As soon as Xu Mu’an heard the commotion, he immediately walked out with his protruding belly, “You’re back!”
Xiao Jingting nodded and said, “Yes!”
“What did father say?” Xu Mu’an asked.
“Father said there’s a competition at the Marquis Manor recently.”
“The Marquis Manor? That’s too dangerous. Every time there’s a competition at the Marquis Manor, quite a few people die.” Xu Mu’an said with an agitated expression.
Xiao Jingting nodded in full agreement, “I know it’s dangerous, but don’t worry. When the trial begins, I’ll find a place to hide and just not participate.”
Although Xu Mu’an and Mu Shuyu were also at the 5th layer of Qi Refining, they were both gers and weren’t 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 still afraid there might be some danger…”
Xiao Jingting sighed helplessly, “There’s definitely going to be danger, but my name is already on the list. I can’t avoid it even if I wanted to. For now, I can only take it one step at a time.”
Xu Mu’an nodded, his expression somewhat dejected, “You’re right. The Marquis Manor is very domineering. Avoiding the competition would result in being hunted down by the Marquis Manor.”
“You know quite a lot about this!” Xiao Jingting said with some surprise. The original owner, that fool, had no concept of the Marquis Manor competitions at all.
Xu Mu’an smiled, “The servants in the family love to chat and gossip when they have nothing to do. We talk about many things.”
Xiao Jingting’s interest was piqued, “You guys gossip about such high-class stuff?”
Xu Mu’an nodded, “Yes! The Marquis Manor is a hot topic.”
“What else do you talk about?” Xiao Jingting asked curiously.
“There’s a well-informed maid who said that a young master from the Marquis Manor went to a brothel to visit prostitutes. As a result, he farted on the bed and was mocked by a prostitute. The eldest young master of the Marquis Manor became so angry from embarrassment that he married that prostitute and doted on her day and night. But not long after, that prostitute died at the hands of that young master’s wives and concubines.” Xu Mu’an said.
Xiao Jingting: “…” What kind of nonsense is this! That young master is truly ruthless and cold-blooded.
Xu Mu’an looked at Xiao Jingting, “Are you alright?”
Xiao Jingting quickly shook his head, “I’m fine, what could be wrong with me!”
“You met Xiao Qingyan today, didn’t you?” Xu Mu’an asked.
Xiao Jingting nodded, “Yes! That idiot probably thinks he’s invincible now and is thinking about winning a good ranking.”
“You can’t say he’s wrong! Some people like to protect themselves wisely, some people like to achieve fame and glory. It’s just that the risk is too high. If Xiao Qingyan is too eager for quick success, I’m afraid he’ll die without a burial place.” Xu Mu’an shook his head.
“Exactly!” It’s just that if this guy dies, his parents will be heartbroken.
“Fortunately, after entering the secret realm, you’ll all be completely shuffled around. Otherwise, I’d really be afraid that Xiao Qingyan would drag you down.” Xu Mu’an said with worry.
Xiao Jingting rubbed his nose, not expecting that Xu Mu’an would have such little confidence in Xiao Qingyan.
“When we were talking today, Xiao Qingyan mentioned Xiaofan.” Xiao Jingting said.
Xu Mu’an was somewhat surprised, “He mentioned Xiaofan? Why did he mention Xiaofan?”
“He said Xiaofan was wasting money buying stones!” Xiao Jingting said.
Xu Mu’an: “…” Xiao Qingyan had always been aloof and proud. When did he start gossiping behind people’s backs? It seems this guy has really been pushed to his limit recently.
“Xiao Qingyan seems to have changed a lot!” Xu Mu’an said.
Xiao Jingting nodded, “That’s right.” This bastard even knows how to stir up trouble now.
“After I leave, the family will probably be restless.” Xiao Jingting said with a grave expression.
He knew how many people were jealous of the beverage shop’s business. When he was around, with Xiao Jinfeng and Wang Lu backing him, naturally no one dared say anything. But once he left, things would be different.
Xu Mu’an thought for a moment and said, “Don’t worry about family matters. I’ll handle things as they come.”
“I naturally trust you, but you don’t need to fight hard with others for the beverage shop. I’ll leave you plenty of spirit spring water.” Xiao Jingting said.
Xu Mu’an nodded, “Alright.”
