SPMT : Chapter 172

After emerging from the secret realm, news of cultivators breaking through came one after another. Xiao Jingting’s family kept a low profile and didn’t stand out much.

Occasionally, Xiao Jingting would spend time with Qiu Yun, Mu Yun and others, discussing various experiences and observations.

Xiao Jingting discovered that the relationship between Qiu Yun and Mu Yun hadn’t improved much, but Mu Yun had made great progress compared to three years ago. The main improvement was that his face had become much thicker than three years ago.

“Tianshen Sect has been looking for someone who stole Soul Refining Water recently. They’re almost going crazy searching,” Mu Yun said.

Xiao Jingting said with confusion, “Why does Tianshen Sect want to find the person who stole the Soul Refining Water? Even if Soul Refining Water has miraculous effects on soul power, its effect on Nascent Soul stage cultivators shouldn’t be that great, right? Is it worth making such a big fuss?”

Mu Yun shook his head and said, “Actually, what they’re looking for isn’t the Soul Refining Water, but the Divine Demon Body Refinement Manual that was together with the Soul Refining Water. There are rumors that the cave where the Soul Refining Water was located contained the Divine Demon Body Refinement technique.”

“Several thousand years ago, Tianshen Sect cultivators entered that cliff and made rubbings of that technique, but later lost part of it.”

Xiao Jingting felt somewhat doubtful. Divine Demon Body Refinement Manual? Wasn’t it the Heavenly Demon Body Refinement Manual? After thinking about it, Xiao Jingting realized that Tianshen Sect was a righteous sect. Cultivating the “Heavenly Demon Body Refinement Manual” sounded too unpleasant, while “Divine Demon” sounded better. (Lol)

“Is this body refinement technique very powerful?” Xiao Jingting asked.

“Actually, not many people cultivate this body refinement technique,” Qiu Yun shook his head.

Xiao Jingting asked in confusion, “Why?”

“Because this technique consumes a lot and requires many materials. Most people can’t afford to cultivate it,” Qiu Yun said with little interest.

“Even so, this Divine Demon Body Refinement technique has one benefit after completion,” Mu Yun said.

Xiao Jingting thought to himself: Finally getting to the main point. What benefit? If there were no benefits, Tianshen Sect shouldn’t be so eager for this technique.

“This technique can increase the probability of reaching the Divine Transformation stage.”

Xiao Jingting: “……” DivineTransformation was too distant, but it was good to be prepared.

“Times have changed. Heaven and earth’s elemental energy is much thinner than tens of thousands of years ago. Now even Nascent Soul is difficult to achieve, let alone Spirit Transformation. For most people, this technique is useless. I heard that tens of thousands of years ago, many people cultivated this technique. People then advocated physical cultivation. It’s said that when body refinement techniques reached great success, the body could rival supreme magical treasures,” Qiu Yun said, stroking his chin.

Xiao Jingting: “……” Sounds very impressive.

“Does Tianshen Sect have an elder about to reach Spirit Transformation?” Xiao Jingting asked.

“Tianshen Sect has a late Nascent Soul elder. If that elder wants to reach Spirit Transformation, he’ll most likely die under the heavenly tribulation. Throughout history, countless late Nascent Soul cultivators have died under heavenly tribulation when attempting Spirit Transformation. The Divine Demon Body Refinement Manual is one of the most powerful body cultivation techniques. With it, safety would be much greater,” Mu Yun said.

Xiao Jingting: “……”

Qiu Yun sneered and said, “That person who possesses this technique better not show himself. Otherwise, he’ll definitely die without a burial place. Tianshen Sect already has one Spirit Transformation stage elder. If they get another one, what chance do other sects have? Both righteous and demonic paths probably don’t want Tianshen Sect to produce another Spirit Transformation cultivator. Actually, even within Tianshen Sect, not everyone would be happy about another Spirit Transformation cultivator.”

Xiao Jingting nodded secretly, thinking: Qiu Yun is right! One mountain cannot contain two tigers. If Tianshen Sect gets another Spirit Transformation cultivator, the other one might not be happy.

