In Wutan City, behind the Xiao family's mountain.
After introducing Liu Yun to Xiao Yan and Gu Xun'er, Xiao Zhan was summoned back by a guard who had come to report, saying that there were family matters to attend to, and he hurriedly left. It must be said that although the position of clan leader is high, it is indeed a thankless job, keeping one extremely busy. This instantly dampened Liu Yun's initial interest in taking over the Mittel family. Liu Yun decided that he should just focus on cultivating honestly. If Ya Fei was interested in the position of clan leader, then she could take it; if not, then let the elders compete for it. Behind the Xiao family's mountain, the three walked along, chatting and laughing. Liu Yun explained to Xiao Yan the cultivation realms on the Dou Qi Continent, the levels and prestige of alchemists, and the power hierarchy of the Jia Ma Empire. Although Xiao Yan had lived here for over a decade, Wutan City was simply too small, and he knew very little about these things. He listened with great interest along the way, asking all sorts of questions. Gu Xun'er, on the other hand, remained completely invisible. She actually knew more about the Jia Ma Empire, but she couldn't reveal too much to Xiao Yan, after all, she was currently an adopted daughter of the Xiao family, and knowing too much would be difficult to explain. "By the way, Brother Liu Yun, are you always wearing a mask? Can you take it off?" Gu Xun'er suddenly asked. Liu Yun was taken aback, having completely forgotten that he was wearing a mask. But it was fine this way; no one would know what he looked like. "No." After a moment of surprise, Liu Yun immediately said firmly. "Why not? Are Brother Xiao Yan and I not worthy to see your face?" Gu Xun'er said nonchalantly. This conversation was going to die! Liu Yun secretly groaned. No wonder this little girl had no friends from beginning to end in the original story; she was so annoying! Seeing Gu Xun'er's haughty gaze, Liu Yun decided to tease her, so he made up a story: "It's not that I can't take it off, it's that I can't. The reason is a long story. When I was born, my mother had a difficult childbirth, and my father died in an accident. A fortune teller said I had a face of misfortune and needed to wear a mask forever. Only when I find a woman who truly loves me and removes this mask for me can the misfortune be removed." The first half was true, but the second half was pure nonsense. However, Gu Xun'er fell silent after hearing this, because her mother had also died in childbirth. Hearing Liu Yun's story, she felt a deep empathy, and her eyes reddened slightly. "What kind of lousy fortune teller is this? Your Mittel family still believes in this? What era are we living in?" Gu Xun'er said indignantly. "It's okay, I'm used to it anyway," Liu Yun said nonchalantly. It was all just a lie anyway. At this moment, he wasn't concerned about that. The system hadn't prompted him to upgrade the relationship for a long time, which was causing him a lot of distress. Sure enough, these chosen ones and women of destiny weren't easy to fool! Or rather, they were very wary and wouldn't easily develop deep friendships. It seemed he had to resort to drastic measures. Liu Yun decided to forcefully upgrade the relationship, which would also be a good opportunity to test the system and see if it would work. "Haha, Brother Xiao Yan, Sister Xun'er, since we hit it off so well, why don't we become sworn brothers!" Liu Yun said excitedly. Xiao Yan and Gu Xun'er were completely baffled. Becoming sworn brothers on their first meeting? That was too abrupt! After a moment of darkening, Gu Xun'er seemed to have thought of something. She looked at the bewildered Xiao Yan, then at the excited Liu Yun, and suddenly smiled. "I agree!" Gu Xun'er said, contrary to her usual self. Gu Xun'er knew she couldn't stay by Xiao Yan's side forever; soon, someone from the family would come to take him back. Besides her, Xiao Yan had practically no friends, and with only his third-stage Dou Qi, there was a high chance he'd be relegated to the family business after his coming-of-age ceremony. Now, with the title of sworn brother to the head of the Mittel Auction House, although many would gossip behind his back, it was