Chapter 10: The Old Ox: You Want to Eat Me?

When Jiang Man returned from cleaning, he did so quietly, with only a few people noticing. Because of what happened the previous two days, some people were paying attention to his position.Among these people, some left the courtyard early after the explanation ended to avoid being affected, preventing themselves from being forced to cultivate later.

But others weren't willing to give up.

Like the third-to-last ranked student.

Because neither the last place nor the second-to-last had left.

If they worked hard this month and improved their ranking by mid-next month, wouldn't he become the last place?

The last place didn't even have the qualification to participate in the competition for spots.

Although he was exceptionally included this time, it wouldn't be impossible for it to be canceled next month.

So, he couldn't be surpassed by these two people.

They were already at the bottom, so the score gap shouldn't be large.

However, he also hoped today would be different from yesterday.

After all, many people worked in fits and starts.

The last place being lazy was even more reasonable.

Yet...

After thirty complete cycles of energy circulation.

The young man ranked third-to-last looked at Jiang Man and sighed inwardly.

It seemed like another difficult day.

Little Fatty Gao Yao also gritted his teeth and said, "Brother Jiang, can I ask you a question?"

Jiang Man took a deep breath and said, "Ask away."

"How many times do you practice the Simple Qi Refining Method in a day?" Little Fatty asked.

Jiang Man glanced at him and said, "Cultivating is like drinking water for me, about one hundred and fifty times."

Little Fatty was silent for a moment before saying, "Don't you sleep?"

Even if cultivation went faster, one hundred and fifty times would take until the early morning hours?

And it would consume physical energy.

You need to eat too.

Hearing this, Jiang Man said matter-of-factly, "How can you sleep at your young age without cultivating?"

Little Fatty: "......"

Brother Jiang, you've changed, you weren't like this before.

Before, you were still Little Jiang.

On the other side, the third-to-last ranked student gasped in shock after hearing this.

One hundred and fifty complete cycles?

Is this a life-or-death effort?

Since he can't really obtain the qualification, why work so desperately?

Jiang Man didn't pay attention to anyone.

He had roughly learned that most people in the courtyard came from poor backgrounds.

They finally entered the Cloud Front Division and got the opportunity to change their fate.

But...

How could they have the nerve to stop and rest?

How could they sleep at night?

With only two or three years total, shouldn't they be racing against time?

Jiang Man didn't understand.

After forty complete cycles of energy circulation.

Jiang Man saw Little Fatty lying on the ground and also felt tired.

His body was under tremendous strain too.

But he still had to continue - time was running out for him.

Though he could catch his breath.

Out of curiosity, Jiang Man asked the question that puzzled him.

Since cultivation opportunities were rare, why waste them like this?

Little Fatty took a deep breath and pretended to be profound, "It's not exactly wasting, more like accepting my own mediocrity."

Hearing this, Jiang Man was startled - could Little Fatty say something like this?

But then he understood.

Indeed.

He was lucky, with natural talent, so he had to work hard.

Looking at the "gourd" nearly half-filled with spiritual energy, Jiang Man took a deep breath. At this rate, he could soon break through to the second level of Qi Refinement.

With such great talent right before him, he absolutely couldn't waste it.

Then he started cultivating again.

Seeing Jiang Man like this, Little Fatty gritted his teeth and continued following along.

Although he felt it wouldn't be easy to be caught up within a month, watching the other's progress...

If the distance narrowed, he would eventually be caught up.

He needed to widen the gap again now.

The advantage was his.

Until evening, when Luo Xuan led the way in leaving.

Only then did others follow and leave.

Many people walked back with their heads lowered in exhaustion.

Little Fatty ate dry rations, feeling like he had lost some weight.

As soon as Jiang Man returned, he cooked himself a meal and ate it in big mouthfuls.

"No more rice," Old Yellow Ox suddenly reminded.

Only then did Jiang Man realize that the half-month supply of food had been finished by him in just three to five days.

Cultivation consumed tremendous energy, and without eating more ordinary brown rice, he couldn't satisfy his hunger at all.

But now it was all gone.

"Now even eating is a problem."

Jiang Man sighed while eating, then looked at Old Yellow Ox beside him and said, "Senior, hasn't the retaliation come yet?"

Looking at Jiang Man's gaze, Old Yellow Ox narrowed his eyes and said, "Do you want to eat me?"

"That wouldn't do, senior is still alive," Jiang Man shook his head, then continued, "I wanted to ask if senior has the energy to teach me ways to make money."

"You don't know how yourself?"

"Speaking of which is embarrassing, all my talent lies in cultivation."

Old Yellow Ox said calmly, "Under the immortal sect's governance, with your cultivation level being so weak, I have no methods for you."

Jiang Man wasn't particularly surprised, he could only try finding Teacher Zhao tomorrow.

He wondered if Teacher Zhao's research on animal husbandry techniques was already completed.

Theoretically, three to five days should be enough.

If completed, getting some additional compensation for stable duties shouldn't be difficult.

Then asking him to find a task that could sustain livelihood should also be achievable.

Otherwise, with just this food, it definitely wouldn't be enough.

Subsequent cultivation would also require expenses.

He wasn't using resources now because he already had one Flawless Gathering Spirit Pill inside his body.

Once consumed, to maintain the advancement speed, he would need sufficient resources.

After eating, Jiang Man took care of the stable matters.

Then he began cultivating again.

"You're not sleeping tonight either?" Old Yellow Ox asked curiously.

Jiang Man nodded: "This is the age for striving, I can't betray my talent."

After pausing, Jiang Man asked curiously, "If my talent is too high, will I encounter danger later? If I encounter danger, can senior help block it for me?"

This matter was very important.

He couldn't hide his talent.

Because next month when rankings are revised, he would need to display some of his strength.

Then obtain more cultivation techniques to continue practicing.

Secondly, in December he needed to compete for spots, absolutely impossible to hide and wait for the final sect selection.

"What kind of genius can there be at Qi Refinement level?" Old Yellow Ox said disdainfully, "No matter how fast cultivation improves, it could be attributed to resources being poured in. As long as you don't reveal your Qi Refinement Method level, there shouldn't be major problems."

"But I don't have resources," Jiang Man replied.

"Just make one up," Old Yellow Ox considered for a moment and said, "You're married, and the other party has extraordinary origins, just say they're funding you."

Jiang Man: "......"

But I don't even know my wife's name.

And it was just the wedding ceremony...

If the other party doesn't acknowledge it, then...

Suddenly Jiang Man remembered the Peerless Prodigy Fate on him.

It seemed the wedding ceremony was more serious than he had anticipated.

Checking the time, Jiang Man stopped thinking about these things.

Improve cultivation first.

The "gourd's" water was about to be full.

Time to enter the second level of Qi Refinement.

The next day.

At the Azure Cloud Pavilion teachers' rest area.

In the brightly lit room, Zhao Leming closed the book.

A trace of joy appeared in his expression.

"Success, I've translated it, it really wasn't easy."

Then he looked at the book on the desk.

The book now was priceless.

But it couldn't be used recklessly.

Additionally...

Jiang Man's side also needed attention.

Of course, it would be best if he alone knew about this matter.

Zhao Leming lowered his brows, contemplating how to arrange things for Jiang Man.