"What are their plans?"

Luo Xuan thought for a moment and said, "They haven’t mentioned recruiting a son-in-law recently. They’ve probably given up on it entirely."

The best time to recruit a son-in-law was after the competition in March.

And the easiest time to force the issue was in May and June.

Back then, Elixir prices soared, and ordinary people couldn’t withstand that kind of pressure.

They could only bow their heads.

During that time, the others who had previously refused the Luo Family all agreed, one by one.

The poor don’t have many choices.

But what the Luo Family wanted most was for the second-ranked of the Six Pavilions to yield.

Unfortunately, he didn’t yield even when June arrived.

They haven’t mentioned it recently.

Besides, her father’s Heart Spirit had grown heavier.

It seemed the Luo Family’s situation was getting worse.

’It must be a new development with my second uncle, and a bad one at that.’

She couldn’t bring herself to ask too many questions.

Although her father hadn’t said anything, the truth was that the Luo Family had run out of options.

Needless to say, her own fate was already sealed.

Cheng Yu didn’t say anything more.

Instead, they walked outside together.

On the way, Cheng Yu smiled. "Want to get something to eat?"

"Your treat?" Luo Xuan asked.

"You’re the young miss."

"You’re the one who got me into this mess."

"That’s because you were naive. But fine, I’ll treat you."

"When are you going to clear up the misunderstanding about the admirer’s letter?"

"I’m helping you. The misunderstanding has gone on for so long that if he’s interested, he’ll seek you out. It increases the chances of recruiting him as a son-in-law."

"Just clear it up, quickly."

"Soon, soon."

***

Back in the courtyard, Jiang Man told the Old Yellow Ox what had happened today.

"A qualification for the Qi Refining Secret Realm?" The Old Yellow Ox pondered for a moment before saying, "It must be the Secret Realm for advancing to Foundation Establishment."

"You have to enter a Secret Realm to advance to Foundation Establishment?" Jiang Man was quite curious.

The Old Yellow Ox raised an eyebrow at Jiang Man. "The Immortal Sects brought great order, revising Cultivation Methods so that everyone could cultivate. The ancient Foundation Establishment Skills are no longer suitable for today’s Cultivators."

"Naturally, they had to be revised as well."

"If everyone can cultivate, then it follows that everyone should be able to reach Foundation Establishment."

"And the Secret Realm is the place to advance to Foundation Establishment."

"However, not just anyone can enter the Secret Realm."

Jiang Man asked curiously, "Then how can one enter the Secret Realm?"

"How were you able to participate in the competition for the Magic Skill?" the Old Yellow Ox retorted.

Jiang Man was stunned. It was because his ranking was high.

’So, to enter the Secret Realm, I also need a high enough ranking.’

’And getting this qualification now means I won’t be bound by my rank?’

"So, you’re guaranteed to reach Foundation Establishment if you enter the Secret Realm?" Jiang Man asked.

The Old Yellow Ox shook its head.

’I can’t?’ Jiang Man was taken aback. "Then can I enter again?"

"You could before, so you probably still can now." The Old Yellow Ox wasn’t certain.

Jiang Man fell silent for a moment, mulling over the general situation.

’Reaching Foundation Establishment really isn’t easy.’

’And even after I enter a Sect, I might not be in the first group to enter the Secret Realm.’

’Can I still reach Foundation Establishment without entering the Secret Realm?’

Jiang Man asked.

The answer was yes.

He could still use the ancient Foundation Establishment Skill.

But those who could endure long enough to reach Foundation Establishment that way would have long since qualified to enter the Secret Realm anyway.

No one was willing to waste time.

Jiang Man was even shorter on time, so to cultivate the Nascent Condensation Skill, he truly had to seize this Secret Realm qualification.

But there was still a huge problem.

Li Yuan and his group.

If they didn’t cooperate, he wouldn’t be able to get what he wanted.

He was severely restricted.

Even prodigies had moments of helplessness.

With this in mind, Jiang Man tossed an Elixir into his mouth to fill up his eighth "Gourd" first.

’Tomorrow, I’ll exchange my Spirit Gathering Pills for Soul Condensing Pills.’

’Then I’ll start frantically raising my Spiritual Realm.’

