Under a Pill Master were several Alchemy Masters who taught classes to the disciples who signed up for Alchemy.

Jiang Man’s status as a Named Disciple might seem similar to that of these Alchemy Masters, but it was actually far inferior.

It was only slightly more convenient than being an ordinary disciple who had signed up.

But Jiang Man didn’t care. He had never needed to rely on apprenticeship for something like status.

After all, given a little time, his own brilliance would outshine the Pill Master.

His Cultivation would surpass theirs sooner or later.

Afterward, Jiang Man used his letter of recommendation to enter the Seventh Courtyard.

「Meanwhile.」 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Mo Zainian of the First Courtyard asked the Pill Child behind him, "How is that person you’re keeping an eye on ranked?"

The Pill Child replied softly, "His rank is a bit low. He doesn’t meet the minimum requirement for us to send an invitation."

"No rush," Mo Zainian said calmly. "One person more or less makes no difference right now. Since he’s wealthy, his rank is bound to rise sooner or later."

The Pill Child nodded, then said, "I heard Pill Master He sent out an invitation, and it just so happens it was for the person who ranked first—the one we previously invited."

"And he waived the apprenticeship gift."

Hearing this, Mo Zainian asked curiously, "He chose a disciple who couldn’t even get through my door?"

He then shook his head, a look of disdain on his face. "Does he think Alchemy requires a Cultivation prodigy? This person is only a prodigy at Cultivation. Alchemy requires even more Spiritual Source than regular Cultivation. A poor person has no future in Alchemy."

"Even if he has a sensitivity to Elixirs and his Talent isn’t bad, he still needs a Pill Furnace, Spirit Medicine, and many other supplementary materials."

"A disciple who can’t even hand over the fifty-thousand-spirit-stone gift is nothing more than a block of wood in front of a Pill Furnace."

"He won’t be able to do a thing."

"Should we keep an eye on him?" the Pill Child asked.

Mo Zainian said calmly, "Let’s see when he starts practicing Alchemy. We’re both instructing Pill Masters, so some basic respect is required."

"It will give us a topic of conversation next time we run into each other."

The Pill Child nodded.

***

In the Seventh Courtyard for Alchemy, Jiang Man saw a middle-aged man.

His hair was messy, and he had a bit of stubble.

The man looked utterly dispirited, with no energy about him.

He Huai’an, the instructing Pill Master of the Seventh Courtyard.

He was incredibly powerful, and his Alchemy was even more impressive.

"You’re the disciple who came to be my apprentice?" He Huai’an said, snapping out of a daze to look at Jiang Man.

"Greetings, Senior," Jiang Man said with a respectful bow.

"It’s just a Named Disciple, so we can skip the grand apprenticeship ceremony. Just register, and that will be that," He Huai’an said to Jiang Man. "Is your Minor in Alchemy?"

Jiang Man shook his head. "It’s probably Talisman Making and Arrays."

Hearing this, He Huai’an said curiously, "With my guidance, Alchemy ought to be your best choice."

"Alchemy takes up too much time," Jiang Man said truthfully, handing him a jug of wine.

"Takes up too much time?" He Huai’an took the wine jug, poured himself a large cup, and chuckled. "Pill Masters hold the most revered status among all Minors. Once you achieve some success, the Spiritual Source you earn will help you rapidly advance your Cultivation. Other Cultivators will have to treat you with deference."

"If you didn’t have my guidance, it would be one thing to not study it."

"But with me to guide you, you’re still choosing Talisman Making and Arrays?"

He took a drink of wine as he spoke.

Then he frowned as realization dawned. "Ah, so you’re poor."

He Huai’an looked at Jiang Man, slightly surprised. "I didn’t notice at first. Your clothes are rather ordinary."

"I assumed no one who takes first place is poor."

"Never thought I’d actually meet one."

After a pause, he asked, "How did you end up in first place?"

Jiang Man answered truthfully, "That’s just how talented I am."

"Has anyone ever told you you’re not very humble?" He Huai’an said with a laugh. "Since you’re so talented, are you planning to compete for the Third Courtyard’s ranking?"

Jiang Man shook his head. "I’m not competing in this year’s annual rankings."

"Going to give them a one-year head start?" He Huai’an said with an amused smile.

Jiang Man was a little surprised.

"If you’re so talented and still think Alchemy is a waste of time, then why did you come?" He Huai’an asked, taking another drink of wine.

As the harsh, unremarkable wine went down, he had another realization. "Because of the ten percent discount on Elixirs?"

Jiang Man nodded truthfully.

He Huai’an shook his head slightly. "Fine, whatever. I’ve already drunk the wine, so let’s get you registered. You’ll get your ten percent discount on Elixirs. Whether you show up in the future is up to you."

"However, you should still drop by once in a while. I have face to save, after all."

"It’s awkward when your disciples don’t visit."

Jiang Man was both surprised and overjoyed. He quickly bowed in respect. "Thank you, Master."

"I’ll be waiting for you to compete against the Third Courtyard in your second year. I’m eager to see what ’that’s just how talented I am’ really looks like," He Huai’an remarked offhandedly.

