"What kind of flame did Xiao Chen just summon? It's black and carries a chilling aura!" Yang Zhengxiong thought in shock, cold sweat forming on his back.
Under Xiao Chen's final sword strike, the Wang family was officially declared extinct! From now on, in Fengyue City—or rather, all of Tianzhou—there would be no more Wang family. It could be said that Xiao Chen, with his strength alone, eradicated the Wang family.
The entire scene fell silent. A light breeze blew through, and everyone's faces were filled with shock, fear, and disbelief. In their minds, they replayed the scene of Xiao Chen slaughtering the entire Wang family. The brutal methods and bloody scenes were unforgettable.
"The Wang family... has been wiped out." A voice filled with terror and disbelief broke the silence, jolting everyone back to reality. The murmurs and exclamations quickly grew into a cacophony.
"What on earth happened? Why was Xiao Chen so furious that he wiped out the Wang family?" Gu Yan asked a cultivator in astonishment.
"Master Gu Yan, don't you know? Wang Xuan and Fu Haisheng captured Xiao Ling and Uncle Zhong to threaten Xiao Chen, which enraged him. Xiao Chen killed Wang Xuan and Fu Haisheng, then came to annihilate the Wang family," the cultivator quickly explained.
"I see. If the Wang family hadn't done such outrageous things, they wouldn't have met this end. Wang He must have been blinded by rage to make such unwise decisions," Gu Yan thought to himself, realizing that Wang He's single foolish act had doomed the entire Wang family.
Thinking this, Gu Yan looked at Xiao Chen in the distance and asked, "Brother Xiao Chen, now that the Wang family is gone, our deal..."
Before Gu Yan could finish his sentence, Xiao Chen interrupted, "What I promised you won't change because of the Wang family's demise."
Gu Yan cupped his fists and smiled, "Thank you."
"Deal? What kind of deal did Xiao Chen and Gu Yan make? Could it be related to Tianling Wine?" Yang Zhengxiong wondered, slightly taken aback by the revelation.
Xiao Chen sheathed his divine sword and quickly ascended into the sky, heading towards the Xiao family.
The news of the Wang family's extermination spread like wildfire. Within days, all of Tianzhou knew that Xiao Chen single-handedly wiped out the Wang family, causing an uproar.
The Yang family, upon learning that the Xiao family had agreed to their collaboration, were overjoyed. Yang Zhengxiong and his family breathed a sigh of relief, secretly pleased. If the Xiao family hadn't agreed, the Yang family might have gradually declined.
Months later, the Xiao family, auction house, and the Yang family's sale of Tianling Wine had all gotten on track. Daily sales were huge, and profits were substantial, marking the most prosperous period in Fengyue City's history.
People from all over Tianzhou came to Fengyue City to buy Tianling Wine. After several months of sales, news of Tianling Wine had spread throughout Tianzhou and was quickly spreading to Tiandu.
Fengyue City became increasingly prosperous, and everyone's cultivation levels steadily improved. All these blessings were brought to them by Xiao Chen. Although they knew Xiao Chen's methods were ruthless, he was amiable and generous in daily life, leaving a good impression on everyone. Whenever they saw Xiao Chen, they respectfully called him Young Master Xiao.
The Xiao family's prestige soared, surpassing the Yang family, making them the unquestioned overlords in the hearts of Fengyue City's residents. Xiao family disciples enjoyed the respectful gazes from everyone on the streets, all thanks to Xiao Chen's contributions.
At 15, Xiao Chen, with his formidable Golden Core stage cultivation, had become a standout among the younger generation in Fengyue City and even Tianzhou. He was the goal of countless young cultivators and was hailed as the strongest Golden Core cultivator of the younger generation in Tianzhou!
In Xiao Chen's room, as he sat in meditation, the ancient White Tiger transmitted a thought, "Xiao Chen, the Xiao family's development is now on track, and they've become affluent. But their overall strength hasn't improved. Haven't you considered this?"
Hearing this, Xiao Chen smiled faintly, "Of course I've considered it. I even thought about hiring an alchemist. Unfortunately, besides me, Fengyue City only has Liu Jiangyun, and he was hired by the Yang family. I can't ask him to come."
After a pause, Xiao Chen continued, "Now that the Xiao family has no more worries, I want to leave for the cultivation world filled with strong practitioners. But I have to think about the Xiao family's future before I leave. So, before I go, I need to find a way to help the Xiao family improve their strength. But right now, the only solution is to hire an alchemist. Relying on Tianling Wine isn't enough. What the Xiao family needs is an alchemist."
"Xiao Chen, why not seek out Gu Yan? As an auctioneer, he's well-informed and might know other alchemists in Tianzhou. Although Fengyue City only has Liu Jiangyun, that doesn't mean Tianzhou doesn't have others," the ancient White Tiger suggested.
"Hmm, Little White Tiger, that's a good suggestion. I'll go ask him right away." Xiao Chen smiled and stood up to leave the room.
"Young Master, where are you going?" a disciple asked in confusion.
"Hehe, to the auction house," Xiao Chen replied with a faint smile. "Inform my father for me."
