Jiang Man soon found out why.

Of the twelve people, eleven kept their heads down as they passed him.

Everyone understood what it meant to be number one.

His radiance was too dazzling for them to look at directly.

But the last person, a frail-looking man with a pale face, stared right at him as if to say, ’It won’t be long before that spot is mine.’

And with that, Jiang Man understood.

The Foundation Establishment cultivator with the greatest potential was actually this frail.

’He must be a formidable rival who pulls a lot of all-nighters.’

"The names will be announced according to your rankings shortly. You can get to know each other then," Yan Yiqiu said, looking at the twelve behind her. "Later, I will explain the Nascent Condensation Skill to you."

Then, she turned to Jiang Man and the others. "The first assessment is over. Most of you can begin Body Refining and practicing your Visualization Skill. You cannot score lower than thirty points in the next assessment.

"Otherwise, you will have to stay behind to cultivate.

"Furthermore, the top three may now choose a master.

"This is the information regarding your apprenticeships."

As she spoke, she handed Jiang Man and the other two a letter each.

"The conditions for taking a master and the benefits of doing so are all in here. Take a look for yourselves." Yan Yiqiu gave a brief explanation, then mentioned Minors. "Normally, you would only consider a Minor after the next assessment, but some people in our courtyard are progressing quickly.

"So, you can start thinking about it now.

"As for Minors, the most economical options should be Talisman Making and Spirit Plant cultivation.

"Besides those, you can also try learning Magic Skills.

"You can do some preliminary research on your own. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask me.

"You may begin your Cultivation."

After speaking, she walked over to the group of twelve.

She began explaining the Nascent Condensation Skill in a side courtyard.

In seven days, their progress would be the same as Jiang Man’s group.

The three-month gap would be closed very quickly.

It was a bit of a loss.

The final batch had it even worse, starting half a year late.

But in reality, half a year only amounted to a thirty or forty-point difference.

Pull a few all-nighters, take some Elixirs, and you’d catch right up.

As soon as Yan Yiqiu left, Jiang Man immediately inspected the letter.

It was about taking a master from the Outer Sect. Although the masters themselves were from the Inner Sect, they were all stationed in the Outer Sect.

These individuals held positions in the Outer Sect Seven Peaks, where they gave lectures and sermons.

After becoming an apprentice, one could attend these for free and ask questions at any time.

Occasionally, one could even get some work from them.

This was a huge benefit for one’s Minor.

However, becoming an apprentice required a gift for the master.

Jiang Man’s potential master was an Alchemy Master, with a dojo on Red Water Peak.

He was one of the seven instructing Pill Masters.

It was said that all the instructors for the Alchemy Minor were taught by them.

An Alchemy Master should have plenty of work available, so Jiang Man felt it was definitely worth a try.

With a bit of luck, he might even receive some Elixirs.

He could even get discounts on Elixirs.

But when he saw the required gift, he was stunned.

Ten thousand Spiritual Source, ten stalks of Ice Numbing Grass, one hundred Insect Spirit Shells, three bottles of Exploring Dark Water, one box of ash, and one hundred Hundred Spirits Plants.

Furthermore, a monthly offering of five hundred Spiritual Source was required.

Jiang Man: "..."

’What’s the use of a master like this?’

Out of curiosity, Jiang Man asked Zhuo Bufan, who was next to him and looked quite wealthy.

He probably recognized these things that Jiang Man couldn’t make heads or tails of.

With a single glance, Zhuo Bufan said, "All together, that’s fifty thousand Spiritual Source. Your apprenticeship gift is a bit much."

Then he looked at the name and said in surprise, "It’s actually an instructing Alchemy Master?"

"I want a Pill Master too," Zhao Yaoyao said with envy.

Jiang Man, however, felt nothing. It was a shame his name was written on it.

Otherwise, he would have sold it.

As for becoming an apprentice?

’I’ll think about it later.’

He had no intention of learning Alchemy anyway.

Fifty thousand Spiritual Source...

Jiang Man decided he must be an Unparalleled Celestial Pride who had no need for a master.

’Better to just go back and raise my Cultivation.’

Jiang Man got up, ready to leave.

Zhuo Bufan asked, "Are you going to prepare for your apprenticeship?"

Jiang Man looked at him and shook his head. "I’m going back to cultivate. Do you want me to stay and cultivate here?"

Zhuo Bufan: "..."

Jiang Man didn’t make things difficult for them. Otherwise, they’d all have to stay and cultivate, with no one allowed to leave.

’Now that I’ve reached Foundation Establishment, there’s no need for that. I’ll just go back and cultivate in secret.’

’First, I’ll max out my remaining Spiritual Qi, then improve my Physical Body and Spirit.’

’After that, I’ll practice the Celestial Heart Seal and the Sword Control Technique.’

’As for a Spirit Sword...’

’I’ll buy one later, depending on the situation.’

’After all, future Cultivation will consume a lot of Spiritual Source. If I buy one and don’t use it much, I’ll regret it.’

Watching Jiang Man leave, an image of him cultivating at home flashed through Zhuo Bufan’s mind.

It made him not dare to stop.

He had to go cultivate too.

Zhao Yaoyao and the others also immediately went back to cultivate.

That evening, after finishing his Cultivation, Zhuo Bufan deliberately went out for a stroll and ended up at the cliff where Jiang Man lived.

He found that figure cultivating ceaselessly, without a moment’s rest.

