The End of the Immortal Path

Late November.

While Jiang Man was still in the middle of his Cultivation, he saw Chang Qiweng approaching.

The man was here to deliver a message.

"Old Chang?" Jiang Man said with a sigh. "Long time no see. You’re looking well."

"I’ve reached Foundation Establishment." Chang Qiweng looked at Jiang Man, appearing to chew on his words for a long moment before finally saying, "I can earn more Spiritual Source now."

"That’s great. Remember to lend me some when I’m short on cash. But I’m in the middle of Cultivation right now. I’ll come find you all after I have my breakthrough," Jiang Man said.

It was naturally a good thing that Chang Qiweng could earn more Spiritual Source.

’I can borrow more in the future.’

’My Cultivation will advance even faster.’

"This is your mission reward." Chang Qiweng handed the items to Jiang Man.

It was a book, some Spiritual Source, and a letter.

Chang Qiweng left soon after, saying he had other things to deliver.

Jiang Man sighed. Chang Qiweng was truly a busy man.

Out of everyone, he was probably the only one who was always working.

But as a result, his Cultivation was also the highest.

Xiaopang and the others were still stuck at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer.

The same went for Luo Xuan.

And that was to say nothing of Song Qing.

As for Cheng Yu, with Fang Yong around, she still had a chance to advance.

After all, Fang Yong was a genius himself, and he was backed by Wei Ran, another genius.

Her future was promising.

With that, Jiang Man began to examine his rewards.

’I can’t choose the Top-grade Skill myself, but getting a large amount of Spiritual Source is good enough.’

Jiang Man looked at the book first.

Four words were written on it: Immovable as a Mountain.

Jiang Man flipped it open, somewhat surprised. A moment later, he looked at the Old Yellow Ox and said, "Old Huang, take a look at this. Is this a Body Technique?"

Old Huang glanced at it a few times and said, "A Body Technique is still a type of Magic Skill. You can learn it."

Jiang Man sighed. "As a Magic Cultivator learning a Body Technique, my progress will probably be very slow."

The Old Yellow Ox didn’t respond.

’But this is a Top-grade Skill, which is difficult to begin with. There’s no telling how much time it will take.’

’Especially since I haven’t unlocked much of my Talent for Magic Skills.’

’My Cultivation of it will be even slower.’

’I have no idea how many repetitions it’ll take just to reach the Entry Level.’

’Fortunately, I’ve unlocked a good amount of my Talent for Cultivation Skills. Even with something like the Evil God’s Technique, my speed is doubled.’

After handing the book to Old Huang, Jiang Man checked the Spiritual Source.

Thirty thousand.

A huge sum.

’This trip was well worth it,’ Jiang Man thought. ’The profits are immense.’

Lin Fei still owed him thirty thousand.

But he had been busy ever since he got back and hadn’t had a chance to see him.

’I wonder if I can go back and continue my studies.’

’After all, I was held captive for years, so the lessons are already over.’

’But I have the Ten Thousand Swords Technique, which should count as a meritorious contribution.’

’Maybe there’s still a chance.’

As for the envelope, Jiang Man saw it was just a simple job recommendation.

’Useless.’

’It might have been useful if it were for the Qi Refining Secret Realm.’

Putting his things away, Jiang Man resumed his Cultivation.

But that same day, Mr. Yan came looking for him.

Yan Yiqiu looked at Jiang Man with mixed feelings; because of him, Yan Yiqiu’s status had been on a rollercoaster.

Sometimes she was the object of everyone’s envy, and other times she was a pariah everyone wanted to condemn.

Fortunately, the outcome had been good.

Jiang Man was still that chosen one.

"Mr. Yan, you were looking for me?" Jiang Man asked, surprised.

Yan Yiqiu replied helplessly, "Do you remember the Sect exchange that was requested last year?"

Jiang Man thought back for a moment, then nodded. "I remember."

’I recall it’s a major competition, so there should be a lot of rewards.’

’I signed up mainly for the Spiritual Source.’

"They’ve already arrived. The exchange should begin in a little while. It’s mostly people from the Sixth Courtyard, and I’m afraid they’ll challenge you," Yan Yiqiu said.

Jiang Man was taken aback. "The Sixth Courtyard is challenging the Third Courtyard?"

Yan Yiqiu nodded. "You reached Golden Core in the Sixth Courtyard. Why can’t they?"

Jiang Man paused, then finally nodded. "I suppose that’s possible."

’With enough Spiritual Source, it’s not impossible.’

"So they’re going to challenge me, the number one?" Jiang Man asked.

Yan Yiqiu shook her head. "Not exactly. It will start as an exchange, but I heard they want to issue challenges for sparring matches.

"So if someone challenges you, you should probably go easy on them.

"The exchange should be next month."

"December?" Jiang Man asked.

’That’s too soon. I won’t have time to advance to the Late Stage.’

He was currently in the Mid-stage, mainly because he lacked both Spiritual Source and time.

’My opponents, on the other hand, might have both time and Spiritual Source. Even if their Talent is slightly worse, it’s not impossible for them to catch up to me.’

’The advantage of Talent isn’t as pronounced during the Golden Core Stage.’

’Looks like I’ll still have to prepare to go all out.’

’And it’s about time I went to see Ji Hao.’

’Let’s see what I can get from him.’

Right now, the Cultivation Gourd was only forty percent full. He would have to wait until January to complete his advancement.

And achieving Great Success with a Top-grade Technique would take even more time.

It seemed impossible to reach Great Success in less than a month.

Yan Yiqiu then left, telling him to be prepared, as his participation was mandatory this time.

Jiang Man looked at Old Huang and sighed. "Old Huang, my Talent is still too low. I can’t advance to the Late Stage of Golden Core in a month, nor can I achieve Great Success with the Top-grade Technique.

"It feels like I’m just wasting my time."

Old Huang lowered his head and silently chewed on some grass, showing no intention of speaking.

Jiang Man shook his head slightly, then entered the Inner Sect to find Ji Hao.

Inner Sect.

Ji Hao’s Mountain Peak.

The peak pierced the heavens like a sharp sword, its mountainside wreathed in mist and clouds, shimmering with a rosy glow.

Jiang Man felt that the scenery here changed with the time of day.

Soon, he arrived at the summit.

At the edge of the peak stood a young, handsome man.

His very presence seemed to drain the color from everything around him.

The man looked over, a smile on his face.

Only after Jiang Man landed on the ground did Ji Hao speak. "I was just about to look for you, Junior Brother. I imagine quite a few things must have happened on your trip, yes?"

Jiang Man nodded and gave a brief account of his trip.

He also mentioned the existence of the special Sword Intent.

He had already reported it, so it wasn’t a secret.

"What do you think this special Sword Intent is?" Ji Hao asked curiously.