Chapter 187 - Shielding 2 People

Leaving his master, Jiang Man felt both moved and fortunate.His master treated him quite well, having given him over four thousand Spiritual Source to help.

If he took first place later, he would even get a discount.

The quantity was the same, but before, it had been impossible to get his hands on any at all.

Thirty a month was barely enough.

After returning to his quarters, Jiang Man put all other thoughts aside and focused wholeheartedly on his advancement.

「Seven days later.」

Jiang Man felt a new star from his Visualization of the Stars light up within his body.

Though its light was faint, it carried immense Spiritual Power.

It sharpened his perception and, at the same time, gave him increasingly meticulous control over his body’s power.

Spiritual Sixth Layer.

With seven days left, Jiang Man didn’t slack off in the slightest, continuing to consolidate his Cultivation.

He also worked on familiarizing himself with his current state.

Especially the True Martial Skill.

To get some better practice, he sought out Fang Yong.

"You want me to be your sparring partner?"

Hearing Jiang Man’s request, Fang Yong was completely stunned. "How many points do you have? And how many do I have?"

"My score is inflated because of my Minor. It doesn’t count," Jiang Man said.

The score that truly represented his combat power was four hundred points.

Of course, the two hundred points from his auxiliary skills could be a variable in actual combat.

Some people used Arrays to misdirect opponents, while others used Elixirs to poison their rivals during a fight.

Such tactics were commonplace.

But in a friendly spar, none of those could be used.

They didn’t count.

"Don’t worry. Just focus on interrupting my casting with all your strength," Jiang Man said. "You wouldn’t want me to be rusty with my Magic Skills during the annual assessment, would you?"

’He’s pretty shameless,’ Fang Yong thought.

Then, he began his attack.

He attacked directly, using the Cyan Smoke Prelude combined with the Dragon Suppression Skill.

On top of that, he activated a Combat Skill.

These were all Magic Skills for the Qi Refining stage.

Jiang Man was exceptionally familiar with them, so his dodges were calm and methodical.

Suddenly, he felt something restrain his wrist.

He glanced down and saw something that looked like a water snake.

"The Zhang Family’s Magic, the Hundred Bunches Technique."

As Fang Yong spoke, his attack was already upon him.

Bengliu Technique.

’Is he using this as an excuse to settle a private score?’

Looking at the incoming kick, Jiang Man felt that Fang Yong had definitely mixed some personal enmity into it.

BOOM!

This strike forced Jiang Man’s hand.

’If this were someone at my level, I wouldn’t be able to dodge it precisely.’

’Besides, dodging would make it obvious I was about to activate the True Martial Skill.’

’So, a direct clash of power would dispel any suspicions.’

He had asked Mr. Yan about this.

When activating the True Martial Skill, one almost always had to evade attacks.

Of course, in a team, you would have someone protecting you during the activation.

They would essentially take turns activating it.

Furthermore, the True Martial Skill required one hundred fifty points to obtain.

Not many in the Eighth Courtyard could obtain it, but quite a few in the Seventh Courtyard could.

Because of this, Jiang Man had asked Mr. Yan if there were any geniuses in the Seventh Courtyard.

The answer was yes, but the three or four strongest among them had gone to the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Courtyards.

So, if he took first place now, it would easily attract criticism.

Jiang Man, however, didn’t care.

’The light is just taking a little longer to shine on them,’ he thought.

’It’s no big deal.’

’Next year, the light will reach the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Courtyards.’

But he was curious about the Cultivation level of those in the First, Second, and Third Courtyards.

He asked Mr. Yan and was told they were basically all at Foundation Establishment Perfection.

His thoughts dissipated. Jiang Man took a step back, sensing the changes in his body.

The True Martial Skill hadn’t been interrupted, but its activation was wavering.

At that moment, Fang Yong attacked again.

Jiang Man stopped dodging and chose to counterattack head-on.

Magic Skill, Shadowless Palm.

Fang Yong also struck with the Great Buddha Palm.

The two then exchanged blows, their movements incredibly fast. Jiang Man continuously suppressed his power, focusing on the changes in his body.

He also used his understanding of Magic Skills to attack Fang Yong’s weak points.

The more they fought, the more alarmed and shocked Fang Yong became.

Whether it was a technique Jiang Man had learned or not, he could instantly perceive its weaknesses.

Eventually, Jiang Man’s True Martial Skill was interrupted.

"Did it fail?" Fang Yong asked, steadying his stance.

Jiang Man looked at him, shook his head, and smiled. "It was a success."

Fang Yong was confused.

Jiang Man said, "It’s normal that you don’t understand. After all, I’m a genius."

Fang Yong: "..."

"I’m off," Jiang Man said, turning to leave. "In a few days, make sure you’re on your game. I’ll carry you as we sweep through the Seventh Courtyard."

’The Eighth Courtyard?’

’They aren’t even qualified to make me act.’

Fang Yong was shocked for a moment, then he remembered his own question.

’Why could he so easily see the weak points of the Magic Skills?’

Jiang Man paused in thought before saying, "Perhaps that’s just what it means to be a genius."

Fang Yong: "..."

Jiang Man smiled. "Study more Top-grade techniques, and put more time into your Cultivation."

’In truth, he had studied so many Top-grade techniques that he could grasp the gist of most Simple Skills after just one look.’

’Of course, his high Cultivation level might also have something to do with it.’

’But the most important factor, naturally, was his own peerless Talent.’

「The fifteenth of the eighth month.」

Jiang Man sat in the first seat, waiting for the assessment to begin.

Yan Yiqiu walked in. She looked at the assembled students and said, "Do your best. One hundred fifty points will qualify you for the Third Courtyard’s assessment."

"A high ranking in the Third Courtyard assessment will qualify you for the Seven Peaks assessment."

"All the best rewards are won in the Seven Peaks competition."

Jiang Man asked curiously, "Are there any Top-grade Body Refining Techniques?"

Yan Yiqiu shook her head. "No, but there are other Top-grade Techniques. At present, the Seventh and Eighth Courtyards only have Mid-grade Techniques."

Jiang Man felt a bit wistful.

’Looks like I’ll have to compete in the Third Courtyard for a Mid-grade Body Refining Technique, and then in the Seven Peaks for a Top-grade Technique,’ he thought.

’But a Top-grade Technique would have to be compatible with me, too.’

’What if I get a Top-grade Sword Skill?’

’What would I even do with that?’

Yan Yiqiu then announced the start of the assessment. It would only last for one day, during which everything had to be tested and concluded.

It was a huge trial for both body and Spirit.

Most people’s scores dropped slightly as a result.

That’s why the results of regular assessments couldn’t be taken as the final word.

Jiang Man finished his assessment quickly.

However, he had to wait there for the final results.

So as not to waste time, he began to cultivate.