Strongest Family System

"At the Osborn clan estate, John was in his study alone, the Soul Lotus Pill Robert had provided lying on his desk. He needed to sort out some business before he could make his breakthrough attempt."

He rang the bell on his desk, and when a servant appeared, John gave specific instructions. Please ask Elder Chris to come to my study immediately. "Let him know it is urgent clan business."

Elder Chris was the second most powerful cultivator in the Osborn clan, with strength only slightly behind John's own. More importantly, he was one of the few people John trusted completely with sensitive clan matters.

When John needed to leave the estate or go into seclusion, Elder Chris was always his chosen successor to handle affairs.

Within Half Hours, Elder Chris arrived at the study. He was a middle-aged man with a dignified bearing; his cultivation was at Soul Manifestation Level 1, just like John's. "One look at him, and you knew he was both intelligent and absolutely loyal to the clan."

"Clan Head", Elder Chris said, bowing respectfully.

"Please, sit down, Chris. I need to bring you up to speed on everything that has happened these past few days."

For the next hour, John carefully walked everyone through the recent events—the market transfer, Robert's incredible successes in alchemy and cultivation, the mysterious attack on the west market, and, most importantly, the clan's rapidly expanding power.

Elder Chris listened with mounting amazement, his eyes widening at each revelation. When John finished, Chris shook his head in wonder.

"Robert managed all of this? And the west market is ours?" Chris asked, his surprise mixed with obvious pride.

"Definitely. The clan has become more powerful than I ever expected," John said. But that power brings new obligations. John's expression turned serious as he moved closer."

I am going to be in seclusion soon, trying for a breakthrough. While i am gone, you will be running the entire west market.

Elder Chris sat up straighter, realizing how important this was. "You can rely on me, Clan Head. I will make sure our market does well while you are in seclusion."

"One more thing," John said quietly, his voice dropping low. Keep this to yourself. We can only tell a handful of people in the clan. John's eyes became intense. "If word gets out about our rapid advancement or the true extent of Robert's capabilities, the James clan will become desperate.

They could attack with everything they have got before we are ready for them. Elder Chris gave a solemn nod. "I completely understand. We will ensure that this remains confidential."

"Good. Expand the market carefully and effectively. Keep it profitable, but do not make waves about how successful we are getting. Let everyone think we are just another small clan with a simple business."

"Consider it done," Elder Chris replied firmly.

"John got up from his chair, feeling relieved. "Thanks, Chris. Knowing you are handling the market means I can put all my attention on this breakthrough."

After Elder Chris departed, John gathered the Soul Lotus Pill and headed toward his private cultivation chamber. The time had come to attempt advancing from Soul Manifestation Level 1 to Level 2—a breakthrough that would significantly strengthen both him and the clan's overall position.

"John closed the chamber door and paused, struck by how much had shifted in such a short span of time. His son had turned into a brilliant strategist, their clan had gotten hold of valuable resources, and now he had the chance to push his cultivation to the next level."

The Osborn clan were no longer the modest family they had been just weeks ago. They were becoming a force to be reckoned with, one carefully planned step at a time.

Mathew James sat in his clan's grand hall with a serious look on his face. The room felt heavy with tension while several elders waited respectfully before him, ready to follow his orders."

"How many Spirit Root Realm Level 1 cultivators do we currently have?" " Mathew's voice was icy as he spoke, the sound filling the hall."

One elder stepped forward and bowed. Three members have already entered Spirit Root Realm Level 1."

Mathew's eyes narrowed. "Good. Then send those three. Their task is simple—eliminate Robert Osborn."

"Disguise them," Mathew continued, his tone sharp. "Not a single clue must lead back to the James clan. I will not have the other families accusing us of foul play before we are ready to crush the Osborns openly."

The elders clenched their fists and lowered their heads. "As you command, Patriarch."

