Chapter 5: progression speed is a bit too fast

Zhao Leming looked somewhat surprised at the person beside him.The other party's village no longer paying cultivation fees meant they held no value to him.

Especially since the other person had shown zero progress over two years.

Dull-witted, foolish, lacking intelligence, showing no talent.

Even if they could almost freely help watch the stables, there was no need to keep them.

Therefore, he told Jiang Man to pack up early, not out of any personal targeting, because that was simply the reality.

As for showing human kindness, that depended on who it was for.

For someone like this, simply stating the facts was enough.

What surprised him was that this usually dull and quiet person suddenly spoke quite confidently to him.

Had they gained enlightenment?

Their clothes didn't stink anymore either.

"Flame-Treading Spiritual Steed?" Zhao Leming looked at Jiang Man and said:

"Is this related to your cultivation fees?"

"It's related." Jiang Man nodded seriously, speaking sincerely: "With this student's capabilities, there's no way to make up the cultivation fees in just half a month.

But this student still wants to continue studying and strive to join a sect.

So I've decided to use a method as exchange."

Hearing this, Zhao Leming was somewhat surprised.

Clear and logical thinking - it seemed they had indeed gained enlightenment.

Probably would have more ideas too.

Might need to raise the price for stable duties.

But he didn't speak, just looked at the person before him, letting them continue.

Jiang Man thought briefly, then said: "Does Teacher know that Flame-Treading Spiritual Steeds have weak periods?"

"I know." Zhao Leming nodded.

Jiang Man continued: "Then does Teacher also know that through special feeding methods, the weak period can be compensated for and eliminated?"

Hearing this, Zhao Leming narrowed his eyes slightly: "I have heard of that, yes. What? You know how?"

"Not certain." Jiang Man shook his head: "I just saw it mentioned in a book, but it was too profound to fully understand. Would Teacher like to try it?"

Jiang Man's uncertainty actually made Zhao Leming trust him more.

If he had confidently claimed to know how, that would have been more problematic.

After brief hesitation, Zhao Leming said: "When will you give it to me?"

This time it was Jiang Man's turn to fall silent.

Zhao Leming chuckled and said: "I'll waive your September cultivation fees. If the method works, you won't need to pay cultivation fees until next August."

Jiang Man lowered his head - actually, this deal was quite disadvantageous for him.

If the method was real, it would definitely be priceless.

How could it compare to just one year of cultivation fees?

But currently, he and the person before him were not equals.

An equal transaction was simply impossible.

Moreover, he was too weak - he couldn't do this kind of thing alone.

Instead, he would attract unwanted attention.

"I'll bring it to Teacher tomorrow." Jiang Man said.

Zhao Leming looked at the person before him, finally just nodding without saying anything more.

A short while later.

The two arrived one after another at a small courtyard.

It was the sixth small courtyard.

At this moment, Fang Yong stood in the center while others gathered around him talking.

"Young Master Fang, I saw you riding the Flame-Treading Spiritual Steed today."

"I saw it too - is it yours?"

Fang Yong smiled and said: "A friend's, he asked me to check if it's being properly cared for."

The others exclaimed in surprise.

Being able to judge proper care naturally meant his family had one too.

Otherwise, how would he have such experience?

Jiang Man listened, feeling somewhat surprised.

Fang Yong wasn't simple either.

He could say these things without batting an eye.

Jiang Man quietly went to the very back.

As soon as Zhao Leming entered, the noise below ceased.

Then, he looked around at everyone and said: "Those who haven't fully paid this year's cultivation fees should do so soon.

Additionally, since you've reached the back courtyard, you'll need to take the assessment next August.

If you can't enter Mist Cloud Sect, you'll have to find your own path."

When cultivation fees were mentioned, everyone looked at Jiang Man in the back.

They all assumed Jiang Man was the one behind on fees.

This made Jiang Man feel strange - he had just made a deal with Teacher Zhao, why would he mention it again?

There must be others behind on payments too.

Then Zhao Leming began explaining today's key points.

He was teaching about Divine Movement Steps.

The application of techniques.

