Xiao Chen understood that his success wasn't due to any natural talent in alchemy, but rather due to the alchemy techniques of Bahun and the Black Flame, and even the divine blood that had altered his constitution.
Looking at the pill in his hand, which emitted a faint blue glow, Xiao Chen excitedly said, "Such strong spiritual energy! This is definitely a second-grade pill. After two years, I've finally become a second-grade alchemist."
"Xiao Chen, quickly cultivate to recover your true essence. Cultivating in this state will yield better results. Once you've recovered your true essence, continue refining pills," the ancient white tiger transmitted its voice urgently.
"Alright! Since I've already refined a second-grade pill, I must refine them in large quantities. I'll start cultivating now!" Xiao Chen said happily. Although he was extremely tired from just finishing alchemy, he was full of energy and a fervent desire to cultivate surged from within him.
One day, two days, a month passed as Xiao Chen alternated between alchemy and cultivation. In that month, Xiao Chen isolated himself in his room, and not only did his cultivation improve, but he also refined over twenty Xianling Pills. Despite some failures, the gains were significant.
"Hehe, not bad at all. After a month of refining, I produced 23 Xianling Pills. Although it's a bit few, my soul power has increased. As my soul power grows stronger, refining will become easier," Xiao Chen said with a happy smile, feeling very pleased with the fruits of his labor.
"Xiao Chen, why don't you quickly change the situation for the Xiao family? Even if you're worried about the Wang family launching an attack, you've closed the last shop of the Xiao family. Doesn't that make everyone in Fengyue City think the Xiao family is doomed? The Wang family might use this opportunity to completely wipe out the Xiao family!" the ancient white tiger transmitted its voice, worried that the Wang family might take advantage of the Xiao family's decline.
Xiao Chen smiled faintly and said, "Little white tiger, you don't understand the Wang family. In the eyes of the people in Fengyue City, the Xiao family has already fallen to an irredeemable state. If the Wang family were to attack us now, it would make them look petty and harm their reputation in Fengyue City. So, they don't need to do anything but control the merchants. Without business, the Xiao family will collapse sooner or later. Hence, the Wang family won't do anything to us, making this the best time for the Xiao family to increase its strength."
If the members of the Xiao family heard this, they would be shocked. A 15-year-old boy had such a clever mind.
"So that's how it is. Reputation is something the Wang family values highly," the ancient white tiger transmitted its voice, finally understanding.
"Reputation is indeed very important for a family. The Wang family is ambitious and aims to become the ruler of Fengyue City. As long as they get rid of the Xiao family, they can fully focus on dealing with the Yang family. So now, the Wang family is likely devising ways to deal with the Yang family," Xiao Chen said with a faint smile.
"How can you be so sure?" the ancient white tiger asked.
"I'm not only sure, but I also know that within the next two months, the Wang family will definitely make a move against the Yang family. The Yang family's high reputation in Fengyue City is because they have a third-grade alchemist. If this alchemist is killed, the Yang family will lose their source of income. Would the Wang family still be afraid of dealing with the Yang family? But killing an alchemist is very risky. Alchemists have a powerful influence, and with just one command, countless people would be willing to risk their lives for them," Xiao Chen said with a sly smile.
"Oh, I get it. Xiao Chen, you want to make the Wang family and the Yang family weaken each other, then let the Xiao family rise, right?" the ancient white tiger transmitted its voice excitedly.
"Exactly. I also want the Yang family to experience what it's like to be without help. So, after the Wang family and the Yang family start fighting, we'll make our move and let them slowly fight it out. The Xiao family will not help either side," Xiao Chen said coldly, with a hint of ruthlessness in his eyes.
"Haha! Xiao Chen, this plan is really ruthless! I can't wait to see the Yang family's expressions when it happens!" the ancient white tiger transmitted its voice, laughing.
"Tonight, we'll sneak into the Wang family and see what they're up to. If nothing is happening, we can help create some chaos," Xiao Chen said with a sinister smile, already thinking of a good idea.
"Haha! Good!" the ancient white tiger laughed excitedly.
After tidying up briefly, Xiao Chen left the room he hadn't left in a month. He first went to the cellar to collect the Tianling Wine brewed by Zhong Bo, and then headed to the Xiao family hall.
"Young master!" Wherever Xiao Chen passed, the Xiao family disciples showed great respect, their eyes filled with reverence.
A few minutes later, as Xiao Chen approached the hall, he suddenly sensed a powerful aura and immediately smiled happily, "Father has broken through to the late stage of the fasting realm. That's great."
Entering the hall, Xiao Chen saw Xiao Changfeng along with two elders and Xiao Kui. He asked in surprise, "Great Elder, why have you all come out of seclusion?"
