Xiao Yan as a Companion, Heading to Miteer Auction House

"Juan Shoutian, what an arrogant name."

Among the group of young men and women, Xiao Yan heard the alias used by Gu Shenge, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. The name "Shoutian"—to gather the heavens—was truly audacious.

Furthermore, the clothing and accessories the man wore were dominated by gold, and his temperament surpassed everyone he had ever met. To reach the rank of Dou Huang at such a young age was not merely a matter of being gifted; he likely had a powerful organization backing him.

Where did my eldest brother meet such a person?

Doubts arose in Xiao Yan's heart. Although his eldest and second brothers had achieved some small success in Shimo City, it was absolutely impossible for them to befriend a Dou Huang powerhouse. However, this was not the time to investigate. Being able to establish a connection with a Dou Huang could only benefit the Xiao Clan, not harm it.

"Brother Xiao Yan, what are you thinking about?"

Beside Xiao Yan, a cold and elegant girl in purple, as fresh and refined as a blooming green lotus, noticed he was lost in thought and asked what was on his mind.

The girl was only about sixteen, yet she was already breathtakingly beautiful and possessed an ethereal charm. Her figure was well-developed and exquisite; she was a rare beauty who stood out among the other girls, and the surrounding youths all looked at her with undisguised admiration.

However, the affection was one-sided; the girl only had eyes for the resilient youth beside her and saw no one else.

Hearing this, Xiao Yan smiled slightly and sighed, "My eldest brother's friend looks only three or four years older than me, yet he is already a Dou Huang. I wonder when I will reach that level; it feels so far away!"

Hearing Xiao Yan's lament, Xiao Xun'er spoke up to comfort him, her voice as crisp and pleasant as pearls falling onto a jade plate.

"Xun'er believes that with Brother Xiao Yan's talent, Dou Huang is not your limit. You will surely reach even higher realms in the future. And Xun'er... Xun'er will also help Brother Xiao Yan."

"You silly girl, let's not talk about that. I should focus on preparing to defeat Nalan Yanran first."

Faced with Xiao Xun'er's comfort, Xiao Yan smiled wryly. The rank of Dou Huang was still too far away for him; focusing on the immediate task was what mattered most.

At the mention of Nalan Yanran, a ripple passed through Xiao Xun'er's calm, beautiful eyes, and a wisp of golden flame flickered and vanished.

Meanwhile, Gu Shenge and Xiao Zhan were chatting happily, and the group moved toward a more spacious and bright hall.

Along the way, the young girls of the Xiao Clan all looked at the handsome and powerful Gu Shenge with admiration, but with their elders present, they dared not step forward to speak.

"Sister Yu, how do you think Brother Xiao Ding met that Young Master Juan? That is a Dou Huang powerhouse, a figure standing at the pinnacle of the Jia Ma Empire!"

A dainty and slightly charming girl asked Xiao Yu, who was walking with her. Xiao Yu shook her head; how would she know? Jianan Academy was a school, not an intelligence agency.

In the Xiao Clan's main hall, Xiao Zhan had wanted to seat Gu Shenge in the place of honor, but considering it might look too much like fawning, he invited him to sit in the Great Elder's seat, just below his own as clan head, and continued to chat with him.

"Young Master Juan, the Xiao Clan cannot compare to the great families of the Jia Ma Holy City. Our accommodations are humble; I hope you do not mind."

"Clan Head Xiao, there is no need to be so formal. I am not particular about where I stay. Whether it is a palace hall or a mountain cave, it is all just a place to sleep. As a cultivator, if one cannot endure the hardships of life, how can one speak of enduring the hardships of cultivation?"

Gu Shenge smiled slightly, changing his self-reference from "this seat" to "I."

Xiao Zhan nodded in agreement, echoing, "Indeed, indeed."

Then, with a look of confusion, he asked, "I wonder how you came to know my eldest son? I truly cannot fathom how he, a mere Dou Shi, could befriend a Dou Huang powerhouse like yourself?"

