Some family members came with elders from their families. One by one their faces turned pale as they entered the secret realm. Most of these who could enter the secret realm were geniuses from big families. If they died all of sudden, the family would lose the latest batch of new generation blood and serious weaknesses may occur.

The people of the Marquis house stood by, maintaining order.

Xiao Jingting could see that many of the families seemed to have a problem with this competition, but because of the prestige of the Marquis, they did not dare to speak out in anger.

Xiao Jinfeng whispered to Xiao Jingting, “This time in the secret realm, there seemed to be a lot of demonic cultivators mixed in so several people from Marquis house also died. Their losses were also big.”

Xiao Jingting nodded. The Marquis organized this competition, on one hand, to weaken the power of the various cities under his government, and on the other hand, to promote the Marquis’ prestige. However, it seemed that there was some accident, but Xiao Jingting soon realized that it had nothing to do with him.

“Miss, no Illusory Snow Lotus was found.” A cultivator beside Ouyang Mingyue said.

“It doesn’t make sense!” Ouyang Mingyue said.

Xiao Jingting saw Ouyang Mingyue and couldn’t help but feel a little guilty. Ouyang Mingyue really stood on guard here. This girl was really holding a grudge.

“Those demonic cultivators that were found were taken away, so the Illusory Snow Lotus might have fallen into the hands of the demonic cultivators.” The cultivator beside Ouyang Mingyue said.

Ouyang Mingyue closed her eyes. The Marquis had organized this competition and knew that there would be losses, but because of the demonic cultivators mixing in and because they had underestimated the ferocity of the demonic beasts in the forest, the losses of the great families this time were far greater than expected.

“It doesn’t make sense! That person didn’t look like a demonic cultivator.” Ouyang Mingyue said.

“Miss, the Illusory Snow Lotus might have been already taken in the secret realm.”

Ouyang Mingyue shook her head and said, “It shouldn’t be! Half-mature Illusory Snow Lotus has very little effect unless it’s refined into a pill. It might be someone who has a hidden spatial device, right?”

“No! We have special detectors so any spatial device can’t escape it.”

Ouyang Mingyue’s gaze swept over each of the surrounding cultivators one by one. Xiao Jingting hid one the side, trying to fade away.

“You…… come out.” Ouyang Mingyue pointed at Xiao Jingting.

Xiao Jingting was stunned for a moment, then he revealed a flattering smile and looked at Ouyang Mingyue with excitement, “Miss Ouyang, were you looking for me?”

Ouyang Mingyue looked at Xiao Jingting’s salivating pig-like face, frowned, and said in an angry tone, “Get lost.”

Xiao Jingting showed a dejected look and retreated to Xiao Jinfeng’s side.

Xiao Jinfeng was a little confused about Xiao Jingting’s actions. As far as Xiao Jinfeng knew, Xiao Jingting had no feelings for beautiful women now. So, it was really weird for Xiao Jingting to show that expression to Ouyang Mingyue.

“Miss, are you alright?” A maid walked up to Ouyang Mingyue and asked.

Ouyang Mingyue shook her head and said, “It’s nothing.” She originally thought that Xiao Jingting’s back was somewhat similar to the person who stole the Illusory Snow Lotus, but the other person’s pig like expression made her very annoyed.

“Miss, in my opinion, nine out of ten, the chance is that person has already died in the secret realm.” The maid thought: There are quite a few cultivators at sixth level of Qi Practice who had died in this competition! Most of the guys who had the audacity to rob her own miss, might have already died without a burial place.

“Fine.” Ouyang Mingyue shook her head.

Although the Illusory Snow Lotus was precious, there was no need to be so persevering. After all, all major cities had lost quite a few geniuses, and if they forced those people more, the Marquis’ position would be in jeopardy.

 

……

 

Xiao Jingting’s points were in the top ten, so he received an Ice Heart Pill as a reward. Xiao Jingting exchanged the rest of his points for a Nurturing Pill.

After the competition ended, the big families started their return journey.

Among the four great families of Desert City, Xiao family’s strength was preserved intact. Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng, both advanced to the seventh level of Qi Practice causing the other families to feel more pressure.