"Xiao Chen brother, that's great, you finally came out of seclusion. I have broken through to the early stage of the fasting realm!" Xiao Ling was the first to joyfully speak, her pretty face showing immense happiness.
"Hehe, Xiao Chen, after drinking Tianling Wine, we went into seclusion for less than ten days and our cultivation broke through. Now, I have also reached the mid-stage of the fasting realm. Such an astonishing cultivation speed, it's the first time I've experienced it!" Seeing Xiao Chen in the hall, Xiao Yuntian also said with a happy smile.
Seeing Xiao Chen in the hall, Xiao Changfeng also said with immense joy, "Chen'er, your Tianling Wine is incredible! After over ten days of seclusion, I successfully broke through to the late stage of the fasting realm! My strength is now several times greater than before!"
"Xiao Chen, the disciples of the Xiao family have indeed all improved in their cultivation. It seems your Tianling Wine has worked," the ancient white tiger transmitted its voice with a laugh.
"Hehe, congratulations to father and the elders on your breakthroughs," Xiao Chen said with a faint smile. Although he was very happy inside, he did not show it too much on his face.
Xiao Yunfeng said excitedly, "Xiao Chen, our cultivation improvements are all thanks to you. Not just us, but all the members of the Xiao family have improved, making the Xiao family much stronger than a month ago!"
"That's right! It's all thanks to you!" Xiao Yuntian also said excitedly. Having not made any progress for years, the breakthrough after drinking Tianling Wine was truly remarkable.
"Hehe, it's what I should do," Xiao Chen said with a faint smile. "Now, we have two months before we start selling Tianling Wine. Father, elders, you should continue to cultivate. Don't worry about the Wang family. Their attention is currently on the Yang family. Now is the best time for the Xiao family to improve our strength."
Xiao Changfeng nodded with satisfaction and said, "Hmm, Chen'er is right. To everyone in Fengyue City, the Xiao family seems completely fallen. The Wang family's attention won't be on us. This is our chance to counterattack. With the help of Tianling Wine, our Xiao family will quickly become stronger."
"Alright, everyone, return to your cultivation. We have two months before we start our counterattack. Don't worry and just focus on cultivating. I have some things to do, so I'll head out for a while," Xiao Chen said lightly and then turned to leave the hall.
"Xiao Chen…" Xiao Yuntian wanted to say something but was stopped by Xiao Changfeng.
Xiao Changfeng shook his head and smiled, "Great Elder, leave everything to Chen'er. He is no longer the Xiao Chen of the past. His intelligence and cultivation have surpassed us. He knows what he's doing."
Hearing this, Xiao Yuntian thought for a moment and agreed, nodding with a smile, "Yes, Xiao Chen is no longer the same. He truly makes this old man feel ashamed."
Xiao Yunfeng smiled bitterly and sighed, "Sigh! This old man was truly blind. Back then, because of Xiao Chen, sigh, thinking about it now is laughable. Without Xiao Chen, the Xiao family would truly be finished."
Hearing Xiao Yunfeng's words, everyone in the hall lowered their heads in shame. They had all mocked and bullied Xiao Chen in the past, and now they regretted it deeply.
"Hehe, let the past unpleasantness remain in the past. I believe Chen'er won't hold a grudge. After all, we are family. No need to feel guilty," Xiao Changfeng said with a happy smile. Hearing the elders' words of recognition for Xiao Chen's abilities and strength made Xiao Changfeng very happy.
...
At night, Xiao Chen swiftly left the Xiao family estate. Moving as lightly as a swallow, he darted across the rooftops of Fengyue City, not making a sound on the tiles he stepped on. His speed was so fast that no one noticed him.
In just two minutes, Xiao Chen arrived at the Wang family manor, using his stealth technique to get beneath the Wang family hall without any of the guards noticing.
"Master, after a month of observation, we've found that the Yang family's overall strength is comparable to ours. However, Yang Zhengxiong's cultivation has reached the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, making him very powerful. Also, the Yang family's third-grade alchemist goes to the auction house every three days," a disciple reported respectfully in the Wang family hall.
"Good. Yang Zhengxiong's cultivation is strong, so we can't fight him head-on. But if we can track the third-grade alchemist's movements, things will be easier. Once we cut off the Yang family's financial source, will we still be afraid of them? Hmph!" Wang He snorted coldly, a ruthless glint in his eyes.
"Father, the Yang family's alchemist is only at the Fusion stage. Let me take care of him!" Wang Xuan quickly offered.
"Alright! I'll leave this matter to you!" Wang He agreed without hesitation.
Underneath the Wang family hall, Xiao Chen heard these conversations and sneered internally, "Hmph! The Wang family indeed plans to deal with the Yang family's alchemist. If Wang Xuan fails, it will be like stirring up a hornet's nest. Then, with a little help from me, the Yang and Wang families will turn against each other! Hehe!"