The End of the Immortal Path-Chapter 49 - 48: Avoiding Decades of Detours

In response to Jiang Man’s question, Luo Xuan felt quite bitter.

If it were a fair fight, she might have been able to win.

Although Jiang Man’s fighting style was a bit extreme.

But it wasn’t as if she had no way to counter it.

Fang Yong had only lost because he was caught by surprise.

But...

She had been plotted against and severely wounded by Cheng Yu, leaving her completely unable to fight Jiang Man, whose score was even higher than hers.

Now, her only option was to see if she could defeat Fang Yong.

Both of them were severely injured.

And as long as she didn’t give him time to recover...

...she might still have a chance.

So...

She had chosen to concede.

Everyone understood her decision.

Thus, the final battle was between Fang Yong and Luo Xuan.

After Zhao Leming announced that Jiang Man had advanced, he asked Luo Xuan, "Do you wish to issue a challenge?"

"I will challenge Fang Yong," Luo Xuan declared.

Hearing this, Zhao Leming nodded.

Then he told the next contestants to prepare.

Fang Yong, who had only just begun to rest, was forced back to the center of the courtyard.

His opponent gave him no chance to catch his breath.

Of course, this was to be expected.

He would have done the same thing in her position.

’As long as I can secure a spot, who cares about the niceties?’

’It’s only natural to strike your opponent while they’re vulnerable.’

Jiang Man retreated to the side.

Xiaopang watched the arena and asked curiously, "Brother Jiang, who do you think will win?"

Jiang Man thought they were both very strong.

"I think Luo Xuan will win," Xiaopang continued.

"Why?" Jiang Man asked.

"Even though they’re both badly injured, Luo Xuan has had more time to rest. Plus, she has plenty of Elixirs she can use to boost her strength temporarily," said Xiaopang.

"If Luo Xuan loses, will I have a chance to become her guard?" Song Qing asked.

Jiang Man thought that would be very difficult.

"Aren’t you trying to steal Brother Jiang’s gig?" said Xiaopang.

"When the time comes, I’ll follow Brother Jiang’s lead," Song Qing said earnestly.

Then he sighed. "It’s a shame. Brother Jiang gave me a chance, but I couldn’t seize it."

"I’m not a personal guard," Jiang Man explained again.

He didn’t explain further, because Luo Xuan and her opponent had started fighting.

"What about Cheng Yu?" Xiaopang asked curiously.

"You want to be her personal guard?" Song Qing asked, intrigued.

"I’m not worthy." Xiaopang knew his own limits.

"Sometimes it’s not about being worthy, but whether you fight for the chance. What if she’s too proud to refuse, just to save face? At least you’d get to stay in the city," Song Qing advised kindly.

BOOM!

The battle in the center of the courtyard interrupted their conversation.

They saw that Fang Yong and Luo Xuan were attacking with extreme aggression.

Both fighters were already bleeding.

They were completely trading injuries, wound for wound.

It was a matter of who would collapse first.

Neither wanted to lose, so as the fight dragged on, their movements grew slower and slower.

The bloodstains on their bodies multiplied.

Some was their own, and some was their opponent’s.

In the end, they were running on sheer willpower, forcing their battered bodies to stay upright, refusing to fall.

Until the very end.

Luo Xuan fell first.

Her body had reached its limit. That kick from Chang Qiweng had been too severe.

It was a kick delivered with desperate force.

Otherwise...

...she might have won.

Fu Yidan sighed and took Luo Xuan away for treatment.

In the end, Fang Yong was victorious.

He collapsed soon after.

Of the five contestants, only Jiang Man was left standing, completely unharmed.

"Brother Jiang, was that just good luck?" Xiaopang asked in disbelief.

Everyone else was severely injured, yet Jiang Man was perfectly fine.

"It’s skill," Jiang Man said calmly.

Xiaopang was puzzled. ’Is there some secret to getting stronger?’

But Jiang Man had already told him the secret; it’s just that Xiaopang didn’t believe him.

Marrying a Fairy could indeed save you decades of struggle.

If you succeed, your progress will be divinely fast.

If you fail, you’ll be six feet under in three days.

