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The two of them were angrily reprimanded.
The head of the Feng family glared furiously, unable to utter a word.
After all, he was only expressing his suspicions.
Soon, the three fell into silence.
The patriarch of the Oba family furrowed his brow and said, "This matter is truly baffling. The strength of that person is astonishingly high, and we didn't notice a thing. Even the strong members of the Feng family could not stop him."
The head of the Xiao family echoed with a grim expression, "Indeed, how could this be possible? When and where did he make his move? And how did he break the seals of our three families' treasury?"
The head of the Feng family turned pale with anger, saying furiously, "Regardless of the circumstances, our three families must join forces to uncover the true culprit. We cannot let him go unpunished!"
The patriarch of the Oba family immediately nodded, "Exactly! This guy clearly underestimates us. We must make him understand that our three families are not to be trifled with!"
"Yes! My Xiao family will ensure that scoundrel meets a fate worse than death!" Xiao Zhan slammed his hand on the table, infuriated.
However, he secretly felt pleased, thinking to himself, "This performance has been quite convincing; even I almost believe that our treasury was robbed."
Ultimately, the patriarchs of the three families agreed to thoroughly investigate the matter to identify the real thief and protect their respective family interests and dignity.
After the meeting concluded, Xiao Zhan returned to the Xiao family, inwardly relieved that his act was flawless and that the Xiao family had not been suspected or discovered.
Then, he hurried back to the family hall, his expression serious.
He quickly summoned the elders of the family.
The elders sat around the long table in the family hall, the atmosphere tense.
Their faces were filled with worry and anxiety, their eyes betraying a hint of unease.
One elder furrowed his brow and said, "Patriarch, what should we do now? The news of the treasury being robbed has spread, and our family's reputation is at stake."
Another elder stroked his beard thoughtfully, "Indeed, losing so many treasures means a bleak future for our family. This theft is no small matter."
A third elder held a teacup, frowning, "What could be the reason behind the treasury's theft? We must find the answer; otherwise, who knows if that thief will use other means against us."
Another elder looked up, his brow furrowed, "I believe this matter is not simple; there may be an insider secretly causing trouble. We must remain vigilant to prevent such incidents from happening again."
A female elder said anxiously, "The situation is urgent. We should take immediate action to locate the thief and quickly restore stability to the family."
Meanwhile, another elder asked nervously, "Patriarch, how should we respond next? Our treasury has been robbed, and our family's resources are diminished. How do we fill this gap?"
The elders in attendance wore grave expressions, discussing and expressing their opinions.
Xiao Zhan sat at the head of the table, his brow furrowed. He took a deep breath and spoke in a low, firm voice, "Elders, I understand that everyone is concerned about what happened last night, but now is not the time to wallow in anxiety.
We must face this situation calmly and seek solutions together."
His words were steady and powerful, gradually quieting the family members, who turned their attention to him.
"The theft of our treasury is a serious matter, but we cannot allow this incident to disrupt the stability and unity of our family.
What's most important now is that we stand together and weather this storm."
Xiao Zhan's voice echoed throughout the hall.
The elders nodded in agreement, expressing their willingness to follow the patriarch's lead.
Xiao Zhan continued, "To stabilize the family situation, I have decided that each elder will contribute personal funds as a temporary supplement for the clan. We need to show the family members that even in difficult times, the Xiao family has the capability to persevere."
"The patriarch is right; we must unite and face the challenges together."
The elders exchanged knowing glances, nodding in agreement.
They understood that they needed to stand together and confront the crisis as one.
Time passed swiftly, and a month had gone by in the blink of an eye.
On a quiet morning, sunlight poured through the windows, casting a serene glow in the alchemy chamber.
Xiao Yan sat cross-legged in the medicinal bath, surrounded by a subtle fragrance of herbs.
He held a delicate pill in his hand, watching its faint glow flicker as feelings of satisfaction filled his heart.
This was a type of pill called "Lingdong Xinian Dan," which he had recently concocted under the guidance of Yao Lao. It was highly effective in enhancing combat power.
As the temperature of the medicinal bath rose, sweat trickled down Xiao Yan's forehead, but he remained completely focused as he swallowed the pill.
Time flowed slowly. As the herbal liquid seeped through his skin, Xiao Yan felt warm energy surging into his body, gradually relaxing him and bringing peace to his mind.
Finally, as the medicinal power continued to integrate, he sensed a powerful force surging within him. Combat power flowed endlessly, like a raging torrent.
Xiao Yan successfully broke through to the Eighth Stage of Combat Power!
"Success!"
Xiao Yan felt a surge of joy, his eyes shining with determination.
At that moment, Yao Lao stepped out of the ring, his gaze falling on Xiao Yan with a look of satisfaction.
"Disciple, you have made significant progress in such a short time. Well done."
Xiao Yan stood up and bowed slightly to Yao Lao, humbly saying, "I owe my achievements today to that mysterious senior and your guidance, Master."
Yao Lao shook his head with a smile. "Don't be too modest, young man. Your effort and talent are undeniable."
Xiao Yan nodded, but a hint of urgency flickered in his eyes.
"Master, I have broken through to the Eighth Stage of Combat Power, but I feel it is still not enough. I want to enhance my cultivation more quickly. Do you have any methods that can help me?"
Previously, this pace would have been rapid, but now, knowing his enemy is from the Soul Clan, he felt a greater sense of urgency; otherwise, he wouldn't have the strength to seek revenge.
Yao Lao took a deep breath and replied slowly, "Young man, cultivation is a long and enduring journey. Rushing for quick success will only be counterproductive.
You have already made great strides, but the path of cultivation is still long.
Don't be anxious; remain grounded and maintain a peaceful heart. Only then can you continue to improve."
He could certainly understand Xiao Yan's mindset, given that the enemy was also from the Soul Clan. However, he had seen too many talented individuals who had fallen short due to their impatience.
Despite Yao Lao's advice, Xiao Yan's anxiety did not subside.
(End of Chapter)