The annual assessment was extremely important to every courtyard.

This was because the assessment involved a grand competition with the other peaks.

Those who qualified for the rankings would receive corresponding Cultivation Skill resources.

Mid-grade Techniques, Mid Grade Techniques.

And these were just the rewards for the annual assessment in the Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Courtyards.

For the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Courtyards, or the First, Second, and Third, there would be Top-grade techniques, and even some Magical Treasures.

For instance, Spirit Swords or Puppets.

Occasionally, there were special rewards as well.

Jiang Man understood what "special" meant better than anyone; for example, special rewards had also appeared in his Yunqian Bureau assessment.

The Celestial Heart Seal, and eligibility for the Spiritual Energy Secret Realm.

These were all considered special rewards.

As Jiang Man listened to Mr. Yan’s explanation, he had no interest in the upcoming annual assessment.

Because the best one could get was only Middle Grade.

Participating in the Secret Realm selection, on the other hand, offered a Top-grade Yuan Condensation Technique.

"The annual ranking is about to begin. We need to start paying attention to the powerhouses from each peak and figure out who the strongest disciples are in the Seventh and Eighth Courtyards," Zhuo Bufan said, looking at Jiang Man. "The Seven Peaks competition that follows involves forming teams. We’ll have to team up with people from the Seventh or Eighth Courtyard."

Jiang Man hadn’t known about that. But for him, it was all too far off. He didn’t plan to participate in the annual assessment this year.

He only had a little over half a month left; he needed to get back to his Cultivation quickly.

"Looking into it next year will be soon enough," Jiang Man said before leaving.

Zhuo Bufan looked at Zhao Yaoyao and asked, "What does he mean by that?"

"What else could ’looking into it next year’ mean?" Zhao Yaoyao said calmly. "This year isn’t worth his time."

Zhuo Bufan stood there, stunned. ’This year, we’re the Ninth Courtyard. Next year, we’ll be the Eighth Courtyard.’

’If this year isn’t worth his time, what’s there to look into next year?’

After collecting his six thousand Spiritual Source for the month, Jiang Man went to Xiaopang’s place again to buy Spirit Medicine.

Xiaopang was now at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer.

The dark circles under his eyes had faded considerably.

He said Luo Xuan told him that he didn’t even have a ranking right now.

He had to rest for a day or two, or she would write a letter home.

Xiaopang complained that Luo Xuan was hindering his Cultivation.

His life was so bitter.

Jiang Man sighed. ’Just endure it. Keep enduring.’

’If a letter gets sent home, and you endure it, you have a good chance at Foundation Establishment.’

’If you can’t reach Foundation Establishment through the Secret Realm, can’t you still do it with an Ancient Skill?’

’Others might not know how, but Old Huang does.’

As they were talking, Cheng Yu finished selling her wares and came over. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

She was a bit surprised to see Jiang Man, then smiled and greeted him, "Young Master Jiang."

Then she looked at Xiaopang and said, "Young Master Gao, is Luo Xuan pretty?"

"She’s gorgeous," Xiaopang answered honestly.

"Would you want her as your wife?" Cheng Yu asked again.

"No way. My life would be over," Xiaopang said with conviction.

Cheng Yu thought for a moment. "What if Luo Xuan took the initiative to show you some affection?"

Xiaopang subconsciously took two steps back. "Then she must have some ulterior motive. Either that, or you guys are trying to mess with me."

Cheng Yu shook her head and said, "There’s no hope for you two."

Then she bowed to Jiang Man before going to find Luo Xuan.

However, Jiang Man handed her a slip of paper and asked her to give it to Luo Xuan.

On it was a list of the Spirit Medicine he needed.

’I’ll have to get some more Spiritual Source from Master.’

’I need to go all out and push for the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.’

"Brother Jiang, why is our business so slow, while Cheng Yu sells her things so quickly? Is it because she plays little tricks?" Xiaopang asked.

Jiang Man thought for a moment and said, "It’s probably due to her Talent."

Sometimes, even buying things requires Talent.

Of course, the type of product also matters.

She probably doesn’t sell Spirit Medicine.

After that, Jiang Man gave Xiaopang a few pointers and received his Spirit Medicine.

He paid four hundred and four Spiritual Source.

He could get two thousand from his master for them.

A net profit of fifteen hundred.

While giving pointers, however, Jiang Man looked at the arrangement of the Spirit Medicine and had Xiaopang move some of them around.

With that, Jiang Man was about to leave, but before he could turn around, Xiaopang sidled up to him furtively.

"Brother Jiang, I heard you have the annual assessment coming up. They say it’s very important." As he spoke, Xiaopang took out five thousand Spiritual Source and twenty Spirit Gathering Pills. "Five thousand is from Luo Xuan. She originally had ten thousand, but Cheng Yu borrowed five thousand."

"She said Fang Yong needs it to compete for a spot in August and attempt Foundation Establishment in one go."

Looking at the items, Jiang Man sighed to himself. If Xiaopang didn’t show off about Luo Xuan, didn’t talk about going home to inherit the family business, and didn’t ask him if Meng Qiewei would let him take a concubine... they would be exceptionally good friends.

Jiang Man took everything.

This was a whole eleven thousand Spiritual Source.

It would allow him to be better prepared for the Secret Realm selection.

He would have to pay it back in half a year, though.

He also told Xiaopang that he might not be able to come by in September on time.

If Chang Qiweng came looking for him, he should tell him to wait for two days.

Only then did Jiang Man go to his master’s place, where he bought twenty Wood Element Pills and ten Nourishing Essence Pills.

His Spiritual Source decreased by sixteen thousand two hundred.

Leaving him with three thousand.

In the days that followed, he focused entirely on his Cultivation.

Five days later, the second Gourd was completely full.

「Fifteen days later.」

Jiang Man felt a dull rumble from within his body.

The third Gourd had been opened.

Spiritual Qi flowed into it.

He began to consolidate the third "Gourd."

Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.

「Three days later.」

Jiang Man went to find Mr. Yan.

He began to ask for a leave of absence.

Mr. Yan was perplexed by this. "A leave of absence? Are you really not participating in the annual assessment?"

Jiang Man nodded. "I’m not. Let them have another year of Cultivation."

"Where are you going then?" Mr. Yan thought for a moment, then asked in surprise, "The Secret Realm selection?"

Meeting Jiang Man’s calm gaze, Yan Yiqiu was in disbelief. "You’ve reached the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment?"

The Secret Realm selection was the very next day, and it required one to be at the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.

Who could possibly reach the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment while in the Ninth Courtyard?

That was why the selection wasn’t held for the Ninth Courtyard; it was basically for those in the Sixth Courtyard and above.

Yan Yiqiu didn’t ask any more questions. Indeed, having Jiang Man participate in the annual assessment this year would have been bullying the other disciples.

Next year would also be bullying, but at least this year, they had a chance.