The End of the Immortal Path

Those Demon Beasts were certainly fierce, and then there was that fire.

The burning left an unsettling feeling in his heart.

Someone else might not have been able to endure it.

After a short rest, Jiang Man followed the path forward. After walking for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, he saw a pavilion.

Inside, a middle-aged man was brewing tea.

Jiang Man frowned. The man appeared to have his divine light restrained, yet he still faintly influenced his surroundings.

An expert, stronger than the old man in the lake.

However, Jiang Man wasn’t sure of the man’s identity. ’Could he be a spirit of the mountain?’

Jiang Man approached the pavilion. The man happened to finish brewing the tea just then. He pushed a cup toward Jiang Man, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Care for some tea?"

Jiang Man asked with some curiosity, "Senior, were you waiting for me?"

"I came here after you walked out of the Heart Demon Lake. Naturally, I was waiting for you," the middle-aged man said, picking up his own teacup.

"Senior, you’re not a creature from this assessment Secret Realm?" Jiang Man asked, sitting down.

"I am one of the six Peak Masters of the Wuyun Sect, Bai Wanli of Celestial Essence Peak," the middle-aged man said softly.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Man was taken aback.

’One of the six Peak Masters?’

He didn’t yet know what rank a Peak Master held.

But he was certain that this man was beyond the Inner Sect, someone only the core Direct Disciples would ever meet.

"Peak Master Bai, did you come looking for me specifically?" Jiang Man asked.

"Yes. I believe you have great potential, and I wish to sign a master-disciple contract with you," Peak Master Bai said.

Hearing the word "contract," Jiang Man immediately became wary.

’This isn’t something I can sign carelessly.’

While it had its benefits, for someone like him, the restraints would likely outweigh them.

Peak Master Bai took a sip of tea and continued, "Once the contract is signed, Celestial Essence Peak will provide you with a wealth of resources. As long as you achieve the birth of your Primordial Spirit within fifty years in the Inner Sect, you will be guaranteed entry into the Sect’s core and become my Direct Disciple. Ordinary people, even if they have a Primordial Spirit, cannot pass the core assessment."

"And what would I need to do?" Jiang Man asked.

Although his Talent was good, he knew Spiritual Sources weren’t just given away freely.

Take Mr. Ji’s Spiritual Source, for example.

He had offered a generous amount, but it came with the condition of marrying Miss Ji Meng.

A very high price.

"Just be obedient," Bai Wanli said casually, setting down his teacup.

Jiang Man looked at him and said, "This ’obedience’ seems to encompass a lot. For example?"

Bai Wanli raised an eyebrow at Jiang Man. "For example, in the upcoming Immortal Sect Grand Competition, your Cultivation is lacking. You’ll need to cooperate with certain people to achieve their goals."

"Of course, your chance will come next time. That competition will be your main stage."

’So I’d be paving the way for others first,’ Jiang Man thought, then said, "Can I refuse?"

"You can," Bai Wanli said calmly. "However, if you refuse to give me face, I will naturally take certain actions."

"Are you going to attack me, Senior?" Jiang Man asked.

’If he really decided to make a move, there would be nothing I could do.’

’I’m no match for him at all.’

’If this forces Old Huang to reveal himself, things will get ugly.’

"It won’t come to that. Under the great governance of the Immortal Sect, people like us won’t casually attack a Student Cultivator." Bai Wanli toyed with the teacup in his hand and glanced at Jiang Man. "But if you reject a Peak Master’s offer, many people will know about it."

"The people who usually sell you Elixirs will refuse your business. Those close to you will start avoiding you like the plague. Anyone who might lend you Spiritual Source will keep their distance."

"Even through official Sect channels, when you go to make a purchase, they’ll just apologize and say they’re sold out."

"Your shop will be put under strict investigation, and who knows, it might get shut down the day you enter the competition."

"Even your residence might be repossessed for ’renovations’ for any number of reasons."

A threat.

Jiang Man looked at the man before him, feeling helpless.

’I’m being threatened by a major figure this time.’

’No wonder the Sect gives you property, a courtyard, job qualifications, and access to the Qi Refining Secret Realm. It was all a trap waiting to be sprung.’

’The more you receive, the easier you are to control and threaten.’

Bai Wanli put down his teacup and smiled at Jiang Man. "I know you have Ji Hao in your corner, who thinks highly of you. But a strong dragon cannot repress a local snake. He can indeed protect you in many matters, but he can’t help you with the things I mentioned. Of course, if you bring him with you to buy Elixirs and such, you’ll naturally be able to make the purchase."

"And you’ll naturally be able to apply for a courtyard."

"But it will just be taken back later, and your shop will still be shut down."

"Can he follow you around every second of the day?"

"Handle everything for you personally?"

"Even if he could, how many times could he do it?"

After saying this, Bai Wanli stood up. "I know you lack Spiritual Source. Sign the contract, and you will no longer have to worry about it."

