Challenging the first-place student was nothing unusual.
A first-place score did not necessarily mean first place in practical combat.
Therefore, to spur those at the top,
the first-place student of every courtyard could be challenged.
However, rarely was anyone actually challenged.
Luo Xuan had held first place for so long, yet second-ranked Fang Yong had never challenged her.
With Fang Yong making no move, the others certainly would not take the initiative to issue a challenge.
They could not afford the embarrassment.
Yet Jiang Man had only just risen to the top, still at a height where others looked up to him, when the former third rank dared to jump out and challenge him.
This was truly an insult to first place.
After all, even second place had not spoken a word.
At that moment, everyone else was watching the situation here closely.
In the past, hardly anyone would have paid much attention to whether Jiang Man was challenged.
Today, however, was different from yesterday.
He was the strongest person in the Sixth Courtyard.
A genius who drew everyone's gaze merely by standing there.
Now that someone wanted to challenge such a genius, who could fail to pay attention, who wouldn't be curious?
Even Luo Xuan and Fang Yong, who had been cultivating continuously, cast their glances over.
Where once they held him in disdain, now they pricked up their ears to listen.
Such was the absolute change brought by being number one.
Facing Chang Qiwen's challenge—and a private one at that—
Jiang Man felt puzzled.
"A private challenge saves face for both sides, but it can also lead to severe injuries," the little fatty explained.
"Can I refuse?" Jiang Man asked.
Why should he fight him?
Was he supposed to get dragged into a vortex of proving himself just because someone questioned him?
First place was first place—did it require their approval?
If they disagreed, they could go find Teacher Zhao and have him explain what first place really meant.
Have him explain whether first place was inflated.
A challenge?
That was just making trouble for himself. Why would first place ever need proof?
If it needed proof, what was the point of the scores?
"You can, but most people accept," the little fatty explained from the side. "Aside from proving the true worth of first place,
"the challenger also has to pay a challenge fee.
"Five hundred spirit source for an open challenge.
"One thousand spirit source for a private challenge."
Hearing this, before the little fatty could even continue, Jiang Man took a step forward, politely bowed to Chang Qiwen, and said, "I accept your challenge."
First place needed the magnanimity of first place.
One had to accommodate others and give them a chance.
Without the breadth of mind to embrace all rivers into the sea, how could one stand at the pinnacle of the courtyard?
How could one be number one?
Chang Qiwen was quite surprised. He hadn't expected Jiang Man to agree so readily. He immediately presented a pouch and said, "Here is one thousand spirit source. When are you free?"
"Tonight," Jiang Man replied.
The two did not set a specific location.
Instead, Chang Qiwen was to come find him.
Since it was private, neither naturally wanted onlookers.
Once Chang Qiwen left, Jiang Man looked toward Luo Xuan and the others.
Luo Xuan gave a slight nod and went back to cultivating. Fang Yong snorted coldly and likewise began cultivating.
Cheng Yu smiled, also busy with her own matters.
All of them were at the Qi-Linking sixth layer.
Only they had the qualifications to issue a challenge.
A pity only Chang Qiwen had stepped forward.
"I thought you were going to refuse." The little fatty deliberated for a moment before asking, "Do you stand a chance of winning?"
He knew full well that Jiang Man barely cultivated spells.
Though his cultivation was high, his practical combat ability was rather mediocre.
Fighting Song Qing was no problem, but fighting someone in the top four was a completely different story.
Jiang Man smiled without a word.
His meaning was clear: he was brimming with confidence.
Still, the little fatty warned Jiang Man to be careful. If he was severely injured and couldn't participate in the next assessment, he would completely miss out on competing for the spot.
Without question, Jiang Man was aiming for the spot.
The little fatty found it hard to believe: just a few months ago, this person had been at the bottom with him, yet out of nowhere, he had climbed to first place.
Before the universe was settled, dark horses abounded.
A pity the dark horse wasn't him.
"Has first place arrived today?" Fu Yidan asked as she walked in.
Jiang Man answered immediately.
Fu Yidan looked at Jiang Man, a hint of surprise in her eyes.
Jiang Man...
For years, he had worn coarse hemp clothes, smelling either of sweat or the sour stench of the stables.
She had envisioned others striving forward.
Yet she had never imagined Jiang Man could reach the pinnacle in a single leap.
