《Attacked by the Female Demon at the Beginning》 Chapter 1 - Waking Up to a Female Demon Chapter 1: Waking Up to a Female Demon Demon Sect, Tianyin Sect. Beneath the Duanqing Cliff. A river flows gently through the mountains and forests, its surface clear and calm, shimmering in the sunlight. Bang! A dull sound emanates from a small wooden cabin. The two-story cabin is surrounded by a fence. Various spiritual herbs grow within the fence, their faint medicinal fragrance wafting through the air. On the second floor. Jiang Hao is thrown to one side, crashing against the wall. A beautiful woman clad in thin gauze instantly appears beside him, her long sword pressed against his neck. The blade breaks the skin, and crimson blood slowly seeps out. At this moment, Jiang Hao feels that death is but a step away. It¡¯s an unwarranted disaster. Last night, after he finished pruning the spiritual herbs and was about to cultivate, a woman with a flushed face and chaotic vital energy suddenly fell from the sky. Her figure was graceful, her beauty unparalleled, but her consciousness seemed quite unclear. She must have been poisoned or suffered from cultivation deviation. He had no intention of helping, but her cultivation was unfathomably deep. She forcibly controlled him and brought him to the second floor, where she committed a violent act. It was his first experience of such a thing. The sensation wasn¡¯t bad, but it was a shame he was in a passive state. Her beauty was flawless, almost perfect. If only she hadn¡¯t woken up with murderous intent in her eyes, she would have been even more perfect. Early in the morning, as she regained her senses, she drew her sword against him. And so, the current situation unfolded. Now, Jiang Hao could see shame in her cold eyes, presumably recalling last night¡¯s events. She seemed to hesitate about whether to kill him. ¡°Senior, perhaps there¡¯s some misunderstanding between us,¡± Jiang Hao felt he had to say something, although he wasn¡¯t sure what the misunderstanding could be. ¡°Are you a disciple of the Tianyin Sect?¡± the woman asked coldly. With the sword at his throat, Jiang Hao could only respond hoarsely. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Swallow this.¡± The woman handed him a pill, her expression emotionless. ¡°What is this?¡± Jiang Hao asked instinctively. Bang! A long leg kicks into Jiang Hao¡¯s stomach, the pain causing his mouth to open wide, and the pill enters his mouth as a result. Seeing this, the woman picks up her fallen clothes, a pink mist envelops her body, and she disappears through the window. ¡°Sigh...¡± Once sure she had left, Jiang Hao let out a deep sigh of relief, touched his neck to see the wound had scabbed over, and then began to think. ¡°Her arrival must have been an accident, but the murderous intent was real. I almost used my only chance to escape death. That woman is terrifyingly strong.¡± He steps out onto the balcony, looking around with lingering fear. Although the woman was stunningly beautiful and they had shared an intimate moment, cooked rice doesn¡¯t always work in the world of cultivation. Especially not in the Demon Sect. A slight misstep could lead to a deadly encounter due to ignorance. ¡°The world in times of peace was somewhat better,¡± Jiang Hao shakes his head and sighs. He has been in this world for a total of nineteen years. From his birth to being thrown out of his home, then being secretly sold to the Demon Sect by his stepmother, his early years were full of hardships. If not for his physique suitable for cultivation and encountering a recruitment by the Demon Sect, he might have been sacrificed and become a lost soul. If he could choose, he would prefer to join a righteous sect. For instance, the Haotian Sect, known as the strongest immortal gate. Unfortunately, he did not have such luck and could only struggle to survive in the Demon Sect. Fortunately, after starting cultivation, some changes occurred in his body. He gained something extra. Jiang Hao concentrates and sees a panel that others cannot see. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 19¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Qi Refining Level Nine¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Technique: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (Unique), Daily Appraisal (Locked)¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 100/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 100/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 1/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ Seeing this, he breathes a sigh of relief. Vital energy, cultivation, and divine abilities are accumulated over time. Planting spiritual herbs, clearing out demonic beasts, and wandering around can all lead to finding bubbles that yield these resources. Not just vital energy and cultivation, but also some magical treasures and cultivation aids. However, it¡¯s not easy to accumulate vital energy and cultivation to one hundred. It took him years to save up to one hundred for the second time. The first time made his body tougher and his cultivation rose from Qi Refining Level Three to Qi Refining Level Eight. Fortunately, he could digest it bit by bit; otherwise, it would be too conspicuous. Because of this, he went from being an outer disciple to an inner disciple. At the Duanqing Cliff, he guards the Spiritual Medicine Garden. It¡¯s much more convenient to move around the sect here. In this place, it¡¯s better to increase your cultivation quickly rather than pretending to be average. In the Demon Sect, a slight carelessness could lead to being killed by fellow disciples for some trivial reason. Or even losing one¡¯s innocence. Last night was the most powerful proof of that. Divine abilities are different from vital energy and cultivation. Vital energy and cultivation can be cultivated once they reach ten, but divine abilities require three fragments to obtain one complete ability. So far, he has only obtained one divine ability, Daily Appraisal. Nine Revolutions Death Replacement is an innate divine ability. For a moment... He returned to his room and stared at the deep red stains on the bedsheet, sighing heavily before deciding to change the bedding. Perhaps his narrow escape had something to do with these bloodstains. ¡°I don¡¯t know who she is, I just hope she¡¯s not from the Tianyin Sect.¡± ¡°Otherwise, if she¡¯s too angry to let it go and decides to kill me, that would be bad.¡± Being toyed with and then killed, the one at a loss would ultimately be himself. He felt ashamed for not being able to protect himself. After tidying up the bedding, Jiang Hao left his residence to tend to the Duanqing Grass in the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Tonight, he would return to attempt the Foundation Establishment. His qi and blood cultivation had reached one hundred, which was not quite the same as the tenfold conversion rate. ¡°I also need to find time to visit the library and see what kind of medicine that woman fed me.¡± On the way, Jiang Hao pondered his next steps. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°The appearance of this woman is unusual. I need to be more vigilant for now.¡± The Tianyin Sect is a first-rate sect. The likelihood of it being taken down by a righteous sect is low, but one can never be too cautious. Chapter 2 - The Sect Leader of Tianyin Sect, Hong Yuye Chapter 2: The Sect Leader of Tianyin Sect, Hong Yuye Tianyin Sect. Baihua Lake. Located at the highest point of the Tianyin Sect, it is akin to a heavenly pool. The lakeside is teeming with flowers, the water clear and calm, occasionally disturbed by the emergence of spiritual beasts causing ripples. At the center stands an island, surrounded by blooming flowers, setting off the red flower pavilion. At this moment, beneath the pavilion, a woman in red with slightly furrowed brows and cold eyes lightly touches something in front of her, her eyes revealing a trace of disgust. Whoosh~ sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A gentle breeze blows through the flowers. A delicate and beautiful woman in white lands in front of the pavilion and says to the woman inside with a mix of surprise and respect. ¡°Sect Leader, you¡¯ve come out of seclusion?¡± The woman in red shifts her body to look behind her, her stunning face catching the eyes of the woman in white, but the coldness in her gaze makes her bow her head in fear. ¡°Bai Zhi, has the Tianyin Sect been forgotten by people in recent years?¡± Hong Yuye, the Sect Leader of the Demon Sect¡¯s Tianyin Sect. Before her ascension, the Tianyin Sect was merely a second-rate sect. It was only with her that the Tianyin Sect leaped to become a first-rate sect. On her first day as Sect Leader, she launched a great war, subduing all the surrounding scattered forces in one fell swoop. The war lasted thirty years, with rivers of blood. Over those thirty years, the Tianyin Sect grew stronger, its resources increasingly vast, and the name of the Tianyin Demon echoed far and wide. After the war, Hong Yuye began to manage the sect, and in just ten years, she allocated everything evenly, steering the sect onto the right path and allowing the Demon Sect to operate on its own. She then entered seclusion, which lasted sixty years. ¡°Please enlighten me, Sect Leader,¡± Bai Zhi says, kneeling on the ground in fear. Bai Zhi, one of the four Protector Elders of the Tianyin Sect, deeply trusted by the Tianyin Demon and acting as the head of the Tianyin Sect. If the sect¡¯s reputation has not been prominent in recent years, it would be her failure in managing the sect. How could she not be fearful? Hong Yuye stares at Bai Zhi expressionlessly. Aside from the sound of the wind, there is only Bai Zhi¡¯s unsteady breathing. After a while, Hong Yuye slowly withdraws her gaze. Sixty years of seclusion should have gone smoothly, but at a critical moment... she was attacked. The attacker was not from the Demon Sect. The cultivation technique used was the Sanqing Jue from Tianqing Mountain, and the methods were despicable. Especially the woman who had hidden other toxins in her body, which upon her death, would invade everything nearby, making them difficult to guard against. The toxins invaded, and combined with deviating from the path of cultivation, in the end, she went to the nearest Duanqing Cliff. That was the night before. It was a method she couldn¡¯t defend against, one that Tianqing Mountain shouldn¡¯t possess. ¡°Have there been any movements from those reputable sects lately?¡± Hong Yuye asks with elegance and authority. ¡°There haven¡¯t been.¡± Bai Zhi quickly shakes her head and continues, ¡°Tianqing Mountain is the righteous sect closest to us, but they¡¯ve been busy with the Dao Discussion Conference and don¡¯t have the capacity to do anything else. Not to mention, Sect Leader, you¡¯ve fought with them before, and with their strength, they wouldn¡¯t dare to act rashly.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Hong Yuye says with a meaningful smile. Seeing that Bai Zhi dares not speak, she continues, ¡°Keep the fact that I¡¯ve come out of seclusion a secret for now, and you continue to manage the Tianyin Sect. Then, investigate the disciples within the sect to see how many spies from other sects there are.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Bai Zhi quickly agrees, not daring to ask more. After another silence, Hong Yuye suddenly asks, ¡°Bai Zhi, you¡¯re not a spy sent by another sect, are you?¡± Thud! Bai Zhi¡¯s head hits the ground heavily. ¡°Sect Leader, how could I dare or be capable of that?¡± Seeing this, Hong Yuye nods imperceptibly and softly says, ¡°You may leave.¡± Bai Zhi rises tremblingly, and just as she turns her head, she hears the Sect Leader¡¯s voice again. ¡°Also, tidy up the sect¡¯s records and mark out the arrangements of recent years. I want to see what you¡¯ve been doing.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Bai Zhi leaves the island. After Bai Zhi¡¯s departure, Hong Yuye gently raises her hand to her lips and coughs twice. Sixty years ago, she trusted Bai Zhi, and sixty years later, she still trusts her, but... The location of her seclusion was known only to Bai Zhi, and her first thought after being attacked was that she had been betrayed by Bai Zhi. However, as of now, with her insight, she still deems Bai Zhi to be reliable. Afterward, Hong Yuye slowly closes her eyes, and the surroundings fall into a silent stillness. ...... Duanqing Cliff. Spiritual Medicine Garden. Jiang Hao made his way to the entrance of the Spiritual Medicine Garden, intending to collect some facial panel bubbles that could enhance his strength. The garden was quite a distance from where he lived, located at a central position. Duanqing Cliff was similar to a valley, with a stream flowing out from a corner, which is why Jiang Hao¡¯s residence was situated towards that corner. It was quiet and free. The Spiritual Medicine Garden was covered by an array, with two outer disciples guarding the entrance. They were both at the fifth level of Qi Refining, which was quite impressive. If one could reach the eighth level of Qi Refining before the age of twenty, they could enter the inner sect. That was the case for him. Only after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage could one secure their status as an inner disciple. If one couldn¡¯t achieve Foundation Establishment by the age of forty while still holding the title of inner disciple, it would be best to take on missions outside. Otherwise, they would be scorned by their peers and rejected by the sect. Their cultivation resources would be seized, and they would never have a chance to rise again. Jiang Hao had witnessed such a situation a few years ago. At that time, he had just entered the inner sect and, while collecting resources, saw a forty-year-old at the ninth level of Qi Refining being ridiculed and robbed of resources. Out of naive kindness, he secretly gave a pill to the person when no one was around, shocking the recipient into questioning their life. He never saw that person again. Rumor had it that they had taken on a mission outside and most likely died there. Chapter 3 - Is the Undercover Agent Targeting Me? Chapter 3: Is the Undercover Agent Targeting Me? ¡°Senior Brother Jiang.¡± The two disciples guarding the entrance greeted him with a bow. Jiang Hao nodded and stepped into the garden. The Spiritual Medicine Garden¡¯s spiritual field was vast, surrounded by many spiritual medicines, with the most central area planted with bright red Nine-Leaf Flowers. This flower, known as the Duanqing Grass, normally had an unnoticeable fragrance. Only when its petals fell would the fragrance overflow, filled with spiritual energy that could trap a person in an illusion, ensnared by emotions. Extracted, it could be the main ingredient for three types of pills: the first was the Spirit Gathering Pill, which could quickly absorb surrounding spiritual energy to accelerate cultivation and was easy to form. The second was the Heart-Demon Suppressing Pill, which could suppress inner demons when smelled, and placing one during advancement could increase the success rate by twenty percent, though it was difficult to form. The third was the Blissful World Pill, which could pull a person into endless illusions; if one successfully emerged, their cultivation would greatly increase, but failure meant death and the end of their path, making it extremely difficult to form. After reviewing the effects of the Duanqing Grass, Jiang Hao looked towards the simple pavilion at the center, his intended destination. As a newly promoted inner disciple, it was naturally his duty to guard. Unlike the guards, his main job was to check if the spiritual medicines were normal. There was no need to stay here at night, as some senior brothers and senior sisters would occasionally come over to guard. Passing by the fields of spiritual medicine, Jiang Hao saw some small bubbles in his eyes. Most were white bubbles, with only one green bubble, floating above the spiritual medicines. These bubbles would automatically merge into Jiang Hao¡¯s body. At that moment, the panel would display prompts. ¡¾Strength +1¡¿ ¡¾Endurance +1¡¿ ¡¾Strength +1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit +1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit Gathering Pill +1¡¿ sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ... Jiang Hao¡¯s expression remained unchanged. He had experienced this countless times. This was why he was eager to become an inner disciple; the more places he could go, the more he could obtain bubbles. For instance, this Spiritual Medicine Garden, as long as he helped with the planting, he could continuously gain rewards. Strength and endurance were not shown on the panel. They could be absorbed automatically. Among his peers, his strength was far superior. Perhaps one day, a casual punch from him could shatter someone of the same level. ¡°I need a technique or divine ability to conceal my cultivation level.¡± Without the ability to hide his cultivation, he dared not advance too quickly, as it would be easy to attract unwanted attention. The bubbles varied in color, with different colors indicating the quality of the items. After summarizing, the colors were roughly white, green, blue, and purple. White was the most common, representing strength, endurance, and other attributes that could be directly absorbed. Green was for common pills and treasures. Vital Energy and cultivation level were in blue, and divine abilities were in purple. As for anything above that, he had not encountered it so far. Below the pavilion, a fairy-like woman was waiting. Seeing Jiang Hao approaching, she smiled, naturally charming. The Tianyin Sect had twelve main veins, and Duanqing Cliff was one of them, while the woman before him was an inner disciple of the Tianhuan Pavilion, Fairy Yun Ruo. Born with a seductive nature and enhanced by her cultivation technique, she always induced a special feeling in others. Unlike the righteous sects, people from the demonic path rarely concealed their allure. Every time Jiang Hao encountered someone from the Tianhuan Pavilion, he felt quite troubled. However, why didn¡¯t he feel any strange sensations today? Had his spirit become stronger? Jiang Hao was quite surprised internally, but he did not show it and instead respectfully said, ¡°I¡¯ve seen Senior Sister Yun Ruo.¡± Fairy Yun Ruo smiled and spoke softly, ¡°I heard that Junior Brother is close to achieving Foundation Establishment? Achieving Foundation Establishment at twenty is truly remarkable.¡± ¡°Just a stroke of luck,¡± Jiang Hao replied modestly. But seeing the beautiful and charming Senior Sister, he felt too calm inside, which made him feel uneasy again. Was it that the woman¡¯s charm was no longer effective, or was there something wrong with him? Fairy Yun Ruo chuckled and said softly, ¡°I¡¯ve heard that Junior Brother is upright. If you had joined another famous sect, you would surely be given key cultivation support.¡± She thinks I¡¯m a good person? Hearing this, Jiang Hao became alert, not understanding why the other party would say such a thing, and immediately responded, ¡°Senior Sister, did you also come for the spiritual medicine this time?¡± ¡°Indeed, but the main reason was to congratulate Junior Brother. I believe you¡¯ll be able to advance to Foundation Establishment within the next year or two,¡± Fairy Yun Ruo approached Jiang Hao with a cheerful smile. ¡°Senior Sister, you flatter me. I¡¯ll find someone to prepare the spiritual medicine right away.¡± After taking the list and confirming there were no issues, Jiang Hao turned and left. Just now, that senior sister exuded charm, and if it weren¡¯t for his current state of mind, it¡¯s uncertain whether he could have remained so clear-headed. A moment later, he handed the spiritual medicine to her. ¡°Thank you, Junior Brother. I won¡¯t disturb you any further today,¡± Fairy Yun Ruo said with a smile. ¡°You¡¯re too polite, Senior Sister.¡± Jiang Hao replied with a smile, though he thought to himself that it would be best if she didn¡¯t disturb him in the future. As Yun Ruo took her leave, she had only walked a few steps before turning back to Jiang Hao¡¯s side, her gentle voice whispering in his ear, ¡°Junior Brother, if you were given a chance to join a prestigious righteous sect, would you seize it?¡± Upon hearing this, Jiang Hao was shocked and looked at Yun Ruo in fear. Pfft~ Yun Ruo covered her mouth with a smile, and after a moment, she said softly, ¡°Look how scared Junior Brother is. This is just one of the tactics used by so-called disciples of the righteous sects. They often exploit us, disciples of the demonic path, like this. They never really give opportunities. Junior Brother, be careful not to be deceived and make sure you understand clearly.¡± After saying this, Yun Ruo floated away. ¡°What does she mean? Is it that I can join if I understand clearly? Or is she saying...¡± Suddenly, Jiang Hao felt that this senior sister was somewhat dangerous. Her words seemed like a joke, but they could also be a way of revealing the truth. ¡°If she really is a spy from another sect, have I been targeted? Does she want to recruit me to help?¡± ¡°No, it could also be that my own sect suspects me and is testing me.¡± ¡°If it¡¯s the former, with Yun Senior Sister¡¯s early Foundation Establishment cultivation, once she speaks up, I only have two choices: one, refuse, and she might silence me by killing.¡± ¡°Two, agree...¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that be throwing myself into fire and water?¡± ¡°Better to continue as a Demon Sect disciple.¡± ¡°No, I must reach Foundation Establishment first.¡± Chapter 4 - Acquiring Divine Abilities Chapter 4: Acquiring Divine Abilities In the evening. Jiang Hao¡¯s figure moved in and out of the Spiritual Medicine Garden, making sure everything was in order before leaving. Normally, he would be involved in processing the spiritual medicine; otherwise, there would be few bubbles to collect the next day. Before entering the Spiritual Medicine Garden, he would pick up bubbles by luck. It was for this reason that it took him years to accumulate a hundred points of vital energy and cultivation. Divine abilities were also something he occasionally came across after becoming an inner sect disciple. It seemed that the better the spiritual medicine he encountered, the easier it was to find good bubbles. Returning to his dwelling, Jiang Hao carefully checked to make sure no one else was around before entering the training room to cultivate. The appearance of Senior Sister Yun Ruo today gave him an inexplicable sense of crisis. It¡¯s always good to be cautious. Sitting cross-legged, Jiang Hao simultaneously opened his vital energy and cultivation. When he first started, he had tested his talent as above average, and with normal cultivation, he could hope to enter Foundation Establishment by his thirties or forties. Now at twenty years old, it¡¯s quite early; there should be some bottlenecks, but tackling both his vital energy and cultivation together should make it easier to break through. After a short while, Jiang Hao¡¯s eyes showed a pained expression as his blood churned and spiritual energy surged within his body. The Tianyin Hundred Revolutions was running wildly, absorbing both vital energy and spiritual energy. Crack! S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A transformative sound emanated from Jiang Hao¡¯s body, his flesh and bones undergoing a thousand refinements. If he could endure, he would successfully establish his foundation. Crack! The transformation lasted for a long time, and by morning, the sound had disappeared, the vital energy began to settle, and the spiritual energy flowed smoothly through his meridians, returning to normal. Everything fell into place. After another cycle, Jiang Hao opened his eyes, and at that moment, he could feel a new strength filling his body. Looking at his hands, he silently said to himself. ¡°I¡¯ve reached Foundation Establishment, everything went smoothly, and now I¡¯m much safer.¡± Taking a deep breath, he looked at the system panel, which had new changes after his Foundation Establishment. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 19¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Foundation Establishment early stage¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Technique: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (Unique), Daily Appraisal (Learnable)¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 36/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 41/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 1/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡°I can now learn Daily Appraisal, but there¡¯s no reward?¡± He originally thought that after reaching Foundation Establishment, he would be given a technique, considering he had a divine ability like Nine Revolutions Death Replacement from the start. Although the Tianyin Hundred Revolutions was powerful, it wouldn¡¯t take him far, and he needed a formidable technique. ¡°Never mind, I¡¯ll learn Daily Appraisal before going to the Spiritual Medicine Garden, and I¡¯ll find a way for the technique later.¡± It took him half an hour to master Daily Appraisal, and he wasn¡¯t clear on its specific use yet. Out of curiosity, he stepped out of his dwelling and appraised the wooden hut. He quickly received the results. ¡¾Jiang Hao¡¯s Wooden Hut: Built three years ago using Qinglin wood, sturdy and wear-resistant, personally constructed by Jiang Hao. It appears solid, but there are many hidden structural issues, and it could collapse at any time.¡¿ Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± So it¡¯s for appraising information. After roughly understanding its use, he headed towards the Spiritual Medicine Garden to pick up spirit bubbles, then helping with the chores. Find some time to study house building, and then remodel the wooden house. ...... Spiritual Medicine Garden. ¡¾Strength +1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit +1¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation +1¡¿ ¡¾Ordinary Spirit Sword +1¡¿ ... Jiang Hao made his way into the attic, absorbing the spirit bubbles around him, which was always the most pleasant part of his day. After resting for a while, he began to help with the chores. Most of the people taking care of the Spiritual Medicine Garden were ordinary folks. In the past, what they feared most was the inner disciple guarding the garden, as the slightest mistake could lead to fatal consequences. Ever since Jiang Hao took over, there was no longer such danger. It was for this reason that others started to see Jiang Hao as a more upright person. In the Demon Sect, this wasn¡¯t exactly a good reputation, but he wasn¡¯t one to kill ordinary people without reason. Fortunately, this did not bring about any worse impact to him. Jiang Hao did not share the news of his advancement to the Foundation Establishment stage with anyone. ...... Three days later. He once again encountered Senior Sister Yun Ruo, and only then did people learn that he had reached Foundation Establishment. Fortunately, it did not cause any commotion. In the days that followed, Senior Sister Yun Ruo often came to him just to chat about ordinary things. She occasionally mentioned that many in the demonic path are not in control of their own fate, and that she had wanted to be a good person since she was young. As her visits became more frequent, Jiang Hao¡¯s sense of crisis grew. During this period, he extracted and cultivated all his vital energy and cultivation, solidifying his cultivation base. ....... One month later. Jiang Hao stepped out of his residence to find a clear sky that, strangely, did not feel warm. ¡°These past few days, Senior Sister Yun Ruo hasn¡¯t looked for me. I wonder if it means there¡¯s no trouble, or if it¡¯s a prelude to something bad.¡± After pondering for a moment, he headed towards the library. This month, he had discovered something very serious. Senior Sister Yun Ruo belonged to the Tianhuan Pavilion, naturally charming and considered a treasure of the sect. However, no matter how close she got to him, he had no reaction in his lower body whatsoever. Not only that, but even when he tried to provoke a reaction, there was none. This was alarming to him. Although he was devoted to the Dao and did not want to be swayed by romantic feelings, it was not that he really didn¡¯t want to, but rather that he couldn¡¯t. This had started happening after meeting that extraordinary woman that night, and the only possibility was that there was something wrong with that pill he had consumed. After spending two days in the library, Jiang Hao still couldn¡¯t find an answer. However, he did unexpectedly come across a purple spirit bubble. ¡¾Divine Ability Fragment +1¡¿ An unexpected surprise. With one more divine ability fragment, he could obtain a brand new divine ability. ¡°Recently, it seems that they are tallying the disciples¡¯ names. Has something happened?¡± Leaving the library, Jiang Hao overheard some people talking. They said that the sect was suddenly tallying its disciples, as if looking for someone. ¡°A traitor?¡± The first thing that came to Jiang Hao¡¯s mind was Senior Sister Yun Ruo. After being humiliated by that peerless woman last time, he knew something was about to happen in the sect. But he hadn¡¯t expected that this event might involve him. ¡°Senior Sister Yun Ruo has been at the Foundation Establishment stage for many years. I don¡¯t stand a high chance against her.¡± Jiang Hao began to consider the worst-case scenario. He hoped he was just overthinking it. Chapter 5 - It Really Is a Traitor Chapter 5: It Really Is a Traitor The next day. Jiang Hao stuck to his usual routine, going to the Spiritual Medicine Garden and returning in the evening. Today, there were no gains. He hardly saw any basic spirit bubbles. No one came to him for spirit medicine either. Senior Sister Yun Ruo did not appear, but along the way, he heard some rumors. It was said that there was a traitor in the sect, and many had already been discovered. They were being dealt with. ¡°Fortunately, I don¡¯t have much here, otherwise, a desperate traitor might come looking.¡± Returning to his residence, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. He neither wanted to become a traitor nor did he want to capture one. It was best not to offend either side. The Tianyin Sect was part of the Demon Sect, and the Demon Sect was universally condemned in the cultivation world. One day, the Demon Sect might be destroyed. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He did not want to just happen to take action against a traitor, only for that traitor to be an important pawn of the righteous sects, leading to him being seen as an enemy. From then on, it would be difficult to clear his name and switch to the righteous path. Shaking his head, Jiang Hao tended to the spirit medicine in his yard. They were just ordinary healing spirit medicines, and adding some spiritual energy to the yard would be great if spirit bubbles appeared. Unfortunately, he couldn¡¯t apply for or afford better spirit medicine. ¡°I¡¯m still too weak in cultivation, but being too conspicuous can easily bring trouble.¡± ¡°It seems I need to find a way, maybe go out and claim I encountered a great opportunity, leading to a sudden increase in cultivation?¡± ¡°Or perhaps, never return after going out?¡± ¡°Neither is a good solution,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. Going out was dangerous in itself, and constantly claiming to have encountered opportunities was not a solution. As for betraying the sect, that was even more dangerous. The Tianyin Sect had no tolerance for traitors. He had only joined the Tianyin Sect not long ago and had heard of disciples being indoctrinated by the righteous sects. The Tianyin Sect did not take a stance or care at first, but ten years later, when that disciple was killed by the Tianyin Sect while outside, others realized that the Tianyin Sect had been biding its time for ten years just to purge the sect. A multitude of thoughts rushed in, leaving Jiang Hao feeling confused, and he ultimately decided to abandon all else and focus on taking care of the spiritual herbs. The most pressing matter was to continue to become stronger, to have more aces up his sleeve. He dared not increase his cultivation too quickly, but there was no problem with enhancing his vital energy and foundational strength, and he could also continue to acquire new divine abilities. After a short while. Having finished tending to the spiritual herbs, he planned to return to his room to cultivate. But just as he took a step, he heard someone calling him from behind. ¡°Junior Brother,¡± came a gentle female voice. He turned around and saw the somewhat pale face of Senior Sister Yun Ruo. Seeing her, Jiang Hao had a bad feeling. They usually met in the Spiritual Medicine Garden, but this time Senior Sister Yun Ruo had actually come to his residence. This did not bode well. ¡°Senior Sister Yun Ruo, are you here for some spiritual herbs?¡± Jiang Hao asked calmly. ¡°Can we talk inside?¡± Yun Ruo gave Jiang Hao a sweet smile. No, Jiang Hao thought to himself, refusing internally, but he dared not voice it out loud, not wanting to startle the snake. ¡°Please, Senior Sister,¡± he gestured for her to enter. At this moment, he was on guard, his intuition telling him that something was off with Senior Sister Yun Ruo, and any carelessness could lead to disaster. Inside the room, Senior Sister Yun Ruo¡¯s calm face became serious as she looked at Jiang Hao and said, ¡°Junior Brother, can I trust you?¡± After saying this, she immediately shook her head, contradicting herself, ¡°No, that¡¯s not right. I should say that you are the only one I can trust now.¡± ¡°I have observed Junior Brother for many years and can confirm that you are not from the Demon Sect.¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao was shocked. Was she suspecting him of being an undercover agent, or was she trying to trap him with her words? He pretended to be flustered and lowered his head to explain, ¡°Senior Sister, I grew up in the Tianyin Sect, I have no other identity.¡± ¡°I know, I just feel that Junior Brother shouldn¡¯t stay in the Demon Sect, your temperament is not suited for this place, you should go to a Immortal Sect.¡± ¡°For example, the Luoxia Immortal Sect, which has a ten-thousand-year legacy and is revered by the world.¡± Senior Sister Yun Ruo said earnestly as she looked at Jiang Hao. ¡°I know Junior Brother is kind-hearted and wants to leave the Demon Sect to join a Immortal Sect. This is the best opportunity I have found for you, to move from darkness to light, this is your chance.¡± ¡°S-Senior Sister, are you...¡± Jiang Hao started, somewhat shocked. He was indeed surprised; Senior Sister Yun Ruo was actually a traitor. And she wanted to drag him down with her. ¡°Yes, I am a true disciple of the Luoxia Immortal Sect, and I came here on a mission.¡± ¡°Now my mission is complete, but I¡¯ve been discovered at a critical moment, I have no choice but to ask for Junior Brother¡¯s help. Help me secure the item I¡¯ve obtained and then deliver it to my sect.¡± ¡°You will also have a chance to join the Luoxia Sect.¡± ¡°The rewards that belong to me will also fall upon you, as I know I am doomed,¡± Senior Sister Yun Ruo expressed her determination to face death. At this moment, she seemed ready to sacrifice herself, only asking Jiang Hao to take the item away. Her gaze moved Jiang Hao, and it seemed she was not lying, but he still did not want to get involved. What if it was a trap? ¡°I know Junior Brother has concerns, so let¡¯s do this: I¡¯ll leave the item with you.¡± ¡°If I die, you can choose whether to report me or not. I¡¯ve already been discovered, so it won¡¯t implicate you in death.¡± ¡°After all, there¡¯s no benefit for me in that,¡± said Senior Sister Yun Ruo as she took out a jade pendant with mysterious symbols engraved on it. It was clearly not an ordinary item. Seeing this, Jiang Hao¡¯s brow furrowed. Accepting it would put him in trouble, but if he didn¡¯t, would this Senior Sister silence him? Would a disciple of the righteous sect be as ruthless as those from the Demon Sect? This uncertainty troubled Jiang Hao, but Yun Ruo Senior Sister¡¯s offer was indeed alluring. ¡°Junior Brother?¡± Senior Sister Yun Ruo bit her lip, looking at Jiang Hao with a pitiable expression. For a moment, Jiang Hao felt she was trustworthy. Just as he reached out to take the jade pendant, his rationality told him there was definitely a problem. Suddenly, he had an idea and activated his divine ability, Daily Appraisal. ¡°Appraise Senior Sister Yun Ruo.¡± Chapter 6 - Appraisal Results Chapter 6: Appraisal Results With the divine ability Daily Appraisal, Jiang Hao had appraised many things. From large houses and mountains to small flowers and trees, he had tried it all. The only thing he had not appraised was a person. In his subjective consciousness, people could not be appraised. But now, the situation in front of him was confusing, so an appraisal wouldn¡¯t be a bad thing. As the divine ability activated, invisible symbols flashed across his eyes, and soon after, the symbols reflected the image of Senior Sister in front of him. In just an instant, a stream of information fed back from the divine ability, projecting into his mind. ¡®Effective.¡¯ Jiang Hao was delighted inside and immediately checked the message from the divine ability. But as soon as he saw it, his heart tightened, sensing great danger. ¡¾Yun Ruo: Early Foundation Establishment, inner disciple of the Luoxia Sect, undercover in the Tianyin Sect, tasked with finding the whereabouts of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. Her identity is about to be exposed, and she urgently needs a scapegoat. Seeing that you do not act like a Demon Sect disciple, she has set her sights on you as a suitable candidate. She is currently using charm techniques on you, attempting to influence your mind so that you willingly become a scapegoat. If she fails, she will kill you to silence you.¡¿ How malicious, it was said he didn¡¯t resemble a Demon Sect disciple, yet he was still being targeted for death. Jiang Hao thought to himself without showing any reaction. The jade pendant was right in front of him, to take it would mean death on her behalf, not to take it would mean facing her poisonous hands. The former was certain death, the latter, with her years of Foundation Establishment, surely had many methods, and a direct confrontation would be hard to win. ¡°Then...¡± Jiang Hao¡¯s thoughts raced as he pretended to reach for the jade pendant. Just as he was about to touch it, he suddenly looked past Senior Sister Yun Ruo and exclaimed in shock. ¡°M-Master?¡± Hearing this, Senior Sister Yun Ruo was greatly startled and immediately turned to look behind her, with a spiritual sword appearing in her hand. Not only that, but a breath of energy also locked onto Jiang Hao, intending to use him as a shield to escape a calamity. The jade pendant was already out, and now whoever died first, the pendant would belong to them. ¡°Master, Jiang Hao is the traitor, he...¡± Just as Senior Sister Yun Ruo was about to accuse him first and then strike to kill, she suddenly froze. Because there was no one behind her. Oh no... By the time she realized it, it was already too late. At that moment, dagger from her right side strikes towards her with lightning speed. Pfft! In an instant, Jiang Hao¡¯s hand, holding the dagger, pierced into Fairy Yun Ruo¡¯s neck. He aimed to kill her on the spot. If he couldn¡¯t win head-on, he¡¯d compensate with a surprise attack. He had no intention of harming others, nor did he target anyone deliberately. He just wanted to survive. Since she wanted to kill him, he would show no mercy. Bang! The moment the dagger pierced her, Fairy Yun Ruo cast a spell and sent Jiang Hao flying back. ¡°You...¡± Jiang Hao¡¯s decisiveness shocked her. During the days they spent together, she could see Jiang Hao¡¯s kind nature and thought he was a naive newcomer who would sooner or later die in the Tianyin Sect. She didn¡¯t expect that beneath his gentle appearance, he could be so ruthless. Facing Senior Sister Yun Ruo¡¯s astonishment, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t speak but drew his spirit sword to finish her off. She was hit in a vital spot and her strength was greatly reduced, but she was still far from death. For a moment, swords clashed and sparks flew. Bang! Due to her severe injuries, Yun Ruo was defeated and sent flying into the courtyard. She fell to the ground, clutching her neck in terror as she watched Jiang Hao approach, and said in a panic, ¡°Junior Brother, you can¡¯t kill me. The Pavilion Master of Tianhuan Pavilion values me highly and has been coveting my body. He hasn¡¯t had me yet; if you kill me, he will certainly hold a grudge.¡± Jiang Hao ignored her words and struck down with his sword beside Senior Sister Yun Ruo. ¡°I am still a disciple of the Luoxia Sect. If I die at your hands, the Senior Brothers who are infatuated with me won¡¯t let you go. You will be skinned and deboned...¡± Whoosh! Down came the sword. All was quiet. Just in case, he stabbed a few more times. Looking at the Senior Sister who was now dead, Jiang Hao felt uncomfortable. He wasn¡¯t used to this kind of thing. But in the Demon Sect, even if it¡¯s uncomfortable, one must adapt. The cultivation world won¡¯t give you time to adapt just because you¡¯re uncomfortable. After standing still for a long time, making sure she wouldn¡¯t play dead or have any tricks up her sleeve, he finally stepped out. ....... He went to find the master of Duanqing Cliff. That is, the master he had paid respects to when he entered the sect. Since he was not a true disciple, he could only listen to his master¡¯s teachings at set times along with other disciples. Much of the cultivation still depended on himself. At first, he didn¡¯t want to report the incident, but the more he hid it, the more it indicated he had a problem. Especially since the other party had already been targeted, if he was determined to be an accomplice, the consequences would be unimaginable. After a while, Jiang Hao brought the body to the courtyard. ¡°Did you kill her?¡± A middle-aged man looked down at Fairy Yun Ruo, who lay motionless on the ground, and asked softly. This man had a gloomy face and cold eyes, showing signs of a hard life. He was the master of Duanqing Cliff, Ku Wuchang. ¡°It was me,¡± Jiang Hao said with his head lowered. ¡°Tell me the process,¡± Ku Wuchang said with a stern voice. ¡°It went like this...¡± Jiang Hao recounted the general process, then continued, ¡°I originally tried to control Senior Sister, but she fought back desperately, so I had to fight back desperately, and then...¡± Ku Wuchang, as gloomy as ever, said, ¡°When did you reach the Foundation Establishment stage?¡± ¡°Last month,¡± Jiang Hao replied nervously. ¡°So you chose to ambush?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about this matter anymore. If there are any other issues, the people from the Hall of Enforcement will probably look for you. Remember to cooperate with them.¡± After speaking, Ku Wuchang took Senior Sister Yun Ruo away. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Watching them leave, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°I don¡¯t know how Tianhuan Pavilion will react, and as for the Luoxia Sect, it¡¯s fine as long as I don¡¯t go out.¡± ¡°In ten or a hundred years, they should forget about Senior Sister Yun Ruo.¡± ¡°Even if they don¡¯t forget, I will have become stronger.¡± Chapter 7 - Hong Yuye Sees Jiang Hao’s Name Chapter 7: Hong Yuye Sees Jiang Hao¡¯s Name Seven days had passed since the killing of Senior Sister Yun Ruo. During these seven days, no one else had come looking for Jiang Hao. He also learned that the Daily Appraisal had more powerful effects than he had anticipated. He had secretly assessed some people, and since he didn¡¯t encounter anyone special, he didn¡¯t waste the assessments. It¡¯s worth mentioning that he used his divine power on himself to assess his condition. ¡¾Current Status: Infected with the Tianjue Gu poison and Yang Gu, aside from women who possess the Yin Gu, you will be forced into a ¡®Sage¡¯ state¡¿ Seeing the appraisal result, Jiang Hao sighed. He knew how he got this Gu poison. It was from the pill that woman had made him swallow. And the recent changes in his body were also due to the Gu poison. Whether it¡¯s a blessing or a curse is hard to say, because not long ago, Senior Sister Yun Ruo used a charm technique on him, but it didn¡¯t work, thanks to the Tianjue Gu poison. Otherwise, who knows what the outcome would have been. There are many in the Demon Sect who know charm techniques; perhaps this is a good thing before his mind matures. Beauty is often the Achilles¡¯ heel of men. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t want to challenge his own weaknesses, knowing that failure could be life-threatening. Casting aside the strange thoughts that flooded his mind, he opened the door to his room and headed to the Spiritual Medicine Garden to keep busy. A visit there each day would make him stronger, and such efforts should not be interrupted. However, just as he stepped out, he was stopped by someone. Three young men blocked his path, each of them possessing a higher level of cultivation than him. They looked serious, and a faint murderous aura emanated from them. For safety¡¯s sake, Jiang Hao activated his divine ability to identify the leader among them. He was dressed in black, with eyebrows sharp as swords, and his face had well-defined features with a three-dimensional look. He could be considered handsome. ¡¾Liu Xingchen: A true disciple of the Haotian Sect, born with the aura of Dragon Slaughter, cultivation at the late stage of the Golden Core. Because he is bored, he becomes an undercover in the Tianyin Sect¡¯s Hall of Enforcement. Currently seeking you out to temporarily appease the Tianhuan Pavilion¡¯s wrath.¡¿ Seeing the feedback from his divine ability, Jiang Hao felt a surge of emotions. Wasn¡¯t the Haotian Sect known as the strongest immortal gate? Why would someone from there come to the Tianyin Sect as an undercover agent? Just out of boredom? Shocked for a moment, he then bowed his head and greeted the three Senior Brothers. ¡°We are from the Hall of Enforcement, here about the incident seven days ago. We have a few questions for you and also to inform you about the subsequent situation.¡± Liu Xingchen said to Jiang Hao with an expressionless face. ¡°Please speak, Senior Brother,¡± Jiang Hao replied, his mind racing with possibilities, but he maintained a calm demeanor on the surface. The words ¡°Tianhuan Pavilion¡¯s wrath¡± worried him. ¡°Did you kill Junior Sister Yun Ruo?¡± Liu Xingchen asked. ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°Why did you do it?¡± Liu Xingchen continued. ¡°She betrayed the sect and tried to pull me into her betrayal. I intended to refuse and control her, but I accidentally killed her,¡± Jiang Hao repeated the same story he had told before. ¡°She belonged to the Tianhuan Pavilion, not for you at Duanqing Cliff to handle,¡± Liu Xingchen said, staring at Jiang Hao with a voice full of cold indifference. ¡°This time you violated the sect¡¯s rules by killing a disciple of the Tianhuan Pavilion. Considering there were reasons for your actions, you are stripped of five years¡¯ worth of cultivation resources, and within three months, you must pay a thousand spirit stones to the Tianhuan Pavilion as compensation.¡± ¡°Additionally, since Yun Ruo was a traitor to the sect and you were the last to contact her, to prevent any possibility of sacrificing a pawn to save a chariot, you are not allowed to leave during this period and must cooperate with our investigation. If you leave without our knowledge, it will be treated as a defection from the sect. We will notify you when the investigation is over.¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao stood there stunned, finding it hard to believe. He was being punished despite not having done anything wrong... Cooperating with the investigation was one thing, but to also compensate the Tianhuan Pavilion with a thousand spirit stones? As an inner disciple, he only received ten spirit stones a month during his Qi Refining stage. Where would he get a thousand spirit stones? ¡®Is this just the way of the Demon Sect? This action seems to be just for show for the Tianhuan Pavilion.¡¯ Seeing that Jiang Hao had no reaction, another disciple coldly asked, ¡°Do you have any questions?¡± Jiang Hao came back to his senses and replied softly, ¡°No.¡± S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After that, the three from the Hall of Enforcement said a few more inconsequential things and then turned and left. Watching the three disappear from sight, Jiang Hao let out a heavy sigh:. ¡°Is it because Duanqing Cliff is too weak, or am I just not valued enough?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a bit of a bully move, a thousand spirit stones, there¡¯s no way in three months.¡± ¡°What will happen if I don¡¯t pay? Will the people from the Tianhuan Pavilion come after me?¡± ¡°Now at nineteen, I¡¯ve successfully reached the Foundation Establishment stage, which is quite rare. I wonder if Duanqing Cliff will protect me.¡± With various thoughts in mind, Jiang Hao arrived at the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Now, he needed to not only improve his cultivation but also find a way to earn spirit stones. At this moment, he deeply felt the trouble that beauty brings. Even killing couldn¡¯t avoid such calamity. With his current cultivation, resistance was impossible; the enforcer in charge was at the late stage of the Golden Core. He, being only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, wouldn¡¯t be enough to handle even one hand of his opponent. As for exposing the other as an undercover agent... That would truly be seeking death. In the world of cultivation, the stages are Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Spirit Refining, and Return to Void. Jiang Hao had not yet reached the higher stages and was unaware of thee specific higher realms. ....... At the highest point of the Tianyin Sect, the Baihua Lake, on the central island, Hong Yuye sat in a pavilion, lost in thought as she looked out over the lake. A gentle breeze blew, and a white figure landed behind Hong Yuye, bowing respectfully. ¡°Sect Master.¡± Hearing this, Hong Yuye did not turn around but slowly spoke. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°I have compiled a list of suspicious disciples and traitors for the Sect Master to decide upon,¡± Bai Zhi said, handing over the list. The list contained detailed records of their origins, cultivation levels, and reasons for suspicion. Taking the list, Hong Yuye lowered her eyes to read it, her gaze falling upon unfamiliar names. There were undercover agents, traitors, and suspects. After a brief scan, her eyes lingered on the last name: Jiang Hao, an inner disciple of Duanqing Cliff, living by the stream below the cliff, newly advanced to the early stage of Foundation Establishment. Chapter 8 - Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower Seed Chapter 8: Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower Seed Below Duanqing Cliff, Jiang Hao. Hong Yuye¡¯s gaze stayed on this name for a moment longer before she closed the list and said, ¡°There is no one outstanding.¡± ¡°Most are outer disciples. Among the inner disciples, there are very few traitors and suspects. Their status and positions are not high, and further investigation is needed for the true disciples and the elder enforcers, which will take more time,¡± Bai Zhi quickly added. Not finding any important figures among the traitors was both a relief and a concern for her. Logically, with the Sect Master herself having doubts, it shouldn¡¯t be so clean. But nothing substantial could be found in a short time. ¡°Some people cannot be found out. Without sufficient temptation, they will always remain hidden,¡± Hong Yuye said calmly, opening the list again to look at Jiang Hao¡¯s name, seemingly casually asking. ¡°What¡¯s the background of Jiang Hao from Duanqing Cliff?¡± ¡°His background is actually quite clean. He was sold to the sect at a young age, with above-average talent. It¡¯s just that he recently got involved with a traitor from the Tianhuan Pavilion.¡± ¡°Moreover, his advancement is somewhat strange.¡± ¡°He, with above-average talent, made a huge leap in his cultivation a few years ago after a trip outside, claiming to have eaten a strange fruit that brought him a fortuitous encounter. He even recently made a direct breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.¡± ¡°Normally, this wouldn¡¯t be a big deal, but it just so happened that a traitor died at his hands. There¡¯s a good chance that he was turned by a disciple of Tianhuan Pavilion and then willingly met his end by the other¡¯s hand,¡± Bai Zhi answered earnestly. ¡°What about his usual behavior?¡± Hong Yuye asked expressionlessly. ¡°He doesn¡¯t make enemies, has a gentle nature, and never even speaks harshly to ordinary people. He doesn¡¯t seem at all like... cough, he seems somewhat out of place with the sect.¡± Bai Zhi intended to say he didn¡¯t seem like someone from the Demon Sect, but felt it would be offensive to the sect leader and changed her statement at the last moment. After she finished speaking, Hong Yuye remained silent, her face betraying no emotion. After waiting for a moment, Bai Zhi had no choice but to speak again, ¡°The person Jiang Hao killed was from Tianhuan Pavilion, naturally charming, and very likely used that to turn him against the sect. Although there¡¯s no evidence, the suspicion is strong.¡± Upon hearing this, Hong Yuye suddenly said, ¡°Then let¡¯s test him, and at the same time use him to draw out those still hiding in the shadows.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t understand what the sect leader means,¡± Bai Zhi said, bowing her head slightly confused. Moments later, she felt a glimmer of light enter her field of vision. Looking up, she saw a seed had fallen in front of her, half black and half white, looking rather ordinary after the light faded, about the size of a quail egg. After examining it for a moment, Bai Zhi¡¯s face changed dramatically, ¡°This is...¡± Before she could finish speaking, Hong Yuye said with a teasing smile: ¡°Many people have come for this thing. Give it to the person under Duanqing Cliff and tell him to plant it carefully. It won¡¯t be long before those hiding in the shadows will surface.¡± ¡°What if that person takes the thing and runs away?¡± Bai Zhi asked, her eyes filled with horror. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that be your problem?¡± Hong Yuye turned to look at Bai Zhi with an expressionless face. Faced with such a gaze, Bai Zhi felt fear in her heart and dared not ask any further. ¡°I will take care of it right away.¡± ....... Leaving Baihua Lake, the fear and timidity she had felt were swept away, replaced by confidence and a sense of power. As she walked through the mountains and forests, whether it was a protector or an elder, they all had to bow and pay respects when they saw her, showing their reverence. Not just because she was acting as the head of the sect, but also because of her own strength. However, at this moment, she was quite perplexed. Especially when looking at the seed in her hand, she was full of doubts. ¡°The seed of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, using such a thing to test an inner disciple and to draw out other traitors, is it worth it?¡± Certainly, it wasn¡¯t worth it. The sect leader must have other intentions for arranging this. ¡°Is it because of this person¡¯s issue, or because there is a formidable presence among the traitors?¡± With a sigh, Bai Zhi stopped pondering. The sect leader¡¯s emergence from seclusion this time was unusual, suddenly inquiring about traitors. Now, she had been given the seed of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. There must have been some significant event. ¡°The Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower... it is said to be the reason for the sect leader¡¯s strength.