Beginning to Display His Strength

In the appraisal room, Xiao Yun rose to his feet in satisfaction. "Miss Ya Fei, if the opportunity arises, I look forward to our next cooperation."

"I look forward to it as well. Mr. Xiao Yun, if you have anything else you need auctioned in the future, please do not forget our auction house." Ya Fei smiled sweetly.

"Mm." He answered casually and walked out of the room, leaving the Mittel Auction House shortly afterward.

This trip had been exceptionally rewarding.

The Mittel Auction House had purchased the mid-level Black Tier Battle Skill for three hundred thousand gold coins. Meanwhile, Ya Fei had over seven hundred first-tier Wood-Element Magic Cores. After expenses were deducted, Xiao Yun received one hundred thousand gold coins in the end.

Xiao Yun did not think much of that amount of gold, but Ya Fei's capabilities had truly surprised him. With more than seven hundred Magic Cores, if all of them were refined into Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid, the Xiao Clan would not need to worry about Magic Cores for at least two years.

Watching Xiao Yun's departing figure vanish, the smile on Ya Fei's face gradually faded. She walked to the table and lazily reclined in her chair.

During her time with Xiao Yun just now, she had been extremely nervous. She had been terrified that one careless mistake would ruin the deal. If that happened, she truly would have no chance of turning things around within the clan.

Moreover, Xiao Yun placed far too much pressure on her. She had only felt that kind of pressure from her own clan leader before.

"Uncle Gu Ni, how strong is Xiao Yun?" After thinking for a moment, Ya Fei finally asked.

Gu Ni recalled the feeling Xiao Yun had given him earlier and sighed. "Very strong. At the very least, I cannot see through him. Xiao Yun possesses the strength of at least a Dou Spirit."

"A Dou Spirit..."

Ya Fei felt that Gu Ni was being too conservative.

Gu Ni continued, "With this boy around, the Xiao Family will inevitably become Wutan City's overlord, and that day should not be far away."

There were three equally powerful clans in Wutan City. They kept one another in check and maintained a delicate balance, but Xiao Yun's appearance had shattered that balance.

"It seems our auction house needs to deepen its business dealings with the Xiao Family," Ya Fei said.

After Xiao Yun returned, he immediately had Xiao Zhan send over the other medicinal ingredients, then began refining Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid.

Half a month later, Xiao Yun had completely used up the Magic Cores he had just acquired, refining more than seven hundred portions of Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid. On average, he refined over forty portions a day!

Even a Tier 6 Alchemist would cry out that such a workload was unbearable. Fortunately, Xiao Yun was powerful enough to refine at that pace while ensuring that not a single portion was ruined.

When Xiao Yun handed seven hundred portions of Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid to Xiao Zhan, Xiao Zhan was ecstatic. With these Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquids as a foundation, he no longer had to fear the younger clan members competing themselves to death.

Time swiftly passed, and a year went by.

"Eight Extremes Collapse!"

A fierce shout suddenly rang out in a small forest.

As the shout faded, a tree three or four centimeters thick soon fell over.

Xiao Yan looked at the fallen tree and laughed. "After cultivating for so long, I have finally mastered this Battle Skill."

Yao Lao appeared behind Xiao Yan and said, "Not bad, not bad. With your current One-Star Dou Practitioner strength, combined with Eight Extremes Collapse, even if you encounter a powerful enemy with the strength of a Five-Star Dou Practitioner, you will still be able to escape unscathed."

Hearing Yao Lao's evaluation, the smile on Xiao Yan's face deepened. He said confidently, "With my current strength, I will certainly amaze everyone at the assessment three days from now."

At the Xiao Family training grounds.

A crowd of onlookers had gathered there. In the middle of them, Xiao Ning thrust out his palm.

"Low-level Black Tier Battle Skill: Mountain-Splitting Palm!"

Bang! The section of wooden stake before Xiao Ning shattered.

Looking at what he had accomplished, Xiao Ning was overjoyed. Finally, I will not have to be drilled by Grandfather anymore!

Thinking of the grueling training over the past month, Xiao Ning shuddered. For some reason, his grandfather had suddenly given him a Black Tier Battle Skill a month ago, followed by daily training that pushed him to the brink of death!

Over the past month, Xiao Ning had felt as though he was about to die!

Late at night, in a small courtyard, Xiao Mei continuously swung the longsword in her hand. The Dou Qi within her body was steadily drained away. Her body was already covered in sweat, which soaked through her clothes and faintly revealed... her fair shoulders!

Just as her Dou Qi was about to run out, a sensation rose within Xiao Mei's heart.

She struggled to circulate the last of the Dou Qi in her body and thrust her longsword forward.

"Low-level Black Tier Battle Skill: Wind Sword!"

A beam of sword light shot out and struck a distant boulder. In an instant, the boulder exploded into fragments that filled the sky!

"Wonderful! I finally mastered it!"

Over the past few days, news had spread throughout Wutan City without anyone knowing its source. During the Xiao Clan's Adult Ceremony Assessment, the Xiao Clan would set up an arena. Anyone in Wutan City under the age of twenty could participate, and the final victor would receive generous rewards.

As soon as the news emerged, it immediately caused quite a stir in Wutan City.

The clan leaders of Wutan City's other two great clans both found it strange. The Xiao Clan was challenging the entirety of Wutan City with the strength of one clan!

If they won, the Xiao Clan would become Wutan City's sole overlord. Even the other two great clans could only submit. If they lost, the Xiao Clan would become the laughingstock of all Wutan City.

For a time, the scent of unseen, intangible gunpowder spread throughout Wutan City.

Soon, the time arrived.

The Xiao Clan held an Adult Ceremony every year. One month before the Adult Ceremony, everyone who was to participate had to undergo an assessment.

The assessment served to preliminarily screen those who qualified.

In the Xiao Clan, clan members had to reach Seven-Stage Dou Qi Force by the age of sixteen at the latest. Otherwise, they would be assigned to the family businesses and begin creating value for the clan in other ways.

Thus, around this time every year, a group of anxious youths would appear in the Xiao Clan, worrying about their futures, their eyes constantly filled with confusion.

In Xiao Yun's courtyard, he finally stepped out of his small courtyard after a long time. Today marked the beginning of the Xiao Clan's bid to dominate Wutan City. He attached great importance to this day and planned to see how the Xiao Clan's younger generation performed.

This Ninth Grade Alchemist has refined Medicinal Pills for you for two years, little ones. Do not disappoint me today.

At Xiao Yun's side, a graceful young girl followed at an unhurried pace.

The girl wore a purple dress. Her temperament was cool and elegant, and her delicate face resembled a blooming pure lotus. At fourteen, she radiated youthful beauty. It was not difficult to see that, in a few years, another peerless beauty would appear in the world.

"Brother Xiao Yun, you have not gone out in a long time."

Gu Xun'er looked at Xiao Yun beside her, her heart filled with joy. Being able to go out with Xiao Yun made her feel as though she had gained some great advantage.

Xiao Yun looked at Gu Xun'er, reached out, and affectionately patted her head. "Xun'er is becoming more and more beautiful. I wonder which lucky fellow will steal you away in the future."

Gu Xun'er curled her lips and asked with a grin, "Then who does Brother Xiao Yun think this lucky fellow will be?"

Xiao Yun smiled. "Whoever he is, it does not matter. But no matter who he is, if he dares to steal away my Xun'er, I will hang him up and beat him first."