Three days later, at the Xiao Family Martial Arts Square— The massive plaza was paved with heavy bluestone slabs.
Having weathered many storms and the polishing of countless footsteps, its surface appeared smooth and solid.
At this moment, more than a hundred Xiao Family youths, aged between eight and fifteen, were gathered here.
They stood in groups of three or five, either jumping with excitement or filled with inner tension and apprehension.
Waves of heated discussion converged, making the scene exceptionally lively.
Today was the day of the Xiao Family’s annual test for the Dou Zhi Qi cultivation of the clan’s younger generation.
For the youth, this was a crucial moment that would determine their resources and Family status for the foreseeable future.
At the very center of the plaza stood a massive black stone monument, roughly the height of two people.
The monument was made of a special material that felt icy to the touch.
Its surface was as smooth as a mirror, inscribed with profound runes, and a transparent crystal ball was embedded at the top.
This was the Magic Testing Monument, an extremely expensive item that only major powers like the Xiao Family in Wutan City were qualified to possess.
Beside the monument stood a cold-faced, thin middle-aged man.
He was the Family deacon responsible for this test year after year.
With a stiff face, his gaze swept over the boys and girls below without a hint of emotion, maintaining the seriousness and fairness of the test.
On a stone step at the edge of the plaza, Xiao Qing sat alone, looking from afar at the group of fellow clan youths with their varying emotions.
Xiao Qing’s expression was calm, forming a sharp contrast with the surrounding bustle.
Deep within his Soul, that mysterious golden book began to operate, hiding Xiao Qing’s true cultivation as a three-star Dou Practitioner and only letting out disguised Dou Zhi Qi fluctuations.
In every past test, Xiao Qing had displayed what others saw as “cultivation appropriate for his age and earned through hard work.” It wouldn’t be so outstanding as to invite suspicion, nor so backward as to invite contempt.
Just then, Xiao Qing sensed a gaze falling upon him, followed by steady footsteps approaching.
Xiao Qing looked up and, upon seeing who it was, immediately stood up and gave a respectful bow: “Clan Chief.” The newcomer was none other than Xiao Zhan!
He wore a grey brocade robe with a jade belt at his waist.
His chin bore a neatly trimmed long beard, and his brow held the majesty of a Family head, yet the look he gave Xiao Qing now was gentle.
As the Xiao Family’s current only Great Dou Master, 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 important, of course, but one must also balance work and rest.
I’ve seen you spend almost all your time on cultivation these past few years.
Don’t stay too tense; you should rest and relax when it’s time!” Xiao Zhan’s concern was not without reason.
Children of Xiao Qing’s age usually spent their days playing wildly, or heading to the mountains and rivers to catch fish and birds.
Compared to the other children in the clan, Xiao Qing’s self-discipline and hard work were exceptionally prominent, even somewhat of an anomaly!
Perhaps it was the precocity brought about by the early death of his parents that made him pour all his energy into cultivation.
As the brother-in-law of Xiao Qing’s mother and the Clan Chief of the Xiao Family, Xiao Zhan always showed extra care and attention toward this nephew who had lost his parents’ protection!
Not only did he never lack for cultivation resources, but Xiao Zhan also did his best to provide Xiao Qing with a relatively peaceful environment free from trivial disturbances.
“Thank you for your concern, Clan Chief,” Xiao Qing said sincerely.
He truly felt a great deal of gratitude toward Xiao Zhan.
Hearing this, Xiao Zhan intentionally stiffened his face and scolded with a laugh, “You brat, how many times have I told you?
When no outsiders are around, call me uncle!” Xiao Qing showed a perfectly timed hint of embarrassment, scratched his head, and followed the advice: “I understand, uncle.” Suddenly, a strange feeling welled up in his heart.
This kind of familial care, devoid of ulterior motives, was especially precious in this world.
Seeing Xiao Qing’s natural expression and clear eyes, without any signs of gloom or depression, Xiao Zhan nodded slightly and felt a secret sense of relief.
It seemed the child had slowly stepped out from the shadows of the past.
Xiao Qing’s words broke the ensuing silence.
