Three days later, Xiao Family Martial Arts Square—
The massive square was paved with thick bluestone slabs, having endured much wind and rain, as well as the polishing of countless footsteps, leaving the surface smooth and solid.
At this moment, over a hundred Xiao Family youths between the ages of eight and fifteen were gathered here on the square.
They were in groups of three or five, either excited and jumping with joy, or filled with nervousness and trepidation inside.
Bursts of heated discussion converged, making the scene exceptionally lively.
Today was the day of the Xiao Family’s annual test of the younger generation’s Dou Zhi Qi cultivation.
For the younger generation, this was an important moment that would determine their resources and Family status for the coming period.
In the very center of the square stood a massive black stone tablet about two people tall.
The material of the stone tablet was special, cold to the touch, and the surface was as smooth as a mirror, engraved with profound runes, with a transparent crystal ball embedded at the top.
This was the extremely expensive Testing Magical Stone Tablet, which only major forces like the Xiao Family in Wutan City were qualified to possess.
Beside the stone tablet stood a middle-aged man with a cold expression and a thin build.
He was the Family deacon who had been responsible for this test for many years, keeping a straight face, his gaze sweeping over the youths below without any emotional color, maintaining the seriousness and fairness of the test.
On a stone step at the edge of the square, Xiao Qing sat alone, watching the group of clansmen youths with their various emotions from afar.
Xiao Qing’s expression was calm, forming a sharp contrast with the liveliness around him.
Deep within his Soul, the mysterious golden book began to operate, concealing Xiao Qing’s true cultivation of a Three-Star Dou Zhe, only revealing the disguised Dou Zhi Qi fluctuations.
In every past test, what Xiao Qing displayed was, in the eyes of others, “the cultivation level that matched his age group and what he deserved after hard work.”
It would not be too outstanding to arouse suspicion, nor would it be so far behind as to invite contempt.
Just then, Xiao Qing sensed a gaze landing on him, and subsequently, steady footsteps approached him.
Xiao Qing raised his head, and upon seeing who it was, immediately stood up and respectfully bowed: “Clan Chief.”
The person who came was none other than Xiao Zhan!
He was dressed in a grey brocade robe, with a jade belt tied around his waist, and a meticulously trimmed long beard on his chin.
Between his brows, he carried the majesty of a Family head, but his gaze toward Xiao Qing at this moment was gentle.
As the only Great Dou Master currently in the Xiao Family, he was the pillar of the entire Family!
“Qing’er,” Xiao Zhan walked to his side, his tone soft and filled with concern.
“Cultivation is certainly important, but one must also balance work and rest.
I see that in recent years you have spent almost all your time on cultivation; you shouldn’t be too tense.
You should rest and relax when it’s time to do so!”
Xiao Zhan’s concern was not unreasonable.
Children of Xiao Qing’s age were usually either playing wildly all day or going up mountains and down rivers to catch fish and birds.
Compared to children of the same clan, Xiao Qing’s self-discipline and diligence were particularly outstanding, even somewhat alien!
Perhaps it was the precociousness brought about by the early passing of his parents that caused him to pour all his energy into Cultivate.
As the brother-in-law of Xiao Qing’s mother and also the Clan Chief of the Xiao Family, Xiao Zhan had always shown extraordinary care and attention to this nephew who had lost the protection of his parents!
Not only had he never lacked in Cultivate resources, but he had also done his best to provide Xiao Qing with a relatively peaceful environment, free from the disturbances of trivial matters.
“Thank you for your concern, Clan Chief.” Xiao Qing said sincerely.
Toward Xiao Zhan, he indeed felt a great deal of gratitude in his heart.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhan deliberately put on a stern face and scolded with a smile: “You brat, how many times have I told you?
There are no outsiders here, call me Uncle!”
Xiao Qing’s face showed a hint of appropriate embarrassment, he scratched his head, and readily changed his address: “I know, Uncle.”
Suddenly, a strange feeling emerged in his heart.
This kind of familial care, devoid of utilitarian colors, was particularly precious in this world.
Seeing Xiao Qing’s natural expression and clear eyes, without any signs of gloom or depression, Xiao Zhan nodded slightly in his heart, feeling secretly relieved.
It seemed this child had slowly walked out of the shadows of the past.
Xiao Qing’s words broke the ensuing silence.
