Battle Through the Heavens: I can solidify the talents of all things

The night was as dark as ink, enveloping the Xiao family.

Deep within the inner courtyard, in the central hall of the patriarch's residence, only a dim oil lamp was lit, casting Xiao Zhan's weary shadow long against the cold wall.

Xiao Zhan sat alone in a large chair, his eyes closed, but not to rest; his brows were furrowed into a deep frown.

His face looked noticeably more haggard than it had been three months ago, with clearly visible dark circles under his eyes.

His wife, Yan Qian, had already gone to sleep in the room, but her breathing was weak and unsteady. Every time he heard it, it made Xiao Zhan's heart feel as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand, making him anxious and uneasy.

As Yan Qian's condition worsened, Xiao Zhan's sense of powerlessness and panic grew day by day.

Countless nights, Xiao Zhan would come alone to the quiet central hall and sit there for the entire night, as if only this silence could slightly contain his restless worries.

Xiao Zhan had almost collected all the main and auxiliary ingredients for the Grade 4 Gu Yuan Dan needed to treat Yan Qian, expending a great deal of financial and mental resources. Now, only the last auxiliary ingredient was missing—Jade Marrow Fungus!

Upon hearing that the Wolf Head Mercenary Group of Qingshan Town had managed to obtain a plant in the Monster Mountain Range, Xiao Zhan immediately sent someone with his personal letter and a large sum of money to purchase it, estimating that he would get it soon.

However, the biggest problem lies ahead: to refine a Grade 4 Qi-Strengthening Pill, at least one Grade 4 alchemist must be hired!

To ensure success, it would be best to ask a fifth-grade alchemist to help!

Because Xiao Zhan only had one set of medicinal herbs!

However, the rules for asking an alchemist to perform a treatment are extremely strict: one must prepare three sets of medicinal herbs and pay an astonishing fee.

Xiao Zhan has exhausted all his resources, and now he has barely managed to gather enough herbs for one dose...

Thinking of this, a deep bitterness appeared on Xiao Zhan's face.

Could it be that... the time has truly come when we have no choice but to rely on the favors left by my father, the once-powerful Dou Wang and the old patriarch of the Xiao family, Xiao Lin?

"But... after all these years, will that esteemed fifth-grade alchemist still acknowledge the affection my father held for me back then?"

Xiao Zhan's hands clenched unconsciously, his nails almost digging into his palms.

Can Xiao Zhan, the son of a mere Great Dou Master, accept the favor that Dou Wang Xiao Lin has done for him?

Will the other party give Xiao Zhan that much face?

"Fine... I have to try anyway."

A tremendous sense of powerlessness welled up in Xiao Zhan's heart, and in the end, he could only place his hopes on this slim possibility.

"I'll write a letter tomorrow morning and ask the Chamber of Commerce to send it over by express courier... Whether it succeeds or not, we can only leave it to fate..."

Xiao Zhan closed his eyes wearily again, trying to dispel the chaotic thoughts in his mind, but the anxiety was like a persistent ailment, impossible to shake off.

Prolonged insomnia and mental anguish pushed Xiao Zhan's body to its limits. In this extreme exhaustion and silence, his consciousness began to blur, and he gradually fell into a drowsy state.

Just as Xiao Zhan's consciousness was about to be swallowed by sleepiness—

"Xiao Zhan!"

An aged yet powerful voice, imbued with an inexplicable majesty and vibrant life force, suddenly exploded in Xiao Zhan's ears like a thunderclap!

"Who?!"

Xiao Zhan was instantly and completely awakened, all sleepiness vanished, and he sprang up from his chair.

The battle qi of a Grand Master within his body unconsciously began to circulate, his gaze sharp as a hawk's, scanning the empty central hall with suspicion and uncertainty, his expression extremely solemn.

He was completely unaware that someone was approaching!

This shocked Xiao Zhan, who knew that the newcomer's strength far exceeded his imagination. He was probably at least a Dou Ling level expert, or even higher!

