"Dou Zhi Li, three segments!"
"Xiao Yan, Dou Zhi Qi, three segments! Level: Low-level!"
Beside the testing Magic Stone Tablet, a middle-aged man glanced at the information displayed on the tablet and announced it in an indifferent tone.
Today was the day of the Xiao Family's annual grand test, which was stricter and more formal than the usual tests. All the younger generation had to participate.
It was also because of this that the matter of Xiao Yan's strength regressing three years ago was completely exposed to the public and could no longer be hidden.
The middle-aged man's announcement, as expected, caused a stir of mockery in the bustling square.
"Three segments? Heh heh, just as expected, this 'genius' is still stuck in place this year!"
"Alas, the more arrogant he was back then, the more miserable he is now. People, ah, still shouldn't get too carried away."
"Come on, his own father is the Clan Leader. Maybe one day they'll find a way to cure him. Didn't the Mitre Auction House release news a few days ago that they'll be holding the largest auction in Wu Tan City soon? I heard there are quite a few good things."
"Speaking of which, it's really... surprising that Ya Fei from the Mitre Auction House would come to our Xiao Family today to watch the ceremony."
"It's a good thing to have distinguished guests visit. The Mitre Auction House has been very close to our Xiao Family these past few years. It's a pity, though, that Xiao Yan has completely disgraced us."
The crowd whispered, some sighing with regret, others sneering with disdain.
Many of their gazes were uncontrollably drawn to the enchanting figure standing at the front of the square, their hearts trembling, daring to think but not to speak.
On the stage.
Listening to the constant sounds from around him, Xiao Yan lowered his head, smiled bitterly, turned around dejectedly, and quietly returned to the last row of the line. His lonely figure seemed somewhat out of place with the surrounding world.
Thinking of the faces of these people when they saw him three years ago, and comparing them to now...
With a self-mocking smile, Xiao Yan felt that he had been taught a harsh lesson in the past three years.
Unfortunately, by the time he realized it, it was already too late. He didn't know if he would ever have a chance to start over in this life.
At the front of the crowd, Ya Fei quietly observed Xiao Yan's appearance. She was very puzzled. Since that distinguished guest had given the Xiao Family such great benefits back then, why would he now ask her to investigate the Xiao Family and pay special attention to Xiao Yan?
Such an ambiguous attitude was truly unfathomable.
Thinking this, Ya Fei also didn't want to have too much involvement with the Xiao Family, lest she bring trouble upon herself.
Since she had finished watching Xiao Yan's test process, then...
My task is complete.
Thinking this, Ya Fei immediately walked towards Xiao Zhan.
"Clan Leader Xiao Zhan, the Mitre Auction House still has important matters, Ya Fei will take her leave first."
"Since that is the case, then I will see Miss Ya Fei off, please."
Xiao Zhan forced a smile and personally escorted her.
His youngest son, whom he was most proud of in the past, now had such a strange problem. It was truly difficult for him to remain calm.
In the past few years, he had tried many methods, even using the family's income to purchase many potentially useful medicines for Xiao Yan.
However, the results were still unsatisfactory.
On the contrary, because of his repeated favoritism, several Elders in the clan had great opinions of him, making the atmosphere of the Xiao Family extremely tense, no longer as harmonious as before. If it weren't for the relatively good development of the Xiao Family in recent years, perhaps the Elders would have even greater opinions of his position as Clan Leader.
Upon arriving at the Xiao Family's main gate, Xiao Zhan hesitated for a moment before asking.
"Miss Ya Fei, may I know when your esteemed auction house will hold the auction?"
In the past few days, the news that the Mitre Auction House would hold a grand auction had spread throughout Wu Tan City, but besides hearing that there were many good things, there was no specific information at all, which was truly puzzling.
What they didn't know was that even Ya Fei, the temporary person in charge, didn't know when the auction would be held.
She was just following orders.
Feeling helpless inside, her face was still full of smiles.
"Clan Leader Xiao Zhan need not worry. The Mitre Auction House attaches great importance to this auction and must prepare thoroughly. Ya Fei cannot say much specifically, but I can reveal to Clan Leader Xiao Zhan that Dou Skills, cultivation methods, pills, medicinal herbs, and so on will all appear, and the quality of each item will be sufficient to be the finale of previous auctions. I have said all I can, Clan Leader Xiao Zhan, goodbye."
Slightly bowing, Ya Fei twisted her alluring waist and stepped out of the Xiao Family's main gate.
Xiao Zhan returned the bow and watched her leave.
...
A few minutes later, at the Mitre Auction House.
Chen Xiao sat in the main seat, listening to Ya Fei recount the situation of the Xiao Family's test today.
Zi Yan sat on a chair beside him with her legs dangling, chewing non-stop.
She had no interest in the Xiao Family or anything like that.
However, this small Wu Tan City made her feel quite comfortable. That Gu Ni was much more obedient than that little Alchemist in the Inner Academy. He practically did whatever she said. The supply of pills these past few days had never stopped.
"You did well. Continue to pay attention to the Xiao Family. You can find more excuses to go over. In addition, have someone make a batch of auction catalog booklets, the more the better, especially for the Xiao Family. Make sure everyone has a copy. All expenses can be deducted from the auction proceeds."
Saying this, Chen Xiao took out a pile of miscellaneous items.
In the few years of training in the Black-Corner Region, although he and Zi Yan hadn't obtained anything too rare, they had gained countless spoils of war. Even after dealing with many of them, they still had quite a few left.
