The End of the Immortal Path

For example, how to rapidly increase his Cultivation, thereby reducing the damage to his Spirit and Physical Body.

The more Jiang Man read, the more shocked he became. The complexity of these insights was terrifying.

It even gave him a deeper understanding of his previous Realms.

Jiang Man immediately asked the Old Yellow Ox.

"His understanding of the Immortal Sect’s Cultivation Skills is unparalleled," was all the Old Yellow Ox said.

But Jiang Man understood that mere knowledge wasn’t enough. It required comprehensive mastery and creative ability.

Mr. Ji had only examined his body before writing down the insights most suited for him.

He had noted all of Jiang Man’s shortcomings, especially those concerning his Physical Body and Spirit.

’An Unparalleled Celestial Pride.’

Jiang Man couldn’t help but admire Mr. Ji. He was clearly a top-tier prodigy in swordsmanship, yet he ended up pursuing literary arts instead.

He had originally thought it was a case of a pearl being covered in dust.

But upon further inspection, he realized that Mr. Ji was a top-tier prodigy in literary arts as well.

With this new help, Jiang Man could begin his Cultivation.

And if he wanted to increase his Cultivation speed, Elixirs were naturally indispensable.

The Elixirs for the Primordial Spirit Realm belonged to the Void-Invoking series.

The ones for increasing Cultivation were called the Void-Invoking Spring Yuan Pill, Void-Invoking Summer Yuan Pill, Void-Invoking Autumn Yuan Pill, and Void-Invoking Winter Yuan Pill.

They corresponded to the Early Stage, Mid-stage, Late Stage, and Perfection realms, respectively.

The price was five thousand Spiritual Source per pill, with an increase of five hundred Spiritual Source for each subsequent type as one’s Cultivation progressed.

When Jiang Man saw the price, he was stunned.

Five thousand for a single pill.

Back at the Yunqian Bureau, he had worked himself to death just to earn three thousand.

He couldn’t even afford one.

This showed just how immense the amount of Spiritual Source required for later stages of Cultivation was.

However, once one reached the Primordial Spirit Realm, it was no longer just a matter of resources.

Talent also became a critical factor.

The further one progressed, the more important Talent became.

Even further on, the Old Yellow Ox had said, it would come down to one’s temperament and perseverance.

As it happened, Jiang Man had all of these.

The only thing he might be a little short on was Spiritual Source.

The Elixirs used for the Physical Body and Spirit during Primordial Spirit Cultivation were called the Hundred Tempering Pill and the Spirit Refining Pill, respectively.

They cost six thousand Spiritual Source each.

To temper his Primordial Spirit, Jiang Man bought fifty Spirit Refining Pills.

The total price was three hundred thousand, which became two hundred and seventy thousand after a ten percent discount.

Subtracting two hundred and seventy thousand from his eight hundred thousand Spiritual Source left him with five hundred and thirty thousand.

He was still well-off.

As the Elixirs went down one by one, Jiang Man came to a conclusion.

It took seven Elixirs to fill ten percent of the Gourd.

Fifty pills would fill the Gourd completely, and a breakthrough would require about a dozen more.

In other words, it would take around sixty-five pills to advance to the Second Layer of his Primordial Spirit’s Spirit.

By that calculation, even if it took sixty-five pills for every layer from one to nine, that would still be five hundred and eighty-five pills.

That amounted to three million, one hundred and sixty thousand Spiritual Source.

"Hiss!"

Jiang Man sucked in a breath of cold air. "Old Huang, this is bad. I don’t think I have enough Spiritual Source."

Without looking up, the Old Yellow Ox said, "Don’t worry. Just think about the several hundred thousand you owe in external debt."

Hearing this, Jiang Man paused. "Old Huang, why are your words so sharp lately?"

The Old Yellow Ox continued to eat grass without replying.

Still, he did need to figure out a way to deal with his external debt. The main issue was the large amount of Spiritual Source he had to repay every year.

If he didn’t pay down some of it, he’d be losing money every month.

Jiang Man remembered he still had a Qi Refining slot.

He would just have to pick one lucky winner from his major creditors and clear the debt.

Looking at the darkening sky, Jiang Man decided to head out.

It wouldn’t be good to go looking for them during the day.

But after taking just two steps, Jiang Man stopped.

He noticed that a message had come through the Token belonging to Zui Fusheng.

Suspicious, Jiang Man took a look.

It was from True Master Tai Hua.

He immediately said to the Old Yellow Ox, "Old Huang, True Master Tai Hua contacted me."

The Old Yellow Ox was a bit surprised. "What did he say?"

Jiang Man checked at once and found only a few words: "Do you know about the Void Spirit Eyes?"

After reading the message aloud, Jiang Man looked at the Old Yellow Ox. "What does he mean by this?"

"He’s trying to guess who can cure the Void Spirit Eyes," the Old Yellow Ox said with a sigh, munching on grass. "It seems his guess led him to Zui Fusheng."

"I don’t know how he figured it out."

"How he guessed isn’t important. Judging by the message, he doesn’t seem very sure. He might be trying to rule people out," Jiang Man said.

