The Old Yellow Ox watched Jiang Man cultivate, but it didn't utter a word of ridicule.
Nor did it tell him just how difficult the Thirteenth Layer of the Visualization Skill was to achieve.
Many people cultivated Mortal Level Top-grade Visualization Skills.
But those who could reach the Thirteenth Layer were few and far between.
In a small place like Luoyun City, probably no one besides a few old fossils could do it.
Resources and time were indeed an issue, but the bigger problem was simply the difficulty.
The Thirteenth Layer of the Visualization Skill was just too difficult.
Forget seven days, it had never even heard of anyone accomplishing it in a month.
For the so-called hundred days of the Unparalleled Celestial Pride Fate Chart, a full sixty of them were likely needed just to advance to the Thirteenth Layer of the Visualization Skill.
So even though Jiang Man had already reached the Eighth Layer of the Visualization Skill, the Old Yellow Ox still didn't think he had a chance.
But it said nothing.
It just quietly waited for the final moment to arrive.
Because in its mind, the outcome was already set in stone.
Nearing noon, the Old Yellow Ox noticed that Jiang Man had reached the Ninth Layer of the Visualization Skill.
But its eyes showed no ripple of emotion.
At dusk, just as the sky was darkening, Jiang Man advanced again.
The Tenth Layer of the Visualization Skill.
The speed was surprising, making the ox feel a flicker of surprise, but it was just a simple surprise.
The afternoon of the second day.
The Old Yellow Ox squinted. It saw Jiang Man advance once more.
The Eleventh Layer of the Visualization Skill.
'It doesn't make sense, but I can still accept it.'
There was no advancement on the third day.
On the fourth day, before the sky had even brightened, Jiang Man advanced again.
The Twelfth Layer of the Visualization Skill.
The Old Yellow Ox's eyes grew heavy, and it looked somewhat astonished.
There were only a few days left.
On the fifth day, there was no change.
Nor on the sixth day.
Until the seventh day, the second-to-last day of the hundred-day countdown.
Deep in the night, Jiang Man executed the Visualization Skill one last time.
In that instant, he felt as if a basin of cold water had been poured over his body and mind. A cool sensation irrigated his entire being, his limbs filled with vitality, and a refreshing chill shot straight into his head.
All at once, things that were originally obscure and difficult to understand burst forth with new meaning.
This allowed Jiang Man to grasp the changes in the Cultivation Skill even more clearly.
Finally, all the cool water transformed into a great cauldron that settled in his Dantian.
The Thirteenth Layer of the Visualization Skill.
Great Success.
Feeling all this, Jiang Man let out a long, heavy sigh of relief.
The Visualization Cauldron in his Dantian meant he had entered the First Layer of Visualization, also known as the Spiritual First Layer.
Right now, his Qi Refining Cultivation was at the Sixth Layer, his Physical Body at the Third Layer, and his Spirit at the First Layer.
His corresponding Cultivation Technique Realms were: Qi Refining Skill at the Ninth Layer, Qi Blood Technique at the Ninth Layer, and Visualization Skill at the Thirteenth Layer.
After the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, any further increase in Cultivation depended on whether his Physical Body and Spirit could keep up.
It was indeed much more difficult.
But there was still time for everything.
He now had a fighting chance to compete for a spot.
The future was full of promise.
Elsewhere, the Old Yellow Ox looked at Jiang Man, its eyes now filled with nothing but shock.
From the initial surprise to the later solemnity, then astonishment, and now, only shock remained.
'He might really be an Unparalleled Celestial Pride.'
At least, it had never seen anyone reach the Thirteenth Layer of the Visualization Skill without relying on any resources.
The gap between the Twelfth and Thirteenth Layer was greater than all the previous layers combined.
And this person had crossed it in less than four days.
Just then, Jiang Man's gaze fell upon the Old Yellow Ox. He smiled and said, "How do you feel, Old Huang?"
The Old Yellow Ox: "..."
From Brother Niu to Old Huang.
'From Senior to Brother Niu, and from Brother Niu to Old Huang.'
The Old Yellow Ox lamented. Human fickleness was on full display with Jiang Man.
"You've gotten arrogant," the Old Yellow Ox said.
It didn't care about the change in address.
It was just that it had gained some new understanding after so keenly feeling the fickle nature of humans.
Hearing this, Jiang Man just smiled faintly. "It's called youthful spirit."
"How on earth did you do it?" The Old Yellow Ox still couldn't understand.