The Spiritual Qi around his body grew increasingly dense.

In the end, he was too restless to sleep and chose to go back to cultivate.

As he cultivated, he felt he was making great progress.

The thought of getting ahead of everyone else made him even more excited.

"There really is no feeling of Heart Spirit damage."

"Back then, I actually fell for their nonsense."

Elsewhere, Zhao Yaoyao felt the same way.

The thought of everyone falling behind her filled her with hope.

’Heart Spirit damage? What Heart Spirit damage?’

She was full of confidence.

However, cultivating like this did take a toll on her body, but what were Qi Blood Pills and Concentration Grass for?

’Use them. Use them all.’

’If number one can endure it, why can’t I?’

’I’m so rich, can’t I afford to keep this up?’

In just seven days, the other members of the Ninth Courtyard all showed a trace of fatigue.

But a golden light glittered in their eyes.

"You’ve been pulling all-nighters to cultivate, haven’t you?" An Rong said, looking at Cao Cheng.

"Pulling all-nighters to cultivate damages your Heart Spirit. Who would do that for no reason?" Cao Cheng said, looking at An Rong’s dark circles. "Have you figured out what to do?"

’Who could stand seeing him flipping through books the moment he arrived?’

"I have. He’s poor, so just give him Spiritual Source," An Rong said.

Cao Cheng nodded. "That’s what I was thinking too. How much do you think is appropriate?"

"A thousand, I guess. That’s about the price of two Elixirs, enough to erase one sentence," An Rong said.

Over the seven days, the new batch of Foundation Establishment cultivators watched the haggard state of the entire class, their brows furrowing slightly.

’What are these people doing?’

Wei Beichuan, the top student of this batch, sighed.

’Don’t these people know that pulling all-nighters damages the Heart Spirit?’

’Looking so exhausted, it’s impossible for them to cultivate quickly.’

He couldn’t understand how they had been led astray like this.

But it didn’t matter. Now that he had reached Foundation Establishment, his rise was about to begin.

’In the next assessment, I’ll make it into the top ten.’

’In the assessment at the end of August, I’ll be in the top three. By the end of the year, I’ll be number one.’

’After that, I’ll leave everyone far behind.’

The current number one was just a poor guy. His foundation was inferior, his resources were inferior, and his diligence was inferior.

The outcome was obvious.

Seeing them all like this, Yan Yiqiu didn’t say anything.

She could question them, but would it be any use?

The number one was right there for all to see.

No one could resist trying to imitate him.

Afterward, she asked about the matter of taking a master.

She also added a reminder: "The apprenticeship letter is only valid for one month. If you don’t go within that time, your spot will likely be canceled."

Hearing this, Zhuo Bufan and the others decided to proceed with their apprenticeships.

Jiang Man had no such intentions.

Because...

Even if he were beaten to death, he couldn’t come up with fifty thousand Spiritual Source in a month.

He gave up.

Besides, he didn’t plan on learning Alchemy anyway.

He wanted to do Talisman Making; that was cheaper.

Then he’d pick an expensive one.

Learning Arrays.

’Actually, Spirit Plant cultivation would work too. After all, I have the Old Yellow Ox.’

’It can help.’ 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Thinking of this, Jiang Man felt he could also ask the ox about Arrays and Talisman Making.

’What if it knows those too?’

’Then taking a master would be even more useless.’

————

「Elsewhere.」

Yu Wanyi was kicked out by her master.

"What did you do?" a passing Senior Sister Xia asked curiously.

"I was just trying to fight for some resources," Yu Wanyi said, sounding rather helpless.

She had been rejected.

Utterly and mercilessly.

"Let me tell you something. The person Senior Brother Lu invested in entered the Foundation Establishment Courtyard at the age of seventeen," said Senior Sister Xia.

Hearing this, Yu Wanyi was stunned. "That’s insane! Even more impressive than Jiang Man."

"From the looks of it, he’s probably going to compete for the rankings of the Three Courtyards and then participate in the Seven Peaks competition," Senior Sister Xia reminded her. "Is Jiang Man qualified to compete?"

Everyone knew Jiang Man reached Foundation Establishment quickly, but no one knew what his actual score was.

Usually, it was just ten-something points, so there was nothing worth asking about.

"That’s not what I want to fight for," Yu Wanyi said seriously. "Didn’t you hear that a VIP has arrived recently and is going to open a Secret Realm? Are there spots for Foundation Establishment cultivators?

"I want to fight for a spot for Jiang Man."

Senior Sister Xia was surprised. "I heard there’s a Cultivation restriction. There isn’t enough time, is there?"

"Let’s try first. What if it works? The competition will surely start in secret, so I have to secure a spot," Yu Wanyi said.

"It’s too difficult. Even if you get a spot, he’s destined to be eliminated," Senior Sister Xia said after a moment of thought. "You should first be on guard against those families.

"What if Jiang Man gets pulled into a marriage alliance?"

"Impossible. His Dao companion wouldn’t agree to it. I have faith in his Dao companion," Yu Wanyi said with certainty.

Hearing this, Senior Sister Xia asked curiously, "Why?"

Yu Wanyi looked left and right, then said, "I’ll tell you, but you can’t tell anyone else, okay?"

This made Senior Sister Xia even more curious.

Then, Yu Wanyi leaned close to her ear and whispered something.

Senior Sister Xia exclaimed in astonishment, "He’s a kept man?"