Chapter 254: Chapter 169: The More Powerful My Husband, The Better My Life (2)
The Female Pill Master asked in shock, "Are you sure?"
Jiang Man nodded. "I’m sure."
The Female Pill Master packed a few things and headed for the door.
"Where are you going, Master?"
"On a business trip. I’ll be back next month."
"..."
After the rankings were announced, the other Pill Masters had all conveniently disappeared. They had either left on business trips, not to return until next month, or gone into seclusion for Alchemy, not to emerge until next month.
Back in his small courtyard, Jiang Man looked over the items on his table, feeling a profound sense of accomplishment.
This time, he had obtained two Secret Skills.
The middle volume of the Purple Mist Divine Light: the Fiery Sun Chapter.
The final volume of the Purple Mist Divine Light: the Setting Sun Chapter.
Once he mastered all three Chapters, he would be able to form the complete Magic Skill: Purple Mist Divine Light.
Its power would far surpass the limits of the Celestial Heart Seal.
Best of all, he could continue using it throughout the Golden Core Stage, where it would remain a powerful tool.
Besides the Secret Skills, there was also the reward for turning in the stone.
It was a Copper Token, which was said to grant entry into a special Secret Realm.
However, he would have to wait until he reached the Golden Core realm to use it.
His eighth-place individual ranking earned him an Iron Token—which granted access to the Promotion Secret Realm—and thirty thousand Spiritual Source.
The reward for his team’s ranking was access to the Qi Refining Secret Realm and another three thousand Spiritual Source.
Jiang Man felt a surge of emotion.
’Access to the Qi Refining Secret Realm? I could probably sell that for a good amount of Spiritual Source.’
’No matter how I look at it, this was a massive haul.’
’I wouldn’t mind entering a competition like this every year.’
’Then again, whether I’ll even be able to participate next year is another question entirely.’
"Besides these rewards, there’s also this." As he spoke, Mr. Yan placed a sheet of paper in front of Jiang Man. "Sign your name, and on the fifteenth of next month, you can enter the Promotion Secret Realm."
"However, if you aren’t satisfied with the Promotion Skill you obtain, you can participate in the competition again next year and compete for another opportunity."
"Just know that very few people manage to obtain a better Promotion Skill on their second attempt."
"That’s because it doesn’t have much to do with combat power."
"Furthermore, entering a second time has a certain negative impact."
"So you should probably think it over for a couple of days."
Jiang Man didn’t hesitate. He signed his name.
Yan Yiqiu was silent for a moment.
’Jiang Man seems a bit reckless.’
’But that was just a feeling, and she’d always thought Jiang Man was reckless.’
’Yet the results always proved her wrong, showing how shortsighted she was.’
’In all likelihood, she was just being shortsighted again this time.’
With Jiang Man’s business concluded, Yan Yiqiu looked at everyone and said, "You are now Student Cultivators of the Sixth Courtyard. From the Sixth Courtyard onward, your Cultivation progress will slow down considerably."
"If you want to improve your scores, you’ll need to focus on your Minor."
"You can also use your Minor to earn Spiritual Source and obtain its associated resources."
"This will be of some benefit to your future Cultivation."
"Additionally, your practical combat training will gradually increase, and the same goes for your Minor."
Jiang Man, however, paid little mind to the Sixth Courtyard’s curriculum.
His time in the Foundation Establishment Courtyard was nearly at an end; there was no need for him to follow the standard progression.
Of course, this all hinged on achieving a good outcome a month from now.
Otherwise, it was all just empty talk.
’I’ll get a Promotion Skill in the Secret Realm, then come back and advance.’
At that point, he’d practically be an Inner Sect disciple.
Basically, anyone who obtains a Promotion Skill succeeds in Core Formation. It’s just a matter of time.
But that "matter of time" could mean a huge difference—anywhere from a few months to several years.
It all depended on the skill you obtained.
Jiang Man wasn’t too clear on the details himself; he’d have to go back and ask Old Huang.
He’d never imagined he would be dealing with a Promotion Skill so soon.
After Mr. Yan finished his instructions, Jiang Man left the Sixth Courtyard.
He made a trip to Red Water Peak to see if Song Qing had left yet.
Besides, he had to pay them the interest he owed.
He now had thirty-five thousand Spiritual Source.
He could easily afford the interest.
At this moment, Xiaopang was staring at a Spirit Medicine, scratching his head in frustration.
Jiang Man walked over and asked curiously, "What are you up to?"
Hearing his voice, Xiaopang was startled and immediately looked up at Jiang Man.
The noticeable dark circles under his eyes left Jiang Man feeling quite satisfied.
’It’s good that he’s working hard and suffering for it.’
"Brother Jiang, what are you doing here?" Xiaopang said with some surprise. "I heard you’re number one in the Outer Sect now. Does that mean you’re about to reach Core Formation?"
He heard it from his second brother.
The look on his second brother’s face and his attitude when he visited had been stunning.
It was as if he’d been completely awed by Brother Jiang and had finally understood the meaning of the word "legend."
Xiaopang was curious too.
Jiang Man nodded slightly. "Just listen to me and cultivate hard. You’ll have your chance too."
Xiaopang felt Brother Jiang was just giving him false hope.
"Where are Song Qing and the others?" Jiang Man asked.
"Song Qing is a transport guard; he went back with his squad. He asked me to give this to you, Brother Jiang." As he spoke, Xiaopang took out four thousand Spiritual Source.
Jiang Man took it. Taking into account the interest, he owed Song Qing a total of twenty-four thousand.
He then repaid Xiaopang six thousand and Luo Xuan twelve thousand. With an additional three thousand for interest, his total payout was twenty-one thousand.
He was left with eighteen thousand.
"Where’s Old Chang?" Jiang Man asked.
"I’ll let him know and ask him to come over," Xiaopang said.
Jiang Man nodded.
He then asked about what was troubling Xiaopang.
"This Spirit Medicine is one we’re fostering for someone." Xiaopang pointed to a somewhat withered Spirit Medicine in front of them. "Our nurturing method is correct, but for some reason, the more we nurture it, the weaker it becomes."
"If it keeps getting weaker, we’re going to have to pay compensation."
"Luo Xuan went to find Cheng Yu to see if she has any ideas."
Jiang Man glanced down. It was a flowering type of Spirit Medicine with tri-colored petals that were starting to develop spots.
The flower had seven leaves, two of which were showing signs of drying out, as if it were dehydrated.
Jiang Man gave it a light touch. "A Three Yang Flower," he recited. "Tri-colored petals and seven leaves. A small number experience growth defects, sprouting an eighth leaf. These specimens have difficulty surviving and will die of dehydration within thirty days."
As he spoke, Jiang Man’s fingers traced down to the base of the flower’s stem.
There, he found a tiny incision.
He showed it to Xiaopang.
After inspecting it, Xiaopang said, "I was scammed?"
Jiang Man nodded slightly. "Yes."
"Brother Jiang, how do you know so much about Spirit Medicines?" Xiaopang exclaimed.
