Chapter 296: Chapter 188: Young Lady, Who Do You Think Will Succeed This Time?

Ji Hao had once again shown how extraordinary he was.

To think he could delay the opening of the Immortal Mansion.

This made him seem exceptional. However, the Ji Family was also going to great lengths to have him marry one of their own.

It was really quite unnecessary.

He was, in fact, already married.

He was one of them.

But he couldn’t say it.

He didn’t dare.

Only by hiding in the shadows could he be safe.

Once Ji Hao found out, it would be the same as Meng Qiewei finding out.

He’d probably have to flee for his life with Old Huang.

Although there were many theories, none had been confirmed.

"Let me introduce these people to you and tell you what their intentions are," Ji Hao said.

Jiang Man nodded.

He came to the conclusion that the Direct Lineage members were likely arrogant, so he shouldn’t get his hopes up.

He should focus his attention on the Side Branch members instead.

Additionally, Jiang Man learned one more thing.

Every single one of these people was stronger than him.

They possessed Primordial Spirit Cultivation.

The major Realm after Golden Core was Primordial Spirit.

For a moment, Jiang Man felt immense pressure at the thought of meeting them.

The difference in their Realms was too vast; he was no match for them.

’I can only meet them, take the Spiritual Source, and hurry back to my Cultivation.’

’Those people probably look down on me anyway.’

’They come from the Immortal Sect’s territory and are incredibly condescending.’

’And I’m just a country boy, not even worth mentioning.’

After asking when they would likely arrive, Jiang Man returned to his Cultivation.

It was now almost September, and the Foundation Establishment Courtyard was also preparing for its annual grand competition.

He didn’t have to participate, so he could just focus on his Cultivation.

However, because of Zhao Tiankuo, he had to go ask Zhao Yaoyao if they were from the same clan.

The Zhao Family was too suspicious.

The schemes against him had come from only a few people.

Among them, the Zhao Family was the most capable.

But whenever Jiang Man recalled this Zhao Tiankuo, he remembered an honest and simple-looking man, not someone capable of such schemes.

’Often, the more unassuming a person is, the more dangerous they are.’

Everyone else seemed normal, but he came across as timid and cowardly.

’It doesn’t add up.’

「The next day.」

Jiang Man went to the Sixth Courtyard.

After this grand competition ended, they would become the Fifth Courtyard.

Before he knew it, half of his instruction at the Foundation Establishment Courtyard was already over.

"Zhao Tiankuo? I don’t know him," Zhao Yaoyao said, shaking her head.

"I heard someone from their family is an Elder in the Inner Sect," Jiang Man added.

"Oh, the Zhao Family of Wind and Rain City. I’m from the Zhao Family of Qiuye City. It’s not the same thing," Zhao Yaoyao said immediately. "It’s just a coincidence that their surname is Zhao, and ours is too.

"They can’t swallow us, and we can’t swallow them.

"So we’ve remained separate.

"I can’t believe there was a misunderstanding.

"But the Wind and Rain City Zhao Family really has nothing to do with me."

As she spoke, Zhao Yaoyao asked curiously, "Did they provoke you?"

Jiang Man shook his head slightly. "It’s hard to say. Perhaps in their eyes, I’m the one who provoked them."

"The Wind and Rain City Zhao Family can be arrogant and domineering. They often threaten people who are about to enter the Inner Sect," Zhao Yaoyao kindly reminded him. "They use two types of methods. One is framing people in a way that’s hard to defend against, and the other is sabotaging various mission assessments.

"With the former, it’s impossible to identify the accuser.

"The latter is within the rules.

"The Inner Sect is different from the Outer Sect; certain tactics are allowed.

"This is especially true the longer you stay in the Inner Sect.

"The competition only ever increases, it never lessens."

Jiang Man indicated that he understood.

’The Zhao Family really does have some power,’ he thought.

Then, Jiang Man asked about the Cultivation of this Zhao Family Elder.

The answer he received was that the Elder was above the Golden Core Realm.

She didn’t know the specifics beyond that.

Jiang Man couldn’t help but sigh with emotion.

’These people have some deep-seated power.’

* * *

"Old Huang, why does it feel like the more I advance, the more powerful people I have to avoid?" Jiang Man asked the Old Yellow Ox, confused.

"Because when you were at the Qi Refining Realm, you only encountered other Qi Refining cultivators. When you were at Foundation Establishment, you only encountered other Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"But after becoming a Golden Core Ancestor, you’re encountering Middle and Late Stage Golden Core Ancestors, and even Primordial Spirit Great Powers," the Old Yellow Ox said calmly. "With an inflated ego like yours, it’s only natural that you’d need to avoid provoking many people.

"Even geniuses need time to grow.

"This is especially true for Realms under the current rule of the Immortal Sect.

"Because the gap between cultivators isn’t that large.

"It’s very difficult for someone at the Early Stage to fight someone at the Mid-stage. It depends on your Cultivation Skill, Body Refining Skill, and Visualization Skill.

"And there are also Magic Skills to consider.

"Crossing a major Realm is even harder."

Jiang Man asked curiously, "With the Ancient Cultivation Method, can an Early Stage Golden Core cultivator fight a Primordial Spirit expert?"

"It’s difficult, but not impossible," the Old Yellow Ox explained. "Because with the ancient methods, the Cultivation Skills and techniques were different, making the gap between the two enormous.

"Under the current rule of the Immortal Sect, the differences between Cultivation Skills are very limited.

"Don’t be fooled by how much stronger a Top-grade Skill is than a Simple Skill.

"The difference is most obvious only when you’re at the Same Tier."

Jiang Man nodded in understanding. "It seems I was born in the wrong era."

Otherwise, with his Talent and the backing of an Evil God, he would have long since swept away all enemies around him.

Although he felt somewhat helpless against the Zhao Family, Jiang Man didn’t dwell on it.

Instead, he focused on improving his Cultivation first.

’Besides, I hold the position of a Special Inspector, working for Ting Fengyin. It would be very difficult for me to be taken down. So, I’ll focus on improving my Cultivation first. Only when I’m strong enough can I find a way to fight back.’

’Also, I need to keep an eye on this Zhao Tiankuo and see what’s going on with him.’

But as he cultivated, he set all these matters aside.

This continued until the first of September.

Only then did Jiang Man stop his Cultivation.

Song Qing was coming over today, so he decided to go and see him.

Of course, he also had to pay the interest.

But Jiang Man suddenly realized he was getting a raw deal.

Because he hadn’t used the Spiritual Source recently, paying the interest would still deplete it.

In addition, the ten thousand he owed Fang Yong was also due.

Fortunately, he was wealthy now.

However, he would begin a new phase of his Cultivation in a few months, so he wasn’t in a hurry to return the Spiritual Source he owed Chang Qiweng and the others.

「Meanwhile.」

Chang Qiweng escorted his younger sister to her residence, the Sixth Courtyard.