still quite intimidating on the surface. Xiao Yan was unaware of Gu Xun'er's thoughts; he simply saw her interest and agreed. Moreover, he felt a sense of connection with Liu Yun, as if he'd found a kindred spirit. This person seemed to see through his thoughts, and their ideas coincided. The head of the Mittel Auction House—that position was far more prestigious than his own; he felt that even if they became sworn brothers, he wouldn't be at a disadvantage. And so, the three found an open space, each poured a cup of fine wine, knelt on the ground, kowtowed, and, with heaven and earth as witnesses, formally became sworn brothers. "I'm fourteen and a half years old this year, and Xun'er isn't even fourteen yet. How old are you, Brother Liuyun?" Xiao Yan asked. Liuyun was momentarily stunned. The "Brother Liuyun" Xiao Yan was calling him was actually only fourteen years old. That meant he would be the second oldest in this relationship. This title was too embarrassing! No way, how could he, Liuyun, be the second oldest? "Ahem, well, I'm fifteen years old. From now on, I'm the eldest brother. Xiao Yan, little brother, Xun'er, little sister." Liuyun deliberately acted like the eldest brother. Xiao Yan was very surprised. He had initially thought Liuyun was at least eighteen, and now he knew he was only fifteen. He found it unbelievable. "Ding, congratulations to the host for upgrading the relationship with Xiao Yan from 'one-time encounter' to 'sworn brothers'." Sworn Brothers: The return from the bound object is increased by 10 times. "Ding, congratulations to the host for upgrading the relationship with Gu Xun'er from 'one-time encounter' to 'sworn brothers'." Sworn Brothers: The return from the bound object is increased by 10 times. This chapter is not finished yet, please click the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Hearing the system notification in his mind, Liu Yun was overjoyed; this matter was finally settled!
"Alright, Xiao Yan, Xun'er, I've been away for a while now, it's time to go back. There's an auction at the Mittel Auction House in ten days, you two must come, I'll reserve a private box for you," Liu Yun said.
"Okay, we'll definitely be there," Xiao Yan said.
"Xun'er will be there too," Gu Xun'er said with a smile.
After Liu Yun left, Xiao Yan and Gu Xun'er exchanged a glance, both with wry smiles.
"I never expected that we'd become sworn brothers after just one meeting!" Xiao Yan said.
"Yes, Brother Liu Yun is the head of the Mittel Auction House in Wutan City, his identity must be that of a direct descendant of the Mittel family, it's unbelievable that he would become sworn brothers with the two of us!" Gu Xun'er also exclaimed.
"Alright, Xun'er, let's go back!" Xiao Yan said.
"Okay," Gu Xun'er agreed, and followed Xiao Yan down the mountain.
Back home, Gu Xun'er quickly locked the door and called out, "Uncle Ling."
"Miss!" Ling Ying appeared in the room without warning, bowing slightly to Gu Xun'er.
"Uncle Ling, you saw what happened today. What is Liu Yun's identity? Why do I feel there's something strange about him?" Gu Xun'er asked.
"Miss, that boy's full name is Mittel Liu Yun. He's Mittel Tengshan's grandson and the young patriarch of the Mittel family. He just turned fourteen a few days old, and rumors say he's a cultivation fanatic," Ling Ying revealed the information he had gathered.
"Just turned fourteen?" Gu Xun'er smiled wryly. She knew it! When he gave his age, Liu Yun suddenly paused. She had thought he was exaggerating, pretending to be young, but it turned out he really was young!
"Yes, and on his way here, that kid bumped into Xiao Yu, the little girl from the Xiao family. He took a liking to her at first sight and bought a mask on the street. I bet Xiao Yu is still searching for him all over the place right now," Ling Ying said, amused.
"So, everything he said was a lie?" Gu Xun'er said angrily.
"Not entirely. At least it's true that his mother died in childbirth and his father passed away later," Ling Ying said.
"Alright, I understand. Uncle Ling, you can go now. I need to take a shower," Gu Xun'er waved her hand.
As Ling Ying disappeared, Gu Xun'er murmured, "It seems I really was overthinking things. This is for the best, at least it's good for Brother Xiao Yan."