On the last day of February, everyone else had already arrived by the time Jiang Man got there.

Even Mr. Yan was present.

This caught him by surprise.

He had to quickly make his way to his seat.

As he walked, however, he noticed that the new arrivals were all in high spirits, seemingly confident about the upcoming assessment.

Among them, Wei Beichuan’s gaze was the brightest.

He was looking forward to the assessment.

As for Zhuo Bufan and the others...

Each of them seemed mentally drained and physically exhausted.

They were still muttering about using Talismanic Elixirs tonight to stay awake.

It seemed they had figured out a method for pulling all-nighters.

"The assessment is tomorrow. After this assessment, there will be a half-month break," Yan Yiqiu said, looking down at the crowd. "The top three in the assessment will still receive apprenticeship invitations. Of course, the top ten might also have a chance, as one spot from last time was left vacant.

"Secondly, the first-place winner of this assessment will be required to go to the Rehabilitation Courtyard to teach for seven days."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Man was taken aback.

’Teach at the Rehabilitation Courtyard?’

’Wouldn’t that be a waste of seven days?’

’That’s unacceptable. I’ll refuse.’

’If I don’t practice Cultivation for seven days, it’ll be easy for others to catch up.’

’Even if these people can’t catch up, another with an Unparalleled Celestial Pride Fate Chart will.’

"Of course, you can also refuse. If you agree, the Rehabilitation Courtyard will offer five thousand Spiritual Source as payment for your teaching," Yan Yiqiu added.

Jiang Man froze at her words.

He sat up straight.

’Next time, I should really let people finish speaking. It’s not a good idea to make decisions based on half the story.’

’I need to change that habit!’

"Also, the Third Courtyard assessment is at the end of August. If your results are outstanding, you can participate in the Seven Peaks assessment. If you have any such ambitions, you should start preparing early," Yan Yiqiu said, her words aimed almost directly at Jiang Man.

However, Jiang Man had no such thoughts.

’The grand competition of the Outer Sect Seven Peaks can’t compare to the selection for the Secret Realm.’

Seeing his attitude, Yan Yiqiu was rather curious. "No thoughts on the matter, Jiang Man?"

Jiang Man nodded. "None."

"Not strong enough?"

"Let them cultivate for another year. It’ll save them from saying I’m bullying them."

"You’re not humble in the slightest. Aren’t you afraid you’ll have to eat your words?"

Jiang Man smiled.

’With talent like his, it wasn’t that he looked down on his peers; it was just a fact.’

Yan Yiqiu didn’t seem to mind. Instead, she said, "There are quite a few prodigies in this batch. There’s one on Peach Blossom Peak, and another over at Red Water Peak.

"Also, in the Third Courtyard competition, your opponents won’t just be fellow disciples from the Ninth Courtyard.

"The Seventh and Eighth Courtyards are also part of it.

"You won’t be short on opponents.

"And being as poor as you are, your Magic Skills are weaker by more than a little."

Hearing this, Jiang Man had to agree. "Mr. Yan, where can I get Magic Skills?"

"You can collect one skill each at the Entry Level, Early Stage, and Mid-stage. Just go to the Dharma Transmission Courtyard." Yan Yiqiu paused, then added, "If you want extra Magic Skills, you’ll have to see if your sponsor has made any arrangements for you.

"Other than that, you can buy them. There’s a wide variety to choose from.

"They’re just expensive."

Jiang Man nodded.

’Senior Sister Yu did make arrangements, though. It seems she got me some pretty good Cultivation Skills and Magic Skills.’

’As for buying them... I can’t afford it.’

’Cultivation consumes too much Spiritual Source.’

After giving a few more simple instructions, Yan Yiqiu dismissed the class.

She said that after this break, the seating would be rearranged according to rank. Additionally, a new batch of Foundation Establishment disciples would be entering the Ninth Courtyard. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

At that point, the Ninth Courtyard would be full.

After Yan Yiqiu left, Jiang Man also got up to leave, but Wei Beichuan was still staring at him.

For the first time, Jiang Man stopped at the edge of Wei Beichuan’s seat. "Coveting my first place?"

"The position belongs to whoever is most capable," Wei Beichuan said.

Jiang Man smiled. "And when do you think you’ll surpass me?"

"In August, during the annual assessment," Wei Beichuan said seriously. "I hope you’ll give it your all then."

Jiang Man shook his head, a hint of pity in his expression.

’Because I won’t be able to participate.’

’But this month, I can let him feel the radiance of first place.’

Just then, Zhao Yaoyao walked up from behind them and said to Wei Beichuan, "You will regret this."

Wei Beichuan didn’t argue. He only trusted what he could feel and see for himself.

Furthermore, he believed in the rankings of the upcoming assessments.

’Whether I regret it or not...’

’...the rankings will tell.’

’Anything more said now would be pointless.’

"We were once considered geniuses too, but when we see Jiang Man, all we can do is call *him* a genius," Zhao Yaoyao said, patting Wei Beichuan’s shoulder. "I know you’re strong, but there are geniuses, and then there are geniuses."

Then, Zhao Yaoyao walked away.

Jiang Man watched her go. ’Why does it feel like a mere third-place finisher is leaving behind such a mysterious silhouette?’

’She’s stealing my thunder.’

But he didn’t care and walked off as well.

He didn’t give the matter a second thought.

’It’s not their fault for being confident.’

’They just haven’t been in the range of my radiance yet.’

’It’s my fault. My light isn’t dazzling enough.’

’It hasn’t reached the ground where they stand.’

Wei Beichuan’s expression was calm. His foundation, wealth, and Talent were the sources of his confidence in taking first place.

「The assessment began the next day.」

This time, Jiang Man no longer felt the same awkwardness as he had during the first assessment.

The first day covered the Physical Body and Spirit.

He could at least write a substantial amount.

The two sections combined would net him at least thirty points.

Previously, he would have likely only gotten ten.

「The next day.」

The assessment covered Cultivation and Hidden Spirit.

He had made almost no progress in Hidden Spirit. Jiang Man found that while it was easy to score points in Hidden Spirit, actually improving was strangely difficult.

’It might be because of the level of my Nascent Condensation Skill.’

’The Nine-layered Condensing Yuan Technique only has this level of quality.’

’Even with improvements in my Cultivation, it wouldn’t change anything.’

’The score won’t increase by much.’

Improving his subsequent scores was proving rather difficult.

Out of a total of four hundred points, scores other than Hidden Spirit were very hard to raise.

When the assessment ended, Cao Cheng came over to ask Jiang Man how he did.

Jiang Man just shook his head.

’Still not good enough.’

’My score barely went up.’

’To think I couldn’t raise my score by much after three months.’

"It’s true that it gets slower to improve your score later on. Raising it by ten-some points is already amazing," An Rong said with a grin, trying to console him.