Utan City.
The streets were bustling with people, the cries of vendors from both sides of the shops were incessant, and the occasional sound of customers haggling could be heard.
Walking along the streets, Liu Yun saw mostly mercenaries. Because Utan City was adjacent to the Monster Mountain Range, the trade in monster pelts, corpses, and magic cores was extremely popular.
At the same time, healing potions and pills were incredibly popular; it was no exaggeration to say that here, as long as you could concoct healing potions, you wouldn't have to worry about selling them.
The three major families of Utan City—the Xiao family, the Jia Lie family, and the Ao Ba family—all relied on selling potions for their main income, and pharmacies were everywhere.
After walking along a long street, Liu Yun arrived at a huge square, but he was stunned.
The huge square was packed with people, a cacophony of noise rising and falling. Countless young people were desperately pushing their way in, while many people in military uniforms were maintaining order.
Even Liu Yun, who had just come from the countryside, was dumbfounded by the seemingly endless crowd.
"What the hell is this? Even the Mittel Auction House doesn't have this many people gathered here," Liu Yun wondered.
"At this time, could it be that Canaan Academy is recruiting?" Liu Yun suddenly realized.
Shaking his head helplessly, Liu Yun decided not to join the crowd. He had no intention of going to Canaan Academy, and he certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to provoke them. Compared to the behemoth that was Canaan Academy, the Mittel family was utterly insignificant.
Just as he was about to leave, a few people approached, catching Liu Yun's attention.
Leading them was a woman with a beautiful, perfectly oval face and incredibly long legs that were simply divine, making one's heart itch with desire, almost irresistibly tempted to examine them.
"Ding, a target that can be bound has been detected: Xiao Yu. Would you like to bind? (Binding return method: 100% Dou Qi return.)"
"So it's the long-legged Xiao Yu!" Liu Yun exclaimed in realization.
No wonder Xiao Yan couldn't resist touching her legs; they were simply too tempting.
However, although Xiao Yu was considered a genius in the Xiao family, he was just average on the entire Dou Qi Continent. In the original story, Xiao Yu was completely marginalized because he couldn't keep up with Xiao Yan's pace, until he eventually faded from the readers' view.
"Don't bind!" Liu Yun said to the system.
In the future, if Xiao Yu couldn't keep up with Xiao Yan's pace, he would be even less able to keep up with him, so this Dou Qi return was out of the question.
Just as Liu Yun's thoughts were flashing, Xiao Yu and the others had already walked up to him. Liu Yun consciously stepped aside to make way.
Xiao Yu also noticed that someone was looking at her. She glanced at Liu Yun, and with just a brief, stunning glance, Xiao Yu was completely stunned.
A gentleman as beautiful as jade, unparalleled in the world.
Liu Yun's stunningly handsome face was terrifyingly alluring to teenage girls. Even dignified women like Yun Yun and Ya Fei couldn't help but feel a flutter in their hearts, let alone a naive young girl.
In an instant, Xiao Yu felt like she was in love; she had become a fool.
Just as Xiao Yu suddenly stopped, gazing at Liu Yun in a daze, Xiao Ning behind her shoved her, shouting,
"Sister, hurry up! The Canaan Academy's admissions are just ahead! Don't be late!"
Xiao Yu was startled, staggered from the push, and turned to glare at her clueless brother. She turned back to look, but Liu Yun was nowhere to be seen. Xiao Yu
anxiously looked around, but where could she find that handsome man in the crowd?
At that moment, Xiao Yu felt a sudden emptiness in her heart; she hadn't even asked his name.
Turning to her younger brother, Xiao Yu's expression turned furious. She grabbed Xiao Ning's ear, her eyes blazing with anger.
Poor Xiao Ning could only passively endure his older sister's torment.
Meanwhile, Liu Yun had already found a corner, inwardly relieved.
He had seen Xiao Yu's expression, of course, but he didn't want to be bothered. Compared to this naive little girl, Liu Yun felt he preferred a mature and dignified older sister.
Wasn't the life of being cared for by an older sister more appealing?
After the farce ended, Liu Yun bought a mask from a roadside stall to prevent himself from being too conspicuous. Still feeling uneasy, he changed his clothes, making him even more unrecognizable.
There were quite a few people wearing masks on the street, and Liu Yun realized he had unintentionally followed the crowd.
Walking along the street for a while, Liu Yun finally arrived at his destination.
Ahead stood a gate over three meters high, with two large characters boldly inscribed on the lintel: Xiao Mansion.
Liu Yun strode closer, only to be stopped by two guards from the Xiao family.
"This is the Xiao residence, please wait," the guards said.
"Please inform the Xiao patriarch that the new head of the Mittel Auction House is here to pay a visit," Liu Yun said.
The two guards exchanged glances, said "Please wait a moment," and went to report.
Soon, the guard returned, accompanied by a robust, dignified-looking man, undoubtedly the Xiao patriarch, Xiao Zhan.
Xiao Zhan walked out with a warm smile, greeting them from afar.
"Young Master, your presence is an honor! I have failed to greet you properly!"
"Patriarch Xiao, you are too kind. It is Liu Yun who has taken the liberty of coming, and I apologize for troubling you," Liu Yun said, bowing.
"Haha, Young Master Liu Yun, you are too kind. Please come in, let's talk inside," Xiao Zhan said with a smile. (
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Upon entering the Xiao residence, Liu Yun looked around. The surroundings were all unremarkable single-story houses. In front of the main gate was a large square, where a stone tablet used for testing Dou Qi stood: the Demon Stone Tablet.
This Demon Stone Tablet was no ordinary stone; it had witnessed Xiao Yan's tumultuous childhood. When the Flame Emperor rose to power, it would undoubtedly bring him great prestige.
Behind the square was a grand main hall, the place where the Xiao family usually held meetings and received guests.
Following Xiao Zhan into the main hall, maids on either side came forward to brew tea, pouring a cup for each of them before slowly retreating.
"Forgive my intrusion, Zhan, but is there something you wish to do for Young Master Liu Yun today?" Xiao Zhan spoke first.
"Clan Chief Xiao, you flatter me. It's nothing important. I've just arrived in Wutan City and wanted to pay a visit, as I'll be relying on Clan Chief Xiao's guidance in the future," Liu Yun said.
"Has Young Master Liu Yun already visited the Jia Lie family and the Ao Ba family?" Xiao Zhan asked.
"No, Liu Yun didn't intend to visit the other two families. He came to the Xiao family today purely on a whim, thinking of getting to know Patriarch Xiao better," Liu Yun said.
Upon hearing Liu Yun's words, Xiao Zhan's face immediately lit up. He knew the Mittel Auction House wielded immense power, and Liu Yun's immediate visit to the Xiao family upon taking office showed his inclination towards them.
Others might not understand the situation in Wutan City, but Xiao Zhan was acutely aware. The three major families were now irreconcilably at odds, especially the Xiao and Jialie families, who would seize any opportunity to fight to the death.
At this juncture, even a slight shift in the Mittel Auction House's favor could alter the course of events.
Xiao Zhan was delighted. After chatting with Liu Yun for a few moments, he led him on a tour of the Xiao family estate.