Chang Qiweng agreed with what that senior had said.

Human nature was selfish and greedy.

As long as things went smoothly, it would be fine. But the moment one suffered a setback, everything would be lost.

This was especially true for him, as he was already walking on a knife’s edge.

One misstep, and he would fall into an abyss from which there was no return.

But he was different from the others.

The person he had met was a child of heaven, a once-in-a-century genius.

Someone the likes of whom had never been seen in Luoyun City’s Yunqian Bureau.

The first person from the Six Pavilions to ever take first place.

He felt he had to seize such an opportunity.

’If he changes, then it just proves that even a so-called child of heaven, a once-in-a-century genius, isn’t all that special.’

’I might fall hard, but as long as I take on a few more part-time jobs, I’ll definitely pull through.’

Chang Qiweng’s brow was furrowed, his heart still filled with worry.

He was just an ordinary Cultivator, with parents and siblings at home.

If he fell, his parents would have to work even harder.

As he was lost in thought, someone suddenly clapped him on the shoulder.

"Old Chang, what are you thinking about?" Jiang Man’s voice rang out.

The moment he saw Jiang Man, Chang Qiweng instinctively clutched his money pouch.

Jiang Man was speechless.

’Do I look like I’m about to rob him?’

Jiang Man handed 14,000 Spiritual Source to Chang Qiweng. "Here’s the Spiritual Source from the loan you took out for me. I’m paying back 14,000 for the 12,000 you lent me, down to the last coin." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

As Chang Qiweng accepted the Spiritual Source, Jiang Man also handed him a letter of recommendation. "This is for you. Consider it the interest on 18,000 for half a year."

Chang Qiweng was puzzled. "What is this?"

"It’s a letter of recommendation for the third floor of the Yunqian Bureau. You can use it to recommend a family member for a position there," Jiang Man explained. "The third floor is a good place, no doubt, but the competition is fierce. If they have no hope of entering a Sect, then it’s a decent option."

"They can learn a lot there."

"But if they do have a chance of getting into a Sect, then on the third floor they’ll have to compete with a slew of wealthy families."

"There are many spots, but the competition is just as intense."

"In contrast, the competition in the Six Pavilions is a bit weaker."

"So if you decide to use it, you’d better think it through carefully."

"This thing is in an awkward position—the rich don’t need it, and the poor don’t necessarily dare to use it."

’A recommendation letter for the third floor?’ Chang Qiweng accepted the envelope, surprised. "This is for me?"

"It’s for you," Jiang Man said calmly. "But you can’t use it yourself."

Chang Qiweng said nothing, but he put the letter away with great care.

Jiang Man then handed him two books. "These are Cultivation Methods. They teach you the right times to cultivate and take Elixirs to help you progress more efficiently."

’Once his Cultivation is higher, he’ll earn Spiritual Source faster.’

Chang Qiweng fell silent.

In truth, he never had time for Cultivation.

He worked several jobs a day.

There was no time left for Cultivation.

However, he glanced at the books. They were densely packed with text, but it all boiled down to two words—no sleep.

’It’s an inhuman method.’

After all this, Jiang Man broke into a smile. "Do you feel the..."

But just as he started to speak, Chang Qiweng cut him off, his expression serious. "I feel the benefits of investing in an Unparalleled Celestial Pride."

"Furthermore, I now understand the weight an Unparalleled Celestial Pride carries."

"An ordinary person who could repay 12,000 Spiritual Source wouldn’t be able to offer 2,000 in interest, and I wouldn’t dare lend to someone who couldn’t repay at all, no matter the terms."

"Only you are different. I know exactly who you are, a rising prodigy I’ve witnessed with my own eyes."

"Right now, you urgently need Spiritual Source to push your Cultivation to the next level."

"There’s no better time than the present. Adding to a fortune is nice, but helping someone in dire need is what truly counts."

"And now, you’ve given me the chance to be the one who helps an Unparalleled Celestial Pride in his time of need."

"How could I possibly pass this up?"

Jiang Man stared at Chang Qiweng, speechless once more.

He opened his mouth, then closed it, then opened it again.

’It’s not just that he’s learned to beat me to the punch.’

’Old Chang...’

’...has changed.’

In the end, Chang Qiweng gave Jiang Man 6,000 Spiritual Source, then another 3,000, and finally another 15,000.

’The man’s a gambling addict!’

Jiang Man shook his head and sighed. ’Poor Old Chang. He’s gotten addicted to gambling.’

’However...’

"Good thing you’re betting on me," Jiang Man said, smiling at Chang Qiweng.

Then Jiang Man did the math on how much he would have to repay in six months.

He’d have to repay 28,000 for the 24,000.

Adding a previous 20,000, his total repayment would be 48,000.

After doing the math, Jiang Man was shocked.

’Is Chang Qiweng even poor anymore?’

At that moment, Song Qing also walked over.

He lent Jiang Man 3,000.

The deal was to repay 3,500 in six months.

’Looks like Song Qing is doing better for himself. He actually has 3,000 Spiritual Source to his name.’

He himself had arrived with 24,000 Spiritual Source. He should have had closer to 30,000, but the 6,000 he’d received in March had all gone to rent.

Then he repaid the 14,000, leaving him with 10,000.

Now, having borrowed another 27,000, he had a total of 37,000.

’With the 6,000 Spiritual Source I’ll get each month, I wonder if it will be enough for my breakthrough.’

After that, Xiaopang mentioned that he had saved up over a dozen Spirit Gathering Pills.

In total, he now owed Spiritual Source equivalent to fifty Spirit Gathering Pills.

That was another 15,000.

Jiang Man felt he couldn’t keep accumulating debt like this. He had to pay it all back after this next push in his Cultivation.

He sold some Spirit Gathering Pills, bringing his current funds to around 41,000 Spiritual Source.

After some small talk and giving them some pointers on pulling all-nighters, Jiang Man took his leave.

He had to rush off to deal with the matters from the first two letters he’d received.

The first was about taking a master, the second about attending a class.

He looked at the apprenticeship matter first. It was with another Instructor Pill Master.

This one was also on Red Water Peak.

However, unlike the last time, this Pill Master had no special requirements. There was no 50,000-Spiritual-Source apprenticeship fee, nor did he have to hand over any Spiritual Source each month.

But he was required to attend two lectures a month.

He had to show up at least once a month.

If he attended, he would get a ten percent discount when purchasing Elixirs. If he didn’t, they would be sold at the regular price.

For such a renowned master, Jiang Man would naturally pay a visit.

Besides, even if the master didn’t require an apprenticeship gift, it was proper for him to bring one anyway.

Red Water Peak had Brewers.

The most famous Brewers of the Outer Sect Seven Peaks were all located there.

Just like with Alchemy.

This, too, was a Minor.

The barrier to entry wasn’t high, but the time investment was immense.

It was hard to earn Spiritual Source, and points were difficult to obtain.

The Alchemy Courtyard was comprised of seven courtyards, each corresponding to one of the seven instructing Alchemy Masters.