¡± Looking at the seed in her hand, it was false to say Bai Zhi wasn¡¯t tempted. With this seed, she might be able to soar to great heights in the future. Thinking this, Bai Zhi suddenly shuddered, breaking into a cold sweat. She then realized that the first person the sect leader wanted to test with the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower seed was herself. She decided to get rid of the seed quickly. Entertaining any further thoughts could lead to her doom. But how to reasonably hand over the seed to an ordinary inner disciple was somewhat troublesome. ....... ¡¾Strength +1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit +1¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation +1¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy +1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit Sword +1¡¿ ... Jiang Hao was walking in the Spiritual Medicine Garden, with blue bubbles drifting towards him, more than before. ¡°Today¡¯s harvest is not bad, but it¡¯s a pity I can¡¯t pick up spirit stones.¡± A debt of a thousand was not light. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Although he had many cheap spirit swords and medicinal pills, he could only sell a few; selling too many would be abnormal. If he could find a good medicinal pill, it could solve the problem. So far, he hadn¡¯t seen any particularly good medicinal pills. ¡°Right now, I only have one hundred and sixty-eight spirit stones. By selling some spirit swords and medicinal pills, I can barely make up two hundred, still eight hundred short.¡± ¡°It seems I need to take on some sect missions.¡± ...... Noon. After finishing up in the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao went straight to the base of Enforcement Peak, where the sect missions were distributed. ¡°Hey, Junior Brother Jiang, it¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve seen you here, rare to see you come out of the Spiritual Medicine Garden.¡± A sudden laugh came from behind Jiang Hao. Turning around, he saw a somewhat handsome young man. He was following a man and a woman, not old, but with decent cultivation. Chapter 9 - Shunned by All Chapter 9: Shunned by All ¡°Senior Brother Qi.¡± Jiang Hao turned around and greeted him politely. Qi Yang, an inner disciple of the Leihuo Peak, currently at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. He was a companion of Jiang Hao when he was still an outer disciple, living under the same roof, and their relationship was quite good. But since they went to different main veins, they seldom met. ¡°Huh, you¡¯ve reached Foundation Establishment? So quick?¡± Qi Yang exclaimed in surprise as he approached Jiang Hao. The two people beside him also felt astonished. Such a young Foundation Establishment. ¡°Just got lucky with Foundation Establishment,¡± Jiang Hao said with a smile. This is the trouble with not having a concealment technique; his cultivation level was seen through at a glance. He needed to find a way to get one, but the urgent task was to earn a thousand spirit stones. Reluctantly, he had to fulfill the compensation. Otherwise, Tianhuan Pavilion might take action, and that would truly be a disaster. Duanqing Cliff might not be able to protect him. He couldn¡¯t understand why Tianhuan Pavilion would go so far for an inner sect traitor. Could it really be as Senior Sister Yun Ruo said, that someone just wanted her body? Jiang Hao didn¡¯t agree with this, after all, Senior Sister Yun Ruo wasn¡¯t that beautiful. ¡°Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, let me introduce you to a Junior Brother who lived under the same roof as me when I was in the outer sect, Jiang Hao,¡± Qi Yang began to introduce. ¡°It¡¯s rare to see two outstanding disciples from the same place,¡± the man beside him said with a kind smile. ¡°My name is Xu Feng, and this is my Junior Sister, Liang Yue.¡± ¡°Senior Brother Xu, Senior Sister Liang,¡± Jiang Hao greeted with a bow. ¡°By the way, which lineage does Junior Brother belong to?¡± Liang Yue asked with a smile. Both of them were interested in befriending Jiang Hao, as a young Foundation Establishment was already a genius. ¡°Duanqing Cliff,¡± Jiang Hao replied. Upon hearing this, both Xu Feng and Liang Yue were surprised. ¡°Duanqing Cliff?¡± ¡°Does Junior Brother know who killed Yun Ruo of Tianhuan Pavilion?¡± Xu Feng asked tentatively. This sudden question made it difficult for Jiang Hao to answer, but he still opened his mouth and said, ¡°It was me.¡± At this moment, not only Xu Feng and Liang Yue, but even Qi Yang was taken aback. Especially Xu Feng and Liang Yue, who even intended to distance themselves. After a few more words, Xu Feng led the others away from the spot. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t say anything; perhaps it was because Tianhuan Pavilion was not easy to provoke. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He also had no interest in forming too many connections with others, especially in the Demon Sect, where most relationships were based on mutual use. But he had clearly eliminated a threat for the sect, so why was he treated like a criminal by the sect? Everyone avoided him like the plague. ...... In a corner. Xu Feng looked at Qi Yang curiously and asked. ¡°Junior Brother Qi, you¡¯re familiar with Junior Brother Jiang. Do you know how talented he is?¡± After a brief thought, Qi Yang finally spoke, ¡°It seems to be above average.¡± ¡°Above average?¡± Liang Yue was surprised. ¡°How old is he?¡± ¡°About nineteen, two years younger than me,¡± Qi Yang answered truthfully. ¡°Above average talent, nineteen years old, how did he achieve Foundation Establishment?¡± Xu Feng asked the question he most wanted to know. ¡°Because he had a fortuitous encounter, his cultivation surged, and his Foundation Establishment should also be related to that encounter,¡± Qi Yang said curiously. ¡°Do Senior Brother and Senior Sister think there¡¯s something wrong?¡± Knowing the specifics, Xu Feng and Liang Yue had their own considerations. Now when they talked about Jiang Hao again, there was a hint of disdain in their eyes. ¡°Junior Brother, it¡¯s better not to get too close to him in the future,¡± Xu Feng said softly, looking in the direction where Jiang Hao had been. ¡°I was curious from the start why Duanqing Cliff wouldn¡¯t fully protect him. It turns out he advanced through a fortuitous encounter, which means his path ahead won¡¯t be easy.¡± ¡°He¡¯s not of much value. Having offended Tianhuan Pavilion, even if there¡¯s no trouble now, there will definitely be problems in the future.¡± ¡°So, Junior Brother, don¡¯t get too close to him, it would make it difficult for our master.¡± Initially, Xu Feng indeed wanted to befriend Jiang Hao, even knowing that Jiang Hao had offended Tianhuan Pavilion, he still had a sliver of this thought. Because such a young Foundation Establishment was a true genius. Sometimes, a genius can break through all obstacles. But knowing that the other party only advanced through a fortuitous encounter, he no longer had the desire to befriend him. He even felt slightly disdainful. After all, who isn¡¯t a Foundation Establishment? Qi Yang looked in the direction Jiang Hao had left and remained silent. ....... After wandering around, Jiang Hao found that the high-reward tasks either required going out or had very high requirements. With his current strength and limitations, he could only do small tasks. However, he also discovered that alchemy, forging, and talisman making were the most profitable. Unfortunately, he didn¡¯t know how to do any of them. Maybe... learn one? Alchemy and forging were out of the question, not only because they were difficult to start with, but also because he couldn¡¯t get the necessary recipes and forging methods without enough spirit stones. Otherwise, with his knowledge of spiritual herbs, he would have some foundation. If alchemy and forging were not options, that left only talisman making... It was simple to start, and methods were available everywhere. ¡°I can buy some materials and try it out.¡± With a decision made, Jiang Hao planned to take on a simple task to earn some spirit stones. For now, accumulating little by little was the only way, and although it seemed far off, he couldn¡¯t waste time. As for a plan, he could think of one while doing tasks. Aiming too high could make success less likely. In the end, he took on the task of looking after the spiritual herb Jingyang Flower. Seven days for twenty spirit stones. The pay wasn¡¯t low, but the requirements weren¡¯t either. Fortunately, Jiang Hao had many years of experience in the Spiritual Medicine Garden, which met the criteria. This task came from Baiyue Lake. That place was full of geniuses and was governed by a Protector Elder. He had never seen this elder before. Teaching Elders, Protector Elders, Peak Masters, Pavilion Masters, these high-level figures were basically out of sight. Even his own master, the master of Duanqing Cliff, was rarely seen. Let alone other elders. ¡°First, I¡¯ll buy some talisman-making materials and instructions, then go over and check out the situation.¡± ¡°The Jingyang Flower is said to be a sacred medicine; I wonder if it has any purple bubbles around it.¡± If the bubbles could produce spirit stones, he wouldn¡¯t be so troubled by this. Chapter 10 - I Was Too Naive After All Chapter 10: I Was Too Naive After All Baiyue Lake. Located at a higher position within the Tianyin Sect, the spiritual energy is richer here, a notch above other places. Becoming a disciple here, one¡¯s cultivation speed would surpass those of other main veins. This place is a gathering of geniuses, rarely taking in disciples. Duanqing Cliff is different from here; it¡¯s situated lower, with a slightly lower threshold, and although there are many people, few become famous. ¡°Phew, I¡¯ve arrived.¡± After purchasing the talisman-making tools, Jiang Hao came here, feeling quite emotional. If he hadn¡¯t offended Tianhuan Pavilion, he thought Duanqing Cliff would also be quite good. Shaking his head, he found the guard and explained his purpose. ¡°Taking care of the Jingyang Flower?¡± The fairy guarding it looked at Jiang Hao and scrutinized him before saying, ¡°Do you have experience in this area?¡± ¡°I am Jiang Hao, an inner disciple from Duanqing Cliff, and I have been working in the Duanqing Cliff Spiritual Medicine Garden for several years,¡± Jiang Hao replied truthfully. ¡°Then follow me,¡± the guarding fairy led the way. ¡°I should remind you that the Jingyang Flower is about to bloom, which is why it needs care. This is not an easy job, and you will be punished if you don¡¯t do it well,¡± the fairy with a simple bun kindly warned. ¡°Thank you for the reminder, Senior Sister. I understand,¡± Jiang Hao thanked her with a glance. This Senior Sister had clear eyes; she wasn¡¯t exceptionally beautiful, but she had a somewhat comforting presence. At least much more natural than Senior Sister Yun Ruo. Neither cold nor falsely intimate, she seemed somewhat naive. Indeed, not everyone in the Demon Sect looks fierce and malevolent. As for her true character, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t figure it out. It¡¯s said that you can know a person¡¯s face but not their heart. ¡°My surname is Zhou, and my name is Zhou Chan. Since you¡¯ve taken on this task, you¡¯ll need to come here for the next few days. Just look for me, and I¡¯ll bring you in,¡± Zhou Chan led Jiang Hao to a courtyard and said. Under Senior Sister Zhou¡¯s guidance, Jiang Hao met the person in charge of the courtyard. Elder Qianxu, a middle-aged beauty, dressed in a green fairy dress that touched the ground, with a light blue belt around her waist and a light shawl draped over her. Her expression was devoid of excess emotion, appearing very indifferent; she was the managing elder of Baiyue Lake. After a while. Jiang Hao saw a white spiritual medicine occupying a large plot of land, surrounded as if covered in white frost. At the edge of the frost, there was a red gourd, from which a scorching aura emanated. ¡°The gourd contains magma. What you need to do is, after midday, pour magma at the edge of the frost every half hour, six times a day,¡± Elder Qianxu continued to speak to Jiang Hao. ¡°The day is getting late today. You will start taking care of it tomorrow.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao respectfully replied and then withdrew. ...... Back at his residence, he checked his panel. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 19¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Foundation Establishment early stage¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Technique: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (Unique), Daily Appraisal¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 16/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 20/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 2/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡°Although it¡¯s little, it¡¯s growing quickly.¡± ¡°Perhaps it won¡¯t be long before I can advance to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. It¡¯s just that the pressure of a thousand spirit stones is quite troublesome; I can only see if I can earn spirit stones from making talismans.¡± Talisman-making, alchemy, forging. Talisman-making has the lowest threshold, but it¡¯s also the cheapest, unless one can make intermediate or advanced talismans. Otherwise, for a thousand spirit stones, even if you draw day and night, it might not be enough. The fastest way to earn spirit stones is still alchemy. However, it has a high threshold, requires a large investment, and takes a long time. ...... In the room. Jiang Hao took out the newly purchased Talisman Making Compendium and began to read. It recorded twelve types of talismans. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The simplest one was the Swift Travel Talisman, which could increase one¡¯s speed. There were also the Purifying Heart Talisman and the Fire Talisman. These three kinds were needed by those at the Qi Refining stage. At the Foundation Establishment stage, one could fly with a sword, have a consolidated mind, and cast spells effortlessly. So normally, these low-effect talismans were not needed. However, these three talismans were also the most suitable for practice, as for the selling price, if three of them could be sold for one spirit stone, it would be a cause for gratitude. Probably six would be needed. Relying on this wouldn¡¯t make big money; one must go further. After reading the method for making the Swift Travel Talisman, Jiang Hao sat cross-legged, calming his mind. After a long while, when he reached the optimal state, he picked up the talisman brush, dipped it in cinnabar, and began making the talisman. Each stroke was even and forceful, flowing like clouds and water, with spiritual energy manifesting on the talisman paper. After a short time, the final stroke slowly fell. The talisman flickered with a faint light, then returned to normal. ¡°Is it done?¡± ¡°That easily?¡± Upon reflection, as a Foundation Establishment cultivator making a Qi Refining talisman, it would indeed be problematic if he kept failing. Throughout the night, Jiang Hao was practicing the art of making talismans such as the Swift Travel Talisman, the Purifying Heart Talisman, and the Fire Talisman. He only stopped when he had used up all his materials. ¡°In total, thirty-one talismans. After deducting the cost of two spirit stones for materials, I can earn three spirit stones. Three stones a night means ninety in a month, and only two hundred and seventy in three months. If I include the daytime, that would be five hundred and forty.¡± Jiang Hao carefully calculated and realized that it wasn¡¯t impossible to gather a thousand spirit stones. As long as Tianhuan Pavilion didn¡¯t do anything for these three months, he should be able to submit a thousand spirit stones within the deadline. However, after trying to sell them, he discovered that his idea was too naive. Indeed, these talismans were priced at six for one spirit stone, but they were hard to sell. After a long time, he only managed to earn one spirit stone, not even breaking even. Sighing, Jiang Hao could only buy materials again and try to practice making talismans needed for Foundation Establishment tonight. Later, he went back to Baiyue Lake, as from today onwards he had to take care of the Jingyang Flowers. Chapter 11 - Obtaining a Fragment of Divine Ability Chapter 11: Obtaining a Fragment of Divine Ability Returning to Baiyue Lake, he was still led by Senior Sister Zhou. He spent half the day watering the magma at the scheduled time. He thought something would happen when he poured it, but it was absorbed into the soil just like water, alleviating the frost. It seemed that the soil here was not simple either. For the next few days, Jiang Hao repeated the same routine. Making talismans at night, helping in the Spiritual Medicine Garden in the morning, trying to sell talismans in the market, and starting to look after the Jingyang Flowers at noon. This cycle continued. It¡¯s worth mentioning that after he started taking care of the Jingyang Flowers, he would receive blue bubbles every day. ¡¾Cultivation +1¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy +1¡¿ And in the Spiritual Medicine Garden, there are mostly white and green bubbles. ¡¾Strength +1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit +1¡¿ ¡¾Solidify Qi Pill +1¡¿ He gained much more than before, especially in terms of cultivation and vital energy, which were increasing every day. If he continued to take care of the Jingyang Flowers, he wouldn¡¯t need three months to begin advancing to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. He just needed to find a way to conceal his cultivation level. In the meantime, to avoid any mistakes, he would appraise the Jingyang Flowers. Usually, the answer was the same. ¡¾Jingyang Flower: A holy medicine for healing, the main ingredient for the Mingyang Pill, about to mature, in good condition.¡¿ Occasionally, there would be a different answer. ¡¾Jingyang Flower: A holy medicine for healing, the main ingredient for the Mingyang Pill, about to mature, in poor condition, too cold, needs more magma watering.¡¿ Jiang Hao didn¡¯t know how much more so when this happened, he could only add a little bit more, hoping it would help. He regretted it afterward because if there was a problem, it would be his fault. Fortunately, no problems arose. ...... But making talismans was not going smoothly. Since basic talismans were useless, he started making better ones, such as the Concentration Talisman, which could help Foundation Establishment cultivators to cultivate better. It was of average effect, so it was valued at five spirit stones. Regrettably, it took two days to successfully make one, and the cost wasn¡¯t even covered. Besides the Concentration Talisman, there was the Blazing Fire Talisman, which, although not as powerful as Foundation Establishment, was decent and priced at three spirit stones per talisman. Unfortunately, although cheaper, it was as difficult to make as the Concentration Talisman. The third kind was the Divine Sword Talisman, which sounded impressive but simply made the flying sword move faster. It was also priced at five spirit stones each. The difficulty was slightly higher. In six days of making talismans, he could only break even, but fortunately, there was still plenty of time. If he could increase the success rate, he would make a steady profit, but that would leave no time for cultivation. However, he could pick up cultivation bubbles every day, so not cultivating for a while wouldn¡¯t have a big impact on him. For others, the impact would be significant. Therefore, only those with decent talent would engage in alchemy and talisman making. Without sufficient talent, it was basically a waste of cultivation time. Being in the Demon Sect without enough cultivation was also unsafe, even if one could refine pills. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Junior Brother Jiang, you come at the same time every day,¡± Zhou Chan said to Jiang Hao with a smile. ¡°Yes, I dare not neglect my duties,¡± Jiang Hao replied with an almost imperceptible nod. After a few visits, this Senior Sister Zhou was quite friendly and somewhat familiar. ¡°Today, Elder Qianxu is in a bad mood. You better be careful. Tomorrow is the last day. Don¡¯t let anything go wrong,¡± Zhou Chan kindly reminded him on the way. Jiang Hao quickly nodded: ¡°Thank you for the reminder, Senior Sister.¡± This reminder might be trivial for Senior Sister Zhou, but it was quite important for him. Knowing the elder¡¯s mood could help him respond accordingly. After announcing his arrival at the courtyard, Jiang Hao went alone to the Jingyang Flower area. However, when he arrived, he was slightly astonished. He thought he was just coming to pick up blue bubbles, but today there were no blue bubbles. Instead, a purple bubble quietly floated beside the Jingyang Flower. ¡°It¡¯s actually purple, feels a bit strange.¡± Jiang Hao had been helping in the Spiritual Medicine Garden for a long time and had never seen a purple bubble appear midway. Only at the beginning and the end would better bubbles appear. The end? Thinking of this, Jiang Hao activated his divine ability to appraise. ¡°Indeed...¡± ¡¾Jingyang Flower: A healing holy medicine, the main ingredient for Mingyang Pills, ready for harvest.¡¿ The Jingyang Flower is different from other spiritual medicines; it does not age. Once it matures, it must be harvested immediately, or it will wither and regrow, waiting for the next maturity, which is said to take a long time. Although Jiang Hao did not understand why it matured early, he did not dare to delay. After collecting the purple bubble, he quickly went to see Elder Qianxu. At that moment, the bubble merged into his body. ¡¾Divine Ability Fragment +1¡¿ Seeing this, Jiang Hao hurriedly checked his status panel. ¡¾Divine Ability: 3/3 (can be acquired)¡¿ ¡°Finally, I will welcome another Divine Ability.¡± Suppressing the impulse to obtain it on the spot, he arrived at the courtyard and spoke softly, ¡°Junior Jiang Hao has an urgent matter to report.¡± Creak! The gate opened, and Elder Qianxu appeared slightly displeased. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± As expected, she was in a bad mood. Jiang Hao sighed. If it weren¡¯t for the situation, he wouldn¡¯t have wanted to come and disturb her. After composing his thoughts, he bowed his head and said, ¡°Today, when I came to check on the Jingyang Flower, I found something amiss¡ªit seemed to show signs of maturity, so...¡± Before he could finish, Elder Qianxu disappeared from the spot. Seeing this, Jiang Hao knew that Elder Qianxu did not dare to neglect the matter and immediately headed towards the Jingyang Flower. Shortly after. Jiang Hao saw Elder Qianxu picking the Jingyang Flower. He also breathed a sigh of relief; the task was completed, with more excitement than danger. The harvest was naturally much greater than expected. Twenty spirit stones were nothing, the real gain was the Divine Ability Fragment. ¡°You do have some ability,¡± Elder Qianxu said, praising Jiang Hao as she put away the Jingyang Flower. ¡°It was just a guess, and I still relied on Elder Qianxu,¡± Jiang Hao replied modestly. ¡°Your ability is beyond doubt. Come, I will take you to meet the owner of this flower. Remember to be careful; you might gain something,¡± Elder Qianxu said seriously. To meet a Protector Elder? Seeing such a figure for the first time, Jiang Hao felt somewhat uneasy. Chapter 12 - As if Aided by a Deity Chapter 12: As if Aided by a Deity By the shore of Baiyue Lake. Jiang Hao followed behind Elder Qianxu. During the walk, he glanced at the calm lake surface and noticed that the spiritual energy here was rich; cultivating here would surely yield twice the result with half the effort. It was vastly different from Duanqing Cliff. Shortly after, they arrived at a courtyard by the lake, which gave Jiang Hao a strange feeling, as if it were a slumbering beast, yet also like a paradise on earth. ¡°Come in.¡± A sudden voice with a calm authority emanated from inside. Upon entering the courtyard, Jiang Hao saw a stunningly beautiful woman in white, with a simple bun, sitting elegantly in the pavilion. Her powerful aura was somewhat shocking to Jiang Hao. Prompted by Elder Qianxu, he quickly bowed in greeting. ¡°Junior Jiang Hao pays respects to the Elder.¡± Elder Qianxu then presented the Jingyang Flower and explained the situation. ¡°Is that so?¡± Bai Zhi looked at Jiang Hao with a smile. ¡°It seems you have some skill. As it happens, I have a task for you. If you do well, naturally, you will be rewarded.¡± An empty promise... Jiang Hao sighed inwardly. ¡°If you fail, you should know what you will face,¡± Bai Zhi said with a smile. ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. Glancing at the Elder, Jiang Hao felt a mix of helplessness and absurdity. Twice he had made contributions, yet both times he was met with threats. This Demon Sect had no sense of reason. ...... Some time later. Jiang Hao walked out of the courtyard with a seed in hand. Afterward, Senior Sister Zhou Chan escorted him away from Baiyue Lake. What surprised him was the identity of this Elder. One of the four great Protector Elders, Elder Bai Zhi, the acting Sect Master of the Tianyin Sect, with absolute power over life and death. Hearing this from Senior Sister Zhou, Jiang Hao found it hard to believe. Was the stunningly beautiful Elder he had just seen really the acting Sect Master of the Demon Sect, second only to one and above tens of thousands? When had he ever been so lucky to meet such a person? However, the task of overseeing the flower was indeed good, as Elder Qianxu gave him forty spirit stones. A direct double. As for the seed... it was puzzling. When Elder Bai Zhi gave him the seed, she only asked him to plant it. She didn¡¯t mention any precautions, nor did she specify any expected results, or what would constitute success or failure. This was somewhat unusual. ¡°Being the acting Sect Master, why would she ask me to plant this seed? There should be a bunch of people more capable than me...¡± ¡°There¡¯s a problem. There must be another purpose for asking me to plant this.¡± With doubts in mind, Jiang Hao wanted to appraise the seed to see what it really was. But that would have to wait until tomorrow. One appraisal per day, truly one per day. Thus, he could only wait for the next day. Fortunately, in the face of the stunningly beautiful Elder Bai Zhi, his heart remained as clear as water. But I can¡¯t seem to be happy. I don¡¯t know when I¡¯ll be able to break this kind of poison. As for the woman who cast the spell that night... it¡¯s better not to see her, too dangerous. ...... In the afternoon. Jiang Hao returned to his residence. After meditating for a moment, he opened the panel. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 19¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Foundation Establishment early stage¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Technique: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (Unique), Daily Appraisal¡¿) ¡¾Vital Energy: 27/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 32/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 3/3 (can be acquired)¡¿ Both vital energy and cultivation have increased significantly, getting closer to one hundred. The most important is the last line, the divine abilities are full, and I can acquire a new one. After observing the surroundings, Jiang Hao chose to acquire. In an instant, the divine abilities count went from 3 to 0. A light also appeared within his body, something was forming. There was no pain, instead, it was comfortable, cool, and enlightening. Feeling the changes, Jiang Hao knew this was the influence of the divine ability. Because it wasn¡¯t the same feeling when he obtained the Daily Appraisal. A moment later, the light disappeared, and the comfortable feeling faded. Upon checking the divine abilities column again, he found a new divine ability had appeared. ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (Unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind¡¿ ¡°Clear Heart and Pure Mind?¡± Jiang Hao could sense the presence of the divine ability, but he didn¡¯t know its specific function. ¡°Let¡¯s give it a try.¡± After pondering for a moment, he activated the divine ability. Instantly, he felt as if a bucket of ice water was poured over him, chilling him to the core. With each breath, the coldness reached deep into his mind. A clarity emerged in his consciousness, as if all impurities in his brain were cleansed. His thoughts were bright, as if he had reached the summit of a mountain. This process was surprising and even incredibly comfortable for Jiang Hao. Looking around, everything became clearer, even the minute details. It was as if he couldn¡¯t wait to absorb something new. With this thought, he took out a book on talisman making. When he looked at the Concentration Talisman again, he had a brand new understanding. Sparks of enlightenment burst forth in his mind. At this moment, he didn¡¯t need to calm his mind to start making talismans. Shortly after, he stood at the table. He picked up the talisman brush, dipped it in cinnabar, and began to make talismans. The brush moved in his hand like clouds and flowing water, at will. Each stroke was as if divinely assisted. After a long time, Jiang Hao finished the last stroke, and a light flashed before returning to calm. The talisman was complete. ¡°This divine ability came just at the right time.¡± Putting down the brush, Jiang Hao¡¯s face was filled with joy. He spent the entire night making talismans. This time, from ten materials, he successfully made five talismans. Two Concentration Talismans, two Divine Sword Talismans, and one Blazing Fire Talisman. After deducting the cost, he could still earn more than a dozen spirit stones. This was just the beginning; the success rate would only get higher. In less than two months, he might be able to gather a thousand spirit stones. ¡°It¡¯s good, but it¡¯s somewhat exhausting.¡± Jiang Hao sat on the balcony, looking quite tired as he watched the sunrise in the early morning. At this time, he took out a seed, which he could just appraise today. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 13 - Purple Gold Legend Chapter 13: Purple Gold Legend ¡°What!? Did Elder Bai Zhi give me a bomb?¡± Jiang Hao sat on the balcony, looking at the quail egg-sized black and white seed in his hand, utterly shocked. Cold sweat seeped out unconsciously. He had appraised the seed he received yesterday, and the result was: ¡¾Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower Seed: At the beginning of chaos, a flower was born between heaven and earth. After endless years of clear separation between heaven and earth, the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower bore fruit, and then the seeds fell. This is one of those seeds. Bury it in the soil, water it with a bowl of water every day, once a day, and it will take root and sprout after seven days.¡¿ Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, Jiang Hao had seen this name, not from anywhere else. But from an appraisal he encountered. It was the reason why Senior Sister Yun Ruo came to the Tianyin Sect. That means other traitors and undercover agents might have come for this as well. ¡°Now that the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower is in my hands, does that mean everyone will be targeting me?¡± ¡°Once it takes root and sprouts, will I have to be on guard every moment?¡± ¡°But if I don¡¯t plant it, then... can I withstand Elder Bai Zhi¡¯s wrath?¡± At this moment, Jiang Hao felt like he was the bait being dangled for fishing. Sigh... Heaving a deep sigh of relief, he felt a touch of helplessness. It was truly a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire. Just when he thought he had made some money and could temporarily avert danger, he was hit with a royal flush. ¡°The Demon Sect is really no place for humans.¡± Shaking his head, Jiang Hao went to the courtyard, found a good spot, and planted the seed of the Heavenly Fragrance Flower. He then looked at the fence nearby, thinking that he should repair it and build a stone wall around it to prevent others from seeing the Heavenly Fragrance Flower. After planting the flower, he took out a bowl and watered it. He didn¡¯t care whether the bowl was big or small. ¡°We can only take it one step at a time. If all else fails, there¡¯s still a chance to escape by using death-replacement.¡± Afterward, Jiang Hao left the courtyard and headed to the Spiritual Medicine Garden to collect today¡¯s bubbles. There were two blue bubbles. ¡¾Cultivation +1¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy +1¡¿ ¡¾Strength +1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit +1¡¿ ¡¾Endurance +1¡¿ As time went on, Jiang Hao felt his strength indeed growing stronger. Planting and harvesting like this every day, he had no idea how far his strength and spirit would reach. For now, he was a bit better than his peers. ...... At noon, after taking care of some spiritual medicines in the garden, Jiang Hao went to the sect¡¯s market to set up his stall. This time everything went smoothly, and he sold all five Foundation Establishment-level spirit talismans. The total price was 21 spirit stones, and he made a profit of eleven spirit stones. Since they were all bought by the same person, he gave a discount. ¡°Speaking of which, how many Blazing Fire Talismans do you have left?¡± asked the person who bought all the talismans, a Senior Sister in the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. She had a fierce look in her eyes and regular features, considered average in the Tianyin Sect. ¡°How many does Senior Sister need?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Fifty, within three days,¡± said Leng Tian earnestly. Jiang Hao shook his head, regretfully saying, ¡°I can¡¯t do it.¡± Not to mention his success rate wasn¡¯t that high, even if he had one night, he could only make about ten. Making talismans also consumes spiritual energy, especially after activating divine abilities. ¡°Then within three days, I¡¯ll take as many as you can make, up to fifty. Here¡¯s the deposit,¡± Leng Tian said, throwing ten spirit stones to Jiang Hao. ¡°I¡¯ll do my best,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. Although other talismans were more profitable, being able to sell them was another matter. As long as he could improve his success rate later, the earnings wouldn¡¯t be low. As for why the other party wanted so many Blazing Fire Talismans, that wasn¡¯t for him to ask. ...... In the following days, Jiang Hao began to focus on making talismans. Since he had no tasks in the afternoon, he had free time. He devoted all his time to making talismans. He could try fifteen times a day. On the first day, he succeeded eight times. On the second day, nine times. And on the third day, ten times. In total, he made twenty-seven Blazing Fire Talismans. He earned eighty-one spirit stones, with a cost of forty-five, making a profit of thirty-six. Including all he had, he now possessed two hundred and fifty spirit stones. In less than two weeks, he had nearly made a hundred in income, something he wouldn¡¯t have dared to dream of before. ...... Another four days passed. After that, the spirit talismans rarely sold out, but he still made a profit of more than ten spirit stones every day. His savings also reached the three hundred mark, about one-third of the way there. It had only been half a month. If nothing unexpected happened, he would be able to gather a thousand spirit stones. Thinking of this, he felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from his heart. ...... In the courtyard. In the past few days, Jiang Hao had also replaced the wall, blocking the view. At night, Jiang Hao was still making talismans. But just as he was about to make the final stroke, an anomaly occurred. A wave of invisible spiritual energy swept across, instantly burning the talisman on the spot. This sudden change was surprising. Especially since the source of the spiritual energy was in the courtyard. ¡°Seven days have passed, is the Heavenly Fragrance Flower about to sprout?¡± Jiang Hao had always remembered this, but he didn¡¯t know it would cause an anomaly. When he went to the balcony and saw the invisible fluctuations sweeping around the courtyard like the wind, he was relieved that the effect didn¡¯t extend beyond the courtyard. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Otherwise, it would have been life-threatening. Many traitors were eyeing this flower. The anomaly didn¡¯t last long because Jiang Hao saw a small, tender sprout emerge from the soil and sway gently. This wasn¡¯t surprising, but what happened next was truly astonishing. After the Heavenly Fragrance Flower sprouted, the spiritual energy fluctuations disappeared, and a purple-gold bubble appeared along with it. This ¡®bubble¡¯ was unique to his system panel. It was just that Jiang Hao had never encountered this color before. Purple-gold... What could it be? For a moment, Jiang Hao was filled with anticipation. Dawn was just breaking when he leaped from the balcony, approaching the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. Golden-purple bubbles flew up and merged into his body. ¡¾Purple Gold Legend +1¡¿ Chapter 14 - The Primordial Heart Sutra Chapter 14: The Primordial Heart Sutra Purple Gold Legend? Looking at the unexpected gain, Jiang Hao was extremely surprised. This was the first time he had seen a bubble without a clear name. He looked around and then examined the sprout, but apart from two small tender leaves, he found nothing else. He observed the surroundings for a moment longer. The sun was just rising, and the area was relatively quiet. After making sure no one had noticed him, Jiang Hao returned to his room to check his status panel. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 19¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Early Stage¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Technique: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (Unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 34/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 39/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 0/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡¾Purple Gold Legend: 1/1 (can be acquired)¡¿ ¡°It can actually be obtained directly; this is indeed a bit unusual.¡± With this thought, Jiang Hao washed his hands, as such acquisitions were usually random items. Purple Gold Legend was the highest level color he had seen, so he hoped for something good. After a moment, Jiang Hao chose to acquire it. A flash of golden-purple light passed, and Jiang Hao felt a profound text imprinting itself in his mind. After a while, he could finally see the brightest characters of the text¡ªThe Primordial Heart Sutra. The Primordial Heart Sutra, from the very beginning, was one of the innate scriptures, enveloped in purple qi, giving birth to all things. This was what Jiang Hao saw in the Heart Sutra, and he sat there contemplating it for a long time. Eventually, he roughly understood a thing or two; it was a cultivation technique. The Primordial Heart Sutra, the law of the beginning. After cultivating it, one would give birth to the Primordial Purple Qi, concealing one¡¯s inner breath. ¡°Does that mean I now have a powerful technique and a method of concealment?¡± Overjoyed, Jiang Hao went back to the yard to look at the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, realizing that opportunities always come with risks. However, as long as he had time, he should be able to greatly reduce these risks. Approaching noon, Jiang Hao left the yard to go to the Spiritual Medicine Garden to start his routine. After taking care of the garden, he returned immediately. After making sure the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower was fine, he began to cultivate. He switched to cultivating the Primordial Heart Sutra. At this moment, all his power was veiled in a wisp of purple qi, but he could still present it through the Tianyin Hundred Revolutions. Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the wonderful use of the Primordial Heart Sutra. In one night, Jiang Hao successfully switched to cultivating the Primordial Heart Sutra. With the same level of cultivation, he felt his strength had increased significantly. Facing Senior Sister Yun Ruo again, he might be able to handle it with much more ease. The strong power made Jiang Hao happy, and the function of the purple qi made him eager to accumulate a hundred points of cultivation and then continue to advance. ...... Early morning. Jiang Hao went to the yard. He discovered a faint fragrance in the air, refreshing to the soul. It came from the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. Even more delightful was the presence of two blue bubbles beside the flower. ¡¾Cultivation +1¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy +1¡¿ This discovery made Jiang Hao happy; without the Jingyang Flower, his speed of collecting cultivation points had slowed down. Now with the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower supplementing, he could quickly accumulate a hundred. He wasn¡¯t quite sure how to care for it going forward and hesitated before using his divine ability again. ¡¾Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower Sprout: At the beginning of chaos, a flower was born between heaven and earth. After endless years of clear separation between heaven and earth, the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower bore fruit, and then the seeds fell. This is one of those seeds that took root and broke through the soil. Water it with one bowl of water every day, once a day, and it will grow faster.¡¿ ¡°The identification has changed a bit, but it¡¯s still one bowl of water a day.¡± After watering it with a bowl of water, Jiang Hao prepared himself and then set out. Starting today, he would work hard for a thousand spirit stones. However, as soon as he stepped out, he was met with an unexpected visitor. Hall of Enforcement¡¯s Liu Xingchen. Why would this undercover agent come to me again? Jiang Hao¡¯s thoughts raced as he pondered the purpose of the other¡¯s visit. Although this person was an idle undercover agent, if he wanted the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and had the chance, he would probably take it with him. ¡°Jiang Junior Brother, there are some things I need to discuss with you,¡± Liu Xingchen said to Jiang Hao with an expressionless face. ¡°Please speak, Senior Brother,¡± Jiang Hao replied politely. This person was a late-stage Golden Core expert. Once targeted by him, he had no chance of winning. ¡°Let¡¯s talk inside,¡± Liu Xingchen said, pointing to the yard. As he spoke, he stepped inside, and Jiang Hao hesitated but did not stop him, just following behind. However, he was prepared to flee. If the other party really came for the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, he might be able to avoid trouble initially but not forever. ¡°It seems Junior Brother likes to plant some spiritual medicines,¡± Liu Xingchen said, looking around. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Jiang Hao watched as the other party surveyed the yard and noticed the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, but he did not linger. After a moment, Liu Xingchen looked at Jiang Hao and said. ¡°Junior Brother, do you know why you must compensate with a thousand spirit stones?¡± ¡°Did I offend Tianhuan Pavilion?¡± Jiang Hao tentatively asked. ¡°An inner disciple, Junior Brother, why do you think Tianhuan Pavilion would take this so seriously?¡± Liu Xingchen asked again. What is he trying to do? Jiang Hao was somewhat puzzled, but still carefully replied, ¡°Because a senior in Tianhuan Pavilion finds Yun Ruo Senior Sister appealing?¡± ¡°Right, but also not quite right.¡± Liu Xingchen looked around to make sure no one was there before continuing. ¡°The Pavilion Master of Tianhuan Pavilion practices a cultivation method that, at certain times, requires a person with a naturally enchanting body to act as a cauldron to help him break through bottlenecks.¡± ¡°It just so happens that he has reached such a bottleneck in recent years.¡± ¡°And just then, such a person appeared.¡± ¡°At the time, when we discovered Yun Ruo was a traitor, we communicated with Tianhuan Pavilion immediately.¡± ¡°This allowed her to sense something was wrong, and on the day we were about to take action, she found you.¡± ¡°Originally, we wanted to capture her alive, but due to an unfortunate mistake, you killed her.¡± ¡°What do you think the person from Tianhuan Pavilion felt?¡± Chapter 15 - The Female Demon Reappears Chapter 15: The Female Demon Reappears Upon hearing this, Jiang Hao fell silent. If he had known Yun Ruo Senior Sister had such a use... At that time, he might have hesitated not to kill her, but it would have just been hesitation. Letting her go would mean his own death another day. So he felt a sense of loss, but no regret. ¡°You might not believe it if I say it.¡± Liu Xingchen allowed Jiang Hao to ponder for a moment before continuing. ¡°The demand for a thousand spirit stones is not targeting you. On the contrary, it is to restrain the person from Tianhuan Pavilion.¡± ¡°As long as you compensate normally, he won¡¯t be able to do anything to you in the short term.¡± ¡°Be careful, demonstrate your value as soon as possible, and Duanqing Cliff will somewhat ensure your safety.¡± ¡°And not letting you go out is not only because you are under suspicion, but also because some people from Yun Ruo¡¯s sect are infatuated with her.¡± ¡°Their status is not low, and it is said that if Yun Ruo did not have a special use, she would have already been taken back by that person.¡± ¡°Now that she¡¯s dead, you¡¯ve caught the attention of some people in the Luoxia Sect.¡± ¡°To put it carefully, Junior Brother¡¯s situation is quite worrying.¡± Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± To have contributed to the sect without reward is one thing, but to have to compensate and still be told it¡¯s for my own good is another. Especially when I can¡¯t even refute it. In the Demon Sect, it really isn¡¯t difficult for a Pavilion Master to target an inner disciple. ¡°Thank you, Senior Brother, for informing me,¡± Jiang Hao said gratefully. ¡°Then, Junior Brother, be careful. If you have any information about other traitors, you can let me know,¡± Liu Xingchen waved his hand and left directly. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With no one else in the courtyard, Jiang Hao glanced at the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. He understood that this Senior Brother had come with a purpose. Otherwise, why would he kindly come to explain? And even make me go from resenting the Hall of Enforcement to feeling grateful. ¡°Did he not recognize it, or is he waiting for an opportunity?¡± Jiang Hao wondered. Afterward, he continued to collect air bubbles to sell talismans. But from that day on, Duanqing Cliff¡¯s Spiritual Medicine Garden seemed to have more people than before. There were managing elders and other inner disciples. At first, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t pay much attention until a Senior Sister kept asking him about spiritual medicine, and he knew she was definitely not a simple character. ...... Sure enough, a week later this Senior Sister came to his residence, saying she had obtained a powerful spiritual medicine and wanted him to take a look. ¡°Junior Brother doesn¡¯t have guests, right? Otherwise, I¡¯ll leave first,¡± Fairy Ming Yi peeked into the courtyard. ¡°No, but Senior Sister really overestimates me. I don¡¯t know much about spiritual medicine,¡± Jiang Hao spoke the truth. Lately, he had been focusing on talisman-making, and his knowledge of spiritual medicine had not advanced for a long time. Fortunately, his progress in talisman-making was not slow, having achieved a 90% success rate, and he could start working on other more challenging talismans. In one week, he had earned a hundred and fifty spirit stones. Now he had four hundred and fifty spirit stones. He was halfway to the compensation amount, and there were just over two months left. This Senior Sister from Yanyun Peak had been in seclusion for many years and had just come out, not knowing many people. That¡¯s why she came to inquire. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t believe a word she said, so he activated his divine ability immediately. In the blink of an eye, he received feedback. ¡¾Ming Yi: A reserve Saintess of the Tiansheng Sect, early Golden Core cultivation, undercover in Tianyin Sect¡¯s Yanyun Peak, seeking to uncover the reason behind Tianyin Sect¡¯s rise. Per instructions, the item is in your courtyard, thus taking the opportunity to pry a little; she has a ruthless character, hiding a knife behind her smile.¡¿ Seeing her cultivation level, Jiang Hao had to lower his head. These undercover agents were all Golden Core cultivators. Either true disciples or Saintesses. However, Jiang Hao was quite surprised by one thing¡ªthe reason for Tianyin Sect¡¯s rise was in his courtyard. Was it the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower? Wasn¡¯t that something belonging to the Sect Master? How could it be the key to the sect¡¯s rise? Jiang Hao was baffled. He thought about going through the sect¡¯s archives. But such an important item being entrusted to him for cultivation clearly indicated a trap. His situation was indeed precarious. Fairy Ming Yi did not stay long; she just went in to take a casual look and then handed the spiritual medicine to Jiang Hao for inspection. It was indeed an extraordinary spiritual medicine, but Jiang Hao did not recognize it. She was not disappointed, thanked him, and left politely. Sighing, Jiang Hao continued his usual daily routine. ...... A little over a month later. Inside the room. Jiang Hao counted his spirit stones with a face full of joy. ¡°Nine hundred and twenty-six, almost there. In a few more days, I¡¯ll be able to gather a thousand spirit stones.¡± He had been making talismans to earn money for over a month. He wanted to craft higher-level talismans, but the success rate was too low, so he could only make them occasionally. However, he planned to continue making them in the future. Having more spirit stones couldn¡¯t be wrong. After all, there were plenty of undercover agents, and even if he had to compensate for killing one, he didn¡¯t need to worry too much. Casting these thoughts aside, Jiang Hao checked his status panel again. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 19¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Foundation Establishment early stage¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (Unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 100/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 100/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 0/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ The Purple Gold Legend panel was gone, and he had acquired the Primordial Heart Sutra. The most eye-catching thing was that both his vital energy and cultivation were full, all thanks to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and the season of ripe spiritual herbs, which also provided plenty of bubbles. He had been waiting for this day for a long time. With the concealment of Primordial Purple Qi, he was no longer worried about advancing too quickly. Without hesitation, Jiang Hao began to extract vital energy and cultivation, and then he circulated the Primordial Heart Sutra. In theory, he could break through to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment in one go. At that moment, his vital energy surged, and spiritual energy flowed. Purple Qi circulated inside his body, beginning to absorb and refine the spiritual energy and vital energy. The Purple Qi started to expand. Then it moved towards his dantian. Jiang Hao¡¯s cultivation level visibly advanced at a rapid pace. Boom! The bottleneck between the early and mid-stage of Foundation Establishment was crushed by the Purple Qi, and he successfully stepped into the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. ¡°Success.¡± The feeling of becoming stronger made Jiang Hao feel grounded. After calming his emotions, he looked outside and saw that it was getting late, so he decided to water the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. But as soon as he stepped into the courtyard, his pupils shrank. A woman was standing there. She was dressed in red, with the sunlight shining on her, revealing her profile, which was stunningly beautiful. ¡°It¡¯s her.¡± Chapter 16 - Appraising the Female Demon Chapter 16: Appraising the Female Demon The moment he saw her, Jiang Hao¡¯s previously calm heart rippled. It wasn¡¯t because he wanted to see the woman before him, but because his mind finally felt normal. It seemed that the other side of the Gu poison was on her. The person was the same woman he had spent a night with before. Her beauty truly surpassed anyone he had ever seen. ¡®In terms of figure, adding a bit would be too much, subtracting a bit would be too little; applying powder would make her too pale, applying rouge would make her too red; eyebrows like green feathers, skin like white snow; waist like bound silk, teeth like shells.¡¯ Seeing her again, Jiang Hao could only think of this description. ¡°It seems you have some trouble remembering me,¡± Hong Yuye suddenly looked up at the man in front of the house. Her eyes were frosty, her demeanor cold. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare,¡± Jiang Hao replied respectfully with his head bowed. ¡°Senior¡¯s presence flusters me.¡± ¡°Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, it seems your advancement went smoothly,¡± Hong Yuye casually revealed Jiang Hao¡¯s secret while standing in the light. This alarmed Jiang Hao. When he had met her, he was at the ninth level of Qi Refining. Now, in about three months, not only had he reached Foundation Establishment, but he had also advanced to the mid-stage. If she delved deeper, it would be over for him. Moreover, with the cover of Primordial Purple Qi, how did she notice? ) ¡°Are you puzzled?¡± Hong Yuye stared at the man before her, disdainfully saying. ¡°Cultivation can be hidden, but the body is very honest. The speed of power circulation, the strength of breathing, the reach of the spirit.¡± ¡°Saying that you have been in the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment for a long time wouldn¡¯t be an exaggeration. ¡± ¡°Of course, your body and spirit are stronger than most, but there are limits. Combining other factors, one can guess your cultivation level.¡± ¡°More importantly, you advanced under my watch. Do I look like a blind person to you?¡± Jiang Hao had no response. It turned out that hiding one¡¯s cultivation level was this complicated. It seemed he needed to study this in the future. However, he was somewhat concerned about the purpose of the woman¡¯s visit, especially since she was standing next to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. That worried him even more. Fortunately, she didn¡¯t seem intent on prying too deeply. Unfortunately, she might indeed be interested in the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. ¡°Senior, may I ask why you have come?¡± Jiang Hao asked cautiously. Hearing this, Hong Yuye glanced at the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and asked, ¡°Did you plant this?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Jiang Hao nodded and calmly replied, ¡°Just a little hobby of mine.¡± ¡°How did you plant it?¡± Hong Yuye asked again. ¡°I water it with a bowl of water every day,¡± Jiang Hao answered truthfully. Hong Yuye seemed somewhat incredulous. ¡°Just like that?¡± ¡°Just like that,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. Though it was a simple explanation and somewhat unbelievable, he was indeed telling the truth. After a long silence, Hong Yuye squatted down and gently touched the young sprout, her expression blank as she said, ¡°This plant smells nice. When it grows up, I want to take it away. Do you have any objections?