Chapter 275 - The Weight of Number One

It was almost March.It was time for the Outer Sect assessment again.

Jiang Man was now an Inner Sect Disciple within the Outer Sect.

Therefore, his Outer Sect assessment was optional.

He was also unable to participate in the annual grand competition.

After all, an Inner Sect Disciple participating in the Outer Sect’s annual grand competition would just be bullying.

He could, however, participate in the courtyard assessment, though that would also be a form of bullying.

So, in exchange for a handsome sum of Spiritual Source from each of the courtyard’s top three members, Jiang Man decided to sit out this assessment.

"We’re all on the same side. I understand that you need the rankings," Jiang Man said with a slight smile as he accepted the six thousand Spiritual Source.

The first-place contender paid three thousand, the second two thousand, and the third one thousand.

Zhuo Bufan, Zhao Yaoyao, and Lin Qingshan were all quite moved.

If Jiang Man had participated, Zhuo Bufan would have lost his first place, Zhao Yaoyao would have lost her second, and Lin Qingshan would have been knocked out of the top three entirely.

He also needed a good ranking to secure resources from his sponsor.

"I’m fifth?" Cao Cheng looked at An Rong with contempt. "A piece of trash who can’t even break into the top five, and you still say you have a great advantage?"

An Rong snorted coldly and puffed out her ample chest. "You’re still young. When you get older, you’ll understand what heights I stand at.

"You’ll never reach it in this lifetime."

No one paid any attention to them.

Wei Beichuan, however, was staring at Lin Qingshan.

Because Lin Qingshan had teamed up with Jiang Man before, it had allowed him to leap far ahead.

He hadn’t been able to surpass him.

But he was close.

Soon it would be his turn to hand over Spiritual Source.

In this courtyard, if you hadn’t contributed Spiritual Source, it meant you lacked strength.

"If you can’t even contribute Spiritual Source, you’re no different from those two pieces of trash, Cao Cheng and An Rong."

He said it out loud.

An Rong and Cao Cheng looked at Wei Beichuan. He turned his head to meet their gaze. "You got a problem?"

The two were left speechless.

A single rank higher was enough to crush someone.

’He’s only in the top five, yet he’s so arrogant. Aren’t we all in the top ten?’

Wei Beichuan paid them no mind, turning his gaze to Zhuo Bufan instead.

’The only one who would be difficult to surpass is Zhuo Bufan.’

’He had an early advantage, having obtained the first two parts of the Secret Technique.’

’Surpassing him would be extremely troublesome.’

’But a Secret Technique could also be a burden. Not everyone benefited from obtaining one.’

’Because cultivating a Secret Technique required a great deal of time.’

’This was his chance.’

’There was a good chance he could surpass him.’

’But he’d have to wait for the First, Second, and Third Courtyards.’

’He was certain that, given time, he would become number one in the courtyard.’

’And if he didn’t make it to first place, it must be because he hadn’t handed over three thousand Spiritual Source.’

Afterward, Zhuo Bufan gave Jiang Man a jug of wine, saying it was a gift from his older cousin.

Then, Zhao Yaoyao also gave him a bottle of Elixirs.

Lin Qingshan, on the other hand, gave him a book.

The words "Wind-Collecting Technique" were written on it.

Jiang Man was stunned.

’That’s Lin Qingshan for you. A poor man knows what another needs.’

’He really understood him.’

’He really needed this.’

’But it must have been expensive.’

"My sponsor provided it. I’ve already registered it for you, so it’s not against the rules for you to cultivate it," Lin Qingshan said with a smile. "It’s also beneficial for me if you accept it, and you don’t need to meet him."

’This was indeed a precious gift. The manual itself could be read by anyone, but the right to learn it cost a fortune.’

’But since Lin Qingshan had put it that way, he couldn’t pass it up.’

After that, everyone else in the courtyard also gave him some gifts.

Some gifts were given on behalf of their families, but most were from the individuals themselves.

Jiang Man’s Core Formation was an enormous benefit to them.

Whether it was their cultivation or their status within their clans, they were now set apart.

Simply being in the same courtyard as a pioneer of change already made them extraordinary.

These people weren’t necessarily wealthy, but the most basic gift was a Chao Yuan Pill for Golden Core cultivators.

A single pill cost one thousand eight hundred.

Chao Yuan Pills were divided into four types, corresponding to the four realms of Early Stage, Mid-stage, Late Stage, and Perfection. The Elixirs were named Shaoyang, Taiyang, Shaoyin, and Taiyin, respectively.

And the pills these people gave were all Chao Yuan Shaoyang Pills, used for the Early Stage of Golden Core.

The pills Pill Master He had given him were also Chao Yuan Shaoyang Pills.

Jiang Man accepted everything with a smile. Some of them expressed their thanks, while others were too emotional to speak.

It was as if he had changed their destinies.

This was especially true for the woman ranked last.

She handed over the Elixir, her voice choked with emotion. "I don’t have much Spiritual Source."

Jiang Man didn’t understand why she was so emotional, but he still smiled and said, "It’s the thought that counts."

Hearing this, the woman was taken aback for a moment, then thanked him profusely. "My cultivation is the worst. I’ve brought shame upon you."

"The future is not yet set, so don’t belittle yourself. I’ll be waiting for all of you to catch up. And though you’ll eventually lose sight of me, the very act of chasing me will put you far ahead of others," Jiang Man said with a laugh as he accepted the Elixir.

After saying all this, Jiang Man returned, laden with gifts.

’He’d earned a lot of Spiritual Source from this haul.’

’Two thousand per person, it added up to a hundred thousand.’

’It really was too easy for a Golden Core Ancestor to earn Spiritual Source.’

’Alchemy Masters, Forging Masters, Talisman Masters...’

’None of them could compare to him in the slightest.’

’Once he got back, he’d keep the Elixirs and sell everything else for Spiritual Source.’

But just as he returned to his residence, he saw Ren Qian.

Ren Qian wasn’t technically part of the Law Enforcement Hall. He didn’t manage the Sect’s order, but rather matters concerning the Evil God.

’Jiang Man was puzzled. Why had he shown up so suddenly? Was he here to sleep? Or was it about Huo Bingzhi?’

"That’s quite a haul, Junior Brother Jiang. But you won’t have to carry it all like that for much longer," Ren Qian said with a smile.

Hearing this, Jiang Man was confused. "Won’t have to carry it like this? Am I about to be poor again?"

Ren Qian shook his head slightly. "You’ll find out when you get to the Law Enforcement Hall. It just so happens that Junior Sister Yu is looking for you, and so are we."

"What are you looking for me for, Senior Brother?" Jiang Man asked.

"Someone anonymously reported you as a lackey of the Evil God," Ren Qian said helplessly. "That message you left back then was just too conspicuous. Now they’ve reported you directly to see if the Law Enforcement Hall will arrest you."

Jiang Man was dumbfounded.

’He never expected things could go this way.’

’Weren’t they afraid of friendly fire?’

’It seemed the Evil God’s subordinates were a complicated bunch and not all on the same side.’

"So, are you going to arrest me or not?" Jiang Man asked.