"How do you plan to reply?" the Old Yellow Ox asked.

"I’ll play dumb first. Since he hasn’t guessed that I’m the one who took the item, I won’t admit to anything," Jiang Man said after a moment’s thought, then began to reply.

The reply was simple. The two words "Am aware" were enough. Fewer words carried more weight.

Soon, the other party replied again: "Can cure?"

Jiang Man replied with the same two words: "Can cure."

This time, the reply didn’t come as quickly, but Jiang Man had already sat down beside the Old Yellow Ox. "Senior, how is it cured?"

The Old Yellow Ox glanced at Jiang Man while chewing on grass.

Finally, it began to explain.

Jiang Man didn’t understand a word of it, but it sounded very impressive.

All he had to do was write it down.

An hour later, Jiang Man put away his notebook, noticing that the other party still hadn’t replied.

So, he headed to the flatbread shop.

「Meanwhile.」

True Master Tai Hua tapped his fingers incessantly on the armrest.

’A thousand thoughts are racing through my mind.’

’I’ve found the person.’

’It’s somewhat unexpected.’

’It isn’t the one from the Ji Family, but this mysterious Zui Fusheng.’

’It seems the one who took the item was indeed an unknown expert, an expert who knows Zui Fusheng’s background.’

’That’s why they left the note.’

’But why make me guess instead of just telling me the name directly?’

’What is there to test in a matter like this?’

He couldn’t figure it out.

’There’s another question. The other party’s strength shouldn’t be very high, so how on earth could they know the method to cure it?’

He had so many questions.

But he decided to ask about the conditions first.

Nothing in this world came without a price.

He asked what he needed to pay.

This time, the other party paused for the time it takes an incense stick to burn.

The reply was two words: "Bai Family."

’The Bai Family?’

Then another message came: "I hear someone from the Bai Family is away from home."

The moment True Master Tai Hua saw these words, his pupils contracted.

’Someone from the Bai Family is away?’

’The Bai Family Ancestor?’

Just then, a third message arrived.

"I admire him somewhat and would like to see where he is staying, to pay him a visit."

This was the third message.

What the other party wanted was now obvious.

Information about the Bai Family Ancestor.

This was very difficult. He could inquire about anyone else in the Bai Family, but he couldn’t casually investigate the Ancestor.

It would be easy to bring disaster upon himself.

Just like with the one from the Ji Family.

He could probably find the location, but investigating privately could attract unnecessary trouble.

Moreover, he couldn’t use conventional methods.

If he left any trace, it would be extremely dangerous.

——

Before Jiang Man even reached the flatbread shop, he received a message from the other party.

It said they needed some time.

He didn’t mind.

’There’s still plenty of time.’

’In other words, I have to wait until I’m strong enough to face my opponent.’

’Otherwise, it would be suicide.’

’Besides, this matter is extremely troublesome, not at all like subduing the Ling Hua Immortal Spirit.’

’Furthermore, this is also connected to Peak Master Bai.’

’If I don’t handle this well, it will become a fatal threat to me.’

’I have to take it slow, wait for enough information, and wait for the right opportunity.’

’For now, I’ll go find Song Qing.’

But as soon as he arrived at the shop, he saw them eating flatbread.

From the way they were eating, you’d think they were eating black steamed buns.

’Life must have gotten better for them; now they’re starting to look down on flatbread.’

"That senior sister hasn’t been coming recently. If this keeps up, we won’t even have the Spiritual Source to make flatbread anymore," the man sitting opposite Song Qing sighed. "I never thought being a cook would be harder than being a guard."

"Brother Song, why don’t you go look for those senior sisters? Don’t they all call you Senior Brother Song?"

Outside, Jiang Man froze.

’Senior sisters? What’s the deal with Song Qing?’

’He always has people like that flocking around him.’

’Does he have some kind of hidden Talent?’

——

「Inner Sect.」

Elder Bai, who was in charge of disciples entering the Inner Sect, suddenly received a message.

After reading it carefully, his brow furrowed slightly.

’Target Jiang Man? And send people to test and suppress him?’

’Why would such an order suddenly be issued?’

Although Peak Master Bai had targeted Jiang Man, it had only been verbal.

There was no need to do anything specific; someone would always take care of it.

Besides, he was just a Golden Core cultivator. It wasn’t worth making a big fuss over.

Who would go out of their way to pick on a mere Golden Core cultivator?

Even if he entered the Inner Sect, he would still be in a different world from them.

Only when he reached the Primordial Spirit Realm would he be worthy of more attention.

But now it wasn’t just a matter of attention, but of targeted suppression and taking action.

This was extremely strange.

But he didn’t dwell on it.

Instead, he began to consider how to carry out this targeted suppression, and even how to act against him.

’He should be coming to the Inner Sect next year. It’s time to make some preparations.’

’Besides, there are always people who can’t stand geniuses like him. I can use a wolf to devour a tiger.’

Targeting an Inner Sect Disciple was all too easy.

He could even be suppressed during his entry-level missions.

’But to what extent should he be suppressed?’

Soon, he received another message.

’No matter the consequences.’