Mu Yun looked at Qiu Yun and said, “Qiu Yun, don’t talk nonsense.”

Qiu Yun looked at Mu Yun irritably and said, “How am I talking nonsense? Isn’t what I said the truth?”

Xiao Jingting: “……”

Xiao Jingting changed the topic and said, “Senior Qiu, why do I feel the sect’s atmosphere has been somewhat tense lately?”

Qiu Yun nodded and said, “It’s right to be tense.”

Xiao Jingting: “……”

Xiao Jingting asked somewhat confused, “What do you mean?”

“Spirit Stones are the most precious cultivation resources, but for a thousand years, the consumption rate of Spirit Stones has far exceeded their production. The sect’s spirit mine reserves are getting lower and lower. Actually, it’s not just our sect – many sects face this situation. Once Spirit Stone resources have a gap, the entire cultivation world will be in turmoil,” Qiu Yun said.

Xiao Jingting stroked his chin and said, “In that case, the most important thing now is finding new Spirit Stone mine veins.”

Qiu Yun nodded and said, “Yes. After so many years, most Spirit Stone mines that could be excavated have been excavated. It’s very difficult to find new Spirit Stone veins, so everyone has turned their attention to the seas.”

Xiao Jingting: “……”

“On land, major sects have clear divisions, but there are none in the seas. Recently, the righteous path discovered several Spirit Stone mines on small islands in the sea. As a result, demonic path people came out, killed all the cultivators on the islands, and seized the Spirit Stone mines. To compete for Spirit Stone mines, relations between righteous and demonic paths are very tense. A great war might break out,” Qiu Yun said.

Xiao Jingting: “……”

……

“You’re back?” Xu Mu’an looked at Xiao Jingting.

Xiao Jingting nodded and said, “Yes!”

“You don’t look too good,” Xu Mu’an said.

Xiao Jingting nodded, lay on the bed lazily and said, “I just learned from Manager Qiu that Tianshen Sect’s bounty for the cultivator who stole the Soul Refining Water has increased to one hundred high-grade Spirit Stones.”

Xu Mu’an smiled and said, “Ginger is still spicier when old. Those with money do live longer after all.” Previously in the secret realm, it was Tianshen Sect’s young geniuses offering the bounty, but now it was that thousand-year-old turtle.

Xiao Jingting nodded and said, “Yes!” He thought his wealth was decent, but that was only compared to Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Xu Mu’an pondered and said, “Recently, visitors have been coming in an endless stream.” Quite a few people had been openly and secretly inquiring about their experiences in the secret realm, what benefits they gained, their relationship with Chen Xu, and how far it had progressed. Xu Mu’an found it somewhat overwhelming.

“Let’s find an opportunity to go out and avoid the spotlight,” Xiao Jingting said.

Xu Mu’an nodded and said, “I was thinking the same thing.”

……

“Father, I accepted a mission,” Xiao Xiaofan found Xiao Jingting.

Xiao Jingting looked at Xiao Xiaofan and asked, “What mission?”

“To guard Fufeng Island,” Xiao Xiaofan said.

“Why did you think of accepting this mission?” Xiao Jingting asked.

“Big brother said I should go out to gain experience and broaden my horizons. I thought this mission was good, so I accepted it,” Xiao Xiaofan said.

Xiao Jingting was somewhat surprised that Xiao Xiaodong had instigated this. What was that boy planning?

“Father, do you want to go together?” Xiao Xiaofan said proudly.

“Alright.” Xiao Jingting thought to himself: Fufeng Island seems fairly peaceful, just that the spiritual energy seems quite scarce. Going there where the emperor is far from heaven would be perfect for considering Core Formation.

“Daddy, Young Master Chen is here,” Xiao Xiaofan said.

Xiao Jingting stroked his chin and said, “Why did he come?”

“Probably to play with big brother. Young Master Chen is quite pitiful – he doesn’t have any playmates,” Xiao Xiaofan said with sympathy.

Xiao Jingting: “……” If Young Master Chen wanted playmates, it wouldn’t be difficult. Him coming here shows his son has great charm.