After Xiao Jingting threw all the pile of things that Xiaofan had brought back from stone gambling into the spirit spring, the quality of the spirit spring water rapidly improved significantly. The beverages that Xiao Jingting made would always include a certain amount of spirit spring water. Now he only needed to add one-tenth of the original amount to achieve the previous effect.
Spirit spring water was indeed a good thing! It could be used for both cultivation and making money.
“When I’m not home, you must take good care of yourself!” Xiao Jingting instructed. Zheng Pei’er had the Zheng family behind her, but Xu Mu’an’s maternal family couldn’t be relied upon at all. The original owner’s parents didn’t like Xu Mu’an very much either. Perhaps once he left, they would be forced to give up the business in the shop.
Xu Mu’an nodded, “I understand.”
“If we can’t keep the shop, then we can’t keep it. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.” Xiao Jingting instructed.
“I understand. I’ll assess the situation. Let’s not talk about this for now. If you’re going to participate in the competition, you’d better hurry and reach the 6th layer of Qi Refining.” Xu Mu’an said.
Xiao Jingting nodded, “That’s exactly what I was thinking. The Heque Lan in the jade pendant space has already matured, and my strength is about at the peak of the 5th layer of Qi Refining. I can take the spiritual herb now. How should this spiritual herb be consumed?”
“The Xiao family has a recipe that can maximize the use of Heque Lan. You can check it in the scripture library, but I don’t have access.” Xu Mu’an said.
Xiao Jingting nodded, “Mm, I understand.”
He had previously focused on cultivation techniques in the scripture library and hadn’t paid much attention to recipes.
“Four Heque Lan plants have matured in total. I’ll leave two for you.” After Xu Mu’an became pregnant, his cultivation had fallen behind somewhat. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be inferior to Xiao Jingting.
Xu Mu’an nodded, “Good.” Xu Mu’an didn’t refuse Xiao Jingting’s suggestion. He needed to closely follow Xiao Jingting’s footsteps and couldn’t become a burden to him. He had to do everything possible to improve his strength.
…
The next day.
“You’re back.” Mu Shuyu saw Xiao Jinfeng and rushed forward excitedly.
“Come in quickly. Third Brother sent over a bowl of medicinal soup prepared with Heque Lan. Drink it quickly.” Mu Shuyu said.
Xiao Jinfeng was full of surprise, “Where did Third Brother get Heque Lan from!” This stuff couldn’t usually be bought by ordinary people, and even if it could be bought, it should be very expensive.
Mu Shuyu shook his head, “I don’t know. Drink it quickly. After the time passes, it won’t be effective anymore. Third Brother calculated the timing of your return and just sent it over.”
“We should quickly send it to Third Brother instead. He needs it too.”
Mu Shuyu shook his head, “I had the same idea originally, but Xu Mu’an said that Third Brother had already taken his portion, and this portion is for you.”
“Third Brother is really too considerate.” Xiao Jinfeng was stunned for a moment and couldn’t help but say.
Mu Shuyu said hurriedly, “Yes! The grand competition is about to begin. If your strength increases a bit, you’ll be safer too. If you encounter Third Brother during the competition, you two brothers can also watch out for each other.” Mu Shuyu had heard Xiao Jinfeng talk about the competition yesterday. Although he showed no reaction on his face, he was very worried in his heart.
Xiao Jinfeng nodded, “Mm, I understand.”
…
Xiao Jingting circulated his spiritual power and only opened his eyes after a long time. The abundant spiritual energy in his body told Xiao Jingting that he had successfully entered the 6th layer of Qi Refining.
Xiao Jingting stretched his hands and feet, looking completely satisfied.
“The 6th layer of Qi Refining is indeed different! No wonder that guy Xiao Qingyan became so arrogant after entering the 6th layer of Qi Refining.” Xiao Jingting felt that with his current ability, he could tend to two or three times the amount of farmland as before.
Xu Mu’an patted Xiao Jingting’s shoulder and said with some joy, “It’s good that you’ve advanced.”
Xiao Jingting nodded, “Yes! I heard that at the Marquis Manor, there are many existences at the 7th and 8th layers of Qi Refining. I really don’t know how those guys cultivate.”
“The Marquis Manor is different.” Xu Mu’an pondered for a moment.
“How is it different?” Xiao Jingting asked.
