Xiao Yan: Bro, Tell Me Everything!

"One does not accept rewards without merit. Great Elder, you hold this boy in such high regard that I am truly flattered. May I ask what conditions come with these Dou Techniques?"

Xiao Yuan was not dazzled into losing his reason by Mittel Tengshan's grand offer. After taking a deep breath to calm himself, he asked with a serious expression.

"It is very simple. Given your talent, advancing to Dou Emperor does not seem difficult at present. Consider this an investment from our Mite'er Family. Ya Fei thinks highly of you, and now, so do I.

"The foundation of our Mite'er Family lies in our eye for people and things, as well as our decisive judgment. Based on what I know of you so far, your character and talent are both exceptional, and you are quite decisive in your actions. If I do not invest in you now, then trying to add flowers to the brocade after you have risen would make this a losing deal for me!

"This cultivation method and these Dou Techniques hold extraordinary significance within our Mite'er Family. Now that I am giving them to you, do not disappoint me!"

Contrary to Xiao Yuan's expectations, Mittel Tengshan made no demands. Instead, he assumed the manner of an angel investor.

"Since the Great Elder places such trust in me, I will naturally cultivate with all my strength and never disappoint you. Once I break through to Dou Wang, or even Dou Emperor, my Xiao Clan will stand together with the Mite'er Family through thick and thin. From then on, the Mite'er Family's affairs will be my, Xiao Yuan's, affairs!"

Xiao Yuan nodded earnestly before making his solemn promise.

Mittel Tengshan smiled and nodded. Then he continued, "Good. Now, let us discuss the second matter. I need you to help me find someone."

With that, Mittel Tengshan stuffed the scroll in his hand into Xiao Yuan's hands, signaling for him to put it away.

Then, he took out a jade slip and activated it. Within it was the image of a somewhat elderly figure.

"Who is this?"

After putting away the cultivation method and Dou Techniques, Xiao Yuan looked at the elderly figure in confusion.

"One of the Gama Empire Ten Strongest of old—the Ice Emperor, Hai Bodong! He was also once the pillar of our Mite'er Family. For a long period when the position of Mite'er Family head stood vacant, it was Hai Lao who shouldered the family. Under his management, our Mite'er Family did not decline.

"More than twenty years ago, Hai Lao fought the previous sect master of the Misty Cloud Sect atop Yunlan Mountain Peak. Though he ultimately lost, his opponent did not win easily either. At the previous powerhouse convention held between the Gama Empire and the Chuyun Empire, he fought a Dou Emperor and a Dou Wang from the other side alone without being defeated, stunning the entire audience with his skill."

Mittel Tengshan's words were filled with respect. Clearly, Hai Lao held an extremely lofty place in his heart.

But then, his tone shifted. "However, after that powerhouse convention, Hai Lao vanished without a trace for reasons unknown. I mobilized nearly all my resources, yet I could not find even the slightest clue of his whereabouts."

"So, Great Elder, you want me to find Hai Lao?"

Xiao Yuan nodded and asked in a low voice.

"To be honest, after failing to find him for so many years, I am no longer confident either. The cultivation method and Dou Techniques I gave you were all cultivated by Hai Lao back then. I only hope that as you grow stronger in the future, should you happen to encounter him, you may use the resonance between the cultivation methods to confirm his identity.

"Of course, there is no need for you to feel too much pressure. If you find him, everyone will be delighted. If not, that is fine as well. Our Mite'er Family will still fully support your growth. I believe that in the future, you will surely remember this favor from our family. In the Gama Empire, the weight carried by a Dou Emperor is far greater than you imagine."

Mittel Tengshan sighed wistfully before speaking earnestly to Xiao Yuan.

"Great Elder, rest assured. I, Xiao Yuan, am not someone who repays kindness with ingratitude. In the future, the Xiao Clan and the Mite'er Family will never be merely two great families of the Gama Empire!"

Xiao Yuan spoke with a solemn expression, every word ringing like a struck bell.

"As for Hai Lao, I will keep the matter in mind as well. As long as he remains in the Gama Empire, I will certainly find a way to bring him back!"

Xiao Yuan added immediately afterward.

"Good! I look forward to that day!"

Mittel Tengshan nodded with a broad smile.

"Oh, and regarding you and Ya Fei, I approve. But you also know that marriage alliances are common among great families like ours. Ya Fei can be transferred back to headquarters at any time, but she will also face some pressure. If you are strong enough, however, the pressure Ya Fei faces will be much less. You understand what I mean, do you not?"

Mittel Tengshan suddenly said with a meaningful smile.

"I understand what the Great Elder means. In two years, I will go to the Nalan Residence and dissolve my engagement with Nalan Yanran. By then, I will certainly be a Da Dou Shi!"

Xiao Yuan nodded. His handsome face was full of confidence.

"Advancing from Dou Zhe to Da Dou Shi in two years?"

Mittel Tengshan appeared thoughtful.

Going from having no Dou Qi to becoming a Dou Zhe in eight months seemed to have given this boy considerable confidence.

Still, the sight of this high-spirited youth was rather moving.

"If you can truly reach that point, perhaps we can discuss deepening the cooperation between our two families then!"

After pondering for a long while, Mittel Tengshan spoke in a grave voice.

Xiao Yuan's face lit up with joy, and he hurriedly said, "Good!"

Although he and Little Yan would be enough to hold up the Xiao Clan's sky once they had grown strong, receiving help from a family as long-standing and deeply rooted as the Mite'er Family during the early stages of their development would be immensely beneficial!

"Alright, it is time for me to go. Keep our conversation today confidential for now. I trust you know where the line is. I look forward to seeing you in the Imperial Capital."

Mittel Tengshan swept his gaze through the forest without leaving a trace, then gave Xiao Yuan this instruction before directly forming Douqi Transformation Wings and flying away.

Xiao Yuan bowed toward the direction Mittel Tengshan had departed in before heading down the mountain.

With the cultivation method in hand, it was time to continue cultivating! "Little Yan?"

The moment he entered the forest, Xiao Yuan saw Xiao Yan, who seemed to want to speak but hesitated. Xiao Yuan was initially somewhat surprised, but then he understood.

He had nearly forgotten. Mittel Tengshan might be able to hide from Father and the three elders, but he could not hide from Yao Lao inside Little Yan's ring!

Right—besides Yao Lao, there was also that Dou Emperor powerhouse under Xun Er's command!

"Brother, that man just now was a Dou Wang powerhouse, wasn't he?"

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Yan asked.

"Yes, he is from the Mite'er Family. Oh, you have been busy cultivating and do not know this, but Ya Fei from the Mittel Auction House and I are fairly close. Fortunately, my cultivation talent has recovered now, so no one will be coming to pull another engagement-cancellation stunt!"

Xiao Yuan smiled, throwing an arm around Xiao Yan's shoulders.

"Damn, Brother, tell me everything!"

Xiao Yan had initially been worried that Xiao Yuan might have been coerced by that Dou Wang powerhouse. Hearing this, he immediately relaxed, then keenly seized upon the key point as the flames of gossip blazed in his eyes.