This was the last competition of the year, the one most prone to unexpected developments.

Just like prices, they could change in an instant.

Furthermore, the Sect had been visiting quite frequently this year, and they had even taken one genius away early.

This made the possibility of a change this time even higher.

But Jiang Man wasn’t mentally prepared.

He just hoped this change wouldn’t affect the prices.

Then, Jiang Man saw the envelope.

Written on it were three Cultivation Skills.

A Mid-grade Observation Method.

A Mid-grade Qi Blood Technique.

And the third, a High-grade Qi Refining Technique.

Jiang Man was quite surprised. The third competition actually had a High-grade Qi Refining Technique.

He was still using a Middle Grade one himself.

But this wasn’t what he wanted.

He then continued reading down the list.

There were some Magic Skills.

Among them was the Nine Clouds Dragon Suppressing Technique.

Jiang Man was also a bit surprised by this. It was still available in the third round.

He continued looking further down.

Dragon Roar Seal.

Supporting Light Technique.

Water Flow Palm.

Finally, Jiang Man reached the end of the list.

He saw that the last line listed two items.

The first was the Celestial Heart Seal.

The second was a Qi Refining Secret Realm qualification.

Jiang Man was confused.

’What’s a Qi Refining Secret Realm qualification?’

Fang Yong finished reading and was also confused.

Zhao Leming looked at the two of them and said, "Finished reading?"

"Mr. Zhao, are you referring to the last line?" Jiang Man asked.

If it were the other items, it wouldn’t count as such a major change.

’So, the problem is the Secret Realm?’

"The last line has a Magic Skill and a qualification. Which one is more special?" Fang Yong also asked.

Zhao Leming said calmly, "The Celestial Heart Seal is not a Mortal Level Magic Skill."

This single sentence made Jiang Man’s and Fang Yong’s pupils contract.

At the Qi Refining stage, there was almost nothing that surpassed the Mortal Level.

Be it Magic Skills or Cultivation Skills.

The strongest should be Mortal Level Upper Grade.

This wasn’t just the case in Luoyun City.

It was the same everywhere else.

’But what’s the deal with this Celestial Heart Seal that just popped up out of nowhere?’

"You can find out the rest on your own. Now, about the Qi Refining Secret Realm qualification," Mr. Zhao said seriously, "This Secret Realm is related to Foundation Establishment."

He didn’t need to say more.

The two words "Foundation Establishment" were enough to convey its importance.

A Foundation Establishment Cultivator was something the Student Cultivators of the Yunqian Bureau could hardly imagine.

And since this Secret Realm was related to Foundation Establishment, its value was self-evident.

"This competition is going to be extremely fierce," Fang Yong said.

Jiang Man lowered his gaze. ’Looks like this situation is even more difficult than before.’

A qualification related to Foundation Establishment... Though he didn’t know exactly what it was, as an Unparalleled Celestial Pride, he had to get his hands on it.

After all, he still had the Unparalleled Celestial Pride Fate Chart to deal with.

Of the stipulated three hundred days, not many were left.

’Looks like I’ll have to come up with some new strategies.’

"This competition is indeed far beyond what you can imagine. If you don’t want to compete, people will come looking for you soon enough.

"If you do want to compete, then you’d best prepare as quickly as possible," Zhao Leming said.

He actually wasn’t sure if Jiang Man wanted to compete.

A Qi Refining Eighth Layer cultivator couldn’t possibly contend.

But advancing to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer seemed almost impossible.

But he had given all the necessary warnings.

The rest was up to Jiang Man himself.

Fang Yong didn’t feel much pressure. He knew he couldn’t win.

Jiang Man, however, lowered his gaze, feeling that the Yunqian Bureau was quite good at forcing people’s hands.

At this rate, 650 for a Spirit Gathering Pill wouldn’t be the limit anymore.

’The price will probably rise to 700.’

’My poverty is so bad I can’t even afford to eat.’

Composing himself, Jiang Man looked at Fang Yong beside him and whispered, "Young Master Fang, do you have any Elixirs left?"

"No Spirit Gathering Pills, but I have Soul Condensing Pills." Fang Yong looked at Jiang Man and said, "You want to buy some?"

"How can good friends talk about buying? I’ll borrow them and pay you back after I enter the Sect," Jiang Man said.

"Six hundred fifty each. Just pay me back in Spiritual Source at the original price," Fang Yong said.

Jiang Man looked at Fang Yong earnestly. "We’re friends. Good friends."

"Six hundred thirty," Fang Yong said calmly.

’Alright, you’re my enemy now.’ Jiang Man mentally labeled Fang Yong, then said aloud:

"Deal. How many do you have?"

"Five," Fang Yong replied.

Jiang Man was surprised. ’So rich.’

’They’re mine now.’

