Sworn Siblings at the Xiao Family Back Mountain

Wutan City, Xiao Family Back Mountain.

After introducing Liu Yun to Xiao Yan and Gu Xun'er, Xiao Zhan was called back by a guard who had rushed over to report that there was family business to handle, and he hurriedly left.

It had to be said that although the position of clan leader was lofty, it was indeed a grueling job. Xiao Zhan was so busy he could barely tell east from west, instantly dampening Liu Yun's interest in taking over the Mite'er Family.

Liu Yun felt he should just cultivate diligently. If Ya Fei was interested in being clan leader, she could take the position; if not, the clan elders could fight over it themselves.

At the Xiao Family Back Mountain, the three chatted and laughed as they walked.

Liu Yun explained the cultivation realms of the Dou Qi Continent to Xiao Yan, as well as the ranks and distinguished status of Alchemists and the classification of powers within the Jia Ma Empire.

Although Xiao Yan had lived here for more than ten years, Wutan City was simply too small, and he knew very little about such things. He listened with great interest along the way and asked all kinds of questions.

Gu Xun'er, meanwhile, made herself invisible at the side. She actually knew far more about the Jia Ma Empire, but she could not reveal too much to Xiao Yan. After all, her current identity was that of a foster daughter of the Xiao Family; if she knew too much, there would be no way to explain it.

"By the way, Big Brother Liu Yun, do you always wear that mask? Can you take it off?" Gu Xun'er suddenly asked.

Liu Yun froze. He had actually forgotten that he was still wearing a mask. Still, this was quite good too—no one would know what he looked like.

"No." After recovering from his daze, Liu Yun immediately answered firmly.

"Why not? Are Brother Xiao Yan and I not worthy of seeing your face?" Gu Xun'er asked calmly.

Well, that killed the conversation!

Liu Yun groaned inwardly. No wonder this little girl had not had a single friend from beginning to end in the original work. She really was too irritating!

Seeing the prideful look in Gu Xun'er's eyes, Liu Yun decided to tease her, so he made up a story.

"It is not that I cannot take it off, but that I must not. As for the reason, that is a long story.

"When I was born, my mother died in childbirth, and my father also passed away in an accident. A Fortune Teller said my face was cursed by calamity and that I needed to wear a mask at all times.

"Only when I find a woman who truly loves me and has her remove this mask with her own hands will the calamity be lifted."

The first half was true; the second half was complete nonsense.

Yet after hearing it, Gu Xun'er fell silent. Her own mother had also died in childbirth when she gave birth to her. Hearing Liu Yun's account now, she immediately felt a deep sense of empathy, and her eyes reddened slightly.

"What kind of lousy Fortune Teller was that? Your Mite'er Family believes in this stuff? What era is this?" Gu Xun'er said indignantly.

"It is fine. I am used to it anyway," Liu Yun said carelessly.

It was all nonsense, anyway.

That was not what he cared about right now. The system had not prompted him that their relationship had improved for a long time, which troubled him greatly. Sure enough, Sons of Destiny and Daughters of Fortune were not easy to fool!

Or perhaps they were simply very wary and would not easily form deep friendships with others.

It seemed he could only use drastic measures. Liu Yun intended to forcefully raise their relationship level, and this was also a good chance to test whether the system would allow it.

"Haha, Brother Xiao Yan, Sister Xun Er, since we hit it off at our First encounter, why don't we become sworn siblings?" Liu Yun said excitedly.

Xiao Yan and Gu Xun'er both looked utterly baffled. They had only just met, and he already wanted to become sworn siblings? This was far too abrupt!

After her face darkened for a moment, Gu Xun'er seemed to think of something. She looked at the bewildered Xiao Yan, then at the excited Liu Yun, and suddenly broke into a smile.

"I agree!" Gu Xun'er said, completely out of character.

Gu Xun'er knew that she could not stay by Xiao Yan's side forever. Her family would soon send someone to take her back, and aside from her, Xiao Yan had practically no friends. With only Third Stage Dou Qi now, there was a high chance that after his Coming-of-age ceremony, he would be assigned to one of the family businesses.

Now, with the title of a Sworn Brother of the chief person in charge of the Mittle Auction House, even though many people would still gossip behind his back, it would be quite intimidating on the surface.

