As soon as Xu Muan heard the noise, he immediately walked out with his big belly. “You’re back!”

Xiao Jingting nodded and said “Yes!”

“What did you father say?” Xu Muan asked.

“My father said there will be the Marquis’ competition soon.”

“Marquis? That’s too dangerous, a lot of people die in every competition of the marquis.” Xu Muan said excitedly.

Xiao Jingting nodded, full of approval and said “I know it’s dangerous, but don’t worry, when the competition starts, I will find a place to hide and just not participate in it.”

Although Xu Muan and Mu Shuyu were also at fifth level of Qi Practice, they were gers and were not considered true Xiao family members, so they were not on the list.

Xu Muan took a deep breath and said “That’s fine, but I am afraid it will still be dangerous…..”

Xiao Jingting sighed helplessly and said “There are definitely dangers, it’s just that my name is already on the list and I can’t avoid it. At present, I can only take one step at time.”

Xu Muan nodded, looking a little down. “That’s right, the Marquis is very overbearing. If you avoid the competition, you will be hunted down by the Marquis household.”

“You know it very clearly!” Xiao Jingting said in surprise.The original body owner was a fool who had no idea about this competition of the marquis.

Xu Muan smiled and said “The servants in the family will gossip about anything if they have nothing to do. We talk about a lot of things.”

Xiao Jingting was instantly interested. “You guys still gossip about such lofty things.”

Xu Muan nodded and said “Yes! The Marquis is a hot topic.”

“What else were you guys talking about?” Xiao Jingting asked curiously.

“There was a servant girl who said that there was a young master of the Marquis family who went to a brothel to visit a prostitute. As a result, he farted in bed and was ridiculed by a prostitute. The eldest young master of the Marquis family was so angry that he married the prostitute back home and favored her for a day and night. As a result, the prostitute died under the hand of this young master’s wife and concubine.” Xu Muan said.

Xiao Jingting “……” What kind of nonsense was this?! That young master was really ruthless!

Xu Muan looked at Xiao Jingting and said “Are you alright?”

Xiao Jingting shook his head and said “It’s nothing, what can I do for you?”

“You’ve met Xiao Qingyan today, right?” Xu Muan asked.

Xiao Jingting nodded and said “Yes! That idiot might think he’s invincible and wants to get a ranking.”

“You can’t say he is wrong! Some people like to protect themselves, others like to make a name for themselves. But the risk is too high. If Xiao Qingyan is eager for quick success, he will die without a burial place.” Xu Muan shook his head.

“Yes!” It’s just that if this guy dies, his parents would be heartbroken.

“Fortunately, after entering the secret realm, you will all be divided. Otherwise, I am really afraid that Xiao Qingyan would really drag you down.” Xu Muan said worriedly. 

Xiao Jingting rubbed his nose, not expecting Xu Muan to be so dismissive of Xiao Qingyan.

“When we were talking today, Xiao Qingyan mentioned Xiaofan.” Xiao Jingting said.

Xu Muan was a little surprised “Mentioning Xiaofan, what did he mention Xiaofan for?”

“He said Xiaofan was spending a lot of money on stones!” Xiao Jingting said. 

Xu Muan “…” Xiao Qingyan has always been aloof and arrogant. When did he learn to gossip? It looked like this guy was really pushed to edge recently.

“Xiao Qingyan seems to have changed a lot.” Xu Muan said.

Xiao Jingting nodded and said “That’s not really true.” This bastard always knew how to stir up trouble.

“After I leave, I’m afraid that the house will not be peaceful.” Xiao Jingting’s face darkened.

How many people were jealous of the beverage shop’s business? When he was here, there were Xiao Linfeng and Wang Lu standing behind him so naturally, no one dared to say anything. But once he left, it would be different.

Xu Muan thought about it and said “Don’t worry about the things at home. I’ll observe the situation.”

“Of course I trust you, but don’t fight hard against others for the sake of the beverage store. I willleave you more spiritual spring water.” Xiao Jingting said.

Xu Muan nodded and said “All right.”

