The following morning, at the Spirit Hall Main Hall.
Xiao Yan sat in the main seat of the council hall, with Zhu Zhuqing sitting beside him.
Below, Zhou Yuan, Han Qing, and other high-ranking members of the Spirit Hall Main Hall sat in order.
This was the first time Xiao Yan had convened a meeting as the person in charge. He hadn't paid much attention to it before, but after this experience, he understood.
Ultimately, we must bring these forces under our control.
" Deacon Zhou, how did things go last night?"
Zhou Yuan stood up and said respectfully:
"Reporting to Elder Xiao, last night I followed your instructions and took control of all of Xu Mu's trusted men. A total of twenty-three, including seven Soul King and sixteen Soul Ancestor Masters."
Xiao Yan nodded.
"Is there any resistance?"
"Three people attempted to resist, but they have been subdued and brought under control," Zhou Yuan stated truthfully.
A hint of satisfaction flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes.
Zhou Yuan is a man of action, and he is efficient in his work.
"Very good. Have those who were controlled been interrogated?"
"Some of them were interrogated."
Zhou Yuan said, "However, they don't know much, and they are unaware of those who colluded with Xu Mu."
However, over the years, Xu Mu has abused his power to place many cronies within the Spirit Hall Main Hall and embezzle a significant amount of its resources; the evidence is conclusive.
Xiao Yan's lips curled into a cold smile.
He stood up, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the room, and spoke coldly:
"Gentlemen, what do you think should be done with these people?"
Zhou Yuan was silent for a moment, then spoke:
"According to the laws of the Spirit Hall, anyone who colludes with outsiders to harm a member of the hall shall be executed."
Those who embezzle resources within the palace will have them recovered; those whose actions are serious will be punished equally.
Xiao Yan turned around, looked at Zhou Yuan, and said:
"In that case, let's sell them all."
Zhou Yuan felt a chill run down his spine.
He had thought Xiao Yan would show leniency, since these people were all Soul Master from the Spirit Hall, and it would be a pity to kill them. He hadn't expected Xiao Yan to be so decisive.
" Elder Xiao, all twenty-three people, execute them all?"
"All."
Xiao Yan said calmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
" Xu Mu is dead, but his trusted confidants remain; they will be a threat sooner or later. We must nip them in the bud to prevent future trouble."
Zhou Yuan took a deep breath and bowed, saying:
"Yes."
After the meeting, Xiao Yan kept Zhou Yuan and Han Qing behind.
" Deacon Zhou, Deacon Han, I have something else to discuss with you."
The two exchanged a glance and respectfully said, " Elder Xiao, please speak."
Xiao Yan took out a jade bottle from his pocket and placed it on the table.
"This is a pill I refined myself, called the ' Barrier-Breaking Pill.' Those below the Soul Ancestor level can unconditionally increase their Soul Power by two levels upon taking it. Soul King can increase theirs by one level."
Zhou Yuan and Han Qing's pupils contracted sharply.
Unconditional boost to Soul Power?!
This... how is this possible?!
" Elder Xiao, is this pill... truly effective?"
Xiao Yan smiled slightly.
"You two should have already heard about the pills I sell in Star Luo City, which are now all the rage throughout the Star Luo Empire."
Blood Coagulation Powder and Qi Gathering Pill are merely the lowest-grade pills with minimal efficacy.
However, the effect of this pill isn't very strong; it's useless above the Soul King realm.
Xiao Yan feigned helplessness as he spoke, carefully observing the expressions of the two men.
Zhou Yuan's heart raced, and Han Qing's breathing gradually became rapid.
"These pills were all developed by me, but pills for the Soul Emperor Realm..."
Xiao Yan paused deliberately, and Zhou Yuan and Han Qing's expressions changed. They both looked at Xiao Yan with burning eyes.
"Once I've finished refining it, I will definitely not forget the two deacons."
"This..."
Zhou Yuan and Han Qing were both taken aback, their gazes falling on the Barrier-Breaking Pill on the table, a hint of doubt in their eyes.