The few Xiao family elders who had come with Xiao Linfeng, however were in high spirits.

Whether a family could be strong or not depended on the number of cultivators at the top. Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng both had a chance encounter at such a young age, advancing to seventh level of Qi Practice. If they both could enter the ninth level of Qi Practice in the future, they would definitely be able to bring the Xiao family to a higher level.

“Second master, you are really capable! Your three sons are all dragons and phoenixes among people, especially Young Master Jinfeng and Young Master Jingting.”

“Second master, you have a successor!”

“Second Master, Young Master Jingting and Young Master Jinfeng are still so young but they are already at seventh level of Qi Practice, which would be the first in Desert city.”

“Second Master, Young Master Jingting got so many pills after the exchange. His cultivation will surely advance to another point.”

“Second Master, Young Master Qingyan doesn’t seem to be in a very good mood! Do you want to go see him?”

Xiao Linfeng shook his head and said, “As a parent, I have no way to protect him forever, he should learn to grow up.” He put the most effort into Xiao Qingyan, but unfortunately…… Xiao Qingyan was reckless and was inferior compared to Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng.

Xiao Linfeng thought: Both Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng are already at the seventh level of Qi Practice, but were not much different from himself who was at the eight level of Qi Practitioner. There was really no need for him to fight with his two younger sons for the sake of his eldest son who was at the sixth level of Qi Practice.

Probably feeling humiliated, Xiao Qingyan hid in the carriage and didn’t show his face.

Xiao Qingyan closed his eyes. According to the past situation, his father should ask for some pills from his third brother. But this time, his father didn’t even seem to pay attention to him. Xiao Qingyan gritted his teeth and thought: Father should be disappointed in him.

 

…………

 

Sun Family’s Convoy.

“Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng must have a mysterious encounter in the forest, or else there would be no reason for these two guys to advance to the seventh level of Qi Practice so quickly.” The Sun family elder was filled with jealousy.

Sun Miaomiao nodded and said, “Yes!”

“Miaomiao, you said that you met Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng in the secret realm.” Sun Miaoyin asked.

Sun Miaomiao nodded and said, “Yes! If it wasn’t for the two of them, I would have been treated as an outcast.” By now, she would already be dead.

Sun Miaomiao’s intestines turned blue with regret. How long had it been?! Xiao Jingting had already become an existence at the seventh level of Qi Practice .

Her father, who she had always admired, was only at the seventh level of Qi practice! If she had not refused Xiao Jingting, she would now have a husband with the same cultivation as the father she worshipped. How proud she would be?! Elder sister’s stunningly talented husband wouldn’t be able to compare with Xiao Jingting.

Hearing Sun Miaomiao words, Sun Miaoyin couldn’t help saying, “Why didn’t you follow them?”

Sun Miaomiao shook her head in regret, “They didn’t let me follow.”

If she could follow, she naturally would not like to leave them. They were two sixth level Qi Practitioners, with them protecting her, who wouldn’t be happy? Unfortunately, Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng were cold to her and didn’t want to take care of her. Although she was their sister in law in name, the relationship between the first and second houses of the Xiao family was very rigid. When the second house was in a downward spiral, the first house didn’t care about these two brothers.

Sun Miaoyin sighed lightly and said, “What a pity? If you followed them, you might also have a mysterious encounter. These two guys, only just advanced to the sixth level of Qi Practice and now advanced to seventh level so quickly. They must have encountered a great chance.”

“They’re on guard against me.” Sun Miaomiao gritted her teeth. If she had known that Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng had such big luck, she would have begged them. She knew how hard it was for him to find a wife, but she didn’t expect that there was such a thing as a prodigal son coming from behind to catch up.

“Xiao Muhong died in the secret realm this time.” Sun Miaoyin sighed.

This time, the Sun family suffered heavy losses. The sixth level Qi Practitioner that was hard to cultivate was lost inside before he could make a name for himself. Her husband, Zhou Kanghe was able to get back in one piece, but it seemed like he was injured.

