Jia Lie Family hired left first thing this morning, cursing all the way..." "...Yeah, his face was green. He was stamping his feet and shouting that he'd never set foot in Wutan City again for the rest of his life, no matter who tried to persuade him..." "...Tsk, tsk. What sins did the Jia Lie Family commit to deserve this...?"
Xiao Yan paused with his food halfway to his mouth, the corners of his lips involuntarily curling upward. He desperately suppressed his laughter, but his shoulders began to tremble.
That arrogant first-tier Alchemist was probably experiencing the darkest moment of his life right now. The shadow cast over his heart was likely larger than all of Wutan City.
Before long, a steward responsible for the clan's everyday affairs hurried in and respectfully reported something to Xiao Zhan, who sat at the head of the table. Though his voice was quiet, Xiao Yan still caught a few key words.
"...Clan Head, the Jia Lie Family... shut their gates first