Unfortunately, Jiang Man hadn't started cultivation yet, so he could only listen without being able to try.

After a long time, when Zhao Leming finished explaining, he came over to Jiang Man.

"Do you still have questions about the Qi Refinement Method?" Zhao Leming asked.

Jiang Man was somewhat surprised - private tutoring?

After giving benefits, he indeed received benefits in return.

Afterwards, Zhao Leming explained the Simple Qi Refinement Method to Jiang Man.

The Qi Refinement Method was divided into two types.

First was internal cultivation, improving the Qi Refinement Method level - the higher the level, the faster the cultivation speed.

Second was external cultivation, using the Qi Refinement Method to absorb spiritual energy externally - the more and faster you absorbed, the more and faster your cultivation would improve.

What Jiang Man needed to do now was first learn the Qi Refinement Method.

Only then could he use it to improve his cultivation.

After finishing the teaching, Zhao Leming left.

Jiang Man then practiced alone.

The Qi Refinement Method required body movements to assist qi circulation.

But just as he started the movements, Jiang Man discovered the purple qi in his dantian moved accordingly.

When Jiang Man completed one full set of the Qi Refinement Method, the purple qi had also circulated through his meridians for one complete cycle, finally returning to his dantian.

At this moment, Jiang Man felt his meridians had been unblocked.

Faint spiritual energy appeared within his meridians.

Activating the complete cycle - this was the manifestation of Qi Refinement Method first layer.

Had he learned the Qi Refinement Method already?

Jiang Man was somewhat surprised.

Although it was the simplest Qi Refinement Method, learning it in one try seemed somewhat unusual?

Afterwards, Jiang Man continued practicing, and the technique purple qi moved along with it.

After practicing two more times, he felt the cycle circulation speed had increased, and his meridians had even expanded slightly.

This was Qi Refinement Method second layer.

Jiang Man fell silent - it was indeed fast.

Was it because of the purple qi?

Jiang Man wasn't sure. After hesitating, he decided to operate the Qi Refinement Method to start improving his cultivation.

To see if it would activate the purple qi.

This time he practiced external cultivation, operating the technique to absorb spiritual energy.

However, it didn't activate the purple qi, but instead began absorbing the Flawless Gathering Spirit Pill in his dantian.

But the effect wasn't ideal.

If refining qi first layer was like using a gourd to collect water, then currently operating it was like creating some mist on the surface - he couldn't even open the gourd. Additionally, filling the entire gourd with water would take considerable time.

The Qi Refinement Method level was still too low - he couldn't even enter qi refinement first layer.

Even with pill assistance, progress wasn't fast.

Then Jiang Man continued practicing the Qi Refinement Method.

He practiced nonstop all morning.

And the gains he obtained were extraordinary.

After practicing four times, the Qi Refinement Method reached third layer.

After practicing eight more times, the Qi Refinement Method reached fourth layer.

After sixteen more times, the Qi Refinement Method reached fifth layer.

And it was only noon.

Today's teaching had just ended, and the afternoon was for self-practice.

Reaching Qi Refinement Method fifth layer in one morning - what level was that?

By now, most people had already left.

Jiang Man also planned to go back to get something to eat.

So he could continue practicing the Qi Refinement Method - he wanted to test how long it would take to reach the highest layer.

The Simple Qi Refinement Method had nine layers total - now at fifth layer in half a day, the remaining four layers probably wouldn't take long.

But as he was returning, Fang Yong stopped him.

"Is something wrong?" Jiang Man asked.

Although they were in the same courtyard, they had never spoken in two years.

"I hope you'll be smart - don't say things you shouldn't say." Fang Yong looked at Jiang Man and said:

"Someone like you has no future, while I have a chance to take the Mist Cloud Sect assessment. Offending me won't benefit you."

Hearing this, Jiang Man asked curiously: "I'm not qualified?"

"You?" Fang Yong sneered: "Forget that you don't have cultivation fees - even if you did, do you think everyone is qualified? The sixth small courtyard only has two assessment spots, and the spots will be decided by December.

Do you think it would be your turn?"