The arrival of the Blood-Clotting Powder was nothing short of a storm of thunder and rain, swiftly capturing over half of Wutan City's healing medicine market with remarkable momentum. It also restored, and even surpassed, the previous popularity of Xiao Family's market within just two days. The day after the Blood-Clotting Powder launched, the Revitalizing Powder from the Jiale family gradually returned to its original pricing. However, due to the family's earlier profit-driven pricing having sparked widespread dissatisfaction among most mercenaries, even after the price reductions, the market buzz in the marketplace remained far from the vibrant scenes of the past. Due to its proximity to the edge of the Beast Mountains, the city of Wutan sees an enormous volume of mercenaries passing through. Given the hazardous conditions within the Beast Mountains, there is an immense demand for healing medicines. Even though the healing medicine market has been largely captured by the Xiao family, the Jialei family continues to operate at a profit—though this profit has shrunk significantly compared to earlier periods. The booming sales of healing medicines far exceeded the expectations of the Xiao family, which was new to this business. Every morning, the blood-stopping powder, stocked in the market, would be swiftly snatched by mercenaries who had already positioned themselves there. By afternoon, most of the healing medicines in the market would be sold out, and those mercenaries who failed to secure the blood-stopping powder would have to settle for the lower-quality spring-restoring powder available at the Jialei family's market. Thanks to the indirect support from the mercenaries' heavy demand for healing medicines, the Jialei family had managed to hold its ground against Xiao Family's relentless offensive. What would happen next would now depend on which side ended up with the thicker stock of healing medicines. "Yes, in just a few days, our market's popularity has surged—more than double what it was at its peak before, and the losses we've incurred recently are gradually being recovered. Heh, plus the revenue share from the healing medicine sales—just in these few days, our profits already surpass what the Xiao family earned in a month or two previously!" Even the usually composed Senior Elder, who had always been steady and reserved, found himself speaking more freely under such a remarkable success, his weathered face now glowing like a fully bloomed chrysanthemum. Xiao Zhan nodded with a smile and turned to Xiao Yan, who sat on the chair looking somewhat bored, and chided him: "You little one, every time the elders come to the family, you're never there. Can't you just stay put at home and be still?" After enduring a good scolding, Xiao Yan sighed, rolled his eyes, and muttered to himself, "If I don't move, where will you go to collect the healing medicines?" "Oh, that old man is truly generous. Fortunately, I managed to inquire about the herbs needed for my healing just now. From now on, we'll take care of the herbs ourselves. The Xiao family has already received so many benefits from them; if we were any more greedy, we might end up losing out." Xiao Zhan pulled out a piece of paper from his sleeve and pondered. "Agreed," the three elders nodded eagerly—had it not been for Xiao Zhan's careful attention, they might have completely overlooked this point. "Hm, knowing when to stop in the face of such substantial profits—excellent. That's precisely why your father has become the head of the clan," a voice of admiration from the herbalist echoed in Xiao Yan's mind. Nodding with a smile, Xiao Yan also felt a sense of reassurance. Although he could offer some material support to the Xiao family, the family's true strength ultimately depended on the capabilities of its leader. If the leader lacked merit, no matter how capable Xiao Yan might be, he would simply be unable to lift a heap of mud and build a wall. But now it seemed clear that Xiao Zhan possessed exactly that kind of ability. "Chief, the three elders, Miss Yafei from the Miter Auction House is outside the family," said a family member who rushed into the hall and spoke respectfully. "Miss Yafei?" Xiao Zhan was momentarily startled and quickly replied, "Please have her brought in." Not long after the family member departed to deliver the message, a graceful figure slowly appeared in view. The delicate, bone-softening laughter drifted gently into the hall: "Heh, Chief Xiao, you've truly been in high spirits lately." Leaning