The End of the Immortal Path

"I thought I would miss out on this grand competition."

"But who would have thought? Things took an unexpected turn. They might be trying to teach you a lesson, but they’ve also genuinely given you a chance."

Jiang Man was rather surprised to hear this.

’So the grand competition is that massive.’

He had thought the biggest competition was the one between the Three Major Sects under the jurisdiction of an Immortal Sect.

He never imagined it was a competition among the twelve Major Sects under the Four Major Immortal Sects, with the Immortal Sects themselves participating.

’This...’

’Just how rich would I get from one trip inside?’

"Is this position a mandatory sacrifice?" Jiang Man asked.

Yu Wanyi looked at Jiang Man and explained, "The so-called sacrifice means giving up the chance to secure a spot. The method varies, but it’s a feature of every competition."

"If you join, you have to be that person."

"You’ll have to watch as they go on to secure their spots, while you’re left behind to cover their retreat, boosting them up just that one time."

"But no competition is a complete dead end. Even in this sacrificial position, there’s always a glimmer of hope—a chance to get a spot for yourself."

Hearing this, Jiang Man was relieved. "Seizing that glimmer of hope is what I do best."

Yu Wanyi nodded. "In that case, accept the invitation and start preparing. As far as I know, the battle for the spots will be around May. After the spots are decided, you’ll have five months to rest before the grand competition."

"That means the Inner Sect competition will likely start this October or November."

"This competition can last anywhere from six to twelve months."

"When I participated, I was in there for ten months."

Jiang Man was curious. "Senior Sister Yu, you’ve been in there too?"

"Of course! I fought my own way in. I don’t freeload," Yu Wanyi said smugly.

After a pause, she continued, "You’d better make me proud this time. If you get a ranking in the Golden Core District, my investment will pay off big time."

"My name will be everywhere."

"If you’re a total embarrassment, I’ll be embarrassed too."

"I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop myself from breaking out of prison just to beat you up."

Jiang Man mused for a moment. ’By then, I’ll be at Golden Core Perfection.’

’Senior Sister Yu will be at Golden Core Perfection at most. When that time comes, we’ll see who’s beating up whom.’

’Especially since I’m an Unparalleled Celestial Pride, invincible among those of the Same Tier.’

After chatting a little longer, Jiang Man took his leave.

He accepted the invitation as well.

He had to participate in this grand competition, but the situation was far from ideal.

He never expected the challenge from the Celestial Water Sect would actually win him this spot.

What an unexpected, pleasant surprise.

’Even though they’re trying to teach me a lesson...’

’...but...’

’They probably know nothing about what an Unparalleled Celestial Pride can do.’

’I can’t blame them for their lack of caution.’

「Red Water Peak.」

Xiaopang was still hauling Spirit Grass while Luo Xuan frowned slightly, looking over the account books.

Although their little shop was barely profitable, the situation wasn’t promising.

They earned too little, and no matter how hard they worked, they couldn’t seem to improve things.

The barrier to entry for selling Spirit Medicine was low, but the competition was also incredibly fierce.

They were only able to turn a profit at all thanks to Jiang Man’s guidance, which had given them a much deeper understanding of Spirit Medicine.

Just then, a dejected Luo Lu arrived at the little shop.

She greeted Xiaopang before going to find Luo Xuan.

"Cousin?" Luo Xuan looked at her in surprise.

"They’re back, but... Second Uncle didn’t make it back," Luo Lu said, her expression somber.

She spoke in a hushed tone, as if afraid of being overheard.

"You’ll have to stay here," Luo Lu added.

Luo Xuan sighed. "This must be very hard on you, Cousin."

"Yes." Luo Lu’s eyes welled up. "I’ve spent all this time with my head down, bowing and scraping, every step a struggle."

"I’ve been terrified of doing one wrong thing and bringing disaster upon us."

"All I want... is to stand a little taller."

"What did they say about Second Uncle?" Luo Xuan asked.

"He’s missing," Luo Lu said with a forced smile. "It’s okay. Second Uncle is just missing. Maybe he’ll be back soon. We just have to focus on living our own lives as best we can."

"It would be even better if we could earn some Spiritual Source to hire someone to look for him."

Luo Xuan tried to comfort her. "Cousin, you could try to break through to the Golden Core Realm. Perhaps you won’t need to wait for Second Uncle’s return. You could become a pillar of support just like him."

A bitter expression crossed Luo Lu’s face.

Reaching the Golden Core Realm was harder than ascending to heaven.

Her Talent was considered good in the Yunqian Bureau, and it was decent in the Rehabilitation Courtyard.

But...

...after entering the First, Second, and Third Courtyards, she discovered that the others were unbelievably strong.

The only reason she could keep up now was because she secretly stayed up all night for her Cultivation.

She was also practicing the Visualization Skill, Eternal Sun.

On top of that, her family provided a continuous stream of resources, truly doing everything in their power to support her.

Even with all that, she could barely keep up, and it still wasn’t enough.

She needed to work even harder, to find more ways to improve.

The family was already struggling, yet they had given her so many resources.

She didn’t want to be a burden on them.

