Although Xiao Jingting and the others had left, news that Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng had reached the 6th layer of Qi Refining still spread back to the Xiao family.
Upon receiving the news, Wang Lu immediately sought out her two sons’ husbands, Xu Mu’an and Mu Shuyu, to inquire about the situation.
“Xiaofan won a Spirit Pearl from stone gambling – is that true?”
Xu Mu’an nodded, “Yes! Xiaofan was lucky and won a Spirit Pearl in one go. Jingting then asked someone to exchange the Spirit Pearl for Heque Lan.”
“Exchanging such a precious Spirit Pearl for Heque Lan – you were cheated.” Zheng Pei’er said with a dark expression and startled voice.
Xu Mu’an nodded, “That’s right, but Mother, wasn’t the competition about to begin? Father said the competition is very dangerous! Cultivators at the 5th layer of Qi Refining can hardly protect themselves! Jingting was also forced by circumstances to exchange the Spirit Pearl for Heque Lan. If not for the imminent competition, my husband would have been reluctant to trade such precious items.”
Wang Lu said with a grave expression, “You should have consulted with me about this matter.”
Xu Mu’an nodded, “Originally we planned to, but when Jingting came to find father and mother, you happened to be away. The person Jingting contacted said that Heque Lan was extremely precious and wouldn’t wait past the deadline, so Jingting was forced to make the decision himself.”
Wang Lu sighed lightly, “What’s done is done, there’s no point saying more. But in the future when you encounter such matters, you should still consult with me and your father.”
Wang Lu thought to herself: When Xiao Jingting came, she and Xiao Linfeng might have been taking Xiao Qingyan to buy magical instruments. Xiao Jingting had always been proud and arrogant – discovering this, he naturally wouldn’t mention the Spirit Pearl matter to them again. Thinking about how she and Xiao Linfeng had put all their heart and soul into their eldest son this time, Wang Lu felt somewhat guilty.
Zheng Pei’er clutched her handkerchief. Xiao Qingyan had not hesitated to damage his potential and relied on pills to advance to the 6th layer of Qi Refining, but unexpectedly Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng had advanced to the 6th layer of Qi Refining so quickly.
Zheng Pei’er had originally been thinking about the cold beverage shop, but after being shocked by the news of Xiao Jinfeng and Xiao Jingting reaching the 6th layer of Qi Refining, she forgot all about the cold beverage shop.
…
In the Xiao family’s first branch, Liu Xian heard the news that Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng had advanced to the 6th layer of Qi Refining and regretted it so much her intestines turned green.
When Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng were only at the 5th layer of Qi Refining, Liu Xian had already regretted not acting sooner. Now that both were at the 6th layer of Qi Refining, it wouldn’t be easy for her to succeed even if she wanted to make a move.
If the two died outside this time, that would be good. But if they returned safely, then her son would definitely be suppressed by the second branch family forever with no hope of rising. Thinking about the future, Liu Xian felt her vision darkening.
Thinking of Sun Miaomiao who had left with her son, Liu Xian became even more furious.
Initially, Liu Xian had been somewhat proud that her son could marry a legitimate daughter of the Sun family, but now Liu Xian deeply regretted her blindness.
After the second branch’s Xiao Jingting rose up, Sun Miaomiao’s temper had grown worse and worse. She used to know how to restrain herself, but now she was becoming increasingly presumptuous. She used to be gentle and considerate toward her son, but recently she had been finding fault with everything, completely dissatisfied.
Knowing that Xiao Jingting had advanced to the 6th layer of Qi Refining, Sun Miaomiao would probably look down on her son even more.
Recently, Liu Xian had heard from the family’s maids that Sun Miaomiao had long ago made Xiao Muhong wear a green hat. Xiao Muhong had always cared about face – although he said nothing aloud, he must feel wronged in his heart.
…
After three days of travel, Xiao Jingting’s group reached the territory of the Marquis Manor.
“What a prosperous place!” Xiao Jingting couldn’t help saying as he looked at the streets of the Marquis Manor.
With the competition imminent and elites from various cities and towns gathering, the prices of inns in the Marquis Manor territory were rising rapidly.
Mo City’s largest shops were crude and not worth mentioning compared to the Marquis Manor.
Even before entering the city, Xiao Jingting and the others were repeatedly warned by their elders to keep a low profile once they entered the city. By the time their ears were about to develop calluses from listening, they finally arrived at the Marquis Manor territory.
Xiao Linfeng led several young men from the Xiao family to find an inn to stay at.