In his heart, he was somewhat disappointed.

’I thought I’d found a diamond in the rough, but it turns out...’

’He was just a freebie.’

’The other Pill Masters must have passed on him because he couldn’t afford the gift.’

After registering, Jiang Man immediately went to purchase Spirit Medicine.

But he discovered a purchase limit of thirty pills.

Jiang Man then chose to purchase Earth Element Pills.

Earth Element Pills were nine hundred each.

The ten-percent discount brought the price to eight hundred and ten. He could earn a profit of a few dozen by reselling them.

"They were gone on the first of the month," the saleswoman said with a smile. "The water, fire, and earth types are all sold out."

Jiang Man was silent.

He finally understood why there was a purchase limit.

It turned out everyone had the same idea to buy low and sell high.

In the end, Jiang Man bought God Strengthening Pills.

Thirty pills.

At six hundred each, the total was eighteen thousand.

With the ten-percent discount, it came to sixteen thousand two hundred.

He had twenty-five thousand remaining.

The cost of Cultivation in the Foundation Establishment realm was truly terrifying.

But if he wanted to compete in the Secret Realm contention at the end of August, he had no other choice; he would never make it in time otherwise.

Right now, Jiang Man was at the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment, with his Physical Body at the Second Layer and his Spirit at the Second Layer.

But he had only just opened the second "Gourd" for both.

He was still a long way from a breakthrough.

To participate in the Secret Realm selection at the end of August, he needed to reach the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.

The gap was still quite large.

Worse still, he had been so focused on raising his Cultivation that he hadn’t even begun practicing any Magic Skills.

***

「The next day.」

「Rehabilitation Courtyard.」

The Rehabilitation Courtyard was where one cultivated their own foundations and Promotion Skills.

The program lasted for a total of three years.

There were assessments, but no days off.

The people of Cloud Mist Peak cherished every moment, which was why this particular peak was always the most beautiful at night.

Although staying up late was detrimental to one’s Heart Spirit, some people still cultivated deep into the night.

At least they still got some sleep, so their Heart Spirit likely wouldn’t be harmed.

Rehabilitation Courtyard, Third Small Courtyard of the Front Courtyard.

A young woman said with a smile, "Today, several courtyards have new guest instructors, invited from the Foundation Establishment Courtyard. They’re the top-ranked disciples from their respective courtyards."

"And as it happens, we have one here today."

"Feel free to ask him any questions you have, or you can inquire about his own path to success."

"He can also clear up any confusion you might have about the Qi Refining Secret Realm."

As she spoke, she looked toward a disciple at the very front and said, "Fang Yong, you should make good use of this opportunity. Perhaps you’ll be able to earn a spot in the Secret Realm after the next assessment."

Fang Yong nodded seriously. "I will. But what is he like?"

He wasn’t the only one; the others were very curious too.

After all, he was from the Foundation Establishment Courtyard.

And he was ranked first in his courtyard, no less.

He must be one of Heaven’s chosen, a dazzling figure.

"What is he like?" she mused. "I hear he has peerless Talent and immense strength. His own master praises him to the high heavens, saying he’s a living legend of this generation."

"His personality just isn’t very humble."

"But he’s not petty. If you ask, he’ll likely give you an answer."

"Mr. Miao, who is stronger between the two of you?" someone asked.

The woman known as Mr. Miao smiled. "My Cultivation may be a bit higher, but I can’t compare in other aspects. Some of his experiences are extremely valuable. Even I, an instructor, have things to learn from him."

Yan Huimin, who was sitting in the middle rows, asked, "Mr. Miao, what is this great Foundation Establishment Cultivator called?"

But before Mr. Miao could speak, the sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside.

The crisp sound drew everyone’s gazes.

All at once, everyone looked toward the entrance.

As the footsteps grew more distinct, a figure appeared at the courtyard entrance.

Light struck him, making him seem to shine.

Then, Fang Yong clearly saw who it was.

"Jiang Man," he said, surprised.

The others looked on in confusion.

Yan Huimin immediately thought of Li Yuan and subconsciously blurted out, "Foundation Establishment in fifteen days. A legend has already been born. With his power alone, he rewrote the Sect’s record for the fastest path to Foundation Establishment. Every moment we can be near him is the closest we will ever get."

"Because by the time we next come to our senses, we’ll find he has already become a legend, someone utterly beyond our reach."

"Trying to get close again will have become an impossibility."

In that instant, everyone’s gaze shifted to Yan Huimin.

Even Mr. Miao glanced over in astonishment.

Yan Huimin’s face turned bright red.

Those were Li Yuan’s words.

Seeing Jiang Man had just made her recall them subconsciously.

Jiang Man heard Yan Huimin’s voice and was taken aback.

’Is she possessed by Li Yuan?’

’I came here to give a lesson, and they’re all staring at her.’

’She’s stealing my thunder.’

Fang Yong looked at Jiang Man curiously. "Weren’t you going to focus entirely on your Cultivation?"

"I’ve recently taken a liking to teaching," Jiang Man said calmly.