Instead...

An extraordinary number of geniuses had appeared in their class.

"The Ninth Courtyard probably doesn’t have any assessments right now, so even if there are geniuses like that, they have no way to stand out," Zhao Yaoyao said.

The others nodded.

Then, they looked at Jiang Man.

"Isn’t that a shame for Jiang Man, then?" Cao Cheng said.

An Rong nodded, then asked Jiang Man for his thoughts.

"I’m thinking of writing your names down in a notebook," Jiang Man replied.

Cao Cheng thought for a moment and said, "Do me a favor and write An Rong’s name far away from mine. He’s bad luck."

"I’m afraid he’ll covet my dazzling spot. I suggest writing his name on a different page," An Rong added.

Jiang Man ignored them.

’Still, there really are many geniuses among the eight courtyards of the various peaks. I thought it was just my fellow countryman and the unknown person from Red Water Peak. I didn’t expect another one to appear.’

When Yan Yiqiu came, she had also mentioned these three people.

One was on Peach Blossom Peak, one on Red Water Peak, and one on Celestial Bright Peak.

"They are at the height of their power right now. Some even have immense resources being used to create special Arrays for them, allowing them to cultivate at an extremely fast pace. If you don’t have powerful backing, you must be careful. When necessary, you should avoid a direct confrontation," Yan Yiqiu warned.

Jiang Man was a little surprised. "Faster than me pulling all-nighters?"

Yan Yiqiu said seriously, "The idea that pulling all-nighters damages one’s Heart Spirit didn’t just appear overnight. Under these circumstances, do you really think they wouldn’t use other methods to increase their Cultivation speed?

"Arrays, Elixirs, Spirit Medicines, Talismans, and many Minors all have this capability.

"And having enough Spiritual Source means they can be used to their absolute limit.

"They aren’t just standing still, either.

"But these methods usually only affect individuals.

"They can’t provide an overall boost like your all-nighters do."

Jiang Man nodded. "I understand."

"You understand that you should avoid a direct confrontation?" Yan Yiqiu asked.

Jiang Man simply smiled in response.

His eyes held only calmness and confidence.

It was as if to say, ’Me? Avoid *them*?’

’This isn’t the time for empty boasts. I’ll wait for this year’s annual assessment. Genius or prodigy, it doesn’t matter. The moment I enter the assessment... they’ll all have to be the ones to avoid *me*. For now, I’ll request a leave of absence.’

Hearing this, Yan Yiqiu was a little surprised. "Taking leave again? Didn’t you say the Secret Realm opens in late February?"

Jiang Man didn’t explain.

’The second assessment is only for a very small number of people, so very few know about it.’

However, Yan Yiqiu still agreed, while also reminding him that if he continued to have no ranking...

...he would truly become the subject of idle gossip.

Jiang Man didn’t care. He felt that no one had that much free time; after all, everyone had to focus on their Cultivation.

They didn’t have the energy to discuss him.

’After all, since I have no ranking, what is there to discuss?’

From October to November, Jiang Man was focused on his Reincarnation.

During this time, he consumed some Water Element Pills.

His Cultivation also improved somewhat.

But by mid-November, he had completely finished his Reincarnation, and his third "Gourd" was thirty percent full.

There was very little time left.

Afterward, he continued his Cultivation.

「Five days later.」

The Gourd reached the Fifth Layer.

The Thirteenth Layer Nascent Condensation Skill really was something else.

The speed was much faster than before.

If he continued his Cultivation, the Gourd could be filled this month.

Then, he would just have to find a way to eliminate the bottleneck to smoothly enter the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment.

However, he had to enter the Secret Realm now.

He couldn’t continue his Cultivation for the time being.

The Old Yellow Ox spoke, "According to the rules, you probably won’t be able to cultivate the best Magic Skill inside. Are you going to cultivate a different one?"

"Of course I’m going to cultivate the best one," Jiang Man said with a smile.

"You don’t have much time left," the Old Yellow Ox said.

Jiang Man now had two and a half months left, and he needed to spend almost all of that time improving his Cultivation.

There wasn’t enough time to learn another Magic Skill.

"Isn’t there still the Secret Realm? I always make my improvements inside them," Jiang Man said nonchalantly.

The Old Yellow Ox said, "You won’t always have the opportunity to cultivate in peace."

"If the environment doesn’t exist, I’ll create it," Jiang Man said confidently.

The Old Yellow Ox said no more.

