In Wutan City, at the Xiao family residence,
Xiao Zhan and Liu Yun walked side by side, chatting and laughing, their conversation flowing smoothly.
Xiao Zhan was only concerned with the attitude of the Mittel Auction House towards the Xiao family, to which Liu Yun unhesitatingly expressed his preference for the Xiao family.
This made no mistake; the Xiao family had Xiao Yan, Xiao Yu, Xiao Mei, and other rising stars. What did the Jia Lie and Ao Ba families have? It was obvious which side to support.
Did they really think Liu Yun cared about their small fortune in Wutan City? He was simply trying to cultivate a good relationship with Xiao Yan.
Or, more accurately, he cared more about Gu
Xun'er's favor. Of course, he wasn't trying to steal Gu Xun'er's woman; her heart belonged entirely to her Xiao Yan brother, and she was unyielding.
Moreover, Liu Yun didn't want to do something as unethical as poaching someone's love interest.
These past few days, he had also been researching the system's binding conditions. Currently, the system only bound to women, specifically those from the original story who could be associated with Xiao Yan.
Therefore, Liu Yun had a bold guess: the system's binding conditions might be related to "world fortune," after all, Xiao Yan was the chosen one of the plane.
It's important to know that Gu Xun'er's cultivation aptitude was universally acknowledged as the best in the Dou Qi Continent, and her Dou Di bloodline was many times stronger than Xiao Yan's. Therefore, Gu Xun'er was a crucial tool for his later power-ups, and building her favorability was essential.
Liu Yun was troubled by how to build this favorability; it was too much of a brain drain. He decided to take it one step at a time, starting with building up the "one-time encounter" first.
Just as the two had been strolling around for a long time, to the point that Liu Yun was getting impatient, two people walked towards them—none other than Xiao Yan and Gu Xun'er.
Liu Yun first focused his gaze on Xiao Yan's face; it was a youthful face, with dark eyes filled with determination.
Seeing Liu Yun scrutinizing him, Xiao Yan slowly raised his head to meet his gaze, calm and composed.
Looking at Gu Xun'er beside him, the girl wore a long purple dress, appearing serene and elegant, exuding a refined and otherworldly aura, as if she didn't belong to this mortal realm.
Gu Xun'er was indeed quite beautiful, but Liu Yun wasn't particularly moved, or rather, she wasn't his type. He only cared about the voice appearing in his mind.
"Ding, a target that can be bound has been detected: Xiao Yan. Would you like to bind? (Binding return method: 100% flame refining return.)"
100% Flame Refining Return: All flames refined by the bound target will be returned to the host at a 100% rate.
"Ding, a target that can be bound has been detected: Gu Xun'er. Would you like to bind? (Binding return method: 100% Battle Qi return.)"
"Ding, a target that can be bound has been detected: Yao Chen. Would you like to bind? (Binding return method: 100% Alchemist return.)"
100% Alchemist Return: As long as the bound target refines a pill, the host will receive a 100% return of the pill and obtain the corresponding pill recipe. The host will also be promoted to an alchemist corresponding to the pill's grade. (For example: if the bound target refines a Grade 1 pill, the Power Accumulation Pill, the host will receive Power Accumulation Pill *1, Power Accumulation Pill recipe *1, and will be permanently promoted to a Grade 1 alchemist.)
In that instant, Liu Yun was shocked, stunned, and dumbfounded.
What did he just hear? Refining flames and getting a return, an alchemist return? He must be dreaming. Is there really such a good thing in the world?
Sure enough, cultivation is too low-level. It's much more fun to cheat.
System, forever a god!
"Binding, binding, must bind!" Liu Yun shouted in his mind.
"Ding, congratulations to the host for binding with the chosen one of the Dou Qi Continent: Xiao Yan."
"Ding, congratulations to the host for binding with the chosen one of the Dou Qi Continent: Gu Xun'er."
"Ding, congratulations to the host for binding with the peak eighth-grade alchemist: Yao Chen."
It's no surprise that Xiao Yan is the chosen one of the world, but Gu Xun'er is the chosen one of the world. It seems this marriage is truly predestined; the two were bound together long ago.
Xiao Yan's panel is displayed:
Name: Xiao Yan;
Realm: Third Stage; Dou Qi
Aptitude: 85 (Dou Di bloodline (residual), top-tier on the Dou Qi Continent.)
