Chapter 36: The Strength of the Family Is True Strength
Two months later.
Back mountain of the Xiao family.
Two figures, one in black and one in white, repeatedly exchanged blows as bursts of low shouts echoed through the area.
"Eight Extremities Collapse!"
Xiao Yan, clad in black, growled and launched a fierce punch toward Xiao Yuan.
Xiao Yuan's expression remained calm as he dodged easily using Dragon Serpent Steps, and in a flash, appeared beside Xiao Yan. His hand, shaped like a blade, lightly traced across Xiao Yan's neck.
The chill of the Dou Qi from Xiao Yuan's palm made Xiao Yan shudder involuntarily.
"Brother, your talent is seriously terrifying. I just advanced to Fighter, and you're already Four-Star. Your combat strength is so high, you don't even need to use Dou Techniques to suppress me with ease."
Xiao Yan rubbed his slightly cold neck with lingering fear and smiled bitterly.
"Don't sell yourself short. You're not bad either. I'm using a Xuan-rank movement Dou Technique after all. Too bad the Mittel family was cautious—the scroll's information could only be read by one person. If you had a chance to learn it and sparred with me again, I'd have to put in more effort."
Xiao Yuan chuckled and patted Xiao Yan's shoulder.
"By the way, brother, you mentioned that once I became a Fighter, you'd need help from me and my teacher. What's the matter?"
Xiao Yan straightened up and asked seriously.
"You already know, Wutan City is currently in a three-way standoff between the Jia Lie, our Xiao family, and the Aoba family.
"With our talents, we can't stay in the family forever. I've long planned to leave for training, but I've stayed because I can't rest easy leaving the family unguarded.
"But this kind of life won't last long. In six months, it'll be time for enrollment at Jia Nan Academy. That's a great place.
"I've done some digging—Jia Nan Academy is divided into inner and outer courtyards. The outer instructors are only at Da Dou Shi level. They won't help much. But your teacher can refine Tier-4 pills, which means he's at least a Dou Ling. There's no point in wasting time in the outer courtyard.
"My plan is to enroll in Jia Nan Academy in six months, but I won't actually go. In a little over a year, I need to go to the Nalan estate to break off my engagement. Before that, I must find a way to reach the Da Dou Shi level.
"But I can't leave the family in its current state. I need you—and your mysterious teacher—to help eliminate the Jia Lie and Aoba families."
Hearing this well-laid-out plan, Xiao Yan couldn't help but nod.
Indeed, Third Brother always had remarkable foresight.
However…
"Brother, how exactly do we act?"
Xiao Yan asked, puzzled.
"Simple. Now that you're a Fighter, you should be qualified to start learning alchemy, right?
"I'm sure your teacher will train you. Let me lay out the plan. You can discuss it with your teacher later. Anyway, beginner alchemists gain experience by burning medicinal herbs.
"First, I need you to refine a healing potion. It doesn't need to be high-quality—just cheap, mass-producible, and more effective than the typical trauma medicine made by common doctors.
"I'll distribute it through the Xiao family's market. With one exclusive product that's effective and affordable, we can shake Wutan City's small market completely!
"Next, beauty and anti-aging products—don't underestimate women's spending power!
"As for the rest, there's no rush. Focus on learning alchemy from your teacher for now. Also, ask him if it's okay to reveal that you have an alchemy master. If so, I'll take you to see Ya Fei. She'll return to the capital in six months.
"This is the perfect time to cooperate with the Mittel family and crush the Jia Lie and Aoba families. Once we have full control of Wutan City's resources, our family will grow much faster.
"And by helping her boost her performance before she leaves, her voice will carry more weight back in the capital, which will benefit us too."
Xiao Yuan's tone was solemn as he spoke to Xiao Yan.
"Alright, I'll go ask."
Xiao Yan nodded with a serious expression.
At the same time, thoughts churned in his mind. He had always been obsessed with training and never paid attention to the family's affairs. Now, with Third Brother's reminder, it felt like being shaken awake from a dream.
If nothing else, he should help his father.
Over the years, their father had focused on managing the family, leaving little time for cultivation. Combined with the family's remote location and limited resources, his cultivation had slowed.
Otherwise, with his talent, their father would likely already be a Dou Ling—and maybe even have the potential to reach Dou Wang. The Nalan family wouldn't have dared let Nalan Yanran break off the engagement so casually.
One person's strength was certainly important to a family—but if the family as a whole became strong, he'd benefit even more.
Besides, he'd been consuming double the family's resources all these years!
As for Xiao Yuan's mention of boosting Ya Fei's performance, Xiao Yan didn't find it strange. To him, she was practically his future sister-in-law. Since it was a win-win situation, he was all in!
"Oh right—what was with that habit of yours earlier? Yelling out the name of your Dou Technique like you're afraid no one knows what you're using? What, when you become a Dou Wang in the future, are you going to shout out your technique names mid-fight like you're reading a menu?"
After they were done discussing business, Xiao Yuan teased.
"Uhh…"
Xiao Yan was speechless. A scene flashed in his mind of a Dou Wang with Dou Qi wings battling mid-air, yelling out technique names like a narrator...
Just thinking about it made him cringe.
"Haha, also—your Dou Technique has explosive force, but lacks follow-through. That's typical of Fire attributes, but you should still try to work on that flaw. Ask your teacher for advice."
Xiao Yuan then pointed out the weaknesses in Xiao Yan's Eight Extremities Collapse to prevent future setbacks.
"Got it!"
Xiao Yan nodded seriously, his admiration for Xiao Yuan growing even stronger: Third Brother truly was a genius among geniuses!
"Alright, I'm off to arrange things at the market. After everything's in place, I'll head to the Magic Beast Mountain Range to scout the area. If you need anything, go find Ya Fei Jie. I'll let her know ahead of time."
With that, Xiao Yuan waved and headed down the mountain.
Watching Xiao Yuan's hasty figure, Xiao Yan pursed his lips, his expression complex.
"Your third brother… is very impressive."
Yao Lao's voice rang out quietly.
"Mm, you heard everything earlier, right?"
Xiao Yan nodded and asked.
"He's not wrong. You're going to learn alchemy anyway. Practicing aimlessly would be boring. If there's a clear goal, the results might even be better. Besides, I was already planning to take you out for some field training."
Yao Lao chuckled.
"Thank you, Teacher!"
Xiao Yan smiled softly.
(END CHAPTER)
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