The End of the Immortal Path

Chapter 257 - 170: My Wife Sent a Photo

After all, she was already like this.

Xia Jin looked at the person on the bed, who could barely move, and shook her head slightly.

She had truly never seen anything like it.

She’d never seen a plot backfire so badly that the perpetrator was in a Law Enforcement Hall prison, and yet the target was still not safe.

Still, Jiang Man’s participation in next month’s Promotion Secret Realm was certainly attracting a lot of attention.

Many weren’t optimistic. It was simply too soon.

But no matter how poor his chances seemed, they couldn’t help but feel a little nervous.

Precisely because it was so early.

No one had ever entered the Promotion Secret Realm this early.

Which meant that with him, anything was possible.

’What if he actually succeeds?’

As far as they knew, entering the Secret Realm this early was asking for trouble.

But then again, as far as they knew, no one had ever been able to enter the Secret Realm this early in the first place.

So...

It was impossible not to be nervous.

——

「Red Water Peak.」

Inside the winery.

"That’s all the information I have," Zhuo Bufan said, looking at Zhuo Qingcheng. "He said that Zhuo Ling is a good person."

Zhuo Qingcheng glanced at Zhuo Ling, surprised. "What did you do?"

"I challenged him," Zhuo Ling said with a sigh. "I lost. His Spirit Sword broke, so I gave him one of my spares as compensation. That’s all."

Zhuo Qingcheng reflected on this. ’And that makes her a good person?’

’Still, it’s a good thing.’

’At least they didn’t part on bad terms.’

After a moment of silence, she looked at Zhuo Bufan and asked, "He’s participating in the Promotion Secret Realm?"

"Yes. He signed up without the slightest hesitation," Zhuo Bufan said.

"His power integration isn’t complete yet," Zhuo Ling said.

Zhuo Qingcheng’s gaze remained on Zhuo Bufan. "Since his power integration isn’t complete, do you think he can succeed?"

"He can," Zhuo Bufan said with conviction.

"That’s just blind faith," Zhuo Ling said. "From every angle, there’s no way he’ll obtain the Third Skill."

Zhuo Bufan looked at Zhuo Ling. "Zhuo Ling, before you met him, did you think you would lose?"

Zhuo Ling was taken aback for a moment, then fell silent.

Zhuo Qingcheng didn’t press the matter, simply saying, "Prepare a congratulatory gift. We’ll send it over when he achieves Core Formation."

The Shopkeeper asked curiously, "We’re not sending it now?"

"There’s no need," Zhuo Qingcheng said, shaking her head. "He no longer requires anyone’s help. Bufan’s friendship with him is genuine; there’s no need to turn it into a transaction.

"It will be enough to send it after he succeeds."

————

Jiang Man didn’t care what other people thought.

As an Unparalleled Celestial Pride, it was impossible for him to go unnoticed.

He was destined to attract countless gazes.

All he needed to do was ignore them and continue to grow stronger.

He wouldn’t change a thing because of how others saw him.

Nor would their opinions make him passive or fearful.

He agreed with those who admired him.

As for those who slandered him, it was merely because they were short-sighted, not yet illuminated by his radiance.

After returning, Jiang Man began to relentlessly temper his Cultivation and work on his power integration.

With the Hundred Refinement Stone and his ceaseless efforts, his progress was visible to the naked eye.

After five days, he was nearly ten percent complete.

After ten days, he was close to twenty percent.

Theoretically, he had enough time.

One day, however, a ball of light appeared on the Old Yellow Ox’s body.

Jiang Man knew it was a message from Meng Qiewei.

Old Huang didn’t even raise his head, continuing to munch on grass.

He seemed completely unconcerned by the light on his body.

"Old Huang, my wife sent a message," Jiang Man said, looking at the Old Yellow Ox.

"I know," the Old Yellow Ox answered nonchalantly.

"Then why didn’t you tell me?"

"You saw it, didn’t you?"

"What if I hadn’t seen it? Wouldn’t you have to suffer the backlash of her power?"

"I wouldn’t die. Can’t say the same for you, though."

Jiang Man shook his head slightly. "Old Huang, you really are getting old. You’re becoming more and more enlightened."

He then reached out and took the ball of light.

Instantly, a radiance enveloped him.

In that moment, he exclaimed, "It can do this?"

The Old Yellow Ox glanced at the astonished Jiang Man. "What did your wife say?"

"She asked when I’m going to achieve Core Formation and said that the stronger I am, the less she’ll be bullied," Jiang Man replied casually.

The Old Yellow Ox looked at Jiang Man. "That’s what you were shouting about?"

"Of course not," Jiang Man answered.

"Then what were you shouting about?" the Old Yellow Ox asked.

The ball of light hadn’t vanished; it was still in Jiang Man’s hand.

He gently activated the ball of light.

An image appeared, showing a woman sitting under a tree.

He hadn’t expected Meng Qiewei to be able to send a moving image of herself.

The corners of her lips were turned up slightly in a gentle smile.

’What normal person could withstand an Attack like that?’

Then, Jiang Man told the Old Yellow Ox about it.