“This is just hearsay, but supposedly this entire barbarous continent actually belongs to the jurisdiction of a sect called Qingyun Immortal Sect. Many of the high-level spiritual plants grown here are also supplied to Qingyun Immortal Sect in exchange for resources. Qingyun Immortal Sect is the true cultivation holy land. The people at the Marquis Manor have some relationship with the people of Qingyun Immortal Sect. With the immortal sect’s care, naturally the people at the Marquis Manor cultivate differently from ordinary people.” Xu Mu’an said.
Xiao Jingting was somewhat surprised, “There’s such a thing!”
Xu Mu’an nodded, “Yes! But the immortal sect is too distant. I heard that even Foundation Establishment cultivators find it difficult to make contact with the immortal sect. Rather than focusing on the immortal sect, it’s better to focus on more realistic things. The grand competition is about to begin. Did your parents give you anything for protection?”
Xiao Jingting shook his head, “Not yet.”
Xu Mu’an sighed, “Then prepare things yourself. Even if your parents give you something, I’m afraid it would just be what Xiao Qingyan left behind, not much use.”
“That’s right!” Xiao Jingting said. Even with ten fingers, some are longer than others. No matter how much trouble Xiao Qingyan causes, he’s still the one their parents have doted on since childhood. They won’t change easily. But this is also good – after all, he’s not the original owner, and he feels guilty about receiving great kindness from the original owner’s parents.
…
At the Xiao family.
“These are all from our parents!” Zheng Pei’er looked at the sword, talismans, and protective items on the table with excitement.
Xiao Qingyan nodded, “Yes!” Originally, his parents were very dissatisfied with him taking pills to advance his cultivation, but after the Marquis Manor’s order came out, his parents felt he had shown foresight.
The 5th layer of Qi Refining could still be considered outstanding among the younger generation in Mo City, but when placed in the Marquis Manor’s competition, it was somewhat inadequate. The 6th layer of Qi Refining was different – this time, most participants were said to be at the 5th layer of Qi Refining, and the 6th layer of Qi Refining would be considered elite even in big cities.
“But our parents still love you the most.” Zheng Pei’er said.
Xiao Qingyan nodded, “That’s right.” No matter how good Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng were at business, if they couldn’t win their parents’ favor, what good would it do?
“Actually, it would be better if Second Brother and Third Brother were at the 4th layer of Qi Refining. They could stay home safely. But these two guys somehow managed to reach the 5th layer of Qi Refining and got on the list. This competition is so dangerous – entering the competition at the 5th layer of Qi Refining is practically no different from seeking death.” Xiao Qingyan sighed deeply.
Zheng Pei’er nodded in agreement, “Exactly.” It would be better if Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng died inside. Previously, one was a wastrel and the other was always running around outside, so they didn’t seem like much. Now, those two guys are becoming more and more annoying to look at.
“I wonder what Jingting is doing now. From his expression when father mentioned the Marquis Manor competition last time, you could tell how cowardly this guy is. Before the competition even begins, he’s already thinking about how to escape pursuit during the competition. This guy wouldn’t see the situation turn bad and run away, would he?” Xiao Qingyan shook his head.
“We need to find someone to keep an eye on him. Avoiding the competition could implicate the entire family.” Zheng Pei’er said.
“Third Brother has always been reckless. He might really do something like that.” Xiao Qingyan shook his head.
The Xiao Jingting that Xiao Qingyan was worrying about was currently taking Xiao Xiaofan around the city’s various stone gambling shops on a shopping spree. When Xiao Xiaofan encountered raw stones, he would touch the small ones and hug the large ones, buying a whole bunch.
When going out, Xiao Jingting had used a technique to conceal his true strength. Now that Xiao Jingting had reached the 6th layer of Qi Refining, with careful concealment, no one could discover his real strength.
Xiao Jingting’s frantic stone-buying behavior naturally attracted quite a bit of attention.
Some people thought Xiao Jingting was too indulgent with the child, actually listening to a child’s words and buying things randomly.
Some people thought Xiao Jingting had made too much money recently and it was burning a hole in his pocket – he needed to burn through some before he’d be satisfied.
Some people thought Xiao Jingting was reverting to old habits and starting to squander money again.
Others suspected that Xiao Xiaofan had some special talent and was particularly good at selecting stones. However, more people just assumed that Xiao Jingting had been rattled by the approaching competition and wanted to uncover some incredible treasure to boost his strength.