Counting it all, it was the Xiao family that gained the biggest advantage. There were quite a few deaths in the Xiao family, but Xiao Jingting and Xiao Jinfeng were still alive. If those with mediocre qualifications died, in a short while, there would be a new batch of replacements taking over.

Sun Miaomiao frowned. During this time, her feelings toward Xiao Muhong became more and more indifferent. Knowing that Xiao Muhong was dead, Sun Miaomiao didn’t feel much sadness, instead, she felt relieved.

“The second house of the Xiao family is going to rise thoroughly. It’s meaningless for you to stay in the Xiao family. I think it’s better for you to make peace with Xiao Muhong and go back to the Sun family.” Sun Miaoyin said.

Sun Miaomiao nodded and said, “Alright” During this period of time, the first house was completely suppressed and Xiao Muhong died. If she now separated from Xiao Muhong and left the first house, things would not be too difficult.

“That guy Xu Muan is really lucky!” Sun Miaoyin said. She always thought that she was the one who married the best man in the Desert City, but now it seemed that it was Xu Muan who married the best man. His husband was already at the seventh level of Qi Practice and he was still good at farming.

Sun Miaomiao gritted her teeth and said, “Xiao Jingting, this guy, looks devoted, but in fact, he is very double-minded. He liked me so much but changed just in a few days. Now that Xiao Jingting has advanced to the seventh level of Qi Practice, it’s not clear whether he still wants to live with Xu Muan, a yellow faced ger.”

Although Xiao Jingting and Xu Muan supported each other through a rather difficult time, there were still many couples in this world who could share a bed but not the riches. Xiao Jingting was now at seventh level of Qi Practice so Xu Muan was not a match for Xiao Jingting!

…………

 

“Dad is back, dad is back.” Xiao Xiaofan jumped around.

Xiao Jingting stepped out of the carriage and picked up Xiao Xiaofan who had just pounced on him. “Oh, so heavy! I can’t carry you anymore.”

Xiao Xiaofan’s face blushed. “I didn’t eat much. I am not so heavy. Not heavy!”

Xiao Jingting looked at Xiao Xiaofan’s shy appearance and laughed. Not having seen him for a while, his little son learned how to be shy.

When Xu Muan saw Xiao Jingting, he couldn’t hide his excitement. “I heard that you’re at the seventh level of Qi Practice.” One could become an elder in Xiao family at sixth level of Qi Practice, so Xiao Jingting’s cultivation of seventh level of Qi Practice was sufficient enough to become an elder.

Xiao Jingting nodded and said, “Yes!” However, when he went out this time, his horizons broadened a lot and he didn’t want to stay in the Desert City. He was still young, so he naturally wanted to travel around.

His strength at this point might be considered good in Desert City, but when compared to the Marquis’ house boundary, it wasn’t much. If he was stronger, he would have slapped Ouyang Mingyue when she called out to him. Fortunately, Ouyang Mingyue didn’t see him clearly when he picked the Illusory Snow Lotus, otherwise it would have been much more dangerous.

“You have advanced to the sixth level of Qi Practice?” Xiao Jingting looked at Xu Muan and said.

Xu Muan nodded and said, “Yes! It’s all thanks to you!” When Xiao Jingting left, he left spirit spring water, spirit stones as well as spirit grasses, otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to advance so easily. After Xu Muan advanced, he stayed in the countryside so no one in the city knew about it.

Xu Muan took out 160,000 taels of silver and said, “This is a beverage store’s income from this period of time.”

“This much?” Xiao Jingting was a little surprised.

Xu Muan laughed and said, “Not much! It’s only a hundred thousand taels.”

“You’re so capable! I originally thought I would go out of business.” Xiao Jingting said.

“It’s not so easy for a business to go bankrupt.” Xu Muan smiled, not mentioning in the slightest how hard it was to keep the beverage store open during this time. “Now that you’re at the seventh level of Qi Practice, you’ll have more places to use this money in the future.”

Xiao Jingting nodded and said, “That’s right!”

 

Edited by: Tetsu

Proofreader: Taalia

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