Xiao Yan did not know what Gu Xun'er was thinking. He only saw that she seemed interested in this, so he agreed as well.

Moreover, he felt that he had found a kindred spirit in Liu Yun. It was as if this person could see through his innermost thoughts, and some of their ideas coincided perfectly.

The chief person in charge of the Mittle Auction House—this identity was far more noble than his own. He felt that even if they became sworn siblings, he would not be the one at a disadvantage.

Thus, the three found an open space. Each poured a cup of Fine Wine, knelt on the ground, and kowtowed, with heaven and earth as witnesses, formally becoming sworn siblings.

"I am fourteen and a half this year, and Xun Er is not yet fourteen. How old are you, Big Brother Liu Yun?" Xiao Yan asked.

Liu Yun blanked out for a moment. The Big Brother Liu Yun Xiao Yan was calling out to had only just turned fourteen himself.

That meant he would rank second among them. This form of address was far too embarrassing. No, how could Liu Yun possibly be second?

"Ahem, well, I am fifteen. From now on, I will be the Big Brother. Little Brother Xiao Yan, Little Sister Xun Er." Liu Yun deliberately put on the manner of an elder brother.

Xiao Yan was very surprised. At first, he had assumed Liu Yun was at least eighteen. Learning that he was only fifteen now left him quite astonished.

"Ding! Congratulations, Host. Your relationship with Xiao Yan has risen from 'First encounter' to 'Sworn Brother'."

Sworn Brother: The Return from the bound target increases to 10 times.

"Ding! Congratulations, Host. Your relationship with Gu Xun'er has risen from 'First encounter' to 'Sworn Sister'."

Sworn Sister: The Return from the bound target increases to 10 times.

Listening to the system prompts in his mind, Liu Yun could not have been happier. This matter was finally settled!

"How about this, Little Brother Xiao Yan, Little Sister Xun Er? I have been out for quite some time, so I should head back now. There will be an auction at the Mittle Auction House in ten days. Make sure you both come. I will reserve a private room for you," Liu Yun said.

"Alright, we will definitely be there," Xiao Yan said.

"Xun Er will be there too," Gu Xun'er said with a smile.

After Liu Yun left, Xiao Yan and Gu Xun'er exchanged a look, both revealing wry smiles.

"Who would have thought? We only met for the first time, yet we became sworn siblings!" Xiao Yan said.

"Yes. For Big Brother Liu Yun to become the chief person in charge of the Mittle Auction House in Wutan City, he must surely be a direct descendant of the Mite'er Family. That he would become sworn siblings with the two of us is truly unbelievable!" Gu Xun'er said with equal emotion.

"Alright, Xun Er, let us head back!" Xiao Yan said.

"Mm." Gu Xun'er responded and followed Xiao Yan down the mountain.

After returning, Gu Xun'er swiftly locked the door and called out, "Uncle Ling."

"Young Miss!" Ling Ying appeared in the room without any warning and gave Gu Xun'er a slight bow.

"Uncle Ling, you saw what happened today as well. What exactly is Liu Yun's identity? Why do I always feel that there is something strange about him?" Gu Xun'er asked.

"Young Miss, that boy's full name is Mite'er Liu Yun. He is the biological grandson of Mite'er Teng Shan and the Young Clan Leader of the Mite'er Family. He turned fourteen only a few days ago, and rumor has it that he is a Cultivation Maniac," Ling Ying reported the intelligence he had obtained.

"He just turned fourteen?" Gu Xun'er did not know whether to laugh or cry. She had known it! When they were stating their ages, Liu Yun had suddenly paused. She had thought he was reporting a younger age and was embarrassed about pretending to be younger, but it turned out he really was that young!

"Yes. And on his way here, that boy ran into the Xiao Family's young lady, Xiao Yu. She fell for him at first sight. He casually bought a mask on the street and put it on. Xiao Yu is probably still searching all over the city for him right now," Ling Ying said, amused.

"So everything he told me was a lie?" Gu Xun'er said angrily.

"Not all of it. At least it is true that his mother died in childbirth and his father passed away soon afterward," Ling Ying said.

"Alright, I understand. Uncle Ling, you may leave. I need to take a bath," Gu Xun'er said, waving her hand.

As Ling Ying disappeared, Gu Xun'er murmured, "It seems I really was overthinking it. That is good too. At least this will be very beneficial to Brother Xiao Yan."