¡± ¡°Senior, this...¡± Jiang Hao intended to refuse. But before he could finish speaking, Hong Yuye looked up and snorted coldly. ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°For the time being, not yet,¡± Jiang Hao replied. However, as soon as he finished speaking, a powerful force swept through the area, its momentum immense and earth-shattering, as if it could erase everything. With a bang, Jiang Hao was knocked back, barely managing to keep his footing. Then he spoke again. ¡°No objections.¡± Such a great force, yet so little harm done, indicated that the other party did not intend to kill, but he could not go against her will. How strong must she be? Jiang Hao was inwardly shocked. Seeing that Jiang Hao was still obedient, Hong Yuye refrained from making another move. She simply withdrew her gaze and looked towards the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. ¡°This flower is mine now. You take good care of it.¡± Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Flower? When does senior plan to take it away?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°When it blooms and bears fruit,¡± Hong Yuye replied calmly. Her voice was extremely pleasant, and whether or not it was tinged with emotion, it was like a breath of spring to Jiang Hao. Unfortunately, she was a robber, Jiang Hao sighed. As for Hong Yuye¡¯s answer, it relieved him quite a bit. After all, it was unknown how long it would take for the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower to mature, which meant he had plenty of time. This way, he wasn¡¯t worried about losing the flower and facing punishment, although, of course, Elder Bai Zhi¡¯s intention was for him to fish... Wait, to fish? Jiang Hao suddenly remembered why such a remarkable thing was used as bait for fishing, speculating that it was meant to catch someone extraordinary. Then... Wasn¡¯t it this woman in front of him? Her beauty and strength were unparalleled. Perhaps the Tianyin Sect¡¯s purpose was to lure her out. For a moment, he didn¡¯t dare to say anything, pretending he hadn¡¯t realized this. Hong Yuye stood up, went inside the house, and sat down, leaving Jiang Hao standing aside, waiting for instructions. ¡°I won¡¯t let you help for nothing,¡± she said as a piece of paper appeared on the table. Hong Yuye spoke indifferently. ¡°This is a formation diagram. You don¡¯t need any special skills; just set it up as shown. It will help you prevent the dissipation of spiritual energy. With that flower, it can greatly enhance your spiritual energy, which is beneficial for your cultivation.¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat tempted. He had been thinking about doing this recently to avoid trouble. As for the traitors, they wouldn¡¯t act in the short term, and he didn¡¯t know why. Thinking of this, Jiang Hao suddenly remembered his divine ability. Could he determine the specific situation just by appraising the person in front of him? But she was too strong, and he was worried about being discovered. After hesitating, Jiang Hao still chose to appraise. His divine ability activated quickly, and then he received feedback, but the result left him astonished. ¡¾???¡¿ Jiang Hao: ¡°???¡± ¡°Do you have any questions?¡± Hong Yuye asked coldly. ¡°No, thank you, senior,¡± Jiang Hao quickly replied, while also concealing his surprise. Chapter 17 - The Secret Manual Left by the Female Demon Chapter 17: The Secret Manual Left by the Female Demon Although he didn¡¯t appraise anything, he was relieved that he hadn¡¯t been discovered. He wouldn¡¯t have to worry too much about using this divine ability in the future. Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. However, why he couldn¡¯t appraise anything remained unknown. Was it because her cultivation was too strong, or something else? He could only try again later. ¡°You seem very keen on hiding your cultivation,¡± Hong Yuye said, looking at Jiang Hao calmly. ¡°Junior just doesn¡¯t want to attract too much attention. The flower in the yard is extraordinary and can easily bring disaster,¡± Jiang Hao replied, not exactly lying. His cultivation had been advancing too quickly, especially after obtaining the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, and it showed no signs of stopping. If he didn¡¯t conceal his cultivation, it wouldn¡¯t be long before countless people set their sights on him. Forget about reaching the Golden Core stage; even if someone at the late Foundation Establishment stage or at the peak came after him, he might not be able to escape. ¡°Then take this,¡± Hong Yuye said casually, placing a book on the table and reminding him. ¡°If the flower isn¡¯t well taken care of, you know the consequences, right?¡± ¡°The junior understands,¡± Jiang Hao immediately nodded. He glanced at the book on the table. There was no name written on it, so it probably wasn¡¯t any kind of cultivation manual or secret technique. At this moment, Hong Yuye slowly stood up and walked outside. When she reached the doorway, she turned back to look at Jiang Hao. That look, slightly cold, was intimidating. ¡°Does senior have any further instructions?¡± Jiang Hao steadied his nerves and asked with his head bowed. Her gaze was too terrifying for him to look directly into. It was as if a powerful force made one feel anxious and uneasy. This was the might of a powerful cultivator. A single look could strip one of all fighting spirit. ¡°Regarding my affairs...¡± As soon as Hong Yuye began to speak, Jiang Hao immediately said, ¡°The junior will never reveal anything about senior to anyone, even at the cost of my life.¡± ¡°You¡¯d better remember your words,¡± Hong Yuye said, giving Jiang Hao a look before stepping away. ¡°I will come by from time to time to check on the flower¡¯s growth. If anything happens to it, you will face my wrath,¡± her cold voice echoed in Jiang Hao¡¯s ears. After waiting for a long time and seeing that the other party had completely left, he finally let out a deep sigh of relief. The gaze of the other person had scared him into a cold sweat just moments ago. However, whenever he saw that person, his heart would start to race, and now that they had left, his heart was calm and still again. It was an uncomfortable feeling. ¡°Did she leave anything behind?¡± Jiang Hao walked over to the desk and picked up a blank cover book to browse through it. The book had no summary; opening it revealed detailed introductions to spiritual energy, the mind, the body, and the practice of breathing and energy circulation. It seemed to be casually written notes, with quite beautiful handwriting. Ignoring these details, Jiang Hao began to read carefully. Soon, he discovered that the book contained records on how to control one¡¯s breath and energy circulation, extend one¡¯s mental reach, and master strength. If he could learn this, he would be able to perfectly conceal his cultivation level. He could even deduce the cultivation realm of others from the basics of breath and energy flow, strength manifestation, and mental extension. Not only that, but mastering these aspects would certainly make cultivation much more efficient. ¡°This book is a top-tier technique, a real treasure. It seems this woman is dead set on getting the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower.¡± The Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower was given to him by Elder Bai Zhi. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Initially, he had thought about asking Elder Bai Zhi to transplant it back, but now he didn¡¯t even dare to think about it. As for the woman wanting the flower, he had no choice but to agree and could only hope that the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower would mature later rather than sooner. He also hoped that Elder Bai Zhi wouldn¡¯t ask for it back. As for the traitors, they hadn¡¯t made a move yet, and he couldn¡¯t assess that situation. After briefly learning the content of the book, he picked up the array diagram to examine it. This was much easier, though initially, it would cost him about a hundred spirit stones. Fortunately, he now had plenty of spirit stones and didn¡¯t need to worry about the thousand spirit stone compensation. With one more month to go, he had enough time to earn another hundred or so. ....... After setting up the array, it was nearly noon. Jiang Hao hurried to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. The garden was as usual, not frequented by many people, and those who did come were mostly there to purchase some spiritual medicines, often the Duanqing Grass. During this time, the inner disciples of Duanqing Cliff, knowing that he had provoked Tianhuan Pavilion, often avoided him as if they were afraid he would ask them for money. Of course, that wasn¡¯t the reason, as no one would lend him money anyway. They were concerned that being too close to him might lead to a misunderstanding by the people of Tianhuan Pavilion, thinking they were in good terms. This situation made Jiang Hao realize that Duanqing Cliff didn¡¯t have the same prestige as Tianhuan Pavilion. Only traitors would seek him out, but each had a plausible reason. They, too, were afraid of being caught like fish. ¡°The big fish has taken the bait. I hope Elder Bai Zhi doesn¡¯t rush to ask, otherwise...¡± It was impossible to tell the truth, as the woman¡¯s strength seemed to far exceed that of Elder Bai Zhi. Or perhaps Elder Bai Zhi had not shown her full power. Given his current strength, he couldn¡¯t afford to provoke either side. Putting these thoughts aside, Jiang Hao began to help out in the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Today, the bubbles had fully integrated into his body. ¡¾Spirit +1¡¿ ¡¾Strength +1¡¿ ¡¾Endurance +1¡¿ ¡¾Dagger +1¡¿ He had no cultivation or vital energy, but he didn¡¯t mind because, after reading that book, he felt more sensitive to strength and spirit. He could feel the slight improvements from obtaining these bubbles, which was a very nice sensation. In the following days, he didn¡¯t rush to sell talismans but instead studied the book. He had to fully understand and integrate the book¡¯s content before he could travel freely. Otherwise, if he encountered a strong person who knew how to assess comprehensively, his cultivation level would be exposed. While studying, he activated the Clear Heart and Pure Mind technique, which accelerated his progress. Chapter 18 - Trouble from Tianhuan Pavilion? Chapter 18: Trouble from Tianhuan Pavilion? Half a month after obtaining the Nameless Secret Manual, Jiang Hao finally mastered the art of concealment. Now, from any perspective, he appeared to be an ordinary early Foundation Establishment cultivator. As he continued to improve, as long as no one could see through the Primordial Purple Qi, no one would know how much cultivation he had hidden. In his room, Jiang Hao exhaled. He then opened his panel to check his current status. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 19¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (Unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 35/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 38/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 0/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡°It doesn¡¯t show the techniques, so it seems they are indeed just special skills.¡± ¡°Advancing to the early stage of Foundation Establishment consumes about the same amount of techniques and vital energy as advancing to the mid-stage. I wonder if it¡¯s possible to advance in one go later on.¡± Jiang Hao could only experiment with this next time. In two or three months, he would have another chance. If successful, he could advance to the late stage of Foundation Establishment. ¡°The compensation period is approaching. I need to earn some spirit stones.¡± Now that he has completely concealed his cultivation level, he doesn¡¯t have to worry about anything. He¡¯s just a bit curious if he can deceive that woman. He¡¯ll try after his promotion. For the moment, he¡¯s somewhat looking forward to her arrival. Of course, since she¡¯s very strong and has an eccentric personality, he needs to be cautious. It¡¯s better not to meet her if possible. After a visit to the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao encountered some bubbles again. ¡¾Strength +1¡¿ ¡¾Strength +1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit +1¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation +1¡¿ After picking up bubbles for so many years, he has never come across an intelligence increase of one. It¡¯s a pity; otherwise, he could have become stronger faster and escaped his current predicament. Fortunately, the slight increases in spirit and strength are still perceptible. Given a hundred years, his spirit might be able to shake the Golden Core realm, without any promotion. At noon, he left the Spiritual Medicine Garden and went to the sect market. There weren¡¯t many people around, which was normal and not surprising. On his way, he saw Qi Yang and wanted to greet him, but Qi Yang¡¯s Senior Brother noticed and quickly took Qi Yang away. Watching them leave, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t bother to follow. Qi Yang had seen him and looked down, seemingly ashamed. In an instant, Jiang Hao realized his mistake. The people from Tianhuan Pavilion were after him, and greeting Qi Yang could easily drag him into trouble. He could understand the actions of Qi Yang¡¯s Senior Brother. Without dwelling on it, Jiang Hao found a stall and started selling talismans. Most of them were the three common spirit talismans: Blazing Fire Talisman, Concentration Talisman, and Divine Sword Talisman. Occasionally, he could make a Myriad Swords Talisman, but unfortunately, the cost was too high, so for now, he preferred to play it safe. He still needed about one hundred and fifty spirit stones. One talisman for five spirit stones, he needed to sell thirty. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. So far, he had over fifty talismans but only displayed a dozen or so. If there were too many, they would lose their value. ¡°After the compensation is done, I want to start making Myriad Swords Talisman. They are powerful and valuable.¡± ¡°Without a thousand spirit stones weighing on me, I don¡¯t have to worry too much about the cost,¡± Jiang Hao thought to himself. ¡°Junior Brother, I see you again. I¡¯ve been holding back from buying spirit talismans, waiting especially for you,¡± said the Fairy Leng Tian as she approached Jiang Hao¡¯s stall with a smile. ¡°Does Senior Sister want more Blazing Fire Talismans?¡± Jiang Hao asked enthusiastically. He remembered this Senior Sister. She had bought dozens of Blazing Fire Talismans. She had helped him earn quite a bit. The Fairy Leng Tian shook her head: ¡°No more, do you have Myriad Swords Talisman?¡± This Senior Sister cared a lot about power, and Jiang Hao felt a bit regretful, ¡°No, they are too difficult to make.¡± ¡°Then I¡¯ll take Divine Sword talisman, however many you have,¡± said the Fairy Leng Tian generously. ¡°Five talismans, twenty-five spirit stones in total, I¡¯ll charge Senior Sister twenty-two,¡± Jiang Hao offered, handing over five talisman. ¡°Fair enough, your quality is good, and you¡¯re easy to talk to,¡± the Fairy Leng Tian cheerfully handed over twenty-two spirit stones. Her eyes carried a hint of ferocity, and her smile felt somewhat dangerous. After securing the talismans, the Fairy Leng Tian asked in a low voice. ¡°I heard Junior Brother has offended Tianhuan Pavilion?¡± Before Jiang Hao could answer, she continued. ¡°Junior Brother, you should be careful. The people from Tianhuan Pavilion are excessively greedy, capable of many things.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t leave the sect if it¡¯s not necessary; it¡¯s dangerous.¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want to lose a place to buy such good talisman.¡± Jiang Hao nodded in thanks and gave her a few unsold talisman like the Swift Travel Talisman and Fire Talisman. She didn¡¯t dare linger and quickly left. Not long after, Jiang Hao welcomed another customer, a man with a slightly pale face. Foundation Establishment mid-stage. ¡°Jiang Hao, Jiang Junior Brother? I¡¯ve often heard some Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters mention that you killed Junior Sister Yun Ruo?¡± Miao Qian said with a cold smile. Hearing this, Jiang Hao felt uneasy. It was someone from Tianhuan Pavilion. ¡®Coincidence or did they come looking for trouble?¡¯ After hesitating, Jiang Hao still replied respectfully, ¡°What would this Senior Brother like to say?¡± ¡°Nothing much, just here to buy some things. How much for these talismans?¡± Miao Qian bent down and picked up a Concentration talisman to ask. ¡°A Concentration talisman is five spirit stones, and a Blazing Fire Talisman is three spirit stones,¡± Jiang Hao replied. Hearing the price, Miao Qian didn¡¯t even frown and said with a cold laugh, ¡°I¡¯ll take them all, how much in total?¡± All of them? Jiang Hao knew today wouldn¡¯t go smoothly. Chapter 19 - Murder Chapter 19: Murder ¡°Junior Brother, why don¡¯t you speak? Calculate how many spirit stones are needed.¡± Miao Qian said with a smile. He casually took all the spirit talismans from the stall and continued, ¡°Speaking of which, you have quite a few talismans here, four Blazing Fire Talismans, six Concentration Talismans.¡± Seeing this, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t think much else and politely said, ¡°One Blazing Fire Talisman is three spirit stones, one Concentration talisman is five spirit stones.¡± ¡°Four Blazing Fire Talismans are twelve spirit stones, six Concentration talismans are thirty spirit stones, a total of forty-two spirit stones.¡± ¡°Senior Brother, just give me forty spirit stones.¡± ¡°Forty spirit stones? Junior Brother, you¡¯re really giving me a bargain,¡± Miao Qian nodded, acknowledging the price. However, when it came time to settle up, he suddenly feigned surprise and exclaimed. ¡°What a coincidence, Senior Brother didn¡¯t bring that many spirit stones today. How about this, I¡¯ll bring the spirit stones to you tomorrow? If you¡¯re really worried, you can follow me to Tianhuan Pavilion, and I can give them to you once we get to my place.¡± After saying this, Miao Qian wore a teasing smile and specifically asked, ¡°What do you think, Junior Brother? Want to come with me to Tianhuan Pavilion?¡± Jiang Hao lowered his eyelids and sighed inwardly. What¡¯s the difference between going to Tianhuan Pavilion and courting death? With this thought, he could only give up. Just endure it a bit longer. ¡°Senior Brother must be joking. Then I¡¯ll wait here for Senior Brother tomorrow,¡± he said politely. ¡°Good,¡± Miao Qian put away the talisman, smiling. ¡°Make sure you¡¯re here tomorrow waiting for me. Otherwise, if I don¡¯t give you the spirit stones, you might accuse me of bullying the weak.¡± ¡°Of course not,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. Then he watched as the other party left. He packed up and left the spot, with some people around him naturally witnessing everything, but no one paid too much attention. Because this kind of thing happens all the time. Without support or having offended someone, these situations arise. ...... Night. On the way to Tianhuan Pavilion. Miao Qian, accompanied by a Junior Brother, walked along the mountain path, laughing: ¡°Today was a good haul. I happened to encounter someone who had offended our master and gave him a good beating.¡± ¡°Senior Brother is so lucky. I hope to become as strong as Senior Brother one day,¡± the Qi Refining ninth level youngster said, complimenting after hearing the details. ¡°Enough, I¡¯ll give you a spirit stone,¡± Miao Qian said with a proud face. Today, he had sold the talisman and earned more than thirty spirit stones. ¡°Will Senior Brother go tomorrow?¡± the Qi Refining ninth level youngster asked. ¡°Of course, not just tomorrow, I¡¯ll go every day from now on,¡± Miao Qian¡¯s voice was low and slightly sinister. ¡°I¡¯ll also call other Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters to go, to make him cough up all his spirit stones.¡± ¡°In the end, he¡¯ll be just another corpse under Tianhuan Pavilion.¡± Seeing Miao Qian¡¯s grim expression, the Qi Refining disciple didn¡¯t dare to say more. He had heard that this Senior Brother secretly admired Senior Sister Yun Ruo and ended up only seeing her corpse. The disciple from Duanqing Cliff was hated by many. When he saw Miao Qian¡¯s expression improve, he wanted to say something. But before he could speak, he suddenly felt a blow and then lost consciousness. The sudden noise alerted Miao Qian, who immediately looked back, ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± Thud. As he turned his head, a dagger pierced his neck. This sudden attack panicked him. When he tried to create some distance, another dagger stabbed into his neck. Blood gushed out profusely. In terror, Miao Qian clutched his neck but didn¡¯t see anyone. He struggled to speak. ¡°Senior, there must be some misunderstanding.¡± Thud! At that moment, a long sword pierced through his body from behind. Someone behind him had thrust a sword through him. ¡°Senior, spare my life.¡± Miao Qian pleaded. However, another long sword appeared in front of him and stabbed directly into him. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Thud- Then, several spirit swords pierced him from various angles. Finally, a long spear nailed him to a tree. As Miao Qian was about to breathe his last, a dark figure approached him and slowly removed his storage treasure. ¡°You... why?¡± As he asked this question, the shadow spoke in a calm voice. ¡°I¡¯ve come to collect the money.¡± In that moment, his pupils shrank. How could he, a Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivator, die so easily at his hands? After confirming the other party was dead, the shadow quickly disappeared. A long time later, the Qi Refining disciple regained consciousness. When he saw Miao Qian¡¯s dead body, he was so frightened that he ran up the mountain. Jiang Hao sat in the hall, counting the spirit stones with a slight frown. ¡°Only sixty? A Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivator can be this poor?¡± As an inner disciple, Jiang Hao had over a hundred spirit stones during his Qi Refining period. This Senior Brother, at the Foundation Establishment mid-stage, should be receiving twenty to thirty spirit stones a month. Yet he was so poor. And this was after selling his spirit talismans. Otherwise, it would have been only about twenty. ¡°Forget it, I still made a profit,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. He had deliberately used those spirit swords and also intentionally didn¡¯t retrieve them. After all, there were too many, and it was good to use some up. There was no need to kill that Qi Refining disciple. Everyone had seen what happened today. If Tianhuan Pavilion suspected him, one more or one less person made no difference. In theory, no one should trouble him because his cultivation level was clear for all to see. As an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, it¡¯s impossible for me to defeat Miao Qian, who is at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. Moreover, he¡¯s shrouded in purple qi, which makes him undetectable. But theories are useless; Tianhuan Pavilion has been known to frame people without evidence before. ¡°It all depends on Liu Xingchen now, to see what his attitude is.¡± Jiang Hao realized that as an inner disciple, without evidence, the worst that could happen to him would be compensation. And if Liu Xingchen shows even a slight bias, he won¡¯t face any trouble. This way, he could also confirm whether Liu Xingchen has his eye on him. Of course, what he fears most is the discovery of evidence. The next morning, as soon as Jiang Hao stepped out, he saw Liu Xingchen standing outside. As expected, he¡¯s come, Jiang Hao thought without showing any reaction. ¡°Junior Brother, we meet again,¡± Liu Xingchen said, gesturing towards the courtyard. ¡°Let¡¯s talk inside.¡± Chapter 20 - Nominated by the Hall of Enforcement Chapter 20: Nominated by the Hall of Enforcement Liu Xingchen arrived at the hall, where Jiang Hao welcomed him and invited him to sit down. This time, as he entered, he followed behind, not observing Liu Xingchen¡¯s inspection of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. This puzzled him. Perhaps it was already confirmed, and there was no need for further observation to prevent discovery. ¡°Do you know why I¡¯m looking for you this time?¡± Liu Xingchen started the conversation as soon as he sat down. ¡°Is it still about the Tianhuan Pavilion matter?¡± Jiang Hao tentatively asked. The purpose of the other party¡¯s visit this time was vastly different from the first; it was likely an attempt to win him over. Of course, he had some guesses about why the other party had come. It was almost certainly about Miao Qian. As he spoke, he casually poured a cup of tea and handed it over. ¡°Yes, but also no.¡± Liu Xingchen took a sip of tea before continuing, ¡°Do you know Miao Qian from Tianhuan Pavilion, Junior Brother?¡± ¡°I know him. He bought my talisman yesterday and said he would give me spirit stones today,¡± Jiang Hao replied truthfully. As expected, it was about this matter. ¡°Do you plan to go ask for it today, Junior Brother?¡± Liu Xingchen put down his teacup and stared at Jiang Hao. Shaking his head slightly, Jiang Hao replied with a hint of helplessness. ¡°He did it on purpose. He won¡¯t give me the spirit stones. If I go again, he will just take my talisman and make me wait. Otherwise, he¡¯ll tell me to go to Tianhuan Pavilion.¡± ¡°He¡¯s dead,¡± Liu Xingchen stated bluntly. Jiang Hao furrowed his brows and fell silent for a moment, while Liu Xingchen continued to drink his tea, not saying anything further. After a short while, Jiang Hao broke the silence. ¡°Do they think I did it?¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± Liu Xingchen nodded almost imperceptibly and continued, ¡°After the investigation, I went to the market and indeed heard that he had a dispute with you. But with your strength, it¡¯s impossible for you to be his match, especially since that person left behind quite a few things. Logically, Junior Brother wouldn¡¯t be so extravagant.¡± ¡°What did he leave behind?¡± Jiang Hao asked deliberately. ¡°A bunch of spirit swords, but the method was somewhat like Junior Brother¡¯s. A single stab to the neck,¡± Liu Xingchen said casually, but he was actually watching Jiang Hao¡¯s reaction. For the moment, he couldn¡¯t see anything. Another silence ensued, and Jiang Hao once again broke the calm. ¡°Is someone framing me?¡± ¡°It¡¯s hard to say, but without evidence, Tianhuan Pavilion can¡¯t do anything to you. Of course, this also implies another matter,¡± Liu Xingchen said seriously, raising his eyebrows and looking at Jiang Hao. ¡°Without evidence, if Junior Brother dies, it would be also in vain.¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao broke out in a cold sweat. If he could kill someone, then others could kill him too. Suddenly, he felt staying here was extremely dangerous. ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much,¡± Liu Xingchen continued, seeing the change in Jiang Hao¡¯s expression. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Although we are called the Demon Sect, our management is not lax. Killing fellow disciples is not allowed unless one can do it undetected like last night.¡± ¡°Normally, the Hall of Enforcement has not failed to find a murderer in cases of homicide within the sect.¡± Relieved by these words, Jiang Hao felt fortunate that he had the protection of the Primordial Purple Qi. Without it, he wouldn¡¯t dare to make a move. The Hall of Enforcement had various powerful magical items, which he had heard about. ¡°I heard that the punishment for killing a fellow disciple is very severe,¡± Jiang Hao inquired. ¡°One would be sent to the Lawless Tower,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a shudder. ¡°The Lawless Tower is the sect¡¯s most cruel punishment. Once inside, one¡¯s cultivation will be absorbed by the tower.¡± ¡°Anyone who comes out alive will drop at least one major realm. If you¡¯re not afraid, you could indeed kill someone.¡± ¡°You might not understand the concept, so let me put it this way: a Golden Core who enters might come out weaker than you.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the difference between that and being dead? Their position and treatment within the sect would decline, they would suffer abuse from enemies, and once outside the sect, they could be killed instantly.¡± ¡°If someone instigated the murder, the instigator would also have to enter.¡± ¡°What if it¡¯s a Qi Refining disciple?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Everything would be confiscated, and they would be thrown into the mines to dig. Their life and death would be their own affair,¡± Liu Xingchen said offhandedly. ¡°Do the mines care about killing each other?¡± ¡°They don¡¯t.¡± Jiang Hao nodded; he had some understanding of this before but didn¡¯t know the specifics. It seemed that staying within the sect was somewhat safer; venturing out was certain death. Here, others would hesitate to act against him. But having taken action himself, he always felt others might also strike on a dark and windy night. ¡°As long as Junior Brother is careful, there won¡¯t be too much danger to your life within the sect.¡± ¡°You are a suspect, and your name has been placed on the watch list of the Hall of Enforcement.¡± ¡°If anything happens, the Hall of Enforcement will spare no effort to uncover the truth. Whoever it is will face fatal punishment, as it affects our sect¡¯s law enforcement,¡± Liu Xingchen reassured, lifting his teacup. ¡°Thank you, Senior Brother,¡± Jiang Hao expressed his gratitude. Being placed on the watch list of the Hall of Enforcement was actually a reason for him to be thankful, which felt quite strange. ¡°Junior Brother is too polite. If it weren¡¯t for Yun Ruo¡¯s significant impact, you wouldn¡¯t be in such danger. Speaking of which, the deadline is approaching, and the compensation demanded by Tianhuan Pavilion...¡± Liu Xingchen kindly inquired. ¡°There shouldn¡¯t be a problem,¡± Jiang Hao hurriedly replied. ¡°Alright, if Junior Brother trusts me when the time comes, you can come directly to the Hall of Enforcement to find me, and I¡¯ll pass it on to Tianhuan Pavilion for you,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a smile. After chatting for a bit more, Jiang Hao learned that he hadn¡¯t been overly troubled during this period, mainly because Duanqing Cliff had significant influence. The person from Tianhuan Pavilion was angry but didn¡¯t want to completely fall out with Duanqing Cliff. They could only wait for an opportunity to take action legitimately. When sending Liu Xingchen off, Jiang Hao asked a question that he was particularly concerned about. ¡°If someone attacks me and it turns out they are a rare genius, will the punishment still be the same?¡± Geniuses usually have immunity. Hearing this, Liu Xingchen smiled and then said with some admiration. ¡°That depends on whether Junior Brother is dead or alive. If you¡¯re dead, then it¡¯s a matter for our Sect Leader.¡± ¡°It¡¯s said that such an incident has happened before, and the Sect Leader answered like this: ¡®Is there a genius greater than me? Interfering with the sect¡¯s law enforcement is equivalent to shaking its foundation. Kill.¡¯ ¡± After Liu Xingchen left, Jiang Hao sighed, thinking the Sect Leader was truly arrogant. At the same time, he was also worried about being discovered if he killed someone. ...... Baihua Lake. Hong Yuye¡¯s brows were slightly furrowed, and Bai Zhi beside her was too scared to breathe heavily. ¡°Talk about your recent gains,¡± Hong Yuye said expressionlessly. Chapter 21 - Another Appraisal of Liu Xingchen Chapter 21: Another Appraisal of Liu Xingchen In Baihua Lake, the sunlight was warm, and a gentle breeze blew. Petals fell onto the lake¡¯s surface, causing ripples. Hong Yuye, dressed in red, sat upright in the pavilion, running her fingers through her hair in front of her, waiting for Bai Zhi¡¯s response. Facing the Sect Leader, Bai Zhi was filled with fear and dared not be negligent. ¡°The Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flowers have taken root and sprouted. During this period, Jiang Hao of Duanqing Cliff has not shown any abnormal behavior, as usual.¡± ¡°Some people have started to approach him, but they all have legitimate reasons, and no one is targeting the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flowers,¡± Bai Zhi reported truthfully. ¡°So, there¡¯s no gain?¡± Hong Yuye looked at Bai Zhi and spoke calmly. ¡°I have failed in my duties,¡± Bai Zhi said, kneeling down in fear. ¡°Don¡¯t just focus on one place. Look at other places, and then look outside,¡± Hong Yuye said, turning her gaze to the lake and continuing. ¡°Sometimes, the greatest impact comes from the farthest away.¡± ¡°Does the Sect Leader mean they are waiting for inside-outside coordination? Or waiting for support?¡± ¡°Then this Jiang Hao is still a suspect,¡± Bai Zhi realized. She was too concerned about the task assigned by the Sect Leader, which affected her vision. Only she knew about the Sect Leader¡¯s sudden emergence from seclusion, which put a lot of pressure on her. Especially since the Sect Leader released the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flowers, it meant that something big was happening, making her even more anxious. If she continued to make mistakes like this, she would be in danger. ¡°That¡¯s your business now, but there will be rewards for your merits,¡± Hong Yuye said, conjuring a silver-white transparent box with a floating armor inside. The silver-white box landed in front of Bai Zhi. ¡°Go,¡± Hong Yuye dismissed her. ¡°Yes,¡± Bai Zhi stood up and left. She had checked the armor; it was for those at the Foundation Establishment stage. So the person who deserved the reward should be Jiang Hao, who cultivated the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flowers. Although it was not certain whether he was a traitor. But without evidence, he was still a proper inner disciple. Cultivating the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flowers indeed deserved merit. However, what concerned her was whether she should mention the Sect Leader when the time came. ...... At night. Jiang Hao felt particularly comfortable wearing the close-fitting soft armor he had received as a reward earlier that day at Baiyue Lake. According to Elder Bai Zhi, someone saw that he had cultivated the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flowers well and personally gave it to him. ¡°Someone?¡± Jiang Hao thought for a moment and then realized. ¡°Elder Bai Zhi is the deputy Sect Leader of Tianyin Sect, second only to one and above tens of thousands. Could the ¡®someone¡¯ she mentioned be the never-seen Sect Leader? That¡¯s right, if the Sect Leader is interested in the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flowers, it would make sense. So if that woman takes the flowers away, does it mean I have offended the Sect Leader?¡± Thinking this, Jiang Hao shook his head; the Sect Leader was just speculation, perhaps Elder Bai Zhi wanted him to have this illusion. In any case, he couldn¡¯t afford to provoke anyone right now. He had to keep delaying and couldn¡¯t intentionally affect the growth of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flowers. As for this body-protecting soft armor, he had just appraised it. The result surprised him; it was the best treasure he had encountered since he started cultivating. None of the treasures he obtained from the bubbles could compare. ¡¾Nine Heavens Battle Armor Piece: Possesses strong defensive power, can independently defend against most attacks below the Golden Core stage, and the more pieces of the armor, the stronger the defense.¡¿ It was even part of a set. With this battle armor, he was much safer. Afterward, Jiang Hao began making talismans. He had to continue earning spirit stones tomorrow. His spirit stone earnings were going smoothly, mostly thanks to Duanqing Cliff. Although his master didn¡¯t fully protect him, he provided a relatively stable environment. Otherwise, Tianhuan Pavilion would probably have the power to force him out of the sect, and then there would be no ¡®after that.¡¯ The recent killing of Miao Qian was a close call, but Liu Xingchen had warned him not to have unnecessary conflicts with people from Tianhuan Pavilion; if another death occurred, trouble would follow even without evidence. Jiang Hao was quite helpless and became even more cautious when selling talismans. Seven days later, Jiang Hao had accumulated a thousand spirit stones. To avoid any long nights full of dreams, he sought out Liu Xingchen at the first opportunity. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. To reassure him, Liu Xingchen began the registration process in front of him, making it official. This way, there was no worry about any unnecessary misunderstandings. However, Liu Xingchen didn¡¯t immediately hand over the spirit stones to Tianhuan Pavilion but did so on the last day. On the same day, he found Jiang Hao and handed him the compensation list from Tianhuan Pavilion to destroy. After that, there was no need to worry about the compensation matter, and the person from Tianhuan Pavilion had no reason to trouble him anymore. At least, that was the case on the surface. Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but breathe a sigh of relief. He could sense that Liu Xingchen was trying to win him over, which would surely bring trouble later on. But right now, he did need the other¡¯s help. For safety¡¯s sake,nhe used his divine ability on Liu Xingchen once more, to verify if the latter had any other motives. ¡¾Liu Xingchen: A true disciple of the Haotian Sect, born with the aura of Dragon Slaughter, cultivation at the Golden Core perfection. Because he is bored, he becomes an undercover in the Tianyin Sect¡¯s Hall of Enforcement. He befriends you to get closer to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and to watch the drama unfold. He also want to clarify whether Miao Qian was killed by you.¡¿ Golden Core perfection? Jiang Hao noticed the change in cultivation level at first glance, which surprised him greatly. Last time, it was only late-stage Golden Core. This was too fast. However, based on the current situation, Liu Xingchen didn¡¯t seem dangerous. That was a relief. He just needed to be careful, as Liu Xingchen still suspected him of Miao Qian¡¯s death. He wondered why Liu Xingchen was so curious. ¡°By the way, a reminder for Junior Brother, the assignment of inner disciple tasks is about to begin. There might be junior brothers involved this time, so it¡¯s best to be cautious. However, your name is still on the list at our Hall of Enforcement, so you¡¯re still not allowed to leave the sect. This means that external tasks won¡¯t be assigned to you, and for the rest, you¡¯ll have to rely on yourself. There are several months left, so Junior Brother has plenty of time to prepare,¡± Liu Xingchen kindly reminded him. Sighing, Jiang Hao decided to check the current state of his cultivation accumulation to face the upcoming changes. Chapter 22 - The Prodigy Disciple Chapter 22: The Prodigy Disciple Jiang Hao understood what Liu Xingchen meant. Sect tasks usually involved traveling with others, which he couldn¡¯t refuse, and such opportunities would definitely be exploited. Once he encountered people from Tianhuan Pavilion, no, it was certain he would encounter them. Then it would be dangerous. Fortunately, there was still some time, and as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, those accompanying him should also be at the Foundation Establishment level. At most late-stage Foundation Establishment, the likelihood of perfection was slim. As long as he advanced to the late stage in these few months, he would be much safer. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 19¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Mid-stage Foundation Establishment¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 49/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 50/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 0/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡®Only halfway there, advancing will take quite some time.¡¯ ¡®I need to find ways to cultivate more spiritual herbs, which makes it easier to obtain blue bubbles.¡¯ In the Lingyao Valley of Duanqing Cliff, there weren¡¯t many fine spiritual herbs, and most importantly, they didn¡¯t require much care. Waiting for them to mature took too long. ¡®Are there any precious and difficult-to-cultivate herbs that require daily care?¡¯ That way, he could get more bubbles. And advancing would become easier. Especially after obtaining a Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, his speed of accumulating cultivation had never been faster. Although the level of danger had also increased sharply, he had gained a lot of good things, which were well worth it. Primordial Heart Sutra, the art of concealment, Nine Heavens Set, daily blue bubbles. It was like having three sources of income, but the downside was the high risk of dying without a place to be buried. Because he would have to offend either Elder Bai Zhi or that woman. ¡°By the way, does Senior Brother know when the tasks will be assigned?¡± Jiang Hao tentatively asked. ¡°It¡¯s not something I should say, but Junior Brother has indeed been treated unfairly,¡± Liu Xingchen hesitated before saying, ¡°At most three months, at least two.¡± After saying this, he added, ¡°Actually, there are two ways to get out of this predicament. One is to avoid Tianhuan Pavilion; given enough time, there should be no problem, especially if that person finds a new charming body. The second is to demonstrate your value, so that your master will protect you at all costs. Then the person from Tianhuan Pavilion will weigh the pros and cons, and the matter will be reduced to something minor.¡± ¡°However, the second way is too difficult. I heard that Duanqing Cliff recently accepted a disciple with exceptional talent. Does Junior Brother know about this?¡± Jiang Hao shook his head; he was unaware. But neither path was easy. For now, he could only choose the first option; the second was unlikely, as he didn¡¯t dare to show that kind of value. And such value would take time to demonstrate. What he lacked now was time. Two to three months would be enough for him to advance to late-stage Foundation Establishment. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Of course, that was assuming he could successfully advance upon reaching a full hundred. As for Duanqing Cliff accepting a disciple with exceptional talent, he didn¡¯t care much, as there was no enmity between them. He just needed to go about his business as usual. ¡°Does Senior Brother know the approximate cultivation level of the team leader this time?¡± Jiang Hao asked again. ¡°It should be late-stage Foundation Establishment, but be prepared for surprises. If there¡¯s a surprise, it could be Golden Core perfection,¡± Liu Xingchen said. Jiang Hao was surprised; the other was willing to tell him everything, which also suggested that the team might have been decided. Not to mention perfection, even dealing with late-stage would be difficult for him. And it could easily expose his cultivation level. ¡®Let¡¯s see how far I can advance; if I can find suitable spiritual herbs, maybe there¡¯s a chance to reach perfection,¡¯ Jiang Hao thought to himself. Before Liu Xingchen left, he told Jiang Hao that the day the person from Tianhuan Pavilion stopped caring would be the day he was free from the suspicion of being a traitor. Watching him leave, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but feel grateful; Liu Xingchen had been too good to him. The appearance of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower had improved his situation quite a bit. Because he had offended Tianhuan Pavilion, he didn¡¯t dare to get too close to people he knew from before, but being labeled a traitor meant he had no such concerns. Everyone is using each other. ¡°Two months, sixty days, a little bit of cultivation each day, is only enough for one practice session. I need to make some money to buy spiritual medicine seeds.¡± This was the only thing he could think of, as the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower had given him a taste of success. But now he didn¡¯t have many spirit stones, and he had only earned a little over ninety recently. Buying two stacks of better talisman materials would almost deplete his funds. One stack could be used to make ten attempts. If one talisman is successful, it could sell for twenty spirit stones. With just one success from a stack, he could break even, but... the success rate was not high. If his cultivation was strong enough, the success rate would improve. The rest depended on repeatedly practicing with a clear and calm mind to increase the success rate. ....... The next day. At the entrance of the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Jiang Hao saw a young man, about the same age as himself, perhaps even younger. He was neatly dressed, proper and conventional, with a trace of youthful naivety still on his face. Standing beside him was a middle-aged man. It was Jiang Hao¡¯s master, the Duanqing Cliff¡¯s master, Ku Wuchang. Seeing this, he strode forward respectfully and said, ¡°Disciple greets Master.¡± Upon seeing Jiang Hao, Ku Wuchang¡¯s face was expressionless. He seemed to be pondering something, and finally, he just raised his eyebrows and said to Jiang Hao. ¡°You¡¯ve come at the right time, show your Junior Brother around the Spiritual Medicine Garden.¡± ¡°He¡¯s new here and not very familiar with it.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao nodded in agreement. He was almost solely in charge of the garden, so it was only natural for him to be asked. As for whether his master was just now contemplating the matter of a thousand spirit stones, he didn¡¯t care. He just needed to focus on surviving; he didn¡¯t dare to hope for more. Within the Demon Sect, not being backstabbed was already fortunate enough. One must see the situation clearly. ¡°My surname is Jiang, full name Jiang Hao, and I¡¯m currently helping out in the Spiritual Medicine Garden.¡± After his master left, Jiang Hao introduced himself. He knew that this was the genius disciple mentioned by Liu Xingchen. At the early stage of Foundation Establishment and only eighteen or nineteen years old, if judged solely by talent, he was indeed impressive. Out of curiosity, he activated his divine ability to appraise him. Chapter 23 - Does He Want to Suppress Me? Chapter 23: Does He Want to Suppress Me? Ever since he had met Senior Sister Yun Ruo, Jiang Hao always wanted to appraise those who stood out. He always felt they were spies. Soon, the appraisal of this Junior Brother appeared in Jiang Hao¡¯s mind. ¡¾Han Ming: True disciple of Tianyin Sect¡¯s Duanqing Cliff, with superior talent, eighteen years old at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, favored by the spirit of mountains and rivers.¡¿ A true disciple? His status is higher than mine, Jiang Hao reflected. Fortunately, there was no rule here to call a true disciple ¡®Senior Brother¡¯, which would have been awkward. However, the sect seemed to have a ranking of the top ten disciples, and once one became a top ten disciple, most people would have to address them differently. Although the other party had superior talent and was favored by the spirit of mountains and rivers, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t care much. As long as he wasn¡¯t an undercover agent, he was quite at ease. Now, any undercover agent approaching him had a clear purpose and couldn¡¯t be shaken off. If every undercover agent was like Liu Xingchen, he wouldn¡¯t mind having more around. Although in the end, there would be a backlash, before the backlash occurred, all he needed to do was become stronger than them. After all, no matter how severe the backlash, it was not as formidable as that woman. Moreover, he didn¡¯t have to worry about dragging these people down. ¡°Replying to Jiang Senior Brother, my name is Han Ming, I hope Senior Brother can give me some guidance.¡± Han Ming said politely, immediately showing curiosity. ¡°I heard that Senior Brother is nineteen years old this year?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°I hope to surpass Senior Brother one day,¡± Han Ming said with a smile. ¡°You will,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. The other person was a true genius, while he himself had only managed to reach this level by luck in his master¡¯s eyes. ¡°Let me show you around, but you don¡¯t need to come here often, I can take care of it.¡± ¡°You should focus on cultivating,¡± Jiang Hao kindly suggested. As a true disciple, there was no need for him to come here, as it would be a waste of time. His master probably brought him here just to get acquainted with the place. ¡°Thank you, Senior Brother,¡± Han Ming said with a smile. Jiang Hao nodded and spent some time familiarizing Han Ming with the Spiritual Medicine Garden. ¡°Has Senior Brother been helping out here all the time? Isn¡¯t it a waste of time?¡± Han Ming asked, sitting under a simple wooden hut. ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± Jiang Hao said slowly. Han Ming disagreed. ¡°I feel that spending time here doesn¡¯t benefit cultivation at all. I want to become... no, I want to be one of the strongest in the sect, I want to be one of the top ten chief disciples.¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t discourage him but replied with a smile and sincerity. ¡°Then I wish Junior Brother to achieve your goal soon.¡± ¡°Senior Brother, how long do you think it will take for me to surpass you?¡± Han Ming asked again. ¡°Probably just a few years,¡± Jiang Hao answered without hesitation. Because under normal circumstances, that¡¯s how it would be. In a few years, the other person would advance to the middle stage while he would still be at the ¡®early stage¡¯. Unless there was some miraculous opportunity he could speak of. Afterward, Han Ming left, seemingly just to make Jiang Hao acknowledge his greater potential. To this, Jiang Hao just smiled wryly. Others might not see the great benefits of being here, but he was different; he could obtain many benefits. His loss would be significant if he were to leave this place. Don¡¯t underestimate the value of white bubbles; they may seem worthless, but their impact is significant when accumulated over time. Having learned the art of concealment, he could feel himself improving every day. ¡°He probably thinks I¡¯m just a 19-year-old at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, so he wants to come over and see for himself.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no danger for now. In a few years, he probably won¡¯t care about me anymore.¡± Jiang Hao muttered to himself silently. Afterward, he began to check and tend to the spiritual herbs around him. At noon, he set up a stall and sold some talismans. In the afternoon, he returned to his place to continue drawing talismans. Occasionally, he would also study the secret manual to become more proficient and gain a better understanding. ...... The next day ¡¾Cultivation +1¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation +1¡¿ After collecting two bubbles, Jiang Hao went to the Spiritual Medicine Garden to continue harvesting. ¡¾Spirit +1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit +1¡¿ ¡¾Strength +1¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy +1¡¿ He felt quite spirited. ...... At noon. Jiang Hao sold some more talismans. He now had one hundred and thirty-five spirit stones, which was a considerable amount. He wanted to buy a seed with it, but as for what kind of seed, he didn¡¯t know. However, he didn¡¯t buy it yesterday, not because he didn¡¯t have enough spirit stones but because he didn¡¯t have divine abilities; he wanted to appraise it before buying. At least to have an understanding. ...... Xuelian Pavilion. Standing at the largest spiritual herb sales venue of the sect, Jiang Hao walked in. Here they sold spiritual herbs and medicinal pills. Some of the spiritual herbs were sourced from Duanqing Cliff, where he had once received orders. Actually, he could also go to other stalls to hunt for bargains, but that would be too time-consuming. Better to buy from a professional place. He just didn¡¯t know what he could get for a hundred spirit stones. ¡°Buying seeds?¡± A uniformed guide fairy with twin ponytails politely asked Jiang Hao. ¡°Senior Brother, what kind of seeds are you looking for?¡± ¡°Hard-to-grow ones, not because of the environment, but due to the nature of the spiritual herbs themselves,¡± Jiang Hao replied. ¡°And the price range?¡± the guide fairy asked again. ¡°Around one hundred spirit stones,¡± Jiang Hao said. ¡°One hundred, huh? With that, you can buy some pretty good seeds. There¡¯s one that¡¯s just right for Senior Brother,¡± the guide fairy gestured invitingly. ¡°Senior Brother, please come this way.¡± A customer with one hundred spirit stones wasn¡¯t a big deal, but it was still decent among those at the Foundation Establishment level. Shortly after, at the seed counter, Jiang Hao saw a snow-white seed lying quietly in a box. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Snow Lotus seed, a high-grade spiritual herb for healing and cultivation enhancement. It grows best in snowy environments, but it can still grow elsewhere. Just at a slower pace. Priced at ninety-nine spirit stones. Does this meet Senior Brother¡¯s requirements?¡± the guide fairy introduced. Appraisal, Jiang Hao activated his divine ability. He trusted the results of his divine ability more than her explanation. Chapter 24 - The Challenge from Han Ming Chapter 24: The Challenge from Han Ming ¡¾Snow Lotus Seed: Once matured, it is a high-grade healing spiritual herb. It has inherent cracks that make it difficult to plant. If it¡¯s in an extremely cold place, there¡¯s no need to worry. Otherwise, it¡¯s best to surround it with sixteen spirit stones and water it every three days.¡¿ ¡°May I take a closer look?¡± Jiang Hao withdrew his gaze and looked at the guide fairy. The guide fairy revealed an impeccable smile. ¡°Of course.¡± After examining the spiritual herb carefully, Jiang Hao indeed noticed the tiny crack and pointed it out to her. To this, the guide fairy still maintained her smile. ¡°Senior Brother has good eyesight. That¡¯s what I was going to mention next. This seed has an innate crack, so we¡¯re selling it at half price for fifty spirit stones.¡± What a rip-off, Jiang Hao thought to himself. If he hadn¡¯t noticed, there wouldn¡¯t have been a ¡®mention next.¡¯ But it¡¯s normal for spiritual herb shops to rip people off, let alone in the Demon Sect. It¡¯s just that here, it seems even more justified. ¡°I¡¯ll take this one and another seed around fifty,¡± Jiang Hao said. Afterward, Jiang Hao bought another seed, a Blue Lotus seed. Besides being able to gather more spiritual energy, it had no other use. Its only advantage was that it was easy to wither if not cared for properly. As for why it was so expensive, probably because he was being ripped off. ¡°I just don¡¯t know if it can provide blue bubbles.¡± Looking at the seeds in his hand, Jiang Hao wondered. White and green didn¡¯t mean much to him since the Spiritual Medicine Garden could provide them. Back at his residence, Jiang Hao planted the Snow Lotus, spending sixteen spirit stones. Now he only had nineteen spirit stones left, enough to buy some talisman-making materials, leaving him almost penniless. Continue earning spirit stones tomorrow. ...... The next day. Jiang Hao woke up from his cultivation, and the first thing he did was to go to the courtyard. Apart from the two blue bubbles provided by the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, there were no others. The snow lotus had not sprouted yet and couldn¡¯t provide any. At this moment, he took out the blue lotus seed. ¡°Appraisal.