"It is quite a coincidence..."

Gu Shenge did not hide anything and recounted the story of Qing Lin to Xiao Zhan and the others.

Upon hearing that the connection was formed because Xiao Ding had taken in a half-human, half-snake child, everyone's gaze turned to Qing Lin. Their eyes fell upon the green snake scales on the little beauty's wrist, and they marveled in secret.

However, they did not show any disgust. Although they had heard of the conflict between the Jia Ma Empire and the Snake-People Tribe, they had never seen a snake-person before and held no personal grudge, so they naturally felt no aversion toward Qing Lin. On the contrary, they felt a sense of sympathy.

After all, for a half-human, half-snake child to live in a city that hated the Snake-People Tribe, she must have suffered many hardships and grievances.

Qing Lin did not feel inferior because of the green snake scales on her body; instead, she wore a look of pride, because her Young Master had said her scales were beautiful and a unique mark.

"Green Snake Three-Flower Pupils!"

Suddenly, the voice of Yao Lao rang in Xiao Yan's ear, filled with astonishment. This left Xiao Yan deeply confused. What were the Green Snake Three-Flower Pupils?

"Teacher, what are the Green Snake Three-Flower Pupils?"

"I cannot explain it clearly right now. I will tell you when there is no one else around."

After saying this, Yao Lao went silent again. He was afraid that if he said too much, this "Juan Shoutian" would detect his presence.

Xiao Zhan looked at Qing Lin, feeling quite moved. He never expected that a good deed his son had done out of kindness would help him befriend a Dou Huang. It seemed he should urge the members of the Xiao Clan to do more good deeds and build more favorable connections in the future.

After some conversation, Gu Shenge and Qing Lin were settled into a courtyard under Xiao Zhan's arrangements, and four Xiao Clan disciples were assigned to attend to them, including Xiao Yan.

As soon as they arrived at the courtyard, Qing Lin tidied up the bedroom and was rewarded with a head pat from Gu Shenge.

Gu Shenge looked at the four Xiao Clan disciples following him and produced four jade bottles, each containing nine pills, and tossed them over.

"You four have worked hard these past two days. Take these Sheben Guyuan Pills and use them."

The Sheben Guyuan Pills were only Tier 2 pills, but they could be taken repeatedly to improve the quality of Dou Qi. Gu Shenge had refined many of these while practicing, and he had forty or fifty bottles in his system space. It was a pity the system only recycled monster cores, not pills.

Xiao Yan and the other three disciples quickly caught them, their faces filled with joy. They had naturally heard of the reputation of the Sheben Guyuan Pills. Although Tier 2 pills were not high-level, in a small place like Wutan City, they were precious items that were hard to come by.

"Thank you, Young Master Juan." They thanked him in unison, and Gu Shenge nodded with a smile.

"There is a Miteer Auction House in Wutan City. Which of you is familiar with it? Accompany me there in a while."

Faced with his inquiry, the three Xiao Clan disciples hesitated, looked at Xiao Yan, and ultimately gave up the opportunity.

Times had changed; Xiao Yan was no longer the "trash" he once was. He had a master who was an alchemist standing behind him, and since this Young Master Juan was a friend of Xiao Yan's eldest brother, it was only natural for him to play host.

Xiao Yan immediately spoke up: "Brother Juan, I am well-acquainted with Miss Ya Fei of the Miteer Auction House. Let me accompany you."

Gu Shenge nodded, telling Qing Lin to wait at home, or if she wanted to go out, she could have the other three disciples accompany her, as he would return after handling some business.

"Understood, Young Master."

Qing Lin nodded obediently and watched Gu Shenge and Xiao Yan depart.

~

PS: There won't be too much plot in Wutan City. After the Magic Beast Mountain Range arc ends, I will consider the first world to travel to. There are three choices: The Nine Songs of the Sky, Douluo Continent, or Super Seminary. I won't stay too long; it's just a transition.