his head against the cool back of the chair, Xiao Yan directed his gaze toward the main gate, his expression momentarily stunned, filled with admiration. By the gate stood a mature woman dressed in a red cheongsam, smiling gently. The fitted red cheongsam accentuated her graceful, full curves, her slender waist flowing with a mesmerizing, alluring arc. A straight opening at the hem extended down to her thighs, revealing the soft, snowy skin as she moved—her springtime charm subtly emerging, captivating and enchanting. "A fairy..." the young and middle-aged elders in the hall murmured silently, struck by the mature, alluring presence of the woman. "Ah," clearing his throat, Xiao Zhan rose gracefully, offering polite words, "Lady Ya, you truly are full of charm. Our Xiao family's annual profits still fall short of even one branch of your Mitel auction house—how could we possibly boast with any pride?" "Ah, Xiao Clan Head speaks so well! Recently, the popularity of Xiao Family's pavilion in the marketplace has surpassed even the auction hall—this is something everyone has personally witnessed." Yafei bowed gracefully to the three elders in the hall, her bright eyes gently fluttering, her gaze slowly drifting toward Xiao Yan beside her. She paused, slightly surprised, and remarked, "Looking at Xiao Yan's current condition, it seems he's stronger than he was last time." "Just call me Yafei, please—'young master' sounds rather unnerving to me," Xiao Yan replied with a seemingly pure, innocent smile, though the very mention of the title made his skin prickle. Yafei smiled gently in response. "What brings you to the Xiao family today, Yafei?" asked Xiao Zhan, smiling warmly. Yafei nodded politely, settled herself elegantly into the chair beside Xiao Yan, gently pressed her full lips together, and then launched straight into her matter with a light, composed smile: "Xiao Clan Head, the Miter Auction Hall has now refused to supply medicinal herbs to the Galen family." "As soon as he spoke, a considerable amount of tea spilled from Xiao Zhan's cup onto the table. A subtle spark of joy flickered in his eyes, which he gently wiped away without making a sound. He glanced at the three senior monks, only to find that their eyes had also instantly brightened with a gleam. A brief silence settled in the hall. Xiao Zhan finished off the tea in his cup and hesitated, 'Why? Haven't you always been neutral?' Yafu smiled silently. 'What do you expect from us?' Xiao Zhan pressed, his voice low, after biting his lip. 'Nothing at all,' Yafu replied with a warm smile. 'Huh?' Xiao Zhan was momentarily stunned, gazing at Yafu's smiling face, unable to believe that the Miter Auction House would offer such support without any cost. He stroked his chin, then suddenly had a thought, and softly asked, 'Was it... that old gentleman who did it?' Gently lifting her red lips, Ya Fei nodded slightly and smiled, "The old gentleman has already been compensated, so Xiao Zuzhang need not worry about us demanding anything from the Xiao family. From now on, we're truly on the same side." Hearing this, Xiao Zhan's face finally broke into joy, and he laughed heartily, his laughter shaking the house slightly. Gradually calming down, Xiao Zhan suddenly realized he had become a bit overeager, lowered his head, and indeed saw the three elders giving him a helpless, slightly exasperated look. With a slightly embarrassed smile, Xiao Zhan turned to Xiao Yan, who was quietly掩着 his mouth and chuckling, and growled, "Little brat! What's so funny? Don't just stand there—go fetch tea for Lady Ya Fei right away, or you'll be considered rude!" Frowning slightly, Xiao Yan reached out and picked up a warm cup of tea from the table beside him, then hurried over to Ya Fei, hands outstretched, offering it to her. With a gentle smile toward Xiao Yan, Ya Fei took the teacup from his hands. Yet her face suddenly softened, her beautiful eyes fixed intently on Xiao Yan's pale hands—specifically, on the black ring adorning his right hand. As she stared at him, Xiao Yan's gaze grew steady, subtly withdrawing his hands, turning his back to his father and the others, and gently gazing at the beautiful woman before him. Under Xiao Yan's steady gaze, Ya Fei felt a slight tension in her chest, then, with good grace, lowered her head to sip her tea, carefully concealing her expressions. Seeing her poised and attentive demeanor, Xiao Yan exhaled in relief, rubbed his nose lazily, and settled back into his seat, frowning slightly as though deep in thought.