Xiao Qing looked solemnly at Xiao Zhan, his brows slightly furrowed, his tone filled with sincere concern: “Uncle, Aunt’s illness…
are the physicians hired by the clan, and other physicians, really completely helpless?”
Mentioning his beloved wife’s condition, a thick haze instantly covered Xiao Zhan’s resolute face.
Xiao Zhan’s hands subconsciously tightened, he sighed heavily, his voice filled with powerlessness and disappointment: “Physician Li is already the best physician in Wutan City.
After diagnosing her repeatedly, he said that your Aunt injured her foundation during childbirth, and her life Origin Qi was too severely depleted for ordinary medicine to compensate.”
“Unless…
we can invite a noble Alchemist to take action and refine a fourth-grade Medicinal Pill—a gu yuan pill—only then is it possible to completely stabilize her Origin Qi, make up for the deficiency, and allow her to recover her health.”
A fourth-grade Medicinal Pill!
These few words hit the air like a heavy hammer.
In the entire Jia Ma Empire, Alchemists who could refine fourth-grade Medicinal Pills were already big figures with respected status, and they could be counted on one hand, let alone in this remote Wutan City.
You must know that the highest-ranked Alchemist in Wutan City was just Gu Ni, a second-grade Alchemist from the Mittel Auction House.
As for a fourth-grade Alchemist, the difficulty of inviting them to take action could be imagined, and the price required to be paid was an astronomical figure.
Xiao Zhan’s eyes dimmed, filled with helplessness toward reality and heartache for his wife.
Xiao Zhan and Yan Qian had a deep relationship; they were true partners, very much in love.
Seeing his beloved wife tormented by illness year after year yet being unable to do anything, this pain tortured him day and night.
“Actually…” Xiao Zhan’s voice lowered further, carrying a trace of imperceptible bitterness and unwillingness, “These years, I have also been trying to find a way in private.
I have pulled countless strings and paid a huge price, finally…
finally managed to get a Pill Formula for a fourth-grade gu yuan pill.”
A fourth-grade gu yuan pill Pill Formula; this was already the greatest effort Xiao Zhan could think of and achieve under the current conditions.
“Moreover, I have also been secretly collecting the Materials needed to refine the fourth-grade gu yuan pill…” Xiao Zhan shook his head, the bitterness on his face intensifying.
“It’s just that the Materials needed for a fourth-grade Medicinal Pill are all precious and rare items.
Many require going deep into the dangerous areas of the Magical Beast Mountain Range to be picked, or bidding at large auctions…
So far, having spent countless money and effort, the Materials collected probably aren’t even enough for half a set.”
The world of Alchemists had strict rules.
To ask someone to refine pills, one not only needed to provide the Pill Formula, but usually also needed to prepare at least three sets of Materials to prevent failure in Alchemy.
Of course, if the Alchemist succeeded in refining the pill with the first set of Materials, the remaining two sets of Materials would naturally go into the Alchemist’s storage ring.
Besides this, one also had to pay the Alchemist an extremely generous reward that would move them.
Every single one of these items was almost an insurmountable mountain for the current Xiao Family and for Xiao Zhan personally.
Remote and without a date…
This phrase perfectly summarized Xiao Zhan’s mood at this moment.
The hope was as slim as the stars in the sky; visible, yet unreachable.
“A fourth-grade gu yuan pill, huh…” Xiao Qing listened to Xiao Zhan’s low voice, his gaze slightly fixed, subconsciously rubbing his fingers, as if thinking about something, and repeated the name of this Medicinal Pill in a low voice.
Xiao Qing’s voice was very soft, seemingly just confirming information, but the slightly furrowed brows and the flash of keen light in his eyes hinted that his inner thoughts were not calm.
Just then, out of the corner of his eye, Xiao Qing caught sight of a woman not far away, leading a child, slowly walking toward the Martial Arts Square.
The woman had a light posture, dressed in a simple yet elegant and dignified dress.
Her steps were leisurely as she walked, carrying an air of grace and elegance that seemed somewhat out of place with the noisy atmosphere of the Martial Arts Field.
The little boy she was holding was about three years old, looking sturdy and cute, his big, dark, rolling eyes curiously glancing around, full of curiosity about everything around him.
The woman’s gaze shifted, and she quickly discovered Xiao Zhan and Xiao Qing standing by the stone steps.
A smile appeared on her gentle face, and she led the child straight toward them.