Although he called them miscellaneous items, the things he took out, if placed in Wu Tan City, as Ya Fei said, most of them could serve as the finale of previous auctions.
A third-tier Magic Core, a Profound Middle-Rank Dou Skill, a Profound Middle-Rank Cultivation Method, some pills below third grade that he obtained during his training in the Black-Corner Region and found useless, some poisons he concocted himself that could even threaten a Da Dou Shi, and many rare medicinal ingredients with strange tastes that even Zi Yan disliked, and so on.
It wasn't that he only had these things; rather, considering the purchasing power of the two major families in Wu Tan City, the items Chen Xiao selected were those they would desperately want and could afford if they gritted their teeth.
Finally, there was the Purifying Lotus Demon Fire Remnant Map obtained from the stone chamber in the cave in the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
Chen Xiao did not divide this remnant map, nor did he intend to exchange it for too many things.
To catch a fish, you must first have bait!
Just like those unscrupulous merchants Chen Xiao had seen before, every time they held an event, they would make you feel very hopeful at the beginning.
"I understand. I will arrange everything as Young Master instructed. Also, regarding Young Master's news, seven days have passed now, so it must have already reached Elder Hai and Clan Leader Teng Shan, but I haven't received a reply yet."
Looking at the pile of things Chen Xiao took out, Ya Fei's eyes lit up.
As expected, he was a distinguished person!
These things might be ordinary in the Imperial Capital, but placed in the various branch offices, they would definitely be a substantial achievement.
And what she needed was to achieve results, so that those people in the family would look at her with new eyes and gain some power.
Suppressing the surprise in her heart, Ya Fei quickly agreed, put away all the items, and went to work with swift efficiency.
Ignoring Ya Fei, Chen Xiao recalled the situation of the Xiao Family she had described.
Starting with Dou Zhi Li, three segments...
This was too interesting. If that was the case, today was precisely when the original plot began!
That is, the first chapter: The Fallen Genius.
Then, wouldn't the next thing be Nalan Yanran's visit and the famous scene of "thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river"?
To be honest, if going to the Xiao Family wouldn't make Yao Chen vigilant, Chen Xiao would have wanted to disguise himself and go join the fun tomorrow.
With a light chuckle, Chen Xiao called out.
"Gu Ni."
Soon, this highly respected Alchemist Master in Wu Tan City quickly walked in.
"What are Young Master's instructions?"
"Have someone inquire if a group from the Yun Lan Sect is heading towards Wu Tan City."
Gu Ni bowed in response, and just as he was about to reply, he suddenly heard a hearty laugh.
"Hahaha, in the past, I stood proudly at the peak of the Jia Ma Empire, but was trapped by a seal for years. Fortunately, a young friend brought spring, allowing me to display my sharpness again and break through the mist and smoke!"
"Chen Xiao, long time no see!"
The voice arrived before the person.
Chen Xiao smiled upon hearing the voice. As expected of the Refreshing True Lord, after a few years, he was still full of witty remarks!
Gentle footsteps sounded, and two figures made a dazzling appearance under the gaze of the three people in the living room.
The leading white-haired old man wore a striking blue robe. He strode forward with a beaming smile and a dignified demeanor, as if wherever he was, it was a stage.
Behind him was a relatively younger black-haired old man, dressed in luxurious clothes. His smile was not as exaggerated as the former's, giving people the impression that he had been in a high position for a long time.
The identities of the two were self-evident.
"Greetings, Elder Hai, Clan Leader!"
Gu Ni's expression was startled. He never expected these two highest-ranking figures of the Mitre Family to actually come to the small Wu Tan City.
Quickly recovering, Gu Ni bowed in salute.
Chen Xiao also stood up to greet them, a frank smile on his face.
"Elder Hai, Clan Leader Teng Shan, it's too grand for you to come in person."
"Hahaha, I was bored staying in the Imperial Capital anyway. Since you can't leave for the time being, I can only come in person. As for Teng Shan, he's taking a break from his busy schedule and probably won't be able to stay for many days."
Hai Bo Dong laughed heartily, showing no distance despite not having seen each other for over three years. The ice-attributed him was now as warm as fire.
"Good heavens, how long has it been? Your strength has improved a bit frighteningly, much higher than Teng Shan's. Your appearance has also fully matured, you're quite handsome, ten times better than Teng Shan when he was young, though about the same as I was back then."
After greeting him, Hai Bo Dong then examined Chen Xiao's changes, immediately clicking his tongue in amazement.
Listening to Hai Bo Dong's words, Teng Shan, who was beside him, was full of helplessness. Every time he was with Hai Bo Dong, he would be frequently used as a reference.
He was numb to it, used to it.
"Clan Leader Teng Shan is busy working for the family, so naturally he doesn't have much time for cultivation."
Chen Xiao even felt some sympathy for Teng Shan and found an excuse for him before leading the two to sit down.
Seeing the two look curiously at Zi Yan, who hadn't moved at all and was still eating snacks on her own, Chen Xiao briefly introduced her.
"This is Zi Yan, a friend I met at Jia Nan Academy. She came back with me to have some fun."
Zi Yan nodded slightly towards the two, which was considered a greeting.
A Dou Huang and a Dou Wang, just average. In Jia Nan Academy, such strength was only that of an Elder, and she had seen too many of them.
Zi Yan's attitude towards strangers had always been very casual. Only towards people she truly recognized would she be closer.
Besides that, for people around her friends, after spending time together, Zi Yan would also give them some face.
For example, Chen Xiao's roommates in the Inner Academy.
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