Chapter 297: Chapter 188: Who Does the Young Lady Think Will Succeed This Time?

In the rebuilt Sixth Courtyard.

"Just focus on your Cultivation and don’t worry about anything else," Chang Qiweng said.

He was working several part-time jobs now, so he could afford to support her.

His sister managing to get into the Sect was a joyous occasion for their entire family.

It brought glory to their family name.

Chang Qin replied earnestly, "I know, Brother. You should go take care of your own things."

Chang Qin then entered the courtyard.

Just as she walked in, two young women dressed in Immortal Skirts glanced her way.

They greeted her.

"H-hello," Chang Qin stammered, feeling a little embarrassed.

But the clothes she was wearing weren’t shabby; they were a gift from her brother.

He’d bought them specifically so she wouldn’t be looked down on.

If she were still in her old clothes, she would have felt like a clown right now.

"No need to be so formal. I’m from the Huo Family. What about you?" Miss Huo asked curiously.

Chang Qin froze.

For a moment, she didn’t know how to respond.

The other young lady asked with curiosity, "Who was that just now? A servant from your family? He looks like one of the delivery runners in the Sect."

"That’s what happens when you can’t pass the entrance exam for the Sect."

"They never get a chance to make something of themselves."

Chang Qin remained frozen, only managing an awkward smile.

She couldn’t bring herself to answer.

——

「Red Water Peak.」

When Jiang Man arrived at Xiaopang’s place, he saw Song Qing.

He was currently helping Xiaopang with some chores.

"Young Master, the family needs you. You can’t just waste away here. Just get your Cultivation to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, that’s enough. They’re waiting for you to come back and take over as the family head," Song Qing urged.

Jiang Man walked over and slapped Song Qing aside.

’Insolent punk! How dare he!’

’Xiaopang goes back to enjoy a life of luxury, and you’re not heartbroken?’

’Song Qing still has it way too easy.’

’I don’t have a chance now, but if one comes up, I’ll definitely get him.’

’And send him to the most miserable place possible.’

"Nice one, Brother Jiang." Xiaopang had been wanting to do that himself for a while.

’As if Song Qing doesn’t know whether I have any talent or not.’

’He’s just jealous that I’m having a good life here.’

’He wants to send me back to suffer.’

’The moment I go back, I’ll have to do whatever my family says.’

’I’ll have to marry whoever they tell me to marry, learn how to manage the family, and balance all those relationships.’

’If I had that kind of ability, would I still be ranked second to last?’

’Besides, with all this time, isn’t it better to spend it on Cultivation?’

’Brother Jiang said that reaching Foundation Establishment is a real possibility for me.’

’If I don’t cultivate now, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.’

Jiang Man was pleased that Xiaopang was so determined to cultivate properly.

He then asked about Song Qing’s story.

He also had Xiaopang give Song Qing some meat jerky.

Xiaopang was suddenly curious. ’Song Qing has a story to tell?’

Holding the jerky, Song Qing fell silent for a moment before finally speaking. "There’s not much left to tell, really. But since you all want to hear it, I suppose I can tell you."

Song Qing eventually explained that in the days that followed, he had seen the Chang Family’s younger sister once.

She expressed her gratitude and said she would pay back the Spiritual Source.

She was very grateful for his financial support.

After that, they only exchanged simple greetings when they ran into each other during his escort duties.

Xiaopang looked completely lost.

’What was that all about?’

Jiang Man, however, asked, "Did she write you an IOU?"

"I refused," said Song Qing. "I told her it was what I owed Old Chang."

Jiang Man was suddenly at a loss for words.

’That made sense.’

’But the debt to Old Chang didn’t require that much Spiritual Source.’

"I still don’t get it," Xiaopang said.

"You can’t even figure that out? Young Master Gao, why don’t you ask Luo Xuan? She understood it," said Cheng Yu, who had appeared at some point, a smile playing on her lips.

She looked quite pleased with herself.

Xiaopang looked toward Luo Xuan.

Luo Xuan hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "Song Qing and the Chang Family’s younger sister had a bit of a personal relationship. It seems they don’t anymore."

Xiaopang got it now.

Then he asked Song Qing if Chang Qiweng knew.

If he found out, he would beat Song Qing to death.

Song Qing was no match for Chang Qiweng.

Neither was Xiaopang.

Only Luo Xuan and Cheng Yu could win against him.

Song Qing immediately composed himself. "I should be getting back. Young Master, Miss Luo, I’ll be going now."

And with that, Song Qing left.

Jiang Man shook his head and sighed.

’He’s a fast runner.’

——

「Meanwhile.」

Atop the Ji Family’s Flying Treasure.

The few people aboard remained motionless.

It was as if this short passage of time meant nothing to them.

Qing Dai looked down below with a sigh. "Miss, I just received word. Arrangements have been made with the new generation’s prodigy, Jiang Man."

