While Zhao Leming was still lost in thought.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

It was Jiang Man.

Zhao Leming was a little surprised. ’Why is he here?’

Soon, Jiang Man came in and stated his purpose.

"Oh?" Zhao Leming took the book and began to read it. "I know this, but not as well as Mr. Fu. I’ll have her teach you.

"She was originally going to guide you in the Magic Skill you obtained after the April break ends anyway.

"It’s no trouble to have her come over now.

"She should be free."

After Zhao Leming sent someone to find Mr. Fu, he turned his attention to Jiang Man. "You achieved a high rank this time. Because it was the second competition, many people are paying close attention.

"Your humble origins make you a particular point of focus for them.

"These are the new contract offers they’ve sent over.

"You can take a look.

"The Fang Family, Li Family, Cheng Family, Yang Family, Luo Family, and Gao Family have all sent new contracts.

"The terms should be better than last time.

"Let me know what you think."

Looking at the six envelopes, Jiang Man wasn’t surprised.

’Cyan Cloud First, and second among the Six Pavilions.’

’Especially in the crucial month of March.’

’It’s only natural that people would want to recruit me.’

By June, it would be nearly time for the final Sect assessment.

Everything would be more or less set in stone by then.

Jiang Man wasn’t in a hurry to look at the envelopes. He simply asked Zhao Leming curiously, "Mr. Zhao, if I’m not satisfied with any of these and reject them all, will my future Cultivation go smoothly?"

Zhao Leming sighed internally. ’Here it comes.’

’Stuck in the middle, I have to pick a side.’

However, he wasn’t in a hurry to show his hand. "Take a look at the offers first," he said. "You might find one that suits you."

Jiang Man began to look through them in order.

First was the Fang Family.

The Fang Family was willing to provide ten thousand Spiritual Source per month, plus ten of each common Elixir.

Interestingly, if he failed to enter the Sect, he would only need to return half of these resources. If he couldn’t afford to, he could serve as a Guest Minister at their estate for thirty years.

’Guest Minister...’

’That’s a massive step up from being a guard.’

If he succeeded, the Fang Family would still give him two thousand Spiritual Source per month and help him get established quickly. However, within five years, he would need to secure a Magic Skill access slot for the family.

If he failed to do so, he would have to work for the Fang Family for thirty years.

A Magic Skill access slot was for certain powerful Magic Skills that the Fang Family was not qualified to purchase or learn. With a slot, members of the Fang Family could learn them simply by paying the required Spiritual Source.

It didn’t sound difficult, but accomplishing it within five years was likely no simple feat.

’It’s probably a trap.’

’The real goal is to get me to work for the Fang Family for thirty years.’

All contracts were issued by the Immortal Sect and carried its official recognition.

’Breaking them wouldn’t be easy.’

After that, Jiang Man looked at the others.

He paid special attention to the one from the Li Family.

After all, someone from the Li Family had approached him before.

They had left a memorable impression.

The Li Family’s terms had indeed improved significantly compared to their last offer.

Ten thousand Spiritual Source a month.

But with three fewer months of support, it wasn’t much different from their previous offer of five thousand a month.

The penalty for failure was also less severe than before. This time, he wouldn’t have to return the tens of thousands of Spiritual Source, but he would have to serve as an instructor for the Li Family for thirty years.

It seemed generous, but in reality...

’What are the chances of someone ranked second in the Six Pavilions not entering the Sect?’

’They could have promised no penalty at all and it wouldn’t have cost them anything.’

’Of course, they’re probably worried about unexpected accidents. They wouldn’t give away benefits so easily.’

Upon entering the Sect, however, the requirements were different.

He would have to follow the Li Family’s arrangements.

The Li Family would support his growth with their top-tier training methods. If one day his power surged, they would naturally become friends and allies.

Reading the details, Jiang Man’s brow furrowed slightly.

These terms from the Li Family seemed great on the surface.

’Upon joining the Sect, I’d have to follow the Li Family’s arrangements.’

’That means they could send me wherever they please.’