¡± In a breath, the information fed back by his divine ability appeared in his mind. ¡¾Snow Lotus Seed: After taking root and sprouting, it can condense spiritual energy.¡¿ ¡°...that¡¯s it?¡± Jiang Hao was astonished; it seemed he had indeed been swindled. After planting the seed, he left the courtyard and headed to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. ...... One month later. Jiang Hao put down the talisman brush in his hand and packed away the successfully made Myriad Swords Talisman. It was an order from Senior Sister Leng Tian. She wanted ten pieces, and this was the tenth one. Including the cost of failures, it was eighty spirit stones in total, and selling them would bring in two hundred. A net profit of one hundred and twenty. But these past few days, he hadn¡¯t cultivated at all. In fact, he had lost the cultivation progress of these days. Shaking his head to stop the wandering thoughts, he began to check his status panel. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 20¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (Unique), Daily Identification, Clear Heart and Pure Mind¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 88/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 90/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 0/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡°It¡¯s a bit slow. Advancing to the next level will take about another week.¡± ¡°Twenty years old, huh.¡± Jiang Hao¡¯s gaze lingered on his age, feeling somewhat emotional. His twenty years had not been very smooth, but fortunately, there had been no real dangers. ¡°Congratulations on surviving to twenty.¡± Jiang Hao joked to himself, then walked out of the house. When he arrived at the courtyard, he finally saw bubbles at the snow lotus spot. It had been a month, and he thought it would take several months. The blue lotus had no activity. So today, the presence of bubbles from the snow lotus was indeed invigorating. Especially the purple bubbles. This indicated that there was a chance to get blue bubbles in the future. As he approached, the surrounding bubbles began to fly towards him. ¡¾Cultivation +1¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy +1¡¿ Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡¾Divine Ability Fragment +1¡¿ ¡°It¡¯s divine ability fragment?¡± Jiang Hao always felt that purple should yield something else. But it was also good; divine abilities could be a lot of help, although currently, he lacked offensive power. He had neither powerful spells nor powerful magical treasures. In another month, he might have to participate in a sect mission, and he needed not only to increase his cultivation but also a strong method of attack. For spells, he could look into the Primordial Heart Sutra, but as for magical treasures, the ones he had obtained so far were too ordinary. ¡°If it really comes down to it, I¡¯ll just buy one. After selling the Myriad Swords Talisman, I should have close to five hundred spirit stones. I could buy a decent magical treasure with that.¡± Having made up his mind, Jiang Hao left his residence and headed to the Spiritual Medicine Garden to collect the second wave of bubbles. Buying a magical treasure would have to wait until after his advancement. There was enough time. ...... Spiritual Medicine Garden. Jiang Hao saw Han Ming standing at the entrance, and when Han Ming looked over, Jiang Hao knew he had come for him. ¡°Senior Brother,¡± Han Ming quickly approached, smiling and said: ¡°Senior Brother, do you notice anything different about me?¡± ¡°Your aura has strengthened.¡± Jiang Hao was indeed surprised; the other party had polished his Foundation Establishment early stage and would soon advance to the mid-stage. Wasn¡¯t that too fast? Out of curiosity, he identified Han Ming again. ¡¾Han Ming: True disciple of Tianyin Sect¡¯s Duanqing Cliff, with above-average talent, Foundation Establishment early stage, favored by the Spirit of Mountains and Rivers, bearing the inheritance of a great power.¡¿ Inheritance of a great power? Jiang Hao was shocked internally. Had his opportunity refreshed in a month because of the favor from the Spirit of Mountains and Rivers? ¡°In a few months, I will advance to the Foundation Establishment mid-stage, and then I might surpass Senior Brother,¡± Han Ming said with a smile, his pride tinged with a hint of condescension. As if he hadn¡¯t noticed, Jiang Hao spoke slowly. ¡°Congratulations, Junior Brother.¡± Seeing this, Han Ming¡¯s smile grew even more triumphant, and then he said, ¡°By then, may I challenge Senior Brother? Among the disciples, only Senior Brother and I are of similar age.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Jiang Hao nodded in agreement. When the time comes, let¡¯s lose gracefully. This Junior Brother seems to just want to show off. If he likes to be in the spotlight, let him have it. ¡°Alright, it¡¯s settled then. Senior Brother, don¡¯t be too upset if you lose, after all, there¡¯s a big gap between us.¡± Han Ming left after saying this, but then he suddenly remembered something and added, ¡°I think I heard Master say that the sect missions have been arranged, and you¡¯re included, Senior Brother.¡± Chapter 25 - Being Mocked Chapter 25: Being Mocked The sect missions have been announced. Although Jiang Hao didn¡¯t show it, he was very concerned about it, so as soon as he finished collecting spirit bubbles, he immediately went to the base of the Hall of Enforcement Peak. This is where missions are announced. Of course, it wouldn¡¯t be long before someone would notify him. But he didn¡¯t want to wait, as it was of great significance to him. In a short while, he stood in front of the announcement board and saw his own name. ¡¾Duanqing Cliff¡¯s Jiang Hao: Cleanse the Demon Cavern.¡¿ ¡°Cleanse the Demon Cavern? A team mission, then who are the others?¡± He quickly saw the names of the other four people. Tianhuan Pavilion¡¯s Qing Xue. Tianhuan Pavilion¡¯s Lou Feng. Leihuo Peak¡¯s Xinyue. Bingyue Valley¡¯s Zheng Shijiu. ¡°Two from Tianhuan Pavilion, I wonder what their cultivation levels are.¡± Looking at the names, Jiang Hao began to ponder. He hadn¡¯t had much contact with Leihuo Peak and Bingyue Valley, so it was unlikely he would make enemies there. But the two from Tianhuan Pavilion put a lot of pressure on him. Finally, he checked the time; it was the end of next month. He had a month and a half; Forty-five days. ¡°It seems I can only advance to the late stage first, then consolidate my cultivation and save up spirit stones for a month to buy a powerful magical treasure. The remaining half month will be used to get proficient. Then, as for techniques... the Primordial Heart Sutra doesn¡¯t have anything suitable, so I¡¯ll ask Master.¡± Although Master didn¡¯t have much faith in his cultivation talent, he would still help to some extent. This trip to the Demon Cavern, Tianhuan Pavilion would definitely do something, and Master understood that, so there was a possibility he would help him. The Demon Cavern was a blessed land where many strong cultivators from the sect practiced. It was said that the cave used to be the domain of demons, and now the demons were sealed at the deepest part, and even if they could escape, they only had Foundation Establishment cultivation. The strong cultivators of the sect wouldn¡¯t care about these little pests, so inner disciples were needed to clean it up. The cleaning time was roughly one to three months. It all depended on progress. After coming out, rewards would be given based on achievements. Actually, it was also a good place for training. If he hadn¡¯t offended Tianhuan Pavilion, Jiang Hao would have been quite willing to go. Because killing demons not only allowed him to gain practical experience but also to collect spirit bubbles. Afterward, he turned and left, planning to first inquire about the strength of these people to better prepare himself. ¡°Junior Brother, we meet again.¡± As Jiang Hao was leaving, a girl in blue clothes jumped in front of him. ¡°Senior Sister Ming Yi,¡± Jiang Hao said politely. This person was a candidate for Saintess of the Tiansheng Sect, with early Golden Core cultivation. She was also an undercover agent. Extremely dangerous. Fortunately, after a purge of traitors last time, these people had become much more subdued. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Moreover, the appearance of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower made them afraid to act rashly. Everyone was worried because everyone knew it was a trap. Except for that woman, no one dared to take the bait. ¡°Junior Brother is really polite. I just saw your name, are you going to the Demon Cavern?¡± Fairy Ming Yi said with a smile. Ming Yi Senior Sister had a sweet appearance and a sunny smile, but Jiang Hao knew she was ruthless and cunning. It was best not to offend her if he could avoid it. With her early Golden Core cultivation, she was like an insurmountable mountain pressing down on him, not an opponent at all. ¡°Yes. I¡¯m going to the Demon Cavern to carry out a mission at the end of next month.¡± Jiang Hao nodded without thinking further. ¡°Here, take this. I just got it, consider it a thank you for your help a while ago. Oh, and if I have any trouble next time, I¡¯ll continue to seek out Junior Brother. I hope Junior Brother won¡¯t refuse.¡± After saying this, Fairy Ming Yi placed a piece of paper in Jiang Hao¡¯s hand and then walked away briskly. She didn¡¯t say anything more. After a moment of confusion, Jiang Hao opened the paper and his eyebrows lifted in delight. The undercover agent was really good to him. The paper listed the strengths and a brief introduction of those four people. ¡®Tianhuan Pavilion¡¯s Qing Xue: Late Foundation Establishment, close to breakthrough, specializes in Tianhuan Celestial Immortal Dao; the colder she appears, the easier it is to fall into her charm.¡¯ ¡®Tianhuan Pavilion¡¯s Lou Feng: Mid Foundation Establishment, close to breakthrough, specializes in Tianhuan Fallen Immortal Dao, can subtly plunge one¡¯s mind into chaos.¡¯ ¡®Leihuo Peak¡¯s Xinyue: Early Foundation Establishment, specializes in Skyfire Thunder Sword, excels at invoking heavenly thunder, counters Tianhuan Pavilion¡¯s Fallen Immortal Dao.¡¯ ¡®Bingyue Valley¡¯s Zheng Shijiu: Late Foundation Establishment, specializes in Thousand Mile Ice Seal, decisive in killing, looks down on Tianhuan Pavilion.¡¯ Looking at these four people, Jiang Hao felt a sense of strangeness. The first two people will definitely deal with me, but the latter two, it feels like they¡¯re specifically there to counter the first two. ¡°Is someone helping me?¡± Jiang Hao¡¯s first thought was of his master. Although he wasn¡¯t of great value, he still had some worth. Thus, a balance was formed, which neither caused a fallout with Tianhuan Pavilion nor made it difficult to protect their own disciple. The hatred of the Pavilion Master from Tianhuan Pavilion towards him depended entirely on whether they could find a new cauldron. If they found one, they wouldn¡¯t do anything further, but if they didn¡¯t and their breakthrough failed, then Jiang Hao would have to flee for his life. Or he could reveal his cultivation level and have his master and sect intervene. It¡¯s just not clear whether it would be worth it. After all, he had one chance to cheat death. Revealing his cultivation would definitely lead to an investigation and even prying into his secrets¡ªwhether the Demon Sect could tolerate him was uncertain. But as for what exactly would happen if he used his chance to cheat death, he couldn¡¯t be sure. There was a definite risk. ¡°Hey, isn¡¯t this Junior Brother Jiang Hao from Duanqing Cliff?¡± A man approached from the opposite direction, teasing Jiang Hao as he looked at him. The man had disheveled hair and bloodshot eyes, exuding an inexplicable ferocity. He was at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. ¡°Senior Brother is?¡± Jiang Hao asked politely. ¡°Next month, we¡¯re heading to the Demon¡¯s Cave together. I hope Junior Brother comes well-prepared,¡± Lou Feng said, coming up to Jiang Hao and patting his shoulder mockingly. ¡°With your physique, you could easily die in there. Don¡¯t blame Senior Brother for not saving you if that happens.¡± After saying that, he laughed heartily and left. Jiang Hao lowered his eyelids, realizing who the man was. Lou Feng from Tianhuan Pavilion. It seemed that even if the Pavilion Master didn¡¯t act, the others below would find opportunities to make a move. Chapter 26 - The Treatment of a True Disciple is Really Good Chapter 26: The Treatment of a True Disciple is Really Good Returning to Duanqing Cliff. Jiang Hao began to contemplate Tianhuan Pavilion. He had indeed offended Tianhuan Pavilion by killing Senior Sister Yun Ruo, but not everyone was out to kill him. If everyone wanted to take action, it was likely an intentional or unintentional command from someone at Tianhuan Pavilion. So normally, those who wanted to kill him fell into two categories. One, those who wanted to please the Pavilion Master, and two, those influenced by Senior Sister Yun Ruo¡¯s charm body. Either type was very dangerous. ¡°This trip to the Demon¡¯s Cave is highly dangerous. I need to advance to the late stage of Foundation Establishment as soon as possible to have the power to protect myself. I have a defensive magic treasure, now I¡¯m missing an offensive magic treasure and a more powerful offensive technique.¡± The Primordial Heart Sutra contained its own techniques, but so far, none had been unlocked. His cultivation level wasn¡¯t high enough. After taking care of the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao found his master, Ku Wuchang. ¡°Techniques?¡± Hearing Jiang Hao¡¯s request, Ku Wuchang didn¡¯t waste words. ¡°What kind do you want to learn?¡± ¡°Something powerful,¡± Jiang Hao said. ¡°Do you use a blade?¡± Ku Wuchang asked. ¡°I can use one,¡± Jiang Hao immediately replied. He hadn¡¯t specialized in any particular magical treasure yet. Daggers, spirit swords, he had used them all. But only just used them. ¡°Good, then I¡¯ll pass on the Demon Sound Slash to you.¡± Saying this, Ku Wuchang pointed his fingers at Jiang Hao¡¯s forehead. A blade shadow then appeared in Jiang Hao¡¯s mind like thunder rolling and storms racing. The vision disappeared shortly after. Jiang Hao came back to his senses, and Ku Wuchang handed him a book: ¡°Take this back and meditate on it. With your talent, you should be able to barely learn it in a little over a month.¡± ¡°Thank you, Master.¡± Jiang Hao took the book and then excused himself to leave. As he was leaving, he just happened to see Han Ming and other Senior Brothers going in. ¡°Do you want to learn an offensive technique? Then I will pass on the Heavenly Thunder Sword to you. You stay here and learn from me, you can only leave once you¡¯ve learned it.¡± Ku Wuchang¡¯s stern voice came from inside. Jiang Hao glanced over and then stopped paying attention, quickly leaving. He had to go back and meditate on the Demon Sound Slash. As for what he had just overheard, he didn¡¯t care; he was just one of the many inner disciples. But Han Ming and the others were true disciples. Their treatment was naturally different. He could only sigh at how good the treatment of a true disciple was. Returning to his residence, Jiang Hao glanced at the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. ¡°I need to make a trip to Baiyue Lake; it might not be good to leave this flower here like this when I¡¯m gone.¡± Afterward, he went to the cultivation room, activated the Clear Heart and Pure Mind technique, and instantly felt his mind become clear and his thoughts transparent. He could understand and grasp many things at an extremely fast speed. He then began to open the book and comprehend the Demon Sound Slash. For seven consecutive days, Jiang Hao meditated on the Demon Sound Slash. On the eighth day, he went through everything in his mind once again. Then he went to the stream, casually picked up a branch, and swung it out in an instant. Boom! The demonic sound thundered, its sharpness fully revealed. A blade shadow, ten meters in length, slashed across the sky. Boom! The creek exploded, sand and stones flying everywhere. The sound of impact echoed. A long gash was left on the ground. Seeing this, Jiang Hao let out a slight smile: ¡°Success, the power is pretty good, and seven days is a decent time.¡± With his talent, it would normally take over a month to master the Demon Sound Slash. But he possessed the divine ability of the Clear Heart and Pure Mind, which enhanced his talent; otherwise, it would have been impossible to comprehend it in just seven days. ¡°Now I just need one more blade, I¡¯ll save up spirit stones for another month to buy it.¡± He hadn¡¯t made any spirit talismans or sold any in these seven days. Apart from the Myriad Swords Talisman that Senior Sister Leng Tian requested, he hadn¡¯t sold any others. All his time was devoted to understanding the Demon Sound Slash. So he still had only a little over four hundred spirit stones. By all accounts, that was a substantial sum of money, but for the sake of survival, he still felt it wasn¡¯t enough. A few hundred spirit stones definitely wouldn¡¯t suffice to buy the best magical treasures for someone at the Foundation Establishment stage. But earning more seemed somewhat out of reach. After discarding the branch, Jiang Hao went to the courtyard, where he had noticed something over the past few days. The snow lotus flower would produce a bubble every three days, which could be either vital energy or cultivation base. It couldn¡¯t compare to the Heavenly Fragrance Flower, which produced two bubbles a day, but it was many times better than before. As for the blue lotus flower, it had also bloomed. But on the first day of blooming, there were only green bubbles and, afterward, only white ones. Better than nothing, I suppose. It could be used for a spirit gathering array. At this moment, Jiang Hao glanced at his status panel. ¡¾Vital Energy: 99/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 100/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ Just a bit short on vital energy. By tomorrow at the latest, he could begin his advancement. ...... In the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Jiang Hao looked around and noticed a blue bubble today. He walked over immediately. The surrounding bubbles began to converge and merge into him. ¡¾Vital Energy +1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit +1¡¿ ¡¾Strength +1¡¿ ¡¾Strength +1¡¿ ¡¾Strength +1¡¿ Feeling the increase in strength, Jiang Hao was also somewhat pleased. Of course, the most important thing was that his vital energy was full. He could go back tonight and raise his cultivation base. After taking care of the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao instructed the other outer disciples to look after it. Not just because he was in a hurry to advance but also because, in a little over a month, he would be heading to the Demon Cavern. Others would need to take over here. When the time came, the inner sect Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters would just need to make an appearance; the outer sect would handle the management. It was less likely to cause trouble. He also made time to visit Baiyue Lake, where he didn¡¯t see Elder Bai Zhi, but Senior Sister Zhou Chan brought a message with only four words: ¡°No need to worry.¡± It seemed that whether he was there or not, fishing could continue. So he didn¡¯t need to worry either. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Back at his residence, Jiang Hao looked around to make sure everything was in order before entering the cultivation room to extract blood qi and cultivation base. Whether he could advance to the later stage of Foundation Establishment in one go, he wasn¡¯t sure. But when it was time to advance, he couldn¡¯t delay. The vast blood qi and spiritual energy began to fill Jiang Hao¡¯s eight extraordinary meridians. Purple qi appeared in the meridians, starting to guide. It seemed to be going smoother than before. Chapter 27 - Broke Chapter 27: Broke The blood qi and spiritual energy flowed continuously, unaffected by the purple qi. The Primordial Heart Sutra operated methodically. At this moment, the spiritual energy passed through the Heavenly Meeting point, then surged downward into the dantian. In the dantian, the spiritual energy gathered and compressed, seemingly striking against some barrier. Crack! Bang! Under the strong compression, the spiritual energy became purer and more substantial. Only then did Jiang Hao breathe a sigh of relief, continuing to circulate his energy through the microcosmic orbit. The remaining twenty or so points of cultivation base and vital energy in the panel were all absorbed by him. He needed to consolidate his cultivation base to be prepared for any emergency. ...... The next day. Jiang Hao opened his eyes, lifted his hand, and squeezed his fist tightly; the strong power filled him with joy. After so many years in the Tianyin Sect, only strength could give him a sense of security. Here, without strength, one could only be at the mercy of others, without the slightest ability to say ¡°no.¡± Now in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, although I¡¯m not very strong yet, I¡¯ve taken another step closer to being powerful. My trip to the Demon Cavern will be somewhat more relaxed. However, it¡¯s still not enough; my advantages are too few. Upon arriving in the courtyard, Jiang Hao once again collected several bubbles. ¡¾Cultivation +1¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy +1¡¿ ¡¾Strength +1¡¿ The strength is provided by the Blue Lotus. Stepping outside, Jiang Hao tested his fist. With a boom. The boulder shattered. This is the power of the physical body. The strength brought by vital energy and daily training. ¡°Looking at this, even if I lose all my cultivation, I still have a decent fighting ability.¡± Picking up white bubbles day after day, there are indeed great benefits. After practicing the Demon Sound Slash for a while, Jiang Hao went to the Spiritual Medicine Garden to continue his daily routine. For the following month, no one disturbed him. He spent almost the entire month at his residence, becoming more proficient with the Demon Sound Slash while also studying the Nameless Secret Manual. Now, he¡¯s handling his power with even more ease. His strength has improved somewhat. It must be said that the secret manual that woman gave him is truly a treasure. At night, he would start making talismans. He made Concentration Talismans and Divine Sword Talismans the most. He also often made Myriad Swords Talismans, but he didn¡¯t sell them. The attack power of these talismans is quite good; perhaps they will help him in the Demon Cavern. He prepared fifteen of them. He would sell the rest. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In one month, he had accumulated 723 spirit stones. Actually, he didn¡¯t earn much this month. Business wasn¡¯t good, and the Myriad Swords Talismans also consumed some of his resources. Today, after coming out of the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao planned to buy a magical treasure. ¡°There are only seven days left before entering the Demon Cavern; I can¡¯t keep waiting.¡± He needs to familiarize himself with the magical treasure in the remaining seven days; otherwise, he won¡¯t be able to unleash its full power. There¡¯s just one thing he¡¯s hesitant about. He looked at his status panel. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 20¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Late stage Foundation Establishment¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (Unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 46/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 51/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 1/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ Now that both vital energy and cultivation are nearly half, should he wait until they are full to try for a breakthrough, or should he extract and cultivate now? After hesitating for a moment, Jiang Hao decided to hold off. His cultivation is already solid, and extracting won¡¯t lead to advancement; it¡¯s not very helpful. ¡°The likelihood of them attacking directly upon entering the Demon Cavern is low, so I¡¯ll have time to clear out the demons and continue accumulating cultivation.¡± With a decision made, Jiang Hao went to the sect¡¯s market. He stood in front of the Xingchen Building, observed for a moment, and felt it was much more magnificent than the Xuelian Pavilion. ¡°A Foundation Establishment level saber-type magical treasure?¡± Hearing Jiang Hao¡¯s request, the guiding fairy led the way: ¡°Senior Brother, please follow me.¡± After a short while, the guiding fairy laid out three sabers in front of Jiang Hao. The first was entirely red, about three fingers wide, and three feet long. The second was radiant, about two fingers wide, and one foot long¡ªa short saber. The third was pitch black, about three fingers wide, and two feet long. ¡°The first is the Fiery Sun Saber, containing powerful flame energy, with saber qi that carries high temperatures, extremely lethal, priced at 888 spirit stones.¡± ¡°The second is the Rainbow Moon Slash Saber, leaving no trace when it cuts, containing seven colored mini-sabers that shoot out, killing invisibly. Priced at 1,100 spirit stones.¡± ¡°The third is the Shadow Saber, invisible and shadowless at night, difficult to capture, not as powerful as the first two, but extremely sturdy due to its material, priced at 830 spirit stones.¡± Jiang Hao picked up the Shadow Saber because it was the cheapest. What he really wanted was the Rainbow Moon Slash Saber. But it was too expensive. In the end, he got the Shadow Saber for 720 spirit stones, which was his limit. He couldn¡¯t afford anymore. After obtaining the saber, he sold some talismans, barely keeping twenty to thirty spirit stones on him. Apart from the Spiritual Medicine Garden, he went nowhere else, focusing on getting used to the Shadow Saber. In the darkness of the night, he swung the saber, stirring up a shocking wave. Boom! The saber¡¯s shadow swept across all directions with immense destructive power. Seeing the power of the Demon Sound Slash, Jiang Hao felt the saber was worth it. However, the two were not perfectly compatible. The Shadow Blade is suitable for assassination. The Demon Sound Slash is too conspicuous, but its power is indeed strong. ¡°Put it away, and you can catch them off guard.¡± Thinking this, Jiang Hao tucked the blade away. He then glanced at the sky, where the sun was slowly rising. Today was the day he would head to the Demon Cavern. Whether he could return was unknown. Chapter 28 - An Unexpected Event Chapter 28: An Unexpected Event After setting up the basic formation, Jiang Hao left the courtyard. Because of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, he couldn¡¯t ask others to help look after his spiritual herbs. He was worried about problems. Not just with the flower, but with people too. Theft by the guards, or being killed by someone. In short, this courtyard was always being watched, and the moment he left, someone might try something. ¡°I wonder if that woman will come. If she thinks I¡¯ve run away, will she take the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower?¡± After a moment, Jiang Hao stopped dwelling on it because that woman was a big fish, and Elder Bai Zhi was surely making moves too. He should just hope for the best. At this moment, he checked his cultivation level and vital energy on the panel. ¡¾Vital Energy: 56/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 61/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡°More than half. I wonder if there¡¯s a chance to save up to a hundred. If there is, I¡¯ll need a quiet environment to advance.¡± This was his last trump card. About to leave Duanqing Cliff, Jiang Hao went to his master¡¯s residence. Unfortunately, his master was not there. He had come to say goodbye. After a short while, he arrived at the foot of the Enforcement Peak. ¡°Junior Brother, are you setting off?¡± At this moment, Liu Xingchen approached. ¡°Senior Brother, good morning,¡± Jiang Hao replied politely. He suddenly felt amused; it seemed like all the undercover agents were concerned about him now. They probably all wanted him to come back alive, though he didn¡¯t know why. ¡°Junior Brother, your situation isn¡¯t very good,¡± Liu Xingchen said as he walked beside Jiang Hao. They headed towards the sect¡¯s mission gathering place. ¡°I¡¯ve seen the list; the strongest is at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, and there¡¯s another at the late stage of Foundation Establishment who doesn¡¯t get along with Tianhuan Pavilion. This should be a good thing for me,¡± Jiang Hao said. ¡°Mm, the people originally fixed by Tianhuan Pavilion were indeed one at the mid-stage and one at the late stage, but an unexpected event occurred,¡± Liu Xingchen sighed. ¡°Did they change people?¡± Jiang Hao asked in surprise. ¡°They didn¡¯t change,¡± Liu Xingchen shook his head, then said: ¡°They advanced.¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao was stunned, feeling that the trouble had just increased. Only now did he remember the four words on the note ¡®close to breakthrough¡¯¡ªboth people had these words. So, the original mid-stage Foundation Establishment and late-stage Foundation Establishment had become late-stage Foundation Establishment and complete-stage Foundation Establishment? Now it was dangerous. ¡°Thank you for the warning, Senior Brother,¡± Jiang Hao immediately expressed his gratitude. Liu Xingchen nodded and then said no more, going off in another direction. ¡°I need to find a way to quickly accumulate enough cultivation and vital energy, then try to break through.¡± Jiang Hao thought to himself. ...... Upon arriving at the mission assembly area, Jiang Hao saw four people. A cold and elegant woman in white, a fierce man in black with a tyrannical look in his eyes. Opposite them stood a man in white holding a paper fan, looking gentle and refined, with a woman in blue by his side holding a long sword, provocatively looking at the two in front of her. Tianhuan Pavilion¡¯s Qing Xue, Tianhuan Pavilion¡¯s Lou Feng, Bingyue Valley¡¯s Zheng Shijiu, and Leihuo Peak¡¯s Xin Yuyue. Although these four didn¡¯t get along, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t think he could befriend Zheng Shijiu and the other either. When he appeared, all four of them looked over. Some appraised, some scorned, some were mocking. Facing these gazes, Jiang Hao walked over and politely said. ¡°Greetings to Senior Brother and Senior Sister, sorry for being late.¡± Actually, it was the four of them who had arrived too early. ¡°You¡¯re not late; you¡¯re just in time,¡± Tianhuan Pavilion¡¯s Lou Feng said with a smile in his eyes. It seemed like he had been waiting for this day for a long time. ¡°Then let¡¯s set off,¡± Bingyue Valley¡¯s Zheng Shijiu spoke. ¡°Indeed, I feel sick staying with people from Tianhuan Pavilion for too long,¡± Leihuo Peak¡¯s Xin Yuyue said with disdain. Jiang Hao nodded slightly without speaking. ¡®The two from Tianhuan Pavilion have concealed their cultivation. They haven¡¯t shown their new realm.¡¯ Jiang Hao, who had some understanding of the Nameless Secret Manual, could now see that these two were hiding their cultivation levels. For safety¡¯s sake, he decided to appraise Tianhuan Pavilion¡¯s Qing Xue. ¡¾Qing Xue: Disciple of Tianyin Sect¡¯s Tianhuan Pavilion, Foundation Establishment complete stage, harbors deep hatred for you due to infatuation with her master.¡¿ ) Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Crazy. That was all Jiang Hao could think. In the Demon Sect, it¡¯s abnormal not to have abnormal disciples. By noon, they had arrived at the entrance to the Demon Cavern. The Demon Cavern is located at the center of the Tianyin Sect¡¯s lake. It is a world unto itself, vast and expansive. Since the entrance is within the sect¡¯s territory, the interior is also considered part of the sect¡¯s domain. ¡°Most of the demons inside are at the early and middle stages of Foundation Establishment. Since that¡¯s the case, let¡¯s split up and act independently,¡± said Qing Xue from Tianhuan Pavilion with a cold voice. Hearing this, Lou Feng nodded in agreement. ¡°I concur.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s a good idea,¡± Zheng Shijiu from Bingyue Valley shook his head and said. ¡°At the beginning, there are many demons. Together, we have enough attack power, not to mention that we can look out for each other in case of trouble. Once we split up, if we encounter the rare late-stage Foundation Establishment or complete-stage demons, it¡¯s basically a dead end. Splitting up as soon as we enter is tantamount to seeking death.¡± S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°I agree with Senior Brother Zheng,¡± Xin Yuyue from Leihuo Peak added. ¡°I also agree with Senior Brother Zheng,¡± Jiang Hao said without any pretense. At this time, he must stick with the group. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t stand a chance against a complete-stage Foundation Establishment opponent. He came prepared, and so did the opponent. ¡°Then let¡¯s clear out most of them before splitting up to pursue the isolated demons,¡± Qing Xue said coldly, staring at Zheng Shijiu. Jiang Hao could clearly sense her displeasure, but now was not the time to worry about that. He needed time, and he needed to clear out the demons. Chapter 29 - Madness Chapter 29: Madness Inside the Demon Cavern. A group of five walked on the grass, and instead of a dark cave, they were greeted by a bright sky. Above the sky, there was a curtain of light, like ripples on water, vast and boundless. The ground was no different from the outside, with mountains, rivers, and an abundance of flora. They were now walking at the edge of a forest, and in the far distance, they could see a beam of light reaching for the sky. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It seemed as if stars were falling within the light. A spectacle to behold. ¡®The core of the Demon Cavern.¡¯ Jiang Hao had his own calculations. The sect¡¯s records stated that the core was where demons were sealed and that it was forbidden for people to approach. ¡°This is my first time in the Demon Cavern; I didn¡¯t expect the environment to be so nice,¡± Xin Yuyue from Leihuo Peak said in surprise. ¡°Yes, the environment here is surprisingly good, but the danger is also high,¡± Lou Feng from Tianhuan Pavilion said with a smile looking at Jiang Hao. ¡°I heard that if you die here, the Hall of Enforcement won¡¯t come in to investigate.¡± Jiang Hao lowered his eyes; the other party was threatening him. He didn¡¯t get angry. The more this happened, the more he had to remain calm and then look for an opportunity to defuse the crisis. First, he needed to find a demon to kill and see. Cultivating spiritual herbs and killing magical beasts would produce bubbles. The magical beasts would drop them on the spot, and he needed to figure out what bubbles the demons would drop. ¡°It¡¯s a bit too quiet,¡± Zheng Shijiu said, frowning as he looked around. ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s quieter than it should be. Normally, there would be quite a few demons around at this time,¡± Qing Xue from Tianhuan Pavilion followed up. They each had their own thoughts, but none would joke with their own situation. The five of them walked into the forest. Jiang Hao was on alert, his senses only slightly weaker than Qing Xue¡¯s from Tianhuan Pavilion. But he dared not show it. There was a noise, and Jiang Hao immediately looked to the left. At that moment, Qing Xue also spoke up. ¡°Here they come.¡± Whoosh! A huge boulder came smashing down. Boom! The boulder created a large crater in the ground. Before the stone hit the ground, Jiang Hao and the others scattered to dodge. Then a stream of fire surged towards the direction from which the stone had come. Bang! There was an explosion ahead. It was Xin Yuyue who had made a move. Her power was strong. Jiang Hao felt that she was also close to advancing to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. Roar! A roar came from the explosion site. Three burly figures charged over. As they got closer, Jiang Hao could see that they resembled gorillas, covered in hair with slightly fierce faces. Without much thought, he was the first to charge forward. From his observations, they should only have the strength of the early stage of Foundation Establishment. He drew his long saber and leaped towards the demon, slashing down with his blade. Clang! The blade sparked, but it did not inflict any damage. ¡°So tough?¡± Jiang Hao was surprised, and for a moment, he gave up using the saber. He turned around to the back of the demon, his dagger appeared in his hand, and he stabbed it into the demon¡¯s neck. Pfft~ The dagger penetrated with difficulty, and blood began to spill. Roar! The demon roared, and Jiang Hao slammed the dagger deeper into its neck, piercing through. With that, the demon fell to the ground, motionless. At that moment, two blue bubbles emerged from the demon¡¯s body. The energy instantly merged into Jiang Hao¡¯s body. ¡¾Vital Energy +1¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation +1¡¿ Two of them? It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve seen this after killing so many fierce beasts. At that moment, he immediately looked towards the other two beasts, which had already fallen to the ground in response, just without any bubbles. This was expected; he needed to deliver a finishing blow. Participation often leads to the appearance of bubbles. ¡°It seems Junior Brother is quite fond of stabbing necks,¡± said Lou Feng with a smile as he watched Jiang Hao after having split a demon in two with a single stroke. ¡°Senior Brother is joking. The demon¡¯s body is harder than I anticipated. The neck is a bit weaker,¡± Jiang Hao replied softly. There was some information on demons, but their resilience was higher than what the records suggested. Reflecting on the recent battle, Jiang Hao realized that to break through the demon¡¯s skin defense, using the Demon Sound Slash should be effective. One or two might not be a problem, but a large number could be dangerous. And there was another important point. He needed to kill fifty demons to safely exit the Demon Cavern. Otherwise, the two from Tianhuan Pavilion would not let him leave. ¡°So the neck is their weakness,¡± Xin Yuyue nodded as she thrust her sword into a demon¡¯s neck. ¡°It really is a vulnerable spot.¡± ¡°We need to be careful. The demons attack us on sight, which means they consider this their territory. Groups of three suggest that most in the vicinity will be in threes or fours,¡± Zheng Shijiu said. ¡°Let¡¯s clear them out together. Once we deal with the groups, we can go after the solitary ones,¡± Qing Xue said coldly. Afterward, she started walking forward. The others followed suit, and Jiang Hao was no exception. He was thinking about how to kill more, and the faster, the better. Soon they encountered demons again, this time four, with one at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. Without any hesitation, Jiang Hao avoided the mid-stage Foundation Establishment demon and attacked the other three. He took down one with a dagger and then went straight for the second. Seeing his determination, everyone else was happy to let him be. After killing two, Jiang Hao received three bubbles. ¡¾Cultivation +1¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy +1¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy +1¡¿ ¡°It seems the gains are not very stable. I need to increase the kill count.¡± Jiang Hao felt a sinking feeling, not as optimistic as he had hoped. After that, he fought even more desperately against the demons. A month passed like this, and they all acted together. This kept Jiang Hao safe. Tianhuan Pavilion would not slaughter a fellow sect member in front of others. Unless they killed everyone, in which case it would be without guilt. ¡¾Cultivation +1¡¿ Looking at the demon that had fallen before him, Jiang Hao felt increasingly uneasy. A month had passed, and they encountered many demons every day, but after the initial abundance of bubbles, they became increasingly scarce. It wasn¡¯t just that there were fewer demons; more often, he couldn¡¯t kill them. Or if he killed one, Lou Feng would kill the others. The man seemed to have gone mad; whenever he saw Jiang Hao killing demons, he had to kill too, and he wanted to kill them all. He didn¡¯t even hide his advanced cultivation level anymore. The demons were getting fewer, and they would have to split up soon. And he was just a little short on vital energy and cultivation. ¡¾Vital Energy: 95/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 96/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ Chapter 30 - Junior Brother Jiang Might Stay in the Demon Cavern Forever Chapter 30: Junior Brother Jiang Might Stay in the Demon Cavern Forever Roar! Another demon appeared. Just as Jiang Hao was about to make his move, Lou Feng of Tianhuan Pavilion had already struck. A single slash. Boom! The demon was killed on the spot. Jiang Hao could only watch. ¡°Junior Brother Jiang seems very keen on killing demons, but I am too. I just wonder who can kill more,¡± Lou Feng said with a smile as he looked at Jiang Hao. His smile was fierce. Jiang Hao had appraised him on his second day here. This man was not here for Tianhuan Pavilion; he was solely here for Senior Sister Yun Ruo. He was madly in love with Senior Sister Yun Ruo. For reasons unknown. Now that Yun Ruo had been killed, he naturally sought revenge. ¡°Why is Junior Brother not talking?¡± Lou Feng¡¯s eyes widened, showing a ferocious and bloodthirsty look. ¡®The hatred in him is getting stronger, and he could easily lose control,¡¯ Jiang Hao thought with some concern. Not only was he worried, but Zheng Shijiu was too. If Lou Feng lost his sanity, he might attack everyone present. And unfortunately, the man was at the late stage of Foundation Establishment. Xin Yuyue also sensed it. Even though she could restrain him, the gap in strength was too large, leaving her without an advantage. At this moment, Qing Xue suddenly spoke up, ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since we¡¯ve seen demons in groups. There probably aren¡¯t many left. Let¡¯s split up.¡± Hearing this suggestion, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Even Jiang Hao felt the same. He was very concerned that Lou Feng might suddenly attack. If it became known that he was also at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, Qing Xue would definitely act to eliminate him together. He was close to accumulating enough cultivation, and he couldn¡¯t afford any conflicts at this moment. Splitting up was dangerous, but as long as he could hide for a while, he could strive for a breakthrough. Zheng Shijiu knew about the grudge between Jiang Hao and Tianhuan Pavilion, and he didn¡¯t want to get involved. The risk was too high. ¡°Does anyone have objections?¡± Qing Xue asked again. ¡°What does Junior Brother Jiang think?¡± Zheng Shijiu turned to ask Jiang Hao. ¡°This is good,¡± Jiang Hao said calmly. His calm demeanor impressed Zheng Shijiu. To remain so composed at a time like this. Lou Feng, on the other hand, showed a smile, seemingly finally able to let loose. ¡°Which direction does Junior Brother want to go?¡± Zheng Shijiu let Jiang Hao choose first, and then he added. ¡°Let¡¯s not go in the same direction. That way, we can clear them out faster.¡± After agreeing on a final meeting place, Jiang Hao headed straight into the interior, being the first to choose had its pros and cons. The advantage was that with Zheng Shijiu watching, the others wouldn¡¯t follow him, but the downside was that everyone knew which direction he was going. But as long as he was fast enough, there would only be advantages. Once he was sure the others couldn¡¯t see him, he changed direction and sped away, his strength as a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator fully displayed, even surpassing the speed expected at his level. After Jiang Hao left, Zheng Shijiu looked towards the two from Tianhuan Pavilion. Without any fuss, they each chose different directions. As for where they disappeared to, no one knew. ...... ¡°Senior Brother Zheng, I heard you¡¯re not happy with the people from Tianhuan Pavilion. Why didn¡¯t you disrupt their plans this time?¡± Xin Yuyue asked with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to disrupt them,¡± Zheng Shijiu sighed. ¡°One is at the peak of Foundation Establishment, and the other is at the late stage. I¡¯m no match for them.¡± ¡°Tianhuan Pavilion really has no shame,¡± Xin Yuyue said with disdain. ¡°Tianhuan Pavilion is angry, but Duanqing Cliff isn¡¯t too emotional, so this time Tianhuan Pavilion is bound to come out on top. Moreover, I heard that Junior Brother Jiang advanced by relying on heavenly materials and earthly treasures, so he¡¯s just an ordinary inner disciple. If he were a true disciple, it wouldn¡¯t be like this,¡± Zheng Shijiu said with some regret. ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± Xin Yuyue didn¡¯t say much more, but she was curious about those three. ¡°We probably can¡¯t all return together in the end, right?¡± ¡°Mm, most likely only four of us. Junior Brother Jiang is probably going to stay in the Demon Cavern forever,¡± Zheng Shijiu said. ¡°Is there no chance he can escape?¡± Xin Yuyue asked. ¡°Probably not,¡± Zheng Shijiu sensed and said. ¡°Lou Feng of Tianhuan Pavilion is agitated and has already headed in Jiang Hao¡¯s direction.¡± After a pause, Zheng Shijiu added, ¡°Junior Sister, are you going to act with me, or on your own?¡± ¡°Thank you for the kind offer, Senior Brother, but I¡¯d like to gain some experience on my own,¡± Xin Yuyue declined with a smile. ¡°Alright, see you in a month,¡± Zheng Shijiu said and then chose a direction. Tianhuan Pavilion were the bad guys, but Bingyue Valley wasn¡¯t necessarily good either. Xin Yuyue didn¡¯t want to put herself in danger. As for Jiang Hao¡¯s situation, she was powerless to help. Weak in cultivation and having offended a powerful enemy, perhaps it was better to die sooner rather than suffer later. ...... Jiang Hao moved as quickly as possible. He didn¡¯t engage the demons he encountered, intentionally leaving them be, so as not to be easily discovered. The next day. He finally stopped, settling by the side of a lake. After rushing for a day, he had probably bought himself quite a bit of time. Now, what he needed to do was to kill demons to obtain enough cultivation and vital energy. Then he would try to advance to the peak of Foundation Establishment, otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t stand a chance against Qing Xue of Tianhuan Pavilion. Roar! At that moment, a demon burst forth from the lake. It possessed the strength of the mid Foundation Establishment stage. Without hesitation, Jiang Hao slew it with a single strike. He then picked up the bubble. ¡¾Cultivation+1¡¿ ¡°Just one.¡± He didn¡¯t linger and continued deeper into the area. However, every time he saw the area where the stars fell from the sky, he felt a sense of awe. He dared not approach that place. Yet, the demons here were indeed becoming scarcer. It took him three days to barely gather enough bubbles. ¡¾Vital Energy+1¡¿ After killing a demon, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. Because both his vital energy and cultivation were full. ¡¾Vital Energy:100/100(can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation:100/100(can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡°It¡¯s time to find a place to advance.¡± ....... Elsewhere, Lou Feng saw the corpse of the demon. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He walked along the lakeside, looking down with a sullen chuckle. ¡°I¡¯ve found you.¡± Chapter 31 - Found Chapter 31: Found ¡°He really can run.¡± Lou Feng arrived at the lakeside, looking at the nearby demon corpse, which had taken him days to find. He hadn¡¯t expected it to have run so far. Fortunately, he was prepared and had brought a treasure for finding people. Now that he had a trail, he could find the other party within a day. He then took out a compass-like treasure and began to search around for traces. In a short time, he made progress and continued forward. Behind him, Qing Xue from Tianhuan Pavilion promptly followed. Jiang Hao deliberately ran so far, which was somewhat unexpected to them. The other party knew they were being watched, yet still continued to kill demons; there must be a reason. They just didn¡¯t know why. That¡¯s why Lou Feng took the initiative to snatch and kill demons, to prevent Jiang Hao from achieving his goal. Unless his goal was to exhaust Lou Feng. After some time, they still hadn¡¯t seen Jiang Hao, which meant he was quite a distance away. Especially since the demon corpses they saw around seemed to be one or two days old. ¡°Something¡¯s not right,¡± Lou Feng frowned: ¡°With such speed, he could keep hiding indefinitely, so why kill demons? Is it to lure us over, or does he want to obtain something from the demons? Even at the risk of being discovered, he insists on killing them. What is it that he wants to get that can be used against us?¡± Thinking this, Lou Feng knew he had to find Jiang Hao quickly, or there might be complications. Since he had acted, he had to eliminate future troubles. ...... At night. Jiang Hao sat cross-legged in a giant tree, a temporary hiding place he had found. Mountains were rare in the Demon Cavern, so naturally, there were no caves to speak of. The best hiding places were inside trees. At this moment, he was attempting to break through to the peak of Foundation Establishment. If he couldn¡¯t break through after saving up a hundred, the situation would become dangerous. The people from Tianhuan Pavilion, as long as they were prepared and not foolish, would find him within a day or two. Once found, he would have to face a late Foundation Establishment stage and a peak Foundation Establishment stage. The chances of escape were not high. So he could only bet on breaking through to the peak of Foundation Establishment. Actually, the chances of breaking through were very high; he hadn¡¯t used up a full hundred in cultivation and vital energy in his previous attempts. At this moment, Purple Qi was guiding spiritual energy and vital energy, standing at the threshold of completion, truly striking at the barrier. Jiang Hao remained calm, allowing the power to settle in his dantian. He aimed to enter the peak of Foundation Establishment in one fell swoop. At this time, the cultivation and vital energy in the panel were constantly changing, the numbers had dropped from a hundred down to twenty-seven, and if he couldn¡¯t break through when the numbers reached zero, then it would mean he failed. Suddenly, he heard a noise outside, but this unexpected change didn¡¯t stop Jiang Hao¡¯s advancement. He had to complete the advancement before being discovered. Outside, Lou Feng walked through the woods. Using all his strength, he finally arrived here, but didn¡¯t find much. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Wrong direction?¡± He couldn¡¯t help but doubt. Afterward, he used various tracking methods, all pointing to this place. That meant the direction was correct, so where was the person? He moved forward, always alert to his surroundings. Behind him, Qing Xue followed, ensuring that the two of them wouldn¡¯t be ambushed at the same time. They were both aware of Jiang Hao¡¯s anomaly, so they couldn¡¯t give the other party a chance to attack both of them simultaneously. ¡°What places in the forest could serve as hiding spots? Underground or in the trees?¡± ¡°Tree?¡± Lou Feng paused for a moment, then began to observe the large trees around him. Soon after, he noticed one that seemed to have a slight spiritual energy. Normally, it would be considered just an ordinary spirit tree, but with a hunch, Lou Feng immediately sensed the situation inside. Joy quickly spread across his face. However, his confusion also grew. The person was actually... breaking through. No matter what, he had to interrupt them. Clang! His great sword materialized, power converging. Lou Feng leaped up, bringing his sword down in a swift cut. ¡°Still trying to hide?¡± Boom! The tree was split in half by the strike, scattering its wood in all directions. The figure inside came into Lou Feng¡¯s view¡ªit was Jiang Hao, who had been in seclusion. Seeing this, Lou Feng was overjoyed, and his power surged once more. His sword came down directly, aiming for the center of Jiang Hao¡¯s forehead, intending to split him in two. However, just as the sword was about to touch Jiang Hao, a phantom armor appeared in front of the blade. Clang! The sword collided with the armor, neither yielding. ¡°A protective treasure?¡± Lou Feng was shocked. Without hesitation, he increased his strength, determined to break through the defense. But at that moment, Jiang Hao, who had been closing his eyes, suddenly opened them. Lou Feng met his gaze, seeing a cold indifference and a bright golden light within. Then, a powerful aura burst forth from Jiang Hao. Foundation Establishment completion stage. ¡°How is this possible?¡± Feeling the sudden increase in Jiang Hao¡¯s cultivation level, Lou Feng was shocked and disbelieving. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t give him a chance to ponder the reasons. He reached out, and the Shadow Saber appeared, instantly slashing out with a Demon Sound Slash. Boom! The strike passed, and even though Lou Feng had managed to defend, he was still sent flying far away. Bang! He crashed into a large tree. His great sword shattered, and his hand was a bloody mess. But he was not dead. Seeing this, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t care. A forced strike that severely injured his opponent was already good. He slowly stood up, looking towards Qing Xue in the distance. Two against one was not good. He needed a quick resolution. Qing Xue had the same idea, holding her long sword, her fingers moving as spells surrounded her, beginning her attack on Jiang Hao. A cold and stunning intent surged. Jiang Hao ignored it completely, thankful for the gu poison at this moment. Otherwise, he would have been distracted. He swung the Shadow Saber, charging forward. Clang! Sword and saber collided, constantly crossing paths, with the light of the blade and the shadow of the sword containing power that surged everywhere. In the dark night, the two stood in mid-air, attacking each other, each strike lethal. They gave no quarter, attacking with full force. Boom! The powerful forces made them separate, and at that moment, Qing Xue shouted to Lou Feng. ¡°Join forces, he won¡¯t last long after just advancing.¡± Right, she realized she couldn¡¯t take him down on her own. He had just advanced, his foundation still unstable, and yet he was overpowering her. If they didn¡¯t kill him now, they would be the ones to die. Chapter 32 - Killing the Enemy Chapter 32: Killing the Enemy Lou Feng, still struggling to believe that Jiang Hao had reached Foundation Establishment completion, didn¡¯t dare to ponder too much. He had to kill his opponent first. He spat out a mouthful of essence blood, using it to draw out droplets of blood from his body. Each drop carried a scorching aura, then surged towards Jiang Hao like shooting stars. At the same time, Qing Xue didn¡¯t stand idly by; she launched her attack on Jiang Hao. A torrent of blood rained down, bombarding continuously, while Jiang Hao had to dodge and resist the sword shadows wielded by Qing Xue. Blood rained down like droplets, the sword intent cold and powerful. Boom! The blood exploded on the ground, creating large craters. Bang! Sword light swept across, shattering trees. Under the dark night, the sword and saber emitted sparks, a life-and-death struggle within inches. Jiang Hao, surrounded and attacked, was bound to lose if this continued. Ignoring the blood attacks, he spun the Shadow Saber, and a Demon Sound Slash, like thunder, appeared, slashing towards Qing Xue. Naturally, Qing Xue also used her strongest technique. Boom! Sword and saber clashed, their power sweeping out like rings of light across the surroundings. For a moment, the two were locked in a fierce contest. Lou Feng launched a blood attack, only to find that most of it was blocked by Jiang Hao¡¯s magical treasure. Without hesitation, he took advantage of Jiang Hao¡¯s immobilization, drew his broadsword, and with a spit of blood to empower the blade, he rushed forward at high speed and brought the sword down in a swift strike. With Qing Xue¡¯s strong frontal assault and Lou Feng¡¯s sneak attack from the side, the situation was tense. However, Jiang Hao remained calm, his gaze towards Lou Feng now tinged with a trace of Purple Qi. This Purple Qi spread rapidly across his body. The broadsword came slashing down. Jiang Hao tilted his head to dodge and then raised his hand, lightly tapping the broadsword with the back of his fingers. By this time, the Purple Qi had spread to his fingertips. