A quaint courtyard.

Soft sunlight spilled down.

A lush, large tree blocked some of the sun, casting a cool shade over the two people beneath it.

Meng Qiewei put down her teacup, looked at the person beside her, and said calmly, "Since they’ve been discovered, finding them should be easy."

"It depends on who’s sent to investigate. The main problem is not knowing what kind of person it was, which makes it impossible to decide on the right approach," Qing Dai said respectfully after a moment’s thought. "Based on their speculation, there are only two types of people who would leave using the Magpie Bridge.

"One type is people like you, milady, who are on record and forbidden from crossing without authorization.

"The other type would be Evil Cultivators hunted by the Immortal Sect.

"But regardless of the type, they’re certain to have left tracks at the edge of the Immortal Lake.

"They’ll be found, one way or another.

"Even ordinary people who got too close would have a hard time escaping the Immortal Sect’s investigation."

Meng Qiewei switched to a cup of plain water and asked, "And what happens when they’re found?"

Qing Dai shook her head. "I don’t know. This is the first time something like this has happened. I heard the person most enraged by this is the Fairy who was knocked unconscious.

"She even wants to investigate where the Immortal Lake used to flow.

"Then she’ll find that person and, whether they’re an Evil Cultivator or not, make them pay.

"I don’t think she’s very bright. If she had any real way to make them pay, she wouldn’t have been the one knocked out. And it even took her this long to wake up."

Meng Qiewei sipped her water, paying the comment no mind.

Instead, she asked about the people outside.

"They’re all waiting for feedback from that prodigy. Everything’s been arranged; now they’re just waiting for the results," Qing Dai mused for a moment before adding, "But lately, aside from thinking you enjoy being a widow, milady, they’re also wondering whether you prefer younger or older men."

"It seems they have too much time on their hands," Meng Qiewei said calmly.

But the air suddenly seemed to grow colder.

Qing Dai subconsciously rubbed her arms.

————

「Mid-May」

Under the moonlight, Jiang Man’s Spiritual Power rapidly expanded.

Like an invisible wind, it blew in all directions, carrying the pressure of Foundation Establishment.

But soon, this spiritual wind stopped.

It finally receded into Jiang Man’s body.

Only then did he open his eyes, emerging from his Cultivation.

’Spiritual Third Layer.’

’It took half a month and ten God Strengthening Pills to break through.’

’Now I can only use the remaining twenty to continue improving.’

’It’s probably not nearly enough.’

’And this is with me practicing the Nine-layered Observation Method. If I were only using a Fifth or Sixth Layer skill, the time and Elixirs required would increase several times over.’

’That’s why my starting point is higher than others. Not everyone can master a Cultivation Technique to the Ninth Layer in such a short time.’

’But it’ll be June soon, and it’s almost time for the assessment again.’

’For now, all I can do is improve my Physical Body and get it to the Third Layer.’

Afterward, he traded for fifteen Nourishing Essence Pills from Zhuo Bufan and the others.

He used his God Strengthening Pills for the exchange.

’Cultivating the Physical Body is more resource-intensive than the Visualization Skill.’

’Besides, this isn’t reselling for profit. And even if it were, I’d have to worry about that after my breakthrough.’

In the days that followed, Jiang Man dedicated himself to Cultivation day and night.

「Seven days later.」

Jiang Man felt as if his Qi and Blood were about to burst out of his body.

「Five days later.」

A dull thud echoed from within his body.

As he took another step, a footprint was left in his wake.

This was a sign of his temporary inability to control his body’s strength.

However, because his Spirit had advanced earlier, he quickly reigned in all the excess power overflowing from his body.

When he next took a step, everything was back to normal.

With that, Jiang Man took a deep breath.

Every part of his body was now in harmony.

His Qi and Blood no longer conflicted with his Spiritual Qi.

’I only have two Nourishing Essence Pills and five God Strengthening Pills left. With three more months to go, it’s nowhere near enough.’

Jiang Man sighed as he stood at the edge of a cliff, gazing at the beautiful scenery below.

Just then, the Old Yellow Ox said, "There’s still the rent."

Jiang Man stared at the ox in silence.

’I can collect six thousand Spiritual Source in June, but the rent is sixty-three hundred.’

He didn’t dwell on it.

Jiang Man decided to focus on the June assessment first.

’After this one is the annual assessment, which I won’t be able to participate in.’

’Otherwise, I’d have a chance to earn some Spiritual Source.’

The assessment went by without any surprises.

However, an incident occurred after the assessment was over but before the scores were released.

Of the fourteen new Foundation Establishment cultivators, a young man blocked Jiang Man’s path. "You’re ranked first?"

Jiang Man looked at the man in confusion. "Of course."

"The scores aren’t even out, but you’re that confident? Aren’t you afraid someone might surpass you?" the man asked.

Jiang Man regarded him calmly.

The man stared at Jiang Man. "I am Xie Wen, first among the new disciples. I admit my score might not be as high as yours, but my actual combat ability isn’t necessarily weaker."

"So?" Jiang Man looked at him expectantly.

"I want to challenge you," Xie Wen declared.

Jiang Man didn’t mince words. "What are the stakes?"

Xie Wen was taken aback.

He didn’t seem to understand what Jiang Man meant.

’He doesn’t know the rules?’ Jiang Man thought for a moment before saying calmly, "A challenge isn’t out of the question, but it has to be done according to procedure. Especially when challenging the person in first place, like me.

"If you don’t understand, you can go to the third small courtyard in the front area of the Rehabilitation Courtyard and look for someone named Fang Yong.

"He and I are from the same hometown, and he’s the most familiar with the procedures for challenging me."

Xie Wen was dumbfounded, but it was true that they couldn’t fight unless Jiang Man agreed.

The others looked on with curiosity.

Amidst the crowd, Cao Cheng approached Wei Beichuan. "Think you’ll make it into the top fifteen this time?"

Wei Beichuan fell silent.

He had just been enjoying the show, and now he felt inexplicably insulted.

’That Cao Cheng...’

’He’s ranked fourth. Once I surpass him, I’ll make him regret what he said today.’

’I’ll see how far I am from him when the rankings come out tomorrow.’

——

Rehabilitation Courtyard.

Fang Yong was a bit surprised to see his visitor. "You want to challenge Jiang Man?"

"Do you know the procedures, Junior Brother?" Xie Wen asked.

He had made a point of looking up the ranking of the person before him.

’First in his small courtyard. He’s got some real skill; he’ll definitely make it into the Foundation Establishment Courtyard.’