Chapter 433 - 245: Sacrificed So Soon?
When Ji Wuye heard what Miss Qing Dai said, he sighed with emotion. ’As expected of Miss Qing Dai.’
’She even makes snatching a marriage alliance from a side branch sound so righteous.’
’Since that’s the case, I don’t need to be timid anymore.’
’I can go all out.’
As for the final outcome, he didn’t really care.
The other new prodigies would make their moves anyway.
He could just watch as these people showed off their Divine Techniques.
He then said, "Since Miss Qing Dai has spoken, I’ve made my decision. The first test will be whether or not he can even enter the Immortal Sect’s Grand Competition.
"If he can’t get in, it proves he isn’t qualified for the formal assessment.
"If he does manage to enter the Grand Competition, then we won’t bother testing his fundamentals.
"Those other people wanted to take it step-by-step, gradually increasing the difficulty starting from the fundamentals of Cultivation Skills.
"That’s too slow and too ordinary.
"There’s no challenge in that at all.
"I think we should just have him explain his insights on cultivating a Top-grade Skill."
—
That evening, Jiang Man received a reply from Ji Meng.
He was quite moved.
"They’re testing me during the Immortal Sect’s Grand Competition?" Jiang Man looked at the Old Yellow Ox. "The first hurdle is just to qualify? That’s a high bar, indeed."
"Isn’t that what you asked for?" Old Huang said casually.
Jiang Man nodded slightly, not particularly concerned. "I wonder what kind of test the Ji Family has in store for me after I enter the competition."
"If they test your basic knowledge of Cultivation, or test you on Talismans, Alchemy, or Forging, how do you plan to handle it?" the Old Yellow Ox asked curiously.
Jiang Man was taken aback for a moment, then said, "It seems I need to get even stronger. I’m still too weak, which has led them to mistakenly believe I’ll just play along with their little tests."
The Old Yellow Ox was silent for a moment before saying, "What if they test your understanding of a Top-grade Skill, your application of Magic Skills, your control over Spiritual Qi, or your arrangement of Arrays?"
Jiang Man replied casually, "A high-difficulty test indeed. I’m willing to give it a try and show them what a true prodigy looks like."
Old Huang gave the person before him a deep look, then finally looked away and went back to eating grass.
「May 1st.」
Besides mastering and integrating everything he had learned, Jiang Man also took a look at the third volume of the Evil God’s Technique.
The third volume contained three forms, all of them offensive techniques. To learn them, one had to rely on the first and second volumes.
The first volume drew upon one’s aura, and the second drew upon its characteristics; only then could one unleash the power of the third volume.
This power was then compressed into a suitable attack method for the user.
He didn’t have time for actual Cultivation, however; his schedule was truly too packed.
He hadn’t stopped for a moment.
"Old Huang, I’m heading out for the assessment. I should be back soon," Jiang Man said.
The Old Yellow Ox didn’t respond.
At this moment, Jiang Man had achieved Great Success in All Rivers Flow into the Sea, Great Success in the Hundred Rivers Body Refining Technique, a Late Stage of Golden Core cultivation, and a Physical Body and Spirit at the Middle Stage of Golden Core.
His Golden Core and Physical Body were perfectly integrated, allowing power to flow between them without obstruction. His Golden Core and Heart Spirit were still in the process of integrating; once successful, his strength would surge again.
However, All Rivers Flow into the Sea was inherently a Late Stage Cultivation Skill. Having reached the Late Stage of Golden Core, he was now in the corresponding stage for the skill, on top of having an integrated Physical Body.
He was absolutely unrivaled among those of the Same Tier.
Combined with Immovable as a Mountain, he could handle even a large number of Same Tier opponents with ease.
He could steamroll them all.
—
「On a small hill in the Inner Sect.」
Jiang Man walked up the hill with Mr. Yan.
"This time you’re going with the Celestial Water Sect’s team, so it will be exceptionally dangerous. You must be extremely careful," Mr. Yan said with a sigh. "It wasn’t easy for you to even get into a contest of this level. As for whether you can win a spot, don’t worry about it.
"What’s important is to participate and get some experience.
"You’ll have more chances in the thirty-odd years after you enter the Inner Sect."
"Thirty years is too long," Jiang Man said with a smile. "Although I’m in a sacrificial position, there’s still a sliver of hope. And as an Unparalleled Celestial Pride..."
"You’re best at fighting for that sliver of hope, right?" Mr. Yan cut in.
Jiang Man didn’t mind and simply nodded.
"I admit, you are a prodigy—an Unparalleled Celestial Pride, even," Mr. Yan said earnestly. "But no matter how much of a prodigy you are, you still only have an Early to Mid-stage Golden Core Cultivation."
"Late Stage," Jiang Man corrected.
"Even if you are Late St—" Mr. Yan paused mid-sentence, stunned. "What cultivation level?"
"Late Stage of Golden Core," Jiang Man repeated.
Mr. Yan was dumbfounded. Finally, he said, "Pretend I didn’t say any of that. Go and fight for it. The people in the sacrificial spots aren’t usually that strong. In past years, those with lower cultivation levels often lasted longer and received more rewards.
"So, it’s rare to see anyone at the Perfection realm. Your level is already considered high.
"But even those with formidable strength who lasted until the very end have never managed to secure a spot."
"No one has ever gotten one?" Jiang Man asked.
Mr. Yan nodded. "Never."
Jiang Man thought for a moment, then said, "Well, there’s about to be."
Mr. Yan looked at Jiang Man and thought, ’Even though you were number one in the Outer Sect, I still think that sounds a bit arrogant. But I don’t dare refute you because I’m afraid you might actually pull it off.’
Soon, they saw Ye Xiaoshuang and her group, who were waving at them.
As soon as they approached, Ye Xiaoshuang spoke in the tone of a teacher, "Jiang Man, I know of you, and I understand the extent of your Talent. That is why I pushed through all objections and recommended you to my elder brother, allowing you to compete for a spot.
"This is a rare opportunity. I believe that with your Talent, you will surely shatter the conventional understanding of countless Student Cultivators and make your name known to all."
Jiang Man was a bit surprised. ’Does this Mr. Ye really have such a discerning eye?’
"She holds a grudge because you taught her student a lesson. She’s trying to kill you with praise," Mr. Yan said.
Hearing this, Jiang Man looked at her and said, "They might think you’re trying to kill me with praise right now, but the tide of opinion will soon turn."
Ye Xiaoshuang was baffled.
Jiang Man continued, "Before long, they will all be praising your discerning eye."
Ye Xiaoshuang was confused.
Mr. Yan patted her on the shoulder and said, "You’d better get ready to receive the admiration of all the Student Cultivators and become the legendary Mr. Ye."