SPMT : Chapter 91 Leaving Mo City 

This competition had caused many young experts from the Four Great Families to perish, causing a wave of sighs throughout Mo City (desert city).

The news that Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng had advanced to the 7th layer of Qi Refining shook Mo City tremendously.

Mo City was just a small city with relatively few talents. Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng had originally not been considered Mo City’s most outstanding young men, but they had come from behind to surpass others, causing discussions throughout the streets and alleys.

Sun Qi listened to the street gossip with dark lines across his forehead, “Brother Zheng, do you think what they’re saying is true?”

“The news has spread everywhere – it can’t possibly be false.” Zheng Liming said.

This time, only one person the Zheng family sent out survived. Those who entered the competition were too brutal. Families like the Zheng family that sent out their geniuses and suffered near-total annihilation were not few.

The Xiao family had already seemed poised to be first among the Four Great Families due to Xiao Linfeng and Wang Lu’s return. Now with the addition of the two rising stars Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng, their position was even more secure.

Sun Qi shook his head, “Who would have thought Xiao Jingting could reach this point.”

No matter how you looked at it, this seemed like a joke. What was Xiao Jingting anyway! He spent his days wandering the streets, only knowing how to act recklessly. After being flattered a few times, he’d be so happy he couldn’t find north. Yet this guy had now become the foremost among Mo City’s young generation and a role model for the city’s youth.

Zheng Liming nodded, “Yes!” They say worldly affairs are unpredictable – he had truly learned this lesson now.

“Xiao Muhong is dead, and Miss Miaomiao has returned to the Sun family. Elder Sun is famous for his discerning eye – the husbands he chose for his legitimate and concubine daughters were all dragons among men. Unfortunately, this time he misjudged.” Sun Qi shook his head.

If Sun Miaomiao had married Xiao Jingting, how glorious would she be now!

Unfortunately, Sun Miaomiao married Xiao Muhong. After a brief period of glory, things took a sharp turn downward.

Zheng Liming frowned. How long had it been! That person he had flattered openly but scorned privately had already become an existence he could only look up to. He heard that Xiao Jingting had obtained many precious pills this time! Unfortunately, while Xiao Jingting had gained so many benefits, he couldn’t get even a share. If they were still friends…

Zheng Liming shook his head. The family elders had reminded him several times to approach Xiao Jingting and curry favor. With Xiao Jingting’s current status, how could it be so easy to get close to him!

…

At the Xiao family.

“Third Brother has come. Aren’t you going out to see him?” Zheng Pei’er said to Xiao Qingyan.

“If he’s come, he’s come. What’s there to see?” Xiao Qingyan said lazily.

Zheng Pei’er looked at Xiao Qingyan’s dispirited appearance and felt a tightness in her chest. After returning this time, Xiao Qingyan had become somewhat self-destructive. Zheng Pei’er would rather have Xiao Qingyan be as arrogant as before than see him without any fighting spirit as he was now.

Zheng Pei’er hesitated for a moment, “I heard Xiao Jingting exchanged for two Ice Heart Pills this time.”

Xiao Qingyan had taken pills before and his body had developed resistance, but if he had Ice Heart Pills, with effort he should still be able to advance one more layer. Although 6th layer Qi Refining cultivation was already good, to establish a firm foothold in the family, 7th layer Qi Refining would be more secure.

Xiao Qingyan gritted his teeth. Since childhood, the best things in the family had always been provided to him. If it were the old days, without him even asking, father would have asked Third Brother for an Ice Heart Pill for him. Unfortunately, there was no movement from father’s side.

Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng had already advanced to the 7th layer of Qi Refining. What use did Xiao Jingting have for two Ice Heart Pills? Xiao Qingyan had originally thought that at least one of the two Ice Heart Pills was prepared for him, but with no movement from Xiao Jingting’s side, Xiao Qingyan realized he had thought too simply.

Xiao Jingting’s pills were probably prepared for Xu Mu’an and Mu Shuyu. Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng were practically joined at the hip – where would they remember their older brother!

Before the competition, how confident he had been, how little he had thought of those two brothers. His former arrogance now seemed like a joke.

…

“You want to leave?” Wang Lu looked at Xiao Jingting with confusion.

Xiao Jingting nodded, “Yes.”

“Why so sudden?” Wang Lu asked.

