SPMT : Chapter 171

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, three years had passed.

After Xiao Jingting’s group came out, they discovered that Qingyun Immortal Sect only had a dozen or so Foundation Establishment cultivators left. When they entered, a full hundred had gone in.

Xiao Jingting spotted Liu Jinrong among the Qingyun Immortal Sect group. Liu Jinrong was somewhat surprised to see Xiao Jingting and Xu Mu’an.

Xiao Jingting had long known Liu Jinrong entered the inner city, but because the inner city was so large, he and Liu Jinrong hadn’t encountered each other.

“Junior Brother Xiao, good to see you again,” Liu Jinrong greeted Xiao Jingting with a smile.

Liu Jinrong truly hadn’t expected to see Xiao Jingting again. Originally when entering the inner city, Liu Jinrong had wanted to bring Xiao Jingting along, but the magical artifacts given by the sect could only ensure five people safely passed through the inner city’s passages. Since Xiao Jingting hadn’t spoken up, Liu Jinrong didn’t bring him. Later Liu Jinrong heard that Xiao Jingting chose the Fire Path and thought Xiao Jingting was doomed, so he paid no more attention.

Xiao Jingting wore an expression of lingering fear and said, “Thanks to Young Master Chen’s blessing. Otherwise, Junior Brother probably wouldn’t have been able to see Senior Brother.”

As soon as Chen Xu came out, Chen Lifeng took him away.

“Junior Brother Xiao’s friendship with Young Master Chen is truly a great opportunity!” Liu Jinrong said with envy.

Xiao Jingting smiled and said, “Yes! Young Master Chen is a very good person.”

Xiao Jingting walked into the Qingyun Immortal Sect group and handed over his gains from his space ring.

The things Xiao Jingting handed over were somewhat more than ordinary cultivators’, drawing envious looks from several cultivators in the group. Xiao Jingting actually didn’t want to attract this attention, but Liu Jinrong knew he had entered the inner city. Taking out too few things wouldn’t make sense.

What Xu Mu’an and Xiao Xiaodong produced was about the same as ordinary cultivators.

The sect’s higher-ups collected the spirit herbs the group handed over, converted all the spirit herbs into contribution points, and gave them to the group.

With these contribution points, they could exchange for Spirit Stones and pills at the sect.

Xiao Jingting looked at the contribution points in his hand, estimating they could probably exchange for two to three hundred middle-grade Spirit Stones.

The elder responsible for tallying the harvest had a gloomy expression, seemingly somewhat dissatisfied with the group’s gains.

“Let’s go.” The Golden Core cultivator from Qingyun Immortal Sect released a flying ship and called for everyone to return to the sect.

Xiao Jingting excitedly boarded the flying ship. Recalling when they went to the secret realm, there had been a black mass of people. Now with so few returning, Xiao Jingting couldn’t help feeling emotional. Although cultivators in this world were stronger than ordinary people in his previous world, they also died easily!

……

“Junior Brother Xiao, your harvest was quite good!” Liu Jinrong said.

Xiao Jingting waved his hand and said, “It’s alright. Actually, they’re all ordinary goods. Compared to people from other sects who found Yingyuan pills and thousand-year spirit milk, it’s far inferior.”

Liu Jinrong smiled bitterly and said, “How can we compare with them! I heard someone raided the Golden Bees’ lair! But I haven’t heard which sect obtained Golden Bee honey. If there were such a thing, it could create over ten Golden Cores. Could it be that the person who got the Golden Bee honey died in the secret realm?”

“People from other sects aren’t fools. If their disciples really obtained such things, they probably wouldn’t publicize it,” Xiao Jingting said with a calm expression.

Liu Jinrong nodded and said, “That’s true! I heard someone obtained Soul Refining Water, but I haven’t heard which sect had cultivators hand over such items. They probably hid it too.”

“Those Golden Core cultivators are old foxes. Having gained benefits, they naturally keep them hidden. Why would they show off?” Xiao Jingting said.

“Wushuang Sect’s harvest seems good. The person in charge was grinning so widely his teeth were showing,” Liu Jinrong said sourly.

Xiao Jingting narrowed his eyes and said, “What did Wushuang Sect obtain?”

Liu Jinrong shook his head and said, “I don’t know either!”

……

The flying ship sped toward Qingyun Immortal Sect.

As Xiao Jingting saw Qingyun Immortal Sect approaching, unease arose in his heart.

“Finally we can return to Qingyun Immortal Sect. I wonder how Xiaofan and Xiaojin are doing,” Xiao Jingting muttered.

