The End of the Immortal Path

Jiang Man shook his head. "It’s hard to say, but it’s very special. Mr. Ji, would you like to go take a look?"

’That’s the original Sword Intent. It first belonged to my father-in-law, but it seeped out when his sword broke.’

’This Sword Intent is definitely something countless people would dream of obtaining.’

’Jiang Man didn’t dare to take it, nor could he.’

’But Ji Hao might be a different story.’

’His Cultivation must be incredibly high.’

’A treasure like this shouldn’t be left to waste out in the world.’

’Mr. Ji is a good man. It would be for the best if he could obtain it.’

’Besides, Ji Hao is a junior relative of my father-in-law. It’s only right that he take it.’

After a pause, Jiang Man added, "This Sword Intent recognizes Sword Cultivators. Are you a Sword Cultivator, Mr. Ji?"

Ji Hao chuckled. "As it happens, I have dabbled a bit in the sword. I have a little bit of attainment in the Sword Dao."

Jiang Man was skeptical. ’Mr. Ji is absurdly strong in every way. If he’s practiced with the sword, he can’t be ordinary.’

’It’s a shame the Celestial Mirror Hundred Books didn’t give any specifics, just a single line: "Not worth mentioning."’

Not dwelling on it, Jiang Man said earnestly, "In that case, Mr. Ji, you absolutely must go take a look."

Ji Hao nodded. "Since you’ve said so, Junior Brother, I’ll go see this Sword Intent for myself once I’ve taken care of the Immortal Dao Coordinate."

"But the Sword Intent will hide itself," Jiang Man reminded him.

"No matter," Ji Hao said, unconcerned.

After that, Ji Hao led the way. "Let’s go. I’ve prepared all the ancient items for you. You can go see if you have any discoveries."

Jiang Man nodded immediately. Then, he had Ji Hao pay another six thousand Spiritual Source.

He had seen Ji Meng twice now.

"Your relationship is getting better and better. Would you two refuse to meet if I didn’t provide the Spiritual Source?" Ji Hao asked.

"We’d definitely still meet," Jiang Man answered without the slightest hesitation.

Ji Hao handed over the Spiritual Source and said with a smile, "It seems you two really are getting along well. I’ll see if I can get you some support from the family."

"However, they might make a few demands, like having any children take their surname."

"When that happens, just listen to what they have to say. You don’t need to pay them any mind."

"I’ll handle everything. I guarantee nothing will go wrong with your relationship."

"Of course, some people will try to cause trouble. No matter what happens, as long as it’s related to the Ji Family, just let me know."

"Within the bounds of the Wuyun Sect, I can smooth things over."

"Even if you enter an Immortal Sect, as long as it isn’t within the Ji Family’s jurisdiction, I can still handle it."

Jiang Man was stunned. ’Mr. Ji is that powerful?’

"Then what if it’s within the Ji Family’s territory?" Jiang Man asked curiously.

"That would depend on when," Ji Hao said with a faint smile. "If it’s a while from now, I’ll just have to go seize the Patriarch’s position. Then I can handle it all the same."

Jiang Man was stunned. ’Ji Hao is that strong?’

"But for now, I don’t have many supporters, so it would be a bit difficult," Ji Hao said.

After a moment of thought, Jiang Man asked, "Then why can you handle matters in the other Immortal Sects?"

Ji Hao just gave a mysterious smile and didn’t answer.

Jiang Man: "..."

’These people really love their mysterious smiles, just smiling without saying a word.’

’However smug I felt back in the Lingyue Sect, that’s how vexed I feel right now.’

Along the way, Ji Hao took out a pen. "While this pen isn’t ancient, its origins are still extraordinary. See if you can comprehend anything from it."

With that, Ji Hao handed the pen he used for taking notes to Jiang Man.

Jiang Man took it and observed it for a moment but didn’t sense anything particularly powerful about it.

Its design was also quite plain.

There was just a certain piercing feeling to it.

He then activated the Celestial Mirror Hundred Books.

The book’s pages flipped, finally stopping on the very last one.

’As I thought, it’s not worth recording.’

Immediately after, text began to materialize.

[With Sword Bone for a shaft and Sword Intent for bristles, its strokes write the future. It has been perennially wielded by one with an Innate Sword Body, Innate Sword Bone, Innate Sword Soul, Innate Sword Heart, and Innate Sword Seed to record and compose Cultivation Skills. The wielder of the pen once vowed to write the laws of the world, to forge a path to the future, to secure a new world and a new order for all living beings, and to pave the way for the elimination of the Evil God. Such a magnificent spirit is worth mentioning.]

The moment he saw the description, Jiang Man froze.

At first, he hadn’t thought much of it, but he was shocked when he read the line "its strokes write the future."

Innate Sword Body, Innate Sword Bone, Innate Sword Soul, Innate Sword Heart, and Innate Sword Seed—all five Innate Talents were related to the sword.

’Is this referring to Mr. Ji?’

’You have such incredible Talent, and instead of using it, you pick up a pen to write the future?’

’You really are... something else.’

’But to think he actually wants to write the laws of the world and forge a path to the future.’

For a moment, Jiang Man was reminded of his own Visualization Skill.

