Strongest Family System

Robert walked steadily and purposefully out of his chamber and toward the alchemists' building. At the door, he was greeted by the fresh aroma of herbs and the subtle warmth of furnaces. Disciples in green robes bowed hurriedly as he entered. One attendant stepped forward quickly, his head lowered. "Young Master Robert."

Robert's tone was even. "Bring me ten sets of herbs for Spirit Awakening Pills."

The attendant blinked, startled, but nodded immediately. "Immediately." He disappeared into the storage rooms and moments later returned with a jade tray. Carefully wrapped bundles of herbs rested atop it, their faint spiritual energy seeping into the air.

Robert gave a short nod, accepted the tray, and without another word turned away.

Soon he reached the secluded alchemy chamber reserved for his personal use. With a muffled thud, the door closed behind him.

After placing the herbs on the long stone table, he pulled out his cauldron, a Moon-White Cauldron with a polished surface that gleamed like pale silver. The runes shimmered gently, giving the impression of being alive, as intricate designs wound their way around its form.

With practiced ease, Robert flicked his fingers, and a flame roared to life beneath the cauldron. The flame was blue and steady, its heat controlled but sharp as it brushed against the metal.

He carefully tossed the herbs into the cauldron, one at a time. Under his careful control, the energies of bitter roots, fragrant leaves, and crystalline shards of dried lotus petals clashed and then started to blend. As he steered the mixture with spirit energy and woven threads of power to stabilize it, sweat collected on his forehead.

The minutes stretched long, the cauldron trembling faintly as the mixture condensed. The room filled with the thick, herbal scent of raw energy.

At last, with a sharp motion of his hand, the cauldron released a soft chime. The lid creaked open just a bit, letting a warm light pour into the room.

Ten pills floated gently above the cauldron's mouth, each etched with four faint pill lines shimmering across its surface.

Robert exhaled slowly, the jade bottle still cool in his palm. The sharp yet invigorating aroma of freshly refined pills filled the air. As he examined the four lines of the ten Spirit Awakening Pills, which were etched into their surfaces like bolts of lightning, they shimmered softly under his gaze.

He paused for a moment, relishing the quiet sense of accomplishment that washed over him.

Then he moved with steady hands, dividing the pills into two separate bottles. Six into one, four into the other. He closed them both tightly and placed them aside.

"These six will belong to Sai's team," he murmured under his breath, "and these four… They will serve for later."

After resting briefly, Robert drew the communication stone once more. A faint ripple of energy pulsed outward as he heard his voice into it.

"Sai. Come to the alchemy building."

The stone dimmed as he tucked it back into his ring. Robert waited just outside the building, the cool morning breeze brushing against his face.

His thoughts lingered on the next steps—walls, recruitment, intelligence networks. The road stretched long and difficult, but at least now, they had begun to walk it.

Minutes later, footsteps approached. Sai appeared, his movements as precise as ever, the shadows clinging to him even in daylight. He bowed slightly when his eyes met Robert's.

"Young Master."

Robert held out the bottle containing the six pills. "These are for the three disciples under you. Spirit Awakening Pills. This will help them stabilize their foundations and prepare for the path you are leading them on. Use them wisely."

For a rare moment, something softened in Sai's expression—respect, perhaps gratitude, though he masked it quickly. He accepted the bottle with both hands and bowed deeply. "I understand. I will not waste this chance."

"See that you do not," Robert said, though his tone carried more trust than warning.

Sai departed swiftly, disappearing into the compound with the bottle secure at his side. Robert watched him go, his mind still turning over the many moving pieces. They had gained wealth, pills, weapons, even hope—but all of it had to be forged into something stronger. Something unbreakable.

As he walked slowly through the compound, his hands clasped behind his back, he let the murmurs of disciples and the rhythm of rebuilding flow around him. Stone walls being set, swords clashing in training, the faint cries of children still grieving. The Osborns were alive but fragile.

"Step by step," he whispered to himself. "we will stand."

His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden voice. "Young Master."

Robert turned slightly to see a servant approaching at a brisk pace. The man bowed low, his tone respectful. "The Clan Leader requests your presence in the meeting hall."

Robert's eyes narrowed slightly, then he gave a short nod. "Very well."

The servant bowed again and withdrew.

Robert adjusted the folds of his robe, his fingers brushing the jade bottle that still held four pills at his waist. The meeting—he had expected it, but anticipation tightened in his chest nonetheless. Elders, decisions, strategies… And perhaps opposition.