"Yes, Young Master! I'll go right away," the disciple responded respectfully.
Leaving the Xiao family residence, Xiao Chen headed directly to the auction house. As he walked through the streets, cultivators were excited to see him, repeatedly calling him Young Master Xiao, to the point where his ears grew tired of hearing it.
Finally reaching the auction house, Xiao Chen breathed a sigh of relief and shook his head with a wry smile, "Sigh, I'm really afraid of them."
"Huh? Xiao Chen? What brings you to the auction house? Are you here to see me?" Yaoyao, who had just appeared at the entrance, asked joyfully, running over with a slight blush on her beautiful face.
Seeing Yaoyao's reaction, Xiao Chen was momentarily taken aback before smiling faintly, "Uh... Miss Yaoyao, I'm here to see Gu Yan."
"Alright, I'll take you to him!" Although Xiao Chen wasn't there to see her, Yaoyao didn't seem disappointed. She affectionately linked arms with Xiao Chen, pulling him into the auction house, causing Xiao Chen to blush slightly.
"Xiao Chen, why are you blushing? Are you afraid of girls? From a human perspective, Yaoyao is a great beauty. Many in Fengyue City pursue her, and she seems to like you a lot," the ancient White Tiger teased.
Hearing this, Xiao Chen's face grew even redder, and his heart started racing. He couldn't help but silently curse the ancient White Tiger a thousand times over.
Yaoyao was naturally beautiful, with an exquisite figure and graceful demeanor. She was one of the most beautiful women in Fengyue City, the target of many young men's affections.
Inside the auction house's main hall, seeing Yaoyao affectionately holding Xiao Chen's arm, many felt envious, jealous, and resentful. But there was nothing they could do since it was Xiao Chen.
Being so close to Yaoyao in front of so many people, with her ample chest pressing against his arm, made Xiao Chen feel even more uncomfortable.
"Gu Yan, Xiao Chen is here to see you," Yaoyao called out to Gu Yan as they entered the hall, waving her hand.
Gu Yan had just finished a transaction with a cultivator. Seeing Yaoyao holding Xiao Chen's arm so intimately, he was momentarily stunned before quickly walking over, slightly annoyed, "Yaoyao, don't be rude! Young Master Xiao is a valued guest of our auction house. Let go of his arm."
"Hehe, Xiao Chen, I hope you don't mind," Yaoyao said with a joyful smile as she reluctantly let go.
Xiao Chen breathed a sigh of relief and shook his head with a smile, "It's fine."
"Young Master Xiao, what brings you here?" Gu Yan asked quickly, knowing Xiao Chen rarely visited the auction house and must have an important matter.
After sitting down, Xiao Chen asked, "Master Gu Yan, I'll get straight to the point. I want to hire an alchemist. Do you know of any other alchemists in Tianzhou besides Liu Jiangyun?"
"An alchemist? Aren't you an alchemist yourself? Why hire another?" Gu Yan asked in surprise, but quickly understood. He asked, "Are you planning to leave?"
"Indeed. Now that the Xiao family is stable, it's time for me to leave. But the Xiao family is still too weak. Before I go, I need to hire an alchemist to help them improve their cultivation. Only then can I leave with peace of mind."
"What? Xiao Chen, you're leaving? Where are you going?" Yaoyao asked anxiously, clearly unwilling to see Xiao Chen go.
"To the cultivation world," Xiao Chen replied with a smile.
"Yaoyao, keep your voice down!" Gu Yan scolded, then turned to Xiao Chen, "Have you discussed this with your father?"
Xiao Chen shook his head, "Not yet."
Gu Yan nodded, then smiled wryly, "Regarding alchemists, as you know, the conditions to become one are extremely demanding. Even if you have an alchemy manual, without cultivating soul power, it's useless. In Fengyue City, the most prosperous city in Tianzhou, there are only two alchemists. With Fu Haisheng dead, only Liu Jiangyun remains."
"Is there really no other alchemist?" Xiao Chen asked, frowning, feeling somewhat disheartened.
"There is!" Gu Yan said with a smile. "Years ago, when I was traveling with my master, we passed through Chishen Valley and saw an elderly man with an immortal demeanor refining pills in the center of the lake in Chishen Valley. My master said that the old man was a fourth-grade alchemist who had been living in Chishen Valley for many years and was unknown to others. Later, after some inquiries, I learned that the old gentleman has a very eccentric personality and never speaks to strangers."
"A fourth-grade alchemist? We have such a person in Tianzhou?" Xiao Chen was astonished. A fourth-grade alchemist would be revered even by Nascent Soul stage powerhouses.
Gu Yan nodded with a smile, "Yes, I didn't expect it either. However, I can't be sure if the old gentleman is still in Chishen Valley."
"No matter what, I must go. I hope I can persuade the old gentleman. If I can, I can leave with peace of mind! I'll head to Chishen Valley right away!" Xiao Chen said eagerly, a glimmer of hope igniting in his heart. If he could persuade the old gentleman, he could finally go to the cultivation world!