Chapter 23: Mr. Zhao: Jiang Man Indeed Has Someone Behind Him

Zhao Leming's meaning was crystal clear.The spots were limited, the opportunity rare - something they couldn't even get in previous years no matter how much they wanted it.

Now there was a chance, but not just anyone could compete for it.

He could get it, but it depended on how much he could offer.

Jiang Man stood in place, sighing inwardly.

The other party wanted benefits, but what benefits did he have to offer?

It had to be the second half of the Flame-Treading Spiritual Steed method.

The first half only eliminated one weak period.

The second half was the true core.

The other party had probably sensed something, which was why he chose this moment to test the waters with his asking price.

If he wanted this spot, he would definitely need to pay a sufficient price.

And this Animal Husbandry Method was indeed the only thing he could offer.

Zhao Leming looked at Jiang Man and continued, "Opportunities don't wait around. Perhaps you don't realize how rare this chance to test cultivation techniques truly is.

Such good fortune never used to come to Lucky Cloud City's Cloud Front Division.

It's only this year, due to certain reasons, that sect members are passing through this place, creating this opportunity.

And precisely because it's so rare, the competition is exceptionally fierce.

Ordinary Spirit Sources and pills can hardly exchange for this chance.

Only things that others don't have but need can give you a shot at securing a spot."

With the other party speaking so plainly, Jiang Man naturally couldn't pretend not to understand.

After hesitating for a moment, he asked, "Teacher Zhao, are you confident you can secure it?"

"Ninety percent confidence. If I fail, I can offer other compensation." After pausing, Teacher Zhao continued, "But successfully registering also requires meeting conditions.

Among them, the Mortal Grade Superior Qi Refinement Method has the lowest requirements - no cultivation level needed.

For the Blood Qi Method, you need Third Level of Qi Refinement, a score of at least thirty, and no prior cultivation of Blood Qi Method.

For the Visualization Method, you need Sixth Level of Qi Refinement, a score of at least sixty-two, and no prior cultivation of Visualization Method."

"Approximately when will this happen?" Jiang Man asked.

Teacher Zhao thought for a moment before saying, "At the latest, around two months from now."

Two months. Jiang Man asked, "Will it be based on the test scores from mid-November?"

"No need. You just need to reach the requirements before the trial. If you don't meet standards during the courtyard test, they'll retest during technique transmission, but candidate selection happens earlier, so you don't have much time," Zhao Leming explained.

Jiang Man fell silent for a moment.

Assuming mid-November was around the ninetieth day.

That would leave about ten days then.

If that was the case, it should be manageable.

"The timing is indeed a bit tight for you, but if you want a superior grade Visualization Method, this is your only path," Zhao Leming weighed his words carefully before continuing, "If not for this unexpected opportunity, the entire Lucky Cloud City would only have one superior grade Visualization Method. Other families might seem impressive, but they can never compare to the orthodox source."

The orthodox source naturally meant the Cloud Front Division.

Other families could be strong, but they absolutely couldn't surpass the Cloud Front Division.

The other party had made it very clear - there was only this one opportunity.

Or rather, this was the only chance before December.

There wouldn't be any others.

So without a doubt, if he wanted it, he had to agree.

Offer the second half of the Animal Husbandry Method.

But the conditions were extremely stringent.

He needed both Sixth Level of Qi Refinement and a score of sixty-two, plus no prior cultivation of Visualization Method.

Sixth Level of Qi Refinement gave forty-eight points, meaning the remaining points had to come from Qi Refinement Method and Blood Qi Method.

The two cultivation methods together needed to contribute fourteen points.

Averaged out, that meant about seven layers each.

Currently, probably no one in the Sixth Courtyard could achieve this.

"Will you register?" Zhao Leming asked.

Jiang Man felt like the other party was certain he had the second half.

After a brief silence, he said, "I'll trouble Teacher Zhao with this. I'll come find you tomorrow."

Hearing this, Zhao Leming felt a surge of joy in his heart.

So he did have the second half after all.

With this, his path to immortality would become even smoother.

However, securing the spot wouldn't be easy.

