The eldest elder approached, smiling warmly. He couldn't help but admire Xiao Jian—this potential prodigy was impressive indeed.
Since it was done, Father and the three elders needed to finish off the remaining two Galleo elders quickly, preventing them from contacting the Oba family. Once started, the task must be carried through to completion.
If Galleo and the Oba families joined forces, dealing with them later would be far more difficult.
Xiao Jian rested a hand on Xiao Yan's shoulder, his expression solemn. "Listen carefully. This must be done decisively."
Seeing Xiao Jian's decisiveness, Xiao Zhan and the three elders exchanged glances, realizing that a sudden strike could catch the Galleo family off guard.
Once the Galleo family's strength was neutralized, the Xiao family could expel the Oba family from Wu Tan City within three years.
From then on, the city would belong to the Xiao family alone.
The significance for the Xiao family's future was immense.
Xiao Zhan, decisive as ever, called over a guard to assemble the clan's fighting forces, preparing to take the Galleo family in one swift strike.
Xiao Jian didn't follow the others to the Galleo Estate.
The Galleo family's strength was far inferior to that of the Xiao clan, and ever since the Xiao family's income had grown in recent months, they'd hired a number of powerful
fighters....those above the Dou Practitioner level—to serve as guards for the market district.
Now, they would be put to better use.
After all, destroying the Galleo family would bring tremendous benefits to the Xiao clan.
The stronger the family grew, the more rewards and resources its members would share.
These hired guards, having received the Xiao family's generous payments, naturally had the duty to stand with them in both prosperity and peril.
Supported by Xiao Yan and Sister Xiao Yu, Xiao Jian returned to the Xiao Estate to rest and recover.
The battle had drained him severely. Even if he went along to the Galleo residence now, he would only become a burden.
Xiao Zhan, however, was not a man who rose to power in Wu Tan City through luck alone—he had his own capable means.
For that reason, Xiao Jian wasn't too worried about unexpected accidents.
The only real concern was the Oba family, who might try to interfere.
"Sister Xiao Yu, I'm a bit hungry… could you go to the kitchen and get me some porridge?"
Inside the quiet room, Xiao Jian smiled faintly after a moment of thought.
"Alright."
Sister Xiao Yu agreed without hesitation. She gave him a gentle smile, nodded softly, and with her long legs swaying gracefully, walked out of the room.
Watching her departing figure, Xiao Jian's expression grew more serious.
He turned toward Xiao Yan and said in a low voice, "Xiao Yan, just in case.....go and call your teacher here. Have him guard the Xiao family for a while.
Most of our fighting power has gone with Father, and the guards left behind aren't strong enough. If the Oba family decides to launch a sneak attack, we'll be in real trouble."
Xiao Yan's eyes widened slightly. After a moment, his heart tightened—his third brother was right.
Father, the three elders, and many of the clan's strongest men were all at the Galleo estate.
If Oba Pa struck the Xiao family now, there would be no time for them to rush back and defend.
The Oba family possessed three Da Dou Shi–level experts.
They wouldn't join forces with Galleo's two Da Dou Shi just to throw their lives away against Father and the elders.
No, if Oba Pa had any sense, he'd strike at their home base instead.
"Teacher," Xiao Yan asked silently in his mind, "what's the lowest level of power you can handle right now?"
A light chuckle echoed in his heart. "Heh, your third brother is quite the thinker.
You're right—there's a large group heading north, straight for your Xiao family. But don't worry.
Even though I exist now only as a soul body, with the Heavenly Flame in hand, dealing with a few Da Dou Shi or Dou Ling–level opponents is no issue at all."