“Time waits for no one! After going out and making a circuit this time, your son deeply experienced how vast the world is and wants to go out and gain experience.” Xiao Jingting said.

Xiao Jingting deeply understood why the higher one’s cultivation, the more one wanted to venture outside. The outside world was too vast. Staying home made one prone to being a frog in a well. Steadily cultivating was certainly stable, but to soar to great heights, one still needed to go outside and seek opportunities.

Xiao Linfeng looked at Xiao Jingting and sighed, “Fine, do as you wish.”

In the savage world, strength was supreme. In a family, when a son’s cultivation surpassed his father’s, the son often became more influential than the father. Although Xiao Jingting’s cultivation was still slightly below Xiao Linfeng’s, it was only one layer different, so Xiao Linfeng’s attitude toward Xiao Jingting had quietly changed.

Xiao Jingting nodded, “Thank you, father.”

Xiao Linfeng shook his head, “Between father and son, what’s there to thank?”

A sound of crying reached Xiao Jingting’s ears.

“Who’s crying?” Xiao Jingting frowned.

“Who else could it be! Your eldest aunt! Xiao Muhong died and Sun Miaomiao returned to the Sun family. Your eldest aunt lost her hope and became crazy.” Wang Lu said.

Xiao Jingting took a deep breath. Back when Xiao Linfeng and Wang Lu disappeared, how arrogant Liu Xian had been. Yet now she had fallen to this state.

Xiao Jingting packed his things, returned the farmland in his hands to father and mother, bid farewell to Xiao Jinfeng, and left.

Outside the city, Mu Shuyu shook his head, “Third Brother is truly decisive – leaving as soon as he said he would.”

Xiao Jinfeng smiled, “Third Brother is not a creature meant for small ponds. Sooner or later he’ll soar to great heights. When Third Brother returns, his cultivation will probably catch up to father’s.”

Mu Shuyu nodded, “I have that feeling too.”

…

Xiao Xiaofan sat in the carriage, looking curiously at the scenery outside, “Father, where are we going?”

Xiao Jingting said casually, “The world is vast – wherever we end up, that’s where we’ll be.”

“Daddy, let’s go to Bifeng Academy territory.” Xiao Xiaofan suggested.

Xiao Jingting asked curiously, “Why do you want to go to Bifeng Academy territory?”

“Because that fatty Xiao Yuerong always talks about how prosperous the Bifeng Academy area is, how many experts there are, how noble the status of Bifeng Academy members is. Let’s go see for ourselves.” Xiao Xiaofan said dissatisfied.

Xiao Jingting thought for a moment, “Alright!” He had no particular destination anyway – going anywhere was the same.

To reach Bifeng Academy, they had to pass through three towns. At each town, Xiao Jingting would sell some spirit herbs that had matured in his space, then take Xiao Xiaofan to the stone gambling establishments. Thanks to Xiao Xiaofan’s miraculous ability, Xiao Jingting obtained many precious jade stones and even won several spirit stones.

With money, Xiao Jingting would occasionally buy some precious pills.

As long as one was willing to spend money, pills could still be obtained. Fearing being targeted, Xiao Jingting never bought large quantities each time, but it was enough for the family to use.

With Xiao Jingting’s 7th layer Qi Refining cultivation, as long as he didn’t go to dangerous places, self-protection wasn’t difficult.

“Are you alright?” Xiao Jingting asked Xu Mu’an.

Having a pregnant husband accompany him on travels made Xiao Jingting feel somewhat guilty.

Xu Mu’an smiled and shook his head, “I’m fine. You really don’t need to worry. Even if you wanted me to accompany you to fight demon beasts, I’d be fine.”

Xiao Jingting: “…”

“We should reach the next town soon, right?” Xu Mu’an asked.

Xiao Jingting nodded, “Yes!”

“Daddy is really silly – we’ve taken so many detours.” Xiao Xiaofan said.

Xiao Jingting’s face darkened. This unlucky child only knew how to talk nonsense. “What do you know! Daddy is mainly letting you see the scenery of different towns.”

Xiao Xiaofan tilted his head, “Is that so?”

Xiao Jingting nodded, “Yes!”

Xiao Xiaofan said thoughtfully, “Daddy, three days ago you said we’d reach Bifeng City in three more days. Today you’re saying we’ll reach Bifeng City in three more days. Daddy, can’t you count?”

