Three sets of conditions: the Li family simply wanted him to work for them after entering the sect; the Cheng family offered a woman to bear a child before he worked for them after entering the sect; and the Luo family demanded a purely matrilocal marriage.
Comparatively speaking, the Luo family was the most reasonable, except that from then on he would belong to the Luo family.
Moreover, what they offered was indeed substantial.
Yet without exception, all three families imposed shackles.
Thus, there was nothing to consider.
Especially the Li family—five thousand spirit sources a month was supposed to buy ten years of his time in the sect and three instances of unconditional assistance? Where did they get the nerve?
At the Spirit Gathering Hall, he made ninety spirit sources a day, which came to two thousand seven hundred a month. And now he was at Qi-Linking Method layer eleven. At his limit, he could earn as much as three thousand spirit sources a month.
Being a prominent clan, the Li family had clearly thrown out an offer on a whim. They probably had not expected to succeed anyway.
"How have you considered it?" Zhao Leming asked.
Jiang Man shook his head. "I won't consider any of them."
Zhao Leming was not surprised.
He had always believed someone was backing Jiang Man, given that he had even produced the feeding method. Even though nothing else had followed, it was likely a form of trial. The terms offered by these three families were far too ordinary, so rejecting them was only natural.
"If your ranking continues to rise, they will likely improve their terms," Zhao Leming said after a moment's thought. "The assessments have now shifted to the end of the month, with a break once every three months, which will also be when you contend for resources and spells.
"Because the rankings won't shift drastically at this stage, those families will focus more on the contention for resources."
Jiang Man was rather surprised. They would not focus on rankings?
Then again, once cultivation progressed to this point, rankings rarely saw dramatic changes. After all, too little time had passed.
After pondering briefly, Jiang Man inquired about finding new work.
At present, he seemingly earned a decent amount of spirit sources, but against his expenses, they were stretched thin.
Previously, he had earned a thousand, repaid two hundred, and kept eight hundred, which, combined with what he had earned during the half-month break, left him with two thousand one hundred and fifty spirit sources.
Food alone cost hundreds a month, to say nothing of cultivation.
It was simply not enough.
"New work?" Zhao Leming looked at the young man before him, pondering for a moment before replying, "Difficult. The usual odd jobs are hard labor, and the Yunqian Division wouldn't dare let someone like you do work that harms your body.
"Besides, this is also to give the various families an opportunity to better recruit those who qualify."
Jiang Man understood.
The Yunqian Division took in cultivators of the proper age, accepting nearly anyone as long as they paid the full cultivation fee. Naturally, the Yunqian Division also required spirit sources; while part of their resources came from the sect, they mostly had to rely on themselves. Contracts therefore served as a form of cooperation with the major clans.
It all came down to mutual interest.
He asked no further questions, knowing he would have to find another way on his own.
"I'll decline them on your behalf, though someone from their side might still approach you for a talk," Zhao Leming warned.
Jiang Man nodded to show he understood.
Afterward, Jiang Man took his leave.
Upon returning to the Sixth Courtyard, he told Fang Yong to go see Zhao Leming, as Zhao Leming had instructed before he left.
Fang Yong's situation was likely similar to his own. One could only wonder how many families had approached him and what prices they had offered. It was certainly curious.
After a half-month break, everyone's spirits seemed fairly well recovered.
Luo Xuan was as dignified as ever, while Cheng Yu stood beside her, chatting with a smile.
Chang Qiwen, however, appeared rather dejected; after half a month, his wounds had still not healed. One wondered how many spirit sources he had accepted to fight with such reckless abandon.
"Brother, you're finally here," the little fatty said as he hurried over to Jiang Man. "I'm finished."
Jiang Man was puzzled. "Out of food?"
"Not that bad," the little fatty said glumly. "My results are too terrible. My family is on the verge of giving up on me, and now they've given me two choices.
