Ya Fei's Visit

Within the Xiao Clan of Wu Tan City, ever since Xiao Yun's Dou Emperor strength had been fully exposed, all the factions throughout Wu Tan City had sprung into action these past few days.

Those clans and forces that had once barely given the Xiao Clan the time of day now rushed over one after another to curry favor, wishing they could draw the relationship as close as possible.

Among them was Ya Fei of the Mittel Auction House. She had visited the Xiao Clan several times these past few days, arriving each time with an enthusiastic smile and lavishing Xiao Yun with praise.

And today, Ya Fei had come calling once again. This time, however, she had come with a more formal attitude and headed straight for the Xiao Clan's main hall.

After entering the hall, Ya Fei looked around but did not spot Xiao Yun. She asked, "Young Master Xiao Yun isn't here?"

Xiao Zhan, seated at the head of the hall, politely nodded when he saw Ya Fei. "That boy went to the back mountain to cultivate. Does Miss Ya Fei need something from him?"

"It's nothing important. I simply wanted to visit Young Master Xiao Yun. After all, the Qingxuan Pill from last time worked so wonderfully that I wanted to discuss further cooperation with him."

As Ya Fei spoke, she sat down in a chair beside her, the smile on her face growing even brighter.

"But Clan Head Xiao, you truly are fortunate to have a son like Young Master Xiao Yun. He is the kind of genius Wu Tan City might not see in generations."

"A Dou Emperor in his teens—there isn't a second one like him in the entire Jia Ma Empire. The Xiao Clan's future is simply limitless."

Although Xiao Zhan modestly said a few words in response to Ya Fei's praise, the smile on his face could not be hidden. His son had made something of himself, and as his father, he shared in the glory.

The Second Elder and Third Elder, seated nearby, were also deeply shaken upon hearing this. Although they had long known Xiao Yun was a Dou Emperor, their hearts still trembled whenever they heard someone mention it.

A Dou Emperor—there were only a few in the entire Jia Ma Empire, yet one was sitting right beside them, and he was even a junior of the Xiao Clan. Who could handle that?

Although the First Elder said nothing, his expression was somewhat complicated. He glanced at Ya Fei, then at Xiao Zhan, and inwardly sighed.

When had the Xiao Clan ever received such treatment before? Since when had people from the Mittel Auction House been so courteous to them? Wasn't it all because Xiao Yun possessed the strength of a Dou Emperor, making them rush over to curry favor?

Afterward, Ya Fei exchanged a few more words with Xiao Zhan, nothing more than pleasantries meant to strengthen their relationship. Then she rose to her feet and said, "Then, Clan Head Xiao, I'll go find Young Master Xiao Yun at the back mountain. Please carry on with your work."

Xiao Zhan nodded without stopping her. Ya Fei turned and left the hall, following the paths through the Xiao Clan's rear courtyard toward the back mountain.

The back mountain was not far from the Xiao Clan compound. After walking for several minutes, Ya Fei spotted a figure sitting in an open clearing ahead.

Xiao Yun was seated cross-legged there with his eyes closed in cultivation. Dou Qi faintly circulated around him, and he appeared deeply immersed.

Seeing this, Ya Fei stopped and did not disturb him. She stood quietly at a distance, studying Xiao Yun's youthful face as her feelings of amazement deepened.

A few months ago, this youth had still been Wu Tan City's notorious good-for-nothing. Yet in the blink of an eye, he had become a Dou Emperor. The change had come faster than turning a page.

After waiting for the time it took an incense stick to burn, Xiao Yun slowly opened his eyes, and the Dou Qi flowing around him gradually settled.

The moment he opened his eyes, he saw Ya Fei standing not far away. He paused in surprise. "Miss Ya Fei? What brings you here?"

Seeing that he had finished cultivating, Ya Fei walked over with a smile. "What? Young Master Xiao Yun doesn't welcome me?"

"Not at all. I just didn't expect you to come all the way to the back mountain to find me." Xiao Yun rose to his feet and brushed the dust from his clothes.

"I came specifically to find you. I spoke with them briefly in the Xiao Clan's main hall, and when I learned you were cultivating here, I came straight over." Ya Fei smiled.

"The Qingxuan Pill you gave me last time has already been auctioned off. It fetched a fairly good price—quite a bit higher than expected."

"I came today to invite you to the Mittel Auction House, where I can properly treat you to a meal and express my gratitude."

Xiao Yun did not refuse. He nodded and readily agreed. "Sure. I don't have anything to do today anyway, so let's go have a look."

Ya Fei's smile deepened when she saw how readily he agreed. Turning slightly, she made an inviting gesture. "Then please, Young Master Xiao Yun. The carriage is already waiting outside."

The two left the back mountain one after the other, crossed the Xiao Clan courtyard, and headed toward the main gate.

Along the way, Ya Fei chatted with Xiao Yun now and then. She always had something to say, never allowing the atmosphere to grow cold.

Xiao Yun occasionally responded as he listened to her, thinking that this woman truly deserved to be in the auction business. She was remarkably eloquent.

The two soon arrived at the Xiao Clan's main gate. Sure enough, an exquisitely decorated carriage was parked outside, and the guard hurriedly lifted the curtain when he saw Ya Fei emerge.

Xiao Yun did not stand on ceremony. He stepped into the carriage and took a seat, while Ya Fei followed him inside and sat on the other side.

Once the curtain fell, the carriage slowly started forward and headed toward the Mittel Auction House.

The interior of the carriage was quite spacious. Ya Fei sat opposite Xiao Yun, smiling at him as she occasionally made conversation, her attitude growing noticeably more familiar.

Xiao Yun leaned against the carriage wall and casually replied from time to time, while thinking that after reaching the auction house, he could take a look around for anything worth acquiring.

After all, although he had reached the level of a Dou Emperor, his equipment and resources were still far from sufficient. It would be a good thing if he could find useful medicinal ingredients or Dou Techniques.

The carriage traveled through the streets of Wu Tan City and soon arrived before the gates of the Mittel Auction House. Ya Fei disembarked first, then warmly called for Xiao Yun to come down.

"Young Master Xiao Yun, please. I have already had people prepare fine wine, dishes, tea, and snacks for today. We can eat while we talk."

After Xiao Yun got out of the carriage, he followed Ya Fei through the auction house gates, thinking that this woman truly handled matters thoroughly. No wonder she had flourished so successfully in Wu Tan City.