The little fatty handed the spirit sources and pills to Jiang Man and said, "Brother Jiang, please keep guiding me. I feel like I've been making rapid progress lately."
Looking at the dark circles under the little fatty's eyes, Jiang Man said earnestly, "I can tell."
Once one reached the third layer of the Qi-Linking Method, there was no need to worry about dropping dead from pulling all-nighters.
And the little fatty's Qi-Linking Method had already reached the fifth layer, so there was even less cause for concern.
It was just that most people felt neither the body nor the mind could endure such torment, and that one needed to balance work and rest.
Jiang Man did not think so.
With such precious hours at night, how could anyone have the nerve to waste them on sleep?
How could they even fall asleep?
When everyone else was advancing, wasn't sleeping the same as falling behind?
Jiang Man then handed the second book to the little fatty and told him to keep up the good work.
There were still about five months left to advance from the Qi-Linking third layer to the Qi-Linking fourth layer.
There was still time.
He just needed to maintain this pace.
Still...
After burning the midnight oil like this, why hadn't he lost any weight?
"I eat a lot," the little fatty answered casually.
Jiang Man fell silent.
Recalling his own frugality while cultivating recently, was it because he disliked eating?
No, he just couldn't bear the expense.
Without enough spirit sources, he could only manage to keep from starving.
Together, the two stepped into the Sixth Courtyard.
Along the way, the little fatty asked curiously, "Brother Jiang, I heard them say you aren't married."
"I am married, just not back in the village," Jiang Man replied offhandedly. "Like I said, she's an immortal maiden up in the heavens."
The little fatty parted his lips, but in the end, he still asked, "Then are you and Sister-in-law on good terms?"
Hearing this, Jiang Man glanced at the little fatty beside him and said naturally, "Of course we are. She misses me constantly. Every time she writes a letter, she tells me she wants to see me.
"She looks forward to our reunion.
"If I hadn't held her back, she would have come long ago."
The little fatty blinked, looking skeptical.
Jiang Man paid it no mind; he was telling the truth anyway.
It was just that no one believed him.
That wasn't his fault.
From the very beginning, he had told the honest truth.
Luo Huaili hadn't believed him.
Fang Yong hadn't believed him.
And neither did the little fatty.
When they entered the Sixth Courtyard, almost everyone else had already arrived.
With the number one student already present, anyone who arrived late would draw far too much unwanted attention.
Under the halo of being first in Qingyun and second in the Six Pavilions,
it made others feel inadequate.
At this moment, Song Qing felt that having sparred with Jiang Man was credentials enough to give him an edge when looking for guard or sparring partner jobs again.
He felt Jiang Man was simply too good a person.
Jiang Man had given him the chance to be a guard back then, and now he had given him another opportunity.
As long as he could advance to the fourth layer, there was a real chance he could stay in the city.
If Jiang Man's ranking changed again to first in the Six Pavilions...
then...
the chances would be even higher.
"Thank you," Song Qing said gratefully as he came up to Jiang Man.
Hearing this left Jiang Man completely puzzled.
Then a Spirit Gathering Pill was placed into Jiang Man's hand. "I saved up to buy this. Please don't look down on it."
Jiang Man's gaze focused, and he said in all seriousness, "You're welcome. It was only right."
Having received a response, Song Qing felt he hadn't completely let down Jiang Man's goodwill.
This truly was a good person.
He needed to work even harder.
Jiang Man found receiving this thank-you gift baffling, but that didn't stop him from accepting it happily.
After all, what he needed most right now was precisely this kind of thing.
With three months left, if something was delivered right to his doorstep, why on earth would he refuse it?
However, after entering, he noticed Chang Qiwen glancing at him from time to time.
He wouldn't be looking to collect a debt, would he?
Still, Chang Qiwen didn't walk over in the end.
Who knew what was going through his head?
As soon as Teacher Fu arrived, he asked Jiang Man whether he had any questions regarding spells.
"I still have a few questions," Jiang Man answered honestly.
Having already achieved great accomplishment in the Nine Clouds Dragon Suppressing Method, he still didn't know how best to apply it.
After hearing them, Teacher Fu was somewhat surprised. "These are all questions about practical application. You have no issues regarding advancement?"
Jiang Man shook his head. "None at the moment."
He was now second in the Six Pavilions.
A genius ought to look like a genius.
Teacher Fu gave Jiang Man a profound look and said nothing more on the matter.
Instead, he began his instruction.
The others listened in.
Even though they hadn't seen it, just hearing about it gave them a sense of how difficult this spell was.
It was on an entirely different level from what they were learning.
Demonstrating as he explained, Teacher Fu said, "Applying a spell depends on timing. Furthermore, when fighting someone, no movement should hinder you from channeling your spell.
"Do not wait until you stop moving to begin channeling.
"You must learn to be ready to strike at any moment. As long as you steady your mind and accurately mobilize spiritual qi, even if you are being suppressed and beaten, you can still channel your spell smoothly.
"This tests both the physical body and the mind, especially the mind.
"Because the mind determines whether your spellcasting will be interrupted."
Jiang Man tried moving and then channeling the spell.
It went very smoothly.
Even if under attack, he could smoothly channel the Nine Clouds Dragon Suppressing Seal.
Yet if the attack was too fierce, it was still somewhat difficult.
"What you must find is the most opportune moment and the fastest circulation," Teacher Fu continued explaining.
The others also benefited immensely.
The relevant theories had been mentioned before, but never in such detail as today.
He had even begun demonstrating directly.
Perhaps this special instruction was meant specifically for Jiang Man.
The title of second in the Six Pavilions was even more useful than expected.
After the explanation, Teacher Fu went on to explain the processing of spiritual herbs.
If one had the talent, they could develop along this path.
Of course, even if one developed such skills, there might not be any jobs available.
Because all the positions had been taken.
In Luoyun City, such work would never fall to outsiders.
Once Teacher Fu left, it was time for independent cultivation.
As always, the Sixth Courtyard worked tirelessly and diligently.
With the number one student not leaving, no one dared to break the atmosphere.
On the other side.
Li Yuan of Qingyun Pavilion's Second Courtyard finished cultivating and planned to head back.
The people here were actually all very hardworking.
They all waited until dusk was falling before leaving.
Just as he stepped out the door, however, Li Yuan noticed that people from other courtyards who had clearly already left were walking back.
He immediately stopped someone to ask what was happening.
The person he stopped happened to be the very one who had previously inquired about Jiang Man's situation.
The fellow looked at Li Yuan, not saying a word.
To this, Li Yuan said calmly, "I am fourth in Qingyun Pavilion."
The person froze, then involuntarily lowered his head.
Cursing his bad luck under his breath, he said, "Go take a look at the Sixth Courtyard and you'll know."
Li Yuan was suspicious.
In the end, he went over to the Sixth Courtyard and took a peek; not a single person had left.
The one at the head was cultivating even more absorbedly.
If this person had been an ordinary student, that would be one thing.
But...
He was number one in Qingyun Pavilion.
Li Yuan: "..."
Who was he trying to pressure here?
Chapter 74