……

Xiao Jingting looked at the group of little radish heads behind him somewhat speechlessly. It was clearly Xiao Xiaofan’s mission, but when they came, it had somehow become a string of little radish heads. Not only had Xiao Xiaodong and Xiao Xiaojin followed, but Lei Xuan and Chen Xu had also come along. Xiao Jingting felt like he was traveling with his whole family.

“Young Master Chen, won’t your grandfather have objections to you running out like this?” Xiao Jingting asked.

Chen Xu said carelessly, “No, I need to gain some experience.”

“What special characteristics does Fufeng Island have?” Xiao Jingting asked the group of little radish heads.

Xiao Xiaofan shook his head and said, “Don’t know, but I heard there’s a type of rainbow fish near Fufeng Island that’s extremely delicious – one of the most delicious fish.”

Xiao Jingting looked at Xiao Xiaofan with black lines on his forehead. Xiao Jingting muttered to himself, don’t tell him that this guy Xiao Xiaofan chose Fufeng Island as his training ground just because the fish there were delicious.

Xiao Xiaojin asked, “Second brother, is it really that delicious?”

“I heard it’s very delicious,” Xiao Xiaofan said.

Xiao Jingting rubbed his forehead. What a family misfortune! He’d raised two foodies. He was guilty! How could he let these two little rascals go training together?

Chen Xu looked at Xiao Xiaofan and Xiao Xiaojin and said, “Rainbow fish tastes delicious and is a rare delicacy, but this fish is extremely fast and very difficult to catch.”

Xiao Jingting: “……”

……

Fufeng Island was really too remote. Xiao Jingting controlled the flying ship and made four successive teleportation array transfers before reaching their destination.

When Xiao Jingting controlled the flying ship to land, several Qi Refinement stage cultivators immediately ran out from the island to greet them.

“Wang Heng greets all the seniors,” a silver-haired old man fearfully led twenty to thirty Qi Refinement cultivators over.

Looking at the group of submissive Qi Refinement cultivators, he couldn’t help feeling emotional. In the cultivation world, strength was supreme. More than half of these Qi Refinement cultivators were older than him, yet they called him senior.

Xiao Jingting simply inquired about the situation and then dismissed these people.

The arrival of Xiao Jingting’s group caused much discussion among the island’s Qi Refinement cultivators.

“Senior Brother Wang, why did so many Foundation Establishment seniors come at once? Wasn’t it said that only one Uncle Xiao accepted the mission?”

Wang Heng exhaled and said, “I don’t know either!” So many seniors coming at once almost scared his legs weak.

“Why would so many experts come to our island? Could it be that our island has treasures?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Where would treasures come from? Big senior Xiao Xiaofan who accepted the mission has a father, a mother-father, and a brother who are all Foundation Establishment. They probably all came. Big senior Xiao Xiaofan has single spiritual root. The others should have come to follow and protect him,” Wang Heng said.

“Uncle Xiao’s family is really amazing!”

“Of course. Birds of a feather flock together.”

“With so many big seniors coming at once, even if sea beasts come, we don’t have to be afraid,” a small cultivator at Qi Refinement fifth layer said excitedly.

Fufeng Island was located in a remote area. Cultivators who came here were mainly responsible for establishing a supply point on Fufeng Island. The sect rarely paid attention to this area. When large sea monsters came ashore, it always caused casualties. With “backing” arriving, the Qi Refinement cultivators on the island immediately felt much more secure.

After Xiao Jingting arrived, he settled down on the island.

Lei Xuan accompanied Xiao Xiaofan to look at the sea, or rather to look at the “food” in the sea. Xiao Xiaojin cheerfully followed behind the two.

After Xiao Jingting left, the relationship between Xiao Xiaofan and Xiao Xiaojin rapidly warmed up. The “brothers in adversity” often “colluded” together.

R : “Big senior Xiaofan” was originally “Uncle Xiaofan” but that just felt off. The “uncle” here was more about cultivation seniority, as if “brother” wouldn’t be strong enough. So I went with “Big Senior” instead. Otherwise it gets confusing! like, are we really going to call the Xiao parents “Uncle” and then also call their kids “Uncle”? LOL