Strongest Family System

After the meeting concluded and the evening's discussions about market development strategies came to an end, Robert respectfully excused himself from his father's study.

The successful acquisition was a cause for celebration, but now the real challenge of expanding and managing the business was about to kick off.

"I trust you to build the business, Father," Robert said as he got to his feet. Let me know if you need support with any development or security issues.

John nodded with approval. "Robert, this would not have happened without your planning. Take a break while you can—there's plenty more to tackle."

Robert made his way through the estate corridors toward his private quarters, his mind already shifting to more personal matters. While his father focused on the practical aspects of market management, Robert had his methods for strengthening the clan's foundation.

"When Robert reached his room, he locked up and got into bed. With a thought, he called up the system interface, watching the familiar translucent panels materialize. He knew exactly what he needed to do tonight—track down a cultivation aid that could boost his father's progress."

"Soul Lotus Pill," he whispered to the system, scanning through its vast collection of items. Robert spent a few minutes looking through various cultivation resources before spotting exactly what he wanted.

The Soul Lotus Pill appeared in the interface, its description indicating that it could facilitate a breakthrough from the Soul Manifestation Realm Level 1 to Level 2—precisely what his father needed to solidify the clan's growing influence.

The price displayed made Robert pause momentarily: 100,000 system points. It was a substantial investment, representing a significant portion of his accumulated resources.

However, his father's advancement would strengthen the entire clan's foundation, making their recent market acquisition merely the first step in a much larger expansion.

Without further hesitation, Robert confirmed the purchase.

"A small jade bottle showed up in his palm within seconds, feeling warm to the touch. A subtle golden shimmer leaked through the jade, revealing Soul Lotus Pills within—two-star grade for sure."

They weren't just regular cultivation pills—they were packed with spiritual energy that could help even seasoned cultivators break through to the next level. Robert carefully stored the bottle within his spatial storage ring, ensuring it would remain secure until the appropriate moment to present it to his father.

"Now that he had taken care of that, Robert turned to his cultivation. Today's events, particularly his secret intervention at the market, had shown him how important it was to stay on top of his cultivation."

He made his way to his private cultivation chamber, a specially prepared room within his quarters designed to optimize spiritual energy absorption. The chamber's formation arrays would amplify his efforts, making each session more efficient than ordinary meditation.

"Robert sat in his familiar cultivation pose and started absorbing spiritual energy into his dantian. By investing 2,000 system points into this session, he unlocked advanced guidance for improving his energy circulation and spiritual progress."

Throughout the night, Robert maintained his cultivation focus, feeling the gradual strengthening of his soul power with each circulation cycle. "The system let him push past his normal boundaries, solidifying what he had already gained while laying the groundwork for future advances."

"Dawn was breaking through his window when Robert finally finished cultivating. The whole night of training had paid off—he could feel his soul power was stronger, and his spiritual foundation was much more stable than before."

After completing his morning washing and changing into fresh robes, Robert prepared to begin another day. The Osborn clan's new market venture awaited; his father would soon benefit from the Soul Lotus Pill, and Robert's cultivation continued advancing steadily.

"Things were unfolding just as he had mapped out for bringing the clan to power. Leaving his room, he headed directly to the Alchemy Hall." Inside, all ten alchemists were already present. Upon seeing him, they stopped their work, bowed respectfully, and greeted him in unison.

Robert gave a curt nod. "We need to increase pill production. Focus on producing more one-star pills than usual.

The alchemists nodded with serious looks and headed back to their furnaces. Robert felt good about that and walked to his private alchemy room. He had a clear plan for today—work through the eight remaining sets of Spirit Awakening herbs he had stored.

"He arranged the first set, started the furnace, and began the intricate process of heating, purifying, and blending the materials. Robert kept his full attention on the work—each action was exact, drawing on both his expertise and what the system had taught him."

"He worked uninterrupted for hours. By evening, with shadows stretching across the room, the job was done. From the eight sets of herbs, he had produced 8 one-line Spirit Awakening Pills, 8 two-line Spirit Awakening Pills, and 5 three-line Spirit Awakening Pills."