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Clang! A crisp sound rang out as the broadsword snapped in two. The broken blade flew off, and Lou Feng inwardly cursed his luck, but by then, he was already upon Jiang Hao, only to see a palm covered in Purple Qi strike his chest with the speed of lightning. Bang! Crack! The force of the palm pierced through his body, shattering his ribs and crushing his internal organs. Spurt! Lou Feng spat out blood and was sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground. At this point, Jiang Hao turned his attention to Qing Xue. The Primordial Heart Sutra surged within him to its peak, Purple Qi enveloping his entire body, even covering the Shadow Saber. He moved the saber, and with a burst of tremendous force, he repelled Qing Xue with a loud boom. Before she could even land, Jiang Hao swung the Shadow Saber, the Purple Qi swirling, tracing a perfect arc. It was still the Demon Sound Slash, but now imbued with Purple Qi. Whoosh! The saber¡¯s shadow whistled past, cutting through everything in its path, and then pierced Qing Xue¡¯s body just as she touched the ground. In disbelief, she looked at Jiang Hao, understanding her own dire state, with one question in her mind. Why is he so strong? Crack! Her long sword was neatly severed and fell to the ground. Not only that, her body also began to crack, her life force dissipating. Seeing this, Lou Feng was terrified and struggled to flee. Bang! He hadn¡¯t gone far when a saber pierced his neck and pinned him to a tree. It was Jiang Hao who had thrown the Shadow Saber. ¡°We¡¯re dead, and everyone will know it was you,¡± Qing Xue said, her eyes filled with unyielding resentment. ¡°Mm,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°I know, but no one will investigate, as you¡¯ve told me.¡± With that, he took out ten Ten Thousand Swords Talismans. Each one possessed the power of the Foundation Establishment stage. Even for someone at the early stages of Foundation Establishment, it was enough. He divided the talismans into two sets, seven for one and three for the other, and then launched them at Qing Xue and Lou Feng. In an instant, a thousand swords were unleashed. Moments later, Jiang Hao looked at the two spots, only to see the remains of the two from Tianhuan Pavilion, their bodies broken and lifeless. They were completely dead. Spurt- Only after the battle did he spit out a mouthful of blood. From the beginning, he had been forcing a breakthrough, and his body was already injured. Just now, he had forcibly stimulated the power of the Primordial Heart Sutra, compounding his injuries. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have wasted the Ten Thousand Swords Talismans; he would have personally finished them off with a couple of strikes. With the crisis resolved, he immediately sat down cross-legged to heal his wounds. However, it wasn¡¯t long before several demons approached, drawn by the noise of the fight. Five of them. Seeing them, Jiang Hao sighed. When it rains, it pours. ...... A month later. Near the exit of the Demon Cavern. Zheng Shijiu of Bingyue Valley stood waiting, holding a paper fan and gazing into the distance, lost in thought. ¡°Senior Brother arrived early. You must have had quite the harvest on this trip, right?¡± Xin Yuyue of Leihuo Peak arrived on her flying sword. The Demon Cavern was full of treasures, and diligent seekers would always find something. She had encountered some, with more luck than danger. This mission for the sect, even without the rewards, had already been profitable for her. Zheng Shijiu smiled slightly and said, ¡°It seems Junior Sister has encountered quite a few opportunities. I wasn¡¯t so lucky; I only found some minor things.¡± ¡°Senior Brother is being modest. Speaking of which, I didn¡¯t encounter many demons on my way back, not even one. I should have completed the mission, right?¡± Xin Yuyue said. ¡°Mm, I also didn¡¯t encounter many demons. The danger came more from some beasts,¡± Zheng Shijiu nodded. At that moment, Xin Yuyue also looked into the distance and asked curiously. ¡°Does Senior Brother think Junior Brother Jiang will make it back?¡± ¡°He probably won¡¯t,¡± Zheng Shijiu pondered for a moment before replying. ¡°I actually followed their tracks and found that Lou Feng and Qing Xue were moving together with a purpose. In the end, they must have encountered each other. Facing the combined attack of someone at the later stage of Foundation Establishment and another at the peak of Foundation Establishment, even if Junior Brother Jiang has some tricks up his sleeve, he couldn¡¯t have survived.¡± ¡°There¡¯s nothing we can do about it, after all, we didn¡¯t see what happened,¡± Xin Yuyue said with a shrug, then continued. ¡°What if Junior Brother Jiang comes back?¡± ¡°That¡¯s impossible,¡± Zheng Shijiu shook his head. ¡°What if he really does come back?¡± Xin Yuyue asked curiously. Upon hearing this, Zheng Shijiu said gravely, ¡°That would be a big problem.¡± Chapter 33 - The Fearsome Junior Brother Jiang Chapter 33: The Fearsome Junior Brother Jiang ¡°A big problem?¡± Xin Yuyue¡¯s eyes showed confusion as she waited for the Senior Brother in front of her to answer. ¡°Yes,¡± Zheng Shijiu gazed into the distance. ¡°Once the three of them met, only one side could have returned. It¡¯s not surprising for the two from Tianhuan Pavilion to come back; that¡¯s to be expected. But if only Jiang Hao returns... what do you think happened?¡± ¡°Tianhuan Pavilion failed?¡± Xin Yuyue asked. ¡°It¡¯s more than just a failure. If the three of them met, the likelihood of them all returning together is almost nonexistent. If only Junior Brother Jiang returns, then without thinking, it¡¯s clear... the two from Tianhuan Pavilion were counter-killed,¡± Zheng Shijiu said seriously. ¡°That¡¯s impossible. How could someone at the early stage of Foundation Establishment counter-kill someone at the later stage and another at the peak of Foundation Establishment?¡± Xin Yuyue shook her head, finding it unlikely. ¡°Exactly, and if it did happen, wouldn¡¯t that be a big problem? It would mean we know that Junior Brother Jiang has the ability to kill someone at the peak of Foundation Establishment. Do you think he would keep us here to keep this secret? After all, killing us, one at the early stage and one at the later stage of Foundation Establishment, wouldn¡¯t be difficult,¡± Zheng Shijiu said with a laugh. However, as soon as he finished speaking, Xin Yuyue looked to the side in terror and nudged her Senior Brother nervously, ¡°S-Senior Brother, look.¡± Hearing this, Zheng Shijiu turned his head, not understanding why Xin Yuyue¡¯s tone had changed. But in the next instant, he saw a young man walking out of the woods. His steps were steady, his breath calm, showing neither joy nor anger, nor any sign of abnormality. Yet, upon seeing him, Zheng Shijiu¡¯s pupils shrank, and his heart pounded as if he were facing a great danger. ¡°Senior Brother, what should we do?¡± Xin Yuyue whispered. If she hadn¡¯t heard the analysis, she wouldn¡¯t be worried, but after hearing it and then seeing the person who had come, she felt she could be attacked at any moment. The person who emerged was Jiang Hao, whose injuries had completely healed. ¡°Don¡¯t panic, keep your distance, we can¡¯t linger in the Demon Cavern, the faster we leave, the safer. Also, let¡¯s not stand too close, as long as one of us can run, he won¡¯t risk making a move,¡± Zheng Shijiu advised. By this time, Jiang Hao had approached, and Zheng Shijiu moved away from Xin Yuyue, showing a smile, ¡°Did Junior Brother Jiang gain anything this time?¡± ¡°The demons are mostly cleared out,¡± Jiang Hao replied. He had sensed something off about these two as soon as he arrived, as if they were on guard against something. Soon he roughly understood the reason; he had returned, but the two from Tianhuan Pavilion had not. One could guess there was something fishy about that. But Jiang Hao didn¡¯t care because without evidence, no one knew what had happened. As for killing the two before him to silence them... that would raise more suspicions once he got out. It held no substantial meaning. It was better this way. ¡°Have the Senior Brother and Senior Sister from Tianhuan Pavilion not returned yet?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°They must have been delayed by something. It¡¯s almost time for our agreed meeting. We don¡¯t need to wait any longer. Let¡¯s head out,¡± Zheng Shijiu said with a smile. Normally, he would wait a day or two, but now he didn¡¯t dare to. The longer they waited, the more dangerous it became. Although it was possible he was wrong, it was better to be safe than sorry. ¡°They¡¯re not children. They¡¯ll return on their own once the mission is complete,¡± Xin Yuyue added. Jiang Hao nodded in agreement. Having been in the Demon Cavern for over two months, he was more concerned about the situation with the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. After some time, the three of them left the Demon Cavern. The moment they emerged, Zheng Shijiu and Xin Yuyue breathed a sigh of relief. Now, if they died, there would be an investigation, and no one would dare to act rashly. However, their vigilance did not relax. It was hard to imagine that the last person to pressure them would be the one they least regarded. After saying goodbye to the two, Jiang Hao turned in his mission. Someone would go to the Demon Cavern to investigate, and once the situation was roughly confirmed, rewards would be distributed. Jiang Hao estimated he would receive a few hundred spirit stones, which was a decent gain. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As for whether the bodies of the two from Tianhuan Pavilion would be discovered... he didn¡¯t care, as they had been consumed by demons. If the Hall of Enforcement didn¡¯t investigate, then no one had evidence against him. But whether Liu Xingchen would go on his own, he wasn¡¯t sure. After a month, the scene had been destroyed by him, and theoretically, nothing could be found. Leaving the Enforcement Peak, Jiang Hao went to greet his master before returning to his own residence. His master was somewhat surprised that he had returned unscathed. However, he just nodded without saying anything else. After more than two months, Jiang Hao finally returned to his own courtyard. Upon entering, he saw two blue bubbles on the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. ¡¾Cultivation+1¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy+1¡¿ The Snow Lotus had no bubbles and looked somewhat wilted, and the Blue Lotus was about to wither, not to mention having any bubbles. After tending to them, he watered the spiritual herbs with stream water again. ¡°It seems that no one has come in. It looks like no one dares to touch the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower for the time being.¡± After checking around, he breathed a sigh of relief. Resting for a moment, he took out the Shadow Saber. The blade was now covered in cracks. In the battle with Qing Xue from Tianhuan Pavilion, the Shadow Saber had killed the opponent but had also reached its limit. ¡°The rewards I got this time aren¡¯t even comparable to this treasure.¡± Shaking his head, Jiang Hao placed the saber in a corner. It would serve as a decoration. He then opened his panel to check his current status. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 20¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Complete¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 9/100 (cannot be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 11/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 1/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡°It¡¯s only been about nine months since I reached Foundation Establishment, and I¡¯m already complete. For the first time, I feel like the Golden Core is within reach.¡± Chapter 34 - The Female Demon Comes Again Chapter 34: The Female Demon Comes Again After killing the two from Tianhuan Pavilion. Jiang Hao consolidated his cultivation, using all his cultivation and vitality. Now, killing those two would be a breeze. In the last month in the Demon Cavern, because he didn¡¯t encounter many demons, his vital energy and cultivation didn¡¯t increase much. The biggest gain from this mission should be his advancement to complete Foundation Establishment. It also allowed him to gain some peace for a short time. As long as he continued to stay here, he would be able to strengthen himself quickly. This confidence stemmed from the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. Looking at the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, which still only had two tender leaves, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but feel that while the flower had given him opportunities, it would also plunge him into greater danger. He just didn¡¯t know when this danger would come. After staring at the flower for a long time, Jiang Hao began to assess his shortcomings. He had armor for defense, which indeed helped him a lot. He wasn¡¯t lacking in defense for the time being. But he had neither techniques nor offensive treasures. The Demon Sound Slash was only decent in power, and better masters might not be willing to teach him. The inner sect was always just the inner sect. He needed to find a way to get something better. As for treasures... He would stick with sabers, as they felt right in his hand. But if he were to buy another, it would have to be one suitable for the Golden Core stage. The spirit stones required would not be just a few hundred or a thousand; for him, it was an astronomical figure. He was still poor. He would still need to make talismans to earn money. ...... Seven days after returning from the Demon Cavern. Liu Xingchen found him and delivered the rewards for the Demon Cavern mission. A total of three hundred spirit stones. He also mentioned that the people from Tianhuan Pavilion hadn¡¯t returned and needed to ask him a couple of questions. ¡°Just asking, Junior Brother, just speak truthfully. It will help us give Tianhuan Pavilion an explanation,¡± Liu Xingchen said calmly. ¡°Senior Brother, please ask,¡± Jiang Hao replied, his expression unchanged. ¡°Junior Brother, tell me about your experience in the Demon Cavern,¡± Liu Xingchen said casually as he arrived in the courtyard. ¡°In the beginning, I acted together with a few Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters for about a month. To clear out the demons more effectively, we chose to split up. On the way, I hunted demons and did nothing else,¡± Jiang Hao answered. Hearing this, Liu Xingchen turned to look at Jiang Hao. ¡°Did you encounter those two from Tianhuan Pavilion during that time?¡± Jiang Hao shook his head and explained. ¡°I was always avoiding them, so I never encountered them.¡± S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°I see,¡± Liu Xingchen nodded, then smiled and said. ¡°Then there¡¯s nothing more to ask. Tianhuan Pavilion might suspect you, but without evidence, they wouldn¡¯t take the risk. During this time, Junior Brother can cultivate in peace at Duanqing Cliff. I¡¯ll take my leave.¡± After saying that, Liu Xingchen did not linger any longer. As he saw off this Senior Brother, Jiang Hao used his divine ability to appraise once more. ¡¾Liu Xingchen: A true disciple of the Haotian Sect, born with the aura of Dragon Slaughter, Golden Core Complete cultivation, because he is bored, he becomes an undercover in the Tianyin Sect¡¯s Hall of Enforcement. He befriends you to get closer to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and to watch the drama unfold. He strongly suspects that you killed the three from Tianhuan Pavilion and has taken a keen interest in you.¡¿ Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Although the other party¡¯s interest is somewhat frustrating, as things stand, Liu Xingchen is still safe. That means the other party¡¯s claim that one can cultivate in peace for some time is likely true. With this, Jiang Hao also breathed a sigh of relief. He could finally continue to accumulate cultivation and become stronger. ...... A month after returning from the Demon Cavern, Han Ming came looking for him. ¡°Senior Brother, we meet again.¡± Han Ming greeted Jiang Hao with a smile on his face. ¡°Is there something you need, Junior Brother?¡± Jiang Hao asked, puzzled, but he was surprised by the other¡¯s cultivation level. Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, having an inheritance really makes a difference, the promotion was so fast. Though it could also be due to some heaven-defying treasure. ¡°Senior Brother, have you forgotten? I mentioned before that I wanted to spar with Senior Brother, and now I¡¯m ready,¡± Han Ming said eagerly. ¡°Do you want to have a private match or a public one?¡± Jiang Hao remembered, indeed there had been such a conversation. ¡°Let¡¯s keep it private,¡± Jiang Hao replied without hesitation. A private match would have less impact, and it wouldn¡¯t matter how it ended. ¡°When?¡± Han Ming asked. ¡°Tomorrow,¡± Jiang Hao said after a moment¡¯s thought. Today he would also think about how to lose, then go sell some talismans he had made recently. Then he needed to buy a better talisman manual. He had already mastered the previous twelve talismans, except for the last three auxiliary ones which were not very useful. For example, the Cleansing Talisman, Strength Talisman, and Pain Relieving Talisman. The Cleansing Talisman could be replaced by directly using spiritual energy to clean clothes, Qi Refining disciples didn¡¯t want to use the Strength Talisman, and the Pain Relieving Talisman had a minor healing effect but was expensive to make and sold for little. After making some, he didn¡¯t bother to make more. ¡°Good, I¡¯ll come find Senior Brother tomorrow morning. How about we set the location by the creek?¡± Han Ming asked. After Jiang Hao nodded, Han Ming turned and left. After tomorrow, he wouldn¡¯t need to pay any more attention to this Senior Brother. For Han Ming, a defeated opponent wasn¡¯t worth his concern. Watching the other¡¯s somewhat contemptuous departure, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t mind. After tomorrow, this Junior Brother probably wouldn¡¯t focus on him anymore, which would be better for everyone. ¡°Looking at you, do you plan to lose to him?¡± A pleasant yet indifferent voice suddenly sounded behind Jiang Hao. Turning around, he saw a red-clad woman standing in the courtyard, her gaze lowered towards the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. Her profile was stunningly beautiful. It was her again. Jiang Hao walked into the courtyard and bowed. ¡°Greetings, senior.¡± Although he didn¡¯t want to see her, every encounter reminded him that he was a normal person. The gu poison was no small affliction. Yet it had also helped him a lot; facing the two from Tianhuan Pavilion, his mind was unaffected, almost entirely thanks to the gu poison. ¡°You seem very afraid of standing out,¡± Hong Yuye said, turning to look at Jiang Hao. Chapter 35 - Heavenly Saber Seven Forms Chapter 35: Heavenly Saber Seven Forms Jiang Hao naturally worried about standing out. Living in the Demon Sect, unremarkable yet harboring secrets, it would be fine if he were strong, but he was weak. What he lacked was time, so peaceful cultivation was his greatest desire. The outcome of a spar didn¡¯t matter much. But these were not things to be shared with others, so he had to say against his will. ¡°Planting flowers for the senior, I dare not draw too much attention.¡± Hong Yuye chuckled lightly, speaking calmly. ¡°What¡¯s your cultivation level?¡± ¡°Mid-stage Foundation Establishment,¡± Jiang Hao replied. Hearing this, Hong Yuye walked towards a corner, casually saying, ¡°I thought you were an honest and timid good person, but now it seems not. Good people don¡¯t lie as comfortably as you do.¡± Jiang Hao bowed his head and said nothing, unsure if she was deliberately probing. When facing such a high-level old monster, silence was the best policy. At this moment, Hong Yuye turned to look at Jiang Hao. ¡°I¡¯ll give you another chance, tell me your real cultivation level.¡± ¡°Mid-stage Foundation Establishment,¡± Jiang Hao replied without hesitation, giving the same answer. Whoosh! Hong Yuye frowned, and an invisible force like a roaring wind struck towards Jiang Hao. Bang! Under the powerful force, Jiang Hao was slammed against the wall, completely unable to resist as a full-fledged Foundation Establishment cultivator. For a moment, he was curious about the woman¡¯s real cultivation level. Hong Yuye snorted coldly. ¡°Then let¡¯s assume you¡¯re at Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.¡± Jiang Hao exhaled, curious if she had seen through his true cultivation level. ¡°Do you practice the saber?¡± Hong Yuye asked, drawing the Shadow Saber. ¡°I do have such thoughts,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. He indeed planned to focus on saber techniques in the future. ¡°I¡¯ve seen many people, and they all practice the sword,¡± Hong Yuye said calmly, looking at Jiang Hao. (TLN: saber here is singe-edged blade while sword is double-edged blade.) ¡°Don¡¯t you practice the sword?¡± ¡°No,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. ¡°Why not?¡± Hong Yuye asked casually. ¡°I am a disciple of the Demon Sect, and cultivating the sword often makes people think of the disciples of the immortal sects. Therefore, it¡¯s better to focus on a saber,¡± Jiang Hao replied. When he thought of the immortal sects, he usually imagined disciples in white robes, with long swords in hand. The magical treasures of the Demon Sect are varied and strange, and even if there are swords, they are demonic swords. Hearing this, Hong Yuye let out a cold laugh, walked into the room, and sat down at the table. ¡°You¡¯re not valued much in the Tianyin Sect, aren¡¯t you?¡± Jiang Hao followed her in and lowered his head without speaking. Indeed, he wasn¡¯t valued, but he didn¡¯t care. At least his current situation was still manageable. As for the Tianhuan Pavilion... one day, when he surpassed them, he would definitely pay them a visit. Seeing Jiang Hao¡¯s noncommittal response, Hong Yuye continued. ¡°You have neither powerful magical weapons nor powerful techniques.¡± ¡°I do have a powerful magical weapon,¡± Jiang Hao retorted. He was referring to the Nine Heavens Armor he wore, which, although only a Foundation Establishment magical weapon, was actually part of a set. Once complete, it should be a very powerful treasure. Hong Yuye stared at Jiang Hao for a while, then dropped the subject of the magical weapon. ¡°I have a saber technique here, do you want it?¡± ¡°Does senior have any conditions?¡± Jiang Hao asked curiously, knowing that it wouldn¡¯t be given for free. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to have a friendly competition with someone? Win against him, and I¡¯ll give you the saber technique,¡± Hong Yuye said teasingly. Upon hearing this, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t respond immediately. He was weighing the pros and cons. What impact would winning against Han Ming bring? He would certainly be hounded by the other party afterward, and it might even arouse suspicion. However, it wasn¡¯t impossible to explain, as there were many opportunities in the Demon Cavern, and it wouldn¡¯t be strange for him to have gained an opportunity after spending over two months inside. But would his master believe it if he found out? There was a certain risk. So, should he give up on the saber technique offered by this woman? The things she offered were likely to be good, especially that Nameless Secret Manual, which the Tianyin Sect definitely didn¡¯t have. After a moment, he made a decision. Tomorrow, he would win the competition, then get the saber technique, and attribute everything to the Demon Cavern. ¡°Okay,¡± Jiang Hao agreed with a nod. He didn¡¯t know when he would be able to get a good saber technique otherwise. He couldn¡¯t learn any of the techniques from the Primordial Heart Sutra, and he couldn¡¯t pick up any bubbles above purple unless he got another Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower seed, which was obviously impossible. So he had to seize this opportunity. ¡°You¡¯re quite decisive when the time comes,¡± Hong Yuye said, feeling bored. She then threw a book at him and left the room like a gust of wind. ¡°Next time I come, if I see that the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower hasn¡¯t grown at all, I¡¯ll be asking you for an explanation.¡± As her voice faded, Hong Yuye disappeared completely. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t dare to hesitate and bowed his head in respect. After a moment, he looked at the book in his hand. It was titled ¡¶Heavenly Saber Seven Forms¡·. He didn¡¯t rush to read it but glanced at the corner of the yard and noticed that the place where the Shadow Saber should have been was now empty. ¡°Did that woman actually take my saber?¡± Jiang Hao was incredulous that she would do such a thing. Shaking his head, he stopped thinking about it and opened ¡¶Heavenly Saber Seven Forms¡· to try to learn from it. However, the book was esoteric and difficult to understand. After a long time, he couldn¡¯t make out anything except for the names. ¡°The difficulty of this is who knows how much higher than Demon Sound Slash; I only know the name of the first form.¡± The first form of the Heavenly Saber was called Moon Slash. Taking a deep breath, Jiang Hao decided to return tonight to open Clear Heart and Pure Mind to further comprehend it. Today, he would first go to the Spiritual Medicine Garden, and then sell some talismans. ....... sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Han Ming returned to his residence, looking forward to tomorrow¡¯s competition. He was about the same age as Jiang Hao, so he really wanted to best Jiang Hao. After all, he was a true disciple, while the other was only an inner sect disciple. As long as he won, even if he called the other Junior Brother, no one would care. In the Demon Sect, there weren¡¯t so many rules. As long as it wasn¡¯t killing fellow disciples or fighting seriously, it wasn¡¯t a big problem. Chapter 36 - One Saber is Enough Chapter 36: One Saber is Enough ¡°Junior Brother?¡± A tall, handsome, and aloof man asked Han Ming curiously, ¡°Is there something you¡¯re happy about?¡± ¡°Senior Brother Mu.¡± Han Ming replied with a smile, ¡°It¡¯s nothing major. I just went to see Senior Brother Jiang, and he agreed to have a friendly competition with me.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Mu Qi showed some interest and said, ¡°I remember Jiang Junior Brother; he¡¯s indifferent and only cares about managing the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Does he not know that you¡¯ve advanced to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment?¡± ¡°He probably knows.¡± Han Ming pondered before replying, ¡°I didn¡¯t hide my cultivation level, and he seemed to have noticed it.¡± ¡°Then Junior Brother should be careful,¡± Mu Qi kindly warned. ¡°He must have just come out of the Demon Cavern, and there are many opportunities inside. It¡¯s quite possible that he encountered one. Otherwise, he might not have agreed to compete with Junior Brother.¡± Of course, it might have been a reluctant move. But it¡¯s always good to be cautious.¡± After saying that, Mu Qi turned and left. Han Ming frowned deeply, thinking that even with another stroke of luck, it would be impossible to defeat his own mid-Foundation Establishment stage self. Still, caution was necessary. Both being Senior Brothers, their ages and cultivation levels were not far apart. Underestimating the opponent could lead to irreversible doom. However, he still believed he could win easily. ....... The next day. ¡¾Vital Energy+1¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation+1¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation+1¡¿ ¡¾Strength+1¡¿ Jiang Hao collected the energy bubbles in the courtyard and waited at the door. Waiting for Han Ming to arrive. Yesterday, he went to sell talismans, but unfortunately, he had too many and couldn¡¯t sell them all, ending up with just over a hundred spirit stones. After deducting costs, the profit was less than a hundred. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He expected to sell even less if he went again today. So, he decided not to go, planning to visit every three to five days instead. On his return, he bought a passable saber with a hundred spirit stones, the Half-Moon. It was a silver-white long saber. He planned to use it to practice the first move of the Heavenly Saber. Last night, he activated Clear Heart and Pure Mind to comprehend the first move of the Heavenly Saber, Moon Slash. Progress wasn¡¯t great; it would take some more time to fully comprehend it. He wasn¡¯t in a hurry; even the Demon Sound Slash took some time, so naturally, the first move of the Heavenly Saber would take even longer. ¡°Senior Brother.¡± At that moment, Han Ming descended from the sky. He held a spiritual sword, exuding an extraordinary aura. ¡°Junior Brother Han is early.¡± Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but remark. The other party was indeed proactive. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare to keep Senior Brother waiting.¡± Han Ming said with a smile, then continued, ¡°Where does Senior Brother plan to have our exchange?¡± ¡°Right here,¡± Jiang Hao said softly. ¡°Here?¡± Han Ming looked at Jiang Hao¡¯s house and asked oddly, ¡°Isn¡¯t Senior Brother worried about affecting his residence?¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao shook his head: ¡°It shouldn¡¯t come to that.¡± ¡°If Senior Brother isn¡¯t concerned, then it¡¯s fine.¡± Han Ming said, holding his long sword, his mid-Foundation Establishment aura fully displayed. ¡°Then Junior Brother will make his move.¡± Zzzap! Han Ming¡¯s long sword was covered in thunder, and he used his strongest move, the Heavenly Thunder Sword, right from the start. He had heeded the warning from Senior Brother Mu Qi yesterday, so he aimed to win against his opponent with his strongest stance. Jiang Hao watched the attack, his expression unchanged. Then he grasped the Half-Moon in his hand and swung the saber down. Boom! Demon Sound Slash. At that moment, Han Ming struck with his sword, Heavenly Thunder Sword clashing against Demon Sound Slash. However, the saber¡¯s shadow pierced through the Heavenly Thunder Sword, sweeping across. Bang! The Heavenly Thunder Sword shattered, and the saber¡¯s shadow surged towards Han Ming. In a critical moment, he used his spiritual sword to block. A thunderous noise erupted. Han Ming was sent flying. He used his long sword to prop himself up on the ground, barely standing. But he saw his long sword was full of cracks, and he felt a pain in his chest. Just one move, and he felt the gap. The difference between himself and Jiang Hao was like heaven and earth. ¡°Junior Brother Han, thank you for the match,¡± Jiang Hao said politely as he sheathed his saber. He had intended to win by a narrow margin, but human nature is strange; when someone is slightly stronger, many thoughts arise, but when the gap is much larger, respect begins to form. Therefore, he decided to defeat Han Ming in one strike. Understanding the gap, Han Ming would not challenge him every now and then, nor would he easily cause trouble. The only downside was if the master found out, it would make him too conspicuous, and it was uncertain whether he could keep the opportunity secret. But after seeing the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, he felt somewhat relieved. If there was a problem, he could attribute it to the flower. When the time came, he could just refer his master to Elder Bai Zhi. After a long while, Han Ming finally looked up at Jiang Hao. Different from before, this moment carried a hint of fear and respect. ¡°Has Senior Brother Jiang advanced?¡± he asked bitterly. ¡°I had some fortuitous encounters in the Demon Cavern, so I was lucky to win against Junior Brother. It¡¯s nothing much,¡± Jiang Hao said slowly. ¡°Thank you, Senior Brother, for showing mercy,¡± Han Ming expressed his gratitude. He could sense that Jiang Hao¡¯s mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation was more solid than his own. ¡°This was just a private exchange. Junior Brother need not take it to heart, and I won¡¯t mention it to others,¡± Jiang Hao said, tactfully taking a step back. ¡°Thank you, Senior Brother,¡± Han Ming thanked him, then turned and left. Watching his desolate figure, Jiang Hao activated his divine ability. Appraisal. ¡¾Han Ming: True disciple of Tianyin Sect¡¯s Duanqing Cliff, possesses superior talent, at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, favored by the Spirit of Mountains and Rivers, and carrying a great inheritance. Despite being defeated by you, he is unwilling to accept it and wishes to advance his cultivation to defeat you. He also mentioned, rather resentfully, that it was a fluke.¡¿ Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Is this person narrow-minded or magnanimous? Logically, one would harbor some resentment, yet Han Ming only seems intent on regaining his honor. However, what seems to bother him the most is the mention of luck. ¡°Was I being modest? He couldn¡¯t possibly think I was boasting, could he?¡± Shaking his head, Jiang Hao tidied up and headed towards the Spiritual Medicine Garden. There¡¯s still much to do lately, with Tianhuan Pavilion and Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower looming over him like blades. The only solution is to become stronger and remove these threats. Chapter 37 - Golden Core of the Luoxia Sect Chapter 37: Golden Core of the Luoxia Sect ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 20¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Foundation Establishment complete¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 49/100 (cannot be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 54/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 1/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡°Halfway there.¡± Jiang Hao walked through the Spiritual Medicine Garden, absorbing the surrounding energy bubbles. His strength and spirit were gradually increasing. He wished for such days to continue indefinitely. However, a month later, he felt a sinister gaze upon him. While walking in the Spiritual Medicine Garden, he always felt someone watching him. It was faint but noticeable. Turning his head to look, he saw only some Qi Refining disciples collecting spiritual herbs. But some of them looked unfamiliar. ¡°Who are they?¡± Jiang Hao called over an outer disciple who often worked there. ¡°Replying to Senior Brother, they are people from other main branches who have come to help,¡± Cheng Chou answered respectfully. ¡°Is that so?¡± Jiang Hao looked at the five people and continued to ask. ¡°Which branch are they from?¡± The five appeared to be at the Qi Refining stage. But only appeared to be. Having practiced the blamk secret manual, Jiang Hao could conceal his own cultivation level, and naturally, he understood how to comprehensively assess others¡¯ cultivation levels. Among these five, one had just advanced to the early stage of Golden Core. However, they presented themselves as Qi Refining level five, like casual cultivators who had joined the Tianyin Sect. ¡°Appraisal.¡± The subject was a burly man with a beard, brimming with vital energy. But in the blink of an eye, the divine ability provided feedback. ¡¾Jin Zhouheng: Inner disciple of Luoxia Sect, undercover at Leihuo Peak, became infatuated with Junior Sister Yun Ruo during joint cultivation years ago, was driven by rage upon learning of Yun Ruo¡¯s death, broke through to the early stage of Golden Core, and has come specifically to seek revenge on you, not fearing death.¡¿ Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Looking at the appraisal result, Jiang Hao felt a chill in his heart. He wasn¡¯t too concerned about the former details, but the last sentence was worrisome. Not fearing death. That meant the other party was willing to perish alongside him. Facing such a person, even the strict governance within the Tianyin Sect would be of no use. Because the other party did not fear death. He didn¡¯t understand what was so special about a Yun Ruo that someone at the early stage of Golden Core would risk their life? Golden Core cultivators have long lifespans and high status. Why seek death so needlessly? And all for the sake of killing someone at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. ¡°Members of the Demon Sect all know how to cling to life, yet this disciple of the immortal path, with a bright future ahead, disregards it all for a romantic entanglement?¡± ¡°Among Foundation Establishment disciples, can there truly be no one more beautiful than Senior Sister Yun Ruo?¡± Jiang Hao sighed softly, without much emotion. While he was pondering, Cheng Chou¡¯s voice came through ¡°They should be from Leihuo Peak, the specific list is outside, does Senior Brother want it?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go have a look.¡± Jiang Hao nodded imperceptibly. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He didn¡¯t dare linger here, fearing that the other party might suddenly lash out. At the complete stage of Foundation Establishment, he couldn¡¯t withstand even a few blows from someone at the early stage of Golden Core. There was no need to take the risk. However, his cultivation and vital energy were also nearly full, and in a few days, he could attempt to advance. But... The other party had already seen him and would soon know where he lived, so an attack might be imminent. ¡°He hasn¡¯t acted yet, probably because he also wants to leave alive,¡± Jiang Hao thought to himself. If the other party could find him at night, kill him on the spot, and then leave the Tianyin Sect to return to the Luoxia Sect, then the Tianyin Sect would have no recourse. After getting the list, Jiang Hao left Duanqing Cliff. Looking towards the Enforcement Peak, he sighed deeply. He was here to find Liu Xingchen, and although they were both undercover, not everyone wished for his death. So he could only seek Liu Xingchen¡¯s help. ¡°Junior Brother, is there something you need?¡± Liu Xingchen was somewhat surprised when he came out. Jiang Hao was famously known for not leaving Duanqing Cliff, especially after he offended Tianhuan Pavilion. Forget about leaving the sect. He was practically guarding the Spiritual Medicine Garden at Duanqing Cliff. Of course, everyone knew that Jiang Hao dared not leave the sect. Within the sect, killing was a matter of merit and fault. Outside the sect, killing was a matter of mood. ¡°I have something I¡¯d like to discuss with Senior Brother,¡± Jiang Hao said as he handed over a list. ¡°One of these five people might be a traitor.¡± ¡°Are you certain, Junior Brother?¡± Liu Xingchen took the list without showing any emotion. ¡°Not entirely certain,¡± Jiang Hao replied without fully committing. Liu Xingchen didn¡¯t say whether he would investigate or not, but instead continued to ask. ¡°Where did Junior Brother see them?¡± ¡°At the Spiritual Medicine Garden in Duanqing Cliff,¡± Jiang Hao answered truthfully. Upon hearing this, Liu Xingchen pondered for a moment, then said. ¡°I¡¯ll look into it. Junior Brother should be extra careful these next few days.¡± Jiang Hao nodded in thanks. Although he hadn¡¯t said it, Liu Xingchen must have sensed that if there really was a traitor, it was very likely they were targeting him. Returning to his dwelling, Jiang Hao began to review the first technique of the Heavenly Saber. In one month¡¯s time, he had already mastered this technique. But he was still not proficient enough. He practiced until midnight, then took out his Half-Moon and started to swing it. Boom! The blade light fell like moonlight, leaving deep furrows on the ground. ¡°With just a bit of force, it¡¯s not weaker than the Demon Sound Slash. If I used my full strength, I wonder how powerful it would be.¡± Looking at the blade in his hand, Jiang Hao briefly considered testing it on a Golden Core. But he quickly dismissed the idea. Too dangerous. ¡°Power can really blind one¡¯s eyes,¡± Jiang Hao thought with alarm. He had advanced too quickly recently and had obtained such a blade technique, almost becoming arrogant. Chapter 38 - The Golden Core is Within Sight Chapter 38: The Golden Core is Within Sight After discovering the situation, Jiang Hao stopped visiting the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Instead, he stayed quietly in the courtyard, collecting vital energy bubbles every day, waiting until he had accumulated a hundred. Liu Xingchen did not come to inform him of the specific situation. He didn¡¯t know whether the matter had been investigated or not, which slightly concerned him. The early stage of the Golden Core was not something that a Foundation Establishment cultivator could contend with, and he worried that his adversary would not be able to suppress the hatred in their heart upon seeing him again. As for hiding somewhere else... He had thought about it, but nowhere was suitable for a long stay. Moreover, with many people around, it was not as safe as his own courtyard. If that person appeared, he would head straight to his master¡¯s residence. There was at least some hope in that. His greatest reliance was on advancing his cultivation. ¡°Just a few more days,¡± Jiang Hao murmured to himself. ....... Seven days passed in a flash, during which he consolidated his cultivation in the courtyard to facilitate his upcoming advancement. This time was different from before. Having a hundred points of cultivation and a hundred points of vital energy during the Foundation Establishment phase was not surprising for an advancement. But now, he was about to step into the ranks of the Golden Core, which was a significant leap. It was uncertain whether a hundred points of cultivation and a hundred points of vital energy would be enough. If not, it would be troublesome. Accumulating another hundred would take three months. Jin Zhouheng had already discovered him; would they wait another three months? Unlikely. Perhaps they had already scouted the surroundings and were planning to make a move in the next few days. He sighed and checked his panel. ¡¾Vital Energy: 99/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 100/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡°Just one more day,¡± he thought. Today, Jiang Hao took out his Half-Moon blade and began to maintain it. The more critical the moment, the greater the danger. Sure enough, he felt that burning gaze again, very direct and unsettling. ¡°Are they here?¡± It was too soon, sooner than he had prepared for. Jiang Hao was alarmed but did not act rashly. Instead, he waited for the other party to make a move so he could flee from this place. Of course, he also had another thought in mind, which was the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. There were many who had their eyes on it. Perhaps Elder Bai Zhi and that woman would think someone was stealing their property and take action. After a moment, the subtle gaze suddenly disappeared. ¡°Hmm?¡± Jiang Hao was puzzled. Were they not going to act? At the same time, Liu Xingchen¡¯s voice rang out from outside. ¡°Is Junior Brother Jiang there?¡± ¡°Here,¡± Jiang Hao immediately responded. It turned out to be Liu Xingchen¡¯s arrival that caused the retreat. However, it was daytime, and it was possible that they would wait until nightfall. After inviting Liu Xingchen in, Jiang Hao poured him a cup of tea. ¡°Junior Brother was right. It¡¯s indeed possible that there¡¯s an undercover agent from another sect. They should be captured tonight,¡± Liu Xingchen said after taking a sip of tea. ¡°Junior Brother should also be careful tonight. Nine times out of ten, this person is targeting you. Since they dare to come, they¡¯re probably prepared not to return. But everyone has a will to live; they don¡¯t want to die here if they can return alive. They¡¯re not extreme yet. But once we act, they will become extreme.¡± Jiang Hao nodded in understanding. Liu Xingchen didn¡¯t say he would protect him, nor did he insist on a successful capture. That would be too demanding. It could easily cause resentment. The fact that he came to give a warning was already beyond the call of duty. After Liu Xingchen left, apparently just to convey this message, Jiang Hao looked at the empty courtyard and suddenly became curious. If Liu Xingchen were to try to persuade him to defect, what should he do? Should he reluctantly agree, or tell that woman? Or perhaps seek out Elder Bai Zhi? Jiang Hao shook his head, unable to come up with an answer. He didn¡¯t want to face this choice; it was too risky. He then stepped out of the courtyard and made his way to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. They were going to act tonight, which meant that whoever was coming would come tonight. He was just one vital energy point short; as long as the Spiritual Medicine Garden had what he needed, he could advance his cultivation right now. If he was quick enough, he would be ready to face the danger. At the very least, he would have the ability to escape. In the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao saw Han Ming directing people to organize the spiritual medicines. ¡°Senior Brother Jiang, we haven¡¯t seen you these past few days,¡± Han Ming said with a slight show of respect. Defeated by Jiang Hao, he felt unwilling to accept it, but he also understood that he was no match for him at the moment. If you¡¯re no match, then don¡¯t stir up trouble needlessly. ¡°Junior Brother Han, are you preparing for a long journey?¡± Jiang Hao gestured towards the spiritual medicines. Normally, there wouldn¡¯t be a need to prepare so much. Even for alchemy, this wouldn¡¯t be necessary, so it¡¯s more likely he¡¯s preparing for a long trip. As a true disciple, he could take many things, and just needed to register them. ¡°Yes, recently Tianqing Mountain has been organizing a Dao Discussion Conference, and it seems like everyone is reluctant to leave, which has caused some conflicts with our sect. I just happen to be going out for some experience,¡± Han Ming explained. A confrontation between good and evil? That was the last thing Jiang Hao wanted to experience; it wasn¡¯t convenient for clearing his name. ¡°Then, Junior Brother, be careful,¡± Jiang Hao kindly advised. At that moment, he could see the bubbles in the Spiritual Medicine Garden. There was only one blue bubble. Now to see if it was the vital energy. ¡°Alright, when I return from my experience, I¡¯ll seek out Senior Brother for another sparring session,¡± Han Ming insisted. Jiang Hao nodded. Next time, he might just let him win to avoid such trouble. Being the object of someone¡¯s fixation was not a pleasant feeling. After bidding farewell to Han Ming, he made his way into the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Of course, he also checked the surrounding people helping out; Jin Zhouheng was not there, fortunately. After a short while. The bubbles began to flow in. ¡¾Strength+1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit+1¡¿ ¡¾Endurance+1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit+1¡¿ Feeling the minor changes in his body, he was somewhat delighted; he had missed out on a lot of growth by not coming here these past few days. Soon he saw the blue bubble merge in. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡¾Vital Energy+1¡¿ ¡°It¡¯s done.¡± Afterwards, Jiang Hao turned and left the Spiritual Medicine Garden without even bothering to tidy up. He wanted to take advantage of the early daylight to advance to Golden Core. Chapter 39 - Facing the Golden Core Chapter 39: Facing the Golden Core Night, Leihuo Peak. Boom! Spells manifested in the forest. Jin Zhouheng merged into the darkness and quickly left, feeling somewhat resentful. After three months at Tianyin Sect, he had finally figured out that person¡¯s residence and even knew his strength. Tonight was the perfect opportunity to act, but he was discovered by the Hall of Enforcement, who started a manhunt. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If it weren¡¯t for the urgent warning he received, he might have already been severely injured and captured. Facing someone like him, an undercover agent, Tianyin Sect would typically squeeze out all his value. In the end, he would be thrown into the Lawless Tower, stripped of all his cultivation, and then die inside or in the mines. He had long heard of the ways of the Demon Sect. Death was not scary, but the scary part was not completing what he had set out to do. ¡°If only I hadn¡¯t hesitated and struck the first time I saw him.¡± Jin Zhouheng regretted a bit, thinking he could have left the scene safely. Who would have thought he would be discovered? He had made sufficient preparations and was just a Qi Refining outer disciple. The likelihood of being targeted was almost zero. Tianyin Sect wouldn¡¯t keep screening continuously. Yet, he was still exposed. Who was behind it? Boom! Spells kept bombarding him. He didn¡¯t try to flee but instead wanted to find Jiang Hao, kill him first, and then think of other ways. ...... Deep into the night. Jiang Hao¡¯s brows were tightly furrowed. Purple Qi churned ceaselessly in his body, and power surged through his meridians. This power converged at the dantian, seemingly compressing against each other. All the power compressing together could cause a qualitative change. But after a long time, the power just couldn¡¯t merge into one. This was the bottleneck. Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t in a hurry. He operated the Primordial Heart Sutra methodically, sorting out the power, allowing it to merge quickly. In the quiet of the night. Jiang Hao was surrounded by Purple Qi, and when the spiritual energy and blood qi were all exhausted, a cracking sound came from his body. It was the sound of the bottleneck breaking. A tiny Golden Core formed at the dantian and then began to absorb all the surrounding power. In just a short time, a complete Golden Core floated within the dantian. A powerful aura spilled out, spreading throughout his body. Only then did Jiang Hao slowly open his eyes. He clenched his fists, feeling the power of the Golden Core emerge. Feeling his own strength, he couldn¡¯t help but breathe a sigh of relief. ¡°Golden Core, unimaginable.¡± He was indeed surprised. In the past, accumulating a hundred points of cultivation would take a very long time. After being targeted by Senior Sister Yun Ruo, he faced constant danger, but his promotion speed also accelerated continuously. Should he be thankful to her? However, he quickly shook his head, dismissing the thought, because the root cause was not Senior Sister Yun Ruo. It was that woman. Her appearance must have caused some changes in the Tianyin Sect, which then started a widespread search for undercover agents, leading to Senior Sister Yun Ruo setting her sights on him. After that, the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower came into his possession, and he began to fish. Only then did the current situation arise. So if he were to thank anyone, it should be that woman. But... Being in danger every day was also caused by that woman. He should blame her. A jumble of thoughts rushed in, and he shook his head to clear them away. Then he went to the courtyard to tend to his blade. Whether or not something would happen would be seen tonight. It was best just to sit and wait. And he sat there for the entire night. At this moment, the first ray of sunlight peeked from the horizon. Just when Jiang Hao thought nothing would happen, a figure walked towards the wooden hut, bathed in light. ¡°Here they come.¡± Surprised, Jiang Hao picked up his Half-Moon and walked out of the courtyard. He stepped towards the creek, and the person stood on the opposite side. The two looked at each other across the bank. Under the early sun, Jiang Hao could see the other person¡¯s face and condition clearly. It was a slightly burly man, currently weak, with tattered and disheveled clothes. Blood oozed from his arm and waist, as if he had been through a fierce battle. Considering his condition, it was impressive that he could still exhibit the strength of the late Foundation Establishment stage. Was he intentionally let go? Jiang Hao immediately thought of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. Many people must be curious to see what would happen when one touched it, right? Liu Xingchen had always wanted to watch the drama unfold. ¡°You can¡¯t escape,¡± Jin Zhouheng said, staring intently at Jiang Hao, his face somewhat fierce. ¡°I¡¯m not running,¡± Jiang Hao replied. ¡°Are you waiting for someone to save you? Don¡¯t bother. The people who captured me are currently trapped by my magic, and they won¡¯t make it here before daylight,¡± Jin Zhouheng said with a face full of resentment. ¡°Why did you kill Junior Sister Yun Ruo ?¡± ¡°She was a traitor,¡± Jiang Hao answered calmly. At this moment, he began to gather his strength. ¡°Do you know how important Junior Sister Yun Ruo was to me? She was my hope for survival. When I was weak, only she was with me. When everyone else was ostracizing me, she stayed by my side. She was like a light that illuminated my dark world, giving me a goal, a drive, allowing me to surpass everyone around me. But... you killed her.¡± Jin Zhouheng grew more agitated as he spoke, his eyes filled with hatred. Looking at the other¡¯s pain, Jiang Hao just shook his head gently and then said. ¡°Now I know.¡± Seeing Jiang Hao like this, Jin Zhouheng¡¯s face twisted. ¡°Then do you know that I will come to kill you?¡± Without answering his question, Jiang Hao simply said expressionlessly. ¡°Do you still remember the good that Senior Sister Yun Ruo did for you?¡± ¡°How could I forget? I will never forget it in this lifetime,¡± Jin Zhouheng said angrily. ¡°Think about it then,¡± Jiang Hao kindly suggested. ¡°Go back to those beautiful memories, and then come to kill me.¡± By this time, his blade was fully charged. Chapter 40 - A Quick Way to Earn Spirit Stones Chapter 40: A Quick Way to Earn Spirit Stones Jin Zhouheng stared at Jiang Hao, silent. Instead, he was lost in a brief recollection. He was not likely to leave alive. Perhaps he really wouldn¡¯t have the chance to think of Yun Ruo Junior Sister again. For a moment, images of Junior Sister Yun Ruo encouraging him flashed through his mind. ¡°Senior Brother Jin, if you win against this demon beast, I¡¯ll cook for you.¡± ¡°How could Senior Brother Jin not be liked by anyone? I like Senior Brother Jin very much.¡± ¡°Senior Brother, do you think this sect attire looks good on me?¡± As he remembered these things, a smile unconsciously spread across Jin Zhouheng¡¯s lips, and at the same time, a blade light swept across. Whoosh! The silver blade light, like moonlight blossoming, pierced through everything, extinguishing the candlelight, and finally, all was calm. Even Jin Zhouheng¡¯s thoughts paused. In his eyes, Jiang Hao was slowly sheathing his blade. ¡°You...¡± He couldn¡¯t say much more. Because his life force was rapidly fading. Clang! Jiang Hao put away the Half-Moon, looking calmly at the man in front of him. ¡°Let it be.