"Old Huang, do you think it’s possible she’s truly been won over by my peerless talent?" Jiang Man asked.

The Old Yellow Ox said calmly, "I don’t know if she’s been won over, but you’re about to be."

Jiang Man sighed. "It’s all because we went through the wedding ceremony. Why else would I be overthinking this? The point is, we already have this connection.

"Old Huang, this is all your fault."

The Old Yellow Ox shot Jiang Man a look. "You’re the one who brought her back."

"You were the one who told me to go," Jiang Man said.

"You’re the one who carried her back and performed the wedding ceremony," the Old Yellow Ox said.

"I was a fool back then," Jiang Man said.

"Then you stopped being a fool, and your wife was gone," the Old Yellow Ox said nonchalantly, munching on grass.

Jiang Man changed the subject. "Let’s talk about how to speed up my power integration."

Even though he felt he had enough time, he still needed to be better prepared.

To prevent any surprises.

So the Old Yellow Ox created a custom Cultivation plan for Jiang Man.

It involved tempering himself with the Nascent Condensation Skill, Body Refining Skill, and Visualization Skill, having them enhance one another.

His Physical Body and Spirit would have to endure immense pain.

But it would allow for a much better power integration.

Without the slightest fear, Jiang Man began his Cultivation.

After five days, he didn’t feel much. After ten, he felt like his entire Spirit was about to crack.

After fifteen days, it felt like his Physical Body was about to shatter.

But none of that could stop him from continuing his Cultivation.

’Without a persistent heart, how could one be called a Celestial Pride?’

’Fear pain?’

’That would be the same as abandoning the path to power.’

’The road to success is never a smooth one.’

On the seventeenth day.

In other words, the twenty-seventh day since he began his tempering.

Jiang Man stopped his Cultivation.

He felt as if his Physical Body was about to shatter and his Spirit was on the verge of withering away.

But the moment he stopped, the power within his Physical Body began to surge.

His Spirit and power integrated, resonating with his Physical Body.

His Foundation Establishment Body had reached its absolute peak.

Fatigue and pain were rapidly fading away.

His combat strength was about to take a massive leap.

’I’m stronger than I expected. Even without the aid of more Secret Skills, I’ll be able to sweep through the entire Foundation Establishment realm.’

Jiang Man turned to the Old Yellow Ox with a grin. "Old Huang, I’m now invincible in the Outer Sect. Were you ever this impressive in your youth?"

The Old Yellow Ox kept its head down, munching on grass without the slightest response.

Jiang Man thought Old Huang was getting more and more gluttonous.

But he was in no hurry. Instead, he took the time to properly experience the changes in his Physical Body.

He wanted to understand the limits of his Foundation Establishment Body.

Under these conditions, he could definitely attempt to advance.

He would be able to enter the Secret Realm the day after tomorrow.

However, Ji Hao sought him out today.

When he arrived, sunlight seemed to pour down on him. His slender frame and handsome face all seemed to radiate a brilliant light.

A single glance was enough for anyone to know that this was a favored child of heaven.

Yet, even though his divine aura was restrained, it was impossible to look away.

Jiang Man watched him, a little perplexed.

’He’s not here to test me again, is he?’

’That would be a huge pain.’

"You’re participating in the Promotion Secret Realm the day after tomorrow?" Ji Hao asked, drawing closer.

Jiang Man nodded. "I am."

"I’m the one who provided this Secret Realm," Ji Hao said with a faint smile. "The Secret Realm is divided into three parts: the City of Mist, the Heart of the Ocean, and the Peak of the Mountains.

"The Peak of the Mountains is the most suitable for you. The City of Mist is the most likely to drag you into an abyss.

"By the same token, the City of Mist is also the place that can best showcase your Talent and brilliance."

"Can I comprehend the strongest skill in the City of Mist?" Jiang Man asked.

"You can do it in any of them," Ji Hao replied.

Jiang Man thought for a moment. "Which place does Mr. Ji wish for me to go?"

"Are you confident?" Ji Hao asked.

"I am," Jiang Man nodded honestly.

"Go to the City of Mist. If you lack confidence, go to the Peak of the Mountains." Ji Hao paused, then continued, "Within the City of Mist, there is a special fog.

"If you can just leave your mark there...

"Then I can arrange a match for you with a woman from the Direct Lineage.

"This time, you won’t have to marry into our family, nor will you have to change your surname.

"Your first child can take your surname. The second just needs to take the surname Ji."

————

「An archipelago at sea.」

Chen Shi sat on a boat, looking at the rotund man before him. "Jiang Man is about to enter the Promotion Secret Realm. He will definitely be pulled into the Immortal Spirit Dream Realm.

"I need to have a talk with him.

"I’ll need your help.

"He will face obstacles during his Core Formation.

"I intend to bring him under my control."

The rotund man looked at Chen Shi. "Everyone saw his message. No one thinks there’s anything wrong with him. How can you talk about winning him over?"

"That’s just a facade," Chen Shi said earnestly. "He’s not actually on the side of the Immortal Spirit. Just cooperate with me.

"Just tell yourselves that I’m helping him achieve a better Core Formation."