Thinking of his two younger sons, Xu Mu’an’s face also showed excitement and nervousness.

“Being away from them for so long, Xiaojin must be crying,” Xu Mu’an said helplessly.

Xiao Jingting nodded and said, “Yes!” Three years had passed. He wondered if those two little rascals had gotten fatter or thinner.

Xiao Xiaodong also missed Xiao Xiaofan and Xiao Xiaojin, pursing his lips without speaking.

After Xiao Jingting returned to the sect, he first went to the North District spirit medicine garden.

Xiao Xiaojin, who was cultivating in the spirit medicine garden, saw Xiao Jingting and immediately hugged his thigh, wailing loudly.

Hearing Xiao Xiaojin’s howling, Xiao Jingting suspected his youngest son had wolf-dog bloodline.

Seeing Xiao Xiaojin’s aggrieved appearance, Xiao Jingting’s heart ached terribly. His leaving for three years was really somewhat cruel to his youngest son.

Xiao Xiaofan stood behind Xiao Xiaojin, looking at Xiao Jingting with blinking eyes.

Looking at Xiao Xiaofan, Xiao Jingting thought to himself: His second son had grown quite a bit! If it were before, he would definitely have rushed over to act spoiled. Now he seemed much more composed.

“Daddy, why did you only come back now? I thought you didn’t want me anymore,” Xiao Xiaojin cried.

Xiao Jingting looked at Xiao Xiaojin and said, “How could you think that! How could daddy not want you!”

“Because I eat too much,” Xiao Xiaojin said.

Xiao Jingting said helplessly, “What are you thinking randomly?”

“Manager Qiu said so,” Xiao Xiaojin said.

Xiao Jingting glanced at Qiu Yun. Qiu Yun somewhat guiltily touched his nose and said, “I was joking. I didn’t expect your son to take it seriously.”

Xiao Jingting rubbed Xiao Xiaojin’s head and said, “It won’t happen. No matter how much you eat, daddy won’t dislike you.”

Xiao Xiaojin nodded excitedly and said, “Great! I don’t have to diet anymore.”

Xiao Jingting: “……”

Xiao Jingting looked toward Xiao Xiaofan and praised, “Xiaofan has grown taller! You look a bit like an adult now.”

Hearing Xiao Jingting’s words, Xiao Xiaofan’s face showed a brilliant smile. “Daddy, you’re so annoying. You always take big brother everywhere but never take me. I’ve been working hard at cultivation. Next time there’s this kind of trial, daddy must take me.”

“Alright,” Xiao Jingting said without hesitation, thinking to himself: Next time – who knows when next time will be. We’ll talk about it then.

Xiao Jingting’s group gathered together and chatted warmly for a long time. Xiao Jingting spent great effort to comfort Xiao Xiaofan and Xiao Xiaojin.

……

“You finally came back. Those two brats kept running over to ask me when you’d return. Really annoying,” Qiu Yun very much regretted that when Xiao Jingting left, he had a moment of brain fog and agreed to Xiao Jingting’s request to watch over the two annoying brats.

Xiao Jingting looked at Qiu Yun and asked curiously, “Manager Qiu, how is Senior Mu Yun doing?”

Qiu Yun frowned and said, “Not dead yet. You’re quite concerned about him?”

Xiao Jingting: “……”

“Senior Mu Yun and Senior Qiu Yun live together,” Xiao Xiaojin said.

Xiao Jingting: “……” Developing this fast? Actually, it wasn’t that fast – it had been three years.

Seeing Xiao Jingting’s surprised expression, Qiu Yun said irritably, “Don’t listen to your son’s nonsense.”

Xiao Xiaojin quickly said, “Daddy, I’m not lying. Senior Mu Yun built a house next to Senior Qiu Yun’s house.”

Xiao Jingting suddenly understood, thinking to himself: So that’s it. Silly boy, this “living together” and that “living together” are very different. No wonder – with Qiu Yun’s emotional intelligence, it shouldn’t have progressed that quickly.

“Senior Mu Yun built a house on Qingyun Immortal Sect’s territory.” This guy was quite arrogant! A person from Lingyao Sect running to Qingyun Immortal Sect’s territory to claim land. The managers of Qingyun Immortal Sect were too incompetent – someone came to grab territory and they remained unmoved.

Qiu Yun said with annoyance, “Alright, let’s not talk about him. I heard your luck was good! Following Senior Chen’s grandson, you safely retreated from the dangerous secret realm and gained considerable opportunities.”

Xiao Jingting smiled and said, “Not bad.”

