Xiao Zhan led Su Yun out of the hall.
The three elders of the Xiao Family were somewhat puzzled but didn't say much.
After all, Xiao Zhan was the patriarch of the Xiao Family, and discussing private matters was within his rights, which they had no authority to interfere with.
Moreover, Su Yun had helped the Xiao Family out of consideration for Xiao Lin's past relationship.
For the Xiao Family, being able to catch up with Su Yun and strengthen their relationship was also a good thing.
The three elders didn't dwell on it and left the hall.
Su Yun was taken by Xiao Zhan to the back mountain.
"Patriarch Xiao, may I ask what you need Master Han's help with?" Su Yun asked Xiao Zhan.
He was also somewhat surprised, not having guessed why Xiao Zhan wanted to see him.
During this time, Su Yun's cooperation with the Xiao Family hadn't been particularly helpful to him, but it had brought great benefits to the Xiao Family.
With those first-grade pills, the Xiao Family's profits in the market had increased significantly, drawing away quite a few people from the other two major families.
Now that the Xiao Family was thriving, Su Yun couldn't imagine why Xiao Zhan would need his help.
"Master Han, this time I want to ask you to refine a Gathering Qi Pill for my son, Xiao Yan," Xiao Zhan said solemnly to Su Yun.
Su Yun suddenly realized.
Of course, Xiao Yan's breakthrough to the Fighter rank was this year.
Su Yun nodded knowingly to Xiao Zhan.
"So, it's Xiao Lin's grandson who's about to break through to Fighter rank. Congratulations," Su Yun smiled and arched his hand towards Xiao Zhan.
"Speaking of which, Xiao Yan's talent is truly remarkable. If I'm not mistaken, he's only eleven years old this year," Su Yun remarked.
Xiao Zhan felt a sense of pride. His son's talent was outstanding. Even a Fourth Grade Alchemist would highly appreciate it.
"So, are you agreeing to it?"
"Of course."
Xiao Zhan was overjoyed. The Gathering Qi Pill was remarkably effective for breakthroughs to the Fighter rank. This year, the Xiao Family would have an eleven-year-old Fighter!
"However, you're aware of the rules for alchemists, Patriarch Xiao."
"Of course. However, I'm a bit short on funds. There are only two sets of medicinal materials. Are you confident, Master?" Xiao Zhan asked nervously.
"Two sets of medicinal materials, huh..." Su Yun pondered for a moment before replying.
Given his actual skills, refining a Gathering Qi Pill was a simple task, even with just one set of materials.
However, if he made it sound too easy, Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan might not appreciate it.
He was worried that he didn't have many opportunities to interact with Xiao Yan and invest in him.
After all, Xiao Yan was his future... brother-in-arms? He naturally cared about him.
He never doubted Xiao Yan's potential.
Based on his estimation, even if he intercepted all the opportunities for Xiao Yan's growth according to his memory, Xiao Yan would still likely grow into a Fighter.
It wasn't that he had great confidence in Xiao Yan, but the condition for the system's activation was still fresh in his memory.
The Chosen One!
"Master Han, is there any difficulty?" Xiao Zhan's anxious voice interrupted Su Yun's thoughts.
Su Yun snapped back to reality.
"Patriarch Xiao, rest assured, I will do my best!" Su Yun reassured Xiao Zhan with a serious expression.
Xiao Zhan finally relaxed a bit, but his expression afterwards was somewhat awkward.
"There's one more thing I'd like to ask," Xiao Zhan continued.
"Please, go ahead."
"It's about the payment for refining the Gathering Qi Pill. Could it be postponed for a while?"
A stiff smile appeared on Xiao Zhan's face.
"Patriarch Xiao, what are you talking about? If it weren't for Elder Xiao Lin saving me many years ago, I wouldn't be where I am today. The reward is unnecessary," Su Yun said casually, with righteousness in his tone.
"This... Patriarch Xiao, please convey my gratitude to Elder Xiao Lin on behalf of me and Xiao Yan!"
Xiao Zhan was overjoyed and made a mental note of Su Yun's kindness.
Su Yun also smiled inwardly. With this favor, Xiao Yan, the future tool, wouldn't be able to escape.
Investing in Xiao Yan was also a form of insurance for himself.
Given Xiao Yan's character, if he accepted such a huge favor from him, he would surely go to great lengths to save him if he were ever in danger in the future.
After exchanging pleasantries with Xiao Zhan, Su Yun left. Xiao Zhan then went to find Xiao Yan.
Arriving at Xiao Yan's room, Xiao Zhan knocked on the door.
"Son."
Father?
Xiao Yan, who had just finished his cultivation, was somewhat puzzled.
"Father, what brings you here?"
Xiao Yan opened the door.
Xiao Zhan entered the room. "Son, how's your recent progress in cultivation?"
A confident expression flashed across Xiao Yan's face.
"Father, the Qi in my body is overflowing. With some adjustments during this period, I can break through to Fighter rank!"
Xiao Zhan was delighted. It seemed that the Gathering Qi Pill he had prepared for Xiao Yan would soon come in handy.
"Good. I've asked Master Han to refine a Gathering Qi Pill for you. Rest well during this period and strive for success!"
Xiao Yan was thrilled to hear
this.
"Gathering Qi Pill! Master Han is willing to refine a Gathering Qi Pill for me!"
The name of Han Li had long been spread throughout the Xiao Family. As the son of the patriarch, Xiao Yan naturally knew that this Master Han was giving special assistance to the Xiao Family due to his grandfather's past relationship.
"Yes, my son, you must repay Master Han properly in the future. This time, Master Han will refine the pill without even charging the alchemy fee, all out of respect for your grandfather."
Xiao Yan nodded in agreement. He, Xiao Yan, was not someone who didn't know how to repay kindness!
If Master Han could take such care of the Xiao Family because of his grandfather's past relationship, he could also repay Master Han for a Gathering Qi Pill in the future.
After Su Yun left the Xiao Family, he didn't immediately return home, but went to the Alchemist Guild in Wutan City.
He had been invited here today to exchange experiences with Lao Qian.
Though it was Su Yun doing most of the talking, Lao Qian was there listening.
After a couple of hours, Su Yun felt a bit thirsty. He coughed lightly, and a woman standing nearby immediately poured him a cup of tea.
Su Yun nodded in satisfaction. This woman's name was Luo Qianyun, an apprentice alchemist apprenticed to Lao Qian.
Luo Qianyun looked to be in her twenties and was at the Three-Star Fighter realm, which was considered excellent talent in Wutan City.
"Let's end it here for today," Su Yun said after finishing his tea.
He had been talking for quite a while, and Lao Qian might not have fully grasped everything, given his not particularly high talent.
Lao Qian seemed a bit reluctant to stop, a hint of regret in his eyes.
Breaking through to the rank of a Fourth-Grade Alchemist was his lifelong dream. However, despite inviting Su Yun over in various ways over the past year, giving gifts and providing convenience wherever possible, he still felt that the bottleneck had not budged at all.
Am I destined to stop here in my life?
(End of Chapter)