The superior rooms were not only expensive but had long been rented out completely. Xiao Linfeng rented several medium-grade rooms.
During meals, they could see quite a few elegantly dressed young people who had come from big cities.
What made Xiao Jingting feel fortunate was that although these young people from big cities had grander displays and seemed to have more treasures on them than they did, except for the few leaders, the rest were also at the 4th and 5th layers of Qi Refining. This showed that advancing in cultivation was still very difficult in this world.
“The Fifth Miss of the Marquis Manor is here.” The crowd outside began bustling with excitement.
When the commotion started outside, Xiao Jingting happened to be by the window. Hearing the noise outside, he poked his head out to look.
A young woman in blue martial attire was riding on a snow-white wolf-shaped demon beast, passing through the bustling market.
“Those people…” Xiao Jinfeng’s eyes suddenly widened considerably.
Xiao Jingting immediately shook his head, signaling Xiao Jinfeng not to speak carelessly. Xiao Jinfeng appropriately closed his mouth.
The attendants beside the Fifth Miss of the Marquis Manor were precisely the same people who had come to Tuqiu Village to collect fines. Those people had very bad tempers back then.
Even a seventh-rank official at the prime minister’s gate holds power – with such great prestige as the Marquis Manor, naturally they had no need to give face to two fallen family children.
Xiao Jingting heard discussions from several knowledgeable people nearby. The Fifth Miss of the Marquis Manor, Ouyang Mingyue, was a 7th layer Qi Refining expert. The Marquis Manor had extremely many young ladies and masters, but very few received attention. Previously, Ouyang Jing who had been involved with Xiao Qingyan didn’t even have a ranking number due to her humble origins.
“The Marquis Manor is truly impressive. That girl doesn’t look very old either.” Xiao Jingting said.
Xiao Jinfeng smiled, “On the path of cultivation, no one can predict anything. Brother, your fortune is unstoppable – you have great potential.”
Many geniuses fell by the wayside, while many ordinary people persisted to the end.
According to what Xiao Jinfeng knew, their grandfather who was at the 9th layer of Qi Refining hadn’t been very prominent in the family back in the day. But those brilliantly talented family cultivators either killed each other or had accidents while adventuring outside, falling one by one. Only their grandfather had kept a low profile and outlasted his other siblings to become the Xiao family head.
…
“Second Brother, Third Brother, would you like to go out and take a look?” After dinner, Xiao Qingyan came over to ask.
Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng exchanged somewhat surprised glances, both seeing shock in each other’s eyes.
Xiao Linfeng, not knowing if it was from guilt or something else, had given each of his two sons one hundred thousand taels of silver after learning they were both at the 6th layer of Qi Refining, making Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng considerably more well-off.
“Sure!” Xiao Jinfeng said indifferently.
Although Xiao Jinfeng held some prejudice against Xiao Qingyan, they were still blood brothers – even when bones are broken, tendons remain connected. Xiao Jinfeng didn’t want to refuse too harshly.
“That’s good!” Xiao Jingting nodded. The Marquis Manor territory was so prosperous – he wanted to go out and see it too.
“Let’s go then.” Xiao Qingyan smiled.
Xiao Qingyan smiled and led Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng outside.
“Jingting, you exchanged that Spirit Pearl for just two Heque Lan plants?” Xiao Qingyan couldn’t help asking.
Xiao Jingting nodded, “Yes! With only one Spirit Pearl, getting two Heque Lan plants in exchange wasn’t easy.”
In fact, the Spirit Pearl had been extremely helpful. With the Spirit Pearl’s assistance, not only had the spirit spring’s quality changed dramatically, but many other spirit plants around the spring had gradually emerged.
Xiao Qingyan said irritably, “Anyone can tell Third Brother is an amateur. Spirit Pearls can help cultivators at the 7th layer of Qi Refining advance to the 8th layer. Using it to exchange for two Heque Lan plants is like throwing away watermelons to pick up sesame seeds.” If he had taken the Spirit Pearl to the academy, he definitely could have exchanged it for many good things! What a pity! This shallow-minded Xiao Jingting had actually traded away such precious items.
These two brothers of his had truly been blessed by fortune lately! They encountered all sorts of good things. Why didn’t he have such luck?
“What’s done is done – there’s no point in demanding more.” Xiao Jingting said calmly.
Xiao Qingyan was quite annoyed by Xiao Jingting’s composed and indifferent attitude.
…
The three chatted as they walked, entering a large trading company. Probably because the grand competition was imminent, there were many young people like them looking for treasures in the trading company.
