Wuyun Sect.

Cloud Mist Peak, one of the Outer Sect’s Seven Peaks.

At the registration office below the peak, bathed in moonlight, the man in charge frowned. "We’re one person short," he said. "According to the records, he should have been here long ago. Why is there no sign of him?"

"Probably got lost," another Fairy beside him commented. Her curiosity piqued, she asked, "Who’s missing? Can you look it up?"

He Chenfeng stared at the records in the book for a long moment before finally saying, "He’s from Luoyun City. It seems he was ranked first there. I just don’t know why he hasn’t arrived yet."

The woman, Bai Danyan, stretched lazily. "In any case, he’s missed the deadline. That means he won’t be able to get into the Pioneer Courtyard. He’ll have to wait for the regular courtyards later.

"Make a note of it so the arrangements can be made accordingly.

"The hour is getting late. We should be leaving now."

He Chenfeng thought for a moment, then said, "I’ll wait a little longer. I’ll leave at dawn."

Bai Danyan looked at him. "Now that I think about it, you’re also from Luoyun City. Fine, keep waiting then, but you can only wait until tomorrow at the latest."

He Chenfeng gave a slight nod and continued to wait.

Unfortunately, even after dawn broke, the last person had yet to arrive.

And so, he could only note the situation and close the book.

Awaiting the next registration period.

"What a shame."

A situation like this was extremely rare.

—

Inside the Qi Refining Secret Realm, Jiang Man hid behind a giant boulder, practicing the Promotion Skill.

Because his understanding of it wasn’t thorough enough, he had to ponder it as he practiced.

Fortunately, it wasn’t as difficult to cultivate as the Celestial Heart Seal.

He had already completed one cycle before the sky even began to brighten.

’This will make things easier later on.’

’Only nine layers.’

’There’s enough time left.’

"You really didn’t sleep all night? Cultivating like this is counterproductive; it’s completely meaningless." A man walked out from the other side of the boulder.

It was Ye Wenxiu, a disciple of Red Water Peak.

Jiang Man wasn’t bothered. "Young Master Ye, how can you be so sure that I’m wrong?" he asked.

Having just arrived, Jiang Man didn’t know the specifics of the Sect.

Therefore, he needed to listen more and gain a more comprehensive understanding.

The Sect was filled with many geniuses.

But he was certain he could distinguish himself; he just wasn’t sure how long it would take.

So he wouldn’t just shoot his mouth off for no reason.

Especially when facing the wealthy—they would never believe him.

It had been the same in the Yunqian Bureau.

Especially since he didn’t have a rank yet.

Once he secured the first-place rank, everyone would be convinced.

He firmly believed it wouldn’t take too long.

Especially among his peers.

’Two years, one year, maybe even half a year. Then he, too, would be able to say to others what Yu Wanyi had once said to him:’

’Avoid my brilliance.’

"It has always been this way. It’s just wishful thinking from you poor people, believing that hard work will always pay off.

"But in reality, your entire approach is wrong. Pulling all-nighters to cultivate is not the way," Ye Wenxiu said casually. "If you want to cultivate, you should be attuned to your state of mind. You also need to rest when you’re supposed to rest. Otherwise, your cultivation will become blocked.

"Of course, there is another possibility."

Ye Wenxiu looked at Jiang Man and continued, "Perhaps you’ve been wrong from the very beginning and simply don’t understand what true cultivation feels like.

"So when you do get blocked, you just think it’s normal.

"As a result, you can never know just how outrageously wrong you are.

"You poor folk really can be like that.

"It’s not entirely your fault, I suppose."

Jiang Man thought for a moment. He, of course, had never felt that way.

Besides, the Old Yellow Ox had never mentioned anything of the sort.

’And what he calls ’smooth’—could it possibly be as smooth as my cultivation?’

"Always been this way?" Jiang Man asked.

"Always has been," Ye Wenxiu nodded.

Jiang Man looked at him and chuckled. "And just because it’s always been that way, that makes it right?"

Ye Wenxiu was taken aback for a second, then shook his head slightly. "They say the less someone knows, the more stubborn and self-confident they are. I didn’t believe it before.

"I thought reason could get through to anyone.

"Now I see that it can’t.

"A limited environment, a narrow perspective—it locks a person in a cage of their own making.

"But you’ll understand once you’ve been in the Sect long enough."

Ye Wenxiu didn’t say any more. ’Why argue with a poor guy? I’ll just use my rank and my Spiritual Source to display my power and prove myself right. That’s enough.’

Still, it was rare to run into someone out here, and he naturally wanted to win the other man over to help him compete for Foundation Establishment Qi.

Jiang Man retracted his gaze. He didn’t have time to argue.

He needed to continue his cultivation and then head to the mountain’s peak.

Although he could achieve Foundation Establishment anywhere, his other goal was to get close to the summit and touch that cauldron.

He wanted to see if he could gain anything from it.

For now, he had to keep improving.

After that, Jiang Man began to use physical movements to assist the circulation of his Spiritual Qi, thereby advancing his Promotion Skill.

When he succeeded with the first cycle, he had already reached the First Layer of the Promotion Skill.

’All Qi Refining Cultivation Skills are completed in one cycle. I wonder how many it will take after Foundation Establishment.’

Not dwelling on it, he began the second cycle.

Circulating it again, he found none of the initial obstruction, and his speed increased significantly.

After two cycles.

Second Layer of the Promotion Skill.

Ye Wenxiu, who had been trying to advise him from the side, didn’t notice anything. He just shook his head in resignation and finally said he was going to look for the others who were about to advance. He added that he would come back if he found anything and hoped Jiang Man wouldn’t refuse him then.

Jiang Man felt a pang of regret.

’A money-making opportunity just slipped through my fingers. I wonder if I’ll get a chance like this again. Still, reaching Foundation Establishment has to be the priority. Spiritual Source is great, but time waits for no one. This is all because of the pressure from that Unparalleled Celestial Pride.’

Putting aside his other thoughts, Jiang Man resumed circulating the Promotion Skill.

After four cycles.

Third Layer of the Promotion Skill.

After eight cycles.

Fourth Layer of the Promotion Skill.

After sixteen cycles.

Fifth Layer of the Promotion Skill.

After thirty-two cycles.

Sixth Layer of the Promotion Skill.

Night had fallen.