SPMT : Chapter 84: The Competition of the Marquis’s Mansion

As soon as there was movement, Xu Mu’an immediately came out with his belly puffed up. “You’re back!”

Xiao Jingting nodded. “Yeah.”

“What did father say?” Xu Mu’an asked.

“Father said there’s a competition at the Marquis’s Mansion.”

“The Marquis’s Mansion? That’s too dangerous. Every time there’s a competition at the Marquis’s Mansion, many people end up dead,” Xu Mu’an said excitedly.

Xiao Jingting nodded in agreement. “I know it’s dangerous, but don’t worry. When the trial starts, I’ll find a place to hide and won’t participate.”

Although Xu Mu’an and Mu Shuyu were both at the fifth level of Qi cultivation, they were gers and not considered true members of the Xiao family, so they weren’t on the list.

Xu Mu’an took a deep breath and said, “That’s good, but I’m afraid it’s still dangerous…”

Xiao Jingting sighed helplessly. “Danger is certain, but my name is already on the list. There’s no escaping it. For now, I can only take it one step at a time.”

Xu Mu’an nodded, looking somewhat dejected. “Yes, the Marquis’s Mansion is very domineering. Trying to avoid the competition will only result in the Marquis’s Mansion hunting you down.”

“You seem to know a lot,” Xiao Jingting said, surprised. The original owner, this idiot, had no concept of the competition at the Marquis’s Mansion.

Xu Mu’an smiled and said, “The servants in the family often gossip about various things. We talk about a lot.”

Xiao Jingting suddenly became interested. “You gossip about such high-profile things too?”

Xu Mu’an nodded. “Yes! The Marquis’s Mansion is a hot topic.”

“What else do you gossip about?” Xiao Jingting asked curiously.

“There’s a maid with extraordinary abilities who said that a young master from the Marquis’s Mansion went to a brothel, but ended up being ridiculed by a prostitute for farting in bed. In a fit of anger, the young master married the prostitute and showered her with affection day and night. However, not long after, the prostitute died at the hands of the young master’s other wives,” Xu Mu’an said.

Xiao Jingting: “…” What a mess! That young master is truly ruthless.

Xu Mu’an looked at Xiao Jingting and asked, “Are you okay?”

Xiao Jingting quickly shook his head and said, “I’m fine. What could be wrong?”

“Did you meet Xiao Qingyan today?” Xu Mu’an asked.

Xiao Jingting nodded. “Yeah! That idiot probably thinks he’s invincible and is aiming for a high rank.”

“It’s not necessarily wrong of him! Some people prefer to play it safe, while others prefer to make a name for themselves. It’s just that the risk is too high. If Xiao Qingyan is too eager for success, he might end up in a desperate situation,” Xu Mu’an shook his head.

“Yeah!” But if this guy dies, his parents will be heartbroken.

“Fortunately, once you enter the secret realm, everything will be disrupted. Otherwise, I’m afraid Xiao Qingyan might drag you down,” Xu Mu’an said worriedly.

Xiao Jingting rubbed his nose. He hadn’t expected Xu Mu’an to be so pessimistic about Xiao Qingyan.

“Today, Xiao Qingyan mentioned Xiao Fan while we were talking,” Xiao Jingting said.

Xu Mu’an looked puzzled. “He mentioned Xiao Fan? What did he say about Xiao Fan?”

“He said Xiao Fan spent money recklessly on buying stones!” Xiao Jingting said.

Xu Mu’an: “…”

Xiao Qingyan had always been proud and aloof. When did he start backbiting? It seems like this guy has really been pushed to the limit recently.

“Xiao Qingyan seems to have changed a lot,” Xu Mu’an said.

Xiao Jingting nodded. “Yeah, he has.” This jerk actually knows how to stir up trouble.

“After I leave, things at home might not be peaceful,” Xiao Jingting said with a solemn expression.

Many people envied the business at the beverage shop. With Xiao Jingting, Xiao Linfeng, and Wang Lu standing behind it, no one dared to say anything. But once he left, things would be different.

Xu Mu’an thought for a moment and said, “You don’t have to worry about things at home. I’ll keep an eye on the situation.”

“I trust you, but you don’t need to push yourself for the sake of the beverage shop. I’ll leave you with more Spring water,” Xiao Jingting said.

