"Madam, don't you think you've gone too far? Xiao Chen is just a child. There's no enmity between the Yang family and the Xiao family. Do we really need to sever ties completely?" Not long after Xiao Chen left, Yang Zhengxiong quickly voiced his dissatisfaction with Zhang Xuelian's decision.
"That ignorant boy! Did you hear his words? He spoke as if our Yang family would surely need to rely on the Xiao family someday. Hmph!" Madam Yang snorted coldly, her anger no longer concealed.
"Madam, I actually think this Xiao Chen is not simple. There was more to his words than met the eye," Yang Zhengxiong said, although he couldn't grasp the exact implication of Xiao Chen's words.
Madam Yang glared at Yang Zhengxiong, saying angrily, "Of course I could tell there was more to his words, but our Yang family has great prestige in Fengyue City. How could we be intimidated by a mere Xiao Chen?"
"The Xiao family can't hold on for much longer. I want to see what method that wet-behind-the-ears brat has to save them!" Madam Yang's anger intensified as she recalled Xiao Chen's calm demeanor, interpreting it as a slight against the Yang family.
"Sigh, Xiao Chen is just a child. Why bother stooping to his level?" Yang Zhengxiong sighed, pacing a few steps before adding, "I truly think Xiao Chen is not simple. Consider this: a 15-year-old boy remains calm and composed in such a situation. Xiao Chen must be aware of his family's plight, yet he didn't seek our help but rather asked us to make a statement. Have you wondered why?"
"Why? What could a mere Xiao Chen possibly do?" Madam Yang retorted angrily.
"Alright, alright, let's not dwell on this. Madam, please calm down," Yang Zhengxiong said with a wry smile, feeling helpless.
...
Half a day back in Fengyue City, and so much had already happened. Xiao Chen felt somewhat frustrated. Upon returning to the Xiao family estate, he went directly to the room Xiao Changfeng had prepared for him to cultivate.
In the room, Xiao Chen sat cross-legged on a low stool used for practicing calligraphy. Around him were a dozen high-grade crystals. He slowly closed his eyes and began circulating the Destruction Sacred Art for cultivation.
The next morning, the first rays of warm sunlight shone through the window, illuminating Xiao Chen's slightly tanned face, highlighting his resolute features with a touch of handsomeness.
"Young Master, Young Master, the wine you asked Uncle Zhong to brew is ready. The Patriarch wants you to take a look!" A disciple's voice came from outside the door.
"I'm coming." Xiao Chen slowly opened his eyes, exhaling a breath of foul air before looking towards the door and speaking.
"How do you feel, Xiao Chen?" the Ancient White Tiger transmitted its voice.
"Hehe, my cultivation has improved. I feel full of power now, but I'm still far from breaking through to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm," Xiao Chen replied with a faint smile, stretching lazily before getting up and walking out the door.
Upon arriving at the hall, Xiao Changfeng and the others were already there. Seeing Xiao Chen enter, Uncle Zhong quickly said, "Young Master, I have brewed the wine according to your recipe, but I'm not sure if it's what you wanted."
Xiao Changfeng looked puzzled. "Chen'er, this wine doesn't seem like wine. Why does it emit such a powerful aura?"
"Yes, Young Master, I feel it too. Are you sure this is wine? I've never seen wine with such power," Xiao Yuanshan added, equally puzzled.
"Could this be like the mysterious Ling Wine of the Ancient Inner Tribe?" Xiao Chen wondered to himself. He then took a small spoon from a nearby disciple and scooped up a bit of the wine, taking a gentle sip.
As soon as the wine entered his throat, it transformed into a powerful force that surged into his body, rapidly spreading throughout his limbs and bones. Xiao Chen was shocked. "Such strong power! My cultivation has significantly improved in an instant. What incredible wine!"
"How is it, Xiao Chen? Is it like the Ling Wine of the Ancient Inner Tribe?" the Ancient White Tiger eagerly asked through voice transmission.
"Chen'er, how is it? Is this the wine you wanted?" Xiao Changfeng couldn't help but ask, with everyone in the Xiao family watching Xiao Chen anxiously.
Xiao Chen smiled with satisfaction. "Uncle Zhong, you've done a great job. This is exactly the Tianling Wine I wanted. Your brewing skills are indeed impressive. From today onwards, your task will be to brew Tianling Wine daily."
Uncle Zhong heaved a sigh of relief and smiled. "Young Master, rest assured. Brewing wine is a small matter for me."
"That's great," Xiao Chen said with a smile. He then took out several jade bottles from his storage ring and handed them to Uncle Zhong. "Uncle Zhong, I heard from my father that you need to use true essence to speed up the brewing process. These jade bottles contain Huiyuan Pills, which can restore your true essence. The task of brewing wine will be in your capable hands."