After Xiao Jingting threw the entire pile that Xiaofan bought from the gambling stone shop into the spiritual spring, the grade of the spiritual spring water rose a lot. Certain amount of spiritual spring water would be added to the drinks that Xiao Jingting made and now it only needed one tenth of the original amount to achieve the previous effect.

Spiritual Spring Water was a good thing! It was another way to cultivate and earn money.

‘When I am not at home, take good care of yourself!” Xiao Jingting instructed. There was the Zheng family behind Zheng Pei’er but Xu Muan’s family couldn’t be relied on at all. The parents of the original body owner did not like Xu Muan very much so perhaps, once he left, he would be forced to let go of the beverage store business.

Xu Muan nodded and said “I know.”

“If the shop can’t be kept, it can’t be kept, so don’t stress too much.” Xiao Jingting instructed.

“I understand, I’ll see what happens, let’s not talk about that now. If you are going to participate in the competition, it’s best to advance to the sixth level of Qi Practice.” Xu Muan said.

Xiao Jingting nodded and said “I also think so. The Harvest Sparrow Orchid in the jade pendant space has grown and my cultivation has also almost reached the peak of the fifth level of Qi practice. But how should I take it?”

“The Xiao family has a prescription that can make great use of the Harvest Sparrow Orchid. Just go to the library and check it out. I don’t have the authority.” Xu Muan said.

Xiao Jingting nodded and said “Well, I understand.”

He had only focused on cultivation techniques in the library before and did not pay too much attention to these things.

“The Harvest Sparrow Orchid has matured a total of four plants. I’ll keep two for you.” After Xu Muan became pregnant, his cultivation fell behind. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be much worse than Xiao Jingting.

Xu Muan nodded and said “All right.” Xu Muan didn’t refuse Xiao Jingting’s offer. He needed to keep up with Xiao Jingting’s footsteps. He couldn’t drag him down, so he must try his best to improve his cultivation.

 

……

 

The next day.

“You’re back.” Mu Shuyu saw Xiao Jinfeng and greeted him happily.

“Come in quickly. Third Brother sent over a bowl of the medicinal soup mixed with Harvest Sparrow Orchid, drink it.” Mu Shuyu said.

Xiao Jinfeng was filled with amazement. “Where did Third Brother get the Harvest Sparrow Orchid from?! This is something that ordinary people can’t buy, and even if they can it would be very expensive.” 

Mu Shuyu shook his head and said “I don’t know. You should drink it soon, it won’t be effective if you exceed the time. The third younger brother has calculated the time of your return before sending it over.”

“Hurry up and send it over to third brother, he needs it too.”

Mu Shuyu shook his head and said “I originally wanted to do the same thing, but Xu Muan said that Third Brother has already taken his share. This is for you.”

“The third brother is really too polite.” Xiao Jinfeng was stunned for a moment and couldn’t help saying it.

Mu Shuyu said “Yes! The competition is soon. With higher cultivation, your chances for safety will be bigger. If you meet third brother during the competition, you two can help each other.” When Mu Shuyu heard Xiao Jinfeng talk about the competition yesterday, he didn’t show it on his face but he was very worried.

Xiao Jinfeng nodded and said “Well, I know.”

 

……

 

Xiao Jingting circulated his spiritual energy and opened his eyes after a long time. The abundant spiritual energy in his body told Xiao Jingting that he had successfully entered the sixth level of Qi Practice.

Xiao Jingting flexed his hands and feet, his expression very satisfied.

“The sixth level of Qi Practice is really different! No wonder Xiao Qingyan bragged about it so much after he advanced.” Xiao Jingting felt that with his present ability, he could look after two or three times as many fields as before.

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

Xiao Jingting nodded and said “Yes! I heard that there are many seventh and eighth level Qi Practitioners at the Marquis’ residence. I really don’t know how these guys cultivate.”

“The Marquis is different.” Xu Muan pondered.

“How is it different?” Xiao Jingting asked.