"The first is to get married and branch out the family tree. But I don't like a single girl they picked, and they even picked one who's about as fat as I am.
"I'm fat, but that doesn't mean I like fat girls!"
At first, Jiang Man had thought the boy had come to boast. Hearing the complaint about weight, he offered solemn consolation: "Marriage is arranged by parents and matchmakers. Sometimes our parents only want what is best for us.
"Take me, for example. I married an immortal maiden who looks like a heavenly beauty, entirely arranged by my family. I didn't complain, either—it was my family's wish.
"Yours will just look a bit more blessed, that's all."
The little fatty stared at Jiang Man, speechless.
"Tell me about the second choice," Jiang Man said with a smile.
The little fatty did not dwell on the matter and continued, "The second is for me to cultivate properly. They'll provide me with enough resources, and if I can reach Qi-Linking fourth layer before leaving the Yunqian Division, they'll find me a position.
"I can temper myself in the family business and continue to improve.
"And then I get to choose whom I marry."
Jiang Man fell silent for a moment.
Was the little fatty telling him that if he didn't cultivate diligently, he would have to return home to marry and never worry about making a living again?
And if he cultivated diligently, he would inherit the family estate?
Accursed direct lineages.
"So Brother Jiang, you have to help me. Teach me how to cultivate," the little fatty pleaded.
Jiang Man was surprised. "Wouldn't Teacher Zhao and Teacher Fu be better suited for that?"
"Of course they are, but they don't know how to understand underachievers," the little fatty said.
Jiang Man paused.
That made sense—who would bother trying to understand the second-to-last student?
Still, with some effort, it would not be hard for the little fatty to reach Qi-Linking third layer.
"As long as you teach me, Brother Jiang, I'll give you five hundred spirit sources and a Spirit Gathering Pill every month," the little fatty said through gritted teeth.
Jiang Man froze, then assumed a serious expression. "We are good friends. I certainly won't stand by and do nothing."
Saying so was easy enough, but he had no clue how to teach the boy. When the time came, he would ask Old Yellow; the ox possessed vast experience and could offer some suggestions.
That would mean another boost to his resources.
Today, Teacher Fu was once again explaining spells.
This time, she covered the other applications of the Collapsing Torrent Technique.
Spells were not meant purely for offense; offense could sometimes serve as defense as well.
As she spoke, Teacher Fu brought her foot down, and earthen spikes erupted behind her, blocking an attack from the rear.
After a long while, she finally said, "The rest of the time is for sparring. In a few days, a new teacher will arrive to provide guidance for those who secured spots. You all should learn as much as you can from it."
Jiang Man's sparring partner was still Luo Xuan.
She carried herself as she always had, generous and poised like a proper young lady from a great house. She showed no signs of resentment over losing out on a spot, though what underhanded schemes she might harbor behind the scenes was anyone's guess.
In the afternoon, the Sixth Courtyard was guided through group cultivation as usual, and they were not released until dusk.
Cheng Yu left together with Luo Xuan.
"Does this Jiang Man really never sleep?" she asked Luo Xuan curiously.
"When is he going to realize that letter was written by you?" That was all Luo Xuan cared about. She had no intention of letting such a misunderstanding persist.
"Soon," Cheng Yu said with a beaming smile. "What do you think he'll do once he finds out?"
Luo Xuan glanced at her and said calmly, "Anyone who plays pranks on the first rank deserves a lesson."
Cheng Yu did not seem to mind in the slightest.
***
Jiang Man left the Sixth Courtyard.
Not long after stepping outside, he encountered a middle-aged man.
"I am from the Li family," the man said, looking at Jiang Man impassively. "You do not appear to be wealthy. Without outside help, standing out in the Yunqian Division will be exceedingly difficult.
"You might not have felt it during the first spell contention.
"But by the second, you will find yourself falling further and further behind them.
"Others may have offered you decent terms, but none of them can offer the prospects of the Li family."
Chapter 56