"So you won’t be carrying much Spiritual Source."

"Of course, that first time is per stone pillar."

"You get one free challenge at each stone pillar."

"If you’re really out of Spiritual Source, just find another pillar."

Hearing this, Jiang Man immediately asked, "Then who collects the Spiritual Source?"

"The person defending the ring, of course," said Number 98.

For a moment, Jiang Man felt like he had missed out on a lot of Spiritual Source over the past few days.

But he couldn’t have earned it without improving his Magic Skills anyway.

’Sure enough, once you’re strong, you can earn Spiritual Source anywhere.’ 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

’Cultivation is what’s most important.’

’Alchemy and Arrays are just fleeting distractions.’

Without another thought, Jiang Man decided to continue his Cultivation.

But suddenly, a piece of Spiritual Source was tossed over to him.

It was the fifty Spiritual Source he had given away earlier.

Then, Number 99 spoke up. "I have some questions for you, too."

Jiang Man looked at the Spiritual Source and felt it was a rather small amount.

’Does this mean he also looks down on a mere fifty Spiritual Source?’

’I’m supposed to be the poor one, but I’ve been dealing with tens of thousands of Spiritual Source lately. A few dozen doesn’t even register anymore.’

’I’ve forgotten my roots.’

After stashing the fifty Spiritual Source, Jiang Man finally said, "Go ahead and ask."

"You’ve reached Wandering Dragon Great Success?" Number 99 asked.

Jiang Man nodded. "Yes."

"It only took a few days?" Number 99 asked.

Jiang Man thought for a moment. "I treat one day as two, so it actually took quite a lot of time."

Number 99 fell silent for a moment. Cultivating without sleep or rest... that was true.

After a pause, he asked, "But by cultivating without rest, aren’t your efforts only half as effective?"

"The results speak for themselves," Jiang Man said, looking at him.

"But that’s not what the Sect teaches," Number 98 interjected.

Jiang Man looked at her and sighed. "It’s always been this way, and the Sect teaches this way. You’ve heard it, and you’ve believed it. But have you ever tried otherwise?"

"I tried," Number 99 recalled. "But after a while, I grew anxious. I was distracted that whole month and couldn’t cultivate properly."

Jiang Man looked at him calmly. "You’re just missing an Unparalleled Celestial Pride to show you the way."

"What do you mean?" Number 99 was puzzled.

Jiang Man smiled and didn’t speak.

He just silently resumed his Cultivation.

’Just because it’s always been done this way, that makes it right?’

’The Sect’s teachings are infallible?’

’It’s not that their effort was wrong. It’s that they couldn’t withstand the pressure from tradition and the Sect’s doctrine.’

’But I can.’

’That’s why no one in the Ninth Courtyard needs to sleep.’

Seeing their expressions, Jiang Man mused that speaking in riddles was quite satisfying. ’No wonder Old Huang enjoys his silent, cold smiles.’

At this time, Number 99 and Number 98 were indeed staring blankly at Jiang Man.

They were utterly bewildered.

But they didn’t dare to dwell on it, because the selection for the Secret Realm was underway.

They had to improve as quickly as possible.

And secure a spot.

This was especially true for Number 98. Her Wandering Dragon wasn’t strong enough.

If she didn’t improve quickly, she’d be in trouble.

It seemed they too would have to cultivate through the night.

A temporary all-nighter for Cultivation was nothing.

They could just calm their minds and soothe their Heart Spirit and bodies afterward.

Of course, while cultivating, they would subconsciously look at Jiang Man.

To see when he would rest, so they could rest too.

However...

But he never did. The man was relentless, showing no signs of stopping to rest.

’What a corrupting influence,’ Number 98 lamented inwardly.

’If I went out and told anyone about this, that’s exactly what they would say.’

Jiang Man paid them no mind.

At the Fourth Layer of the Celestial Heart Seal, he needed to practice it thirty-two times to advance.

He didn’t finish all thirty-two repetitions until the next morning.

Celestial Heart Seal Fifth Layer.

On the evening of the eighth day.

Celestial Heart Seal Sixth Layer.

On the evening of the ninth day.

Celestial Heart Seal Seventh Layer.

Late on the night of the eleventh day.

Celestial Heart Seal Eight-Layer.

Jiang Man stopped his Cultivation.

’There’s not enough time.’

It would take at least another four days.

’The Secret Realm selection will be over by then.’

’Looks like I’ll have to go fight for the Magic Skill today.’

’It’s for the best. If I wait any longer, those people might actually manage to get the Top-grade Yuan Condensation Technique.’

Jiang Man estimated that the Eighth-Layer Celestial Heart Seal could mimic the Attack of a Top-grade Technique.

It should be enough.

In Foundation Establishment, Mortal Level Upper Grade was still the peak.

But he couldn’t rule out the possibility that his opponents also knew the Celestial Heart Seal.

"You’ve finished cultivating?" Number 98 asked.