’The man really is composing Cultivation Skills, and incredibly powerful ones at that.’

’A prodigy. An Unparalleled Celestial Pride.’

"How was it?" Ji Hao asked.

Jiang Man returned the pen. "Is this your pen, Mr. Ji?"

Ji Hao nodded. "Yes. I’ve been using it ever since it was forged."

Jiang Man was filled with emotion. He then said, "Mr. Ji, you absolutely must remember to go to the Lingyue Sect."

’No wonder he wasn’t worried about the Sword Intent being hidden. The moment he goes over, the Sword Intent will probably emerge on its own.’

’And with Talent like that, the Celestial Mirror Hundred Books actually dismissed it as "not worth mentioning."’

’This time it was deemed "worth mentioning," but there wasn’t even a name attached.’

’It must be like with Meng Qiewei and Ting Fengyin, where the item description doesn’t bother recording the owner’s name...’

’...unless the name is written on the item itself, like that letter addressed "For Xiang Tianlin’s Eyes Only."’

"The Immortal Dao Coordinate will be ready to arrange soon. I’ll go take a look then," Ji Hao said.

A short while later, they landed in front of a grand hall.

Two words were written above the entrance: Treasure Pavilion.

Jiang Man asked in surprise, "We’re going in here?"

"Mhm. This place can connect to all sorts of ancient objects. I’ve already applied for access to everything I could. As for whether or not you’ll make any discoveries, that’s hard to say," Ji Hao said.

Jiang Man mused to himself, ’It really is easier to get things done when you have connections.’

’Ji Hao could lead him right to the treasures to touch.’

’However, some items looked unremarkable but turned out to be extraordinary after he touched them. He was just afraid of missing things like that.’

Afterward, Ji Hao led Jiang Man smoothly into the Treasure Pavilion.

Just as they entered, they saw a statue.

"The Immortal-Suppressing Statue," Ji Hao explained. "It was originally created for the sole purpose of suppressing Immortals. Now, the Immortal Sects use it to stabilize this space and prevent any accidents."

"Can I touch it?" Jiang Man asked.

Ji Hao nodded.

Jiang Man then reached out, touched it, and observed carefully.

[What a piece of junk.]

Jiang Man remarked, "It seems pretty ordinary."

Ji Hao said with a smile, "I heard it’s a replica of another statue. As for which one specifically, the Immortal Sect currently has no records."

"Other Immortal Sects might, though."

Jiang Man nodded and followed him deeper inside.

’This time, as long as I can get two unlocks, whether it’s a Cultivation Skill or a Magic Skill, the benefits will be enormous.’

’It might even be possible to learn a Top-grade Skill within a month.’

—

「Meanwhile.」

In a residence on Red Water Peak, a middle-aged man who had only recently moved in frowned slightly.

He had started inquiring about the situation in the Third Courtyard as soon as he arrived.

But the Wuyun Sect obstructed him at every turn.

This vexed him greatly. Fortunately, however, he had made some progress.

At that moment, he summoned the three strongest Student Cultivators.

Upon seeing them, the middle-aged man said, "This investigation has been difficult, but I’ve managed to obtain some of the rankings. We can now confirm who the three strongest are."

The group consisted of one woman and two men.

One of the men, who had an extraordinary air about him, asked curiously, "Why won’t they let us investigate the situation in the Outer Sect? It’s not the sort of thing they can hide."

"I heard it was to cover up their scandals," the woman said slowly. "I’ve heard the Outer Sect is rife with them—things like illegal teaching, all-night Cultivation sessions, and colluding with the Evil God. It’s all caused a huge uproar."

"The Law Enforcement Hall has had to intervene countless times."

The other man, who had an arrogant demeanor, couldn’t help but chuckle. "I’ve heard whispers of that as well. Rumor has it that all the rising stars in the Wuyun Sect’s Outer Sect were colluding with the Evil God and have all been hauled away by the Law Enforcement Hall."

Upon hearing this, the others finally understood.

The middle-aged man sighed as well. "The Wuyun Sect has fallen into depravity. But even if it hadn’t, it would still be a cut below you three."

He then took out a list. "This is a list of the three geniuses you’ll need to watch out for. Be careful when the time comes. They are also your targets for this mission."

Hearing this, the three immediately looked at the list, eager to see what caliber of talent the strongest geniuses of the Wuyun Sect’s Third Courtyard possessed.

"Sir, where did you obtain this list?" the woman asked as she took it.

"It was compiled during the grand tournament this past September. The results from the inter-courtyard competitions were included as well," the middle-aged man said softly. "There are no errors."

After that, the three asked no more questions.

Instead, they looked at the top three rankings.

First in the Outer Sect: Meng Xiaoxiao of Red Water Peak.

Second in the Outer Sect: Ji River of Celestial Bright Peak.

Third in the Outer Sect: Zhuo Bufan of Cloud Mist Peak.

—

Thanks to the book friend [The Name I Suddenly Forgot How to Remember] for becoming an Alliance Leader.

You’re too kind, boss.

I really can’t release any extra Chapters for now.

I’m ashamed!

Asking for monthly votes at the start of the month!