No matter how good Zi Yan's sense of smell was, it was of no use if Xiao Ming did not admit it.
After several evasive answers from him, she was finally convinced that her senses were wrong.
The next day, fully prepared and ready to leave, Xiao Ming set out on the journey back to the Jia Ma Empire with both girls in tow.
...
Eleven days later, in Wu Tan City, at the Xiao Family residence.
Today, the Xiao Family was as lively as usual, as leaders of various forces arrived one by one at the entrance, each with gifts of homage in hand, eager to curry favor with the powerful Xiao Family.
These visitors included not only leaders of small forces within Wu Tan City, but also heads of prominent families from other provinces and leaders of merchant fleets.
The guards standing at the gate of the Xiao Family were not surprised by this influx of visitors, as they had come to discuss cooperation with the family.
The power of the Xiao Family had begun to expand rapidly, first dominating Wu Tan City, and then spreading its influence to the entire Northeastern Province.
In normal circumstances, such unchecked expansion would have angered other forces, but in this case, there was something different.
The Xiao Family had a monster among them, known as Xiao Ming.
Although Xiao Ming was not present at the Xiao family all year round, everyone respected his reputation as a sixth-tier Alchemist and his strength as a Dou Emperor.
On the other hand, the family still had the Dou King powerhouse he left behind, as well as the Dou Spirit powerhouse he cultivated.
Those forces that did not want to give a face to the Xiao family had to weigh the consequences themselves, so the development of the Xiao family over the years was so rapid that it came close to dominating the entire Northeastern Province.
Many of the things that foreign merchant fleets did in the Northeastern Province needed the permission of the Xiao family, so it became the norm for these people to visit the Xiao family.
Just as the guards were about to continue checking the visitors' signs as they had done in the past, a sharp-eyed soldier suddenly noticed a giant purple beast approaching from far away in the sky.
He quickly rushed to tell the leader of the guards about it.
The leader looked up at his words and watched it carefully for a moment, and then an expression of joy appeared on his face. "That's a sixth-rank Amethyst Winged Lion King, it must be the Supreme Elder returning to the Clan! Go and inform the Clan Head and the Elders!"
Looking at the guards who quickly left after receiving the order, the leader of the guards turned to the visitors at the door and said, "Sorry, it is not convenient for the Xiao family to entertain visitors today."
"Haha, no problem, no problem, we will come back to visit tomorrow."
"Yes, yes, we'll come back another day!"
The visitors at the entrance could hear what the leader of the guards had said. The Supreme Elder of the Xiao family had returned.
Wasn't the Supreme Elder of the Xiao family Xiao Ming?
If he really came back, the other members of the Xiao family would really not have time to receive them, so it was better not to embarrass themselves and come back another day.
...
At the same time, the other inhabitants of Wu Tan City also spotted the rapidly approaching Amethyst Winged Lion King in the sky and immediately shouted in alarm.
"Look! That's the Amethyst Winged Lion King!"
"Damn, I didn't see it the last time I led my team on a mission at the Magic Beast Mountain Range but I could finally see it this time."
"If I could sit on that Amethyst Winged Lion King, then I wouldn't have lived my life in vain!"
"Forget it, one sneeze from the Amethyst Winged Lion King can kill you, yet you want to sit on it. Who do you think you are, Xiao Ming?"
People chatted a lot, unlike the panic they felt the first time they saw the Amethyst Winged Lion King, this time there was more excitement and curiosity in their eyes because they had long known that the Amethyst Winged Lion King had been subdued by Xiao Ming.
Now that the Amethyst Winged Lion King had appeared, didn't that mean that Xiao Ming of the Xiao family had returned?
...
A few minutes later, inside the Xiao Family Hall.
Listening to Xiao Zhan's report on the Xiao Family's development in recent years, Xiao Ming took a soft sip from his cup of tea, and to his left, Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan sat side by side.
"The family's development over the years has exceeded my expectations." After listening to Xiao Zhan's report, Xiao Ming put down his teacup and said with some surprise.
"Hahaha, it's all thanks to your help to the family, Xiao Ming, otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to develop so quickly."
The Grand Elder next to him stroked his beard and said with a smile on his face, having been the Grand Elder for half of his life, he knew very well that the one who had the most credit for the Xiao family's ability to develop so quickly did not lie with Xiao Zhan, the Clan Head, nor the rest of the Xiao family, but with Xiao Ming.
Without Xiao Ming, the Xiao family would be nothing now.
"I only did what I could." Xiao Ming smiled, not taking credit, the Xiao family was too large and most of them were not very talented, so he could not cultivate them alone. The Xiao family had been able to develop on their own after he had given them some techniques.
After discussing various matters and exchanging pleasantries, Xiao Zhan asked, "Supreme Elder, as you have reached the age of maturity, have you considered holding a coming-of-age ceremony to mark this significant milestone?"