"Huiyuan Pills? Thank you, Young Master," Uncle Zhong said with a joyful smile, not expecting such kindness from Xiao Chen.
"Chen'er, stop keeping us in suspense. You're driving your father crazy! Tell us, what is the use of this Tianling Wine?" Xiao Changfeng asked anxiously.
"If you want to know, Father, you can try it yourself," Xiao Chen replied with a smile.
"Hurry, give me the spoon!" Xiao Changfeng said eagerly. He took the spoon and drank a sip, his expression changing instantly.
"Patriarch, what's wrong?" Seeing Xiao Changfeng's face change, everyone in the Xiao family was terrified. If something happened to Xiao Changfeng, the Xiao family would be doomed.
"Xiao Chen, what kind of wine is this? Look at the Patriarch!" Xiao Yuntian asked anxiously, looking at Xiao Chen.
"Patriarch, please don't scare me!" Uncle Zhong turned pale with fear.
"Brother Xiao Chen, say something. The Patriarch..." Xiao Ling also became anxious seeing Xiao Changfeng's immobile and drastically changed expression.
"Wait, everyone calm down," Xiao Kui said, sensing something, and kept his eyes on Xiao Changfeng.
"Xiao Kui, what's wrong? What did you notice?" Xiao Lei asked in confusion.
"I... I'm not sure if I'm seeing things. Look closely, the Patriarch's cultivation seems to have increased!" Xiao Kui said, his face stunned.
"Unbelievable! My bottleneck loosened!" After being in shock for two minutes, Xiao Changfeng finally recovered, looking at the freshly brewed Tianling Wine with disbelief.
"What? The bottleneck loosened?" The Xiao family members were dumbfounded.
"I understand now. It must be related to Brother Xiao Chen's wine!" Xiao Ling exclaimed.
"Yes! It's this Tianling Wine! After taking a sip, it turned into a powerful force that surged into my body, instantly improving my cultivation. A bottleneck of three years loosened in that instant," Xiao Changfeng said excitedly.
"Xiao Chen, is it really because of this Tianling Wine?" Xiao Yuntian asked, still in disbelief that there could be wine that enhances cultivation.
Xiao Chen smiled faintly. "As Father said, Tianling Wine has such a miraculous effect. With this wine, do you think we need to fear the Wang family or worry about the Xiao family's decline?"
"Wonderful! There has never been a cultivation-enhancing elixir in Fengyue City. If our Xiao family sells this Tianling Wine, the Wang family won't be able to compete with us!" Xiao Yunfeng said excitedly, his face flushed.
Xiao Chen shook his head. "We can't sell the Tianling Wine yet. Although it enhances cultivation, it doesn't heal injuries. The Wang family sells healing elixirs. To defeat them, we need to target their market. Now, if our Tianling Wine not only enhances cultivation but also heals injuries, who would waste their crystals at the Wang family's shop?"
"Chen'er, do you have a way to make the Tianling Wine both enhance cultivation and heal injuries?" Xiao Changfeng asked excitedly, having guessed Xiao Chen's intention.
"Maybe," Xiao Chen replied with a smile, giving a noncommittal answer.
"Young Master, can we try the Tianling Wine?" a Xiao family disciple asked, drooling.
"Of course, help yourselves," Xiao Chen said with a smile. The disciples eagerly crowded around, each one vying for a sip of the Tianling Wine.
"Before selling the Tianling Wine, no one is allowed to leak this information. Also, prepare a large number of small jade bottles for storing elixirs. In three months, we will start selling. During these three months, you can use the Tianling Wine to enhance your cultivation. However, it is most effective for those below the Nascent Soul stage. Although it also benefits Nascent Soul stage cultivators, the effect is less noticeable. Of course, drinking Tianling Wine casually is still beneficial."
"Wow! Incredible! I can feel my cultivation improving rapidly! So fast!" an excited disciple in the Enlightenment stage exclaimed.
"Me too! My cultivation is increasing rapidly!" another disciple cheered.
"Uncle Yuanshan, please distribute the Tianling Wine to all Xiao family members and have them return to cultivate. Also, close our last shop to make the Wang family think we can't hold on and lower their guard. In three months, we'll strike back!" Xiao Chen instructed with a cold smile.
"Yes, Young Master!" Xiao Yuanshan responded respectfully, his eyes filled with admiration and reverence for Xiao Chen.
"Not bad, not bad," Xiao Changfeng thought, feeling more satisfied with each passing moment.
After the disciples left, Xiao Chen said, "From today onwards, the Xiao family has no ties with the Yang family. We won't interfere with each other's affairs. If the Yang family seeks cooperation in the future, we'll refuse outright without giving them any face."