But it wasn’t easy, wanting to stand on her own two feet.

She couldn’t think of any other good options.

She looked at Luo Xuan and suddenly realized something. The reason Luo Xuan could continue her Cultivation in peace, and the reason the family could provide her with sufficient resources...

...was all because Luo Xuan might one day marry into the Gao Family.

’What about me? What if I chose to marry?’

She fell silent.

An inner part of her recoiled at the thought.

’So, Luo Xuan’s situation is even more difficult than mine.’

If anything unpleasant were to happen with the Gao Family, the Luo Family would face utter damnation.

"Don’t overthink it, Cousin," Luo Xuan said softly. "With your Talent, things will get better."

Luo Lu looked at Luo Xuan. "Is it hard on you?"

Luo Xuan paused, then said, "Running the shop isn’t hard. I handle the bookkeeping, and Young Master Gao takes care of most other things."

"I was asking about..." Luo Lu trailed off, unsure how to phrase her question.

Luo Xuan seemed to understand. She shook her head immediately. "You’re worrying too much, Cousin. This isn’t a hardship for me. In fact, I’m quite fortunate, all things considered."

"Besides, I was the one who received the lion’s share of the family’s resources, yet I still failed and couldn’t measure up."

"It’s only natural that I bear the corresponding responsibility."

"But regardless, my current situation is a good one. Please don’t think I’m suffering, Cousin. To do so would be to slight Young Master Gao."

Luo Lu was taken aback for a moment, then nodded firmly. "I understand."

After that, Luo Lu left.

Xiaopang came over to Luo Xuan’s side, confused. "Miss Luo, what did your cousin want to talk about? Her eyes looked all red."

"My second uncle’s undercover team came back, but he didn’t," Luo Xuan said with a sigh.

Hearing this, Xiaopang froze. "Does that mean my dad is still going to threaten your family? Miss Luo, you were so close to freedom."

Luo Xuan glanced at Xiaopang, then alerted him, "Jiang Man is here."

Xiaopang immediately looked around and, spotting Jiang Man, ran over. "Brother Jiang! It’s been a while!"

As Jiang Man approached, he noticed that Xiaopang’s dark circles were gone.

This puzzled him greatly.

’Has he been slacking off again?’

"My Reincarnation period is over. I’ve been studying the Promotion Skill lately," Xiaopang explained.

Jiang Man frowned. ’That won’t do. I need to get him an Ancient Skill so he can get back to cultivating all night.’

’Once he qualifies for the Qi Refining Secret Realm, he can go there.’

’I’ll ask Old Huang for one when I get back.’

Xiaopang, meanwhile, took out a piece of meat jerky and offered it to Jiang Man.

After trying a piece, Jiang Man was surprised to find it was different from before.

It was more tender, with a better texture.

"Doesn’t taste as good, right?" Xiaopang lamented. "I like it when it’s really dry, but Miss Luo said that kind is too tough, bad for your teeth, and a waste of meat."

"So she made this for me instead."

"I wrote a letter home to reason with my father about it."

"And can you believe it? He asked if my Talent was as high as Luo Xuan’s, and if my knowledge was as extensive as hers."

"He said if the answer to both was no, then what was there to argue about? Of course I should listen to her."

"I feel like they’re not just isolating me, they’re bullying me."

As Jiang Man chewed on the jerky, he suddenly felt that it was, indeed, terrible.

"I heard before that Miss Luo’s second uncle might be coming back, but now they’re saying he’s missing. If he had come back, I’d be free," Xiaopang said.

Jiang Man paused, then walked up to Luo Xuan. "Miss Luo, is your second uncle named Luo Jian?"

Hearing this, Luo Xuan started. "Yes. Has Young Master Jiang seen him?"

"I haven’t, but I know where he is," Jiang Man replied.

Ren Qian had just told him what the Lingyue Sect had reported.

Apparently, the Lingyue Sect had a new Grand Elder, who was most likely the "missing" Luo Jian.

It seemed he had defected.

The Sect, however, didn’t seem to care about the defection.

So there was no need to seek confirmation.

Luo Xuan immediately grew tense. "Young Master Jiang, how much Spiritual Source will this information cost?"

Jiang Man thought for a moment. "It’s bad news. Are you sure you want to hear it?"

Luo Xuan nodded, of course.

Jiang Man didn’t hide anything, telling her everything he knew.

He didn’t mention the word "defection," of course.

But the facts were clear: the team had gone, but he hadn’t returned with them, and the Lingyue Sect knew that Elder Luo was from the Wuyun Sect.

Luo Xuan could connect the dots without him having to say it.

Her second uncle had defected.

If this news got out, the Luo Family...

...would be finished.

This news could not get out.

Luo Xuan’s first instinct was to look at Jiang Man, ready to kneel and beg for his mercy.

Just then, Xiaopang blurted out, "Brother Jiang, you can’t go spreading this around! If word gets out, won’t my dad be in trouble?"

Munching on the tasteless jerky, Jiang Man said, "I’m just telling Miss Luo. Who cares who some Elder of the Lingyue Sect is? Even our own Sect doesn’t care about it."