Xiao Qing looked solemnly at Xiao Zhan, his brow slightly furrowed, his tone carrying sincere concern: “uncle, Aunt’s illness…
Is there really nothing Dr.
Li or the other physicians hired by the clan can do?” At the mention of his beloved wife’s condition, a heavy gloom instantly masked Xiao Zhan’s resolute face.
Xiao Zhan’s hands subconsciously tightened.
He let out a heavy sigh, his voice full of powerlessness and disappointment: “Dr.
Li is already the best physician in Wutan City.
After repeated diagnoses, he said your aunt damaged her foundation during childbirth.
Her life’s Origin Qi is too depleted; ordinary medicine simply cannot replenish it.” “Unless…
we can convince an esteemed Alchemist to act and refine a Tier 4 Medicinal Pill—the gu yuan pill.
Only then might it be possible to completely stabilize her Qi, make up for the deficiency, and restore her health.” A Tier 4 Medicinal Pill!
These words hit the air like a heavy hammer.
In the entire Jia Ma Empire, Alchemists capable of refining Tier 4 pills were already distinguished figures of high status, few and far between, let alone in this remote Wutan City.
One must know that the highest-ranked Alchemist in Wutan City was Gu Ni, a Tier 2 Alchemist from the Mittel Auction House.
To get a Tier 4 Alchemist to act, the difficulty could well be imagined, and the price required would be an astronomical figure.
Xiao Zhan’s eyes dimmed, filled with helplessness over reality and heartache for his wife.
Xiao Zhan and Yan Qian shared a deep bond; they were a truly devoted couple.
Seeing his beloved wife tormented by illness for years while he was powerless to help—this pain gnawed at him day and night.
“Actually…” Xiao Zhan’s voice dropped even lower, carrying a hint of hard-to-detect bitterness and unwillingness, “Over these years, I’ve been trying to find a way in private.
I’ve used countless connections and paid a massive price to finally…
finally obtain a Pill Formula for the Tier 4 gu yuan pill.” The Tier 4 gu yuan pill Formula was already the greatest effort Xiao Zhan could think of and achieve under his current circumstances.
“Furthermore, I’ve been secretly gathering the Materials needed to refine the Tier 4 gu yuan pill…” Xiao Zhan shook his head, the bitterness on his face deepening.
“However, the Materials for a Tier 4 pill are all precious and rare items.
Many require venturing deep into the dangerous areas of the Magical Beast Mountain Range to harvest, or bidding at large auctions…
To this day, despite spending countless funds and effort, I’m afraid I haven’t even gathered half of a set.” The world of Alchemists had strict rules.
To ask someone to refine a pill, one not only needed to provide the Pill Formula but usually also had to prepare at least three sets of Materials to prevent failure.
Of course, if the Alchemist succeeded with the first set, the remaining two would naturally enter the Alchemist’s storage ring.
Beyond that, one had to pay the Alchemist an extremely generous reward, enough to entice them.
Each of these requirements was like an insurmountable mountain for the current Xiao Family and for Xiao Zhan personally.
Indefinite…
This word perfectly summarized Xiao Zhan’s current mood.
Hope was as faint as the stars in the sky—visible, yet unreachable.
“Tier 4 gu yuan pill…” Listening to Xiao Zhan’s low words, Xiao Qing’s gaze narrowed.
He subconsciously rubbed his fingers together as if deep in thought, repeating the name of the pill in a low voice.
Xiao Qing’s voice was very soft, as if he were merely confirming information, but his slightly furrowed brow and the flash of light in his eyes suggested his inner thoughts were far from calm.
Just then, from the corner of his eye, Xiao Qing spotted a woman holding a child’s hand not far away, slowly walking toward the Martial Arts Square.
The woman had a graceful figure and wore a simple yet dignified dress.
Her steps were composed, carrying a natural air of elegance and poise that seemed somewhat out of place with the noisy atmosphere of the training grounds.
The little boy she was leading was about three years old, with a sturdy build and big, dark, curious eyes that were looking all around, full of wonder at everything.
The woman’s gaze shifted, and she soon spotted 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.