"Coming of age ceremony? Let's forget about that kind of thing." Xiao Ming shook his head, he just felt that it was all very troublesome, every time they added the word 'ceremony' to something, it was because it was something that took a lot of time.
Although he had the time, it would really be unnecessary to waste it on something like that.
"Since it seems to be a source of inconvenience for you, Supreme Elder, we will not proceed with it." Seeing that Xiao Ming did not wish to participate in the ceremony, Xiao Zhan and the others refrained from pushing the matter further. Despite his calm demeanor, as the strongest member of the Xiao family, it was important to respect his wishes and not offend him.
Xiao Ming nodded slightly, then glanced around the Hall.
Other than a crowd with looks of adoration, excitement, and curiosity, there was no trace of Xiao Shan's figure.
"Where is Xiao Shan?" Seeing that Xiao Shan was not here, Xiao Ming asked.
"Xiao Shan went to the neighboring Black City on business in the morning, as you know, the family has grown quite fast over the years, so these things are inevitable, he should be back in a few days."
"That's fine, it's okay if I see him in a few days." Xiao Ming said softly, "I will stay in the Clan for a while, if anyone wants to visit me unless it is a special situation, tell them I am refining pills and am not available."
After saying this, Xiao Ming took the hand of the two girls and then left the Hall.
Inside the Hall, as soon as Xiao Ming and the girls left, an intense discussion began.
"After almost two years without seeing him, Supreme Elder seems to have become even more handsome, worthy of being a member of our Xiao family!"
"Hehe, didn't you see the two beauties standing beside him? What coming-of-age ceremony? I'm afraid our Supreme Elder has already found his springtime!"
"I don't know if it's just me, although Supreme Elder has always been calm, I felt something indescribable about him sitting there, his strength must have been greatly increased again."
"What nonsense are you talking about? It's been so long, with his talent, it's only logical that he has improved a lot!"
"That said, after Xiao Yan regained his talent a few years ago, he also went through several stages a year just like our Supreme Elder did, do you think Xiao Yan will become the next Xiao Ming?"
"..."
"Silence!"
Staring at the noisy Hall, the ill-tempered Second Elder slapped his hand threateningly on the table, and a loud sound spread.
A moment later, looking around the Hall in silence, the Second Elder said, "You all heard what the Supreme Elder said, didn't you? We must declare to the outside world that he is refining pills, do you hear me?"
"Yes!"
No matter how good Zi Yan's sense of smell was, it was of no use if Xiao Ming did not admit it.
After several evasive answers from him, she was finally convinced that her senses were wrong.
The next day, fully prepared and ready to leave, Xiao Ming set out on the journey back to the Jia Ma Empire with both girls in tow.
...
Eleven days later, in Wu Tan City, at the Xiao Family residence.
Today, the Xiao Family was as lively as usual, as leaders of various forces arrived one by one at the entrance, each with gifts of homage in hand, eager to curry favor with the powerful Xiao Family.
These visitors included not only leaders of small forces within Wu Tan City, but also heads of prominent families from other provinces and leaders of merchant fleets.
The guards standing at the gate of the Xiao Family were not surprised by this influx of visitors, as they had come to discuss cooperation with the family.
The power of the Xiao Family had begun to expand rapidly, first dominating Wu Tan City, and then spreading its influence to the entire Northeastern Province.
In normal circumstances, such unchecked expansion would have angered other forces, but in this case, there was something different.
The Xiao Family had a monster among them, known as Xiao Ming.
Although Xiao Ming was not present at the Xiao family all year round, everyone respected his reputation as a sixth-tier Alchemist and his strength as a Dou Emperor.
On the other hand, the family still had the Dou King powerhouse he left behind, as well as the Dou Spirit powerhouse he cultivated.
Those forces that did not want to give a face to the Xiao family had to weigh the consequences themselves, so the development of the Xiao family over the years was so rapid that it came close to dominating the entire Northeastern Province.
Many of the things that foreign merchant fleets did in the Northeastern Province needed the permission of the Xiao family, so it became the norm for these people to visit the Xiao family.
Just as the guards were about to continue checking the visitors' signs as they had done in the past, a sharp-eyed soldier suddenly noticed a giant purple beast approaching from far away in the sky.
He quickly rushed to tell the leader of the guards about it.
The leader looked up at his words and watched it carefully for a moment, and then an expression of joy appeared on his face. "That's a sixth-rank Amethyst Winged Lion King, it must be the Supreme Elder returning to the Clan! Go and inform the Clan Head and the Elders!"
Looking at the guards who quickly left after receiving the order, the leader of the guards turned to the visitors at the door and said, "Sorry, it is not convenient for the Xiao family to entertain visitors today."
"Haha, no problem, no problem, we will come back to visit tomorrow."
"Yes, yes, we'll come back another day!"
