In the following days, Xiao Yan was almost always guarding the edge of the medicine cauldron. Although the days were extremely hard, the full ring of healing medicine made him feel quite relieved in his spare time.

  Of course, it's worth mentioning that during the nearly five days of continuous alchemy, Xiao Yan's internal aura had also unknowingly become much more robust. At this current level, he was probably already at the first star of a Dou Zhe.

  Under this double encouragement, Xiao Yan finally gritted his teeth and persevered.

  At the time when Xiao Yan was hiding in a mountain cave to practice alchemy, the atmosphere between the Xiao family and the Jiaolong family in Wutancheng was also becoming increasingly tense. Two days ago, the Jiaolong family took advantage of the opportunity to offer various conditions that were extremely favorable to merchants, and suddenly, many of the merchants who were still observing the situation began to switch to the Jiaolong family's market.

  This is almost a move that shakes the foundation of Xiao's family, and the high-level members of Xiao's family, after their furious anger, have almost all started to think about killing.

  ……

  "Damn it, we can't take it anymore! In just five short days, our Xiao family's profits have lost at least 50-60%, if this continues, all of our shops will go bankrupt!" The three elders in the council hall glared with fierce eyes and shouted angrily.

  In the hall, family members with a relatively high status in the clan all sat here, their gloomy faces revealing the anger burning in their hearts.

  "It can't be delayed any longer..." The elder slowly let out a breath and said: "Although Master Guni of the Miter auction house has refined over a hundred bottles of healing medicine for our family, this amount is too small and cannot compare to the massive quantity of the Galie family. In the short term, we can still hold out against the Galie family, but once time passes and the healing medicine is sold out, we will return to our previous embarrassing situation."

  He let out a sigh, and the elder smiled wryly: "Although if Guni were to lend his full assistance, they would certainly be able to exhaust the one first-rate alchemist of the Galie family with sheer numbers, but after all, he is someone from the Mittermeyer auction house. They have always been reluctant to intervene in battles between families; that they are willing to go this far now is already quite unexpected."

  Xiao Zhan, sitting in the first place, nodded solemnly with a gloomy face. The healing medicine sold by the Gali family was indeed of very low grade, but it had its advantages in large quantities and cheap prices, which suited the mercenaries who often fought at the forefront.

  "If we could also invite a first-rate alchemist, then we would be able to counter them..." someone in the hall whispered.

  Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhan shook his head helplessly. The alchemists in Wutan City were extremely rare, and it was not easy to invite those self-conceited guys. It's unknown what kind of luck the Gali family had stumbled upon this time, but they actually managed to get an alchemist to assist them.

  In the corner of the hall, Xiao Yu and Xiao Ning, young members of the family, were also seated there, looking at the gloomy faces of their elders. They too did not dare to speak out of turn, the atmosphere was silent and oppressive.

  "Sister, that alchemist, is he really so powerful? He's actually turned our Xiao family into this state?" Unable to bear the oppressive atmosphere, Xiao Ning quietly asked beside Xiao Yu.

  Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu let out a deep sigh and smiled wryly in a low voice: "Alchemists are indeed a uniquely privileged profession... A first-rate alchemist's strength is at most at the Dou Zhe level. If they were to engage in a direct fight, any elder from their family could easily kill them. However, what makes alchemists terrifying isn't their ability to fight head-on. They can refine incredible medicinal pellets that drive people mad, and with these pellets, they possess unparalleled influence. Many powerful individuals are willing to serve as vassals for alchemists just to obtain these pellets."

  "On the continent of Dou Qi, many people liken alchemists to hornets' nests. Once provoked, they can immediately find countless thugs. Just think about being beaten by hundreds of strong men, even if you don't get killed, you'll probably be exhausted to death."

  The scene of the group fight started, Xiao Ning first shuddered, and then looked envious all over his face.

  "Don't harbor any illusions, the conditions for becoming an alchemist are harsh, you're not unaware of that, and the probability is even smaller than winning a lottery. " Xue Ning was given a cold glance by Xiao Yu, who didn't hesitate to pour a bucket of cold water on him.

  Affected by Xiao Yu's blow, Xiao Ning sneered: "I'm afraid our entire Xiao family doesn't have the good fortune to produce an alchemist."

  At these words, Xiao Yu was about to nod when a black-shirted young man suddenly jumped into his mind. Looking at the young man's appearance, it seemed to be Xiao Yan...

  She shook her head fiercely and muttered to herself, "How could I think of that little scoundrel? Hmph, if someone with his character can become an alchemist, then the alchemists in this world are probably worthless."

  After silently cursing Xiao Yan in her heart, Xiao Yu shifted her gaze to the corner by the window. There, a girl in green clothes was quietly holding a thick and ancient book, occasionally turning the pages with her slender fingers, her eyes moving gently as she read, exuding an elegant and refined demeanor that drew the surreptitious attention of many people around her who were about the same age.

  "What a good girl, but why does she have to favor that little rascal so much?" With a helpless shake of her head, Xiao Yu remained silent once again.

  Sitting quietly by the window, although her mind was immersed in the book, Xun Er could still sense the oppressive atmosphere in the hall. Her slender eyebrows furrowed slightly. No matter what, she had been with the Xiao family for over a decade, and without considering the face of the monks or Buddha, even if it was because of Xiao Yan's sake, she wouldn't really let the Xiao family be defeated by the Gali family to the point of never being able to turn things around.

  "Alas, I hope those guys won't be too excessive..." With a soft sigh in her heart, Xun'er once again cast her gaze towards the book page. Without Xiao Yan by her side, she almost didn't want to speak at all.

  Just as they were discussing their strategy in the hall, a family guard rushed in and reported: "Head of the clan, there is a man in black outside who says he has some cooperative matters to discuss with you."

  Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhan and several elders were stunned, exchanging a glance with each other. Their gloomy faces suddenly lit up with wild joy, and they all stood up at the same time, hastily shouting: "Quickly invite him!"

  Everyone in the hall was shocked at the sight of Xiao Zhan and the three elders, and then they looked at each other in dismay.

  "Haha, no need to be polite, how have you been lately, Elder Xiao? I'm an old man who doesn't wait for invitations." As soon as Xiao Zhan's voice fell, a hoarse laughter came from outside the door.

  As the sound approached, a figure shrouded in a black cloak slowly walked into the hall under everyone's watchful eyes.

  At the moment the man in black entered, Xun'er's eyebrows, which had been buried in her book, suddenly rose, and she slowly lifted her small face, her autumn water-like eyes fixed tightly on the black-robed figure.