After borrowing from Fang Yong, Jiang Man went over to Chang Qiweng.

Chang Qiweng: "..."

"Got any more? Same old rules," Jiang Man asked softly.

"I only have Elixirs left." Chang Qiweng sounded rather helpless. "I have ten Spirit Gathering Pills, five Qi Blood Pills, and five Soul Condensing Pills."

Hearing this, Jiang Man froze, looking at Chang Qiweng in disbelief.

’Are you even poor anymore?’

Seeing Jiang Man’s gaze, Chang Qiweng said, "What’s with that look?"

"Admiration," Jiang Man said, then asked curiously, "Why do you still have so many Elixirs?"

"I bought them earlier to send back to my parents, but I didn’t expect the price to go up, so I was planning to sell them," Chang Qiweng said honestly.

’How did your parents raise such a fine son?’ Jiang Man thought with admiration, then said:

"I’ll borrow them for six hundred each. That adds up to twelve thousand, and I’ll pay you back fourteen thousand."

After saying this, he himself was stunned.

He would have to spend fourteen thousand for Elixirs that originally cost six thousand.

No wonder other poor cultivators couldn’t hold on.

Even he, an Unparalleled Celestial Pride, couldn’t take it.

After getting the Elixirs, just as Jiang Man was about to find someone else to borrow from, Chang Qiweng stopped him. "I still have six thousand Spiritual Source. Same old rules."

Jiang Man looked at Chang Qiweng, his face a mask of shock.

’It’s unbelievable. Just how much did you earn from risking your life back then?’

’Did Cheng Yu give you that much?’

"I borrowed it. Six thousand to be repaid as sixty-five hundred," Chang Qiweng said seriously. "I borrowed it from Miss Cheng. She knew it was for you, so she lent it to me."

Jiang Man sighed with emotion. "You’ve got real guts."

’How much is that in total now?’

’I have to pay back twenty-eight thousand.’

Isn’t Chang Qiweng afraid?

’What a gambler!’

’If it weren’t for an Unparalleled Celestial Pride like me, you’d be in deep trouble.’

After that, Jiang Man found Xiaopang.

The latter chuckled and said he was just waiting for him to ask. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

He immediately took out twenty Spirit Gathering Pills and said, "I’ve been saving these up especially for the past few months. My family told me that things would definitely get hard for someone like you, Brother Jiang.

"So I saved them up in advance.

"Now I’m just waiting to see you power up, Brother Jiang. Then in the future, I can go around saying I ranked higher than you for two years.

"That would make me a formidable figure in my own right.

"Barely defeated, of course."

Jiang Man was deeply moved. "We really are good friends."

Before the day ended, Song Qing came to find him.

He said he was poor, but he felt he could still help out a little.

He then gave Jiang Man two Spirit Gathering Pills. "This time, it’s a loan."

Jiang Man gladly accepted.

’I’ll pay him back. I definitely will.’

’I’ll pay back fourteen hundred.’

The haul this time was substantial.

Thirty-two Spirit Gathering Pills, five Qi Blood Pills, ten Soul Condensing Pills, and six thousand Spiritual Source.

It was enough.

’I’ll trade the Spirit Gathering Pills for Soul Condensing Pills, focus everything on my Spiritual Level, and break through this bottleneck.’

---

The Cultivation session came to an end.

Cheng Yu and Luo Xuan were walking back together.

"This competition seems a bit different. Jiang Man is borrowing Spiritual Source from everyone. Aren’t you going to lend him any, Miss Luo?" Cheng Yu asked curiously.

Luo Xuan shook her head. "He didn’t ask."

"Then offer it to him," Cheng Yu said with a smile. "Sometimes, young men are too thin-skinned to ask. A woman can be a little more proactive in these situations. Even if there are no romantic entanglements, your own interests should compel you to take the initiative."

"Why don’t you lend him any?" Luo Xuan shot Cheng Yu a look and said calmly.

Cheng Yu shrugged. "I spent all my Spiritual Source scheming to get a spot."

Luo Xuan looked at the person before her and shook her head. "And in the end, you got nothing."

"I wouldn’t say that. I earned the title of a ’scheming woman who can’t be seen in public.’ Besides, I did lend six thousand to Chang Qiweng, who will in turn lend it to Jiang Man," Cheng Yu said with a smile.

"Why not lend it directly to Jiang Man?" Luo Xuan frowned.

"This way, if Jiang Man becomes powerful and decides not to pay it back, Chang Qiweng still has to repay me. Plus, I had him mention that the loan came from me, which counts as a friendly gesture." Cheng Yu’s smile was as radiant as a flower. "It’s a no-loss situation. I’ve transferred the risk."

"Petty, with your little schemes," Luo Xuan said flatly.

Cheng Yu didn’t mind and said, "So, what does your family plan to do in the end?"