Straightening, he turned toward the heart of the compound. The great doors of the meeting hall loomed in the distance, carved with the sigil of the Osborns.

Robert's steps grew firmer as he approached. Whatever awaited inside, he would face it. Not as a boy at his father's side, but as the heir the clan would one day depend upon.

The meeting hall loomed ahead, its carved wooden doors etched with the Osborn crest. Light flanked the entrance, though the morning sun already spilled across the stone. After taking a deep breath, Robert pushed the doors open.

Inside, the air was thick with incense. Six figures waited at the long table—five elders in their formal robes, his father seated at the head, and beside him, Lady Mary. Their gazes turned as one when Robert entered.

He bowed deeply. "Honored elders, Father, Mother."

Everyone nodded, then John gestured to a seat. "Sit, Robert."

Robert obeyed, seating in the chair with quiet composure. His father wasted no time.

"Did you inform Sai of the plan?"

Robert nodded. "I did. Three disciples have been given to him to train under his guidance. All three are at the ninth level of Body Tempering. With training, they can become a proper intelligent team."

John's stern expression softened a fraction. "Good."

Across the table, however, some elders exchanged puzzled looks. Lady Mary herself tilted her head slightly, confusion in her eyes.

John noticed and raised a hand. "Let me explain. We are preparing for what may come from the Walker clan. Direct battle will not be their first move—schemes, assassins, and whispers will come first. We need to hear the whispers before they hit to meet them. Sai and his new disciples will form our first dedicated team for information gathering."

Understanding flickered across the elders' faces. Lady Mary gave a reluctant nod of approval, but she was still uncomfortable.

John turned back to Robert. "Make sure this team has what they require—resources for cultivation, disguises, and anything Sai deems necessary.

Do not let them stagnate."

Robert inclined his head. "I will see to it."

The elders murmured among themselves, then quieted as John raised his voice again. "Second, recruitment. We lost ten good men in the battle with the James clan. Ninety remain, but numbers alone will not sustain us. We must grow. Robert, you will oversee this matter. Choose carefully—strength without loyalty is a blade aimed at the back."

"I understand," Robert replied.

From there, the meeting flowed into a wider strategy. Elder Morgan, keeper of the arrays, leaned forward. "The cultivation rooms must be expanded.

If we can layer new gathering arrays across the east wing, we can double the density of qi. It will cost spirit stones, but the return in progress will be worth it."

John nodded thoughtfully, then shifted to Elder Leon. "Pills. The James vault gave us many herbs and simple elixirs, but not enough to sustain the path ahead. We need refinement, consistency. Elder Leon, work closely with Robert on this. He has already refined Spirit Awakening Pills of commendable quality."

Leon's brows rose slightly at the mention, but he inclined his head. "Then the boy has talent. Good—we will need it."

Next was martial training. Elder Zak's voice was a low rumble. "Weapons we have in plenty now, but steel without form is wasted. Before they bleed on the field, the young must bleed in the training yard. I will devise a regimen that leaves no weakness in their stance."

John agreed, then turned to Elder Alex, who handled talismans. "You will need funding. Speak directly to Lady Mary for resources and materials. Detail what is required. We cannot afford wasted effort."

Alex's thin smile carried both respect and resolve. "Consider it done."

Finally, John's gaze landed on Elder Chris. "Our markets. The James clan's trade routes are broken, but their merchants still linger. We need to take advantage of this opportunity to promote our clan and sell our goods and medications. Expand quietly but steadily. Can you do it?"

Elder Chris stroked his beard. "It will not be easy, but yes. If we move quickly, the Osborn name will replace James on the ledgers before the year-end."

The room quieted. John's voice deepened, carrying the weight of his role.

"The Walker clan is not the James clan. We cannot match them head-on. Each step we take must be careful and deliberate. If we waste this harvest, if we grow reckless, then all we have fought for will crumble. None of us can afford to falter."

One by one, the elders bowed their heads in agreement.

Hours passed as finer points were discussed—resource distribution, training schedules, patrol routes for the city. By the time the final scrolls were rolled, and the incense had burned low, the hall felt heavier, yet more certain.

At last, John dismissed them. "Go. Prepare your tasks. We will not have a second chance."

The elders rose and filed out, murmuring to one another. Robert remained a moment longer, watching his father's shoulders beneath the flicker of light. There was strength there still—but also a burden Robert now felt pressing on his own back.

He bowed once more, then turned and left the hall, the echo of the meeting lingering in his thoughts.