’And as for their "top-tier training"... that sounds a lot like the earlier rumor about me becoming Luo Xuan’s personal guard.’

’As for my power surging and becoming their ally...’

’If my power really did surge, the Li Family wouldn’t be able to control me anyway. Once the contract term was up, I’d be free regardless.’

’Besides, if I’m already following their orders, a breakthrough like that would be difficult to achieve.’

’So, the Li Family’s contract is even worse than the Fang Family’s.’

The other offers were more or less the same.

The terms were slightly more lenient, but they all required him to work for them.

The only exception was the Luo Family.

The Luo Family had only one condition: marry into the family and prioritize the Luo Family’s interests above all else.

If he agreed, the Luo Family would support him with all their resources.

This applied both inside and outside the Sect.

Of course, this was all contingent on him successfully joining the Sect.

Jiang Man recalled what Fang Tianyi had said. Apparently, the Luo Family was facing a talent gap in the younger generation.

That’s why they needed to recruit a son-in-law.

’Still, the offer is pretty good.’

’It’s just...’

’This offer is practically telling me I’d have to change my surname to Luo.’

Jiang Man didn’t feel he was that desperate yet.

Besides, the Luo Family was a step too late.

He had already gotten married.

Then, Jiang Man put all six envelopes down.

"Well?" Zhao Leming asked.

Jiang Man shook his head. "I’ll refuse all of them."

"Not even the Luo Family’s?" Zhao Leming chuckled. "Compared to the others, their offer is the most sincere."

The Luo Family’s terms were excellent.

He could even choose a bride from their Direct Lineage.

He could have practically anyone he set his sights on.

And there were no other strings attached, only the requirement to prioritize the Luo Family’s interests.

It was tantamount to working for his own family.

Jiang Man shook his head.

’The Luo Family’s demand is the lowest, but also the highest.’

’With the other families, there’s a chance to get out. With the Luo Family, there’s basically none.’

’This would bind me for life.’

’It’s the one I can’t possibly accept.’

’My Talent is plain to see. The day will come when I can soar freely through the vast sky and leap through the boundless sea.’

’The Luo Family is too small to contain me.’

"I’ll reject them all for you, then." Zhao Leming didn’t press the issue.

Others might not know, but how could he not?

’Jiang Man has other backers.’

’The terms offered by these families are all too restrictive.’

’Every one of them is designed to tie him down.’

’That makes it impossible for him to accept.’

Jiang Man then asked curiously, "Mr. Zhao, now that I’ve rejected them, will they try to do something to me in secret?"

Zhao Leming glanced outside. "Mr. Fu is here. Let her teach you how to cultivate the Nine Clouds Dragon-Suppressing Seal first. Once you’ve learned it, we can talk about these matters."

’He needs time to think.’

’He can’t give me an answer right away.’

’Besides, he also wants to see what Mr. Fu’s attitude is.’

Hearing this, Jiang Man wasn’t worried.

He had dealt with Mr. Zhao before. If the man didn’t want to answer, he wouldn’t have postponed it like this.

’He must be considering something.’

’I also need to think carefully about what I can offer to convince him to protect me for a while.’

’I can’t just bluff Zhao Leming the way I did Chang Qiweng, can I?’

’These people value tangible benefits.’

’Empty promises won’t work.’

’An Unparalleled Celestial Pride who hasn’t yet risen is just an ordinary person.’

’I’ll focus on learning the Nine Clouds Dragon-Suppressing Seal for now. My ability to distinguish myself in the June competition will depend entirely on this Magic.’

「Luo Mansion.」

Luo Xuan returned from the Yunqian Bureau, still in a state of shock.

The Sixth Courtyard was considered one of the lowest-ranking in the Cyan Cloud Pavilion.

And the Cyan Cloud Pavilion itself was one of the lower-ranked of the Six Pavilions.

And yet, under these circumstances, someone from there had become Cyan Cloud First and ranked second among the Six Pavilions.

It was simply unbelievable.

As soon as she got back, she was summoned by her father.

’It’s probably about the recent rankings,’ she thought, ’and also about my choice.’