While in Battle Through the Heavens, one can pre-appoint oneself as an emperor.

Chapter 88 The Fallen Genius (1/?)

"Power of Battle, Level Three!"

"Xiao Yan, Dou Qi, Level 3! Rank: Low!"

Beside the magic stone tablet, a middle-aged man glanced at the information displayed on the tablet and announced it indifferently.

Today is the day of the Xiao family's annual grand test, which is more rigorous and formal than the usual tests, and all the younger generation must participate.

It was because of this incident that Xiao Yan's decline in strength three years ago was finally exposed and could no longer be hidden.

The middle-aged man's announcement, unsurprisingly, stirred up a wave of mocking commotion in the bustling square.

"Three stages? Hah, just as I thought, this 'genius' has stagnated again this year!"

"Sigh, the more arrogant you were back then, the more miserable you are now. People should never be too complacent."

"Come on, his own father is the clan chief. Maybe he can find a way to cure him someday. Didn't the Mittel Auction House announce a few days ago that they'll be holding the largest auction in Utan City soon?"

I've heard there's a lot of good stuff here.

"Speaking of which, it's quite unexpected that this Ya Fei from the Mittel Auction House would come to our Xiao family to watch the ceremony today."

"It's a good thing that distinguished guests have come to visit. The Mittel Auction House has been very friendly to our Xiao family in recent years. It's a pity that Xiao Yan has made us lose face."

The crowd whispered among themselves; some sighed with regret, while others mocked with disdain.

Many people's eyes were uncontrollably drawn to the demonic figure standing in front of the square, their hearts filled with trepidation, daring to think but not daring to speak.

On the stage.

Hearing the sounds coming from all around him, Xiao Yan lowered his head, smiled bitterly, turned around dejectedly, and quietly returned to the last row of the group. His lonely figure seemed somewhat out of place in the world around him.

Thinking back to how these people treated him three years ago, and comparing it to how they are now, Xiao Yan laughed self-deprecatingly, feeling that he had learned a harsh lesson in the past three years.

Unfortunately, by the time they realized it, it was too late, and they didn't know if they would ever have another chance to start over.

At the front of the crowd, Ya Fei quietly observed Xiao Yan's appearance. She was puzzled as to why, since that distinguished guest had given the Xiao family such great benefits back then, he would now send her to investigate the Xiao family and pay special attention to Xiao Yan.

Such an ambiguous attitude is truly perplexing.

With this in mind, Ya Fei did not want to have too much involvement with the Xiao family, lest she bring trouble upon herself.

Now that I've seen Xiao Yan's testing process, "my mission is complete."

With that thought in mind, Ya Fei immediately walked towards Xiao Zhan.

"Clan Chief Xiao Zhan, I have important business at the Mittel Auction House, so I'll take my leave now."

"In that case, I'll see Miss Ya Fei out. Please."

Xiao Zhan forced a smile and personally saw him off.

His youngest son, whom he was once most proud of, is now facing such a bizarre problem, and he finds it very difficult to remain calm.

In recent years, he has tried many methods, even using family income, to purchase many potentially useful medicines for Xiao Yan.

However, the result was still unsatisfactory.

On the contrary, his repeated favoritism caused several elders in the clan to have great opinions about him, making the atmosphere in the Xiao family extremely tense and no longer as harmonious as before. If it weren't for the fact that the Xiao family has developed quite well in recent years, the elders would probably have even more objections to his position as clan leader.

Upon arriving at the Xiao family's gate, Xiao Zhan hesitated for a moment before asking for directions.

"Miss Yafei, when will your auction be held?"

In the past few days, news that the Mittel Auction House will be holding a grand auction has been spreading like wildfire in Utan City. However, apart from hearing that there will be many good items, there is no specific information at all, which is really puzzling.

What they didn't know was that even Ya Fei, the temporary person in charge, didn't know when the auction was scheduled.

She was simply following orders.

Despite feeling helpless inside, he smiled broadly.

"Clan Chief Xiao Zhan, there's no need to rush. The Mittel Auction House is taking this auction very seriously and will definitely make thorough preparations. Ya Fei can't say much more than that, but what she can reveal to Clan Chief Xiao Zhan is that... (The text abruptly ends here, likely due to an incomplete sentence or missing information.)

"Pills, medicinal herbs, and so on will all be available, and each one is of such high quality that it could be the highlight of the previous auction. That's all I have to say. Clan Chief Xiao Zhan, farewell."

With a slight bow, Ya Fei swayed her graceful waist as she stepped out of the Xiao family's gate.

Xiao Zhan returned the greeting and watched the other person leave.

A few minutes later, at the Mittel auction house.

Chen Xiao sat in the main seat, listening to Ya Fei recount the Xiao family's test results for the day.

Zi Yan sat on a chair with her legs dangling in the air, chewing incessantly with a "crunch, crunch" sound.

She had absolutely no interest in the Xiao family or anything like that.

However, she found the small city of Wutan quite comfortable. Gu Ni was much more obedient than the little alchemist in the inner courtyard, and he listened to her every word. The supply of pills had never stopped for the past few days.

"Well done. Keep an eye on the Xiao family. Find more excuses to go there. Also, have someone make a batch of auction list catalogs, the more the better, especially for the Xiao family. Make sure each of them has a copy. All expenses can be deducted from the auction proceeds."

As he spoke, Chen Xiao took out a pile of miscellaneous items.

During their years of training in the Black Corner Region, he and Zi Yan did not obtain anything particularly rare, but they amassed countless spoils of war. Even after disposing of many of them, they still had quite a few left on them.

