"By the way, my name is Hai Lian. I’m also a disciple of the Evergreen Sect."

Jiang Man looked at the two of them. "Jiang Man, from the Wuyun Sect."

"Fellow Daoist Jiang," Shangguan Lingyue asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "What’s the deal with this place? Why is there no mist?"

Jiang Man answered truthfully, "It’s an Array. You two can go out and set one up yourselves to create a safe place like this."

The two of them were slightly surprised.

Then, they appeared to discuss something between themselves.

After a moment, Shangguan Lingyue looked at Jiang Man. "Fellow Daoist Jiang, this Array should be expandable. Expanding it might bring many benefits.

"So, could you let us join you?

"We’ll be responsible for finding materials, and you, Fellow Daoist, will be responsible for expanding the Array.

"If we find any opportunities later, how about we split them equally?"

’Not a chance,’ Jiang Man thought. ’You two are clearly stronger than me. You’ll just swoop in and take the prize at the end.’

But he nodded anyway. "Alright."

He agreed for a simple reason: he needed time to cultivate.

Given a little more time...

...it wouldn’t be certain who would be reaping the rewards.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist," Shangguan Lingyue said gratefully. "We’ll rest for a moment and then go out to look for materials. But, Fellow Daoist, do you happen to have a small, portable Array? Something that could disperse the mist and help us find things."

Hearing this, Jiang Man thought he had a point.

There were Arrays that could create a localized effect.

Like a ward that keeps off the rain.

And they didn’t require purchasing usage rights.

He then prepared two Array Stones for them.

Once Shangguan Lingyue and Hai Lian had the items, they stepped into the mist.

Sure enough, the mist dispersed wherever they walked.

It was like they were carrying a lantern.

Even Jiang Man found it magical to watch.

’This mist really is strange.’

After watching the two of them leave, Jiang Man went back to reading the remaining Array Pattern Books.

’Another ten days to go.’

’I wonder how long it will be until the opportunity appears.’

’I hope it takes a while.’

Meanwhile, the pair who had left were now walking through the mist. This time, they could see the forest, dilapidated houses, and even strange buildings.

They could collect all sorts of things.

"Arrays are incredibly useful here," Shangguan Lingyue couldn’t help but remark.

"They are," Hai Lian agreed, shaking her head. "But I never expected we’d run into that Jiang Man. He has some nerve, giving his real name like that. So many people are after him. He’s certainly confident. Does he think we wouldn’t recognize him just because we’re from the Evergreen Sect?"

Shangguan Lingyue gathered a few items imbued with Spiritual Qi. "It’s fine. He really does know how to set up Arrays, so just let him keep at it."

"He has no idea what this opportunity truly is."

When they first entered, they had stumbled upon a stone stele.

From it, they learned how to obtain the opportunity here.

They also learned the specific rules.

But they had been targeted by a bizarre Demon Beast, which was why they had fled into Jiang Man’s Array.

The guy’s Array was quite large, which suggested he had even more materials.

And so, they decided to use him.

When the time came, they could just make their move.

If he proved difficult, they could just lure his other enemies to him. Someone would be bound to take care of him.

"Will there really be no problem using him like this?" Hai Lian was somewhat concerned. "He advanced so quickly. If his Cultivation is just as fast at the Golden Core realm, I’m afraid it could be troublesome."

"There might be some issues, but once this is over, we’ll return to the Sect. We might never cross paths with him again in this lifetime," Shangguan Lingyue said.

Hearing that, Hai Lian nodded as well.

’In that case, there really isn’t a problem.’

’At worst, we can write him a letter of apology afterward and send some Spiritual Source as a token of our regret.’

’And the matter would be settled.’

————

「Wuyun Sect, Inner Sect.」

Meng Qiewei had taken a nap.

Her power clone needed plenty of rest, or it would easily become unstable.

Although she possessed Primordial Spirit Cultivation, she couldn’t use it freely. She also had to find ways to stabilize its corresponding power.

Being so far from her main body naturally caused some disturbances.

However, these were minor issues that a little rest could fix.

Qing Dai, on the other hand, had no such worries, as she wasn’t under any restrictions.

By now, the sky had grown bright.

Meng Qiewei prepared to take a trip to Cloud Mist Peak.

She wanted to go see it for herself.

But before she could leave, Ji Hao arrived.

He had just knocked when Meng Qiewei opened the door.

"Young Master Ji." Meng Qiewei gave a slight curtsy.

"There’s no need for that. I think highly of Jiang Man. If you really do marry him, the gap between our statuses won’t be so large in the future." Ji Hao glanced inside before asking, "Has Jiang Man entered the Immortal Mansion?"

"Yes," Meng Qiewei nodded.

