’I’m a prodigy when it comes to cultivation, not earning Spiritual Source.’

’Of course, the main reason is that my cultivation isn’t high enough yet.’

’Once it’s high enough, everything will fall into place.’

’I just don’t have that much time.’

’But I shouldn’t rush. There’s still time.’

’There has to be a way.’

’For now, I should first understand the Celestial Heart Seal, then practice it a bit.’

The book stated clearly that the Celestial Heart Seal could not be taught at the Yunqian Bureau.

You had to go to a Sect.

Of course, you could also comprehend it on your own.

This didn’t stop you from using it.

This was a temporary Magic Skill, not one the Yunqian Bureau typically possessed.

Therefore, even people like Mr. Fu might not have cultivated it.

But it was still worth asking them.

Their knowledge wasn’t limited to the Yunqian Bureau’s Magic Skills; holding a position there meant they were naturally knowledgeable and experienced.

Also, now that the most difficult time was over, it was time to prepare a Xie Li for Mr. Zhao and the others.

’It would be best to use some kind of Raising Skill as the Xie Li.’

Afterward, the Old Yellow Ox began to explain the Celestial Heart Seal to Jiang Man.

The Celestial Heart Seal surpassed Mortal Level Upper Grade Magic Skills.

He couldn’t understand the official text at all just by reading it.

It required systematic learning.

During the instruction, the Old Yellow Ox reminded him, "For future advancement, you will need to systematically study this material. The Immortal Sects have brought great order, revising Cultivation Skills and Magic Skills. Everything in cultivation now follows a traceable path.

"The higher your cultivation, the more you need to learn. The most difficult Magic Skills for the Qi Refining realm are only Mortal Level Upper Grade. This isn’t because stronger Magic Skills haven’t been made available, but because it’s unnecessary to learn them—and you wouldn’t be able to anyway.

"Take this Celestial Heart Seal, for example."

Jiang Man nodded, completely agreeing.

He couldn’t understand this Magic Skill at all.

Even while listening to the explanation, he only grasped bits and pieces.

The explanation lasted an entire day. Jiang Man was able to understand it, but he was a bit slow to digest the information.

The Old Yellow Ox explained it very well. If someone with a less thorough understanding had been the one explaining...

...it would have probably taken three days and three nights to cover this material.

As it continued the explanation, the Old Yellow Ox would also offer reminders.

"Because this Magic Skill isn’t common and you have no one to guide you, it’s perfectly normal for there to be some deviations."

"I will do my best to minimize the deviations, but you’ll have to figure out where exactly you’ve deviated and then make corrections."

"The sample you provided is too small. I can’t fully deduce the logical principles of the Magic Skill."

Jiang Man nodded, indicating that he understood.

The explanation continued for another two days.

Only then did Jiang Man fully absorb everything.

For now, he only understood how to cultivate it; as for when he would succeed, that was hard to say.

Furthermore, this Celestial Heart Seal didn’t quite seem to live up to its difficulty.

The Celestial Heart Seal was also known as the Formless Seal. Its own power wasn’t apparent, but it grew stronger when facing a strong opponent.

Whatever Magic Skill Attack came his way, he could retaliate with the same level of power.

Even if the opponent used a Mortal Level Lower Grade technique, the retaliatory power would also be at the Mortal Level Lower Grade.

It had no lower limit, but it did have an upper limit.

Its only advantage was its low energy consumption.

But no matter what, this high-grade Magic Skill was incapable of defeating a Mortal Level Lower Grade Magic Skill.

"It seems capable of countering attacks above Mortal Level, but its actual effect is inferior to techniques from that level. No wonder it was relegated to Qi Refining," Jiang Man remarked with some emotion.

It was somewhat effective against stronger opponents but completely useless against weaker ones.

Even after being relegated, few in the Qi Refining realm would bother to cultivate it.

Suddenly, Jiang Man thought of something.

’If I keep using my full strength, and my opponent uses the Celestial Heart Seal...’

’...doesn’t that mean I could never win?’

’My Spiritual Qi is abundant, but even that can’t stand up to an opponent with low energy consumption.’

’Especially when every single move is a perfect stalemate.’

’Cultivation really isn’t as simple as I thought.’

Afterward, Jiang Man began to circulate the Magic Skill, aiming to reach the Entry Level first.

As he attempted to cultivate it, Jiang Man found it to be several times more difficult than the Nine Clouds Dragon-Suppressing Technique.

He had to grasp and experiment with the circulation and vibration of his Spiritual Qi all by himself.

Not only that, but he also had to calculate the transit time of his Spiritual Qi to match the length of his meridians in order to achieve resonance.

Everyone might seem the same, but in reality, their meridians have differences.

One had to make adjustments and calculations on their own.

Even with his Magic Skill Innate Qi, it still took Jiang Man half a day to complete the first circulation.

The first step is always the hardest.

Jiang Man felt a strong sense of accomplishment after successfully completing the first circulation.

He then continued to circulate it.

In an entire day, he managed to circulate it a total of four times.

It took four circulations just to reach the Entry Level.