Fortunately, he had the Animal Husbandry Method now, otherwise he really wouldn't be able to obtain it.

After hesitating, he kindly said, "If you're determined to get the Visualization Method, you need to be mentally prepared. Your score might not catch up in time - there's no flexibility on the score requirement."

Jiang Man nodded to show he understood.

The other party also clarified that if his final score or cultivation level didn't meet requirements, he wouldn't take responsibility.

Jiang Man acknowledged this as well.

After that, he left.

Truthfully, he didn't care much about the second half of the Animal Husbandry Method.

Being able to exchange it for a registration chance was already worthwhile enough.

Besides, there were no other options.

He was just worried whether the other party might try something else after obtaining the complete method.

He couldn't be certain, but he also couldn't refuse.

He had no choice.

He was too weak, the place was too small, and there was only one path.

No matter how high his talent, he would still be trapped.

Jiang Man returned to find Old Yellow Ox, first writing down the Animal Husbandry Method, then cultivating the Blood Qi Method.

He aimed to reach the ninth layer within these two days.

The next day.

Zhao Leming waited for Jiang Man's arrival.

This time he was even somewhat impatient. If not for needing to maintain the upper hand in negotiations, he would have actively sought out the other party already.

The sooner he obtained the Animal Husbandry Method, the sooner he could tap into his immortal path potential.

When he received the book, he didn't rush to read it immediately, instead telling Jiang Man to wait for news - he would have definite information by November at the latest.

The sect would probably send people around October.

He should keep an eye out for that.

Only after Jiang Man left did he eagerly open the book.

It was indeed the second half of the Animal Husbandry Method.

Slightly more profound than before, but deciphering it was just a matter of time.

With this, he became even more certain that Jiang Man had someone backing him.

Who it was remained uncertain, and he knew nothing about the circumstances.

But the transaction went smoothly.

He sought wealth and future prospects, and the other party seemed to as well.

Then naturally, they just needed to complete the transaction.

There definitely wouldn't be any downsides.

Being too greedy might not be a good thing - if he blocked the other party's path, his own escape route might get blocked too.

It came back to that saying.

Spare others, and spare yourself.

Patting the book in his hand, he planned to make a trip outside.

He'd received the benefits, now he needed to handle what needed to be done.

Jiang Man returned to the courtyard and could only wait for news while striving to improve his cultivation as quickly as possible.

Two months - he needed to raise his cultivation to Sixth Level of Qi Refinement.

It was indeed somewhat difficult.

Previously it took one month plus pills just to reach the third level.

Not only did the difficulty multiply from here on, but he also didn't have flawless Qi Gathering Pills anymore.

The Peerless Prodigy Fate was still too stingy.

Today's lesson was on the Blood Qi Method. After listening, Jiang Man began cultivating.

He continued for two straight days.

On the afternoon of the second day, Jiang Man stopped cultivating.

He had reached the ninth layer of the Simple Blood Qi Method.

Now he could enhance his physical body.

But before cultivating, he planned to go back and eat some meat.

He'd spent some Spirit Sources on food these past few days precisely to better facilitate his physical enhancement.

In the courtyard, Luo Xuan and Cheng Yu were also leaving together.

Not long after they left, Cheng Yu asked curiously, "Luo Xuan, why haven't you been asking Jiang Man to be your training partner these past two days?"

"Everyone says I'm cultivating him to be my personal guard. What do you think he's thinking about that?" Luo Xuan asked.

"Happy about it? But his recent progress has been quite rapid. I don't know if he was hiding his abilities before or suddenly broke through," Cheng Yu thought for a moment before saying, "Or maybe it's a kind of enlightenment, though it might be a bit too late for that."

"Yes, it's too late. But with sufficient resources, there might still be a chance," Luo Xuan said with a smile. "So he must be weighing the pros and cons.

"Everyone keeps saying he'll be a guard, so perhaps he's starting to lean that way in his heart.

"At the very least, it's an openly available path.

"After two days, he's probably thought it through, especially after enhancing his physical body - he can better understand that his current self simply can't afford to support himself.

Now all that's missing is the right opportunity.

If he's truly considering it, giving him a stepping stone will make him come to me."