The End of the Immortal Path

Jiang Man’s casualness and the nonchalance in his words surprised Xiaopang and Luo Xuan.

’So from the Sect’s perspective, is betrayal really so insignificant?’

"Isn’t betrayal a serious matter?" Xiaopang asked.

"How is it serious? In the end, it’s just leaving the Sect. It doesn’t really conflict with the Sect’s interests," Jiang Man explained. "If you don’t enter the Sect’s core circle during your time in the Inner Sect, then you’re considered to have completed your tutelage in the Immortal Dao.

"You’re a free person.

"Luo Jian just became free a bit early. It’s nothing to fuss about.

"Of course, if the Sect decides to hunt someone down one day, it’ll be about the matter at hand, not personal."

Luo Xuan fell silent for a moment, then took out one thousand Spiritual Source to express her gratitude.

Jiang Man was stunned. ’Is this information really that valuable?’

He accepted it gladly.

’Next time she wants to know something, I can go ask around again.’

’After all, it’s free for me to gather information.’

’Free Spiritual Source.’

Luo Xuan understood what Jiang Man was saying. From the Sect’s perspective, this wasn’t a big deal.

But the Sect’s position was too lofty.

In a place like Luoyun City, it would be considered treason.

It would be tantamount to going against the Sect.

The danger was real, so Luoyun City would definitely not let the Luo Family off the hook.

Luo Xuan heaved a heavy sigh. The Luo Family’s situation seemed to have worsened.

Xiaopang pulled Jiang Man aside and said, "Brother Jiang, can Miss Luo’s second uncle still come back?"

Jiang Man shook his head, indicating he didn’t know.

He was truly clueless about such matters.

And he hadn’t made any special effort to find out.

But since Mr. Ji hadn’t made a move against the Lingyue Sect, it meant it had a reason to exist and was operating within the rules of survival.

Otherwise, with Mr. Ji’s power...

...it wouldn’t matter how many Lingyue Sects there were; it wouldn’t be enough. The fact that he could bring back the original Sword Intent with his bare hands was proof enough of his incredible strength.

"If Miss Luo isn’t free, then neither am I," Xiaopang lamented.

"Focus on Foundation Establishment. Wait for me to get you an Ancient Skill, and just work hard for now," Jiang Man said.

"An Ancient Skill?" Xiaopang was a little surprised. "What’s that?"

"It’s what lets you pull a few all-nighters and become a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Not only that, you could even grind your way to becoming a Golden Core Ancestor." Jiang Man clapped Xiaopang on the shoulder. "Work hard. Anything’s possible."

Xiaopang was shocked. "A Golden Core Ancestor? Isn’t that a bit much? I’d be satisfied just reaching Foundation Establishment, though I haven’t even done that yet."

Jiang Man said, "You need to think long-term. Don’t you know your own strength?"

Xiaopang said, "It’s precisely because I know my strength that I think it’s a bit much."

"Don’t you know *my* strength?"

"Still, isn’t Golden Core a bit too far off?"

Jiang Man said with a sigh, "Cultivate well at night. Don’t waste time. You’ll have to endure some hardship first..."

’Cultivation will only get harder later on, so he should get used to it now.’ Jiang Man didn’t say this last part out loud.

’Enjoying life?’

’He’s young. If he doesn’t cultivate properly, what enjoyment is there to be had?’

Afterward, Jiang Man asked about Song Qing.

He hadn’t managed the shop himself in a long time—over a year.

He wondered how Song Qing was running it.

He hadn’t brought anything back to sell this time.

"Song Qing has probably been pretty busy lately. He’s been selling dried rations, and they’re actually quite good," Xiaopang said.

He then called for Song Qing.

When he saw Jiang Man, Song Qing’s face lit up with excitement. "Young Master Jiang, the shop is finally profitable!"

Only then did Jiang Man learn that selling just three Spirit Eggs wasn’t very meaningful.

So, Song Qing had wanted to do something more.

But none of the other businesses seemed suitable.

In the end, he decided to sell some food.

But cooking to order was out of the question—it would take too much time. So he thought of selling some kind of dried rations.

Something customers could just grab and go.

Then he had asked Cheng Yu to consult a Cloud Front Guard.

"So you ended up selling sesame seed pancakes?" Jiang Man was astonished.

It was the first time he’d ever seen someone sell sesame seed pancakes in the Sect.

And they were even turning a profit.

"It’s mainly because they’re delicious," Xiaopang remarked. "I have no idea how that guard learned to make such tasty sesame seed pancakes."

"Actually, it started because of the three Spirit Eggs. A lot of people were curious about them and just bought the pancakes on the side," Song Qing said.

"How much profit do you make a month?" Jiang Man asked curiously.

Hearing this, Song Qing took out a bag of Spiritual Source and said, "This is the profit from the last three months. Before that, there was hardly any income."

Jiang Man took a look. ’Twenty-five thousand?’

’Eight thousand a month?’

Jiang Man was quite shocked. ’You can make this much selling sesame seed pancakes?’

"It’s mainly because the cost is low," Song Qing said.

Jiang Man gave Song Qing fifteen thousand.

"Three thousand a month is your salary; keep the rest for emergencies," Jiang Man said as he put away ten thousand.

Song Qing accepted the Spiritual Source and said, "Actually, if we could just hire the person who developed the pancake recipe, Young Master Jiang could earn even more."

"Can’t you hire him?" Jiang Man asked.

"He’s with the Yunqian Bureau. He can’t get in here," Song Qing said.

Jiang Man casually took out a letter. "I just happened to get a job designation notice. Go give it a try. As for how much to pay him a month, you can figure that out.

"If he won’t come, just keep selling them yourself."

He wanted to help with the shop, but he was too busy and couldn’t spare the effort.

Leaving it all to Song Qing was for the best.

Selling sesame seed pancakes was fine. At least it was making money.

A few thousand a month was a huge profit.

’Probably more than Xiaopang makes here.’

Jiang Man glanced at the Spirit Medicine shop.

Xiaopang felt offended.

"Senior Brother Song?" Suddenly, a young woman walking by greeted Song Qing in surprise.

Jiang Man and the others immediately looked over and saw a woman in her early twenties. Judging by her clothes, she was a disciple from the Rehabilitation Courtyard.

Song Qing was a bit surprised. "Miss Zhao? I told you, I’m just a shop assistant, not a Sect Disciple."

"But I admire your understanding of Cultivation. I couldn’t have grasped it without you." Saying this, she looked toward Jiang Man and the others. "Are you friends of Senior Brother? Greetings, Senior Brothers and Sisters. Senior Brother Song’s understanding of Qi Refining is truly unique.

"You should listen to his insights sometime.

"I won’t disturb you any longer."

After that, she left.

She was graceful and composed.

Jiang Man looked at Song Qing.

Xiaopang was also shocked. "Song Qing! Let’s hear it! What’s the story? Is she the next little sister of the Chang Family?

"And what gives you the right to guide her Cultivation?