Douluo: The Mysterious System

Private room in a Nuoding City restaurant on a rest day.

Wang Xiaotian had arrived with Su Yuntao, and they were currently waiting for Xiao Yuchen and his father.

Today, Su Yuntao wasn't wearing his Spirit Hall uniform. He had on ordinary clothing and had even changed his hairstyle, trying not to be recognized.

"Wang Xiaotian, I didn't expect this. We've only been apart for just over half a month, and you've become so impressive."

Su Yuntao said emotionally, sipping the tea Wang Xiaotian had poured for him.

It was true just over two weeks ago, Wang Xiaotian was still a child, worrying about daily life. But now, not only was he working on a business deal with the City Lord's household, but he even had a powerful teacher.

And he was only ten years old, already thinking about building his own business. As far as Su Yuntao was concerned, the only reason Wang Xiaotian brought him in was because of his kind heart out of gratitude for the help he'd received earlier and wanting to bring him along for the ride.

Otherwise, given his teacher's background, opening a few restaurants in Nuoding or even in larger cities would've been no big deal.

Even though the Grandmaster's soul power wasn't high, and he had been expelled from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, his identity still carried significant weight in small places like this; no one would dare provoke him.

"Haha, you flatter me, Brother Su Yuntao. I'm still poor, after all. Besides, in Nuoding City, aside from my teacher, you're the person I feel closest to."

Wang Xiaotian replied as he poured more tea for Su Yuntao.

He felt like he was almost catching up to the salesmen from his past life, talking smooth nonsense, telling the City Lord he was working with Spirit Hall, then turning around and telling Spirit Hall he was working with the City Lord.

Exciting stuff!

"Haha, well, whether this works out or not, I thank you all the same,"

Su Yuntao chuckled, cupping his hands in gratitude.

This kid was truly something, only ten, but conversing like an equal.

That maturity gave Su Yuntao a great impression and made him willing to trust and try working together.

Just then, Xiao Yuchen's voice came from outside the private room. He entered with a man beside him.

The man was middle-aged, dressed in simple gray clothing, with his hair covering his forehead as if trying to avoid recognition.

He looked quite a bit like Xiao Yuchen, and though his clothes were plain, he exuded the aura of authority only someone in a high position would have.

This was Nuoding City's Lord Xiao Huohuo.

"Hello. I'm Xiao Huohuo, City Lord of Nuoding and Xiao Yuchen's father."

He greeted Wang Xiaotian first, not Su Yuntao.

After his son had told him about Wang Xiaotian, he had done some background checks.

Wang Xiaotian was indeed Yu Xiaogang's disciple.

And as a City Lord, Xiao Huohuo had heard a bit about Yu Xiaogang's reputation. In his eyes, Yu Xiaogang's status was already extraordinarily high.

Then he heard his son say that this boy, only ten years old, was already a Level 13 soul master and could easily defeat Xiao Yuchen.

That sealed it.

He had to meet this young man.

Xiao Yuchen had only reached Level 11 at age twelve, and that was already considered a genius level.

But Wang Xiaotian? Level 13 at age 10? That was another level entirely.

Maybe he's the young master of some prestigious clan, sent out to gain experience.

Moreover, the Xiao family's development had reached a bottleneck. If this boy had the "secret recipe" he claimed, there might be real value in this partnership.

Thus, the three parties, each with their thoughts, sat down at the same table.

"Hello, Uncle Xiao. Please, have a seat."

Wang Xiaotian said quickly, pouring tea for both Xiao Yuchen and Xiao Huohuo.

Polite. Calm. Respectful.

That was Xiao Huohuo's first impression of Wang Xiaotian.

"Long time no see, Deacon Su."

Only then did Xiao Huohuo greet Su Yuntao. Since one represented the Empire and the other the Spirit Hall, they naturally kept their distance.

"Indeed, City Lord Xiao,"

Su Yuntao replied coolly. As the saying goes, different paths, so no need to walk together.

They were only seated together now because of mutual interests and Wang Xiaotian.

"Xiaotian, may I call you that?"

Xiao Huohuo ignored Su Yuntao's attitude. He had business to handle.

"Of course, Uncle Xiao."

"About this stir-frying technique, you mentioned, could I see a demonstration first?"

Xiao Huohuo was the cautious type. After all, his family would be footing the bill.

"Of course, Uncle Xiao. Please wait a moment."

Wang Xiaotian excused himself and headed to the restaurant's kitchen.

He had already made arrangements with the owner: five copper soul coins to rent the kitchen for two hours. Since they came outside peak dining hours, the owner gladly agreed.

As for oil, Wang Xiaotian had prepared in advance to visit a grain store to press out a bit of peanut oil by hand. It wasn't much, just enough for two dishes, but it was sufficient.

Though the kitchen didn't have a proper wok for stir-frying, he could make do with a standard cooking pot.

Today, he planned to make:

Spicy Shredded Potato

Country-Style Stir-Fried Pork

One meat, one veggie. Perfect.

What?

Can he cook?

Wang Xiaotian proudly claimed:

"My mom taught me all kinds of dishes back in junior high."

Half an hour later, he served the two dishes.

"Deacon Su! Why are you eating so fast?!"

"Dad! Save me one bite, just one!"

…

Five minutes later, Xiao Huohuo licked his lips, visibly reluctant to stop.

This meal… made everything else he had ever eaten taste like trash.

So this is what real food tastes like?!

This partnership must happen!

What followed was the business negotiation.

Su Yuntao mostly played the side role, chiming in occasionally to support Wang Xiaotian.

The real tug-of-war was between Wang Xiaotian and Xiao Huohuo.

After some back-and-forth, and once Wang Xiaotian dropped his teacher's name, they reached an agreement:

Xiao family: Invests the money → 30% of the profits

Wang Xiaotian: Provides the technique → 40%

Grandmaster: Handles future obstacles during expansion → 20% (managed by Wang Xiaotian)

Su Yuntao: Support role → 10%

Wang Xiaotian would manage the Grandmaster's share himself.

As for future problems during expansion, he promised he'd handle it all.

Of course, he didn't plan to give the Grandmaster his cut yet. But he wouldn't take it for himself either, at least for now.

What mattered most was this: his 40% + Grandmaster's 20% gave him absolute control.

Wang Xiaotian made one additional request:

The agreement would be valid only within the Fasno Province.

Anything beyond that, the Xiao family wouldn't be able to handle, and Wang Xiaotian would need stronger partners down the road.

Xiao Huohuo readily agreed.

He understood his limits.