It wasn’t sure if Jiang Man would end up facing a setback.

But...

"You’re getting too arrogant," the Old Yellow Ox couldn’t help but say.

Jiang Man laughed and said, "Old Huang, many years from now, when you look back on this day, you won’t think so.

"You’ll be moved, having witnessed the rise of a prodigy."

After that, Jiang Man entered the Secret Realm.

The two Tokens had already merged into one.

Just like before, it sent him into the Secret Realm.

The moment he entered the Secret Realm, Jiang Man found himself in a courtyard.

Quite a few people appeared around him.

But just like before, he couldn’t see their faces clearly.

At this moment, the others were also looking around.

They couldn’t recognize each other.

However, some people used strange hand gestures.

Then they began to form groups of three and five.

In the end, only three people were left isolated.

Jiang Man, a woman, and another man.

The gazes of the others immediately fell on Jiang Man and the other man.

Jiang Man was surprised. ’I can’t believe people are getting isolated even in a Secret Realm where you can’t reveal your identity. I don’t mind, though. The rules here are different from before. You can’t just attack anyone you want.’

"Which one of you is Number 210?" someone suddenly asked.

"Not me," the other man immediately said.

The woman, who was occasionally being stared at, also quickly said, "Of course it’s not me. I’m a woman."

In an instant, everyone’s eyes fell on Jiang Man.

However, some were still staring at the other man and the woman.

They didn’t believe Number 210 would obediently admit it.

What if he just denied it? What if he was pretending to be a woman?

It wasn’t impossible.

However, Jiang Man looked at everyone calmly and said, "I am. What about it?"

For a moment, everyone was stunned.

His calm words, spoken so openly.

It left them feeling bewildered.

They had tried every method to find the person, thinking that the confrontation would be a battle of wits. They expected him to constantly deny and hide, while they, united as one, would go through great pains to finally expose him.

After that, they would get to see Number 210 looking terrified and uneasy.

However...

The reality was a bit hard to accept.

The person had asked "What about it?" as if it had nothing to do with him.

It made them instantly understand one thing: he was definitely not from the Second Courtyard or the Third Courtyard.

Those old fogeys from the Second and Third Courtyards couldn’t speak such words or use such a tone.

This was the recklessness and high spirits of youth.

For a moment, the crowd felt a sense of defeat, and they didn’t know how to respond.

At this time, a burly man stepped forward and stood before Jiang Man. "I want to challenge you."

Jiang Man looked at the man calmly and said, "I refuse."

"Why?" the man immediately asked. "Are you scared? I see you’re nothing special after all."

Jiang Man pointed to a sign up ahead. "Private duels are forbidden."

The moment the burly man saw those words, he froze.

’You can’t fight here.’

"Then let’s compete to see who can comprehend a Magic Skill first," the burly man continued.

Jiang Man thought for a moment. "What’s the best Magic Skill here?"

There was no need to fight over the Magic Skills here; you just had to choose one to cultivate.

Everyone could choose the best one.

But the Magic Skills were basically only for use within the Secret Realm and weren’t very useful outside.

Failing to learn one would affect your chances of obtaining opportunities in the Secret Realm.

"The Magic Skills here are divided into Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. The best one is naturally Five Elements Combined," the burly man said.

"Where is it?" Jiang Man asked.

The burly man subconsciously pointed.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Man gave him fifty Spiritual Source and turned to leave.

Watching him leave, the burly man was a bit slow to react.

He felt like he had just been insulted by this person.

The others also came back to their senses.

Someone immediately said, "He’s not from the Second or Third Courtyard. This feeling reminds me of the number one genius from our courtyard."

The others were also startled.

So, was he from the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Courtyards?

At this moment, Number 98 and Number 99 were also in the crowd. Number 98 hesitated for a moment and said, "Do you think it’s possible he’s from the old Ninth Courtyard?"

No one believed it; they even ignored the remark.

"Let’s see what he plans to learn first, and then see how far he’s gotten by the time we leave," someone said.

Jiang Man made his way to the room for Five Elements Combined.

He found two people already sitting inside.

He went in and sat down in a corner, minding his own business.

There was an hourglass at the front. When the sand ran out, someone would come to explain Five Elements Combined.

Jiang Man was actually a little curious if this Five Elements Combined was the same thing as the Five Elements Technique the Old Yellow Ox had mentioned.

"Are you also the top student of your courtyard?" a man next to him asked.

’If you weren’t number one, why would you be here?’

————