Spirit talismans and magical instruments were selling very well in the shop.
Xiao Jingting looked around – the prices of magical instruments and spirit talismans were similar to those in Mo City’s large trading companies, but there were many more varieties.
The shop was bustling with people coming and going. Some who recognized Xiao Qingyan came over to greet him. Many students from Bifeng Academy would participate in this grand competition, so Xiao Qingyan had quite a few acquaintances.
“Student Qingyan, you’re here too!” A white-robed young man came over.
Xiao Qingyan nodded, “Yes! I came with my brothers to participate in the competition.”
“Your brothers are also participating in the competition? Can they survive?” The white-robed young man’s tone was quite impolite.
Xiao Jingting felt awkward. The white-robed young man’s strength was only at the 5th layer of Qi Refining – one level below his – yet this guy was worrying about whether he and Xiao Jinfeng would survive. Xiao Jingting looked at the young man’s expression and guessed that Xiao Qingyan had probably badmouthed his and Xiao Jinfeng’s abilities in front of this guy, so the young man appeared so disdainful.
“Who knows?” Xiao Jingting said indifferently.
The woman beside the white-robed young man, apparently knowing something, looked over Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng, then leaned close to the young man’s ear and whispered a few words.
The white-robed young man’s gaze moved to Xiao Jingting, his pupils contracting sharply, “You… you’re at the 6th layer of Qi Refining.”
Xiao Jingting nodded, “Yes!”
The white-robed young man’s face twisted, and he gave Xiao Qingyan a strange look, then turned and walked away in shame and anger.
Xiao Jingting watched the departing young man and thought: Teenagers in their rebellious phase are so fragile!
…
“Senior Brother Mo, I’m so grateful to you.” A pretty woman said intimately to the person beside her.
“It’s nothing. With the grand competition approaching, how can you not have protective treasures, Junior Sister?”
“Senior Brother treats me so well.”
“If I don’t treat you well, who else would I treat well?”
“Senior Brother is so capable. In this competition, you’ll definitely win a top-ten position and obtain the Ice Heart Pill. Perhaps Senior Brother might even claim one of the top three positions.” Ouyang Jing flattered.
“This competition is filled with experts. There are quite a few others at the 7th layer of Qi Refining like me. Junior Sister, you’re speaking too soon.” Mo Bei spoke modestly, but there was pride in his eyes.
…
From the moment Xiao Qingyan heard the two voices, his expression became twisted.
Xiao Jinfeng glanced at Xiao Qingyan’s expression and looked toward the woman coming down from upstairs.
Xiao Jingting looked at Xiao Qingyan’s ugly expression with some curiosity. Xiao Jinfeng rolled his eyes and used lip movements to indicate Ouyang Jing to Xiao Jingting.
Xiao Jingting immediately understood the reason for Xiao Qingyan’s abnormal reaction.
That girl Ouyang Jing had previously had an affair with Xiao Qingyan! But later, when the Xiao family encountered trouble, the girl naturally separated from Xiao Qingyan.
Ouyang Jing had originally been chatting and laughing with Mo Bei, but suddenly stopped upon seeing Xiao Qingyan.
Mo Bei looked in Xiao Qingyan’s direction, his eyes full of contempt, “Isn’t this Junior Brother Qingyan? Long time no see.”
Xiao Qingyan said stiffly with a cold expression, “Long time no see.”
“Junior Brother Qingyan, you’re also participating in this competition! Junior Brother Qingyan, you entered the 6th layer of Qi Refining relying on spirit pills – that’s not as solid as others who built their foundation step by step. During the competition, you must be careful!” Mo Bei earnestly patted Xiao Qingyan’s shoulder.
Xiao Qingyan’s face immediately turned bright red. He suppressed the shame in his heart with great effort and said, “Thank you for Senior Brother’s guidance.”
“Are these two your brothers?” Mo Bei asked.
Xiao Qingyan nodded, “Yes!”
“Qingyan, you must work hard! Don’t let your brothers catch up to you and lose face for our academy.” Mo Bei said. Since Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng had concealed their cultivation levels, Mo Bei assumed both were at the 5th layer of Qi Refining, hence his advice to Xiao Qingyan.
Hearing Mo Bei’s words, Xiao Qingyan was so ashamed he wished he could faint.
Xiao Jingting looked at Xiao Qingyan’s expression and secretly shed a tear of sympathy for him, but that was about all he could do.
jingting: so this is peer pressure in ancient times