He still wore coarse hemp clothes today, but the foul stench from before was gone.
Not only that, merely standing there, he seemed to radiate light.
Such was the effect brought by first place.
Finally, she said calmly, "Stand in the first row."
Once Jiang Man took his place, she continued, "You have claimed few spells and studied few. You need to put more effort into this area this month."
Jiang Man nodded, indicating he understood.
Previously, he truly had lacked the time.
Now, his goal was to fill his sixth "gourd"
to reach the peak state of the Qi-Linking sixth layer.
Then, he would learn spells.
With the spell innate qi, learning them shouldn't be too difficult.
It was just a matter of seeing what to learn.
This time, Fu Yidan explained the Three Powers Force.
What she had originally prepared was likely the Dragon Suppressing Method, but because Jiang Man only knew the Six Harmonies Palm and Three Powers Force, she chose the Three Powers Force instead.
This was the special privilege of first place.
And this was merely first place in the courtyard; if it were first place in Qingyun Pavilion,
the pavilion's entire curriculum would align with his pace.
After the explanation came sparring.
This time, Jiang Man's sparring partner was second-ranked Luo Xuan.
Even if he used the remaining time to elevate his Three Powers Force, it would reach the fifth layer at most.
Meanwhile, hers was in all likelihood at the ninth layer.
He was truly no match for her.
Unless he exerted his full strength and combined it with the Divine Travel Step and Six Harmonies Palm,
he would stand no chance.
The Three Powers Force emphasized power: one surge of force every three layers, three surges of force by the ninth layer. Before the sixth layer was overt force; beyond the sixth layer was covert force.
Therefore, the fifth layer before her ninth layer
was like throwing an egg against a rock.
Covert force could not only easily shatter the overt force coating one's hands, but also severely damage internal organs.
Thus, sparring in this alone carried great risk.
"No need to worry," Luo Xuan said calmly, looking at Jiang Man. "I will spar using the same cultivation layer as yours."
Luo Xuan had no intention of bullying him.
To her, there was simply no need.
Jiang Man was somewhat surprised.
Was this young lady so easy to talk to?
Didn't she feel resentful inside?
After all, not long ago, he had been hired by her as a sparring partner, yet now he had surpassed her.
A reversal in cultivation could easily throw someone's mindset off balance.
It would have been entirely understandable for her to play dirty underhandedly.
Still, since she had said so, he hesitated no longer.
After Jiang Man cultivated for a shichen, he successfully entered the fifth layer.
Next came the sparring.
Exchanges in the Three Powers Force were not flashy, but with every strike came a collision of powerful force.
It allowed Jiang Man to gain insights faster
and improve more rapidly.
Compared to Song Qing, sparring with the strong truly brought better progress.
Even so, Jiang Man remained on guard against her pulling a dirty trick.
Fortunately, until the sparring ended, she never made any underhanded moves.
She merely gave a polite bow before focusing on her own cultivation.
A true young lady of a wealthy house.
Jiang Man couldn't help sighing in admiration; her upbringing was indeed impeccable.
On Fang Yong and Cheng Yu's side, the fighting was intense.
Both were at the ninth layer of the Three Powers Force, genuinely building their practical combat experience.
In the afternoon came individual cultivation.
Jiang Man, as always, cultivated with single-minded focus, centering on the Three Powers Force.
Standing at the head of the courtyard, everyone watched him.
If he didn't leave, the others had no choice but to keep practicing along with him.
It had been bad enough when he was dead last, but now that he was first, he was still working this hard.
He was leaving no way out for the rest of them.
The little fatty suffered unspeakably, because Luo Xuan had been knocked out of first place.
There was no way she would take the lead in leaving first—if first place didn't leave, how could she?
Consequently, everyone cultivated even later.
When Jiang Man finally finished, Luo Xuan asked out of curiosity, "What hour do you usually cultivate until?"
Jiang Man looked puzzled.
Luo Xuan added, "Until what hour do you cultivate at night?"
"I cultivate until daybreak," Jiang Man replied.
Luo Xuan's expression turned dumbfounded. "Daybreak? Don't you rest?"
"Do I need to rest?" Jiang Man countered.
Luo Xuan frowned. "Shouldn't you rest?"
"At such a young age, how can any of you sleep at night?" Jiang Man tossed back before walking out of the courtyard,
leaving behind a stunned crowd.
Chapter 35