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

Three days later, at the Xiao Family Martial Arts Arena—

The huge square is paved with thick bluestone slabs, which have withstood many storms and countless footsteps, making the surface smooth and solid.

At this moment, more than a hundred Xiao family boys and girls aged between eight and fifteen have gathered in the square.

They were in small groups, some excited and jubilant, others filled with nervousness and trepidation.

The lively discussions created a vibrant and bustling atmosphere.

Today is the day when the Xiao family holds its annual test of the fighting spirit cultivation of its members.

For the younger generation, this will be a crucial moment that will determine their resources and their family status in the near future.

At the very center of the square stands a huge black stone monument, about two people tall.

The stone tablet is made of a special material; it is cool to the touch and has a smooth, mirror-like surface. Mysterious runes are engraved on it, and a transparent crystal ball is inlaid at the top.

This is the extremely expensive testing magic stone tablet, which only major powers like the Xiao family in Wutan City are qualified to possess.

Beside the stone tablet stood a middle-aged man with a stern face and a thin build.

He was the family butler who had been in charge of this test for many years. With a stern face, he scanned the boys and girls below the stage with his eyes, without any emotion, maintaining the seriousness and fairness of the test.

On a stone step at the edge of the square, Xiao Qing sat alone, gazing at the group of fellow clansmen with their varied emotions.

Xiao Qing's calm expression contrasted sharply with the lively atmosphere around him.

Deep within his soul, the mysterious golden book began to operate, concealing Xiao Qing's true cultivation as a three-star Dou Zhe, only revealing the disguised fluctuations of Dou Qi.

In every test in the past, Xiao Qing demonstrated what others considered "a level of skill appropriate for his age and the result of his hard work."

It won't stand out too much and arouse suspicion, nor will it fall behind and be looked down upon.

Just then, Xiao Qing noticed a gaze falling on him, followed by steady footsteps approaching him.

Xiao Qing raised his head, and upon recognizing the person, immediately stood up and respectfully bowed: "Clan Chief."

The person who arrived was none other than Xiao Zhan!

He was dressed in a gray brocade robe with a jade belt around his waist. He had a neatly trimmed beard on his chin and the air of authority of a head of the family between his brows. But at this moment, his gaze toward Xiao Qing was gentle.

As the only Grand Dou Master in the Xiao family, he is the pillar of the entire family!

"Qing'er," Xiao Zhan walked to his side, his tone gentle and concerned.

"Cultivation is certainly important, but it also requires a balance. I've noticed that you've devoted almost all your time to cultivation in recent years. You shouldn't be too tense; take a break and relax when you need to!"

Xiao Zhan's concern was not unreasonable.

Children of Xiao Qing's age spend their days either playing wildly and roughhousing, or going up mountains and down rivers to catch fish and birds.

Compared to other children in the same clan, Xiao Qing's self-discipline and diligence stand out, even making her seem somewhat out of place!

Perhaps due to his early maturity resulting from the early death of his parents, he devoted all his energy to cultivation.

As Xiao Qing's mother's brother-in-law and also the head of the Xiao family, Xiao Zhan always showed extra care and attention to his nephew who had lost the protection of his parents!

Not only were there no shortage of cultivation resources, but Xiao Qing was also provided with a relatively peaceful environment free from trivial matters.

"Thank you for your concern, Clan Chief," Xiao Qing said sincerely. He truly felt a great deal of gratitude towards Xiao Zhan.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhan deliberately put on a stern face and jokingly scolded, "You brat, how many times have I told you? There are no outsiders here, call me uncle!"

Xiao Qing showed a perfectly measured embarrassment, scratched his head, and readily changed his address: "Understood, Uncle."

Suddenly, a strange feeling arose in my heart.

This kind of selfless familial care is especially precious in this world.

Seeing that Xiao Qing's expression was natural and his eyes were clear, without any gloom or despair, Xiao Zhan nodded slightly in his heart, secretly gratified. It seemed that this child had slowly emerged from the shadows of the past.

Xiao Qing's words broke the silence that followed.