’Whether I can break through to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer all depends on this.’

Time was running out.

This time, Jiang Man directly requested time off.

Zhao Leming was rather surprised. Why would Jiang Man take time off now?

’Cultivation?’

’Advancement?’

Mr. Fu asked with great curiosity, "To practice his Magic Skill, perhaps?"

Zhao Leming shook his head slightly. "It’s hard to say."

Jiang Man was currently at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer and had obtained a Top-grade Technique.

Logically, he only had two paths for improvement.

One was to raise his Cultivation, and the other was to improve his Magic Skill.

Comparing the two, improving his Magic Skill was naturally easier.

Especially through actual combat.

Given Jiang Man’s current foundation, he had huge room for improvement through combat.

His Cultivation was the least likely to improve.

It was even harder now that Elixir prices have skyrocketed.

’But...’

’Jiang Man can’t be judged by common sense.’ 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

’No one has guessed his actions correctly before.’

"However, the competition this time should be fierce," Mr. Fu said seriously. "I didn’t expect a Secret Realm qualification to be on the line, along with such a Magic Skill."

"The experts on the third floor will surely make their moves."

"Since you’re on Jiang Man’s side, Mr. Zhao, you should be careful."

"It shouldn’t come to that," Mr. Zhao said, shaking his head. "Logically, Jiang Man doesn’t pose much of a threat to them. The power gap is too wide."

"The fact that he managed to become number one in the Six Pavilions was surprising enough."

Mr. Fu reminded him, "Threat or not, he is, after all, at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer. The other Eighth Layer cultivators will certainly be sought out this time."

Mr. Zhao nodded slightly. "I’ll pay more attention. But there will be times when I’ll still need your help, Mr. Fu."

After a pause, Mr. Zhao continued, "If there are any gains, I will certainly share them with you, Mr. Fu."

Only then did Fu Yidan depart.

Zhao Leming let out a breath. ’Winning the cooperation of the Qi Refining Eighth Layer cultivators is what the third floor plans to do.’

’And if Jiang Man refuses, then I’ll have a lot more to do.’

He didn’t know what he would get in the end.

But if Jiang Man could become number one in the Six Pavilions...

That would be a significant benefit for him.

It had been too long since Cyan Cloud Pavilion produced a number one.

For both him and Mr. Fu, this was a credential on their immortal path, one that would smooth the road ahead.

***

「In the Yunqian Bureau lounge.」

Li Yuan sat in his chair, silent.

Yan Huimin walked in and said in a low voice, "Young Master Li."

"You should know about my situation," Li Yuan said, looking at the person before him. "What are your thoughts?"

"I support your decision, Young Master Li. In a great family, it’s normal to not have control over your own affairs," Yan Huimin said.

’What else could she say?’

’Li Yuan isn’t allowed to participate. Could she change that?’

’As if she had any say in the matter.’

’This is a game between the great families. If she were stubborn enough to say no, she would be the one to die in the end.’

’So, it was best to just agree.’

’At least she could protect herself.’

"Did they warn you?" Li Yuan asked.

Yan Huimin shook her head. "No. They probably think I’m insignificant."

"Good. Just make sure you participate on time," Li Yuan said.

"What about you, Young Master Li?" Yan Huimin asked.

"I need to go see someone." Li Yuan shook his head, saying no more.

Then he had Yan Huimin leave first.

After she left, Li Yuan’s brow was furrowed.

He had indeed received an order from his family, forbidding him from going to the back mountain and forcing him to give up this competition.

The whole point was to put Jiang Man in his place.

Although he was furious, he had chosen to submit.

The family’s resources were skewed toward Li Yuan, and he couldn’t fight back.

’Resisting would be detrimental to the family, and things would become very troublesome for me later on.’

’I might even be abandoned.’

’But...’

’Things have taken a turn.’

’An extra item was added to the competition: a spot for the Secret Realm.’

’A spot that everyone wants to fight for.’

’If I obtain it, so what if I defy the family?’

’The Li Family isn’t run by Li Yuan alone.’

’As long as I can get this spot, the elders who back me will come out in my support.’

’Now, I’m just missing the final answer.’

He needed to see Jiang Man.

He was going to start fighting back.