The Mitel Auction House

Seeing the vibrant, high-spirited members of the Xiao Family, Xiao Zhan felt an immense sense of emotion.

Ever since he learned that the Xiao Family was once an ancient Emperor Clan, he had yearned for the day the family could return to its peak.

These clansmen were the very foundation of the Xiao Family's future!

How could he possibly hide away those cultivation techniques?

As for the secret of the Xiao Family's imperial heritage, he had not made it public. If word got out, it would easily breed arrogance among the clansmen, and should the ancestral enemies of the Xiao Family discover it, it would invite unnecessary trouble.

Meanwhile—

On the other side, the alchemy disciples selected by Medicine Elder had begun attempting to refine the simplest Grade 1 Qi Recovery Pill.

With the personal guidance of a master alchemist like Medicine Elder, this group's alchemy skills improved rapidly; even a pig could show some level of competence under such tutelage.

Although the success rate for most was low, they had already taken the first step.

"Not bad, keep working hard."

Medicine Elder nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

He turned to look at Xiao Yan and said in a low voice:

"Young Master, although these children have average talent, they are willing to put in the hard work. Given time, the Xiao Family will at least be able to produce Grade 3 and Grade 4 alchemists."

Xiao Yan nodded. Grade 3 and Grade 4 alchemists didn't sound like much, but across the Gama Empire, they were already considered quite impressive.

It couldn't be helped; perhaps it was related to Xiao Xuan draining the Dou Emperor bloodline back then... The current Xiao clansmen had truly poor talent and potential, and they would need to rely on pills and heavenly treasures to improve over time.

"No rush, we can take it slow."

After all, alchemists could not be cultivated overnight.

But as long as the foundation was laid, as time passed, the Xiao Family's future alchemy system would be able to run on its own.

They wouldn't be like the Xiao Family of the past, where every pill had to be purchased, sometimes even requiring them to beg others to refine them.

As long as the number of alchemists in the Xiao Family grew, pills would flow in a steady stream, and the strength of the clansmen would naturally rise with the tide.

And his own cultivation would climb steadily, thanks to the "Clan Fortune Embodiment" trait.

"By the way, Medicine Elder."

Xiao Yan suddenly remembered something.

"How is your soul injury recovering?"

Hearing this, a flash of gratitude appeared in Medicine Elder's eyes.

"Thanks to the Young Master's Lotus Lantern and those soul-nourishing pills, my soul injury has recovered by more than seventy percent in just two days."

"With my current strength, combined with the Bone Chilling Flame, I can hold my own against anyone below the level of a Dou Ancestor."

Xiao Yan nodded with satisfaction: "That is good."

"Young Master, now that the development of the Xiao Family is on the right track, do you... have any other plans?"

Medicine Elder asked.

Xiao Yan's eyes flickered: "Once the affairs of the Xiao Family are settled, I plan to go out and travel."

"Go out and travel? Leaving Wutan City?"

Medicine Elder asked with surprise, as Xiao Yan had never left Wutan City before.

But soon, he understood and realized: "That's right, Young Master, you are now practicing the Burning Mantra and need Heavenly Flames to improve! Staying in this small Wutan City is indeed no longer enough to satisfy your needs!"

Xiao Yan chuckled without denying it, nodding: "It is indeed to collect Heavenly Flames, but that is not all."

After all, he possessed this Super Villain Counterattack System, which required him to "plunder" all the important opportunities meant for the original "Xiao Yan."

And in the original story, the original Xiao Yan had quite a few confidantes.

Without a doubt!

Little Fairy Doctor was a very important figure!

"Regardless, Yao Chen will do his utmost to assist the Young Master!"

Medicine Elder nodded and replied earnestly, asking no further questions.

He knew that the youth before him was far more unfathomable than he appeared.

Xiao Yan did not rush to leave immediately, intending to spend the next few days helping the Xiao Family firmly establish a foothold in Wutan City.

In this Wutan City, there was actually another figure with a significant background—Ya Fei, who came from the Mittel Family, the head of the three great families of the Gama Empire!

This "Mittel Family" was the most central, wealthiest, and most well-connected family in the Gama Empire, possessing the best intelligence network and controlling over 70% of the empire's auction houses, markets, medicinal herbs, and pill circulation.

The Mittel Auction House, in particular, was the largest in the Gama Empire, with branches in every major city.

If the Xiao Family wanted to gradually establish a foothold and grow strong within the Gama Empire, the importance of an intelligence network and resources went without saying.

In the original story, the original "Xiao Yan" had first obtained help from the Mittel Family through his relationship with Ya Fei, resolving many crises and troubles.

"Therefore..."

"The best approach is to bring this Ya Fei into my own service!"

Xiao Yan's lips curled slightly upward; his mind was already made up.

Come to think of it, could this "Ya Fei" be considered a significant stroke of fortune for "Xiao Yan"?

"Medicine Elder, accompany me on an outing later!"

A faint smile played on Xiao Yan's lips, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

Medicine Elder was slightly taken aback, then nodded in agreement: "As you command, Young Master, Yao Chen shall follow."

Though he did not know what Xiao Yan intended to do, since the Young Master had spoken, he would naturally ask no questions.

Xiao Yan offered no explanation, turning and walking toward the exit.

Medicine Elder followed closely behind, his white hair and grey robes, combined with his lean, refined features, giving him an air of detachment from the mundane world.

By now, Medicine Elder's soul injuries had recovered by more than seventy percent, and his soul form was so solid it was nearly indistinguishable from a living person; unless a powerhouse above the level of Dou Huang inspected him closely, no one could tell he was merely a soul entity.

The two walked one after the other, exiting the Xiao Family gates and heading straight for the most bustling street in Wutan City.

Along the way, every member of the Xiao Family who recognized Xiao Yan bowed respectfully in greeting.

Pedestrians on the street, upon seeing Xiao Yan, also turned their heads, whispering and exclaiming in surprise.

"Is that the Third Young Master of the Xiao Family? Truly extraordinary bearing! What a dashing figure!"

"Indeed!"

"The Xiao Family now has ten Dou Kings guarding them; who in all of Wutan City would dare provoke them?"

"Ten Dou Kings... tsk tsk, the Xiao Family is set to soar to the heavens!"

Even though they still perceived Xiao Yan as a waste in their minds, no one dared utter a single word of mockery now.

Before this, every time Xiao Yan went out, he would hear all manner of ridicule.

How realistic people are—nothing could be more evident than this!

As the chatter reached his ears, Xiao Yan's expression remained unchanged, his pace steady and composed.

Medicine Elder followed behind, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings with a hint of scrutiny and a detached air.

Before long, the two arrived before the most imposing building in Wutan City—the Miteer Auction House.

This auction house occupied a vast expanse, constructed entirely of bluestone, with two lifelike stone lions standing before the entrance, exuding a grand aura. Above the main gate, a gilded plaque bore the six characters "Miteer Auction House," written with vigorous, sweeping, and dragon-like calligraphy.