A chill instantly shot up Xiao Zhan's spine to the top of his head, and all of his muscles tensed up. His fighting spirit subconsciously began to circulate.

Enemy? Or friend?

"As I was passing through this place, I sensed that your clan possesses exceptionally talented individuals, which greatly pleases me!"

The voice rang out again, its tone genuinely carrying a hint of appreciation and pleasure.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhan's expression changed repeatedly, and his shock intensified.

Not only was the other party able to infiltrate the Xiao family's important territory silently, but judging from their tone, it seemed that they had also taken a liking to a certain disciple in the clan.

Xiao Zhan dared not be negligent. He quickly concealed his aura, clasped his hands in a respectful bow to the void, and spoke carefully and clearly: "May I ask which senior has graced the Xiao family with their presence? This junior, Xiao Zhan, has failed to greet you properly. Please, senior, show yourself!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the air in the center of the hall distorted slightly, and a figure appeared silently like a ghost.

The newcomer was completely shrouded in a large black robe, with even his head covered by a deep hood, making it impossible to see his face; all that could be seen was a profound darkness.

He stood there quietly, seemingly blending into the surrounding shadows, exuding an unfathomable aura.

Xiao Zhan's pupils shrank sharply; he hadn't even seen how this person had appeared!

It was as if he had always been there.

Such methods far exceeded Xiao Zhan's comprehension; the person was an unimaginably powerful individual!

"Greetings, senior!"

Xiao Zhan was shocked and immediately lowered his head, not daring to look at him any longer. He bowed deeply once more, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible reverence.

The figure in black robes stirred slightly, and an aged yet authoritative voice emanated from beneath the robes and hood: "No need for formalities. I am a somewhat experienced alchemist, traveling far and wide. Not long ago, I happened to pass through your Wutan City, and by chance, I took on a disciple..."

He paused deliberately, and the shadows beneath his robe and hat seemed to send two tangible gazes sweeping over Xiao Zhan before he slowly continued, "Well, speaking of which, he is indeed a disciple of your clan."

"What?!" Xiao Zhan looked up abruptly, his face instantly filled with shock and immense joy!

A disciple of the clan was taken in as a disciple by a mysterious and unpredictable senior who was very likely a high-level alchemist.

What an incredible opportunity!

"May I ask, senior, which disciple of your clan is so fortunate...?"

Xiao Zhan was eager to ask, but was interrupted by the man in black robes raising his hand.

"You will find out which disciple it is in the future. That little fellow is kind-hearted and cares about the clan... Hearing that an elder in the clan was unwell, he specifically asked me for help..."

As the man in black robes spoke, he flipped his sleeves, and several exquisite and warm jade bottles appeared out of thin air in his hand, their surfaces seemingly shrouded in faint energy fluctuations.

"Let me bring you these pills; perhaps they can relieve your immediate crisis."

Without him making any move, the jade bottles were lifted by an invisible, gentle force and steadily flew towards Xiao Zhan.

Caught off guard, Xiao Zhan hurriedly caught it. It was cool to the touch, and he could feel the powerful medicinal force contained in the jade bottle. It was no ordinary thing!

"Senior! This is far too precious! This junior cannot accept it! May I ask which clan disciple this belongs to? This junior..."

Xiao Zhan was both surprised and anxious. He quickly looked up, wanting to decline and ask for clarification.

However, the moment Xiao Zhan looked up, his words came to an abrupt halt.

There was nothing there!

The mysterious black-robed senior, just as he had arrived, had vanished without a trace, as if he had never existed.

Only the heavy jade bottles in his arms, exuding an alluring medicinal fragrance, proved that what had just happened was not an illusion.

Inside the main hall, only Xiao Zhan remained standing there, holding the jade bottle, his face filled with disbelief, bewilderment, and a tremendous shock of having escaped from a desperate situation.

A night breeze blew through the hall, bringing a touch of coolness, but it could not dispel the turbulent waves churning in Xiao Zhan's heart!