Jiang Man shook his head. "No, there’s not enough time."

After a casual reply, he strode toward the stone pillar.

Number 98 and Number 99 fell silent. It was a shame they couldn’t team up here.

If they could team up, they might have been able to get the best prize this time.

The man had truly astounded them.

"What was he just cultivating?" Number 98 asked curiously.

"The Celestial Heart Seal. It’s an extremely difficult Magic Skill to master, but he cultivates it as easily as he did the Wandering Dragon," Number 99 said with a sigh.

The sight of his departing back was staggering.

It felt as if once he entered the fray, all hope was lost for everyone else.

If not for the lack of time, they really wanted to follow and see.

"Which courtyard do you think he’s from? I’ve never heard of him," Number 98 said.

"He said he’s from the Ninth Courtyard. It’s obvious he doesn’t want to reveal his identity. He’s not an ostentatious person usually," Number 99 guessed.

Number 98 also nodded.

She also regretted it a lot. If she had known the selection required Wandering Dragon, she would have definitely cultivated it in advance.

Instead of cultivating something better.

Instead, her progress was delayed.

—

By now, Jiang Man was far away from the other two.

He couldn’t help that they didn’t believe he was from the Ninth Courtyard.

Of course, there was no need to explain.

That’s just how some people’s perceptions worked.

’If something seems unreasonable, it must be false.’

’Just like how people always think my rapid improvement is due to some other factors.’

’In reality, my Cultivation and Realm are simply a reflection of my Talent and hard work.’

With these thoughts, Jiang Man arrived at the base of the stone pillar.

A few people were standing at the bottom, their faces bruised and swollen.

"Those people up there are going too far. Their strength is average, but they’re good at ganging up. Forget it. Time’s almost up, we’d better find another pillar," someone said.

Jiang Man was confused. ’Isn’t there only one person up there?’

"You’re going up?" Suddenly, someone blocked Jiang Man’s path.

Jiang Man looked at the man who had stopped him and nodded. "It’s the Top-grade Yuan Condensation Technique up there, right?"

"Yes, but there are people guarding it. Two people outside the Array will attack you. Once they’ve worn you down, they’ll run off and let you make your challenge. You’d better be careful. They aren’t strong, just despicable." After saying his piece, the man left.

Jiang Man nodded his thanks.

After using Wandering Dragon, he smoothly passed through the clouds and appeared on top of the stone pillar.

In the middle was an Array, and inside the Array was a book.

On it was written "Seven Star Condensing Yuan Technique".

Beside it was a small note: Mortal Level Upper Grade Nascent Condensation Skill.

And inside the Array was a woman, staring at him.

Before Jiang Man could observe his surroundings, he suddenly felt an attack approaching.

He sidestepped to dodge an invisible palm strike, then felt another kind of attack from the side.

Cyan Smoke Prelude. He vanished on the spot and reappeared half a step forward.

The first attack came again, this time crackling with lightning.

BOOM!

He used Cyan Smoke Prelude again.

The lightning struck the ground.

Another kind of attack followed.

After that, Jiang Man’s figure was like a wisp of cyan smoke, appearing and disappearing.

Calm and unhurried.

He dodged every attack, appearing as if he were being forced onto the defensive, unable to counter.

The two assailants’ attacks grew in scale, their range constantly expanding.

Because no matter how they attacked, it felt like hitting empty air; they were unable to cause any substantial damage at all.

They could even see the traces left by Cyan Smoke Prelude, but they could never seem to catch him.

Just as one of the men attacked out of frustration, he suddenly found his wrist caught in a grip.

’When did that happen?’

This time, Jiang Man didn’t use Cyan Smoke Prelude to escape, but chose to counterattack.

While his opponent was still surprised, he gave a light twist.

The man’s entire body was forced to spin.

Then, a palm landed on his chest.

A dull THUD.

The force of the palm strike caved his chest in.

In that instant, he felt the power in his body fall into chaos.

Then he was sent flying backward.

He flew straight off the stone pillar, landing heavily on the ground with a loud THUD.

He spat out a mouthful of blood.

The man who had warned Jiang Man hadn’t gone far when he saw someone fall.

When he got a clear look at the person, he was stunned.

He had been worn down by this man for a long time, so he naturally recognized him at a glance.

Then, with another THUD, the woman who had also worn him down slammed onto the ground.

She too spat out blood.

"What?" He suddenly remembered the person who had just gone up.

No longer hesitating, he turned and headed up the stone pillar.

But as he arrived, he heard a miserable scream.

Then a woman flew out of the Array, fell heavily on the ground, and rolled a few times.

She looked utterly depleted.

"Thank you for the match."

Jiang Man’s calm voice drifted out from within the Array.

The man was shocked. ’That was way too fast.’

Just then, he saw Jiang Man look toward him.

The same calm voice came again. "I’ve already used up a lot of energy. Do you want to take advantage of my weakened state and challenge me?"