Jiang Man shrugged and said casually, "It's just my Talent. If you don't believe me, Old Huang, then try thinking about it this way: standing before you is the one and only... Unparalleled Celestial Pride you'll ever meet in your life."
As he spoke, Jiang Man yawned. "Having this kind of Realm and Talent is one thing, but more importantly, I work even harder than the average person."
The Old Yellow Ox was completely baffled. 'Could it really be because he got married?' it thought. 'If so, what kind of position should one be in when marrying to stimulate such Talent? It would be impossible not to be tempted by the idea.'
Just as it was about to say something, it suddenly felt a light appear on its body again.
This was a technique applied from afar by that Fairy.
It sighed helplessly. "You've got a letter from your wife."
'Since when does casting a spell count as sending a letter?'
Nevertheless, he took out the ball of light.
The light then spread, and her voice, as clear and pleasant as a spring, emerged from it: "My dear husband, are you arranging your funeral affairs? Everyone now knows I am a married woman. It seems I'll have to be a widow for you soon. I wonder, does my dear husband have any unfulfilled wishes?"
Jiang Man then waved at the light and said calmly, "My dear wife, you know nothing about an Unparalleled Celestial Pride."
The light immediately seemed to slip into the void and vanished.
Jiang Man paid it no mind and turned to the Old Yellow Ox. "Old Huang, when you get married in the future, make sure to keep your eyes wide open. Don't pick one who wishes you were dead every day."
The Old Yellow Ox gave Jiang Man a strange look before falling silent.
Jiang Man prepared to rest for a while.
His Cultivation during this period had been too arduous, and he'd been holding on by a thread.
Now, after taking these few days off to cultivate, he was completely broke.
Tomorrow, he would have to go earn Spiritual Source again.
However, this time, the Unparalleled Celestial Pride Fate Chart should reward him with Elixirs.
Jiang Man checked.
He found that the Unparalleled Celestial Pride Fate Chart hadn't reacted yet.
Thinking about it carefully, he realized the ultimate goal wasn't just reaching the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, but also cultivating a hundred times in a hundred days.
There was still one day left of the hundred days.
'It seems the Unparalleled Celestial Pride Fate Chart is one step behind me after all.'
「The next day.」
After cleaning the stables, Jiang Man headed to the Sixth Courtyard.
This was probably his first time going to the Sixth Courtyard after the assessment.
'It's time to feel the awe those people have for an Unparalleled Celestial Pride.'
But as soon as he arrived at the Sixth Courtyard, Jiang Man found the atmosphere inside was completely solemn.
The leaders, Luo Xuan, Fang Yong, and the others, were all cultivating.
Without a hint of slacking.
The others were much the same.
Jiang Man was quite puzzled.
'Why are they all working so hard first thing in the morning?'
Some people did notice Jiang Man's arrival, but they quickly lowered their heads, not daring to look for too long.
The number one of the courtyard was already a powerful Great Cultivator. If you weren't familiar with him, staring rashly could easily lead to being bullied.
When Jiang Man arrived, they could only take the initiative to move aside.
This was especially true for those who had spoken ill of him before.
They wished they could hide far, far away.
They were afraid he might suddenly remember something and do something to them.
Xiaopang arrived late.
Seeing Jiang Man, he had a look of surprise. "Bro, you're here?"
'What happened to the "Jiang"?'
"After my parents found out about Brother Jiang's results, they stopped telling me to be like you. They told me to be your lackey and even asked if you need resources, saying our family is willing to provide them," Xiaopang said helplessly.
Jiang Man: "..."
'That's a bit too direct. Even I'm embarrassed.'
But he didn't take him up on the offer. Borrowing resources from Xiaopang was a matter of friendship; accepting resources from his family was a matter of business.
They were different.
"What's with all these people?" Jiang Man asked, gesturing toward the others in the courtyard.
"They were thoroughly surpassed and got a shock to their system," Xiaopang replied, then reminded him in a low voice, "Brother Jiang, you've improved too quickly. A number one without a solid foundation to back it up... I'm afraid someone who's not convinced will challenge you to make trouble and break your prestige. You need to learn some Magic Skills as soon as possible, or else..."
While Xiaopang was still speaking, a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder and pushed him aside.
Chang Qiweng's face was revealed. He took a step forward, coming before Jiang Man, his voice laced with coldness. "I don't know how you suddenly became number one, but I don't think you truly deserve it.
I want to fight you in private."
'So someone really is challenging the number one, huh?'
Jiang Man turned to look at Xiaopang, who had moved back to his side, and couldn't help but sigh. 'Jinx.'
'That's twice now.'
————
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