I Hope You Can Keep This Secret

The three elders looked doubtfully at the pill in their hands, but the expression of the elder holding it changed dramatically.

He had already felt the coolness emanating from the pill. He quickly broke it into three pieces and put one into his mouth.

Instantly, excitement filled his face, and his whole body trembled uncontrollably.

The other two elders immediately wore the same expressions. Their faces brimming with excitement, they stepped forward and grabbed Xiao Yan's arms.

They were just about to speak when Xiao Zhan's cough interrupted them.

Xiao Zhan looked up at Ge Ye's ashen face.

"Do you have anything else to say now?"

Ge Ye opened his mouth, but he was tongue-tied. For a long while, not a single word came out.

Xiao Zhan gestured toward the door.

"Then we won't see you out. When our rejuvenation powder goes on sale at the Market in the next few days, we hope you'll come support us too!"

Ge Ye shot them a resentful glare, then slunk away with his tail between his legs.

Once the outsider was gone, the room fell so silent that not even a crow or sparrow could be heard.

Everyone's eyes fell on Xiao Yan and Xiao Mo.

Suppressing the excitement swelling in his chest, Xiao Zhan stepped forward and took them both by the arms.

"Can this be mass-produced? How much higher would the cost be than what we used to spend making rejuvenation powder? Let me see whether we can put these pills up for sale at our Market."

Xiao Yan tugged on Xiao Zhan's arm, leaned close to his ear, and whispered something.

Xiao Zhan's eyes widened at once. Gripping both boys by the arms, he immediately headed outside.

"Clan Leader Xiao, don't leave! We haven't finished discussing the pills yet."

Still reeling in shock, the three elders hurriedly called out to stop them when they saw the three leaving.

Xiao Zhan merely called back from a distance.

"We'll discuss it later. I'm taking these two boys to attend to something else first."

With that, he quickly pulled them into an enclosed room and fetched the herbs they requested.

"Refine them in front of me. Let me see just how low the cost is."

The two had long since had a fully formed plan in mind.

They exchanged a glance and nodded, then quickly placed the herbs into the Alchemy Furnace in order, controlling the temperature together with ice and fire.

Before long, a medicinal fragrance drifted from the Alchemy Furnace. The scent alone made Xiao Zhan's eyes widen.

He stood quietly to one side, hardly daring to breathe.

After a long while, Xiao Mo finally coated the outside of the Alchemy Furnace with Ice, rapidly cooling it.

Then they opened the Alchemy Furnace's lid, took out the pills, and placed one in Xiao Zhan's hand.

"Father, take a look. This is the pill we refined."

Holding the pill, Xiao Zhan almost couldn't stop the tears from streaming down his aged face.

He had watched the two children place the herbs into the Alchemy Furnace with his own eyes. Not only had they used far fewer ingredients than before, but their pills were even purer.

When the furnace was opened, the batch also yielded several more pills.

At that moment, Xiao Zhan could no longer find words to describe his feelings. He stared blankly at the pill in his hand, then suddenly stepped forward and swept Xiao Mo and Xiao Yan into his arms.

"If our Market survives this crisis, you two will deserve the greatest credit. I'll make sure the entire clan hears about your achievement."

At those words, Xiao Yan's face immediately filled with pride, but Xiao Mo hurriedly shook his head at Xiao Zhan.

"Clan Leader Xiao, I have only one request. Please don't reveal our names."

Xiao Zhan froze on the spot.

"Why?"

Xiao Mo pointed at himself and Xiao Yan.

"Think about it. If people knew we had this ability, what would those powerful experts want to do most?"

Xiao Zhan's expression stiffened at first, but he soon straightened, his face quickly turning cold.

"Claim you for themselves!"

Xiao Mo nodded and sighed softly.

"The two of us improved this formula together. Even if someone took the entire thing and tried to reproduce it, they might not be able to reach our standard."

"Besides, we're far too weak. If someone sets their sights on us, neither of us will be able to protect ourselves."

"Until our wings have fully grown, Clan Leader Xiao, I hope you can keep our secret. Just tell people this is a formula prepared for you by an alchemist you personally invited."

Xiao Mo looked up at Xiao Zhan, a calm light shining in his eyes.

"I only hope Xiao Yan and I can grow up safely. Once we truly have the strength, we can naturally announce to the world that we refined these pills."

"But until then, we only hope you can keep us safe, rather than let us grow up surrounded by danger."

Xiao Zhan nodded. He gave Xiao Mo a long look, his heart filled with admiration for the child.

He could hardly believe that this child had considered every detail he himself had overlooked.

Xiao Mo had far surpassed anything he had anticipated or expected.

He stepped forward and patted Xiao Mo's shoulder.

"Xiao Mo, I must say, having a disciple like you is truly a blessing for our Xiao Clan."

With that, he straightened and looked at the two of them.

"I'll discuss the selling price with the three elders. If you have time, help us refine some more rejuvenation powder."

Xiao Zhan smiled at them.

"Of course, you won't be doing it for free. I'll set aside twenty percent of the profits, giving each of you ten percent."

"That will be your payment. Naturally, I'll tell outsiders that the alchemist requires a twenty-percent share. You don't need to worry about anything after that."

With that, Xiao Zhan swaggered out, looking as smug as a rooster with its tail held high.

His face practically shouted, My son is so damn amazing. I'm one proud father!

Xiao Yan, however, had been watching Xiao Mo the entire time, observing how effortlessly he handled everything from beginning to end. Only after Xiao Zhan left the room did he sigh softly.

"Senior brother, I really am far behind you."

He wasn't referring only to their strength. The gap in their maturity was just as vast.

Had it been him, he would have eagerly announced his ability to refine pills throughout the city, making sure he stood amid everyone's envious gazes.

He would never have concealed his edge.

But after hearing Xiao Mo's words, he couldn't help feeling how childish he was.

Although he had long since stopped caring about outsiders' envious looks, the truth was that whenever he achieved something new, he still hoped for others' recognition.

Naturally, the more recognition, the better.

Yet Xiao Mo seemed completely unconcerned with such things. He could consider matters far more thoroughly and carefully.

"Perhaps there's still so much I need to learn from you. Senior brother, having you by my side really is wonderful."