Beat Up Liu Xi, the Xiao Clan's Mysterious Three-Rank Alchemist

Many people nearby overheard and looked on with shock and envy.

A Fourth-Rank Alchemist held a status far above that of a Dou Ling. Even the Clan Leader of the Mittel Family would have to show him respect.

And to think such a person was an elder of Liu Xi's family.

Xiao Yan: "..."

He gave the boastful Liu Xi an odd look. He certainly didn't remember having such a disgraceful descendant.

"Miss Xun'er, staying with the Xiao Clan is a waste of a beauty like you. Why don't I take you to visit my clan sometime and show you what a true family of alchemists looks like?" Once Liu Xi felt he had made enough of an impression, he offered the invitation with what he thought was a gentlemanly smile.

"..."

"Get lost!"

Before Xiao Xun'er could speak, Xiao Yu, seated beside her, snapped back at him. She had always had a fiery temper. After all, when Xiao Yan had seen her naked and touched her long legs years ago, she had chased him for half a day.

Xiao Yu's slender hand closed around her sword hilt as her beautiful eyes fixed coldly on Liu Xi.

"Don't think I don't know what filthy ideas are running through your head. Xun'er belongs to the Xiao Clan. If you want to lay a hand on her, you'll have to get past me first!"

Liu Xi's face darkened. When he spotted the three gold stars on Xiao Yu's chest, his arrogance faltered slightly, but he forced a sneer.

"Don't push your luck. The Liu Clan is a great family of alchemists, and I studied under Zhang Ling. Insult my reputation again, and I'll—"

"What if we do push our luck?!"

Xiao Ning rose, pointed at Liu Xi, and glared.

"Do you know where the 'Xiao' in Wutan City came from?!"

The corner of Liu Xi's eye twitched.

His anger only grew. He stared coldly at Xiao Xun'er across from him.

"I invited you out of kindness. I thought you had some sense, but your clan mocked me instead. Turns out you're no different from the ordinary women of Wutan City. Once you're in bed, you're all—Pfft!"

In the next instant,

a fist the size of a sandbag came hurtling at him, whistling through the air before slamming straight into his face.

Liu Xi flew backward. Several teeth, mixed with blood, spilled from his mouth midair.

They splattered all over Jia Lie Ao's face.

A handsome young man in fitted black clothes stood before Liu Xi, his expression calm. No one had seen when he arrived, but the Dou Qi fading from his fist made it clear who had struck.

The entire hall fell silent.

Then everyone turned to look behind them in astonishment.

The venue was dark, and the crowd had been clamoring over the limited supply of Qi-Raising Powder. No one had noticed the confrontation involving Xiao Ning and the others until Xiao Yan's punch caused a commotion.

Xiao Yan clenched his fists and looked down impassively at Liu Xi, who had crashed into several Jia Lie clansmen before Jia Lie Bi caught him. A cold glint flashed in his eyes. Making filthy remarks about his Xun'er?

Looking for death...

"You really have regained your talent?" Jia Lie Ao's pupils contracted as he took a shaky step back.

Recently, people had been saying that the Xiao Clan's alchemist had prepared a Pill Formula for Xiao Yan and restored his former talent. They had dismissed it as a joke. But now...

Liu Xi was a Two-Star Dou Zhe, yet he hadn't even had time to react. Jia Lie Ao had a feeling that, despite being one star stronger, he wouldn't have dodged that punch either.

Too fast. Far too fast!!!

That monster was back!

Murmurs spread through the crowd as everyone reeled at the strength Xiao Yan had displayed. Even Jia Lie Bi's expression grew grim.

This was no good news for the Jia Lie Family.

A sixteen-year-old Dou Zhe could well become a Dou Wang someday. And with his seasoned eye, Jia Lie Bi sensed something more: this boy was probably no ordinary Dou Zhe!

"Xiao Yan, you caused trouble at the Mittel Auction House. Do you think its rules mean nothing?" Jia Lie Bi narrowed his eyes with a crafty smile, then glanced toward Master Gu Ni, who was hurrying over.

"Xiao Yan, that's enough..." Xiao Yu's face paled slightly. She gripped his wrist and instinctively stepped in front of him.

The power behind the Mittel Family could crush the three great clans with ease. If they truly angered them...

After all, the Xiao Clan had no grounds to defend what had happened today.

From the Mittel Auction House's neutral perspective, Xiao Yan had struck first and disrupted their venue.

"..."

Xiao Yan looked startled. Seeing this crazy woman shield him, he couldn't help finding it strange.

"Don't speak when he gets here. I'm a student at Jia Nan Academy. Perhaps they'll spare you this once for my instructor's sake. Did you think the Mittel Family was easy to deal with? Every trading house is built on a heap of bones."

Xiao Yu shot him a look and gave her warning in a low voice.

"There's no need—"

Before Xiao Yan could finish, Master Gu Ni walked over with a slight frown. "Clan Leader Xiao, and... Clan Leader Jia Lie. You both know the rules of the Mittel Auction House, don't you?"

"Who struck first?"

"He did!" Jia Lie Ao eagerly jumped forward and pointed at Xiao Yan behind Xiao Yu. "That brat hit Master Liu! Master Gu Ni, you're an alchemist too. By striking Master Liu Xi, he slapped every alchemist in the face!"

"Oh, it was... Young Master Xiao Yan."

Gu Ni's expression stiffened.

Well, that changed things...

Seeing Gu Ni's stern face, Xiao Yu took a deep breath, stepped forward, and cupped her fists respectfully. "Master Gu Ni, my younger brother didn't know any better. He's spent years within the clan and rarely goes out, so he didn't know the rules here. I'm a student at Jia Nan Academy, and my instructor is Ruo Lin. Could you perhaps—"

"So it was Young Master Xiao Yan! Hahaha..." Gu Ni cut Xiao Yu off with a beaming smile.

"No harm done, no harm done. I only came to see whether anyone was hurt."

"If everyone's fine, I'll be going."

Still chuckling, Gu Ni turned and walked away.

Xiao Yu stared after him.

Was her instructor's name really that effective?

Xiao Ning shrugged and sidled over to tell her something with a grin.

Xiao Yan cupped his fists slightly. "I'll pay for any damage. Sorry for the trouble, Master Gu Ni."

"How can this be..." Jia Lie Bi was equally dumbfounded.

"Some of you may have questions, but that's all right." Gu Ni returned to the stage with a smile. "I've just received word that every Second-Rank and Three-Rank Pill sold today was made by the Xiao Clan's mysterious alchemist."

"And that alchemist isn't Second-Rank. He's..."

"Three-Rank!"

"..."

Countless people stared in disbelief at the Xiao Clan. The rumored Second-Rank Alchemist was real—and he was actually Three-Rank?!!

Looking at the bloodless faces of the Jia Lie Family, everyone understood that the long struggle among Wutan City's three great clans might finally be settled.

No wonder even the well-connected Mittel Auction House was willing to show the Xiao Clan respect.

In a place like Wutan City, where small fry fought among themselves, a Three-Rank Alchemist was in an entirely different league...

Meanwhile, Xiao Yu was questioning everything she knew. A Three-Rank Alchemist?

Xiao Yan?

That little bastard?!!