The End of the Immortal Path

Chapter 266 - 174: Stepping into the Golden Core Realm

’But this would disperse this inexplicable phenomenon.’

Although she had never encountered such a phenomenon, it looked for all the world like it was caused by Jiang Man condensing his Golden Core.

"Has there ever been such a massive phenomenon for Core Formation before?" Yan Yiqiu asked, perplexed.

"Of course not. This is caused by the amplification of the Sect’s power," a sudden voice said.

Yan Yiqiu turned to see Ji Hao approaching, walking on air.

A book floated before him, and in his hand, he held an indescribable golden brush.

’That bearing...’

’How could he be just a Golden Core cultivator?’

"Mr. Ji, this is..." Yan Yiqiu began to ask.

"It’s of no concern. I’m merely making a wager. Failure will have no real consequences," Ji Hao said with a slight smile.

He stood in mid-air, gazing toward the Sixth Courtyard.

Ready to record something at a moment’s notice.

Yan Yiqiu was confused, but she didn’t dwell on it.

Instead, she kept her eyes fixed on the Sixth Courtyard.

Soon, she saw a figure being swept up within the tornado of dark clouds.

The figure’s eyes were closed as he practiced the Promotion Skill, one move after another.

With each movement, the tornado lifted him higher and higher into the sky.

This person was none other than Jiang Man.

As he practiced in a state of self-forgetfulness, he rose higher and higher, finally standing atop the tornado where it met the vortex of dark clouds.

But he was not yet conscious, instinctively performing the Cultivation Promotion Technique.

This astonishing scene was witnessed by many people.

Even Xiaopang and the others on Red Water Peak saw it.

The massive disturbance and the indistinct figure led them to make some guesses.

Meanwhile, those who had already been paying close attention were even more astounded.

Bai Fan sighed. "The times might truly be about to change."

Jiang Yingcai suddenly remarked, "Should I consider myself fortunate to have fought him before?"

"You were defeated in an instant. I’m the one who actually fought him," Bai Fan retorted.

At the same time, Fairy Huai Jing, who was still in her residence, suddenly heard someone calling for her.

The visitor was Xia Jin.

"What is it?" Fairy Huai Jing asked.

Xia Jin let out a breath. "Senior, Jiang Man is undergoing Core Formation!"

Hearing this, Fairy Huai Jing frowned. "Core Formation? Did someone inform you?"

Xia Jin quickly told her about the phenomenon in the Outer Sect.

Fairy Huai Jing was taken aback. A moment later, she arrived at Cloud Mist Peak.

She, too, was astonished to see the tornado connecting the earth and sky.

She quickly perceived the Sect’s assistance in the phenomenon.

But the Sect’s aid alone couldn’t possibly have caused such a massive stir.

For a moment, she felt a wave of emotion.

’No wonder my disciple was so certain.’

’This boy is truly extraordinary.’

「After the sun went down.」

More and more people in the Outer Sect spotted Jiang Man’s figure and gathered to get a closer look.

However, it was impossible for them to get any closer to the Sixth Courtyard.

When they saw the many people from the Sixth Courtyard cultivating within the tornado, they were shocked.

’You can leech off this, too?’

Atop the tornado, Jiang Man remained completely unaffected by his surroundings.

His movements were fluid and graceful, and a resonant hum echoed around him.

It harmonized with the dark clouds.

Then, a light began to emanate from his body, illuminating the dark clouds from within.

It was as if a brilliant light was setting the clouds ablaze.

The entire mass of clouds began to rotate in time with his movements.

Every breath and every motion seemed like a natural extension of his body.

Then, the energy began to compress and condense.

Finally, as Jiang Man concluded the technique, the vast, swirling Spiritual Qi began to converge and pour into his body.

In that instant, the vast expanse of dark clouds seemed to freeze in place.

Immediately after, light began to surge within Jiang Man’s body.

It seemed unable to find a place to rest.

His body teetered on the verge of erupting.

Finally, the light crashed into his Dantian.

In an instant, the light let out a deafening ROAR.

It burst forth.

The light pierced through Jiang Man’s body, soaring to the heavens and tearing through the dark clouds.

It obliterated everything obscuring the starry sky.

Like a rising sun, it banished all darkness.

The light was so blinding no one could open their eyes.

When the light faded, the starry sky, once hidden by dark clouds, was revealed in its entirety.

A brilliant river of stars filled everyone’s vision.

And there stood Jiang Man, silhouetted against the river of stars.

He looked like a legend descending from the nine heavens into the mortal realm.

Everyone watched in awe.

They had never felt anything like it.

But they all understood. Jiang Man...

...had successfully achieved Core Formation.

As for the man himself, he felt his body falling and began to panic.

’I’m not going to fall to my death, am I?’

He tried to activate his Sword Control Technique, only to realize he didn’t have his sword.

Looking down at the Sixth Courtyard, Jiang Man felt he was about to cause some serious trouble for Zhuo Bufan and the others.