¡± Upon hearing this, Jin Zhouheng¡¯s vision began to blur, and he fell backward. With a thud, he crashed heavily to the ground. He saw the sunlight shining. His last thoughts lingered on Junior Sister¡¯s smile towards him. Just... let it be. Watching the man fall, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn¡¯t sure if Yun Ruo Senior Sister genuinely cared for that person, but the other party only remembered the kindness of Yun Ruo Senior Sister. True or false, it¡¯s all in the past. Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t heartless, but like others, he wished to survive. Therefore, he couldn¡¯t possibly put down his saber. After reinforcing with several Ten Thousand Swords Talismans, Jiang Hao finally confirmed that the other person was truly dead. He stood there for a long time, feeling a sense of unreality upon his promotion to Golden Core. In less than a year, he had progressed from the early stages of Foundation Establishment to the early stages of Golden Core. Once he calmed his mind, he went to look for his master. This time he used the strength of the mid-stage Foundation Establishment, and the sword technique was the first form of the Heavenly Saber, Moon Slash. It was within expectations. If it hadn¡¯t been for the surprise attack, it would have been difficult. After a short while. Ku Wuchang looked at the Golden Core corpse, silent for a long time. But then he glanced at the fatal strike before turning his head to look at Jiang Hao, his voice deep. ¡°Did you kill him?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°Mid-stage Foundation Establishment?¡± Ku Wuchang asked. Jiang Hao was displaying the cultivation of mid-stage Foundation Establishment, and he nodded slightly. ¡°It was an opportunity I encountered in the Demon Cavern.¡± ¡°And the sword technique?¡± Ku Wuchang asked again. ¡°I obtained a form of the nameless sword technique in the Demon Cavern,¡± Jiang Hao replied. If his master wanted it, he could only write out the first form of the Heavenly Saber. The woman hadn¡¯t said it couldn¡¯t be passed on, fortunately, it was only the first form. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But such chance encounters couldn¡¯t continue, otherwise, his master would surely become suspicious. Fortunately, his master didn¡¯t ask further, only asking him to recount the specifics of what happened. And so he did, almost without concealing anything. Except for the matter of his cultivation. ¡°You chose to launch a surprise attack because you weren¡¯t confident?¡± Ku Wuchang stared at Jiang Hao and asked. Facing his master¡¯s gaze, Jiang Hao nodded in response. ¡°Yes.¡± Afterward, Ku Wuchang took the corpse away, warning Jiang Hao to be careful as the people from the Hall of Enforcement would probably come looking for him. Seeing his master leave, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. Actually, he felt some regret. If his master had been willing to accept him as a true disciple, he would have been much safer. At least that person from Tianhuan Pavilion would have had a hard time dealing with him. Now, he could only rely on himself. Returning to his courtyard, he looked at the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, frowning slightly. There were no bubbles. Before sunrise, he thought he would have to wait a while, but the sun was already fully up, and still, no bubbles had appeared. What was going on? Aside from this, there was another matter he was curious about. Did his master know that he was growing a Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower in his courtyard? After a moment, he gave up thinking about it. Unless he asked, it would be difficult to know the answer. ....... The next day. Jiang Hao looked at the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower in the courtyard, still no bubbles in sight. On the third day, the bubbles appeared. ¡¾Cultivation+1¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy+1¡¿ ¡°Has it become once every three days?¡± Three days passed again. Indeed, he collected the bubbles once more. It was proven that it had indeed become once every three days. Not only the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, but the time limit for the Snow Lotus to produce blue bubbles had also lengthened. Previously it was once every three days, but now green and white bubbles appeared over three days. It wasn¡¯t until the ninth day that blue bubbles emerged. This left Jiang Hao extremely astonished. One month after advancing to Golden Core. Jiang Hao looked at his cultivation and vitality, both over ten, and began to extract and cultivate. He wanted to see if there was a difference between the current ten points and the previous ten points. After extracting the cultivation, a vast amount of spiritual energy surged into his body, much more intense and powerful than the previous ten points. Without daring to ponder further, Jiang Hao began to consolidate his cultivation. The Primordial Heart Sutra operated, absorbing spiritual energy and vitality. After a long time, Jiang Hao slowly opened his eyes. At this moment, he had completely consolidated his cultivation and understood that the reduction in bubbles was related to his realm. Previously, accumulating a hundred would allow a direct increase in cultivation, and now it seemed to be the same. As long as he accumulated four times, he could attempt to advance to Nascent Soul. Only the speed had slowed down. But it was much better than at the beginning. Previously, it took him years to accumulate once, but now at most it would take a year, which was actually quite fast. However, with a blade hanging over his head, not advancing quickly always felt dangerous. Coming to the courtyard, he looked at the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, thinking it would be nice if he had three Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flowers. However, I can buy other spiritual medicines as substitutes. It¡¯s just that I¡¯m short on spirit stones. I¡¯ve made about five hundred from selling spirit talismans recently, and together with what I had before, I now have a total of one thousand. One thousand may seem like a lot, but it¡¯s too little in front of a Golden Core. Last time I checked, even a passable saber at the Golden Core level costs eight thousand... and a good one costs ten to twenty thousand. How long would it take to save up the money? Where do other Golden Cores get their spirit stones from? Today, while visiting the Spiritual Medicine Garden, he casually asked Cheng Chou, who manages the Spiritual Medicine Garden. He only replied with two words. ¡°Robbing people.¡± So that¡¯s how it is. ¡°By the way, there¡¯s something I need Senior Brother¡¯s help with,¡± Cheng Chou pointed towards the spiritual field. ¡°It seems like some kind of spiritual beast has appeared in the field and is running amok. We can¡¯t catch it.¡± Chapter 41 - Perhaps another purple-gold bubble would appear? Chapter 41: Perhaps another purple-gold bubble would appear? ¡°Spiritual beast?¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. This past month had been unusually calm for him. Liu Xingchen hadn¡¯t come looking for him, and his master hadn¡¯t asked any questions. The death of Jin Zhouhang seemed to have caused no ripples at all. For a Golden Core cultivator, such calmness was unusual. But until the Hall of Enforcement came looking for him, there was nothing he could do except continue to work hard on accumulating and consolidating his cultivation. Just do what needs to be done. The sudden appearance of a spiritual beast was also within his scope of work. Arriving at the spiritual field, Jiang Hao began his search. Since it hadn¡¯t caused any significant negative impact, it indicated that the danger level wasn¡¯t high. But Qi Refining disciples have poor eyesight, and they might not be aware of the danger level of the spiritual beast. Rustle! As Jiang Hao approached, some spiritual medicines began to shake, indicating that the spiritual beast had sensed him. Whoosh! A white figure suddenly appeared, attacking him. Jiang Hao instinctively dodged. Then the spiritual beast plunged back into the field of spiritual medicines and disappeared again. ¡°It¡¯s not big, but it¡¯s very fast.¡± Jiang Hao had a general understanding. With this speed, even those at the early stages of Foundation Establishment might not be able to keep up, let alone those at the Qi Refining stage. Rustle! The beast attacked again, and Jiang Hao used his Half-Moon to block it. Clang! The powerful force made Jiang Hao take a step back, and the beast was also repelled, disappearing into the spiritual field. ¡°The attack power isn¡¯t bad either. Is this a spiritual beast at the early stage of Foundation Establishment? Whose is it?¡± The Tianyin Sect doesn¡¯t have a place for raising spiritual beasts, and most of them have owners. If it appeared at Duanqing Cliff, it¡¯s very likely to belong to one of the true disciples or managing elders. To avoid offending these people, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t strike too hard. Rustle! The moment he sensed the beast¡¯s location, Jiang Hao swung his Half-Moon. The demon sound rolled thunderously. Boom! The long blade fell, and the demon sound surged like a tidal wave. For a moment, the spiritual medicines stopped moving. Jiang Hao had fully comprehended the Demon Sound Slash; now, he could produce the demon sound without the blade¡¯s edge. As the demon sound passed, the others looked over, naturally disturbed by the noise. If a fight broke out, they would have to flee immediately, as most of them were ordinary people. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, carry on with your work.¡± After reassuring them, Jiang Hao headed towards the location of the spiritual beast. The others breathed a sigh of relief and resumed their work, but they couldn¡¯t help stealing glances at Jiang Hao, curious about what was happening. At this moment, Jiang Hao parted the spiritual medicines and looked inside. A snow-white spiritual beast lay there, foaming at the mouth and unconscious. It had a pair of long ears and looked quite nice at first glance, resembling a rabbit. Jiang Hao picked it up by the ears and noticed that, unlike a normal rabbit, its body shape was not like an animal¡¯s but rather human-like, with two legs and two arms. It looked like a misshapen rabbit, but not ugly. On the contrary, it was quite cute. ¡°I wonder which Senior Brother or Senior Sister this belongs to.¡± Curious, he activated his appraisal skill to see if he could return it as soon as possible. It was affecting his management of the spiritual medicines. Just as the thought crossed his mind, the divine ability provided feedback. ¡¾Rabbit: Has not yet awakened its spiritual intelligence. An early Foundation Establishment stage spiritual beast with a treasure on it that can seek out the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. Once it finds the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, it can regularly obtain terrain and imagery information. It is an undercover agent specifically sent by Tianqing Mountain. It has hidden mythical beast bloodline; feeding it one spirit stone a day, its hidden bloodline can be initially awakened after seven days. Feeding it spirit stones daily can increase its favorability.¡¿ Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Really, whether it¡¯s a person or a ghost, they all come as undercover agents. I thought this was a spiritual beast belonging to a Senior Brother or Senior Sister, but it turns out to be an undercover agent sent by Tianqing Mountain. Tianqing Mountain is the orthodox sect closest to Tianyin Sect. The two are roughly equal in strength, neither able to do much about the other, and they have been at peace for many years. Only recently has there been a significant conflict, which is where Han Ming went to gain experience. It¡¯s truly unexpected that they would also be after the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. What gives them the right? The Haotian Sect, Tiansheng Sect, and Luoxia Sect all dare not act rashly, and even if Tianqing Mountain were to come out in full force, it would be useless. Lifting the rabbit, Jiang Hao began to suspect that there was someone behind Tianqing Mountain, as the treasures of this rabbit were not to be underestimated. He just didn¡¯t know how to extract them. Of course, the pressing matter was to deal with this spiritual beast. Logically, he should kill it outright, but seeing that he could help the other party unlock its hidden bloodline, Jiang Hao hesitated. This was somewhat similar to watering the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. Perhaps another purple-gold bubble would appear? Even if not, at least a purple one. ¡°Taking it back would mean being under surveillance, which is somewhat dangerous.¡± After some hesitation, he decided to buy a magical treasure that could confine the spiritual beast and raise the rabbit in the forest behind his yard. Seven days would be enough. Afterward, having tended to the spiritual herbs, Jiang Hao left the Spiritual Medicine Garden. He sealed the rabbit in the attic, as it would be inconvenient to carry it while shopping for items. He would come back to fetch it after his purchases. Lately, the Senior Brothers and Sisters had been quite busy and seldom came over, so it was unlikely to be taken away. Jiang Hao felt somewhat emotional, though. Not about the sect being full of undercover agents, but rather that in the future, all the undercover agents would be around him. Whether human or spiritual beast, everyone was eyeing the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. He himself, in a daze, had gotten involved in the major affairs of the sect without having the ability to protect himself. Sometimes he wondered if he hadn¡¯t taken on the task of looking after the Jingyang Flower, whether this matter would have fallen upon him. Unfortunately, there was no answer to that. After a short while, he arrived at the market, bought a collar for binding spiritual beasts, and then went to purchase books on talisman making. In total, he spent six hundred spirit stones. Unbelievable. In the past, he would never have had so many spirit stones. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 42 - The Female Demon Comes Too Frequently Chapter 42: The Female Demon Comes Too Frequently Looking at the spiritual beast collar in his hand, Jiang Hao deeply felt the expense of raising a spiritual pet. A collar for the Qi Refining stage cost nearly a hundred spirit stones. His collar for the early Foundation Establishment stage cost five hundred spirit stones. When a spiritual pet breaks through, it needs to be replaced quickly, otherwise, it¡¯s easy to break. For the middle stage, it would cost thousands. The more Jiang Hao thought about it, the more surprised he was at the amount of spirit stones his fellow Senior Brothers and Sisters had. ¡°Fortunately, the books on talisman making aren¡¯t exorbitantly priced.¡± This time, the talisman-making book was a fine collection of six talismans. These were six talismans suitable for Foundation Establishment and Golden Core practitioners, priced at one hundred spirit stones. Lower than expected. Compared to pill recipes, it was practically a giveaway. Golden Core level pill recipes were exorbitantly expensive. Perhaps pill refiners aren¡¯t short of those spirit stones after all. Artifact refiners, pill refiners, talisman makers¡ªit seems only talisman making is the cheapest. Having spent six hundred spirit stones today, Jiang Hao momentarily considered setting up a stall to sell some talismans. But thinking of the rabbit in the Spiritual Medicine Garden, he gave up the idea. The rabbit was more important. Talismans could be sold at any time. ...... Baihua Lake. Hong Yuye sat in the pavilion with a pitch-black saber placed on the table beside her. It was the Shadow Saber that Jiang Hao had lost. She picked up the saber and examined it for a long time, then lightly tossed it, embedding the saber into the flowerbed beside the pavilion. ¡°Speak.¡± She spoke slowly, looking towards Bai Zhi, who stood with her head bowed outside the pavilion. ¡°Yes.¡± Bai Zhi replied respectfully, feeling breathless just being near the Sect Leader, the invisible pressure making her fearful. ¡°After the debate at Tianqing Mountain, they suddenly started to act against us, and it¡¯s quite possible that it¡¯s because of the appearance of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower.¡± ¡°It seems there are still many traitors,¡± Hong Yuye said calmly. ¡°I have failed in my duties,¡± Bai Zhi knelt on one knee to take the blame. Hong Yuye didn¡¯t look at Bai Zhi again, but instead raised her eyes to the white clouds in the sky. ¡°It¡¯s still early, just continue to wait, as for Tianqing Mountain, that¡¯s your responsibility.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Bai Zhi nodded, and then brought up the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. ¡°There have been no special changes at Duanqing Cliff, Jiang Hao¡¯s cultivation has improved again, said to be due to an opportunity in the Demon Cavern.¡± ¡°It¡¯s quite possible that he has the support of someone behind him, using the Demon Cavern as an excuse. Therefore, he still cannot clear himself of suspicion.¡± ¡°A Luoxia Sect undercover agent died at his hands again, at the early Golden Core stage, all of this is too coincidental.¡± ¡°Then continue to observe,¡± Hong Yuye withdrew her gaze to look at the flowerbed and continued. ¡°Since there¡¯s been a conflict with Tianqing Mountain, go and get some of their techniques and classics.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Bai Zhi responded with her head bowed. A breeze blew through the flowers, and Hong Yuye seemed somewhat mesmerized. Bai Zhi kept her head down, not daring to speak. After a long time, she finally heard the Sect Leader break the silence. ¡°Bai Zhi, why do you think Tianqing Mountain dares to act against us?¡± ¡°Is it because the Tianyin Sect is not as strong as it used to be, or is Tianqing Mountain becoming increasingly powerful?¡± ¡°Neither,¡± Bai Zhi replied anxiously, explaining. ¡°For the past few decades, although Tianqing Mountain has been growing stronger, Tianyin Sect is by no means inferior to it. Overall, they are not as strong as our Tianyin Sect.¡± As the acting Sect Master, whether it¡¯s because Tianyin Sect is far from its former glory or because the rival is becoming increasingly powerful, both are her responsibility. Not to mention the former, if others can become stronger, why should we be standing still? This too is a sin. That¡¯s why she is anxious. ¡°If it¡¯s caused by the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, I think there¡¯s someone behind Tianqing Mountain,¡± Bai Zhi continued to explain. ¡°Otherwise, with Tianqing Mountain¡¯s strength, they shouldn¡¯t be so rash.¡± Hearing this, Hong Yuye fixed her gaze on Bai Zhi, her voice devoid of any emotional fluctuation. ¡°Find out.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Bai Zhi said with emphasis. Then she withdrew. On her way back, Bai Zhi began to contemplate her next move. She had originally wanted to send a female cultivator to test Jiang Hao, but she realized that the Sect Leader¡¯s true intention might not be to test whether Jiang Hao was a traitor. ¡°The Sect Leader has deeper thoughts, but it¡¯s unclear whether the person who plants the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower must be Jiang Hao, or if anyone will do.¡± Since she submitted the list, in theory, anyone should suffice. But something felt off. ¡°The matter of the traitor should be put on hold for now; first, we need to deal with Tianqing Mountain and investigate the mastermind behind it.¡± ....... In the afternoon, Jiang Hao took the rabbit away. ¡°If anyone is looking for a spiritual beast, tell them to come to me.¡± Before leaving, he greeted the person guarding the Spiritual Medicine Garden, in case it could lure out a new undercover agent. As for the rabbit, it would be useless after seven days. It could be kept or not. After arriving at the forest behind his residence, he put a collar on the rabbit. The collar could be adjusted in size, making it impossible for the spiritual beast to break free. It could only be broken with strength. By now, the rabbit had woken up and was staring at Jiang Hao, trying to break free from the collar. It seemed to dislike the collar greatly, baring its teeth and looking powerless. Jiang Hao watched for a while before throwing out a spirit stone. Sure enough, the rabbit gave up struggling and bit the spirit stone, starting to nibble on it. ¡°Now I need to set a range for it.¡± He planned to use the collar to set the range, which was also a function of the collar. Five hundred spirit stones were somewhat valuable. Otherwise, he would have to set up a trapping array, which Jiang Hao was not skilled at. It would be time-consuming and laborious, and it might fail, allowing the rabbit to escape. Sealing it for a short time was easy, but long-term would likely lead to accidents. As he was about to start, a calm and pleasant voice came from behind, emotionless. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Startled, Jiang Hao turned around and saw a woman in red. It was that woman. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 43 - The Real Female Demon Chapter 43: The Real Female Demon ¡°Greetings, senior,¡± Jiang Hao performed a greeting, not daring to be negligent, and then explained. ¡°I caught a spiritual pet today and plan to raise it.¡± Hong Yuye glanced at the rabbit on the ground, stared for a while, then withdrew her gaze and asked. ¡°Why raise it here instead of at your residence?¡± ¡°I¡¯m worried the rabbit might accidentally eat the senior¡¯s flowers as food,¡± Jiang Hao quickly came up with an excuse. However, as soon as he finished speaking, a gust of wind suddenly rose, as if a calm sea had whipped up towering waves. The momentum was majestic and terrifying. Jiang Hao was shocked, but the wave had already hit him, striking him in the chest. With a bang, he was sent flying, crashing into a tree. Leaves rustled and fell. Seeing Jiang Hao¡¯s disheveled appearance, Hong Yuye reached for the rabbit and said coldly. ¡°Although you¡¯re full of lies, your cultivation has improved quickly.¡± Jiang Hao stood up without speaking. Although he was uninjured, he knew that if he displeased this woman, he would be the one to suffer. He was just not sure whether this woman had seen through his cultivation level. Since she didn¡¯t say anything, he didn¡¯t dare to ask. Suddenly, the sound of the rabbit struggling was heard. Looking up, he saw the woman holding the rabbit by the neck, her slender fingers seemingly about to pinch it to death. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Senior...¡± Jiang Hao hesitated to speak. But before he could say more, Hong Yuye looked at him with cold eyes. ¡°Can¡¯t kill?¡± ¡°This...¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t know how to explain for a moment. ¡°Hmm?¡± Hong Yuye¡¯s voice was icy cold. ¡°It¡¯s possible,¡± Jiang Hao sighed inwardly. Only when Jiang Hao finally spoke sensibly did Hong Yuye squeeze down hard. With a snap, the rabbit stopped moving. Then a bead and a map slowly appeared. In a moment, the bead and map fell into Hong Yuye¡¯s hands. She wiped her hand as if erasing something directly. Finally, she put the items away. After finishing her tasks, she casually tossed the rabbit to Jiang Hao, her voice indifferent as she said. ¡°Keep it in the yard.¡± Having said that, she took a step towards the yard. Jiang Hao watched as she reached the edge of the woods in one step, and then she was directly within his field of vision. He didn¡¯t know if she had gone back or if she had gone to look at the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. It was broad daylight now, and he was somewhat suspicious that someone might have been monitoring that woman. He looked around but didn¡¯t discover anything, and only then did he turn his attention to the rabbit in his hands. ¡°The two treasures have been taken out; does that mean this rabbit is safe now?¡± He guessed in his mind. But since he couldn¡¯t use his divine abilities now, he could only check tomorrow. However, that woman¡¯s insight is truly remarkable; he was no match for her at the moment. He sighed in relief and carried the rabbit back to his dwelling. The rabbit had fainted. He didn¡¯t know if it was from fright or injury. ¡°I feel exceptionally calm as long as that woman isn¡¯t around. But whenever I see her, that calmness disappears, and sometimes my emotional fluctuations are too obvious.¡± On the way, Jiang Hao began to reflect. ¡°I¡¯ve advanced too quickly recently, but my mental state hasn¡¯t kept up. I can barely control it because of the Tianjue Gu poison.¡± ¡°Otherwise, if one¡¯s virtue does not match one¡¯s position, disaster will surely follow.¡± ¡°I must constantly introspect to prevent being blinded by power.¡± After a short while, he returned to the yard. He found that woman sitting elegantly and gracefully in the yard, her gaze fixed on the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. She was sitting on a wooden chair, with a wooden table in front of her. It was quite fitting for a yard with many spiritual herbs. The table and chairs weren¡¯t Jiang Hao¡¯s, and he didn¡¯t care where they came from; they were none of his concern. ¡°How do you take care of the flower?¡± Hong Yuye suddenly asked. Jiang Hao was somewhat taken aback, wondering for a moment if he was not taking good care of it, but it didn¡¯t feel like an accusation, more like an inquiry, so he replied immediately. ¡°One bowl of water a day.¡± ¡°Always?¡± Hong Yuye asked. ¡°Always,¡± Jiang Hao answered. ¡°Is that so?¡± Hong Yuye fell silent for a long time. During this time, Jiang Hao placed the rabbit to one side and quietly waited. After a while, seeing that Hong Yuye was still lost in thought, he brought out some tea and placed it on the wooden table, then set a boundary for the rabbit to prevent it from escaping once it woke up. After doing all this, he stood back beside Hong Yuye. ¡°Have you practiced the ¡®Heavenly Saber Seven Forms¡¯?¡± Hong Yuye broke the silence. ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°How many forms have you learned?¡± Hong Yuye asked again. ¡°I¡¯ve only mastered the first form,¡± Jiang Hao answered truthfully. It had taken him a long time to learn the first form, and he hadn¡¯t fully mastered it yet. The rest would naturally have to wait. Not to mention that the later forms were increasingly difficult to learn and even had cultivation level restrictions. He couldn¡¯t learn them even if he wanted to. He could only take a cursory look. Hong Yuye didn¡¯t speak, just picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then placed the cup back on the table, her aura turning cold. ¡°Next time, bring out some drinkable tea.¡± ¡°What kind of tea does senior like to drink?¡± Jiang Hao asked. Upon hearing this, Hong Yuye slowly spoke. ¡°Azure Red Sky, September Spring.¡± Azure Red Sky? Although Jiang Hao was unfamiliar with it, he had heard of it as a top-tier tea, so expensive that all the spirit stones he had earned over the years wouldn¡¯t be enough to buy an ounce. He said with a troubled expression: ¡°Senior, this...¡± However, under her cold gaze, Jiang Hao could only nod in agreement. He could tell, this woman was not a good person. To say she was a female demon wouldn¡¯t be an exaggeration. At that moment, Hong Yuye stood up and walked outside, not forgetting to remind Jiang Hao before leaving. ¡°Remember to take good care of my flower.¡± After she had completely left, Jiang Hao stared at the teacup for a long time. If he had known it would bring him trouble, he wouldn¡¯t have brought out the tea. He sighed and looked at the rabbit. Being able to keep it normally was also a gain. But after the female demon had left, he had a question. Will someone with the Tianjue Yin Gu like him? Out of curiosity, he went to the library. Chapter 44 - The Golden Legend +1 Chapter 44: The Golden Legend +1 Returning from the scripture library, Jiang Hao was somewhat puzzled. He had flipped through many books, all of which only generally introduced the Tianjue Gu poison, without mentioning its origin. As for the Yin Gu, it was indeed the same as the Yang Gu. That meant that the woman, aside from having normal psychological reactions when seeing him, would also enter a ¡°sage¡± state at other times. What this state was like for a woman, Jiang Hao was extremely unfamiliar with. But he felt that the Yin Gu probably had a minimal effect on her. A powerful female demon with mature state of mind was unlikely to have any psychological fluctuations. It was he, still relatively young, who was so clearly affected. The one at a disadvantage was indeed himself. The next morning. Jiang Hao appraised the rabbit. ¡¾Rabbit: Has not yet awakened its spiritual intelligence. An early Foundation Establishment spiritual beast. It possesses a hidden mythical beast bloodline; feeding it one spirit stone a day, after seven days, it can initially awaken its hidden bloodline. Feeding it spirit stones daily can increase its favorability.¡¿ It seems there was no problem. Having confirmed this, he felt relieved and continued to feed it. ...... Seven days later. Jiang Hao came to the yard first thing in the morning. However, the expected bubble did not appear. Not to mention purple-gold, there wasn¡¯t even a hint of purple. At this moment, the snow-white rabbit was defecating in the corner. Seeing Jiang Hao come out, it was startled and hid behind the spiritual herbs. It bared its teeth at Jiang Hao. It had a bad temper, but there were no signs of its bloodline awakening. ¡°Why is this happening?¡± Confused, he appraised the rabbit again, but the answer was exactly the same as before. It still said that the hidden bloodline could be initially awakened after seven days. After pondering for a moment, Jiang Hao threw a spirit stone to the rabbit. Then he started to observe. Today, he didn¡¯t go to the Spiritual Medicine Garden but instead kept a close watch on the rabbit. The rabbit didn¡¯t run around all day and occasionally nibbled on the leaves of the spiritual herbs. Jiang Hao watched it all day long. Until the next day arrived. He appraised it once more. However, there was no change in progress; it still said to feed it for seven days. ¡°The rabbit, besides eating spirit stones, only ate some leaves and didn¡¯t do anything strange.¡± Jiang Hao lowered his eyelids and remained silent for a long time. ¡°Could it be that it can¡¯t eat anything other than spirit stones?¡± To test this theory, he grabbed the rabbit¡¯s ears and then hung it up with a rope. He also used a collar to control its power. ¡°Let¡¯s try this.¡± The rabbit stared at Jiang Hao, completely clueless as to why this was happening. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t care about its confusion and gave it another spirit stone. The rabbit could only hold the spirit stone and nibble on it. After finishing, it began to struggle. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Jiang Hao continued to observe it. The next day, he initiated the appraisal. ¡¾Rabbit: Has not yet awakened its spiritual intelligence. An early Foundation Establishment spiritual beast. It possesses a hidden mythical beast bloodline; feeding it one spirit stone a day, after six days, it can initially awaken its hidden bloodline. Feeding it spirit stones daily can increase its favorability, its favorability towards you is currently negative.¡¿ Seeing it would take six days, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Finally, there is some progress.¡± For the following six days, the rabbit was hung up by Jiang Hao, and without much spiritual intelligence, it thought it had caused trouble. ...... On the seventh day. There was a change in the rabbit, a slight alteration in its aura. At the same time, a golden bubble floated beside it. This delighted Jiang Hao. Although it wasn¡¯t purple-gold, the golden bubble was still something he had never seen before. As he approached, the bubble automatically flew up and merged into his body. ¡¾Golden Legend +1¡¿ Golden Legend and Purple Gold Legend were different from the others. But he didn¡¯t know whether the golden level was higher or the purple-gold level was higher. Jiang Hao opened his panel. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 20¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Early Golden Core¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 8/100 (cannot be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 10/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 1/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡¾Golden Legend: 1/2 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡°Need two to acquire? Where can I find another?¡± Seeing that he couldn¡¯t directly acquire it, Jiang Hao knew that purple-gold was a higher level. But not being able to acquire the golden now felt like a pity, especially since he didn¡¯t know where he could find another golden one in the future. Purple was already so difficult, let alone golden. At this time, the rabbit¡¯s struggle gave Jiang Hao an idea. He remembered that feeding the rabbit for seven days was only the initial awakening of the mythical beast bloodline. Staring at the rabbit, he activated his divine ability once again. Instantly, he received feedback. ¡¾Mythical Beast Rabbit: Has developed initial spiritual intelligence, early Foundation Establishment. It harbors a deep-seated mythical beast bloodline. Feeding it seven spirit stones a day, after forty-nine days, it can further awaken its hidden bloodline. Feeding it spirit stones daily can increase its favorability for you, its favorability towards you is currently negative.¡¿ Seeing that he could continue to feed it, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed he could continue to acquire bubbles. Although it would take forty-nine days. As for the seven spirit stones, although it was a lot, as long as he continued to earn spirit stones, it wouldn¡¯t be a problem. Forty-nine days would require about three hundred and fifty or so spirit stones. This was not a small amount, and Jiang Hao didn¡¯t dare make another mistake. One mistake meant starting over, which would be a waste of a large number of spirit stones. Afterward, the rabbit still couldn¡¯t escape the fate of being hanged. ...... Forty-nine days, a total of a month and a half. The peaceful days passed by quickly. The forty-nine days went by in the blink of an eye. During this time, he never left Duanqing Cliff, fearing he might run into trouble. His spiritual stones were also exhausted. Fortunately, today he saw the golden bubbles again. ¡¾Golden Legend +1¡¿ Chapter 45 - Primordial Heavenly Saber Chapter 45: Primordial Heavenly Saber For over a month, Jiang Hao was extremely cautious. Fortunately, no one came looking for him, not even Liu Xingchen, who didn¡¯t even come to tell him about the follow-up events in Jin Zhouheng. It always felt like Liu Xingchen was busy. Otherwise, he would have come over. Unless his attitude had changed and he planned to watch the drama unfold in some other way. As for this, Jiang Hao had no control, and no other undercover agents had come either. So this period was relatively calm, and others knew that he had captured a spirit beast. No one came to claim it. Those who intended to steal the spirit beast didn¡¯t show up either. That¡¯s why he was able to securely receive the Golden Legend. At this moment, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t wait to open the panel and see the changes. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 20¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Early Golden Core¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 29/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 32/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 1/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡¾Golden Legend: 2/2 (can be acquired)¡¿ ¡°My cultivation and vitality have made steady progress, although slower than before, it¡¯s much faster than at the beginning.¡± In another half a year or so, his vitality and cultivation should be full, and then he could try to advance to the mid-Golden Core stage. Perhaps in a few more years, his cultivation could surpass Liu Xingchen. Currently, Senior Sister Ming Yi is also at the early Golden Core stage, and although it¡¯s still dangerous, the risk has been greatly reduced. If her undercover identity is exposed and she has to make a move against him, he should be able to take her down with a surprise attack. In uncertain situations, a surprise attack is still the most reliable. After confirming that he could acquire the Golden Legend, Jiang Hao got up and washed his hands. Like the Purple Gold Legend, it was a random item. It could be something useful or it could be useless. The Golden Legend was rare, so it would be a pity if it turned out to be useless. After washing his hands, Jiang Hao sat down cross-legged in the hall and chose to acquire it. In an instant, he felt as if he was in an endless chaos, and as he was astonished, something stirred in the chaos. A crisp sound came from ahead. Clang! The chaos was split by something, and then it receded, revealing a saber gleaming within it. When Jiang Hao saw it clearly, he found a silver-white saber falling from the sky, cutting through the chaos with its momentum. Another clear sound rang out as the saber landed straight in front of Jiang Hao, embedding itself in the ground. The moment the saber landed, a profound heaviness spread, and a strong saber intent diffused, crushing the chaos. Instinctively, Jiang Hao grabbed the hilt and pulled the saber out. A roaring sound erupted, and as the long saber left the ground, all the chaos disappeared. Coming back to his senses, Jiang Hao looked around and saw nothing but the original room. The saber, however, was in his hand. At this moment, holding the saber, he felt an urge to cleave the heavens. The powerful saber intent surged like a massive wave. Jiang Hao felt that he could split the heavens with one strike, cut down an early Golden Core cultivator, and even dare to clash head-on with a mid-stage one. It wasn¡¯t just daring. He was even somewhat looking forward to it... Feeling all this, Jiang Hao sighed. Here we go again. This saber was too extraordinary, making him swell with pride once more. Upon closer inspection, he found the saber to be about three feet and three inches long, with a blade about two and a half feet long and three centimeters wide. The blade was silver-white, solid, and had some patterns running through its entire length. ¡°This saber looks good, just holding it I can feel a piercing saber intent, I wonder what its origins are.¡± Puzzled, Jiang Hao activated the identification. ¡¾Verse: Primordial Heavenly Saber, forged in chaos, imbued with the essence of primordial beginnings and the power to cleave the heavens. It can serve as a life-bound magical treasure, growing alongside its master.¡¿ Verse? The name of the saber seemed somewhat feminine. But the name didn¡¯t matter; the saber was indeed extraordinary. Now that Jiang Hao had learned the Heavenly Saber Seven Forms, using the saber as his personal treasure was not a bad idea. More importantly, he didn¡¯t have a better treasure. No matter how much money one spends, it cannot compare to the Primordial Heavenly Saber. Before the life-bound ritual refinement, Jiang Hao wanted to try if it felt right in his hand. At that moment, he looked at the rabbit in the yard. The rabbit, having been hung for two months, had settled down, especially since its spiritual intelligence had awakened and it understood the situation. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Now, it suspected that being suspended was the normal way to live. It didn¡¯t cry or make a fuss, calmly waiting for someone to feed it. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t care about this. Instead, he gently waved the blade, and immediately, a fierce blade intent surged. Sweeping across. The rabbit, which had been staring at Jiang Hao, was instantly scared to the point of urinating. It felt as if it was about to be beheaded. With a thud. It fell to the ground, its legs giving way and it knelt down. It was only the rope that had broken. Seeing the rabbit scared out of its wits, Jiang Hao shook his head. Then he looked at the blade in his hand, feeling it was exceptionally easy to handle. He stored the blade in his dantian and began the ritual refinement. Although he now had the Heavenly Saber, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t plan to show it off, instead keeping it as a trump card. Therefore, he still needed to buy ordinary magical treasures to conceal it from others. For now, the Half-Moon Blade was sufficient; he would replace it when it broke. After all, he was out of spirit stones. ¡°However, I need to see what¡¯s going on with this rabbit.¡± The rabbit had become much smarter after awakening its bloodline twice, but that wasn¡¯t the most important thing. The most important was that Jiang Hao wanted to see if the rabbit could continue to awaken its bloodline. If it could, then he could obtain another golden bubble. ...... The next day. Jiang Hao looked at the rabbit, which was not used to walking, and began to use appraisal. Chapter 46 - Battle with Tianqing Mountain Chapter 46: Battle with Tianqing Mountain ¡¾Mythical Beast Rabbit: It has basic spiritual intelligence, at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. It harbors a deep-seated mythical beast bloodline. If fed with one hundred spirit stones a day, its hidden bloodline can be further awakened after forty-nine days. Feeding it spirit stones daily can increase its favorability. Currently, it feels terrified of you.¡¿ ¡°Is there more?¡± Looking at the assessment result, Jiang Hao exclaimed. He was curious about how many times this bloodline could be awakened. But this time it required feeding one hundred spirit stones. The subsequent needs would probably be even greater. Only after feeding it twice could he obtain the golden legend, which was somewhat beyond his means. One hundred a day, forty-nine days would be four thousand nine hundred spirit stones. This would require crafting Golden Core level talismans, which was a bit troublesome. And ensuring a stable supply of one hundred a day was not easy. If it was interrupted, it would be a waste, so he could only set it aside. He would hang the rabbit up again once he had saved enough spirit stones. For now, he let it move around freely. At this time, the rabbit was still learning to walk in the yard, having almost forgotten how to walk after its spiritual intelligence was awakened while being suspended. ¡°Come here,¡± Jiang Hao said softly. The rabbit turned its head to look at Jiang Hao and then wobbled over to him. ¡°Can you understand me?¡± Jiang Hao asked. After the rabbit nodded, he pointed at the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and said. ¡°Don¡¯t touch that flower, and don¡¯t mess with the other spiritual herbs either. Then you can move around as you please.¡± The rabbit stared at the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower for a long time, then nodded to show it understood. Hoping it truly understood, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t linger and went to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. These two months had been very peaceful. It had been peaceful before, although his cultivation progress was slow. But safety was the priority. He had thought about living such a mundane life, gradually becoming stronger without getting involved in anything too big. If the Tianyin Sect grew, his status would rise with the tide. If the Tianyin Sect was destroyed, after doing his best, he could also find an opportunity to clear his name. As for now, he had already been targeted by various sects and factions, making it extremely difficult to clear his name in the future. He could only strive to survive and become stronger as soon as possible. He had to be stronger not only than the spies around him but also than that woman. That should keep him safe. But it had to be done step by step; for now, he needed to earn some spirit stones. ....... Spiritual Medicine Garden. Jiang Hao received orders and found that many were for healing purposes. ¡°I heard that our sect has started fighting with Tianqing Mountain,¡± Cheng Chou explained to Jiang Hao. ¡°Is it a big deal?¡± Jiang Hao asked. He hadn¡¯t left Duanqing Cliff recently, and neither his master nor his senior brothers and sisters had asked him to do anything, so he knew very little about these matters. ¡°It seems to be a big deal. Our sect has deployed many people, looking like they want to take down Tianqing Mountain. They also have a lot of people, and those who were debating doctrines haven¡¯t left. That¡¯s why they need a large number of spiritual medicines as support,¡± Cheng Chou explained. Jiang Hao frowned deeply; he knew there were frictions with Tianqing Mountain. Han Ming had gone on a training expedition a few months ago, and he thought it would just be a friction for a while. He didn¡¯t expect it to escalate to a fight. Because it was too far away, he couldn¡¯t detect anything from here. But he also didn¡¯t understand why he hadn¡¯t been sent out; such matters were the duty of any disciple. Although he didn¡¯t want to go, if really ordered, he would have no choice but to comply. ¡°Is it because of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, or because my name is still on the Enforcement Peak?¡± Jiang Hao pondered. He figured it was probably because his name was still on the Enforcement Peak. If he were an undercover agent, once he left, he might leak information to the enemy. It would be better to keep him imprisoned within the sect. ¡°Go get ready, and make it quick,¡± Jiang Hao handed the list to Cheng Chou. ¡°Yes,¡± Cheng Chou hurriedly replied. Afterward, Jiang Hao inquired about the war situation. Currently, the Tianyin Sect still held the advantage, at least that¡¯s what the front lines were reporting. Cheng Chou also asked him if he wanted to go. Jiang Hao just shook his head, without mentioning that he was still listed on the Enforcement Peak. Cheng Chou mentioned that many people had gone, hoping to grab some good loot, and even use the opportunity to advance further. Advancing to the inner sect or becoming a true disciple wasn¡¯t out of the question. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t comment on this, as everyone had their own thoughts. He preferred things to be stable. Over the next few days, Jiang Hao helped out in the Spiritual Medicine Garden and occasionally sold Ten Thousand Swords Talismans, Calming Talismans, and Concentration Talismans. In seven days, he earned over three hundred spirit stones. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Far more than usual, probably because of the conflict with Tianqing Mountain. Most of what he sold were offensive talismans, and many people also inquired about defensive ones. Unfortunately, he didn¡¯t have any. The healing ones were too common. Otherwise, he could have earned even more spirit stones. During these days, the rabbit would follow him to the Spiritual Medicine Garden, and under Jiang Hao¡¯s warning, it didn¡¯t dare to cause trouble. But being alone at home was too boring, so it often came over to play. After a while, seeing that there really were no issues, Jiang Hao ignored it. Today, like usual, Jiang Hao came to the Spiritual Medicine Garden to collect qi bubbles. But this time, he found a group of strangers in the garden. ¡°Because we¡¯re short on hands recently, people from Xuelian Pavilion have been sent over to help,¡± Cheng Chou explained. Jiang Hao nodded imperceptibly and then looked around. Soon, he noticed something off. In the middle of the spiritual field, a man seemed to be burying something. Jiang Hao strode forward, drew his Half-Moon, and pressed it against the back of the man¡¯s hand with a cold voice. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Seeing this, Cheng Chou immediately backed away, and the rabbit that had just come in blinked, not quite understanding. The others also started to back off. Jiang Hao was an inner disciple, and everyone knew that, but they also knew his character. He never troubled people without reason. His sudden draw of the blade indicated a problem. Chapter 47 - Drawing the Blade to Kill Chapter 47: Drawing the Blade to Kill In the spiritual field. A young man was squatting, with one hand on the ground. The back of his hand was pressed against by a sheathed blade, with a cold light showing. ¡°Immortal, spare my life,¡± the young man pleaded with his head bowed. Hearing this, Jiang Hao¡¯s face remained calm. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± ¡°Immortal, I...¡± As the young man began to speak, Jiang Hao moved the handle of his blade. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The shadow of the blade flashed, severing the man¡¯s arm with the swiftness of thunder. This sudden attack stunned the young man, who glared at Jiang Hao with resentment and began to retreat. Jiang Hao plunged the handle of his blade into the ground, flipping the buried object into the air. Boom! An explosion sounded in the air, scaring the others into scattering for cover. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t stop; the Half-Moon was unsheathed. He quickly approached several men and women who were about to act. The long blade swept through, killing them on the spot. He killed three of the four people in rapid succession. Approaching the last one, they had already activated a magical treasure in their hand. Seeing this, Jiang Hao swung the Half-Moon, and the light of the moon appeared. Heavenly Saber Moon Slash. Bang! The blade shadow, like a moon shadow, tore through the sky, cutting the opponent¡¯s palm and the magical treasure in two with a single strike. At this moment, the man looked ferociously at Jiang Hao. Black energy appeared on his body as he began to attack the person in front of him. However, Jiang Hao had already reached his side, with the blade resting on his neck. Whoosh! The man fell to the ground in response. Jiang Hao then looked towards the first person who had backed away; he stared at Jiang Hao, hesitated for a moment, and then started to walk outside. But how could Qi Refining be faster than ¡®Foundation Establishment¡¯? Jiang Hao blinked and appeared beside him, tapping the man¡¯s temple with the handle of the blade. With a thud, the man passed out. After finishing his tasks, he turned to look at Cheng Chou standing beside him and said, ¡°Go call someone.¡± Cheng Chou knew who to call and immediately ran outside. The rabbits that were originally watching the show were so frightened that they trembled and didn¡¯t dare to enter the spiritual field. The one with incomplete spiritual intelligence felt that entering the spiritual field might result in being chopped. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t care about the others and instructed them. ¡°You all continue with your work, and don¡¯t approach the damaged spiritual field for now.¡± Due to a slight delay, the spiritual field was a bit damaged, but fortunately, the impact wasn¡¯t significant. He had noticed these people as soon as he arrived, thinking that someone was coming to trouble him again. But upon closer inspection, they didn¡¯t seem to have any power, and the things buried in the ground had fluctuations of spiritual energy. Only then did he realize they were magical treasures. These people weren¡¯t targeting him but were there to destroy the spiritual field. If they had succeeded, Duanqing Cliff would have suffered significant losses. After hesitating for a moment, he still chose to identify it. ¡¾Puppet Armor: In childhood, a puppet seed was planted by Yan Hua of the Tiansheng Sect, gradually taking over. This time it was to destroy the spiritual medicine field of the Tianyin Sect, attempting to help Tianqing Mountain advance into the Tianyin Sect.¡¿ Yan Hua of the Tiansheng Sect? Jiang Hao had never heard of this person, but the people from the Tiansheng Sect were indeed dangerous. Was this a move they had planned ten years ago? Especially among ordinary people or Qi Refining disciples. It was completely unpredictable. If it weren¡¯t for the fact that he had identified himself last time, Jiang Hao would have suspected that he might also have such a puppet seed. This showed that the people of the Tiansheng Sect knew about the existence of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and wanted to be the first to act. To contribute to Tianqing Mountain. If it was a puppet, then capturing it alive wasn¡¯t very meaningful. After a short while. Mu Qi arrived at the scene, looked at the spiritual field, and then at the man on the ground, and he couldn¡¯t help but breathe a sigh of relief. ¡°We owe you one this time, Junior Brother. I heard that other Spiritual Medicine Gardens have suffered considerable damage. Fortunately, ours is safe and sound,¡± Mu Qi said to Jiang Hao with gratitude and politeness. ¡°I will report this matter truthfully to our master, and we will rely on Junior Brother in the future.¡± ¡°Senior Brother, you are too kind,¡± Jiang Hao replied, lowering his head in a humble gesture. Mu Qi, a true disciple. He had met him a few times, and the other¡¯s cultivation level should not be inferior to Liu Xingchen¡¯s. Jiang Hao had always felt that Mu Qi was not someone to be trifled with, so he tried to avoid him as much as possible. Being in the Demon Sect didn¡¯t necessarily mean there was camaraderie. But with a true disciple like Mu Qi, there definitely wasn¡¯t any. One must have a clear understanding of their position, respect those who should be respected, and not be soft-handed with those who should be dealt with. Later, Mu Qi took the Puppet Armor away, saying that he would inform him if there were any findings. Now he had to attend to the matters at the mine, so he didn¡¯t have time to stay. Jiang Hao nodded, letting Senior Brother attend to his own business. ¡°Is there also trouble at the mine?¡± Watching Mu Qi leave, Jiang Hao muttered to himself in confusion. It felt like the Tianyin Sect had been quite unstable lately, and he had to be prepared for the possibility of the sect being breached. Otherwise, he would be too passive when the time came. But... Could he really afford to leave, given that he was raising the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower? He had a feeling that many people would target him first. Afterward, the Spiritual Medicine Garden no longer allowed others to enter and help, so no more sneak attacks occurred. Other Spiritual Medicine Gardens indeed suffered a lot of damage, and much pressure came upon Duanqing Cliff. The demand for spiritual medicines suddenly increased. ...... Three weeks passed like this. Jiang Hao was busy from morning till night. Finally, when the other Spiritual Medicine Gardens recovered, their pressure was greatly reduced. Everyone felt much more relaxed. During this time, everyone knew that Jiang Hao had a rabbit. This rabbit also became familiar with the people of the Spiritual Medicine Garden, and having awakened twice, it even learned to speak. However, it didn¡¯t dare to provoke those it shouldn¡¯t, as even Jiang Hao had to bow his head. ¡°What would the esteemed spiritual beast like to eat today?¡± Cheng Chou asked in a low voice, trying to please. ¡°Call me Lord Rabbit,¡± the rabbit demanded, standing on the ground with pride and arrogance. Its voice was not immature. It was a male rabbit. ¡°Lord Rabbit, what would you like to eat today?¡± Cheng Chou asked without surprise, as if he was already accustomed to it. ¡°Eat humans,¡± the rabbit said sternly. Chapter 48 - The Second Form of the Heavenly Saber Chapter 48: The Second Form of the Heavenly Saber ¡°Eat humans?¡± Cheng Chou was somewhat surprised. There were many ordinary people in the Spiritual Medicine Garden, and it wasn¡¯t impossible for a spiritual beast to eat humans. There seemed to be such spiritual beasts in other parts of the Demon Sect. For a moment, Cheng Chou was deeply worried. ¡°Yes, eat humans,¡± the rabbit said, looking up with pride and a sense of nobility. ¡°Go and capture some officials and nobles for me.