The visitors at the entrance could hear what the leader of the guards had said. The Supreme Elder of the Xiao family had returned.
Wasn't the Supreme Elder of the Xiao family Xiao Ming?
If he really came back, the other members of the Xiao family would really not have time to receive them, so it was better not to embarrass themselves and come back another day.
...
At the same time, the other inhabitants of Wu Tan City also spotted the rapidly approaching Amethyst Winged Lion King in the sky and immediately shouted in alarm.
"Look! That's the Amethyst Winged Lion King!"
"Damn, I didn't see it the last time I led my team on a mission at the Magic Beast Mountain Range but I could finally see it this time."
"If I could sit on that Amethyst Winged Lion King, then I wouldn't have lived my life in vain!"
"Forget it, one sneeze from the Amethyst Winged Lion King can kill you, yet you want to sit on it. Who do you think you are, Xiao Ming?"
People chatted a lot, unlike the panic they felt the first time they saw the Amethyst Winged Lion King, this time there was more excitement and curiosity in their eyes because they had long known that the Amethyst Winged Lion King had been subdued by Xiao Ming.
Now that the Amethyst Winged Lion King had appeared, didn't that mean that Xiao Ming of the Xiao family had returned?
...
A few minutes later, inside the Xiao Family Hall.
Listening to Xiao Zhan's report on the Xiao Family's development in recent years, Xiao Ming took a soft sip from his cup of tea, and to his left, Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan sat side by side.
"The family's development over the years has exceeded my expectations." After listening to Xiao Zhan's report, Xiao Ming put down his teacup and said with some surprise.
"Hahaha, it's all thanks to your help to the family, Xiao Ming, otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to develop so quickly."
The Grand Elder next to him stroked his beard and said with a smile on his face, having been the Grand Elder for half of his life, he knew very well that the one who had the most credit for the Xiao family's ability to develop so quickly did not lie with Xiao Zhan, the Clan Head, nor the rest of the Xiao family, but with Xiao Ming.
Without Xiao Ming, the Xiao family would be nothing now.
"I only did what I could." Xiao Ming smiled, not taking credit, the Xiao family was too large and most of them were not very talented, so he could not cultivate them alone. The Xiao family had been able to develop on their own after he had given them some techniques.
After discussing various matters and exchanging pleasantries, Xiao Zhan asked, "Supreme Elder, as you have reached the age of maturity, have you considered holding a coming-of-age ceremony to mark this significant milestone?"
"Coming of age ceremony? Let's forget about that kind of thing." Xiao Ming shook his head, he just felt that it was all very troublesome, every time they added the word 'ceremony' to something, it was because it was something that took a lot of time.
Although he had the time, it would really be unnecessary to waste it on something like that.
"Since it seems to be a source of inconvenience for you, Supreme Elder, we will not proceed with it." Seeing that Xiao Ming did not wish to participate in the ceremony, Xiao Zhan and the others refrained from pushing the matter further. Despite his calm demeanor, as the strongest member of the Xiao family, it was important to respect his wishes and not offend him.
Xiao Ming nodded slightly, then glanced around the Hall.
Other than a crowd with looks of adoration, excitement, and curiosity, there was no trace of Xiao Shan's figure.
"Where is Xiao Shan?" Seeing that Xiao Shan was not here, Xiao Ming asked.
"Xiao Shan went to the neighboring Black City on business in the morning, as you know, the family has grown quite fast over the years, so these things are inevitable, he should be back in a few days."
"That's fine, it's okay if I see him in a few days." Xiao Ming said softly, "I will stay in the Clan for a while, if anyone wants to visit me unless it is a special situation, tell them I am refining pills and am not available."
After saying this, Xiao Ming took the hand of the two girls and then left the Hall.
Inside the Hall, as soon as Xiao Ming and the girls left, an intense discussion began.
"After almost two years without seeing him, Supreme Elder seems to have become even more handsome, worthy of being a member of our Xiao family!"
"Hehe, didn't you see the two beauties standing beside him? What coming-of-age ceremony? I'm afraid our Supreme Elder has already found his springtime!"
"I don't know if it's just me, although Supreme Elder has always been calm, I felt something indescribable about him sitting there, his strength must have been greatly increased again."
"What nonsense are you talking about? It's been so long, with his talent, it's only logical that he has improved a lot!"
"That said, after Xiao Yan regained his talent a few years ago, he also went through several stages a year just like our Supreme Elder did, do you think Xiao Yan will become the next Xiao Ming?"
"..."
"Silence!"
Staring at the noisy Hall, the ill-tempered Second Elder slapped his hand threateningly on the table, and a loud sound spread.
A moment later, looking around the Hall in silence, the Second Elder said, "You all heard what the Supreme Elder said, didn't you? We must declare to the outside world that he is refining pills, do you hear me?"
"Yes!"