Xiao Jingting: “…”

“What do you know! When dad says three days, that’s a rough number, equivalent to several days. So three days isn’t three days, but several days, understand?” Xiao Jingting said seriously.

Xiao Xiaofan looked at Xiao Jingting and puffed out his cheeks, “Daddy, don’t think I’m stupid and try to fool me!”

Xiao Jingting: “…” His younger son was getting harder and harder to fool.

Xiao Jingting took a deep breath and had to bring out his trump card, “Daddy has steamed buns here. Do you want to eat them?”

Xiao Xiaofan nodded busily, “Yes, yes, yes.”

Getting the steamed bun, Xiao Xiaofan retreated into the carriage to gnaw on it without saying much more. Xiao Jingting couldn’t help breathing a sigh of relief. Xu Mu’an looked at Xiao Jingting’s appearance and couldn’t help smiling.

…

After another four days, the group finally reached Bifeng City territory.

Xiao Xiaofan jumped down from the carriage, “Daddy, should we go to the stone shops in the city to buy stones now?” Xiao Xiaofan’s greatest interest now was visiting stone shops and buying stones.

Xiao Jingting shook his head, “Let’s find a place to settle down first, then go to the stone shops.”

Xiao Xiaofan nodded, “Alright!”

Xiao Jingting rubbed Xiao Xiaofan’s head. Xiao Xiaofan had already advanced to the 2nd layer of Qi Refining. When he first arrived, this child couldn’t even cultivate. Now he was at the 2nd layer of Qi Refining. Xiaofan was very sensitive to spiritual energy. Xiao Jingting somewhat suspected his son might be one of those legendary special constitution life winners.

Xu Mu’an got down from the carriage and walked toward an inn with Xiao Jingting.

“Xu Mu’an.” A surprised voice called out.

Xu Mu’an looked toward the source of the voice. The person calling him was a childhood neighbor named Zhang Lingyu.

Zhang Lingyu was beautiful and quite talented. All the young men in the neighborhood liked to circle around her. For some unknown reason, Zhang Lingyu really didn’t get along with him and always led others to target him. Because of Zhang Lingyu, he had been isolated since childhood.

Zhang Lingyu had grown up beautifully. When her father took her to other towns, she was taken fancy to by a young master from another town who married her. After Zhang Lingyu left Mo City, Xu Mu’an had never seen her again.

Zhang Lingyu looked at Xu Mu’an and screamed, “Xu Mu’an, you eloped with someone!”

Xu Mu’an couldn’t help getting dark lines across his forehead.

Zhang Lingyu looked at Xu Mu’an’s round belly and screamed again, “Xu Mu’an, not only did you elope with someone, you even have your lover’s child!” There were many people at the inn entrance. Hearing Zhang Lingyu’s screams, quite a few people fixed their gazes on Xu Mu’an, and his face couldn’t help showing some anger.

Xiao Jingting looked at Zhang Lingyu and warned unkindly, “This lady should watch her words. Mu’an has always been my husband – what do you mean by elopement?” When Xiao Jingting spoke, he emanated some pressure, forcing Zhang Lingyu to retreat several steps.

Zhang Lingyu looked at Xiao Jingting with surprise and uncertainty, “You, you’re Third Young Master Xiao.”

Zhang Lingyu had long known about Xu Mu’an marrying Xiao Jingting, but according to what she knew, Xiao Jingting greatly disliked Xu Mu’an and didn’t take him seriously at all, often going out to carouse.

Although Xiao Jingting was a young master of the Xiao family, he didn’t like cultivation and thus had limited cultivation. Zhang Lingyu had left Mo City several years ago and had no concept of the changes in Mo City over the years, nor was she clear about Xiao Jingting’s affairs.

Although Xiao Jingting’s appearance hadn’t changed much, his overall temperament had changed considerably. Zhang Lingyu didn’t recognize him immediately and thought Xu Mu’an couldn’t stand Xiao Jingting and had eloped with someone.

Zhang Lingyu looked at Xu Mu’an and smiled, “Mu’an, you scared me to death. I heard your relationship with Young Master Xiao wasn’t very good, so I thought you had… done something foolish.”

Xu Mu’an kept a straight face and said nothing.