Tang Yunjie looked at Xiao Xiaodong’s chicken with admiration and said, “Uncle Xiao, you’ve really brought glory to our Qingyun Immortal Sect! You crushed those Lingyao Sect disciples completely.”
Xiao Xiaodong nodded faintly. “Perhaps.”
Lei Xuan glanced at Tang Yunjie and remarked casually, “Little Fatty, you should focus on your cultivation. Otherwise, you’ll end up a whole generation behind us.”
Tang Yunjie laughed awkwardly. “Breaking through to Foundation Establishment isn’t something I can just decide to do. Out of ten Qi Refining cultivators in the sect, only one might succeed.”
Lei Xuan nodded. “That’s true, but with your talent, if you work hard, you should make it.”
“Enough about that,” Tang Yunjie said, turning to Xiao Xiaodong. “Why didn’t Uncle Xiao give us a hint earlier? If I’d known, I would’ve bet more!” He sighed regretfully. Though he had made a good profit from the first match’s upset, no one ever complained about having too many spirit stones.
Xiao Xiaodong smiled wryly. “I didn’t know Little Flower(Huahua) was this strong either.”
“Is that so!” Tang Yunjie sighed, still disappointed.
Xiao Xiaofan turned to Xiao Xiaodong and said, “Brother, your chicken can spit! And its spit is so powerful!”
The little flower chicken glared at Xiao Xiaofan, looking as if it wanted to give him a good pecking.
As Xiao Xiaodong and the others walked along, Dong Lin and his group approached.
“Xiaofan, long time no see,” Dong Lin said with a smile.
Xiaofan responded half-heartedly, “Yeah, long time no see.”
Tang Yunjie crossed his arms and looked at Dong Lin. “Senior Brother Dong, Xiaofan has already reached Foundation Establishment. You should address him as ‘Uncle’ now.”
Dong Lin’s expression stiffened. He glanced at Xiao Xiaofan, who was holding Xiao Xiaojin’s hand, completely indifferent.
Dong Lin forced a smile. “You’re right. Congratulations, Uncle Xiao, on your successful breakthrough.”
Tang Yunjie scoffed. “That happened ages ago. Your congratulations are a bit late, don’t you think?”
Dong Lin barely managed to exchange a few words with Xiao Xiaofan before Tang Yunjie’s sharp remarks sent him away with an ugly expression.
Watching Dong Lin leave, Tang Yunjie rolled his eyes. “That guy kept saying you were in trouble when you went missing. Now that you’re fine, he acts all friendly.”
Xiao Xiaodong said coolly, “Just ignore people like that.”
Xiao Xiaofan tilted his head, disappointed. “He didn’t age well. He looks less and less like Dad now.”
Lei Xuan: “…”
Xiao Xiaojin looked at his brothers and said, “Big brothers, there’s nothing fun left in the sect. Let’s go find Dad and Mom.”
Xiao Xiaodong nodded. “Sure.”
—
Xie Wanran walked gloomily through Qingyun Sect’s territory. She had worked hard to secure this mission to Qingyun Sect, but after arriving, she had gained little and even lost her beloved Greenfeather Swallow. The thought made her deeply uncomfortable.
“Senior Sister Xie, I heard the sect exchanged for fifteen Bodhi Fruits this time. I wonder which lucky disciples will get them.”
“Senior Sister Xie, you’re already at late-stage Foundation Establishment at such a young age. Surely one of them is yours.”
“That’s right! With your talent, forming a Golden Core must be just around the corner.”
Xie Wanran smiled faintly at the flattery. “The sect has many talented disciples. It might not be my turn.”
Zhu Jin disagreed. “How could that be? Among Foundation Establishment disciples, you’re outstanding!”
Xie Wanran replied gracefully, “But there are many outstanding disciples in the sect.”
“If it were based on merit alone, Senior Sister Xie would definitely get a Bodhi Fruit. But if some elders play favorites…”
“Those elders are so biased.”
Xie Wanran smiled serenely. “Let fate decide.”
“Junior Sister, look at this peach grove! It’s so beautiful!”
Xie Wanran’s eyes brightened at the sight of the pink-and-white blossoms. “I never expected such a lovely peach grove here.”
Xiao Jingting was busy among the trees, with Xu Mu’an assisting him.
“Someone’s coming,” Xu Mu’an suddenly said.
Xiao Jingting looked up, his expression tightening.
“It’s people from the Lingyao Sect. That woman must be Xie Wanran,” he muttered.
Xu Mu’an studied Xie Wanran, frowning slightly. Xie Wanran was renowned for her beauty, and many Qingyun Sect disciples had fallen for her charms. “They say Xie Wanran, despite having only three spiritual roots, has had countless fortuitous encounters. Her cultivation speed is astonishing—she’s incredibly blessed.”
Xiao Jingting nodded. “Yeah. Stay away from her.”
Xu Mu’an blinked. “Why?”
Xiao Jingting sighed. “Because it’s very dangerous.”
