The commercial war between the Xiao Family and the Jia Lie Family intensified, primarily centered around healing medicine.
Although the Jia Lie Family's supply of healing medicine couldn't compare to the Xiao Family's—after all, the Xiao Family had Xiao Yan, Xiao Li, and Yao Lao, two and a half people, refining it, while the Jia Lie Family only had Liu Xi.
However, the healing medicine market in Wutan City was far from saturated, so while the Jia Lie Family's sales couldn't match the Xiao Family's, their healing medicine was snatched up every day, sustaining the foot traffic in the Jia Lie Family's market and preventing them from being completely crushed.
"Where on earth did the Xiao Family get so much healing medicine? Even if they also invited Alchemists, it's impossible for them to produce so much healing medicine every day!" Gale Bi was practically tearing his hair out.
Currently, Liu Xi worked overtime every day to help them refine healing medicine, reaching a daily output of over two hundred portions, which was already his limit.
This was only after Gale Bi sent Liu Xi several women, which convinced him to help with the refining.
Meanwhile, the Xiao Family's daily output could generally stabilize at six to seven hundred portions.
That was three times their production!
"Although this level of healing medicine is simple, even a Fifth- or Sixth-Grade Alchemist can only refine a limited amount per batch."
"The Xiao Family must have invited two or three Alchemists," Liu Xi offered his professional judgment as an Alchemist.
"I alone cannot out-refine three people, but I do know some Alchemist friends. If Clan Leader Jia Lie is willing to increase the price, I can help you call two assistants."
Gale Bi's eyes lit up: "Is that true?"
"I never lie."
"In that case, I'll trouble Mister Liu Xi."
Just as they finished discussing their strategy, a servant rushed in.
"Clan Leader, something terrible has happened!"
"What's all the fuss about!"
"Just now, I was going to the Miter Auction House to buy medicinal ingredients for tomorrow, but the Miter Auction House stopped supplying us with medicinal ingredients!" the servant said in a panic.
"How can this be? Wasn't the Miter Auction House always neutral? Why would they suddenly stop supplying us with medicinal ingredients?" The Grand Elder beside him was anxious.
The Miter Auction House was the largest medicinal ingredient dealer in all of Wutan City.
Although some other individuals or small shops also had medicinal ingredients, their supply was unstable, and their volume was far less than the Miter Auction House.
Once the Miter Auction House completely stopped supplying them with medicinal ingredients, they would not have any healing medicine to sell the next day!
"There's no such thing as absolute neutrality; it's just that the benefits weren't enough. I didn't expect the Xiao Family to act so quickly, and to even get the Miter Auction House to help them." Gale Bi's face was grim.
"Without medicinal ingredients, I can't help you refine medicine, you know." Liu Xi acted as if it had nothing to do with him.
The commercial war between the Xiao Family and the Jia Lie Family had little to do with him.
He was just there to refine medicine and get paid. If the Jia Lie Family had no medicinal ingredients, he could also save some trouble and focus on playing with the tender young girls in his room.
"Clan Leader, should we also negotiate with the Miter Auction House?" the Grand Elder suggested.
"It's useless. Since the Miter Auction House refused us, the Xiao Family must have given them great benefits. Here's what we'll do: you immediately take people and go to the surrounding cities to buy medicinal ingredients." Gale Bi made an immediate decision.
"Alright."
The Grand Elder was also very obedient and immediately began to act... Night fell.
Darkness enveloped Wutan City.
Several carriages quietly departed from the Jia Lie Family, leaving Wutan City, preparing to head to nearby cities.
But the caravan had not gone far from Wutan City when a figure blocked the center of the road ahead.
"Where are you all rushing off to?"
The Grand Elder reined in his carriage, and by the moonlight, he clearly saw the appearance of the person blocking their way.
"You are... Xiao Zhan's second son, Xiao Li? What, are you lost?"
Xiao Li smiled slightly: "I think you should know that after the Miter Auction House stopped supplying medicinal ingredients to your Jia Lie Family, you were preparing to go to other cities to buy them, right?"
"But unfortunately, you won't be able to go today."
The Grand Elder snorted coldly: "Young man, your courage is commendable, but to dare to block our path alone, you're seeking death!"
As he spoke, the Grand Elder leaped up, his palm carrying a fierce gust of wind directly towards Xiao Li. His Nine-Star Battle Master strength was fully displayed, aiming for a killing blow!
"Heh..." Xiao Li chuckled softly.
He clenched his hand, and a long spear flowing with silver lightning appeared in his palm. Then he leaped up, thrusting the spear like a dragon emerging from the sea.
"Thunder Overlord Spear!"
In an instant, the silver lightning transformed into a roaring thunder beast, devouring the Grand Elder in one gulp, and shattering the caravan behind him with a single strike.
Boom!
The entire caravan turned into nothingness in the lightning.
Xiao Li clapped his hands: "Done. Let's end everything in these two days."
...Gale Bi waited for a day and a night, but he still hadn't received any news from the Grand Elder.
"Why has Big Brother been gone for so long and still hasn't returned? Could something have happened?" The Second Elder expressed his concern.
But his words directly woke up the person in a dream.
"Oh no!" Gale Bi suddenly realized, and his brows immediately furrowed.
After a moment of contemplation, Gale Bi decisively turned and left the room.
"Let's go to the Ao Ba Family!"
...Xiao Family Market.
Due to the cutoff of medicinal ingredients, the Jia Lie Family's healing medicine had already been out of stock since yesterday.
Now, only the Xiao Family had healing medicine in all of Wutan City, and all the mercenaries flocked in again, restoring the initial bustling scene.
"Father, at this rate, our Xiao Family's market will already surpass the combined total of the Jia Lie Family and the Ao Ba Family," Xiao Li said.
"Hahaha, second son, you're not wrong." Looking at the unprecedented prosperity before him, Xiao Zhan was filled with relief.
Just then, a commotion came from the front.
Before they could check the situation, they saw groups of people rushing in aggressively.
Leading them were none other than the Jia Lie Family's Clan Leader, Gale Bi, and the Ao Ba Family's Clan Leader, Ao Ba Pa!
"Gale Bi, Ao Ba Pa, what are you two doing bringing so many people to my Xiao Family's market?" Xiao Zhan frowned, took a step forward, and said in a deep voice.
"Xiao Zhan, your Xiao Family certainly has good methods, to be able to invite three Alchemists to help you refine so much healing medicine." Gale Bi's face was grim.
"However, since you don't want to leave us a way to live, then don't blame us for being merciless."
"We came today to ensure that of Wutan City's three major families, only two need to remain!"
The people around, seeing that the atmosphere was clearly not right, quickly scattered.
"So, your Jia Lie Family and Ao Ba Family intend to join forces against our Xiao Family?" Xiao Zhan snorted coldly, and the aura of his Five-Star Great Dou Shi immediately erupted.
At this moment, a figure blocked Xiao Zhan's path.
"Father, let me handle it."
Xiao Li stepped forward, looking at Gale Bi and the others.
"I thought you could endure a bit longer; I didn't expect you to lose patience so quickly."
"In my opinion, of Wutan City's three major families, only our Xiao Family needs to remain."