¡± ¡°Does it have to be officials and nobles?¡± Cheng Chou asked tentatively, ¡°Would ordinary people not suffice?¡± ¡°No,¡± the rabbit shook its head. ¡°Does Lord Rabbit have any particular preferences?¡± Cheng Chou asked curiously. ¡°The taste isn¡¯t up to par,¡± the rabbit said seriously as it looked at the ordinary people in the Spiritual Medicine Garden. ¡°The common folk suffer too much.¡± Cheng Chou: ¡°???¡± Jiang Hao, who happened to overhear the conversation as he approached, glanced at the rabbit. Startled, the rabbit immediately declared to Cheng Chou with righteous indignation. ¡°Today, I want to carrots! Aside from carrots, Lord Rabbit won¡¯t eat anything else!¡± Cheng Chou: ¡°...¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t pay much attention to the rabbit but instead inquired if Cheng Chou had any news. After some investigation, he learned that the Tianyin Sect seemed to be suppressing Tianqing Mountain in their conflict, capturing many Tianqing Mountain disciples in the process. They were thrown into the Lawless Tower and then sent to the mines. Hearing this, Jiang Hao felt that this was even more cruel than killing them. After getting a general understanding, he returned to his residence. He was also very tired these days. If anything happened to the Spiritual Medicine Garden, he would definitely be held accountable, and if something happened elsewhere, the pressure would all come down on him. He was afraid that the puppets might come again. But now, things should be fine. As for leaving the rabbit in the Spiritual Medicine Garden, well, it was at the initial stage of Foundation Establishment after all. It could be somewhat useful. The most relaxed moment could also be the most dangerous. With the Tianyin Sect fighting Tianqing Mountain, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t feel the external pressure, only the pressure of his own duties. Overall, this period had been relatively stable. Although he hadn¡¯t had time to earn spirit stones, he had picked up quite a bit in terms of cultivation. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 20¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Early Golden Core¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 47/100 (cannot be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 49/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 1/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡°Halfway there, in a few more months I should be able to try advancing to the middle stage of Golden Core,¡± Jiang Hao thought as he looked at his status panel. However, he wasn¡¯t sure if the coming months would be as stable as now. The advantage of cultivators is their long lives, but the downside is that enemies also live long and can hold grudges forever. It¡¯s not so easy to cultivate peacefully at Duanqing Cliff. Without dwelling on it further, he took out the ¡°Heavenly Saber Seven Forms¡± intending to comprehend the second form, Mountain Suppressor. He had been contemplating the first form recently and had roughly mastered it. Moon Slash was a pure attack, with a blade so sharp and unstoppable that it could not be resisted. What he lacked now was actual combat experience. Only through actual combat could he refine the blade in his hand and the intent behind his swings. This was hard to achieve through contemplation alone. Having reached this point, he could begin to comprehend the second form. Unlike the first form, after a few days of contemplation, Jiang Hao realized that the essence of Mountain Suppressor was in the suppression. With the overwhelming momentum and the weight of mountains and seas, it suppressed the enemy. After an initial understanding, he took out some poetry to nourish and refine his blade. The Primordial Heavenly Saber also had a certain heaviness to it, making it very suitable for the second form of the Heavenly Saber. ...... A month later. Jiang Hao opened his eyes, walked out to the courtyard, and started heading outside, collecting his qi along the way. The rabbit, which had been lying next to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, immediately followed. ¡°Master, where are you going so early? Take me with you. People on the road will give face to Lord Rabbit,¡± the rabbit said as it followed Jiang Hao. ¡°If you sneak out and cause trouble, don¡¯t say you¡¯re mine,¡± Jiang Hao replied softly. He really didn¡¯t know the rabbit had this kind of personality; otherwise, he would have found a way to suppress its awakening intelligence. ¡°No worries, from now on Lord Rabbit will cover for you. You just focus on being the master,¡± the rabbit boasted shamelessly. At that moment, Jiang Hao stopped and stood quietly by the stream. After a short while, his momentum built up. He held the poetry of the Primordial Heavenly Saber in his hand and then gently lifted it. The rabbit was initially puzzled, but in the next moment, it felt an overwhelming and vast momentum from the blade. As the blade swung down, it seemed to see an endless range of mountains pressing down. The imposing force was terrifying and overwhelming, so much so that the rabbit was pressed to the ground on the spot. Then, Jiang Hao struck down towards the stream. Thud! A heavy sound echoed, and at first glance, the stream seemed unharmed. But upon closer inspection, one could see that the stream had stopped flowing. Then, with a loud bang, the water was divided into countless droplets, which were propelled towards the sky due to the repelling force. After a long while, the water fell back down, and the stream returned to normal, except that the pebbles and debris in the stream had also disappeared, leaving it impeccably clean. Looking at all this, Jiang Hao smiled. Mountain Suppressor was stronger than he had thought. However, it required building up momentum and was not easy to use in an emergency. But he could prepare the blade in advance, and the impact wouldn¡¯t be too great. Nonetheless, he couldn¡¯t get carried away and needed to keep his mind steady. Afterwards, he put away the Primordial Heaven Saber and headed towards the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Having initially mastered the second technique of the Heaven Saber, he now needed to focus on earning spirit stones. Not only did he have to buy tea leaves, but he also needed to purchase a saber. The Half-Moon was struggling to withstand the power of the Heaven Saber and had developed cracks again. As he approached the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao stopped; Liu Xingchen, whom he hadn¡¯t seen for several months, was waiting for him ahead. Something must be about to happen. He had a bad feeling. ¡°Junior Brother, it¡¯s been a few months. I¡¯ve heard you¡¯ve made some achievements again,¡± Liu Xingchen greeted him with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s just part of my duties, nothing noteworthy,¡± Jiang Hao replied, shaking his head. Liu Xingchen gestured for Jiang Hao to walk with him towards the Spiritual Medicine Garden. As they moved forward, he spoke earnestly. ¡°Mu Qi has been injured in the mines.¡± Chapter 49 - Did Everyone from the Immortal Sect Enter the Mine? Chapter 49: Did Everyone from the Immortal Sect Enter the Mine? ¡°Senior Brother Mu is injured? How did that happen?¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. Mu Qi is a true disciple of Duanqing Cliff, with profound cultivation. How could he be injured by ordinary matters? The only explanation is that someone attacked the mine. ¡°He was recently helping out at the mine. Junior Brother, you must have heard about our sect waging war against Tianqing Mountain, right?¡± Liu Xingchen asked softly. Jiang Hao nodded: ¡°I know, I heard we have the upper hand.¡± ¡°Right, this time Elder Bai Zhi took action personally, and the other Teaching Elders have been busy as well.¡± ¡°Your master, the Pavilion Master of Tianhuan Pavilion, the Peak Master of Leihuo Peak, and the Valley Master of Bingyue Valley, they all took action.¡± ¡°Tianqing Mountain has reportedly been weakened by internal strife over the years, so their overall strength is not as good as ours.¡± ¡°However, they just concluded their Dao Discussion Conference and received help from many powerful individuals.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why the battle has been going on for months without a clear outcome.¡± ¡°Until last month, Elder Bai Zhi used the power of thunder to severely injure the leader of Tianqing Mountain.¡± ¡°Only then did the advantage fully shift to our side.¡± ¡°As the saying goes, ¡®Defeat is like a collapsing mountain¡¯¡ªJunior Brother must understand this principle. The other side lost their momentum.¡± ¡°Many were captured alive, and the merit for capturing someone is much greater than for killing.¡± ¡°Therefore, Lawless Tower has been unusually lively recently, which means the mine is also bustling.¡± ¡°There are people from Tianqing Mountain among those captured alive, as well as people from other sects?¡± Jiang Hao suddenly understood. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Liu Xingchen nodded and continued walking. ¡°That¡¯s why there will always be people coming to rescue them. Mu Qi was injured because of this, but the other side suffered even more and was captured alive by Mu Qi and thrown into Lawless Tower.¡± Jiang Hao nodded, but he was somewhat puzzled. Why did Liu Xingchen come just to tell him this? Although their relationship was fairly good, Liu Xingchen usually wouldn¡¯t come to chat with him about non-urgent matters. Soon, he understood the main purpose of Liu Xingchen¡¯s visit. ¡°Since Mu Qi has stepped back from the mine, Duanqing Cliff needs to send someone to replace him.¡± ¡°Currently, Junior Brother, you have the lightest duties in Duanqing Cliff,¡± Liu Xingchen hinted. Jiang Hao bowed his head in silence. Since he had finished his tasks in the Spiritual Medicine Garden, he indeed had no urgent matters recently. It was only fair for him to take over. The Spiritual Medicine Garden had also become more vigilant, making it difficult for the previous incident to occur again. Moreover, there are the rabbit and a Foundation Establishment cultivator in place. ¡°Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother,¡± Jiang Hao expressed his gratitude. Knowing this information in advance would help him prepare and not be completely in the dark when he got there. ¡°Junior Brother, do you still remember the Golden Core undercover agent you killed back then?¡± Liu Xingchen suddenly brought up Jin Zhouheng. ¡°I remember. It was my first time facing a cultivator of that level, so the memory is still fresh,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. He didn¡¯t know the aftermath of Jin Zhouheng¡¯s situation. Since he had killed the man, he hadn¡¯t heard any news about it. No one had come to inquire either. A Foundation Establishment cultivator killing a Golden Core would usually prompt some questions about the details. But there was nothing. ¡°This matter, in fact, I¡¯ve been dealing with it until now, and it might not even be over yet,¡± Liu Xingchen glanced at Jiang Hao and said. ¡°Jin Zhouheng came from Luoxia Sect, and he was sent to kill Junior Brother because of Yun Ruo.¡± ¡°He had just broken through to Golden Core not long ago and was considered honest and simple in his sect, but he was unpopular since childhood. Yun Ruo somehow managed to make Jin Zhouheng blindly loyal to her.¡¯ ¡°After we targeted Jin Zhouheng, he should have had no power to resist.¡± ¡°But that night, he received a message from someone and managed to evade our capture.¡± ¡°On the way, we seriously injured him, but then someone interfered. In the end, he found Junior Brother.¡± ¡°There¡¯s someone else who wants Junior Brother dead. That person is very strong. Five of us from the Hall of Enforcement chased him for months. ¡± ¡°It was only recently that we managed to capture him alive.¡± Chased for months? Jiang Hao was surprised inside. No wonder he hadn¡¯t seen Liu Xingchen for several months. Then he asked curiously. ¡°Who is that person?¡± ¡°An undercover agent from the Ghost Shadow Sect, who has already been thrown into Lawless Tower.¡± ¡°He will soon be sent to the mine, and interestingly, he used to be one of the mine¡¯s people. We are still investigating the mine¡¯s people; there should still be traitors among them. If Junior Brother goes to the mine, it¡¯s best to be cautious.¡± Liu Xingchen¡¯s tone became serious. ¡°Just a reminder. The mine falls under the jurisdiction of the sect, but once inside the cave, the Hall of Enforcement finds it difficult to thoroughly investigate.¡± ¡°Or they might just do a simple check. The mine itself has energy that greatly affects the tracking results.¡± ¡°Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother,¡± Jiang Hao gratefully said, and after thinking for a moment, he continued. ¡°Is Jin Zhouheng the one with a high status in Luoxia Sect and infatuated with Senior Sister Yun Ruo that Senior Brother mentioned?¡± ¡°No,¡± Liu Xingchen shook his head. Jiang Hao said no more. That meant the threat from Luoxia Sect was still present. As for the Ghost Shadow Sect, he wasn¡¯t too concerned. Because their main target should be the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, which was still relatively safe for now. What he needed to worry about now was the mine; entering the cave could easily lead to danger. He had to be wary not only of those who bore grudges against him but also of undercover agents who might take action. Especially, he needed to be cautious of other sects coming to rescue their people. Fortunately, Liu Xingchen said there was no need to worry too much about the Tianhuan Sect, as they were all focusing their efforts on attacking Tianqing Mountain. They wouldn¡¯t spare the energy to deal with him, a Foundation Establishment cultivator. However, he still needed to be vigilant. After Liu Xingchen left, Jiang Hao went to the Spiritual Medicine Garden alone, where Senior Brother Mu Qi was standing at the entrance. His face was pale, and his breathing was somewhat unsteady. He was indeed injured, but it wasn¡¯t as serious as he made it appear. Jiang Hao had practiced the Nameless Secret Manual and could roughly gauge the extent of the other¡¯s injuries. ¡®It seems that Senior Brother Mu Qi wants to use his injury as an excuse to leave the mine. Is the situation there not very good?¡¯ Chapter 50 - Contact with the Immortal Sect Captive Chapter 50: Contact with the Immortal Sect Captive ¡°Junior Brother, how have you been these days?¡± Mu Qi greeted Jiang Hao with a smile upon seeing him. ¡°I¡¯m fine. What brings Senior Brother to the Spiritual Medicine Garden?¡± Jiang Hao asked knowingly. He didn¡¯t bring up the mine himself; if the other party didn¡¯t mention it, he might avoid a disaster. ¡°I came specifically to wait for Junior Brother because there¡¯s something I need your help with.¡± Mu Qi didn¡¯t beat around the bush and got straight to the point. ¡°I may need Junior Brother to go to the mine for some time.¡± Jiang Hao looked puzzled. After that, Mu Qi briefly described the situation at the mine and then coughed twice before saying. ¡°This was originally my responsibility, but now I have to ask Junior Brother to take over.¡± ¡°However, you don¡¯t need to worry, I will help take care of the Spiritual Medicine Garden.¡± Jiang Hao nodded without refusing; he couldn¡¯t refuse. Someone had to go to the mine since Mu Qi was injured, and right now, Mu Qi was discussing it with him. If he refused, it would become a sect mission. There was no need to create discomfort for himself. He was just curious whether Mu Qi didn¡¯t want to go because it was too dangerous, or for some other reason. ¡®Come to think of it, I¡¯ve never appraised Senior Brother Mu Qi.¡¯ Without hesitation, he activated his divine ability. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Appraising Mu Qi. ¡¾Mu Qi: True disciple of Tianyin Sect¡¯s Duanqing Cliff, late-stage Golden Core cultivation, once had an affair with Tiansheng Sect¡¯s candidate for Saintess, Miao Tinglian. The injury this time was due to obtaining an ancient inheritance in the Tianyin Sect mine. He feigned serious injury to retreat to Duanqing Cliff safely, preparing to absorb the inheritance.¡¿ Because of an ancient inheritance? Had an affair with the candidate for Saintess of Tiansheng Sect, Miao Tinglian? Does having an affair count as being a traitor? However, the reason for pretending to be seriously injured was a blessing in disguise, at least it wasn¡¯t because he was frightened back by other sects. Otherwise, for someone with weaker cultivation like himself, the danger would increase exponentially. ¡®Tiansheng Sect, it seems their shadow is everywhere in the sect. I wonder if Senior Brother Mu Qi will end up being a traitor. Once he is turned, he might target me.¡¯ Jiang Hao kept his composure and asked softly. ¡°When do I need to go over?¡± ¡°Today at noon.¡± Mu Qi, seeing that Jiang Hao didn¡¯t refuse, looked much more pleased. ¡°Some of the rewards for me will also be shared with Junior Brother.¡± After agreeing, Jiang Hao headed straight for the mine. He left the rabbit in the Spiritual Medicine Garden, as Mu Qi said he would help take care of it. ¡®I wonder if the rabbit will still be normal when I return.¡¯ He was somewhat worried, but bringing the rabbit to the mine would easily cause trouble. It was better to go alone. The task of watering the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower would also have to be left to the rabbit. ...... The mine was on the other side of the Tianyin Sect. After receiving the task from the Enforcement Peak, he took his belongings and arrived at the mine. Most of the miners here were Qi Refining cultivators; there were almost no ordinary people. Unless someone¡¯s cultivation fell below Qi Refining, ordinary people wouldn¡¯t be allowed here. With the physique of ordinary people, the efficiency of mining was too poor. Outside the mine, Jiang Hao looked around and saw desolation. The mountain looked as if a chunk had been cut out of it, with many caves leading inside. There were guards and management personnel here. Jiang Hao looked around and realized that this place was on the edge of the sect, which explained why it was possible for people to come for rescue. Shortly after, in front of the tower at the mine¡¯s entrance, Jiang Hao glanced at it and noticed that the area¡¯s defenses were high, resembling a castle. Walking in, he discovered a small marketplace and buildings. ¡°It feels somewhat self-sufficient,¡± he thought as he arrived in front of a tall building at the far end. This was where one reported for duty at the mine. It was also where the managers lived. ¡°Jiang Hao, inner disciple of Duanqing Cliff, mid-stage Foundation Establishment, taking over for Mu Qi?¡± Inside the room, a middle-aged man looked at Jiang Hao and read out his information. ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. After a brief observation, he noted that this manager was strong. Stronger than Senior Brother Mu Qi and Liu Xingchen. After staring at Jiang Hao for a while, Wu Yuanwu didn¡¯t pay him any more attention, simply saying, ¡°Alright, but since your cultivation is insufficient, you¡¯ll start by helping under Wei Lie¡¯s name.¡± After waiting for a moment, Jiang Hao was led out of the small marketplace by a bald man and walked outside. He was told he was going to work. The man was not polite in his speech. ¡°Once you¡¯re in the mine, you follow our rules.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care if you¡¯re a true disciple or from the inner sect; if I tell you to go east, you go east; if I tell you to go west, you go west.¡± ¡°Otherwise, don¡¯t blame me for being rude.¡± ¡°Also, once you¡¯re here, you can¡¯t leave at will, or you¡¯ll be in trouble,¡± Wei Lie said coldly, staring at Jiang Hao. He had a scar on his face, and his surging vital energy was intimidating enough. Early-stage Golden Core cultivation. With just a touch, Jiang Hao could clearly feel the man¡¯s strength. As for the man¡¯s command to listen to him, Jiang Hao could only bow his head and remain silent. Not being able to leave was indeed troublesome. The man didn¡¯t care about Jiang Hao¡¯s attitude; with mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, he didn¡¯t take him seriously at all. Soon, Jiang Hao and four others arrived near the Lawless Tower and joined a group of five people. Three men and two women. They were dressed in different attire, clearly indicating they were not from the same sect. What they had in common was that they were all only at the fifth level of Qi Refining. They appeared very weak. The five of them stared at Jiang Hao and his companions with eyes filled with resentment and despair. It turned out they were captives, Jiang Hao thought to himself. ¡°You group of demonic evildoers, one day our immortal sects will drive you to extinction,¡± a beautiful fairy in blue robes shouted angrily. Slap! Wei Lie struck her across the face with force. Blood spilled from the impact. He didn¡¯t say anything, just gestured to the five captives.l ¡°Move!¡± ¡°Where do you plan to take us?¡± asked a handsome man in a Taoist robe. Bang! This time, Wei Lie punched the man, causing him to vomit blood. ¡°Speak one more useless word, and you won¡¯t need to walk anymore.¡± Jiang Hao looked at these people from the immortal sects and was filled with many emotions. Perhaps some of them still had hope of being rescued, but what if he, as a disciple of the Demon Sect, were captured? It would probably be even more tragic. Chapter 51 - The Immortal Sect Comes to the Rescue Chapter 51: The Immortal Sect Comes to the Rescue In the following days, Jiang Hao was either escorting captives or inspecting the surroundings of the mine. Wei Lie had been assessed; although not likable, he was not a traitor. As long as one did their job well, they usually wouldn¡¯t attract his attention. It¡¯s worth mentioning that he was actually a true disciple of the Leihuo Peak, no wonder he was so arrogant. Under normal circumstances, there wouldn¡¯t be any conflict. But if a conflict did arise, it could lead to a fight right there. As long as the injuries weren¡¯t too severe, the Hall of Enforcement wouldn¡¯t bother. The Hall of Enforcement was strict, but mostly concerned with death or crippling injuries. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t want to expose his strength or attract trouble. So, he rarely did anything unnecessary. Of course, what troubled him the most was that these past few days, there hadn¡¯t been much benefit from spirit bubbles. At most, he found a few while wandering around the mine. This was somewhat problematic. ¡°Do I need to enter the mine?¡± Jiang Hao hesitated. Helping in the mine would likely yield some gains. But Liu Xingchen had specifically sought him out to advise against going in. It could be dangerous. For a few spirit bubbles, it really wasn¡¯t worth the risk. ¡°Let¡¯s wait a bit longer, maybe I won¡¯t have to stay here much longer,¡± Jiang Hao thought. As long as there were enough hands, he wouldn¡¯t need to continue staying here. But he wasn¡¯t sure when the battle with Tianqing Mountain would be over. He still needed to find a way to accumulate spirit bubbles. ¡°Spend some time observing the strengths of those around, assess the dangerous ones again, and then decide whether to enter the mine.¡± Jiang Hao made up his mind. At that moment, Wei Lie came over and tossed a booklet to him. ¡°Senior Brother, what is this?¡± Jiang Hao asked, puzzled. It was a registration booklet, listing the people brought to the Lawless Tower. This was part of Wei Lie¡¯s job as personnel manager. Why was it given to him? ¡°From now on, you¡¯re in charge of receiving people, but you still report to me. You¡¯d better do your job well, or don¡¯t blame me for being unkind,¡± Wei Lie said angrily, then continued. ¡°Starting today, you¡¯re not only to receive people but also to take them into the mine to familiarize them with the situation.¡± ¡°If the workforce is short and it affects progress, it¡¯s your fault.¡± After speaking, Wei Lie turned and left. Watching him walk away, Jiang Hao was quite puzzled. How had he taken over Wei Lie¡¯s job? And he had to enter the mine. Seeing this, he assessed Wei Lie again. ¡¾Wei Lie: Early Golden Core stage, true disciple of Tianyin Sect¡¯s Leihuo Peak, suddenly called to patrol the surroundings, harbors discontent towards the people of Bingyue Valley, wants to find an opportunity to teach them a lesson.¡¿ Bingyue Valley? Jiang Hao knew that taking over the job must have been someone¡¯s deliberate arrangement. His first thought was that people from Tianhuan Pavilion had recovered and were now targeting him. Was it because he was cultivating the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower that he had attracted attention? ¡°It seems that entering the mine is also their deliberate intention, but I don¡¯t know their cultivation level.¡± While pondering, Jiang Hao received a task to go to the Lawless Tower to receive people. The original team of five was now down to four. Besides him, there were three early Foundation Establishment stage inner disciples. One was a fairy from Bingyue Valley, Lu Meng, who was quite attractive but spoke little and was meticulous in her work. The remaining two were from Yanyun Peak, both young men. One was thin and weak, named Jing Lin, and the other was burly, named Mo Du. Both had unpleasant personalities, and although they often joked, there was a hint of darkness in their demeanor. It was as if they might stab you in the back at any moment. For safety, Jiang Hao had previously assessed all three; among them, the thin Jing Lin required the most attention, as he had defected from Fenglei Sect to join Tianyin Sect. Unfortunately, among the captives, there were also some from Fenglei Sect. Jiang Hao was concerned there might be acquaintances among them. Enemies were manageable, but if there were emotional ties, it could complicate matters. After a short while, the four of them arrived at the Lawless Tower¡¯s reception area and saw four frail cultivators being guarded. The moment Jiang Hao laid eyes on them, his pupils shrank, sensing that something was amiss. However, he did not make a scene and instead approached the person in charge of the handover, explaining that he would take over from there, and then led the four away without much questioning. It seemed too easy to impersonate someone and take people away for rescue. Shaking his head, he decided not to dwell on it and said to the four. ¡°Let¡¯s go. I advise you to cooperate to avoid unnecessary suffering.¡± The aura of these four was off; although they appeared to be at the fifth level of Qi Refining, in reality, each possessed the strength of at least the early or middle stages of the Golden Core. Had they evaded the power absorption of the lawless tower? Or did they have some magical treasure that took the absorption in their place? Unfortunately, he couldn¡¯t verify it at the moment. He could only pretend to be unaware. These four were most likely here for a rescue mission. He let them proceed with their plan, as he was unable to stop them and only hoped not to get involved. ¡°State your sect names,¡± Jiang Hao said, taking out a notebook as they walked. When the four remained silent, he added, ¡°I suggest you cooperate. If your sects intend to redeem you in the future, not having your names here means you don¡¯t exist. No one will come to save you if you die.¡± ¡°Fenglei Sect, Jing Ru,¡± a young girl spoke up. Hearing this, Jiang Hao began to write down the name, though he felt somewhat helpless, hoping it had nothing to do with Jing Lin. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He looked up at his three companions and asked, ¡°Who will take them to familiarize themselves with the mine?¡± The others were silent. Seeing Jing Lin struggling, Jiang Hao directly said, ¡°Jing Junior Brother, you take them.¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t know what they were planning, but he hoped they would discuss it among themselves. With four Golden Core cultivators, possibly including a mid-stage one, he was no match for them. He needed to focus on improving his own cultivation first. Chapter 52 - Calculated Chapter 52: Calculated ¡°Who else?¡± Jiang Hao continued to record names in the register. ¡°Luoxia Sect, Bei Xue,¡± another cold female voice spoke up. Luoxia Sect? Jiang Hao noted it down without showing any reaction, then turned to Lu Meng. ¡°Lu Junior Sister, this one is for you.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Lu Meng nodded. ¡°Xuantian Sect, Situ Jian,¡± a smiling young man said. The somewhat inconspicuous man next to him added. ¡°Xuantian Sect, Shangguan Wen.¡± Looking at these two, Jiang Hao directed his gaze at Mo Du and said, ¡°Junior Brother Mo, take Shangguan Wen. I¡¯ll take Situ Jian to the mine later.¡± In his perception, Situ Jian and Shangguan Wen were likely the most dangerous of the two. JShangguan Wen was easy to overlook, and Jiang Hao worried that danger could come unexpectedly. For his own safety, he had to separate them. After Mo Du nodded, Jiang Hao reminded him. ¡°Keep a close eye on this person, don¡¯t be careless.¡± Mo Du nodded, not taking it too seriously, and even found Jiang Hao to be a bit long-winded. Halfway there, Jing Ru suddenly fell to the ground, pressing her hands against it. Seeing this, Jing Lin was about to pull her up, but Jiang Hao stopped him. Such an obvious action made him wonder if she thought he was blind. If Wei Lie were here, he might have slapped her already. He could ignore what these people were planning to do, but he couldn¡¯t overlook such blatant mistakes. As the person in charge, if he allowed such simple tasks to go wrong, his future situation would certainly be worse. He took out a Half-Moon blade and, using the scabbard, pressed it against Jing Ru¡¯s hand, saying, ¡°Shall I chop off your hand, or will you hand it over yourself?¡± The atmosphere suddenly became tense. Jiang Hao observed the girl in front of him; her aura did not change, which might indicate not restraint but side effects. Although she had cultivation, fully mobilizing it would likely take time. Finally, Jing Ru stared at Jiang Hao and handed over two transparent and tiny talismans. Taking the talismans, Jiang Hao examined them and found that they were made of special materials and were of high quality. One was a Mountain Moving Talisman, and the other was a Nine Heavens Thunder Talisman¡ªboth high-level talismans. ¡®With such tactics, do they really think they can do something? Or did they let me find out on purpose?¡¯ Puzzled, Jiang Hao sternly ordered, ¡°Search them.¡± ¡°You dare?¡± Jing Ru glared coldly at Jing Lin, who was about to start the search. ¡°Those who resist will be executed on the spot,¡± Jiang Hao said coldly. He was already considering how to report the situation with these four people and pass the trouble on to someone else. Now that he had these two talismans, he had a reason. ¡°Don¡¯t be angry; we¡¯ll cooperate,¡± Situ Jian said with a smile. Shangguan Wen and Bei Xue of the Luoxia Sect both raised their hands to comply. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Jing Ru clenched her teeth but said nothing more. As for the difference between men and women, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t care. Being too nice to these people, it seems they might take a mile if given an inch. In a moment, the three were searched thoroughly. Jiang Hao glanced at the four prisoners below and continued. Jing Ru gritted her teeth, her eyes filled with anger, while Bei Xue showed no emotion. On the contrary, Shangguan Wen and Situ Jian seemed relaxed and at ease. Only after confirming there were no issues did they send the people to the mining field. Watching the others enter the mine, Jiang Hao also walked with Situ Jian into the mine to get a general understanding of it and to assign work. ¡°Are you a true disciple of the Demon Sect? That¡¯s really impressive,¡± Situ Jian flattered along the way. ¡°You don¡¯t seem to care much about being here,¡± Jiang Hao casually said. Situ Jian replied indifferently. ¡°In the Xuantian Sect, my status is not low. According to what you said, the sect should come back to redeem me.¡± ¡°Then you¡¯d better mine well,¡± Jiang Hao said expressionlessly. He was now observing the surroundings. There weren¡¯t many people on the outskirts of the mine; most were concentrated inside. He had roughly looked over the structure here. It was intricate and confusing, making it easy to get lost and also easy to kill someone. Jiang Hao was worried that someone might come after him without anyone noticing. Not long after entering the mine, he saw a purple bubble. When he passed by the bubble, a prompt appeared on the panel. ¡¾Divine Ability Fragment+1¡¿ Indeed, there were gains to be had by coming in. Walking all the way to the back, he saw more bubbles, both white and green. ¡¾Ordinary Spirit Spear+1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit+1¡¿ ¡¾Strength+1¡¿ ¡¾Endurance+1¡¿ Feeling the long-missed improvement, Jiang Hao relaxed a bit. At least he knew that mining could also yield bubbles, but he wasn¡¯t sure if it was on the spot or the next day. Unfortunately, the mine was dangerous, not just because of undercover agents, but also because of the prisoners in the mining field. They were all ticking time bombs. The arrival of Situ Jian and the others might not be the first batch, nor necessarily the last. In any case, he had to go and warn the mine¡¯s management. To push the trouble away. Snap! Wei Lie slammed his hand on the table and stood up. ¡°Such sneaky actions should not be tolerated! They should be killed on the spot, or they¡¯ll become a disaster sooner or later.¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t personally search them? Didn¡¯t you see that they couldn¡¯t even detect such a problem? What could they possibly find during a search?¡± ¡°You were just put in charge, and you¡¯ve already made such an oversight?¡± Inside the management building, Jiang Hao stood quietly; he had handed over the talisman and explained the situation. Then he was met with a barrage of criticism from Wei Lie. Of course, while a mistake was a mistake, as a disciple of Duanqing Cliff, they couldn¡¯t punish him. Especially since this couldn¡¯t really be considered a mistake. At that moment, there were three managers in the management building. Sitting in the middle was the powerful Wu Yuanwu, who just listened quietly without saying much. On the left was Wei Lie, and on the right was a woman, dressed plainly and not particularly attractive¡ªa rare sight among the fairies of the Tianyin Sect. However, she possessed a mid-stage Golden Core cultivation. ¡°Junior Brother Wei is exaggerating. This matter is not a big deal, and it¡¯s possible that the woman simply wanted to hide the talisman.¡± ¡°Moreover, this is the fault of the Lawless Tower for missing something.¡± ¡°If you¡¯re really upset, send Junior Brother Jiang over to me; I think he¡¯s quite good.¡± ¡°I happen to need someone on my side,¡± the woman said with a smile. In his anger, Wei Lie agreed. Jiang Hao sighed; if he had to change places, so be it. At least he wouldn¡¯t be recognized by those disciples who had plans. He could also avoid some trouble. Finally, the Senior Sister took him away from the management building, and as soon as they stepped out, she introduced herself. ¡°Junior Brother Jiang, let¡¯s get acquainted. My name is Yan Hua.¡± Yan Hua? Hearing the name, Jiang Hao was startled. Chapter 53 - The End of Cultivation is Mining Chapter 53: The End of Cultivation is Mining Tiansheng Sect¡¯s Yan Hua? When Jiang Hao was identifying the puppet armor, he had learned this person¡¯s name. He had thought the person was a male, but it turned out to be a female. And she was right in front of him. ¡®So she¡¯s the one who¡¯s been watching me?¡¯ He was puzzled but had to suppress it for now. He would identify the Senior Sister in front of him first thing tomorrow to understand her intentions. Afterward, Senior Sister Yan Hua introduced him to his work. His current job is to supervise mining operations inside the cave. He must ensure progress is made, or there will be trouble. ¡°This shouldn¡¯t be too difficult, right?¡± Yan Hua said with a smile to Jiang Hao. ¡°If you encounter any difficulties, Junior Brother, feel free to speak up.¡± ¡°No, thank you, Senior Sister,¡± Jiang Hao replied, bowing his head in respect. He didn¡¯t panic and maintained his calm throughout the day. ...... The next day. Jiang Hao saw Yan Hua again and activated his divine ability. Appraising Yan Hua. ¡¾Yan Hua: Mid-stage Golden Core, zealous follower of the Tiansheng Sect, undercover in the Tianyin Sect¡¯s Bingyue Valley for many years, has planted numerous puppets. She has taken notice of you because you disrupted her puppets, and upon learning that you are cultivating the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, she is eager to turn you into one of her puppets, just waiting for the right opportunity.¡¿ Seeing the results from his divine ability, Jiang Hao felt a sinking feeling in his heart. The other party was eager to make a move on him. Mid-stage Golden Core, even if he used all his skills, he might not win. The opponent had likely been at the mid-stage Golden Core for many years. He never expected to be targeted by this person because of a puppet. And the other party also knew about the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. Had this news spread throughout the undercover community? ¡°Junior Brother, your timing is perfect,¡± Yan Hua said with a smile. ¡°Today, you will lead people into the sixth cave, where the progress is good and it¡¯s safer.¡± ¡°Junior Brother, just supervise the work. Oh, and...¡± Yan Hua leaned closer to Jiang Hao and whispered, ¡°The people you brought in yesterday are also in the team. Senior Wu said to observe them first, to see if they can draw out any other suspects.¡± ¡°Be careful in your response.¡± All four of them are here? Jiang Hao felt that Yan Hua was deliberately giving him a hard time, or rather, she wanted to use these four people to create an opportunity to make a move on him. He agreed without showing any emotion and then led the people into the mine. With just a glance, he noticed that these people had numb expressions, were skinny as rails, and walked with their hoes as if they were walking corpses. Only the newcomers looked like normal people. But they bore many whip marks, likely from beatings. Of course, he also saw Situ Jian and his group. The four had not separated, which was like giving them an opportunity, and Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t say anything about it. Walking along, he glanced at his status panel. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 21¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Early-stage Golden Core¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 63/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 65/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 2/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ Twenty-one years old? Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised; a year had passed without him realizing it. In one year, he had reached the early stage of the Golden Core. But he was still some distance from the middle stage. ¡®With just over half my cultivation, it will take several months to fill up to one hundred. Yan Hua can wait, but can Situ Jian and his group wait?¡¯ Finally, he focused on his divine abilities; if another purple bubble appeared, then he could obtain a new divine ability. As long as it was a suitable divine ability, he might not necessarily lose to Yan Hua, not to mention he still had the Primordial Heaven Saber. Upon reaching the mining pit, the people began digging and tunneling on their own initiative, and occasionally, spirit stones and other items would pop out. For a moment, Jiang Hao¡¯s thoughts began to stir. On the way here, he had observed that the sixth mining cave was not suitable for ambushes. Yan Hua would not make a move, and he would be able to sense anyone else approaching. As for his companions, aside from Situ Jian¡¯s group, none had hidden their cultivation levels. So, Jiang Hao approached a fellow disciple holding a whip. ¡°Is there anything you need, Senior Brother Jiang?¡± asked the outer disciple at the ninth level of Qi Refining, standing at attention. ¡°Do you have a mining hoe?¡± Jiang Hao asked. Yes, he wanted to try mining to see if bubbles would appear directly. Because spiritual herbs need to grow, they require a day in between. But with demon beasts, the bubbles appear upon killing them, so what about mining? Do bubbles appear as soon as the ore is mined, or does it require a day? If they can appear directly, then a quick promotion might not be a dream. While the mining pit was dangerous, it might also come with opportunities. Not to mention that Senior Brother Mu Qi had obtained an ancient inheritance in a mining pit. He didn¡¯t ask for an inheritance; bubbles would suffice. Under the outer disciple¡¯s astonished gaze, Jiang Hao took the hoe and walked to the forefront. ¡°Junior Brother, keep an eye on the others, don¡¯t let them slack off,¡± he instructed casually. At this moment, everyone was watching Jiang Hao, not understanding why this steward was taking up a hoe. Even Situ Jian and his group were puzzled. Then, under everyone¡¯s gaze, Jiang Hao stood in front of the ore and swung the hoe. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ding! They watched as Jiang Hao kept on mining. Some Qi Refining disciples were startled, not understanding what this inner sect Senior Brother was up to. Jiang Hao paid no attention to these people. He imbued the hoe with the power of Foundation Establishment, and soon chipped off a piece of ore. The moment the ore fell, a white bubble dropped with it and then merged into his body. ¡¾Strength+1¡¿ ¡°Success.¡± Chapter 54 - Falling in Love with Mining Chapter 54: Falling in Love with Mining The appearance of a bubble, even a white one, was good news. It directly indicated that mining could produce bubbles. Jiang Hao became even more diligent. He controlled his power so that he could last longer. Of course, to prevent others from discerning his concealed cultivation level and to keep them from knowing how much strength he could afford to expend, he intentionally kept his output at the lowest level of Foundation Establishment. Even if someone could estimate his overall strength from the energy he expended, they would get a false answer. Ore fell bit by bit, and white bubbles kept popping up, occasionally accompanied by green ones. ¡¾Strength+1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit+1¡¿ ¡¾Spear+1¡¿ Without the slightest pause, Jiang Hao worked harder and faster than anyone else. It wasn¡¯t until he mined ore of better quality that blue bubbles followed. ¡¾Cultivation+1¡¿ At the sight of the blue bubble, he breathed a sigh of relief. After many days, he finally saw hope for advancement again. If he relied solely on cultivation, with his talent, it would take more than a decade to advance to the mid-stage of Golden Core, and that was with the aid of elixirs. But with blue bubbles, perhaps a year or two would be enough. It all depended on the speed of accumulating bubbles. Ding! Ding! The rhythmic sound of the hoe striking the ore rang out as pieces of ore were mined, and many of good quality were set aside. Jiang Hao simply had others take away the ore, paying no attention to anything else. His focus was always on the bubbles. The rate at which the bubbles appeared was unbelievable to Jiang Hao. Bubbles would appear frequently, and even the white ones were more numerous than what he had seen in the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Perhaps, he had discovered the true method of collecting bubbles. Mining was the fastest shortcut to becoming stronger. As the sound of mining continued, Jiang Hao¡¯s cultivation and vitality also increased now and then. He had already collected ten blue bubbles. And that was just one morning. Clang! Suddenly, Jiang Hao stopped his actions. The hoe had worn out to its limit due to the fast pace. Looking at the broken hoe, he frowned. This tool was too much of an impediment to progress. For a moment, he even considered using the Primordial Heavenly Saber to mine, which would surely be fast. But that was too obvious and could easily reveal his trump card. Even using the Half-Moon Blade for mining would be too extravagant and attract attention. ¡°J-Jiang Senior Brother, would you like to take a break?¡± the supervising disciple cautiously approached and asked. Wu Jing, a ninth-level Qi Refining outer disciple, was just one step away from leaving the mining field to join the inner sect. He could even apply to leave. As long as the mining field wasn¡¯t particularly short-staffed, even if it was, they would provide enough rewards to keep people. Unlike now, where leaving was not an option. However, he didn¡¯t like the inner sect Senior Brothers; they always scolded him. This new inner sect Senior Brother scared him even more; he had no idea what the latter wanted to do. Jiang Hao glanced at the others and saw that they were taking turns resting, so he could only nod and move to the side. However, he still asked the Junior Brother to get him a better hoe. ¡°Senior Brother, you want to continue mining?¡± Wu Jing was a bit perplexed. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I will also take care of your safety,¡± Jiang Hao reassured. He came here to ensure steady progress; fewer miners would slow down the pace. Therefore, their safety naturally had to be considered. ¡°Which lineage of Tianyin Sect do you belong to?¡± Situ Jian came over to chat with Jiang Hao during his break. Glancing at him, Jiang Hao replied expressionlessly, ¡°Rest well and then go back to mining.¡± Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He naturally didn¡¯t want to engage in too much conversation with the other party, and even if he did, it would have to wait until after tomorrow¡¯s appraisal. These four people would definitely cause him trouble. Right now, he needed time to advance to the mid-stage of Golden Core as quickly as possible. At the very least, he needed to be able to deal with Yan Hua, and it would be even safer if he had enough time to reach the late stage. But he didn¡¯t know how much time these four people would give him. Various thoughts flooded his mind, yet Jiang Hao still wanted to mine. But since the tool hadn¡¯t arrived yet, he couldn¡¯t appear too eager. During his time in the Demon Cavern, it was his eagerness that led Lou Feng to sense something was off. If he acted the same way now, it was hard to say whether Yan Hua would notice. So he could only wait quietly. After some time, Wu Jing finally brought Jiang Hao a hoe, but this time it wasn¡¯t an ordinary mining hoe¡ªit was a magical treasure-level hoe. ¡°Senior Brother Jiang, this is what I applied for from the management building. Please don¡¯t damage it. Otherwise...¡± Wu Jing looked troubled. ¡°How many spirit stones?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Oh, there are no spirit stones involved, but there are tasks to promote progress and tasks for harvesting, which require an extra ten percent yield,¡± Wu Jing explained. Jiang Hao nodded, not wasting any more words. After asking Wu Jing to keep an eye on the others, he began to mine. He couldn¡¯t wait any longer. Under his hoe, bubbles kept emerging, and as for the ores, he didn¡¯t even spare them a glance. He was only feeling the changes in his body and the numerical changes in his vital energy and cultivation. ¡¾Strength+1¡¿ ¡¾Strength+1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit Sword+1¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation+1¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation+1¡¿ ... When he hit upon something good, a blue bubble would pop up. The more he mined, the happier he felt inside, but he kept his face calm, afraid of being discovered as an anomaly. His mining speed astonished everyone. Many people thought that this inner disciple was just enthusiastic on his first day and that later on, the burden of using the magical treasure would fall on them. For a moment, they felt indignant. It¡¯s always the lower ranks who suffer when a new official takes charge. Chapter 55 - Do You Really Think You Have Me Figured Out? Chapter 55: Do You Really Think You Have Me Figured Out? Jiang Hao was unaware of what the others were thinking, and even if he knew, he wouldn¡¯t care. He couldn¡¯t stop mining; in fact, he would work harder than anyone else. He never paused, except for once in the afternoon when a rock fell and forced him to swing his hoe, and he never let his attention be diverted again. After dark, Jiang Hao put away his hoe, reluctantly glancing at the mine. Today¡¯s progress had increased by more than ten percent. The others also breathed a sigh of relief, at least they could have a full meal and continue cultivating at night. Those at the mining site also aspired to stand out. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With higher cultivation, it was easier to become a supervisor, like Wu Jing. Without causing trouble, one could even become an inner disciple. As for the captives, after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, they would be thrown back into the Lawless Tower, then continue mining, in an endless cycle. It was impossible to leave on one¡¯s own in this lifetime. However, in times of chaos, it was a different story; there would always be people who managed to escape. As long as the Tianyin Sect didn¡¯t intervene, they could find a way out. Jiang Hao glanced at Situ Jian and others, and at that moment, the inconspicuous Shangguan Wen turned his head and locked eyes with him. Jiang Hao was surprised, but he didn¡¯t avoid the gaze, just stared back until Shangguan Wen turned away. ¡°Such keen senses,¡± Jiang Hao thought to himself. Now facing internal and external troubles, he must increase his cultivation as soon as possible. After a day of mining, he had obtained nine cultivation bubbles and eight vital energy bubbles, along with numerous white and green ones. Although it was only a few, the numbers were unimaginable compared to before. Even with the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, he had never gained so much in one day. Not to mention that after reaching the Golden Core stage, the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower would only produce two bubbles every three days. ¡¾Vital Energy:71/100(can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation:74/100(can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡°If things go well, I could try to advance in just four days.¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t want any problems to arise in those four days. As he left the mine, Yan Hua came to find him. She wore a smile. ¡°I heard Junior Brother was mining?¡± ¡°Just helping out when I have nothing else to do, to also repay Senior Sister for your support,¡± Jiang Hao replied humbly, his head bowed in gratitude. Everyone disliked Wei Lie, and Jiang Hao was no exception. But if he had to choose, he would prefer to follow Wei Lie and then find a way to mine. At least Wei Lie had no intention of killing him. Yan Hua was different; she seemed impatient, perhaps hoping every day that Situ Jian and the others would cause trouble soon. However, her benefits would also increase with his fast mining progress. ¡°Then Junior Brother, do as you¡¯re able, and how about leading people into the sixth cave again tomorrow?¡± Yan Hua asked considerately. ¡°Okay,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. After chatting for a few more moments, Jiang Hao turned and left. He still had to observe his surroundings at night. But now, he felt as if a pair of eyes were watching him from behind, making him extremely uncomfortable. It was as if someone was confident they had him figured out. Later, he wandered around, observing many people. So far, there was no one worth paying attention to. Although people from various sects suffered here, they held onto hope, always believing that someone from their sect would come to rescue them. Some people might not be acclimated to the new environment and are still cursing at other miners. He just glanced and left. Here in the Hall of Enforcement, they don¡¯t really intervene much. Although the people at the mine would care, as long as it doesn¡¯t affect the mining, it¡¯s fine. On his way, he saw some other patrolling individuals. Their cultivation levels were very high. ...... The next day. Jiang Hao continued mining, more diligently than anyone else, and the others were curious about how long this inner disciple would persist. It¡¯s worth mentioning the appraisal of Situ Jian. ¡¾Situ Jian: A true disciple of Xuantian Sect, in the mid-stage of Golden Core, with exceptional talent. He used the Heaven-Earth Swapping treasure to divert the uncontrolled absorption, sealed his cultivation within his body with spirit-binding talismans, and infiltrated the Tianyin Sect¡¯s mine. He waits for the two talismans that lock onto his location to be discovered, then he will remove the spirit talismans, rescue his sect members, and sabotage the mine to severely damage the Tianyin Sect. He has already left some untraceable runes in the mine, waiting for the right moment. He is somewhat curious about your mining behavior.¡¿ The appraisal results were surprising. That means Jing Ru was discovered by me on purpose, and her performance might have been an act. My discovery was just a part of their plan. Why? Aren¡¯t they afraid that the talismans will be destroyed or taken away? Or is someone helping them? The answer to that can only wait until tomorrow when Jing Ru is appraised. As for the runes left by Situ Jian, let¡¯s see if there are any discoveries later. If there are, report them; if not, there¡¯s nothing that can be done. Afterward, he began to mine with all his might, needing to become stronger before these people made their move. At that moment, numerous bubbles kept emerging. White, green, blue. The sheer number was astonishing. ¡¾Strength+1¡¿ ¡¾Strength+1¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation+1¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy+1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit+1¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy Pill+1¡¿ The feeling of becoming stronger was profoundly felt by Jiang Hao. His strength was increasing bit by bit, his spirit expanding little by little. If he mined here for a hundred years, he might become extremely powerful. At the end of the day, excluding the white and green bubbles, Jiang Hao obtained a total of twenty blue bubbles. Ten for vital energy, ten for cultivation. ¡°Soon, just a few more days.¡± When Jiang Hao left the mine, he checked the ground but found nothing. Were Situ Jian¡¯s runes that well-hidden? Being of the same Golden Core cultivation and even having learned the Nameless Secret Manual, he should have sensed any fluctuations. But there was no gain at all. Thus, he could only pretend to be unaware and continue mining, waiting for promotion. Today¡¯s progress was 20% more than usual. The others were happy, as they could have a good meal tonight. The next day. Jiang Hao appraised Jing Ru. Chapter 56 - Feeling a bit inflated, contemplating killing Yan Hua Chapter 56: Feeling a bit inflated, contemplating killing Yan Hua ¡¾Jing Ru: A true disciple of Fenglei Sect, in the mid-stage of Golden Core cultivation, entered the Tianyin Sect mine using the same method as Situ Jian. Seeing that you don¡¯t seem like a ruthless person, she deliberately let you discover the Mountain Moving Talisman and the Nine Heavens Thunder Talisman. Both talismans are primers, and whether they are destroyed or not, as long as they are not in a fixed place, they can perfect the location. Then they will summon strong allies to destroy the Tianyin Sect mine from inside and out, and incidentally rescue people and leave. She has secretly communicated through the spirit talismans, and the location will be perfected within half a month.