That’s several decades earlier than being buried after a century.

In a way, that’s also saving yourself decades of struggle.

Afterward, Zhao Leming confirmed the placements.

First place: Jiang Man.

Second place: Fang Yong.

The others were eliminated.

Song Qing sighed wistfully. "Luo Xuan almost won."

Xiaopang also sighed. "I can’t believe it. Luo Xuan was number one for so long, and she still lost. Logically, she should have had a good chance."

"If it weren’t for Chang Qiweng’s sudden outburst."

"Speaking of which, weren’t those the Cheng Family’s Magic Skill and Elixir?"

"Where did he get them?"

Jiang Man thought for a moment before saying, "Probably from Cheng Yu."

Hearing this, Xiaopang was incredulous. "No way! You think Cheng Yu bribed Chang Qiweng?"

For a moment, Xiaopang couldn’t accept it. Cheng Yu was gentle and kind, always warm toward others.

How could she...

Jiang Man patted Xiaopang’s shoulder and said earnestly, "Be careful around pretty women in the future. The prettier they are, the better they are at lying."

Xiaopang: "..."

"Jiang Man, come with me," Zhao Leming said at that moment.

He then turned to the others. "You can finish your matches amongst yourselves. Come get your rankings tomorrow, after which you’ll have a half-month break."

"Cultivation resumes in January. Make the most of these last six months or so."

The others felt a mix of emotion and helplessness.

Their path of cultivation was finally coming to an end.

But their future prospects seemed bleak.

They could only do their best to find another path.

These next six-plus months were also meant for them to find that path.

Soon, Jiang Man arrived at Zhao Leming’s office.

"Mr. Zhao." Jiang Man greeted him with a respectful bow.

Zhao Leming looked at the young man before him, still reeling from shock.

In August, this young man couldn’t even afford his cultivation fees. Now, a mere four months later...

...not only had he secured a spot, but he had also become number one in the Sixth Courtyard.

On top of that, he was suspected of having learned a Mortal Level Top-grade Visualization Method.

His Spiritual Qi was abundant and precisely controlled.

His future was limitless.

’Just as I thought. Whoever is backing him from the shadows would never have let him ruin his own foundation.’

’My own perspective was too narrow.’

’Everything Jiang Man did was backed by reason and confidence.’

"Do you know what your rank is among the seven courtyards of the Cyan Cloud Pavilion?" Zhao Leming asked.

Jiang Man shook his head. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"The Yunqian Bureau oversees the Three Floors and Six Pavilions. Cyan Cloud Pavilion has nineteen spots in total, and your current rank is fourteenth," Zhao Leming explained. "Based on past years, only those ranked in the top five—or even the top three—can enter the Sect."

"Of course, there can be exceptions."

"So, if you want to enter the Sect, you need to improve as quickly as possible."

"But that’s just to get into the lowest-ranking part of the Sect."

"If you want to go to a better place and get better resources, the higher your rank, the better."

"Also, while the others are on a half-month break, you and Fang Yong will participate in the Yunqian Bureau’s competition for Cultivation Skills."

"You’ll have the chance to obtain Middle Grade Qi Cultivation Skills, Qi Blood Techniques, and Visualization Skills."

"Furthermore, you might even obtain a Top-grade Technique."

"The Dharma Transmission Department will contact you in the next two days, so don’t leave the Yunqian Bureau."

Jiang Man was quite surprised.

He hadn’t expected there to be Cultivation Skill rewards.

A Mid-grade Technique... that was equivalent to the Eleventh Layer.

It could increase his Cultivation speed by two whole tiers.

’It would be fantastic if I could get one.’

’A Top-grade one would be even better.’

After asking a few more questions, Jiang Man left.

He hadn’t managed to get any other useful information.

’Still, the competition seems fierce. I’ll need to be careful.’

「Two days later.」

Luo Xuan, who had been recovering in the infirmary, woke up.

She said something to the attendant looking after her, then silently left the Yunqian Bureau.

Having failed to secure a spot, she had to return home and inform her parents.

Then, she would await her family’s arrangements.

Even though she was the family’s young miss...

...now that she had failed to earn a spot, she would have no more freedom.