The Story Begins

"Xiao Yan! Dou Qi, Third Stage! Rank: Low!"

"The story is finally beginning..." Yun Shu's lips curled slightly as he watched the familiar scene.

"What are you muttering about?" Xun Er asked curiously as she watched Yun Shu mumbling to himself.

"Nothing." Yun Shu shook his head.

Yun Shu had not won over this girl Xun Er yet, but at least they had become good friends first. In the entire Xiao Family, Xun Er was the only one who dared speak to him like that.

Even Xiao Zhan treated Yun Shu with great courtesy. Over the past half year, Yun Shu had not only helped the Xiao Family earn a great deal of wealth, but had also brought down the other two families.

The Gale Family and the Oba Family had now fallen into the ranks of Wu Tan City's second-rate powers. The Xiao Family stood alone at the top—though the Mittel Auction House did not count, since it remained neutral.

As for Xiao Yan, because of Yun Shu, Xun Er's attitude toward him had softened somewhat. Still, in this life, Xiao Yan probably would not have any chance of being with Xun Er.

"You seem very concerned about Cousin Xiao Yan. Do the two of you share some secret?" Xun Er asked Yun Shu curiously.

"No." Yun Shu shook his head.

"Then you..."

"Little Yan, don't lose heart!" As Xiao Yan was about to pass by them, Yun Shu stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder.

"Thank you..." Over the past half year, Yun Shu had been the only one who did not look down on him and had continued encouraging him. Xiao Yan was deeply moved.

Because of Yun Shu, even if Xiao Yan still remained at the Third Stage of Dou Qi after coming of age, he could stay in the clan as its Third Young Master.

"And you still say there's nothing between you two!" Only after Xiao Yan left did Xun Er come up behind Yun Shu, staring curiously into his eyes.

Unlike in the original story, where Xiao Yan had accompanied her, Xun Er had been alone all these years. There were not many people or things she found interesting, but Yun Shu was one of them.

"There really isn't!" Yun Shu said with a helpless smile.

"Hmph! You won't tell me, huh? Then I'm ignoring you!" Xun Er gave a delicate snort, turned her head, and left at once. It would soon be her turn to test.

Yun Shu watched the proud little girl, a faint smile playing on his lips. Just a little more effort, and he might be able to win her over.

However, Yun Shu had no habit of being a simp. Besides, no one in the Xiao Family happened to catch Xun Er's eye, so he was in no hurry.

After Xun Er completed her test, Yun Shu finally went down from the platform and led her away under everyone's envious and jealous stares.

"If you won't tell me, don't expect me to speak to you!" Only after they reached a deserted place did Xun Er turn around, puffing out her cheeks in displeasure.

"There really isn't anything, Xun Er! I just think Xiao Yan is a little special! The time he and I have spent together isn't even half as much as the time you and I have spent together. If there were any secrets, it should be between us, right? Don't you think?" Seeing this, Yun Shu hurried after her, took her hand, and explained.

"Y-You... let go!" Xun Er blushed as she pulled free of Yun Shu's hand. Turning her face away, she said in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "That... is true. Thinking about it carefully, Cousin Xiao Yan did seem far more mature than children his age from a very young age..."

"Right? That's why I was a little curious about him!" Yun Shu smiled faintly.

"Hmph! At least you know how to talk!" Xun Er turned back to look at Yun Shu. The bashfulness had already vanished from her face, replaced by a satisfied expression.

"Let's go. Starting today, I need to start cultivating seriously too!" Yun Shu knew that from tomorrow onward, Xiao Yan would begin advancing by leaps and bounds.

"Cultivating? Didn't you say you liked alchemy?" Xun Er asked curiously.

Yun Shu had told her that before. Previously, while refining pills, Yun Shu's soul and Dou Qi had grown and broken through. Refining pills could also make money, which was why Yun Shu had said that.

But with the story about to begin, he could not focus solely on alchemy anymore. Cultivating his Dou Qi and strengthening himself were equally important.

Over the past half year, because he had been constantly refining pills, Yun Shu's strength had only barely risen by one star, reaching the level of a Two-Star Dou Practitioner.

However, his pill-refining skills had become extremely proficient. If he also had a mature little Strange Fire that could refine pills on its own, Yun Shu should be able to easily refine Second Grade Pills.

And Yun Shu still had a trump card he had kept hidden for half a year: the Lottery!

The more than two million Gold Coins Yun Shu had earned over the past half year had never been used. He had saved them for the beginning of the story—starting today—to draw the Lottery. He planned to spend all of them at once.

More than two million Gold Coins, all spent on the Lottery! One could only imagine how generous the rewards would be!

"People change! I'd get tired of refining pills every day too!" Yun Shu casually made up an excuse.

"That's it for today. See you tomorrow!" Yun Shu said with a grin, rubbing Xun Er's adorable little head.

"Hmph! Annoying!" Seeing Yun Shu touch her head without permission again, Xun Er puffed out her cheeks in anger and softly cursed at his departing figure.

"Hey! Little brother, why are you back so early today?" Ya Fei asked curiously after seeing Yun Shu pass her room.

"I have something to deal with. I should be able to refine Second Grade Pills soon, so I'm preparing to go into seclusion for a few hours." Yun Shu was actually planning to draw the Lottery.

"Really?!" Upon hearing this wonderful news, Ya Fei excitedly ran up to Yun Shu and pulled him into her arms.

The key was that Ya Fei had always treated Yun Shu as her own younger brother and showed no restraint at all.

"Sister Ya Fei!!" Yun Shu struggled hard to break free from Ya Fei's embrace.

"Don't blame your sister. I'm just too happy!! I never expected you to give me such a huge surprise again!" Ya Fei hugged Yun Shu once more.

"Sister Ya Fei, you should be a little more mindful too!..." Yun Shu sighed.

"Hehe! If little brother likes it, then big sister will give everything to you!" Ya Fei gently blew into Yun Shu's ear, then hugged him again with a smile.

Over the past half year, Ya Fei had long since placed her faith in Yun Shu, treating him as her lifeline. She firmly believed that only Yun Shu could help her escape her family's control and perhaps even... take control of the family!

Therefore, she was willing to give up everything, even herself.

Fortunately for Ya Fei, she was immensely satisfied with everything about Yun Shu—his personality, appearance, talent, intelligence, and character.

"Um, I'll go into seclusion first. I'll let you know if there's any good news, Sister!" With Ya Fei's breath in his ear, Yun Shu immediately lost his composure. He hurriedly steadied Ya Fei, then fled toward his room in a panic.

"Little Shu! I've staked my entire future on you..." Ya Fei smiled radiantly as she watched Yun Shu's flustered back.

As expected of the person she had chosen. Even with meat delivered right to his mouth, he could resist temptation and stay true to himself.

But Yun Shu was not thinking that at all. The Lottery came before everything!

Once I'm done drawing, I'll deal with you, you little seductress!