Looking at the black-robed man who had just entered, Xiao Zhan and the three elders hastily got up from their seats, quickly walked forward, and bowed with a smile: "Sir, our clan's affairs are busy, Xiao Zhan didn't come out to greet you, please forgive him."

  "Heh heh, no need for formalities." The old voice beneath the black robe chuckled faintly.

  Xiao Zhan nodded eagerly and made a gesture to the three elders, hurriedly making way for them. He smiled and said, "Please take a seat, sir."

  The man in black smiled and nodded, without being polite, walked straight up and sat down in the position next to the first seat.

  Looking at Xiao Zhan and several others treating the black-robed man with such respect, the younger generation of clan members couldn't help but whisper to each other. Curious gazes swept across the black-robed man's body again and again. When they heard their elders mention that the black-robed man was an alchemist, their eyes suddenly became fiery with admiration. No matter where, alchemists have always been the most awe-inspiring profession.

  "Sister, isn't that person the mysterious alchemist we met at the auction house that day?" Shao Ning's eyes shone brightly as she stared intently at the black-robed figure, tugging anxiously on Xiao Yu's sleeve.

  "Hmm." Xiao Yu nodded slightly, her beautiful eyes still fixed on the man in black. Her pretty face showed a hint of surprise: "I didn't expect this old gentleman to really come to our Xiao family. It seems that his previous talk of cooperation wasn't just idle chatter... If he helps us, our Xiao family's current predicament should be easily resolved."

  Listening to the whispers of the people around her, Xun Er's eyebrows furrowed slightly, her autumn water-like eyes staring tightly at the obese black-robed man. For some reason, she seemed to always feel that the black-robed man in front of her had a somewhat discordant air about him...

  Furrowing his brow in deep thought, after a long while with no result, Xun Er also had to give up her random thinking. "Hehe, old sir, I don't know what brings you to the Xiao household today?" asked Xiao Zhan with a smile, personally handing over a cup of warm tea.

  "Happened to be passing by, so I thought I'd come take a look at the young genius from your esteemed family who managed to advance several stages with just a bit of my help in cultivating the Foundation Establishment Liquid." The hoarse voice under the black robe spoke with a faint smile.

  Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's eyes hastily scanned the hall, but he didn't see Xiao Feng's figure anywhere, and couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.

  "Heh heh, no need to shout, Elder Xiao. I've already met the young master and he's quite a decent young man, very much to my taste..." The black-robed person chuckled and waved his hand, stopping Xiao Zhan from sending someone to call out. The tone of praise in his voice was completely unhidden, which made the face of a certain youth hiding under the black robes flush with embarrassment.

  The black-robed man's tone of praise caused the people in the hall to involuntarily reveal a hint of envy in their eyes, for it was not an easy thing to receive such evaluation from a high-level alchemist.

  "All the good things were taken by that guy." Xiao Ning said with a tinge of jealousy, pouting her lips in discontent.

  Xiao Yu also helplessly sighed and supported her cheek with her jade hand, whispering: "Is that guy really that good? How come I didn't notice?"

  Listening to the black-robed man's words, Xiao Zhan's smile on his face grew a few more points, and in his eyes, there was a hint of complacency.

  "Heh heh, Elder Xiao, the Xiao family seems to be in a bit of a tough spot lately?" The smile on Xiao Zhan's face had not yet fully spread when it was struck down by that aged voice, becoming somewhat subdued.

  He nodded silently and Xiao Zhan smiled bitterly: "I suppose the old man should also know about the current situation of the Xiao family?"

  "Ah, I understand a bit." The man in black nodded and smiled.

  "Alas, the current Xiao family has already been suppressed by the Jia family's industry for nearly 50%, if this continues in the long run, I'm afraid we'll also become a second-rate force in Wutan City." Xiao Zhan sighed, his furrowed brow like an old man.

  "Heh heh, although I don't have much to do with the Xiao family, but I get along quite well with Young Master. If the head of the Xiao family isn't afraid that I'll lead him astray, we can cooperate." The black-robed man said with a light laugh.

  Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhan was taken aback for a moment, then his face lit up with wild joy. He had been holding back his words, and wasn't this exactly what he wanted to say? Excitedly, he exchanged a glance with the three elders, and without hesitation, nodded: "Sir, being able to cooperate with you is an honor that the Xiao family cannot ask for!"

  At least a second-rate alchemist of the second rank or higher, this kind of family is usually almost impossible to invite, and Xiao Zhan would not think that his own family could have anything to move a second-rate alchemist. Looking at the old man's manner of speaking, it seems that cooperating with the Xiao family is also largely due to Xiao Yan's sake. Such an opportunity, as the head of the Xiao family, how could Xiao Zhan easily give up?

  Seeing Xiao Zhan's attitude, the black-robed man smiled and nodded, a white palm emerged from his black robe, with a pale red ring on his finger, tapping lightly on the ring, suddenly, light flashed...

  Looking at that hand as white as a young boy's, Xiao Zhan had a moment of distraction. This hand gave him a feeling... somewhat familiar.

  Xiao Zhan didn't even have time to ponder the source of this familiar feeling when he was suddenly stunned by the large pile of jade bottles that appeared on the table.

  On the vast conference table, in the blink of an eye, it was covered with small jade bottles without any gaps.

  Looking at the countless small jade bottles that appeared out of thin air, inside the grand hall, except for the green-robed girl by the window, everyone else was shocked by the enormous amount of elixirs and took a light breath of cool air.

  "There are 1,283 bottles of healing medicine here, named 'Coagulant Powder'. Although I dare not say it's the best among healing medicines, its healing effect is more pronounced than the 'Rejuvenating Powder' of the Galley family." The black-robed man continued to introduce in a calm and composed tone, amidst the stunned gazes in the grand hall.

  Xiao Zhan's mouth twitched and he took a deep breath of cold air: "This is the real big move!"

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