Xu Mu’an nodded. “Okay.”

After Xiao Jingting threw the pile of things Xiao Fan won from gambling back into the jade pendant space, the quality of the spring water quickly improved. Xiao Jingting would mix a certain amount of spring water into the beverages he made. Now, by mixing in only one-tenth of the original amount, he could achieve the same effect as before.

Spring water was indeed a good thing! It could be used for cultivation and to make money.

“When I’m not around, take care of yourself,” Xiao Jingting reminded Xu Mu’an. Zheng Peier had the support of the Zheng family behind her, but Xu Mu’an’s maternal family couldn’t be relied upon. Moreover, the original owner’s parents didn’t particularly like Xu Mu’an. Perhaps, once he left, the business in the shop would have to be given up.

Xu Mu’an nodded. “I know.”

“If the shop can’t be kept, then so be it. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself,” Xiao Jingting advised.

“I understand. Let’s not talk about this for now. If you’re going to participate in the competition, it’s best to quickly reach the sixth level of Qi cultivation,” Xu Mu’an said.

Xiao Jingting nodded. “That’s what I’m thinking too. The Heque Orchids in the jade pendant space have matured, and I’m almost at the peak of the fifth level of Qi cultivation. I can start taking Lingcao. How do I take it?”

“The Xiao family has a prescription that can maximize the use of Heque Orchids. You can find it in the library. I don’t have access,” Xu Mu’an said.

Xiao Jingting nodded. “Okay, I understand.”

He had previously only focused on cultivation methods in the library and hadn’t paid much attention to prescriptions.

“There are four mature Heque Orchids in total. I’ll leave two for you,” Xu Mu’an said. After becoming pregnant, Xu Mu’an’s cultivation had fallen behind a bit, otherwise, he wouldn’t be inferior to Xiao Jingting.

Xu Mu’an nodded. “Okay.” He didn’t refuse Xiao Jingting’s proposal. He needed to keep up with Xiao Jingting’s pace and couldn’t become a burden to him. He must do his best to improve his strength.

…

The next day.

“You’re back,” Mu Shuyu greeted eagerly when she saw Xiao Jinfeng.

“Come in quickly. Third brother sent over a bowl of medicinal soup mixed with Heque Orchids. You should drink it now,” Mu Shuyu said.

Xiao Jinfeng was surprised. “Where did third brother get Heque Orchids?!” This stuff was hard to come by for ordinary people, and even if you could find it, it would be expensive.

Mu Shuyu shook her head. “I don’t know. Hurry up and take it. It will lose its effectiveness if you exceed the time limit. Third brother accurately predicted your return time and just delivered it.”

“Quickly send one over to third brother too. He needs it as well.”

Mu Shuyu shook her head. “I originally had the same idea, but Xu Mu’an said third brother already took his dose. This one is for you.”

“Third brother is really too polite,” Xiao Jinfeng said, feeling touched.

Mu Shuyu hurriedly said, “Yes! The major competition is coming up soon. Strengthening your strength a bit will also increase your safety. If you encounter third brother during the competition, you two brothers can help each other.”

Xiao Jinfeng nodded. “Yeah, I know.”

…

After circulating his spiritual energy for a long time, Xiao Jingting finally opened his eyes. The abundant spiritual energy in his body told him that he had successfully reached the sixth level of Qi cultivation.

Xiao Jingting moved his limbs and felt a sense of satisfaction on his face.

“The sixth level of Qi cultivation is indeed different! No wonder that brat Xiao Qingyan became so cocky after reaching the sixth level of Qi cultivation,” Xiao Jingting thought. With his current abilities, he could take care of much more land than before, probably two or three times as much.

Xu Mu’an patted Xiao Jingting on the shoulder and said with some joy, “It’s good that you’ve advanced.”

Xiao Jingting nodded. “Yeah! I heard that there are many cultivators at the seventh and eighth levels of Qi cultivation in the Marquis’s Mansion. I really don’t know how those guys cultivated.”

“The Marquis’s Mansion is different,” Xu Mu’an said thoughtfully.

“How so?” Xiao Jingting asked.

