Madam Knows Nothing of a Peerless Prodigy

The old yellow ox watched Jiang Man cultivate and did not sneer. Nor did it inform him just how difficult reaching the thirteenth layer of a Visualization Method truly was. Many cultivated mortal-rank superior grade Visualization Methods. Yet those who could reach the thirteenth layer were few and far between. In a tiny place like Luoyun City, perhaps no one could accomplish it aside from a few ancient monsters. Resources and time were indeed a problem, but the greater problem was its sheer difficulty. The thirteenth layer of a Visualization Method was simply too difficult. Forget seven days—the ox had never even heard of anyone completing it within a month. Of the hundred days granted by the peerless prodigy fate, sixty of them would likely be needed solely to elevate the Visualization Method to the thirteenth layer. Thus, even though Jiang Man had already reached the eighth layer, the old yellow ox remained pessimistic. Still, it said nothing. It merely waited in silence for the final hour to arrive. For in its understanding, the outcome was already set in stone. As noon approached, the old yellow ox discovered that Jiang Man had reached the ninth layer of the Visualization Method. Yet its eyes showed no ripple of emotion. At dusk, just as darkness descended, Jiang Man advanced once more. The tenth layer of the Visualization Method. It was fast—fast enough to surprise the ox, but only mildly so. The following afternoon. The old yellow ox squinted. It saw Jiang Man advance again. The eleventh layer of the Visualization Method. Puzzling, yet still within reason. On the third day, there was no breakthrough. Before dawn on the fourth day, Jiang Man broke through once again. The twelfth layer of the Visualization Method. The old yellow ox looked on solemnly, genuinely astonished. Only a few days remained. On the fifth day, there was no change. Nor was there any change on the sixth day. Until the seventh day—the penultimate day of the hundred days. Late at night, Jiang Man circulated the Visualization Method one final time. At that moment, he felt as if a basin of ice-cold water had been poured over his mind and body. A refreshing chill washed through him, infusing every bone and sinew with vibrant vitality as a cool current surged straight into his mind. In an instant, concepts that had once seemed obscure and impenetrable burst forth with brand-new meaning, giving Jiang Man a deeper comprehension of the technique's nuances. In the end, all that cool water coalesced into a great cauldron resting inside his dantian. The thirteenth layer of the Visualization Method. Great accomplishment. Sensing all of this, Jiang Man let out a long breath of relief. The visualization cauldron within his dantian meant he had stepped into the first realm of visualization—the Spirit First Layer. Presently, he possessed a sixth-layer cultivation, a Physical Body Third Layer, and a Spirit First Layer. These corresponded to his techniques: the ninth layer of the Qi-Linking Method, the ninth layer of the Qi-Blood Method, and the thirteenth layer of the Visualization Method. Beyond the sixth layer of Qi-Linking, further cultivating his cultivation would depend on whether his physical body and spirit could keep pace. It was indeed far more difficult now. Yet everything had been accomplished in time. He now stood a real chance in competing for a spot. The future looked promising. On the other side, the old yellow ox stared at Jiang Man, nothing left in its eyes but shock. From its initial mild surprise, to solemnity, then to astonishment, and now to sheer shock. He truly might be a peerless prodigy. At the very least, it had never seen anyone push a Visualization Method all the way to the thirteenth layer without relying on a single resource. The chasm between the twelfth and thirteenth layers was greater than all the preceding layers combined. Yet this boy had crossed it in under four days. At that moment, Jiang Man turned to the old yellow ox with a smile. "How do I look, Old Huang?" The old yellow ox was speechless. From Brother Ox to Old Huang. Senior had become Brother Ox, and Brother Ox had become Old Huang. The ox lamented inwardly; human fickleness was on full display in Jiang Man. "Cocky," the ox said. It cared little about what it was called. It was merely struck by the profound fickleness of humanity, gleaning a touch of philosophical insight from it. Hearing that, Jiang Man gave a faint smile. "This is called youthful spirit." "Just how did you pull it off?" The ox still could not comprehend it. Jiang Man shrugged casually. "Inherent talent. If you don't believe me, Old Huang, think of it this way: standing before you is the one and only peerless prodigy you will ever witness in your lifetime." Saying so, Jiang Man