Chapter 23: Rejuvenation Powder

To ascertain the true nature of his rivals, he decided to slip out quietly to investigate some of the smaller markets belonging to the Jialie clan in the vicinity.

Navigating the alleyways of Wutan City with practiced ease, he made his way toward the Jialie clan’s marketplace. Before long, Xiao Yan was met with a chorus of boisterous shouting. Following the sound, he spotted a burly man, waving a small bottle in his hand while vigorously shoving his way through the crowd.

"Huichun Powder! A sacred healing medicine, cures all ailments! Don't miss out, come and take a look!" the man bellowed.

Xiao Yan’s interest was piqued. He approached a particularly crowded stall, where an assortment of small bottles was displayed, each containing the so-called "Huichun Powder." After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Yan took out one hundred gold coins and purchased a bottle from the man.

Once he had the "Huichun Powder" in hand, Xiao Yan turned and headed toward a secluded area. Finding a quiet corner, he sniffed the contents, his brow furrowing in disdain.

"Teacher, they call this a healing medicine? It seems even worse than some of the waste I’ve refined."

"This is merely the lowest grade of healing medicine. It offers only negligible effects and might be somewhat useful for minor injuries," the elder’s voice resonated in his mind. "Such medicine is not difficult to refine, and the ingredients required are all common, low-grade goods. Since they are selling it so cheaply, it is usually only the low-level Tier 1 alchemists who would bother wasting their time on it. Charging one hundred gold coins for this is sheer profiteering."

"The Jialie clan is clearly trying to use such tactics to rake in huge profits while suppressing the Xiao clan’s medicinal business. However, they have miscalculated; I will not let them succeed."

Yao Lao looked at Xiao Yan, his expression serious. "Although you can now refine Tier 2 pills, here in Wutan City, refining Tier 1 pills is more than sufficient. Most people here have limited strength; Tier 2 pills are far too expensive for them to afford. Go and purchase the necessary ingredients for Tier 1 healing pills. We shall start refining them and give the Jialie clan some competition."

Xiao Yan nodded, knowing full well that Yao Lao’s assessment was correct.

Upon arriving at the Mittel clan’s medicinal herb shop, Xiao Yan located Gu Ni and listed the names and quantities of the ingredients he required. Gu Ni looked at Xiao Yan with curiosity, his eyes filled with confusion. Given the substantial quantity and the fact that they were all common ingredients for Tier 1 pills, he was quite baffled.

Just then, Ya Fei walked over from the side. She glanced at Gu Ni, who immediately understood her intent and turned to prepare the ingredients. Ya Fei looked at Xiao Yan, the corners of her mouth curling into a charming smile.

"Xiao Yan, you are now capable of refining Tier 2 pills. With your talents, you must have some plan in mind for purchasing so many ingredients for Tier 1 pills, right?"

As she spoke, the recent situation regarding the Jialie clan’s sale of "Huichun Powder" flashed through her mind, and she suddenly understood. She looked at Xiao Yan, a glimmer of admiration in her eyes, and said, "It seems you intend to challenge the Jialie clan in the medicinal business. As expected of you—courageous and bold."

Xiao Yan smiled at the intelligent woman before him. "Sister Ya Fei is indeed sharp; nothing escapes your notice. The Jialie clan has gone too far this time. I cannot sit idly by, and I won't let them suppress the Xiao clan’s business."

Ya Fei nodded gently. "I believe you have the capability. If you need any help, don't hesitate to ask."

After thanking her, Xiao Yan took the herbs prepared by Gu Ni and left. Watching his retreating figure, Ya Fei turned to Gu Ni and remarked, "The Xiao clan is no longer the same as it once was. That Xiao Yan, so young yet possessing such skill, is destined for greatness."

Gu Ni nodded in agreement. "Indeed. I never expected that lad to be capable of refining Tier 2 pills."

Ya Fei sighed softly. "It is easy to add flowers to a brocade, but difficult to provide charcoal in the snow. When the Xiao clan fell on hard times, many were quick to kick them while they were down. Now that the clan shows signs of resurgence, we must not miss this opportunity. Keep a close eye on Xiao Yan’s movements and report any developments to me immediately."

Meanwhile, Xiao Yan returned to the Xiao residence with the herbs and began his preparations. Before long, bottles of perfectly rounded Tier 1 healing pills, radiating a rich medicinal fragrance, were complete. Xiao Yan carefully stored the pills, secretly hoping they would prove effective in the struggle against the Jialie clan. He then rose and headed toward the Xiao clan’s council hall.

As he entered, he heard the Third Elder’s angry voice echoing through the chamber: "We cannot endure this any longer! In just a few days, our clan’s profits have dropped by at least fifty or sixty percent. If this continues, all our markets will be forced to close!"

"The Jialie clan is being utterly ruthless, resorting to such underhanded tactics to suppress us!"

The Third Elder’s face was flushed with rage. He slammed his fists onto the table with a loud thud. The First Elder also frowned deeply. "Indeed, we cannot delay any longer. The alchemist the Jialie clan has hired may not be producing pills of high quality, but they are attracting a vast number of customers. If we do not come up with a countermeasure soon, the Xiao clan’s medicinal business will be ruined."

He paused, then added, "If this drags on, it will not only damage our financial interests but also tarnish the reputation of the Xiao clan in Wutan City. Once that is lost, it will be difficult to recover."

Xiao Zhan listened silently to the elders, a bitter expression on his face. He knew that while the Xiao clan’s martial strength could suppress the Jialie clan to a certain extent, the current problem was a business matter, which could not be resolved through force alone. Furthermore, if a conflict were to arise from business disputes, it would only drive the Xiao clan into a more passive position.

Xiao Zhan sighed, looked up at the people in the hall, and said, "The elders’ concerns are valid, but we must not act blindly. We need a proper strategy to meet the Jialie clan’s challenge. The Xiao clan has been rooted in Wutan City for many years with a deep foundation; I believe we can overcome this crisis."

As soon as he finished speaking, a heated discussion erupted in the hall. People began offering their ideas and suggestions—some proposed fighting fire with fire by releasing low-priced pills, others advocated for improving the quality of their own products to win through excellence, while others suggested forming alliances with other clans.

Amidst the noisy debate, the image of a young man suddenly flashed through Xiao Yu’s mind: Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yu shook her head, muttering, "Why would I think of that brat? He usually looks so lazy and reckless. Even if his cultivation is high, this is a business problem—he might not be able to solve it!"