’This...’

’It’s going to take a long time to cultivate this to the Ninth Layer.’

’It’s slow, difficult, and useless.’

Jiang Man let out a heavy sigh and said, "This is too difficult."

The Old Yellow Ox was eating grass and didn’t say a word.

Jiang Man genuinely felt that this Magic Skill had stumped him.

’Looks like I’ll have to go to the Sect and see what I can find,’ he thought to himself.

He then chose to accumulate Spiritual Qi.

He needed to use the remaining time to fill his ninth "Gourd" with Spiritual Qi.

In addition, he had to continue improving his Physical Body and Spirit.

It would be best to join the Sect at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, Physical Body Ninth Layer, and Spiritual Ninth Layer.

He was currently at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, Physical Body Sixth Layer, and Spiritual Sixth Layer—still a long way off.

Time was a bit tight.

In the second half of June, besides studying the Celestial Heart Seal, Jiang Man focused on accumulating Spiritual Qi.

He also went to the Spirit Gathering Hall to earn Spiritual Source.

In half a month’s time, he could earn around 1,300.

Half a month’s earnings weren’t even enough to cover what he had once spent in a single night.

「At the end of June.」

Jiang Man heard from Steward Miao that the various families were all investigating how he could possess such abundant Spiritual Qi.

At first, they had no leads, but then they received some pointers from a certain senior at the Yunqian Bureau.

With that, they had some leads.

Now, they were in the final stages of verification.

It probably wouldn’t take more than a few days for them to reach a conclusion.

Jiang Man was a little surprised.

However, he wasn’t worried.

He didn’t care whether they found out or not.

It was like how he might pull an all-nighter, but he’d just let others do the same.

He was never worried about being surpassed.

Because even a genius would have to call him a genius upon meeting him.

As for his abundant Spiritual Qi, the secret was actually simple. If someone gave him Spiritual Source, he’d be happy to tell them the truth.

Too bad no one was offering him any Spiritual Source.

It was a bit late to volunteer the information now.

’Tomorrow is July first. I should ask if there are any other rewards for being number one at the Yunqian Bureau.’

That evening, Jiang Man returned to the stable courtyard under the moonlight.

As soon as he got back, Jiang Man greeted the Old Yellow Ox with a smile, "Hey, Old Huang, having a snack?"

The Old Yellow Ox raised an eyebrow slightly, looked at Jiang Man, and said calmly, "Someone’s here for you."

Jiang Man was a little surprised. "Who’s here for me?" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

’Last time, it was Li Yuan and his group.’

’They came to deliver Spiritual Source.’

’Said it was for offending me before.’

’Thinking about it, there was someone else who offended me and should have come to apologize by now.’

"You came back too late. The person is in the house waiting for you." After speaking, the Old Yellow Ox lowered its head and continued eating grass.

Hearing this, Jiang Man didn’t mind. After all, he had nothing of value in his house.

’If they went in, so be it.’

’As long as they don’t mind how simple it is inside, that’s fine.’

Immediately, Jiang Man walked to the door and threw it open.

But halfway through opening it, his hand suddenly froze in place.

He then gently closed the door.

He stiffly turned his head to look at the Old Yellow Ox. "Old Huang, are my eyes playing tricks on me?"

The Old Yellow Ox was munching on the weeds it had planted. Without even looking up, it said, "What did your eyes supposedly see?"

"Well... a stunningly beautiful person," Jiang Man stammered, a bit incoherently.

"Then your eyes are probably playing tricks on you. Go take another look," the Old Yellow Ox said, continuing to eat its grass.

Looking at the nearly devoured patch of weeds, Jiang Man took a deep breath and opened the door once more.

CREAK.

The room, illuminated by the moonlight, came into view, and everything within was exceptionally bright.

Then, he saw a woman sitting upright on the edge of the bed.

The moment he looked over, she, too, raised a delicate eyebrow, her gaze meeting Jiang Man’s.

Her gentle gaze was soothing, making one feel as if they were on the surface of a lake, with a soft breeze blowing.

She wore a blue dress, untouched by a speck of dust.

Her delicate features were bare of makeup, yet they seemed to radiate a soft, brilliant light.

A crimson floral pattern between her brows was exceptionally striking.

Her temperament was as serene as the moon, and a single glance from her felt like a gentle breeze, carrying the ethereal aura of an immortal untouched by the mortal world.

After seeing her face clearly, Jiang Man once again gently closed the door.

He took a deep breath and said to the Old Yellow Ox, "Old Huang, something suddenly came up. I think I’ll head back to my village for a visit."

"Stop taking deep breaths and face reality," the Old Yellow Ox said as it looked at Jiang Man. "Your wife has come to see you."

Jiang Man fell silent.

"It’s a good thing. Your wife didn’t run off," the Old Yellow Ox said casually. "Now you don’t have to ask me to find you another one."

CREAK!

The door suddenly opened from the inside.

A graceful figure appeared in the doorway. She looked at Jiang Man, her voice soft and gentle. "Are you not pleased to see me, Husband?"