This was also Xiao Yan's last resort. He couldn't refine a pill that could help Soul Emperor break through to the next level. Being able to make a pill that could help Soul King was already his limit.
If this were placed in Battle Through the Heavens, Xiao Yan guessed that its medicinal grade would be a third-grade pill.
"Gentlemen, I plan to promote this Barrier-Breaking Pill within the Spirit Hall Main Hall."
Any Soul Master who is loyal to the Spirit Hall Main Hall and to the Spirit Hall can exchange for it according to their contribution.
Xiao Yan took the initiative to speak, pushing the two bottles of pills towards Zhou Yuan and Han Qing, and said with a smile:
"However, before promoting it, the two deacons can take it back and let the disciples of the clan try it out to see if there is anything that needs improvement."
Zhou Yuan and Han Qing exchanged a glance, understanding each other perfectly.
Xiao Yan is trying to win people's hearts.
But this is an open conspiracy.
With Barrier-Breaking Pill available, who could refuse it?
After only a slight hesitation, Zhou Yuan and Han Qing made their choice.
The two exchanged a glance, then clasped their hands in a fist salute to Xiao Yan and said:
" Elder Xiao, rest assured," Zhou Yuan said solemnly, "We will certainly do our duty to maintain the safety of the hall."
Xiao Yan smiled.
He then waved for the two to leave.
After Zhou Yuan and Han Qing left, they gave the Barrier-Breaking Pill to their subordinates.
Upon witnessing the Soul Ancestor disciple's Soul Power increase by two levels, the two men's eyes immediately burned with fervor.
Although Xiao Yan was just making empty promises, the two accepted them.
If Xiao Yan can help Soul Ancestor and Soul King improve their strength, he can also help them break through to the next level!
Therefore, Zhou Yuan and Han Qing had already sided with Xiao Yan.
The so-called neutrality they claimed before was simply because Xu Mu didn't have enough leverage to offer them.
Now, we have Xiao Yan's talent, Xiao Yan's strength, and the pills we can provide.
Each one was enough to impress Zhou Yuan and Han Qing, let alone the fact that they all appeared in one person.
Over the next two weeks, the Spirit Hall Main Hall underwent a major purge.
All twenty-three of Xu Mu's trusted confidants were executed.
Their property was confiscated and the proceeds were put into the palace treasury.
The resources they had seized were all recovered.
Meanwhile, news of the Barrier-Breaking Pill quietly spread within the Spirit Hall Main Hall.
However, for now, it's limited to Zhou Yuan and Han Qing's confidants.
No one would be foolish enough to expose this kind of pill, but the increase in strength would surprise other Soul Master.
In response, the Soul Master took the elixir simply said that he had had a sudden enlightenment.
But everyone wasn't stupid; they noticed the respectful attitude these people had shown towards Xiao Yan and guessed a lot from it.
Subsequently, Xiao Yan announced the existence of the Barrier-Breaking Pill in the hall, and the entire Spirit Hall Main Hall was in an uproar.
Countless Soul Master flocked to the scene, eager to exchange for the Barrier-Breaking Pill.
However, Xiao Yan set very strict rules—only those who are loyal to the Spirit Hall Main Hall and the Spirit Hall can exchange for it, and they need to have enough contribution points.
How do I earn contribution points?
Completing tasks within the palace, demonstrating merit, reporting and exposing wrongdoing...
A comprehensive contribution system was quickly established.
In just half a month, Xiao Yan's influence within the Spirit Hall Main Hall reached its peak.
Those Soul Master who were originally wavering all gravitated towards Xiao Yan.
Those who originally harbored disloyal intentions also chose to submit under the allure of the Barrier-Breaking Pill and the harsh purge.
However, Xiao Yan also understood that this was only a temporary measure. These people were only now choosing to align themselves with him because of the benefits of the Barrier-Breaking Pill.
If you really want to build your own power, you have to take it slowly.