; Charm: 90 (The chosen one of the Dou Qi Continent, blessed with great fortune, favored by the Heavenly Dao, his face, modified by fortune, is enough to make people want to rely on him.);
Comprehension: 90 (Rebirth resulted in a naturally powerful soul, favored by the Heavenly Dao, and his fortune-modified appearance gives him astonishing comprehension, among the top comprehension individuals on the Dou Qi Continent.)
; Binding Return Method: 100% return through refining flames.
"Wow, this setup is absolutely killing me!" Liu Yun exclaimed.
If this were a game, Liu Yun guaranteed he would report it without hesitation. Why is your comprehension 90 while mine is only 35, when we're both reborn?
Next, Liu Yun initially wanted to open Gu Xun'er's profile, but then decided to wait, afraid of being discouraged.
So, he opened Yao Chen's profile.
Name: Yao Chen (Soul State)
Realm: Peak Dou Zun (Great Perfection of Spirit Realm)
A simple introduction. This time, perhaps because Yao Chen was only a soul, his aptitude, charm, comprehension, etc., were not displayed.
Finally, Liu Yun opened Gu Xun'er's profile.
Name: Gu Xun'er
Realm: Ninth Stage Qi
Aptitude: 95 (Dou Di bloodline, absolutely top-tier level on the Dou Qi Continent.)
Charm: 90 (The Lady of Destiny on the Dou Qi Continent, favored by Heaven, possessing great fortune, which has perfected her appearance.)
Comprehension: 90 (Favored by Heaven, her fortune has granted her astonishing comprehension, among the top tier of comprehension on the Dou Qi Continent.)
Binding Method: 100% Qi Return (The return percentage depends on the relationship between the host and the bound object; the current relationship is "one-time encounter.")
After reviewing the two individuals' profiles, Liu Yun let out a long sigh.
He felt a little envious, but mostly delighted, because these two would be his tools from now on.
Several minutes passed while Liu Yun checked the system, and none of them spoke.
Perhaps sensing the awkward silence, Xiao Zhan stepped forward.
"Yan'er, Xun'er, let me introduce you. This is the new head of the Mittel Auction House, a man of distinguished status."
He then introduced Liu Yun: "This is my son, Xiao Yan, and my niece, Xiao Xun'er."
Xiao Yan sized up the masked youth before him, and upon hearing his father Xiao Zhan's introduction, especially the added phrase "distinguished status," he immediately understood. This was an invitation for him to befriend the man.
Xiao Yan understood his father's good intentions. He was now 14 years old, not far from 15, and still only at the third level of Dou Qi, it would be difficult for him to reach the seventh level by his coming-of-age ceremony.
His father's suggestion to befriend the head of the Mittel Auction House was definitely not a bad thing.
"Young Master Liuyun, haven't you heard the rumors about me?" Xiao Yan asked, puzzled.
"I have. Although I've only just arrived in Wutan City, Young Master Xiao Yan's influence is considerable. I've heard many rumors along the way!" Liuyun said calmly.
"Those aren't rumors; they're the truth," Xiao Yan said with a wry smile.
Liuyun looked at Xiao Yan. Although his tone and expression were calm, the expectation deep in his eyes was undeniable.
Perhaps due to long-term isolation from his peers and being treated with snobbishness, Xiao Yan desperately wanted recognition.
Liuyun smiled contentedly. This was easy; he just wanted a few compliments.
"Young Master Xiao Yan, don't underestimate yourself. Only mediocre people have smooth sailing. Looking at the world, which strong person didn't go through countless hardships before reaching the peak?
Besides, who can say that what happened to you wasn't an opportunity?
More importantly, cultivating Dou Qi is just to nourish your body, lay a solid foundation, and prepare your body to bear Dou Qi in the future. You can experience gains and losses a few times in the Dou Qi stage. Once you find the reason and break through to Dou Zhe, you will be the strongest Dou Zhe."
Liu Yun's words were resounding, making Xiao Yan's blood boil.
Originally, Xiao Yan only hoped that the other party would say something agreeable. In fact, even he had lost hope in himself. His former reputation as a genius seemed so pale and powerless in the face of reality.
However, at this moment, Xiao Yan was persuaded by Liu Yun. In the depths of his heart, he actually had a feeling that the Dou Qi he had absorbed over the years might really be the greatest opportunity of his life.