“I’ve only heard rumors, but apparently, our region of the Wilderness Continent is actually under the jurisdiction of a sect called Qingyun Immortal Sect. Many of the high-level spiritual plants grown here are also supplied to the Qingyun Immortal Sect in exchange for resources. The Qingyun Immortal Sect is the holy land for cultivation. The people from the Marquis’s Mansion have some connections with the Qingyun Immortal Sect, and with the sect’s support, their cultivation is naturally different from ordinary people,” Xu Mu’an explained.

Xiao Jingting was somewhat surprised. “I didn’t know about this!”

Xu Mu’an nodded. “Yeah! However, the Immortal Sect is too distant. It’s said that even Foundation Establishment cultivators find it hard to make contact with the Immortal Sect. Instead of focusing on the Immortal Sect, it’s better to pay attention to some practical things. The major competition is about to start. Have your parents given you anything for self-defense?”

Xiao Jingting shook his head. “Not yet.”

Xu Mu’an sighed. “Then you should prepare on your own. Even if your parents did give something, it’s probably just leftovers picked by Xiao Qingyan. It won’t be of much use.”

“That’s true,” Xiao Jingting agreed. Ten fingers are of different lengths, after all. No matter how much of a scoundrel Xiao Qingyan is, his parents have doted on him since childhood, and they won’t easily change. But it’s better this way; after all, he’s not the original owner of the body, and he feels guilty for the kindness the original owner’s parents showed him.

…

At the Xiao family residence:

“These are all given by our parents!” Zheng Peier looked at the sword, talisman, and protective gear on the table, full of excitement.

Xiao Qingyan nodded. “Yeah!” Originally, their parents were very dissatisfied with him using pills to advance in cultivation. However, with the order from the Marquis’s Mansion, their parents now felt that he had foresight.

Among the younger generation of the Mo City, reaching the fifth level of Qi cultivation was outstanding, but in the competition hosted by the Marquis’s Mansion, it might not be enough. The sixth level of Qi cultivation was different. It was said that most of the participants in this competition were at the fifth level, so reaching the sixth level was considered elite.

“But our parents still love you the most,” Zheng Peier said.

Xiao Qingyan nodded. “That’s true.” Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng, when they focus on doing business, don’t get the attention of their parents. What can they do?

“In fact, if Second Brother and Third Brother were at the fourth level of Qi cultivation, they could have stayed home safely. However, these two guys don’t know what means they used to reach the fifth level of Qi cultivation. They even made it onto the list. This competition is so dangerous. Participating at the fifth level of Qi cultivation is almost the same as courting death,” Xiao Qingyan sighed.

Zheng Peier nodded in agreement. “That’s right.” Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng would be better off dead in there. Before, one was a spendthrift, and the other always ran around. They didn’t seem so bad, but now, the more they looked at those two, the more annoying they seemed.

“I wonder what Jingting is doing now. Just from Father’s mention of the competition at the Marquis’s Mansion, I could tell how much that guy cares about his own safety. Before the competition even started, he was already thinking about how to avoid being chased. Maybe he’ll realize it’s not good and run away,” Xiao Qingyan shook his head.

“We need to find someone to keep an eye on him. If he tries to evade the competition, he might end up implicating the whole family,” Zheng Peier said.

“Third Brother has always been reckless. He might really do that,” Xiao Qingyan shook his head.

Meanwhile, Xiao Jingting, whom Xiao Qingyan was worrying about, was busy sweeping through various gambling stone shops in the city with Xiao Xiaofan. Whenever Xiao Xiaofan encountered a piece of uncut stone, he would touch it lightly or hug it, buying a lot in the process.

Xiao Jingting concealed his true strength with a spell as he went out. Now that he had reached the sixth level of Qi cultivation, he was careful enough that no one would discover his true strength.

Xiao Jingting’s extravagant behavior of buying raw stones naturally caught the attention of many people.

Some thought Xiao Jingting was spoiling his child too much, actually listening to a child’s words and buying things randomly.

Some thought Xiao Jingting had earned too much money recently and was burning it away in a panic, needing to spend some to feel at ease.

Some thought Xiao Jingting was reverting to his old ways of being a spendthrift.

Some suspected that Xiao Xiaofan had some talent for picking stones, as he was especially good at it. However, most people thought that Xiao Jingting was just getting dizzy from the upcoming competition and was trying to unearth some treasures to boost his strength.