"We can meet him as soon as we arrive."

"It will likely be in early November."

"Do you wish to see him, Miss?"

"Will it be noticed if I don’t?" Meng Qiewei asked.

Qing Dai nodded. "Of course it will. The Elders in the clan are shrewd."

"No one from a Side Branch would dare be so disobedient."

"Even those from the Direct Lineage have to meet him, whether they want to or not."

"This is even more true for the Side Branches."

"Unless there’s something wrong with the person in question."

"Then let’s meet him," Meng Qiewei said calmly.

Qing Dai nodded.

’Truthfully, she also wanted to meet this prodigy.’

’The man did have some real ability. To be able to overcome the effects of staying up all night was extraordinary in itself.’

’Of course, as outstanding as he might be, it was no guarantee that any of these five young women would take a liking to him.’

’If none of them fancy him, then one of the two from the side branches would be forced to marry him.’

’They had come all this way. As long as he agreed, this marriage alliance had to succeed one way or another.’

————

For the next period, from September all the way to November, Jiang Man focused solely on his Cultivation.

He successfully advanced to the Fifth Courtyard.

In a few more years, he would have to enter the Inner Sect.

By this time, his All Rivers Flow into the Sea technique had reached the Twelfth Layer.

In just three more months, he would reach the Great Success stage.

After that, all he had to do was raise his Cultivation level.

He was just waiting for the day he would have a major breakthrough.

「November 3rd.」

He received a message: the people from the Ji Family would be arriving in the afternoon.

A meeting was arranged for that evening.

’Ji Hao really couldn’t wait even a single day.’

’What was the use of being in such a rush?’

’It was just another delivery of Spiritual Source.’

’Because there was no way he would take a liking to any of them. They were all just common, uninteresting women.’

That afternoon, he did indeed see a massive Flying Treasure arrive at the Sect.

It caught the attention of a number of people.

They wondered what important figure had arrived.

Then, the Flying Treasure departed once again.

This made Jiang Man frown. ’They’re leaving already?’

’If this meeting is a failure, will they still stay in the Sect?’

Jiang Man was puzzled but didn’t dwell on it.

’The Sect wasn’t large, but for two people, it could be like two different worlds. As long as neither of them went out of their way to find the other, they could go their whole lives without meeting.’

Soon enough, Ji Hao found him.

"Mr. Ji," Jiang Man greeted with a respectful bow.

Ji Hao smiled. "Junior Brother, don’t you want to freshen up a bit?"

He was referring to his clothes and hair.

To make himself look a little more presentable.

Jiang Man refused.

Ji Hao didn’t mind. "Let’s go, then."

"We’re going now?" Jiang Man asked, surprised.

Ji Hao nodded. "As the host, shouldn’t we entertain them on the day they arrive?"

As he spoke, he tossed over a bag. "Three thousand. Who do you want to see first? The Direct Lineage or the Side Branch?"

"The Direct Lineage," Jiang Man said, accepting the Spiritual Source without his previous resistance.

’A little meeting wasn’t a problem.’

——

「Inner Sect.」

Inside a brand-new courtyard.

Meng Qiewei and the others were already waiting in silence.

The five young ladies had been arranged to meet the man as soon as they arrived, without even a chance to properly rest.

Many of them were inwardly displeased.

But no one voiced their complaints.

Because the person they were about to meet was no ordinary man.

He was the Ji Family’s chosen prodigy of the new generation. Barring any accidents, he would become the future leader of the Ji Family.

He would wield immense authority.

The people who dealt with him were all major figures at the Elder Level of the Ji Family.

"Miss, our new generation’s prodigy is really in a hurry. It seems Jiang Man could be pulled into the Immortal Mansion at any time," Qing Dai said with a smile. "I’ve been asking around, and a lot of people want to use the Immortal Mansion to make things difficult for this Jiang Man.

"Our prodigy is afraid that if Jiang Man goes in and comes out again, his current image of invincibility will be tarnished.

"That would be disadvantageous for him."

As they were speaking, a Communication Talisman suddenly flew in from outside.

It landed in front of Ji Shuying, who was standing at the forefront.

She picked up the talisman, and a moment later, she rose and walked out.

Her aura was so distant and aloof that it made others want to keep their distance.

"That young lady doesn’t seem very pleased. You can tell just by looking at her that she looks down on him. I’m afraid this match will be difficult," Qing Dai remarked, watching her leave.

"Who do you think has the best chance?" Meng Qiewei asked.

Upon hearing this, Qing Dai thought for a long while before replying, "Ji Rou. Her disposition is the gentlest, making her the most likely to marry him.

"As long as she can read her books, study, and grow stronger, she’s happy.

"It doesn’t make much difference to her who she marries."

With that, Qing Dai looked at Meng Qiewei. "And what do you think, Miss?"