yawned and added, "Reaching this realm is one thing thanks to my talent, but more importantly, I work harder than ordinary people." The old yellow ox remained utterly baffled. Could it truly be because of taking a wife? In what posture must one marry to awaken such talent? It would be a lie to say it felt no temptation. Just as it was about to speak, it suddenly felt a glow emerge from its body once again. It was a technique cast from afar by that immortal maiden. With a helpless sigh, it said, "A letter from your wife." Jiang Man was rather intrigued. When had an invoked technique become a letter? Even so, he drew out the ball of light. The radiance expanded, and a melodious voice like a clear mountain spring drifted out. "Husband, are you arranging your final affairs? By now, everyone knows I have wed, and that I am destined to live as your widow. Do you have any unfulfilled wishes, Husband?" Jiang Man casually waved his hand through the light and replied calmly, "Madam knows nothing of a peerless prodigy." The radiance promptly vanished, as though slipping into the void. Jiang Man paid it no further mind and turned back to the old yellow ox. "Old Huang, when you take a wife in the future, keep your eyes open. Don't pick one who wishes for your death every single day." The old yellow ox gave Jiang Man a strange look, then fell completely silent. Jiang Man prepared to rest for a while. Cultivating over this past period had been grueling, sustained purely by a single breath of determination. Having taken time off to cultivate, he was now penniless. Tomorrow, he would have to earn more spirit source. Still, his peerless prodigy fate would likely bestow another pill. Jiang Man inspected it. He realized the peerless prodigy fate had yet to react. Thinking carefully, he recognized that the ultimate goal was not merely reaching the sixth layer of Qi-Linking, but also completing the hundred repetitions of cultivation over the hundred days. Tomorrow was the final day of the hundred days. It seemed the peerless prodigy fate was, in the end, one step behind him. *** The next day. After finishing sweeping the stable, Jiang Man headed to the Sixth Courtyard. This was his first day visiting the Sixth Courtyard since the assessment. It was time to bask in the reverent gazes they cast toward a peerless prodigy. Yet as soon as he arrived at the Sixth Courtyard, Jiang Man found the atmosphere solemn. At the head of the group, Luo Xuan, Fang Yong, and the others were all cultivating. None showed the slightest slack. The rest of the courtyard was much the same. Jiang Man was rather puzzled. Why were they so diligent so early in the morning? A few noticed Jiang Man's arrival, but they quickly lowered their heads, not daring to look for long. The first place of the courtyard was already a powerhouse and great cultivator. Staring rashly at someone without being close invited trouble. As Jiang Man approached, they had no choice but to step aside. Especially those who had spoken ill of him before. They wished they could steer clear of him entirely, terrified that he might suddenly remember something and make an example of them. Little fatty arrived late. Seeing Jiang Man, he wore a shocked expression. "Brother, you're here?" Jiang Man was taken aback. Even the 'Jiang' was gone now? "After my parents learned of your results, Brother Jiang, they stopped telling me to match you. They told me to be your lackey instead, and even asked if you need resources—our family is willing to provide them," little fatty said helplessly. Jiang Man was left speechless. That was far too blunt; he felt almost embarrassed. However, he did not take up the offer. Borrowing resources from little fatty was friendship, but accepting resources from his clan meant entangled interests. They were not the same thing. "What's gotten into these people?" Jiang Man asked, gesturing toward the disciples in the courtyard. "They were overtaken by a massive margin and got rattled," little fatty answered. Then he lowered his voice to warn, "Brother Jiang, you rose too fast. Taking first place without a solid foundation means someone will likely challenge you to cause trouble and break your prestige. You need to learn spells as soon as possible, or else..." While little fatty was still speaking, a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder and shoved him aside. Chang Qiwen's face appeared. Stepping forward right in front of Jiang Man, he said in a chilly voice, "I don't know how you suddenly became number one, but I don't believe it was truly deserved. "I want to fight you in private." So someone really was stepping up to challenge the first-place seat? Jiang Man turned to look at little fatty, who had stumbled to his side, and could not help sighing inwardly: what a jinx. That made twice now.