Chapter 653: 653 return
Tan Shaoting remained calm for a while before looking towards the steward.
"Manager Wang, I want to take the children back to reunite for a few days."
This is only natural, of course, no one would refuse.
"No problem. Just make sure, Tan Qihong, you and your sister take care of your herb field."
Qi Hong came out from his father’s embrace. He took out a Sound Transmission Talisman to send a message to a senior brother, asking for help over the coming days.
Since everything was arranged, Tan Shaoting carried Qi Wen, and his two sons followed by his side, the four of them returned to their small courtyard.
Just as they reached the door, they saw someone standing at their doorway.
"Why is this junior brother standing at my door?"
"Brother Tan, I didn’t dare to recognize you. I’m a disciple of the main peak, the Sect Leader wants you to visit."
Earlier, Tan Shaoting was only thinking of the children and had indeed forgotten to report to the Sect Leader after his return.
"Alright, I’ll go with you right away."
He placed the three children down "You three wait for Daddy at home. I’ll return soon."
Qi Wen reluctantly let go of her father, but knowing she shouldn’t cause trouble, she released her father’s neck.
Tan Shaoting watched as the three children activated the Array and entered the courtyard, suddenly realizing he should take them with him.
"Junior brother, wait for me a moment, I’ll be right out."
"Please, Brother Tan, take your time."
Tan Shaoting also entered the courtyard and used sound transmission to the three children, telling them to enter the space.
The three, of course, had no objections. It was quite spacious inside, and they could cultivate, so there wasn’t anything bad about being inside.
The main reason was that their father had returned. They hadn’t enjoyed enough time with him yet, so naturally, they didn’t want to be apart; this way, they could still stay by their father’s side.
After accommodating the three children, Tan Shaoting came out. "Let’s go, junior brother."
In the Sect, flying artifacts are not allowed. But flying paper cranes can be used. Standing on it, Tan Shaoting took about an hour to reach the main peak.
Luo Yunhai was waiting for Tan Shaoting, knowing that he would go to see the three children first upon his return. This was understandable.
After entering, Tan Shaoting greeted, "Greetings, Sect Leader."
"Tan Shaoting, sit down."
After thanking him, Tan Shaoting sat down, waiting for the Sect Leader to ask.
"Briefly describe the situation over there."
Tan Shaoting recounted the issues they faced.
"Senior Brother Wang and I didn’t even get close to the border before we were forced back. There were too many low-level demon beasts over there, so there was no way we could sneak through unnoticed. But just the two of us, we dared not confront the beasts there. Hence, I sent a message to the Sect Leader."
"Wang Congshan sent me a message saying you saved him."
"A third rank Sword-toothed Leopard chased Senior Brother Wang. I, on this side, had no high-level demon beasts, so my speed was faster than Senior Brother Wang’s side."
Luo Yunhai felt quite satisfied with what Tan Shaoting said.
He’s not a fool. Not claiming credit wouldn’t lessen his achievements; saying it this way would make others have a favorable impression of him.
"Why didn’t you stay behind?" Luo Yunhai asked this question very sternly.
"Because I was thinking about my three children. They are still young, and I’ve never been away from them for so long." Being honest was the smartest choice.
"Aren’t you worried your actions might cause your children to become dependent? This wouldn’t benefit their future cultivation."
"No, by the time they reach five years old, I will let go. Not now. They’ve already lost their mom, and now that I’m with them, I must take good care of them."
"Hmm, what you’re doing is also right. What about the eight people who returned with you? Why did you come back alone?"
"The other eight junior brothers wanted to sell the demon beasts they had at hand.
I was in a hurry to return, so I didn’t wait for them."
"Alright, I understand. Go back and rest well."
Tan Shaoting bowed and took his leave. He returned to his residence using the paper crane. Outside, he really saw traces of the Array being triggered.
After entering, he directly went into the space.
Qi Yan and the other two surrounded him as soon as their father came in.
Tan Shaoting held them close and sat down. "It’s alright. The Sect Leader just asked about the situation at the border."
"Daddy, can we go over to have a look?"
Tan Shaoting shook his head, "No, it’s too chaotic there now, and other sects will likely be going too. Plus, I suspect high-level demon beasts from there will emerge soon. By that time, it won’t be something cultivators at the Qi Refining Stage can withstand. It’s too dangerous. Don’t worry, if I ever leave, I’ll definitely take you with me."
The three children were frightened. Although they seemed quite composed outside, only they knew how worried they were for their father.
Their mother isn’t around. If anything happened to their dad, how would they return to their mother in the future?
"Alright, let’s head out. I need to freshen up, and then we can eat. Tomorrow, I’ll take you to the workshop at the foot of the mountain. We’ll sell the demon beasts and exchange them for Spirit Stones."
"Daddy, did you gain a lot this time?"
"Three Storage Bags are full. We’ll sell everything and we need to prepare some more Array Plates."
That evening, the father and his three children didn’t eat food with Spiritual Power; Tan Shaoting held the kids closely as they slept together.
He hadn’t had a chance to rest in the past three months, so Tan Shaoting truly fell asleep.
The three children, who had started cultivation, naturally needed less sleep. Watching their sleeping father, they felt quite a bit of heartache.
They slept beside their father, afraid that any movement might wake him.
The next day, when Tan Shaoting woke up, the three children also got up. Together, they practiced swordsmanship.
The fastest progress was made by Qi Yan. He truly didn’t spend his time in vain at Sword One Peak.
The younger siblings admired him quite a bit. "Big brother, does the Peak Master at Sword One Peak really want to take you as a disciple?"
"Yes, he mentioned it, but I don’t want to. Daddy said not to get entangled with too many causes and effects.
I heard that you two also advanced. It seems Spirit Plant Peak is also good."
"It’s alright. Since we’re young, our cultivation shows the Qi Refining Second Level. The farming magic they assume we can’t do it. Qi Wen and I found a cultivator there who helped us with our spirit fields."
After breakfast, the father and sons descended the mountain together.
Tan Shaoting and his sons entered the Duobao Pavilion.
"What does this fellow cultivator need?"
"Fellow cultivator, I have many demon beasts I’d like to sell, all intact and not yet dismantled.
Does Duobao Pavilion accept them?"
"What levels are they?"
"First and Second Rank."
"How many?"
"If not ten thousand, then eight thousand."
"That’s indeed a lot. May I see the quality?"
Tan Shaoting directly took out six Storage Bags.
Since they were demon beast bodies, they couldn’t be inspected here. So the shopkeeper led them to the courtyard at the back.