Hearing Jin Dan's report, the 4th Elder, Wang Ning—an esteemed alchemist whose eyes lit like forge embers—leaned forward, voice trembling with thrill. "Patriarch, what will you do with them?"

  *Finally, herbs worthy of true mastery—and Jin Dan, the finest alchemist I've encountered. Perhaps he'll share secrets today,* she thought, barely containing her fervor.

  Wang Tian met her gaze with a knowing smile. "4th Elder, as an alchemist, surely you know of medicinal baths?"

  "Of course!" Wang Ning replied eagerly. "They scour impurities from the body, easing cultivation like a river carving stone. But ores? I've never heard of ores in medicinal baths!"

  "Because this is no mere bath," Wang Tian said, his tone measured, drawing out the suspense. "It's a medicinal *pool*—"

  "Medicinal pool?!" Wang Ning interrupted, springing to her feet, eyes wide as spirit jade. "What is it? How does it work?" Her excitement overflowed, forgetting the hall's eyes upon her.

  No one minded—when alchemy beckoned, Wang Ning chased knowledge like a phoenix pursuing the sun.

  Wang Tian chuckled softly. "Aunt Ning, let me finish. Then, question Elder Jin all you wish. Alright?"

  Blushing faintly, she nodded and sat, fidgeting like a disciple before a master.

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  Wang Tian continued, his voice weaving qi through the air. "You've all heard of spiritual pools that smooth the cultivation path. Today, we forge one for our clan."

  The hall hung on his every word, breaths shallow with anticipation.

  "The pool we build," he declared, "is the legendary Marrow Cleansing Pool."

  Gasps erupted. Marrow cleansing—a divine trial purging mortal dross, forging flawless foundations for anyone below Soul Formation Realm , especially the young. In the vast Phoenix Wing Empire, only two existed: one guarded by the Radiant Cloud Sect, the other by the royal family. Elders' faces flushed with shock and hunger; disciples' eyes blazed with dreams of ascension. Beyond Wang Tian and Jin Dan, no Wang clansman had touched Soul Formation—this pool could birth a generation of dragons.

  Jian Feng, eavesdropping via soul sense, thrilled inwardly. *A Marrow Cleansing Pool? Perfect for my frail disciple .* "Xiao Jian, this is invaluable for early cultivators—especially you. Your weakened body will temper like divine iron, paving a smoother path ahead."

  Wang Jian's heart leaped. "Truly, Master?!" he exclaimed mentally, awe flooding him.

  "Why would I lie?" Jian Feng chided gently. Wang Jian flushed with embarrassment, but before he could apologize—

  "Xiao Jian," Jian Feng pressed, tone sharpening, "who is this Jin Dan?"

  Surprise jolted Wang Jian. "I don't know, Master. Likely a loyal servant of my Wang Family. But I've never heard the name before. Is something amiss?"

  "I doubt he's a mere servant," Jian Feng replied gravely.

  "Why say that? What's special about him?"

  "Because he's a Peak Venerable Realm expert..."

  *What?!* Wang Jian's mind roared silently, shock slamming him like a heavenly tribulation. His gaze snapped to Jin Dan, seeing him anew—a hidden titan amid kin? *If Master's right, Brother's secrets run deeper than the abyss... What game unfolds here?*

  Wang Tian, sensing the shift, swept his sleeve. "With this pool, our clan rises. Dawn breaks on a new era."