Twenty-one pills total—way better than what most alchemists could pull off with the same ingredients. Robert let himself grin a little at how well it had gone. Stretching his back and shoulders after the long refinement session, he stepped out of his alchemy room.

The ten alchemists were still in the main hall, and judging by the powder on their hands and robes, it seemed they had just wrapped up their latest batches. Robert decided it was time to leave the Alchemy Hall as well. He had someone on his mind—Emer.

Robert crossed the courtyard toward the eastern wing of the estate, where the Martial Arts Hall stood. The clang of weapons and the dull thud of heavy strikes echoed through the air.

Inside, Emer and Ronan were locked in a fast-paced sparring match. The blades sparkled in the light, their footwork adapting fluidly, and with every exchange, they pushed their speed and precision to the limit.

It was not just training—they were sharpening each other's battle instincts.

As Robert stepped through the doorway, both men halted mid-movement. Emer sheathed his weapon, and Ronan lowered his guard.

"Robert," they greeted in unison, bowing respectfully.

Robert nodded in return. "Emer. Ronan."

"The edge in the room softened, though traces of sweat and steel still hung heavy."

Robert could tell from their breathing and stance that the match had been intense. Robert's eyes moved between the two men. "You have both been working hard," he said evenly, "but training against one opponent only gets you so far."

Emer caught on first. "You want to test us."

"Both of you," Robert confirmed. "At the same time."

Ronan's lips curved into a faint grin. "You are confident."

Robert stepped into the sparring ring, his expression calm but his presence pressing down like a silent weight. "Come at me. Hold nothing back."

The moment he finished speaking, Emer and Ronan moved as one—Emer closing in from the front with a direct strike, Ronan circling wide to attack from Robert's flank.

Robert slipped to the side, deflecting Emer's blade with a precise parry while pivoting just enough to let Ronan's strike whistle past his shoulder.

His response was fast—he swept Ronan's legs to push him back, then deflected Emer's next attack upward with his free hand.

They adjusted instantly—Emer feinting low, Ronan aiming high. "Robert moved with precision, every step flowing naturally into the following one. His aura flickered briefly, throwing off their rhythm but not overwhelming them."

The ring filled with the clash of metal on metal as they traded blows back and forth. As the fight picked up speed, it became obvious Robert was calling the shots. He hardly broke a sweat, making them stretch too far and then punishing every slip-up.

Finally, in one smooth sequence, Robert disarmed Emer with a twist of his wrist and stopped Ronan's blade an inch from his neck.

"Good coordination," Robert said, stepping back, "but you rely too much on predictable angles. Adapt faster next time."

"Both men gave a nod, still breathing hard but looking resolved. The sparring was done, and Robert stood with Emer and Ronan while the edge from their fight faded into a more comfortable mood."

"You both showed solid coordination," Robert said, his tone measured. "But in a real fight, hesitation costs you. Ronan, don't commit to an attack until you have read the opponent's rhythm. Emer, vary your angles more—you're too direct."

Both men nodded, absorbing the advice.

Then, without warning, Robert reached into his spatial storage ring and pulled out a small jade bottle. He uncorked it and removed two pills, each glowing faintly with condensed spiritual energy.

"Here," he said, giving each of them a pill.

For a moment, they just looked at what he had given them, then realization hit. Emer's eyes widened. "Robert... these are breakthrough pills. You are giving them to us?"

Ronan's surprise turned into a grin. "This will shave months off our progress."

Robert smiled faintly. "We are family. In a family, we watch each other's backs. "When you two get stronger, the whole clan gets stronger."

The two men exchanged a look, their earlier fatigue replaced by determination. Emer clasped his fist. "We will use these well. But we cannot help feeling like we are taking without giving."

"You will give back," Robert replied. "First, focus on breaking through. After that, visit the clan leader—he'll assign you tasks that will help the clan grow."

Ronan's expression turned firm. "Then we will make sure our clan rises even higher."

"Robert nodded approvingly. For a moment, the three of them felt genuinely connected—not just as family, but as people who all wanted the same thing: to make the Osborn clan the most powerful."