“Not long after Chen Xu entered the secret realm, Senior Chen regretted it and worried constantly. I heard that after Chen Xu entered the secret realm, you all followed and protected him,” Qiu Yun said.

Xiao Jingting smiled awkwardly and said, “I heard that when Chen Xu entered the secret realm, Senior Chen had a concubine who was pregnant.”

Qiu Yun nodded and said, “Indeed so. However, that woman’s luck wasn’t good – she miscarried.”

Xiao Jingting: “……”

……

Chen Family.

Chen Lifeng looked at Chen Xu and said, “Xiaoxu, Wushuang Sect sent people to propose marriage again.”

“I don’t like Qiao Xiang. Reject it,” Chen Xu said indifferently.

“If you don’t like him, then you don’t like him,” Chen Lifeng said with a smile.

After Chen Xu returned, he told Chen Lifeng that although he hadn’t found Xiling grass in the secret realm, he had found Xiling pills and became single spiritual root. After learning this, Chen Lifeng praised Chen Xu for having deep fortune but didn’t publicize it.

“The pill formula for Xiling pills was lost long ago. I didn’t expect your fortune to be so good, grandson. In ancient times, how many cultivators fought desperately for Xiling pills! I didn’t expect such things still existed in the world,” Chen Lifeng marveled.

The effects of Xiling pills were much better than Xiling grass. Xiling grass could only cleanse one spiritual root, but Xiling pills could cleanse two or even more.

“Xu’er, with your current aptitude, Core Formation is absolutely no problem. Reaching Nascent Soul also has a thirty percent chance,” Chen Lifeng said with satisfaction.

Chen Xu smiled and said, “Grandfather, it’s too early to talk about this now. I’m currently just a middle Foundation Establishment cultivator.”

Chen Lifeng smiled and said, “It’s good that Xu’er knows to be down-to-earth. Grandfather was worried you’d be carried away by your suddenly improved aptitude.”

“Grandfather, don’t tell others about my aptitude change,” Chen Xu said.

Chen Lifeng nodded and said, “I know, I know. You’ve said it many times.”

Chen Xu nodded. With Chen Lifeng’s protection, even if news of the Xiling pill spread, he wouldn’t be in trouble. But Xiao Jingting and the others who were with him might not be so fortunate.

“I heard people from Wushuang Sect brought out thousand-year spirit milk from inside. That old monster from Wushuang Sect should be able to live another twenty years,” Chen Lifeng said.

“Did Qiao Xiang bring it out?” Chen Xu asked.

Chen Lifeng shook his head and said, “No, it was another Foundation Establishment Great Perfection cultivator. Because that person brought out thousand-year spirit milk, the old monster from Wushuang Sect values him highly. Qiao Xiang’s performance in the secret realm was mediocre – still too green.”

“The secret realm was really very dangerous,” Chen Xu said with a serious face.

“You didn’t use the people grandfather gave you,” Chen Lifeng said.

Chen Xu hesitated and said, “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what? If anyone should apologize, it’s grandfather. I heard about you being betrayed. Your judgment is better than grandfather’s,” Chen Lifeng said.

“Not at all. I was just lucky,” Chen Xu said.

R: Finally they’re back “home” !

R notes :  Based on what I remember — it might not be 100% accurate. As we go along, whenever ages are mentioned clearly or I get more hints, I’ll let you know.

Xiao Jingting – Now single spiritual root (from triple)
Xiao Xiaodong – Now single spiritual root (from dual)
What are the type of their roots ?? 

Total time passed: Approximately 4 years

• Chapters 137-152: Several months of setup (secret realm preparation)
• Chapter 152: Tianxia Secret Realm opening announced
• Chapter 153: 1 month later – they enter the secret realm
• Chapters 154-171: 3 years inside the secret realm
• Chapter 171: Exit and reunion with family

Xiao Family Ages (Pre-Secret Realm): [In chapter 26, chapter 77 , chapter 117, chapter 137]

• Xiao Jingting : ~23–24 (≈ 23.5)
• Xu Mu’an : ~23–24
• Xiao Xiaodong : ~10
• Xiao Xiaofan : ~9
• Xiao Xiaojin : ~3–4-5 

Post-Secret Realm (+4 years):

• Xiao Jingting → 23.5 + 4 = ~27–28 years old
• Xu Mu’an → same age → ~27–28 years old
• Xiao Xiaodong → 10 + 4 = ~14 years old
• Xiao Xiaofan → 9 + 4 = ~13 years old
• Xiao Xiaojin → 3–4 + 4 = ~7–8 years old