’My impact is definitely going to shatter the ground in the Sixth Courtyard.’

’They’re not going to like this.’

’No one told me Core Formation sends you into the sky!’

’I wasn’t prepared at all.’

He started plummeting the moment he came to. If he weren’t an Unparalleled Celestial Pride, he would have fallen to his death.

Just as he was about to hit the ground, Ji Hao appeared at his side, and then both figures vanished in a flash.

When Yan Yiqiu rushed over, she saw nothing.

"Just what is Mr. Ji’s cultivation?" she wondered in shock.

’He’s no ordinary prodigy.’

’And I just saw him recording Jiang Man’s breakthrough.’

’What about it was worth recording?’

But she didn’t have time to dwell on it.

Because of Jiang Man’s breakthrough, the people of the Sixth Courtyard had, by a strange twist of fate, received a great boon.

Vast amounts of Spiritual Qi were converging on them, and the burst of light had left a distinct mark upon their bodies.

It was more than enough to wash away the fatigue from their all-nighter.

"To walk alongside a prodigy is to become extraordinary oneself," Yan Yiqiu remarked with deep feeling.

Many of these disciples would never have reached their current level of achievement on their own.

But because they shared a courtyard with Jiang Man...

...everything had become possible.

The light of a prodigy was simply too brilliant.

The light had dispersed everything, and though it too faded into the night sky...

...it would never fade from the minds of the onlookers.

Xiang Liang and Qiao Yu, prodigies in their own right, exchanged bitter glances.

Why the bitterness?

Because they had both considered targeting Jiang Man. If he were to report them, they would surely suffer for it.

So...

"Let’s go together. That way, neither of us has to worry," Xiang Liang said.

"Alright," Qiao Yun nodded. "How much Spiritual Source do you think we should bring?"

"I hear there’s someone in the Seventh Courtyard who often sells information on Jiang Man. Perhaps we can ask him," Xiang Liang said.

Meanwhile, Sun Yuan, who had previously mocked Gao Rong, broke out in a cold sweat. ’Am I on his blacklist? I only badmouthed a disciple at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment. Is he really going to come after me for that?’

Finally, he let out a heavy sigh.

Before, he wouldn’t have cared much.

But things were different now.

Jiang Man had succeeded in his Core Formation.

Now, he was...

...the true and undisputed...

...Number One of the Outer Sect.

——

"You lost," Gu Yuexi said to the person beside her.

Shangguan Liuyun gazed calmly at the night sky before turning his head. "Yes. I did say I might get to witness his magnificence. And now I have."

"You’ll never catch up to him in this life."

"You should have fought him earlier. You actually had a chance of winning then."

"That was the closest you’ll ever get to victory."

Gu Yuexi looked at Shangguan Liuyun. "Wasn’t that your best chance to defeat him?"

Shangguan Liuyun shook his head. "It was unnecessary for me. I may have lost to him, but I am still a prodigy beyond the reach of others."

"I don’t need a single victory to prove myself."

"What I need is to press forward without end."

Watching him leave, Gu Yuexi looked disgusted. ’He’s still putting on such an arrogant act, even after losing.’

——

「The Alchemy Courtyard.」

He Huai’an slowly withdrew his gaze and looked calmly ahead.

The Pill Child at his side whispered, "Pill Master?"

He Huai’an sighed softly. "Bring me a jug of wine."

The Pill Child didn’t dare hesitate and immediately fetched the wine.

He Huai’an took it, uncorked it, and took a deep swig.

Then, he casually tossed the wine jug behind him.

He burst out laughing. "The heavens have blessed me, He Huai’an!"

Then, he strode out the door.

The Pill Child, having caught the jug, quickly asked, "Pill Master, where are you going?"

"To visit the other Pill Masters," He Huai’an announced.

"But it’s nighttime. They might not be available."

"No. Before, they weren’t available. Now, they are."

’My disciple is Number One in the Outer Sect. Not as the number one Foundation Establishment disciple, but as the number one Golden Core disciple.’

’Who would dare say they’re not available?’

「Meanwhile.」

Mo Zainian closed the door.

"Pill Master?" the Pill Child inquired.

"It’s nothing. This is not a major event, and it changes nothing," Mo Zainian said calmly. "My heart is entirely focused on Alchemy. I pay no mind to such matters."

"Therefore, there’s nothing to be concerned about."

"If I had to choose again, I still wouldn’t take him as my disciple."

"He has no Talent for Alchemy."

Afterward, Mo Zainian dismissed the Pill Child to attend to his duties.

He planned to rest for a while and get back to his Alchemy tomorrow.

Once he was alone...

Mo Zainian sank into his chair.

Then, with a sharp SLAP, he slapped himself across the face.

’I must have been possessed! To think I refused him over a little bit of Spiritual Source.’

’Why didn’t I just take him in back then?’

’Otherwise, would it be He Huai’an’s turn to be so damn smug?’

————

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