Although they were called miscellaneous items, most of the things he took out, if placed in Wutan City, would, as Ya Fei said, be the grand finale of previous auctions.

A third-tier magic core, a mid-level Xuan-tier fighting technique, a mid-level Xuan-tier cultivation method, some pills below the third rank that he obtained during his training in the Black Corner Region but were useless to him, some poisons that he concocted himself that could threaten even a Great Dou Master, and many rare medicinal herbs with strange tastes that even Zi Yan disliked, etc.

It wasn't that he only had these items; it was just that, considering the purchasing power of the two major families in Wutan City, Chen Xiao selected items that they desperately wanted and could afford if they gritted their teeth.

Finally, there was the fragment of the Pure Lotus Demon Flame map obtained in the cave chamber of the Monster Mountain Range.

Chen Xiao did not divide this fragment of the map, nor did he intend to use it to exchange for much.

To fish, you first need bait!

Just like those unscrupulous merchants Chen Xiao had met before, they would always make you feel very hopeful at the start of every event.

"I understand. We will arrange it as you say, young master. Also, regarding the message about you, young master, seven days have passed. It should have been delivered to Elder Hai and Chief Tengshan by now, but we have not received a reply yet."

Ya Fei's eyes lit up when she saw the pile of things Chen Xiao had taken out.

He's truly a benefactor!

These items might be ordinary in the capital, but if placed in various branches, they would definitely generate substantial revenue.

What she needs is to achieve results so that her family members will look at her with new respect and she can gain some power.

Suppressing her excitement, Ya Fei quickly agreed, packed everything up, and got to work with great efficiency.

Ignoring Ya Fei, Chen Xiao recalled her account of the Xiao family's situation.

The game starts with the power of battle, and the third stage is going to be really fun. So, today is the day the original storyline begins!

That is, Chapter One: The Fallen Genius.

Then, wouldn't the next scene be Nalan Yanran coming to visit, a famous scene of fortunes changing every thirty years?

To be honest, if going to the Xiao family might have alerted Yao Chen, Chen Xiao would have preferred to disguise himself and go tomorrow to join in the fun.

With a soft chuckle, Chen Xiao called out.

"Guni".

Soon, this highly respected alchemy master in Wutan City strode in.

"What are your orders, young master?"

"Have someone inquire whether a group of Yunlan Sect members is heading towards Wutan City."

Gu Ni bowed in response, and just as he was about to reply, he suddenly heard a hearty laugh.

"Hahaha, once I stood proudly atop Mount Jiama, but was sealed away and trapped by the passage of time. Fortunately, my young friend brought spring, and I can once again display my brilliance and break through the fog!"

"Chen Xiao, how have you been?"

The person arrived before the voice.

Chen Xiao laughed upon hearing this. As expected of the refreshing and energetic True Lord, even after several years, he still has a string of witty remarks!

Light footsteps sounded, and two figures made a dazzling entrance under the watchful eyes of the three people in the living room.

The white-haired old man leading the group was strikingly dressed in a blue robe. He strode in, smiling broadly, exuding an air of grandeur, as if wherever he was, there was a stage.

Behind him was a relatively young, black-haired old man dressed in fine clothes. His smile was not as exaggerated as the former's, giving the impression that he had been in a high position for many years.

Their identities are self-evident.

"Greetings, Elder Ebi, Chieftain!"

Guni was shocked, never expecting that the two most important figures in the Mittel family would come to the small city of Utan.

Quickly regaining his senses, Gu Ni bowed respectfully.

Chen Xiao also stood up to greet him, a frank smile on his face.

"Elder Hai, Chief Tengshan, isn't it a bit too much of a show that you've come in person?"

"Hahaha, I was already bored in the capital. Since you're busy and can't leave for the time being, I had no choice but to come in person. As for Tengshan, he's taking a break from his busy schedule and probably won't be staying for more than a few days."

Hai Bodong laughed heartily, showing no sign of estrangement despite not having seen each other for more than three years. Despite his ice-attribute nature, he was now as passionate as fire.

"Goodness, it hasn't been long, but your strength has improved quite frighteningly. You're much stronger than Tengshan now, and your appearance has fully matured. You're quite handsome, ten times better than Tengshan when he was young, and almost the same as I used to be."

After greeting him, Hai Bodong took a closer look at Chen Xiao's transformation and immediately burst into amazement.

Listening to Hai Bodong's words, Teng Shan looked helpless. Every time he was with Hai Bodong, he was frequently used as a point of reference.

I've become numb to it, I've gotten used to it.

"Clan Chief Tengshan is busy working for the clan, so naturally he doesn't have much time to cultivate."

Chen Xiao felt a bit sorry for Teng Shan, so he made an excuse for him and led the two of them to sit down.

Seeing the two looking at Zi Yan with some curiosity, who hadn't moved at all and was still eating snacks by herself, Chen Xiao gave a brief introduction.

"This is Ziyan, a friend I met at Canaan Academy. She came back with me to have some fun."

Zi Yan nodded slightly to the two of them, which was her way of greeting them.

One is a Dou Huang and the other a Dou Wang, they're just average. In Canaan Academy, someone with that kind of strength would only be an elder. She's seen too many like that.

Zi Yan is always very casual with strangers, and she only gets closer to people she truly approves of.

Besides, Ziyan would also give face to her friends and acquaintances who she had known for a long time.

For example, Chen Xiao's roommates in the inner courtyard.