Xiao Qing looked at Xiao Zhan with a serious expression, her brows furrowed slightly, and her tone was filled with genuine concern: "Uncle, Aunt's illness... have the physician Li hired by the clan, and the other doctors, really had no way to help her?"

When his wife's illness was mentioned, a heavy gloom instantly settled over Xiao Zhan's resolute face.

Xiao Zhan's hands tightened unconsciously, and he sighed heavily, his voice filled with helplessness and disappointment: "Doctor Li is already the best doctor in Wutan City. After examining her repeatedly, he said that your aunt's life force was damaged during childbirth, and her vital energy was severely depleted, which ordinary medicine simply cannot replenish."

"Unless... we can persuade a distinguished alchemist to refine a fourth-grade pill—the Qi-stabilizing Pill—it is impossible to completely stabilize her vital energy, replenish the deficiency, and restore her health."

Grade Four Elixir!

These words struck the air like a heavy hammer blow.

Throughout the entire Gama Empire, alchemists who can refine fourth-grade pills are already highly respected figures, few and far between, let alone in this remote Wutan City.

It should be noted that the highest-ranking alchemist in Utan City is Gu Ni, a second-rank alchemist at the Mittel Auction House.

The difficulty of getting a fourth-grade alchemist to help is unimaginable, and the cost would be astronomical.

Xiao Zhan's eyes dimmed, filled with helplessness towards reality and heartache for his wife.

Xiao Zhan and Yan Qian have a deep and loving relationship. They are a true married couple who have been together since childhood. He is extremely affectionate, but he is powerless to help his beloved wife who is tormented by illness for many years. This pain torments him day and night.

"Actually..." Xiao Zhan's voice lowered even further, carrying a hint of bitterness and resentment that was barely perceptible, "Over the years, I've been secretly trying to find a way. I've used countless connections and paid a huge price, and finally... finally I've managed to get a formula for a fourth-grade Qi-stabilizing pill."

The formula for the fourth-grade Qi-stabilizing pill was the best Xiao Zhan could think of and do under the current conditions.

"Moreover, I have been secretly collecting the medicinal materials needed to refine the fourth-grade Qi-stabilizing pill..." Xiao Zhan shook his head, his bitterness deepening.

"However, the medicinal materials required for fourth-grade pills are all precious and rare. Many of them can only be harvested by venturing deep into the dangerous Monster Mountain Range, or by bidding at large auctions... So far, we have spent countless amounts of money and effort, and we are afraid that we cannot even gather half a set of medicinal materials."

The world of alchemists is governed by strict rules.

When hiring someone to refine pills, one not only needs to prepare the pill formula, but also usually needs to prepare at least three sets of medicinal materials in case the pill refining fails. Of course, if the alchemist successfully refines the pill with the first set of medicinal materials, the remaining two sets of medicinal materials will naturally enter the alchemist's storage ring.

In addition, the alchemist must be paid an extremely generous reward that will surely tempt him.

Each of these is an insurmountable obstacle for the Xiao family and for Xiao Zhan personally.

It seems like it will never happen...

This word perfectly encapsulates Xiao Zhan's feelings at this moment.

Hope is as faint as the stars in the sky—visible, yet unattainable.

"A fourth-grade Qi-stabilizing pill..." Xiao Qing listened to Xiao Zhan's deep voice, his gaze slightly narrowed, and he subconsciously rubbed his fingers together, as if he was thinking about something, and repeated the name of the pill in a low voice.

Xiao Qing's voice was very soft, as if he was just confirming information, but the slightly furrowed brows and the fleeting glint in his eyes suggested that his thoughts were not at peace.

Just then, out of the corner of Xiao Qing's eye, he caught a glimpse of a woman leading a child slowly toward the martial arts square.

The woman was graceful and dignified, dressed in an elegant yet dignified dress. She walked with a composed gait, exuding a generous and refined air, which seemed somewhat out of place in the noisy atmosphere of the martial arts arena.

The little boy she was holding was about three years old. He had a chubby face and big, dark eyes that were curiously looking around at everything.

The woman's gaze swept around and she quickly spotted Xiao Zhan and Xiao Qing standing by the stone steps. A smile appeared on her gentle face, and she led the child straight toward them.