“I also heard it from others. It is said that Barbaric continent of ours actually belongs to the jurisdiction of Qing Yun Immortal Gate, and many of the high-grade spiritual plants planted here are supplied to the Qing Yun Immortal Gate. The Qing Yun Immortal Gate is the holy land of cultivation. The people of the Marquis household have some relations with the Qing Yun Immortal Gate. With the care of the Immortal Gate, the Marquis family’s cultivation is naturally different from ordinary people.” Xu Muan said.

Xiao Jingting was a little surprised “There was such a matter!”

Xu Muan nodded and said “Yes! However, the Immortal Gate is also far away so it is also difficult for Foundation Building cultivators to contact it. Instead of focusing on the Immortal Gate, it’s better to focus on something realistic. The Grand Competition is about to start, did your parents send you something to defend yourself?”

Xiao Jingting shook his head and said “Not yet.”

Xu Muan sighed and said “Then prepare it yourself. Even if your parents give something to you, I am afraid that Xiao Qingyan will pick everything that will have some use, so it’s useless.”

“Isn’t that right?” Xiao Jingting said. Like ten fingers that are long and short. Even if Xiao Qingyan did evil things, he was loved by his parents from childhood to adulthood. It would not be easy to change. After all, he was not the original body owner who was greatly favored by his parents. He had some guilty conscience.

 

…………

 

The Xiao family.

“It’s all from your parents!” Zheng Pei’er said in excitement as she looked at saber, talismans and protective clothing on the table.

Xiao Qingyan nodded and said “Yes!” Originally, his parents were dissatisfied with his advancement by taking a pill. However after the Marquis’ order came out, they felt that he had some foresight.

Among the younger generation in Desert City, the fifth level of Qi Practice could still be considered outstanding, but it wasn’t good enough for Marquis’ competition when the majority of participants were at fifth level of Qi Practice. It was said that the sixth level of Qi Practice was considered elite in big cities.

“It’s evident that your parents still care about you the most.” Zheng Pei’er said.

Xiao Qingyan nodded and said “That’s true.” Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng, no matter how good their business was, they couldn’t enter their parents eyes, so what could they do?

“In fact, it would be fine if second and third brother were at the fourth level of Qi Practice, so they could stay at home in peace and safety. However these two guys, I don’t know what tricks they have used to actually enter the fifth level of Qi Practice and also making it to the list. This competition is so dangerous that entering it at fifth level of Qi Practice is simply no different from getting killed.” Xiao Qingyan sighed.

Zheng Pei’er nodded and echoed. “Isn’t it?” It would be good for Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng to die outside. In the past, one was the black sheep and the other was always running outside. She felt like there was nothing to see but now the more she looked at them, the more she hated them.

“I don’t know. What is Jingting doing now? Looking at the way he looked the last time when father mentioned the marquis competition, you could see that this guy was fearing death. The competition hadn’t started yet and he was already thinking how to escape the chase during the competition. This guy, seeing a bad situation will try to run away.” Xiao Qingyan shook his head.

“We have to find someone to keep an eye on him. If we don’t do it well, him running away will get the whole family involved.” Zheng Pei’er said.

“Third Brother has never had any sense of propierty. It’s possible that he actually already did it.” Xiao Qingyan shook his head.

Xiao Jingting, who was talked about by Xiao Qingyan was taking Xiao Xiaofan around the major gambling stone shops in the city. When Xiao Xiaofan encountered the rough stones, he touched them and hugged the big ones. The two of them bought a whole bunch of them.

When going out, Xiao Jingting used technique to cover up his own cultivation. Xiao Jingting was already at the sixth level of Qi practice, so if he was careful, no one would discover his true strength.

Xiao Jingting binge buying raw stones had naturally attracted the attention of many people.

Some people felt that Xiao Jingting was spoiling his child too much and listened to a child’s random shopping.

Some people felt that Xiao Jingting had recently earned too much silver and had to burn some to be reconciled.

Some people felt that Xiao Jingting’s former personality sprouted again, and he was beginning to lose his family again.

There were also people who suspected that Xiao Xiaofan had talent and he was particularly good at picking stones. However, more people only thought that Xiao Jingting was overwhelmed by the upcoming competition and was thinking of opening some great treasure so he could improve his strength.

 

Edited by: Tetsu

Proofreader: Taalia

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