Ji Hao hesitated for a moment. "Are you two making quick progress?"

Meng Qiewei shook her head. "He came here to study Arrays. And only to study.

"He hasn’t glanced my way once in over twenty days."

Ji Hao was a little surprised. ’He really is a bit too focused.’

’No wonder everyone says he doesn’t waste time.’

"It’s fine. This counts as progress, and you two have plenty of time," Ji Hao said comfortingly. "He’s only at the Golden Core realm and hasn’t officially entered the Inner Sect yet, so I can’t make any arrangements for him."

"Once he enters the Inner Sect, I’ll find a way to arrange for you two to be together.

"It will be better for cultivating your relationship.

"Additionally, I will have people look after your family line.

"I can’t make any arrangements within my clan for now, but if your family members aspire to join an Immortal Sect, I will help with recommendations."

A smile touched Meng Qiewei’s lips. "Thank you, Young Master Ji."

"No need. In fact, I should be thanking you. Without you, I’d have to deal with the people from my clan, which would be quite a hassle." Ji Hao fell silent for a moment. "I don’t know if your feelings are genuine, but the strength Jiang Man has displayed is far from simple.

"It’s hard to say how great his future achievements will be; after all, the path of Immortal Cultivation is fraught with difficulties.

"But no matter how hard it gets, he has the Immortal Sect as his safety net.

"A single Visualization Skill is enough to make him famous.

"So marrying him is by no means a loss for you."

He paused, then spoke again. "If you have greater ambitions, you should speak up soon.

"I can arrange for you to leave. There’s no point in forcing things, and you don’t need to sacrifice yourself for your family line."

Meng Qiewei shook her head. "You’re overthinking, Young Master Ji. There’s nothing of the sort."

"That’s good." Ji Hao nodded and promptly took his leave.

Meng Qiewei watched him leave, not paying it much mind.

"The new Celestial Pride said he was coming to find the Young Master-in-law, but we haven’t seen him make a single move." Qing Dai emerged from behind her. "I’m starting to suspect he’s just using the search for the Unparalleled Celestial Pride Fate Chart as an excuse to be here. But could it really be such a coincidence?

"The Young Master-in-law is actually here."

Meng Qiewei withdrew her gaze. "Whatever his purpose is, can you do anything about it?"

"I can’t," Qing Dai shook her head.

A new Celestial Pride was called that for a reason: their Talent was astounding, and their Cultivation speed was incredibly fast.

How could anyone manage a person like that?

The more you tried to control them, the more rebellious they’d become.

Once their Cultivation surpassed your own, you’d be the one getting berated by them.

"But the new Celestial Pride is walking the path of the Immortal Sect. He’s most likely here on a secret mission. Could that Special Inspector be the new Celestial Pride?" Qing Dai speculated.

Meng Qiewei said nothing more and started walking outside.

"Miss, are you going to the Young Master-in-law’s place?" Qing Dai asked.

Meng Qiewei nodded. "Yes. I’m going alone."

Qing Dai was confused.

But she didn’t ask any more questions.

’Maybe she wants to take a good look around the Young Master-in-law’s residence.’

’My presence would stop the Miss from showing her true feelings.’

Meng Qiewei departed, treading through the air at a leisurely pace.

But she soon arrived at Cloud Mist Peak.

She had already found out where Jiang Man lived.

「Meanwhile.」

In the courtyard of Jiang Man’s residence, the Old Yellow Ox was eating grass.

It wasn’t worried about Jiang Man.

He was an Unparalleled Celestial Pride, naturally proud, with boundless good fortune.

He wouldn’t get into trouble that easily.

Besides, it had left many imperceptible safeguards on Jiang Man.

Even if they were discovered, they wouldn’t be recognized as the methods of an Evil God.

So, even though he hadn’t returned for a month, it wasn’t concerned.

But today, as it was eating grass, it suddenly felt a chill in the air.

The surrounding space was also blanketed in a biting killing intent.

Sensing this, the Old Yellow Ox paid it no mind and continued to eat its grass.

It seemed these things were trivial to it.

A short while later, the slow sound of footsteps echoed, each one feeling like a step upon the Old Yellow Ox’s heart.

Only then did it stop eating and lift its head, looking toward the courtyard entrance.

The surrounding air had grown icy, as if it might transform into countless sharp blades to strike it down at any moment.

The footsteps were slow and clear.

Drawing closer and closer.

Soon, a graceful figure appeared at the courtyard gate.

She stood tall and elegant, dignified and noble.

As if she had descended to the mortal world from the highest heavens.

A deadly chill radiated from her cold eyes.

The Old Yellow Ox squinted, watching her without a trace of fear.

’She’s slower than I thought she’d be.’