Wherever the female protagonist went, disaster followed! His son had already eaten Xie Wanran’s spirit beast—grudges were formed. Best to keep their distance.
Xu Mu’an watched Xie Wanran. “She seems very popular.”
Xiao Jingting nodded. “Yeah.” With her looks, no wonder.
“Should we greet them?” Xu Mu’an asked.
Xiao Jingting shook his head. “No need. She’s already surrounded by admirers. No point adding to the crowd.”
Xu Mu’an nodded. “True…”
“This peach grove seems special,” Xie Wanran murmured, her eyes flashing with surprise.
“Junior Sister, what is it?” Zhuge Ming asked.
“These are Jade Peach trees,” Xie Wanran said.
“Impossible! Jade Peaches are notoriously hard to cultivate. I’ve never heard of Qingyun Sect having an expert in this field,” Zhuge Ming said.
Xie Wanran shook her head. “I’m not mistaken. Look at the fruits—those are Jade Peaches.”
“But they’re so rare! How can there be so many?”
Xie Wanran’s eyes widened. “I never imagined Qingyun Sect had such a place.”
“Senior Sister Xie, Elder Mu’s qi deviation has been suppressed, but it occasionally flares up. I’ve heard the Jade Peach King can alleviate his condition. Jade Peaches are rare enough—a Jade Peach King is even rarer. Do you think this grove has one?” Zhu Jin asked.
Zhuge Ming nodded. “It must be close. Look at that tree—that’s the Jade Peach King. But it’s not fully ripe yet.”
Xie Wanran’s eyes gleamed. “If there really is a Jade Peach King, we must acquire it at all costs.”
—
“Is anyone in the grove? Please show yourselves,” Xie Wanran called out.
Xu Mu’an glanced at Xiao Jingting. “Should we go meet them?”
Xiao Jingting nodded reluctantly. “They’ve already seen us. It would be inappropriate not to go out. Let’s go.”
The two stepped out from the peach trees.
“Greetings,” Xiao Jingting said politely.
“Junior Brother, are you the one taking care of this peach orchard?” Xie Wanran asked.
Xiao Jingting nodded. “I’m just an assistant. Manager Qiu is in charge.” He had no qualms about shifting responsibility to Qiu Yun. He was just a small fry—no match for this probable female protagonist.
“Manager Qiu?” Xie Wanran repeated.
Xiao Jingting nodded. “Yes, the manager of the Northern Spiritual Medicine Garden.”
“Could I request to purchase the Jade Peach King from Manager Qiu?” Xie Wanran asked eagerly.
Xiao Jingting shook his head. “That’s not my decision. You’d have to ask Manager Qiu.”
“Could you relay the message for me?”
Xiao Jingting nodded. “That’s no trouble.”
“No need. I’m not selling.” Qiu Yun strode over lazily, arms crossed.
Xiao Jingting relaxed slightly at the sight of him.
“You must be Manager Qiu. A pleasure,” Xie Wanran said courteously.
Qiu Yun eyed her coldly. “Miss Xie, while the Lingyao Sect and Qingyun Sect are on good terms, you are still guests. It’s best not to wander into restricted areas and risk damaging our alliance.”
Xie Wanran’s expression tightened. “Senior is right to remind us. Your skills are truly impressive—Jade Peaches are notoriously difficult to cultivate, yet you’ve even grown a Peach King.”
“My skills are well-known. No need for flattery,” Qiu Yun said dismissively.
Xiao Jingting watched Qiu Yun’s hostility with surprise. Though Qiu Yun had a temper, he’d never been so openly hostile to someone before.
“Manager, must you be so harsh?” Zhuge Ming said indignantly.
Qiu Yun smirked. “How I speak is my business. I don’t need your input.”
“Senior, the Jade Peach King is crucial to me. I beg for your mercy,” Xie Wanran pleaded.
“Why should I show you mercy? What have you ever done for me?” Qiu Yun retorted.
“Do you also need the Peach King urgently?” Xie Wanran pressed.
“The peaches are mine. Whether I eat them myself or feed them to livestock is none of your concern.”
Zhuge Ming bristled. “You—! With a face like yours, it’s no surprise your heart is even uglier!”
Qiu Yun smirked. “Indeed, I’m vicious. How could I compare to the virtuous Miss Xie? You seem quite fond of this ‘virtuous’ junior sister. Tell me, will her kindness extend to marrying you?”
Zhuge Ming’s face turned ashen. “How dare you spout such nonsense!”
Qiu Yun laughed coldly. “What’s a little nonsense from a wicked person like me?”
Xiao Jingting watched in awe. Qiu Yun was fearless! But Xie Wanran was impressive too—even under such verbal assault, she maintained her composure. No wonder a three-spiritual-root cultivator like her had reached such heights.
Rain : Hiiii how have you been !! long time no see ! (ʃƪ ˘ ³˘)’
Keep me fueled with caffeine! Support me on Ko-fi! It helps a lot ! Thank you so much ♡(´･ω･)(･ω･`)♡
I missed this story so much!!! Thanks for posting. Will you be able to make regular updates again?