"Good." Mathew leaned back in his chair, his eyes gleaming with cold determination. "We will take one step at a time. First Robert, then the rest of the Osborn's. By the time anyone realizes what has happened, it will already be too late."

"The elders said nothing more and walked out of the hall, all of them looking grim."

Soon, three Spirit Root cultivators would be preparing to move in secret, carrying the James clan's murderous will.

After the meeting dispersed, the three chosen Spirit Root cultivators were summoned to a secluded courtyard. They knelt before the gathered elders, each of them hardened warriors who had killed before without hesitation.

One of the elders, Elder Hart, addressed them in a low voice. "you have been chosen for an extremely important mission." The target is Robert Osborn. His death is to look like an accident—or the work of wandering cultivators. Not a single trace must link back to the James clan. Do you understand?"

The three cultivators bowed deeply. "We understand."

"Mathew James walked into the courtyard, and everyone immediately went quiet. He studied the three of them with a cold, calculating look."

"You will wait until Robert is isolated," Mathew instructed. "No grand displays, no recklessness. Strike fast, strike clean, and vanish without leaving evidence. If you succeed, your contributions will be rewarded handsomely. Fail…" His eyes grew sharp as blades. "There will be no second chance."

A chill swept through the courtyard. The three Spirit Root cultivators bowed once again, this time with grim determination.

"Go," Mathew commanded. "And remember—our path to supremacy begins with Robert's blood."

The assassins withdrew into the shadows, already beginning to plan their disguises and routes. The James clan hall fell quiet again, but in Mathew's eyes, a cold fire burned.

He whispered to himself, "The Osborn's think they can rise? Not while I draw breath."

Night fell over the James clan estate. In a hidden chamber lit only by a single lantern, the three Spirit Root cultivators gathered to finalize their preparations.

Each one of them had already started to disguise themselves. They replaced their clan robes with the rough attire of travellers—worn cloaks, patched boots, and weapons that looked like they were carried by wandering mercenaries.

"They were even using special talismans to change their spiritual signatures, hiding the distinctive aura that would give away their James clan identity."

Elder Hart entered, carrying a small jade box. "These are your lifelines," he said, opening it to reveal three jet-black pills. "Shadow Dissolving Pills. If your identities are in danger of being exposed, swallow one. It will erase your cultivation aura for two hours, making it impossible for anyone to sense who you are. Use them wisely."

One of the assassins, a scar-faced man with a grim expression, tucked his pill away.

"Where is the target now?" The scar-faced assassin asked.

Elder Hart's expression turned calculating. "Robert Osborn hardly ever leaves the clan estate, but he cannot stay locked up there forever."

He trains, he visits the market, and he moves around the clan grounds. You three will position yourselves near the Osborn territory and remain hidden there. Rent a room, stay out of sight, and wait."

The tall woman with sharp eyes nodded. "So we wait until he is alone."

"Exactly," Elder Hart said firmly. "Don't attack him in public, and make sure no one can identify you." When Robert steps outside without protection—when he wanders away from his elders or guards—that is when you kill him.

One clean strike, no hesitation, and no trace left behind."

The youngest of the assassins frowned slightly. "And if the chance never comes to kill robert?"

"Then you make one," Elder Hart replied coldly. "Lure him, trick him, find a way to isolate him. You are not leaving until Robert Osborn is dead. That is your mission."

The three assassins exchanged solemn glances, then bowed deeply. "Understood."

"Good," Elder Hart said. I expect news of Robert's elimination."

As the assassins left the hidden chamber, their figures melted into the night, heading toward Osborn territory. "They had the patience of wolves hunting near their prey's den—silent, watchful, and ready to kill."

By dawn, they had secured a discreet room at a rundown inn not far from Osborn territory, their disguises flawless, their intent murderous. From there, they would watch, waiting for Robert to make a single mistake.

Unaware of the danger tightening around him, Robert remained within the clan, preparing for what he thought would be a quiet period of cultivation.

But lurking in the shadows, death had already made itself at home right at his doorstep.