"Besides, your Talent is just beginning to show. No one knows to what Realm you can maintain it."

"Perhaps Primordial Spirit, perhaps Returning Void, but there is always a limit."

"Your current performance doesn’t guarantee your future. Gaining sufficient resources and a powerful backer as early as possible is a rare opportunity for you."

"Sometimes, Talent has an expiration date. Nod your head now, and you can become even stronger before that time runs out."

"My people will come to you in a few days to sign the contract. I hope you make the right choice."

Jiang Man was silent for a moment before asking, "What if I sign with someone else?"

"It’s the same. All those things will still happen."

"Then won’t they use the same methods on me as you?"

Bai Wanli smiled. "They’re not as shameless as I am."

With that, he vanished on the spot.

Jiang Man also felt that he could leave this place at any time.

His assessment was over.

’Based on what he said, I must have secured a spot.’

’But it seems I’ve drawn some attention.’

Shaking his head, Jiang Man left the area.

He appeared in a corner of the square.

The moment he emerged, a few people noticed him.

But the vast majority didn’t recognize him.

However, Ye Xiaoshuang and the others found him right away.

Ye Xiaoshuang looked thrilled and handed Jiang Man three thousand Spiritual Source. "I knew I wasn’t wrong about you! You’ve really made me proud! Because of you, I’m now a renowned teacher!"

Saying this, she looked so moved she was on the verge of tears.

’I’ve never received such high praise before.’

’An Outer Sect renowned teacher with an eye as sharp as a torch.’

’Unparalleled.’

’Discoverer of an Unparalleled Celestial Pride.’

Looking at the Spiritual Source, Jiang Man couldn’t help but sigh. ’There are still good people in the world after all.’

’She not only gave me a chance, but also Spiritual Source.’

After a pause, Jiang Man remembered something and said, "Mr. Ye, when your brother and the others come out, please remember to return my Spirit Sword."

’That sword is worth much more than twenty thousand Spiritual Source.’

’It’ll be a huge loss if I don’t get it back.’

Ye Xiaoshuang looked a little surprised, then took out a spare Flying Sword and handed it to Jiang Man. "Here, you can use this one for now."

Jiang Man looked at the Spirit Sword, which was of much better quality, and fell silent for a moment.

Now, he kind of hoped they had broken his Spirit Sword so they would have to compensate him with this one.

’Having Spiritual Source really is great.’

’I have no Spiritual Source, and I was just threatened because of it.’

In the distance, Zhao Tiankuo stared at Jiang Man in disbelief.

He had come here to see who had secured a spot, intending to find a way to make them work for him.

But he never expected to see Jiang Man’s name.

Especially since the guy had actually gotten a spot.

For an Outer Sect disciple, just participating in this competition was already impressive.

’But to get a spot in half a day? Is this a joke?’

In that instant, he recalled the Old Yellow Ox’s report.

At this moment, he stood frozen to the spot. "Could it be... the Old Yellow Ox wasn’t crazy after all?"

At this thought, Zhao Tiankuo gulped.

Then...

’Did Jiang Man achieve Great Success of All Rivers Flow into the Sea?’

’Is his Immovable as a Mountain also near Great Success?’

’Is he at the Late Stage of Golden Core?’

He had initially planned to match his recovery speed to Jiang Man’s progress to avoid drawing attention.

Now, he suddenly realized his recovery couldn’t keep up with Jiang Man’s advancement.

"Could he be a Great Evil God? Otherwise, how could he advance faster than I can recover?"

"Whether he is or not, the Old Yellow Ox is my informant. What if I use it to make Jiang Man do my bidding?"

"There’s a risk of exposure, but I can rephrase things to mitigate that risk."

"That way, Jiang Man will ultimately become a tool in my hands, for me to use as I please."

Thinking of this, the corners of Zhao Tiankuo’s mouth lifted into a smirk.

He had found a way to turn the tables.

——

Cloud Mist Peak.

Back at his residence, Jiang Man performed two laps around the area using Sword Control.

’This sword is really nice. Worth thirty-eight thousand at least.’

"Old Huang, what do you think of my sword?" Jiang Man asked, sheathing the blade.

"It’s alright," the Old Yellow Ox replied without lifting its head.

"Old Huang, I got threatened again today," Jiang Man said with a sigh.

He then recounted the person he had met and their conversation.

"A Peak Master? It seems you’ve become quite conspicuous on this trip. Otherwise, they wouldn’t even glance at someone in the Golden Core Stage," the Old Yellow Ox said.

Jiang Man sighed as well. "I didn’t expect it either. I broke through the Heart Demon Lake in just half a day, and I barely even tried."

"Somehow, I ended up in first place."

Old Huang was silent for a long time.

Finally, he changed the subject. "That man certainly has the power to threaten you. What do you plan to do now?"

"Sign the contract and never have to try again?"

————