¡¿ So she used me because I don¡¯t seem like a bad person? Jiang Hao sighed; this wasn¡¯t the first time this had happened. However, with half a month left, he breathed a sigh of relief. As long as he continued mining, he could quickly advance to the mid-stage of Golden Core. With mid-stage cultivation and the Primordial Heaven Saber, he could avoid Yan Hua¡¯s scrutiny. As for the attack from Xuantian Sect... He wasn¡¯t sure if he could avoid it, but by then, as long as he didn¡¯t confront Situ Jian and the others, it would be much safer. What concerned him was that he couldn¡¯t inform others of the news. So far, he hadn¡¯t found the runes in the mine, and reporting it would be unclear. Otherwise, it would be much safer. Danger was approaching, and Jiang Hao dared not hesitate. He began to mine vigorously. Jiang Hao¡¯s diligence was incomprehensible to others. This new steward seemed to be genuinely enthusiastic, not just for a day or two. Seeing the steward¡¯s diligence, the others felt they couldn¡¯t rest either and began to mine as well. Because the more progress they made, the better their dinner would be. ...... Three days later. Jiang Hao finished mining. Today, almost all the blue bubbles were wasted. Because apart from the two in the morning, the rest couldn¡¯t be accumulated by the panel. However, for the sake of the white and green bubbles, he didn¡¯t stop. Most importantly, he couldn¡¯t let others see anything unusual. After all, he would have to continue mining later, and if he was lucky, he might have a chance to move up a level. During these days, he didn¡¯t act hastily, resting when it was time to rest and mining when it was time to mine. Occasionally, he would also check on the people in the mine. ¡°After it¡¯s over, I can go back and get promoted tonight.¡± As for Situ Jian and the others, he had appraised them all. Shangguan Wen was indeed very dangerous, although only in the early stage of Golden Core, his talent was extraordinary, able to control every inch of his body and strength. His explosive power was terrifying, and his presence could be reduced to an almost undetectable level. If you¡¯re not careful, he could blend in with the stones at the edge, leading to a misperception. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Today, Jiang Hao is still walking at the back, inspecting the ground with every step. Still, he finds nothing. He can only marvel at the astonishing methods of those outside; even after learning the Nameless Secret Manual, he can¡¯t detect anything. Perhaps with complete mastery, he might discover something. Unfortunately, time is short, and even with Clear Heart and Pure Mind, success won¡¯t come overnight. As an inner disciple here to help, Jiang Hao has a simple courtyard. But since he has to check around at night, he rarely rests. However, today, rest is not an option. In the courtyard, some spiritual herbs sway in the wind, which Jiang Hao had found nearby and brought back to cultivate. It¡¯s a habit, and he hopes to see some bubbles. Whether it¡¯s strength or spirit, either would be good. After hesitating, he places the magical hoe in the courtyard. He isn¡¯t sure if the hoe has any surveillance mechanisms, so it¡¯s better not to keep it close during his promotion. Back in his room, Jiang Hao checks his status panel. ¡¾Vital Energy:100/100(can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation:100/100(can be cultivated)¡¿ Seeing that it¡¯s at one hundred, he chooses to extract and cultivate. In an instant, a vast amount of spiritual energy and vital essence floods into his body. This is the most substantial spiritual energy Jiang Hao has felt since he began cultivating. The Primordial Heart Sutra starts to operate, guiding the spiritual energy and vital essence with Purple Qi. After circulating through his meridians, the spiritual energy settles in his dantian, and the vital essence strengthens his body through all its channels. At this moment, the Golden Core is nourished by the spiritual energy, growing stronger and more solid bit by bit. It¡¯s like an ordinary stone becoming denser, and when this density becomes tangible, all the spiritual energy calms down. Mid-stage Golden Core. It went smoother than expected, and without pausing, he continues to circulate his energy to consolidate his cultivation. He also extracts the remaining cultivation to prepare for any unexpected events that may come too soon. ...... Dawn. Jiang Hao opens his eyes and takes out the Primordial Heavenly Saber. As he grips the sword, the first form seems to appear and disappear. For a moment, Jiang Hao feels a powerful sword intent. This strong sensation once again brings him peace of mind. So, should he take the initiative to look for Yan Hua? After hesitating, he decides against it. Yan Hua is not in the mine at night, and killing outside the mine would attract the Hall of Enforcement. It would be easy for Liu Xingchen to notice. He¡¯ll wait for a good opportunity. With a decision made, he leaves his room to continue mining. Mining is the real shortcut to collecting bubbles, and for a moment, he considers staying here long-term. But the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower matter is too significant, and it feels too dangerous not to return. Just as he thinks of this, Jiang Hao sees a red figure in the courtyard. Startled, he goes on guard, but upon closer inspection, he realizes it¡¯s that female demon. ¡°Why is she here?¡± Jiang Hao is somewhat bewildered. At this moment, Hong Yuye is examining the hoe, seemingly doing something. After noticing Jiang Hao, she turns her gaze to him. ¡°Are you surprised?¡± ¡°Greetings, senior.¡± Jiang Hao quickly bows respectfully. ¡°Yes, somewhat surprised.¡± Since he¡¯s not at home, he never expected this woman to come. It¡¯s far beyond his expectations. ¡°Where¡¯s my flower?¡± Hong Yuye asks expressionlessly. ¡°It¡¯s at my residence,¡± Jiang Hao replies, a bit worried. Hong Yuye stares at Jiang Hao for a long time, then speaks again. ¡°What about the tea I asked for?¡± Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Chapter 57 - Is There a Treasure Under the Mine? Chapter 57: Is There a Treasure Under the Mine? ¡°It seems you¡¯ve always taken my words as nothing but wind.¡± Hong Yuye looks at Jiang Hao, her aura suddenly immense and overwhelming like the mighty Yangtze River rushing towards him. ¡°Senior.¡± Seeing that she hasn¡¯t made a move, Jiang Hao quickly says. ¡°The junior didn¡¯t mean to disobey; it¡¯s just that the sect¡¯s orders cannot be violated.¡± ¡°Moreover, this place is too dangerous, and that flower is not easy to transplant, not to mention it would suffer from the wrong environment here. It would rather hinder its growth.¡± Hearing this, Hong Yuye still doesn¡¯t intend to let Jiang Hao off. With a look that carries the weight of the vast ocean, she pushes him against the wall. However, seeing that Jiang Hao is still listening, she doesn¡¯t bring up these matters again. Instead, she picks up the hoe and asks. ¡°Do you like mining?¡± ¡°I suppose,¡± Jiang Hao responds vaguely. But as soon as he finishes speaking, she gives him a look, and he quickly corrects himself. ¡°I like it.¡± Hong Yuye casually tossed the hoe back to Jiang Hao. Then she stepped outside, walking as leisurely as if she were strolling in her own courtyard. ¡°Follow.¡± Jiang Hao, who caught the hoe, didn¡¯t dare to hesitate. He just didn¡¯t understand what the other party wanted to do. After a short time, Hong Yuye appeared at the edge of the mine pit. ¡°Senior, there are quite a few people here,¡± Jiang Hao kindly reminded. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Glancing at the man beside her, Hong Yuye slowly spoke. ¡°Are you worried about me being seen and in danger, or are you worried about people seeing you following me and being in danger?¡± ¡°Of course, the former,¡± Jiang Hao said, against his conscience. He was worried about himself. ¡°Lies,¡± Hong Yuye didn¡¯t bother to argue with Jiang Hao about this. She turned her gaze to the mine tunnel below. ¡°Did you encounter an opportunity for inheritance inside?¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao hesitated, then nodded. ¡°Yes.¡± It wasn¡¯t a lie; he really had encountered an opportunity. He spoke frankly because the other party had appeared during his own promotion. Promoting to the mid-stage of the Golden Core under her watch, anyone who wasn¡¯t blind would know he had advanced. But this was also very dangerous; who knew whether this woman would eventually try to probe his secrets. ¡°It is said that this mine was the center of an ancient battle, and many powerful beings fell here.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why mining often leads to chances. Many people want to blow up this mine to get to the deepest parts. Because they believe that the deepest place must hide ancient treasures.¡± Hong Yuye¡¯s voice was flat. As if she was talking about something utterly mundane. Jiang Hao, however, was shocked to hear this. He realized that the people behind Situ Jian might be trying to confirm this legend. But he had never heard of such a legend about the mine; it seemed not many people knew. And Situ Jian and his group probably didn¡¯t know either. However, it indeed counted as a heavy blow to the Tianyin Sect, especially with the loss of the treasure, which was even more serious. With this loss and gain, even if the Tianyin Sect won over Tianqing Mountain, it would still be a pyrrhic victory. ¡°Senior also wants to get the treasure inside?¡± Jiang Hao asked. Although he didn¡¯t know what the treasure was, he assumed that powerful beings would want it. He didn¡¯t want such a treasure; the Hall of Enforcement had strong investigative capabilities, and it was easy to draw unwanted attention. If he got it, he would have to hand it over. To show that he was uninterested in worldly affairs and only wanted to mine peacefully or cultivate spiritual herbs. And he already had a treasure, which he could later obtain again from the rabbit. Hearing Jiang Hao¡¯s words, Hong Yuye glanced at him but didn¡¯t speak. However, with that glance, Jiang Hao understood it was a kind of... disdain. This made Jiang Hao¡¯s heart sink. How was he going to rid himself of this female demon? He realized that her seeking him out was not because of his family, nor was it for the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. It was for him himself. Or perhaps because of the Heaven-Defying Gu poison, the Yang Gu. This made him feel like a knife was always pointed at him, much more dangerous than Tianhuan Pavilion, Luoxia Sect, and Tiansheng Sect combined. Thinking about it, he had managed to offend so many people all at once. Afterward, Hong Yuye turned her head and left, disappearing from the spot in just a few steps. But her voice came again. ¡°Remember your duty is to help me cultivate flowers, if next time I find you in the mine, you know the consequences.¡± Jiang Hao had nothing to say. He also needed to find a way to leave. But the female demon only cared about results, not the process. When it was time to enter the mine, he didn¡¯t hesitate and immediately went down. Yan Hua watched him every day, that kind of almost imperceptible gaze made his scalp tingle. He always felt like she couldn¡¯t wait to make her move. ¡°Junior Brother¡¯s leadership in the sixth mine is surprisingly efficient; it seems that having Junior Brother here was indeed the right choice,¡± Yan Hua said with a smile. The better Jiang Hao¡¯s performance, the happier she was. With good results, he would receive quite a few rewards, and Jiang Hao felt like she considered the rewards as her own. After parting with Yan Hua, Jiang Hao continued mining. He wanted to continue advancing before any accidents occurred. And from that woman, he knew that when the time came, people from Xuantian Sect and others would surely come for the strong. After all, they wanted to snatch the treasure. ....... At night. Situ Jian and the others returned to their room, all four of them assigned together. It was just a simple shelter that could keep out the wind and rain, and the interior space was somewhat cramped. ¡°Is it about time?¡± Bei Xue, sitting cross-legged on the bed, asked. Her face showed no emotion, as if she had lost all feeling. ¡°We still need seven or eight days,¡± Jing Ru sighed. ¡°The person who got the talisman doesn¡¯t move around often, which slows down the progress.¡± ¡°But at that time, I was worried about not being discovered.¡± ¡°It¡¯s too risky to take it out directly; they might act,¡± Shangguan Wen said. ¡°No,¡± Jing Ru said with a smile. ¡°I can tell that Jiang Hao won¡¯t kill. He¡¯s not that ruthless; he seems a bit timid. It¡¯s best that he found out, but what I didn¡¯t expect was that he would turn it in directly. It seems he really is a coward.¡± ¡°But I¡¯ve prepared for the worst-case scenario. Even if I die, I can still be of considerable help and won¡¯t implicate you all. If it weren¡¯t for the need of a Golden Core cultivation to destroy the talismans, this wouldn¡¯t be so troublesome.¡± They couldn¡¯t use their cultivation at the moment, otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t be able to seal it. After speaking, she looked towards Situ Jian and asked. ¡°How are your preparations going?¡± Chapter 58 - Killing Jiang Hao Takes Only One Move Chapter 58: Killing Jiang Hao Takes Only One Move Situ Jian shook his head, ¡°I¡¯ve stopped setting up.¡± Hearing this, the others were somewhat surprised. Although they had been assigned to work together, they had waited several days before pretending to be familiar with each other, while casually setting up some minor things around the area. Being detected wasn¡¯t a problem. They weren¡¯t without cultivation, so it was normal for them to set up these things. ¡°Why did you stop?¡± Bei Xue from the Luoxia Sect asked. ¡°I did start setting up.¡± Situ Jian sighed, ¡°But after encountering Jiang Hao, I didn¡¯t set up anything else.¡± ¡°Is he that dangerous?¡± Shangguan Wen asked. ¡°He shouldn¡¯t be. I¡¯ve observed him for a long time. He¡¯s not that dangerous or powerful. Although he discovered my little actions, if he couldn¡¯t even detect that, it would be too mediocre,¡± Jing Ru was also surprised. ¡°I trust my judgment. Although he may be as you all described, I just feel he¡¯s very dangerous. Making small moves under his watch could easily backfire. So I¡¯ve stopped any minor actions to prevent him from noticing. And haven¡¯t you noticed?¡± Situ Jian looked at the others, ¡°He¡¯s always the last one to leave, and with every step he takes, it seems like he¡¯s checking the ground. I guess he¡¯s looking for evidence of our little tricks. You all better be careful too.¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you being too sensitive?¡± Jing Ru asked. ¡°Maybe, but it¡¯s better to be safe than sorry,¡± Situ Jian said with a smile. ¡°Now we just have to wait for the positioning to succeed. The little things we prepared earlier are enough; there¡¯s no need to take risks. By the way, have you found a way out?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Bei Xue nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve found a route to leave the mine. When the time comes, we just need to lead people out. We don¡¯t need to worry about anything else. I guess those seniors attacking the Tianyin Sect mine have other motives.¡± ¡°I think so too,¡± Situ Jian said casually while lying on the bed. ¡°Has everyone found the people they want to save? Remember to notify everyone when the time comes; don¡¯t delay too long.¡± ¡°Once the plan starts, Jiang Hao might chase after us. Should we kill him?¡± Shangguan Wen inquired. ¡°My opinion is, as long as he doesn¡¯t interfere with us, there¡¯s no need to make an enemy of him,¡± Situ Jian said seriously. Shangguan Wen looked towards Bei Xue and Jing Ru. ¡°If he really is capable, he might ruin our plans,¡± Jing Ru said. ¡°The overall situation is what¡¯s important. We¡¯ll adapt to the circumstances,¡± Bei Xue stated. ¡°Actually, it probably won¡¯t take a second move to kill him,¡± Shangguan Wen pondered for a moment before continuing. ¡°I¡¯ve observed him. In terms of strength, cultivation, and spirit, he has nothing extraordinary. Killing him should be easy.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t rush. Observe for a few more days, then assess the situation. The Tianyin Sect is also keeping an eye on us; it won¡¯t be as smooth as we think,¡± Situ Jian still disagreed. The others didn¡¯t say anything more and decided to wait a few more days. ...... In the following days, Jiang Hao continued mining. Every time he saw Yan Hua, he could feel the burning gaze, as if Yan Hua wanted to make him his plaything that very night. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t care about this. Because he was also waiting for an opportunity, if he wasn¡¯t worried about being suspected by Liu Xingchen again, he would have approached Yan Hua days ago. It had been five days since his promotion, which meant the people from Xuantian Sect were about to arrive. And he was still about seven days away from his promotion. It was a bit tight on time. Just as he was about to check his panel, he suddenly heard a noise from the ore, as if something was coming out. He immediately told the miners nearby, ¡°Back off, quick.¡± The miners were initially confused. Only three who mined regularly reacted swiftly and retreated immediately. At the same time, a huge serpent-like monster broke through the rocks. With a rumble, rocks fell, and a powerful force was unleashed. It was a Rock Drilling Serpent. Because some couldn¡¯t dodge in time, rocks fell on the confused miners. The others anxiously moved aside. At that moment, the Rock Drilling Serpent opened its mouth wide, intending to swallow the miners pinned by the rocks. A Qi Refining ninth-level disciple who was supervising was about to attack. Just as they were about to make their move, moonlight blossomed. The trapped miners, not yet succumbing to despair, suddenly saw the moonlight appear, followed by the Rock Drilling Serpent¡¯s head falling to the ground. Several more beams of moonlight appeared, and the Rock Drilling Serpent was sliced into several pieces. A mid-stage Foundation Establishment demonic beast was just killed like that. Everything happened so quickly that everyone was a bit surprised. Wu Jing looked incredulously in Jiang Hao¡¯s direction, where he was sheathing his sword. He had encountered Rock Drilling Serpent before, and they always caused quite a panic. These snakes weren¡¯t very strong in attack, but they had decent defense. They could frustrate some inner disciples. But unexpectedly, this time the Rock Drilling Serpent had just appeared and was immediately cut down with a single slash. For a moment, some of the miners looked at Jiang Hao with newfound respect. This steward was very strong. Situ Jian watched Jiang Hao, feeling that it would be best to avoid any future encounters with him. It was just an intuition. There were three people pinned down, two men and one woman. Jiang Hao walked over and saw that one man was uninjured, while the other had a serious leg injury. The woman had some injuries to her arm. She was dressed in the attire of another sect and was extremely beautiful. The injured man next to her seemed to be a long-time miner, clutching his thigh in pain, his face ashen. Jiang Hao took out a Pain Relieving Talisman and tossed it onto the woman¡¯s arm, which immediately eased her discomfort. She looked around somewhat smugly, feeling even as a prisoner she was better off than the others. Seeing this, the man lowered his head, not daring to speak. Jiang Hao then kicked him and said. ¡°Open your mouth.¡± S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The man was puzzled but opened his mouth instinctively, and suddenly a pill entered his mouth, which he swallowed reflexively. Immediately, his vitality surged, and his leg injury began to heal, his cultivation even improved. ¡°What is this...¡± he exclaimed in shock. ¡°Sit and rest, then continue mining,¡± Jiang Hao said expressionlessly. As he was about to leave, the woman grabbed him, her words laced with the petulance of someone spoiled: ¡°Is that a Vital Energy Pill? I¡¯m injured too, why didn¡¯t I get one?¡± Jiang Hao was taken aback, somewhat incredulous. Chapter 59 - The Foolish Woman Chapter 59: The Foolish Woman The behavior of this woman surprised some of the onlookers. Of course, Jiang Hao¡¯s actions were even more astonishing; injured people got Vital Energy Pills? Why hadn¡¯t this been mentioned earlier? ¡°Why should I give you a Vital Energy Pill?¡± Jiang Hao asked the woman in front of him. She had a good figure and wasn¡¯t bad-looking. Judging by her cultivation, she seemed to have reached the peak of Foundation Establishment, and she was young, indicating good talent. Her living environment must also be quite good, otherwise, how could she be so foolish? In the lower echelons of the cultivation world, everyone had a sense of awe, because those who lacked it were dead. This woman had no sense of awe, yet she was still alive, indicating she was born noble and lacked understanding. When it comes down to it, it was her family who spoiled her. With just a bit of discipline, she wouldn¡¯t have ended up like this. ¡°He¡¯s injured, I¡¯m injured too, why do I only get a Pain Relieving Talisman, and he gets a Vital Energy Pill?¡± Ren Shuang asked defiantly. Seeing Jiang Hao give a Vital Energy Pill to a miner and not being difficult, she saw no reason to be afraid. She was the daughter of an elder of the Xuantian Sect, why should she be worse off than a miner? The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Hearing this, Jiang Hao pressed his Half-Moon blade against Ren Shuang¡¯s neck, not unsheathed, but he didn¡¯t care. ¡°Can you mine?¡± he asked expressionlessly. ¡°I¡¯m injured, I can¡¯t mine,¡± Ren Shuang said defiantly, seeing the blade was not drawn. Whoosh! The blade flashed, cutting open Ren Shuang¡¯s neck, blood spurting out. The sudden cut frightened Ren Shuang. She clutched her neck, feeling a chill all over. ¡°Can you mine?¡± Jiang Hao asked in the same tone. ¡°Yes, yes,¡± Ren Shuang nodded tremblingly, her hand covering the wound already drenched in blood. She could feel that if she dared to say no, her head would fall to the ground. ¡°Then that¡¯s fine,¡± Jiang Hao withdrew his blade and turned to leave. After instructing Wu Jing to drag the demonic beast away, he told the others to continue mining. He then collected two blue orbs and picked up a hoe to start working. Naturally, the others also got to work. Only Ren Shuang was left clutching her neck, trying to stop the bleeding. Jing Ru glanced at Jiang Hao, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, as if things were not quite as she had expected. Shangguan Wen quietly continued mining, his thoughts unknown to anyone. After what had just happened, everyone seemed a bit fearful of Jiang Hao and worked hard at mining. By the end, the output had increased by thirty percent. This left Wu Jing, who was supervising, in disbelief, as he had never seen the miners so diligent. But he could understand, as he too had been intimidated by Jiang Hao. It proved that inner disciples were not to be trifled with. Seeing the results, Yan Hua also smiled. ¡°Junior Brother Jiang is truly remarkable, the more one sees, the more one likes.¡± ¡°Senior Sister Yan flatters me,¡± Jiang Hao said modestly. ¡°By the way, about those four people from before, did you find anything?¡± Yan Hua suddenly asked. Hearing this, Jiang Hao shook his head. Apart from the divine ability to identify, he really hadn¡¯t discovered anything. He didn¡¯t know why it was so secretive. It made him want to continue to work hard to comprehend the Nameless Secret Manual, but unfortunately, due to the significant events in the coming days, he could only choose to consolidate his cultivation. Two days later, Jiang Hao appraised Jing Ru again. The answer he got was that the location would be determined by tomorrow, and then they would strike the mine in one fell swoop. The outside would be a battlefield, and it was dangerous whether to go out or not. ¡°Tomorrow, huh.¡± Sitting in the room, Jiang Hao glanced at the panel. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 21¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Golden Core Mid Stage¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 70/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 75/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 2/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡°Even with tomorrow, it¡¯s not enough; even if I start mining now, it would take two days to fully accumulate.¡± ¡°Even if I accumulate enough, it would take a whole night to break through, and there¡¯s simply not enough time.¡± Jiang Hao fell silent, just three days short. He sighed and went to find Wu Yuanwu to inquire if there were any other arrangements for the mine. He didn¡¯t receive any news to be on guard. He also wandered around the area. There were quite a few at the Golden Core stage, and occasionally there was a Senior Brother above Golden Core, but compared to the plans of Xuantian Sect, these people were not enough. He didn¡¯t know if the Tianyin Sect had noticed anything. If not, could he switch sides at the critical moment? In fact, he couldn¡¯t. Such a defection would bring no benefits, and once outside, he would be at the mercy of others. ¡°It seems I can only try to avoid disaster and extract all my cultivation and vital energy to ensure I get through tomorrow.¡± Although it was a pity, tomorrow¡¯s event was too significant, and if he fell short and into danger, the loss would outweigh the gain. Especially since he had to be wary of Yan Hua. After extracting all his cultivation and vital energy, Jiang Hao felt he was very close to the late Golden Core stage. Unfortunately, he ultimately couldn¡¯t step into it. As daylight broke, he left his residence. He glanced at the spiritual herbs in the courtyard, thinking they probably couldn¡¯t be taken with him. Once the Xuantian Sect and others attacked, this place would be unavoidable. Transplanting them in advance might draw attention, so he decided against it. He couldn¡¯t leave any obvious traces. He wanted to pass the message on, but to whom? sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It wouldn¡¯t mean much to those with too weak cultivation. And if their cultivation was too strong, he would likely be discovered. Arriving at the mine, Jiang Hao saw Yan Hua. This time, he could clearly sense her pleasure, even unabashedly sizing him up. In an instant, Jiang Hao understood. Yan Hua knew, so she would be waiting outside today, ready to find him the moment anything happened. ¡°Junior Brother, don¡¯t run around after you enter the cave, okay? If you encounter something you can¡¯t handle, remember to wait for me,¡± Yan Hua said with a smile. ¡°Otherwise, you might get hurt.¡± Jiang Hao nodded, not saying anything more. He led the people into the mine. Chapter 60 - Don’t Anger Me Chapter 60: Don¡¯t Anger Me Walking all the way to the mine, Jiang Hao could feel Yan Hua¡¯s gaze on him. It was so obvious that he turned around to look. He saw Yan Hua smiling at him, as if she was revealing her feelings to someone she was fond of. Jiang Hao nodded slightly and entered the mine. Being watched like that felt terrible, and he always had the impression that Senior Sister Yan Hua¡¯s thoughts were somewhat twisted. He couldn¡¯t quite put his finger on it, but that was the feeling he got. Reaching the depths of the mine, Jiang Hao looked around and found a spot that seemed unlikely to collapse and said, ¡°Let¡¯s start digging from here today.¡± No one objected because digging in different directions could yield different results. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Sometimes you might not find anything good in one direction, but switching to another might prove fruitful. As the mining began, Jiang Hao glanced at Situ Jian and his group unintentionally and noticed that their positions were a bit unusual. They were spread out, standing beside some of the captives, including the woman he had cut. It looked like she was also a target for rescue. ¡°I wonder if they will cause me trouble,¡± he thought to himself. After withdrawing his gaze, Jiang Hao pondered. He didn¡¯t care about trouble outside the sect because he had no plans to go out anytime soon, at least not until the Tianhuan Pavilion issue was resolved. By then, if someone wanted to trouble him, they wouldn¡¯t be able to find him. What he worried about was that during the chaos, that woman might prompt Situ Jian and the others to try to kill him. That would be a big problem. He would have to deal with Situ Jian and the others, be wary of Yan Hua, and also be concerned about the people coming to their aid, which would be much more dangerous. It would also make it easier for his abilities to be exposed to the Tianyin Sect. By then, it would be the beginning of a nightmare. So, he needed to be careful. As soon as the chaos started, he had to watch whether Situ Jian and his group would make a move against him. If they did, he would have to strike first. The Demon Sound Slash would stun everyone, and then he would use the Primordial Heaven Saber to eliminate the enemies. He would have to clear out all these people in the shortest time possible. But this was a last resort; he hoped they wouldn¡¯t take the wrong path. Without further thought, Jiang Hao picked up his hoe and began to mine. Although he didn¡¯t know when the people on the other side would attack, he couldn¡¯t waste any time. At that moment, Situ Jian used a secret technique to send a message to Ren Shuang. ¡°Junior Sister Ren, I¡¯m warning you again, I¡¯m here to rescue people, remember that it¡¯s me who¡¯s rescuing you. If you dare to command me, if you dare to say one word of nonsense, I will leave you behind. See if you can ever get out of here in this lifetime.¡± ¡°When I take you away, you must not say a word. After we get out, you can do whatever you want, but before that, your life is in my hands. Others may indulge you, but don¡¯t anger me.¡± Ren Shuang kept her head down and continued to mine, not daring to say a word. If she could, she would have preferred someone else to rescue her. Because Situ Jian meant what he said, and his status was much higher than hers. ...... Noon. Yan Hua looked up at the sky with a smile, then started walking towards the mine. No one knew what she was planning to do, and no one dared to ask. Inside the mine, everyone was resting. Situ Jian and his group were sitting near the entrance. Ren Shuang was also there, looking down with some nervousness. Not only her, but some of the Qi Refining cultivators nearby also seemed tense, as if they all knew that today was the day to escape. The opportunity could come at any moment. Shangguan Wen and the others were much more composed, as they had made their preparations. Inside, Jiang Hao, who had been sitting and resting, suddenly felt a vibration of spiritual energy. It was very subtle, but it was definitely there. ¡°It¡¯s coming,¡± he thought, gripping his Half-Moon blade, ready for action. At the same time... Boom! A loud noise erupted outside, and the entire mine shook, with some areas even collapsing. Fortunately, the area where Jiang Hao and the others were was much more fortified and was not greatly affected. Seeing this, Jiang Hao stood up, wanting to leave immediately because Yan Hua was coming. He didn¡¯t want to have to kill Yan Hua here. Of course, he was also worried that Situ Jian and the others might make their move. Then he would have to act before everyone else. However, Situ Jian was also quick. He tore off a talisman and began to retreat with the people around him. ¡°Fellow Daoist Jiang, it seems a bit chaotic outside, we¡¯ll go take a look, no need to see us off,¡± Situ Jian and his group disappeared from the mine directly. Seeing that they didn¡¯t linger, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief, as this also bought him some time. The shaking stopped, and everyone looked around in confusion. Wu Jing was a bit angry, seeing that Situ Jian and the others actually dared to run. However, just as he was about to pursue them, Jiang Hao stopped him. ¡°Stay here and watch the miners. Something big must have happened outside. I¡¯ll go take a look and wait for my message.¡± After speaking, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t wait to see if Wu Jing nodded and disappeared from their sight at the first opportunity. Situ Jian and his group were heading towards the outside of the mine through a certain path. He moved to a position off to the side. When identifying Bei Xue¡¯s location, he knew the path she was aware of. All he had to do was avoid that path. He couldn¡¯t go towards the mine pit, nor too far outside; if nothing unexpected happened, Yan Hua would definitely be on the road. Therefore, he had to head to the other complex mine tunnels as soon as possible, where he could advance or retreat as necessary. ...... Not long after Jiang Hao left, Yan Hua appeared before Wu Jing and the others. ¡°Manager Yan, Manager Yan,¡± Wu Jing hurriedly greeted her. Yan Hua looked around and noticed that quite a few people were missing. Of course, she didn¡¯t care about that; what she cared about was that the person she was looking for was gone. ¡°Where¡¯s Jiang Hao?¡± she asked. ¡°Senior Brother Jiang said he went out to check the situation and told us to wait here,¡± Wu Jing answered truthfully. ¡°Is that so?¡± Yan Hua said with a smile. ¡°Then continue waiting. You¡¯re not allowed to leave before he returns.¡± ¡°Yes, yes,¡± Wu Jing nodded in agreement, intimidated by her smile. Chapter 61 - Senior Sister, Be More Wary of People Like Me in Your Next Life Chapter 61: Senior Sister, Be More Wary of People Like Me in Your Next Life sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As long as it wasn¡¯t the deepest part, the mine tunnels were interconnected in all directions. Yan Hua walked through the tunnels without any signs of getting lost or losing her target. She moved forward methodically. Along the way, she felt some intense heat. It was because there was a magma vent ahead, which also had an exit path, though it was difficult to traverse. ¡°Is this an attempt to escape the mine alone? Or is it to check the situation outside from here?¡± Yan Hua licked her lips; she was no longer in a hurry. This was a process, and she enjoyed the thrill of the hunt. It was exhilarating. She then took out a small knife, specifically used for slicing open people¡¯s skin. ¡°Ah, I wonder what his reaction will be when he sees me open his chest and take out his heart,¡± Yan Hua murmured with a low chuckle, waving the knife in her hand. ¡°His expression must be priceless.¡± Soon after, she vanished from the spot. A short while later. She passed through various intersections and chased down to a lava cave filled with intense heat. In the middle of the cave, there was a surge of magma, and falling into it would easily turn one to ash. Upon reaching the lava cave, Yan Hua was somewhat astonished. ¡°Why run so fast? There¡¯s no reason for it.¡± She looked around and, although she saw a path leading to the opposite side, she didn¡¯t see any traces. This indicated that the person had most likely not crossed over yet. Her tracking method also hadn¡¯t reached the other side, so... Yan Hua¡¯s lips curled into a smile, and then she pressed the knife against the edge. Clang! A blade was blocked. However, from the other side, a dagger pierced her neck with lightning speed, catching her off guard. She didn¡¯t care and turned to look behind her. Swoosh! A long blade pierced through her. Then, a blade severed her dagger-wielding arm, which fell to the ground. This shocked her, and she continued to search for the person. But then, swords pierced her from the left, right, and behind, turning her into a porcupine with numerous spiritual swords. Yet, her expression didn¡¯t change, nor did any blood spill. ¡°Junior Brother, you really are mischievous,¡± Yan Hua turned her head to look behind her, twisting her neck directly without moving her body. At this moment, she finally saw a figure in her eyes¡ªit was Jiang Hao. Faced with such a Yan Hua, Jiang Hao¡¯s heart sank. Yan Hua was harder to kill than he had anticipated, seemingly without a vital point. No matter how he attacked, there wasn¡¯t a single trace of blood on her. ¡°Someone who plays with puppets has turned themselves into a puppet?¡± Jiang Hao sighed inwardly. If it weren¡¯t for the identification confirming that this was her true body, he would have already retreated. Feeling the anomaly in her, he appraised Yan Hua once again. It said that the vital point existed but was difficult to capture. ¡°Senior Sister seems to be looking for me,¡± he said softly. ¡°When did Junior Brother find out?¡± Yan Hua was curious but still expressed her admiration, ¡°Junior Brother is really more outstanding than I thought. No wonder you were chosen to cultivate the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. Senior Sister really likes you.¡± ¡°How many more traitors like Senior Sister are there in the sect?¡± Jiang Hao asked. He was nurturing his blade, needing a certain momentum. Now it should be ready. ¡°Do you have any last words, Junior Brother?¡± Yan Hua didn¡¯t answer Jiang Hao¡¯s question; instead, she asked while pulling out the spiritual swords from her body and correcting her posture. Her casual demeanor indicated that everything was under control; she had set up many things along the way, and Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t escape. At this moment, Jiang Hao had no intention of fleeing. He reached out and took out the Primordial Heaven Saber, with Purple Qi swirling around the hilt. ¡°Senior Sister, remember to be more wary of people like me in your next life. Let¡¯s forget about this life.¡± As the words fell, Jiang Hao swung his saber. The momentum rose, and myriad great mountains pressed down. The second form of the Heavenly Saber, Mountain Suppresor. Boom! A majestic and overwhelming force descended from the Heavenly Saber, suppressing everything in its path. Yan Hua, who had initially been somewhat dismissive, suddenly froze in shock. It was as if everything had exceeded her expectations, and even in her normally calm eyes, a flash of terror could be seen. But it didn¡¯t last long; the Heavenly Saber fell, cutting through all obstacles. Yan Hua¡¯s thoughts ceased on the spot, and until her death, she never knew what technique had killed her. Bang! Flesh and blood scattered everywhere. Under the weight of the mountain, Yan Hua was reduced to dust. For safety¡¯s sake, Jiang Hao delivered two more strikes with the Heavenly Saber. Still worried that Yan Hua might rise again, he threw all her remains into the magma. He even cut off and threw in the blood-stained rocks. Only then did he feel at ease. Standing in place, he waited for a moment to ensure that no one would come back up before Jiang Hao began to consider his next steps. ¡°Yan Hua¡¯s death shouldn¡¯t affect me, but now I need to figure out what¡¯s happening outside. If the Tianyin Sect is defeated or fails to respond in time, this place will soon be blown open, and I need to leave quickly.¡± He looked ahead. This path led outside, but he might run into Situ Jian and his group, so he needed to wait a moment to let them go first. Engaging with those four would bring no benefits. Having lost the element of surprise, it was hard to say what might happen if a fight broke out. Glancing once more at the magma, Jiang Hao felt that in the future, he should be wary of people from the Tiansheng Sect. If Yan Hua was this difficult to kill, Ming Yi, as a candidate for the Saintess, would likely be even more dangerous. And since Senior Brother Mu Qi had a relationship with the candidate Holy Maiden, he also warranted caution. It would be unfortunate if he were to be used without even realizing it. Boom! The mine shook again, and the magma surged upward. ¡°I can¡¯t wait any longer.¡± Jiang Hao put away the Heavenly Saber and was about to set off. But just as he took a step, he stopped and turned back toward the way he had come, noticing someone entering. ¡°The other path is blocked. We can only take this one,¡± came the voice of Bei Xue. Soon, Situ Jian and his group entered the cavern, and Jiang Hao found himself face to face with them. Everyone was taken aback. Chapter 62 - Why Bother? Chapter 62: Why Bother? Seeing a dozen or so people come in, Jiang Hao sighed. What a coincidence. He had stayed here for a moment because he didn¡¯t want to encounter them, but ironically, that very delay led to their meeting. At that moment, he had his Half-Moon in hand, ready to act at any moment. He really didn¡¯t want to clash with these people if he could avoid it. Anyone who could come from the Lawless Tower was not to be taken lightly. Moreover, if there was a leak, it would be dangerous later on. Shangguan Wen and others watched Jiang Hao warily, ready to act at any moment. They hadn¡¯t expected to encounter Jiang Hao here either. The tension was palpable. However, just as Shangguan Wen and Bei Xue were about to make their move, Situ Jian, who had just come in and saw Jiang Hao, was somewhat incredulous and promptly stopped the two from acting. He then smiled and said. ¡°What a coincidence, Daoist Jiang. We... need to get past here, so we won¡¯t disturb you. We hope you can make it convenient for us.¡± After speaking, Situ Jian let the others cross the magma. He was the last to cross, exchanging a look with Jiang Hao. If the other party wanted to leave, Jiang Hao naturally wouldn¡¯t stop them. As long as there was no conflict, everything was negotiable. After all, starting a fight would benefit no one, especially since no one knew the current situation outside. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t dare take risks; the sooner he could leave this place, the better. Besides, having fought with Yan Hua, he wasn¡¯t at his peak strength. And so, Jiang Hao watched as the group of more than a dozen people crossed the magma. ¡°Thank you, Daoist Jiang. If there¡¯s a chance in the future, I will definitely send a token of gratitude,¡± Situ Jian thanked him, then leapt to catch up with the main group. Seeing that everyone had disappeared down the path, Jiang Hao slowly let out a breath of relief. He would move after waiting a bit longer. Their choice of this path meant that the fight outside was fierce. If the Tianyin Sect had the upper hand, these people would definitely be in trouble once they got out. If the Xuantiang Sect and others had the upper hand, it would be extremely dangerous for him to emerge too early. Waiting a bit longer had more advantages than disadvantages, as the Tianyin Sect would eventually react. Ahead in the tunnel, Situ Jian and the others had walked for quite some time when Jing Ru hesitated and said. ¡°The situation outside is actually not in our favor. What if that Jiang Hao seeks help to chase us?¡± ¡°Forget it, let¡¯s leave this place as quickly as possible while we can,¡± Situ Jian said. ¡°The mine managers are not easy to deal with. If he encounters one and they come after us, it will be hard to escape.¡± Jing Ru looked at the others and asked, ¡°What do you think?¡± Ren Shuang supported the idea of going back to kill that person, but she didn¡¯t dare to speak up. She knew that if she did, Situ Jian would definitely abandon her. ¡°I also think it¡¯s too dangerous to leave him alive. He¡¯s just at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. I can go back quickly and take care of it,¡± Shangguan Wen hesitated but still felt it was necessary to eliminate the potential threat. ¡°I¡¯ll go with you. I¡¯ve always felt that we can¡¯t leave that person behind,¡± Jing Ru followed up. Situ Jian couldn¡¯t stop them. Bei Xue didn¡¯t utter a word. Afterward, the two turned around and headed back the way they had come. Watching them leave, Situ Jian immediately said. ¡°Let¡¯s speed up and leave this place. Anyone who dares to say otherwise, I¡¯ll leave behind.¡± Having said that, he began to lead the group away at a faster pace. Even if the others were dissatisfied, they didn¡¯t dare to voice their complaints. Only Bei Xue sent a message to Situ Jian. ¡°Is he really that dangerous?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Situ Jian simply shook his head. ¡°But my intuition tells me that we should avoid making an enemy of him if possible, even if he is just at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.¡± ¡± Junior Brother Shangguan and her probably feel the same way, which is why they brought up the idea of going back to silence him. They might just be trying to deny their own intuition.¡± ¡°However, they want to go back and silence him for safety, and I naturally choose the safest option for safety as well, which is to leave them behind.¡± ¡°The two of them can activate a teleportation formation to return.¡± ¡°Either they can make it back on their own, or they may never return. Waiting for them would mean gambling with them, and there¡¯s no need for that.¡± Bei Xue said nothing more and quickly headed out. Although they had brought some people with them, they were well-prepared and it naturally wouldn¡¯t have too much of an impact. They moved swiftly, and the exit was in sight. At this moment, Situ Jian sent a message to Ren Shuang. ¡°If they don¡¯t come back, you should be careful with your words when you speak. Because in the future, your words could potentially bring about the destruction of our sect. That¡¯s all I have to say.¡± ...... After waiting a little while, Jiang Hao stepped over the magma and immediately sensed something was amiss. At that moment, a dagger was thrust towards his neck. The speed and strength of the attack were astonishing. The Half-Moon unsheathed, wrapped in Purple Qi. Clang! The Half-Moon blocked the attack, and immediately Jiang Hao moved his feet, turning to kick behind him. With a bang, both parties retreated. Without the slightest pause, the Half-Moon swung in the first form of the Heavenly Saber, Moon Slash. Moonlight burst forth, and a slash was directed at the opponent. The powerful attack forced the opponent back, and in that instant, Jiang Hao saw clearly who it was¡ªShangguan Wen from the Xuantian Sect. The opponent also saw him, and in the moment their eyes met, Jiang Hao had already reached him, the Half-Moon slashing across his neck. The blade passed, blood flowed, and no chance was given. Shangguan Wen stared at Jiang Hao in disbelief. He had considered many possibilities, but never imagined that the person before him would be at the mid-stage of Golden Core cultivation. And not just any mid-stage Golden Core. In a single encounter, he was... He hadn¡¯t even finished his thought when he fell to the ground, lifeless. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After dealing with Shangguan Wen, Jiang Hao looked towards another figure¡ªa woman attempting to make a move. It was Jing Ru from the Fenglei Sect. But she seemed to be in shock and fear, wanting to flee. The moment Jiang Hao sensed her intention, he gripped the Heavenly Saber, its momentum rising to lock onto Jing Ru. She couldn¡¯t escape and had to fight. Both at the mid-stage of Golden Core, Jiang Hao suppressed her with the might and grandeur of thunder. The Heavenly Saber swung, a slash descending. Feeling his strength, Jing Ru couldn¡¯t believe it. She had just planned to support Shangguan Wen, only to find that her opponent was terrifyingly powerful, killing Shangguan Wen in the blink of an eye. Boom! The Heavenly Saber swept through, and Jing Ru lost the ability to think. ¡°Why bother?¡± These were the last words she heard. Chapter 63 - Unwarranted Disaster Chapter 63: Unwarranted Disaster Jiang Hao quickly killed the two of them, not daring to hesitate, and immediately began to survey his surroundings. There were two more people, and if they all came out together, he wasn¡¯t sure he could take them all down. His initial move was somewhat forced, and now facing another, it was uncertain if he could effectively unleash the second form of the Heavenly Saber. Although the fight was short, the consumption was not insignificant. After waiting a little while and confirming there were no enemies, he gave the two bodies a few more slashes. Finally, he threw them into the magma to ensure they wouldn¡¯t rise again. Having done this, Jiang Hao moved forward, intending to try and leave no one behind since he had already taken action. If it hadn¡¯t been for his good sense of alertness and the fact that he had learned the Nameless Secret Manual, he might not have been able to completely avoid Shangguan Wen¡¯s strike. That strike, if it had been another mid-stage Golden Core, would have been fatal or at least severely injurious. Indeed, Shangguan Wen was the most dangerous. On the way, Jiang Hao checked the Half-Moon and found it was full of cracks and could no longer be used. He would have to buy another one for temporary use. The quality couldn¡¯t be too poor. This would cost several thousand spirit stones, and he didn¡¯t have that much money. He would have to see what he could do. Hesitating, he took out a spirit sword to be ready for any danger. This didn¡¯t affect his speed, but just as he was about to reach the exit, there was no sign of Situ Jian and the others. ¡°He¡¯s already left? He didn¡¯t even consider waiting for Shangguan Wen and that girl?¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. He found Situ Jian to be a very strange person; he could indeed sense that the other party did not want to become his enemy. But when he saw Shangguan Wen and his group return to the fight, he thought he had misjudged the situation. Now it seemed that they were not on the same page. Situ Jian still chose to leave first, not wanting to engage in conflict with him. ¡°It looks like he can¡¯t be kept here.¡± He glanced at the exit, sensing powerful fluctuations outside. Extremely strong. Boom! Sand and dust surged, blowing in from the exit. After hesitating for a moment, Jiang Hao decided to go out and take a look. Then he planned to distance himself from this place. The mine was unsafe, and as for the miners, they had a chance of survival by staying inside. Going outside would make them too easy a target; it would be certain death. After waiting for a while, Jiang Hao tried to leave the mine through the exit, which was far from the pit. Although it was guarded, it was not considered a critical area. The outside was likely to be barren, sometimes used to pile up rubble. When he went out, Jiang Hao was indeed among the scattered rocks. What he saw were barren hills, and when he turned his head to look at the pit, he saw spells raging and continuous bombardment. The earth was shattering. Witnessing this terrifying power, Jiang Hao felt fear. How strong could it be? His first reaction was to get away; as a Golden Core, getting any closer would mean certain death. And if such a confrontation couldn¡¯t completely collapse the mine, it seemed possible that there really was a treasure here. As for how the other party planned to blow up the mountain, he didn¡¯t know, but it was clear that it was not wise to stay long. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After moving at high speed for a while, Jiang Hao arrived at a forest. This should still be within the mining area, but on the edge. It should be safe. He hadn¡¯t seen anyone else along the way, and as for Situ Jian and the others, he had no idea where they had gone. Once in the forest, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief; it should be safe here. ¡°Now I just have to wait for the end. If the Tianyin Sect wins, I¡¯ll go back to the mine; if they lose, I¡¯ll move even further away.¡± ¡°Even if I have to be punished later, it¡¯s better than dying in there.¡± The fall of the mine didn¡¯t mean the Tianyin Sect would be destroyed. The other party came for the treasure, and once they got it, they would withdraw. The Tianyin Sect had half of its strong members outside, which is why the others had a chance. Otherwise, they would have had no opportunity. So fleeing from the Tianyin Sect was not an option. Boom! While Jiang Hao was contemplating, suddenly a powerful force landed and exploded. This force shattered all the branches around him. His armor surfaced automatically to protect him. The Heavenly Saber was summoned by Jiang Hao, ready to be used at any moment. At this point, he didn¡¯t know what was happening, but he knew he couldn¡¯t stay here long. ¡°Haha, what Tianyin Sect¡¯s top ten disciples, you still can¡¯t stop me. ¡°That was your strongest burst just now, wasn¡¯t it? Well, I won¡¯t accompany you any longer, I¡¯m leaving.¡± The arrogant voice carried over. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t want to get involved and tried to escape. But just as he was about to flee, he was called out. ¡°Junior Brother, wait a moment.¡± A rough voice with a kind of pressure made it impossible for Jiang Hao to leave. At that moment, his gaze was locked on by four eyes, meaning two people. It was an unwarranted disaster. Jiang Hao¡¯s scalp tingled; the opponent¡¯s power was so great that it exceeded his current understanding, meaning it surpassed the Golden Core. Getting involved was simply courting death, but fleeing rashly could also attract a fatal blow. Only then did he turn his head to look in the direction of the power source. At that moment, a man in white stood within a formation, seemingly waiting to leave, his body covered in blood, his aura chaotic. Opposite him was a more robust man, trapped by strange runes, but not for long, as he was about to break free. It¡¯s worth mentioning that this robust man had no injuries. Especially since he was wearing the Tianyin Sect uniform. The severely injured one seemed to be wearing the clothing of the Xuantian Sect, which he had seen in the mine. He had also heard people mention it occasionally. ¡°Junior Brother, act quickly and stop him,¡± roared the man known as Man Long. Jiang Hao inwardly complained; he really didn¡¯t want to get involved. Even if the opponent was severely injured, he dared not intervene. A starving camel is still bigger than a horse. But the Senior Brother also looked difficult to offend. With a sigh, he decided to make a show of it. ¡°Little guy, I advise you not to get involved,¡± said Xuanyuan Tai of the Xuantian Sect in a cold voice. Hearing this, Jiang Hao took out a Ten Thousand Swords Talisman and threw one, pretending he had done his best. It probably wouldn¡¯t stop the other party from teleporting away. Chapter 64 - Don’t you set up any protection? Chapter 64: Don¡¯t you set up any protection? Jiang Hao swore that he had no intention of getting involved in a battle beyond the Golden Core level. But now, he had no choice. The two sides were at a stalemate, and he just happened to be nearby. To make matters worse, he was discovered. If he had known this would happen, he wouldn¡¯t have come to this forest at all. Now that he was being watched, he could only pretend to make a move. A Ten Thousand Swords Talisman was his limit. As long as the other party blocked it, he could leave safely. He had done his best. To others, he appeared to be just a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, and the fact that he dared to take action was already commendable. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He hoped that one of the top ten disciples wouldn¡¯t cause him trouble. Otherwise... he would have to become stronger than his opponent as soon as possible and then secretly eliminate this nuisance. Whoosh! Jiang Hao activated and threw out the Ten Thousand Swords Talisman. The teleportation array was extremely mysterious, and Jiang Hao, with his Foundation Establishment level Ten Thousand Swords Talisman, should not have been able to hinder the other party at all. When the myriad swords struck the teleportation array, Jiang Hao thought they would be blocked. However, the swords broke through the formation, not only sticking in the formation but also interrupting the other party¡¯s teleportation and even piercing Xuanyuan Tai¡¯s thigh. Seeing the teleportation array disrupted, Xuanyuan Tai turned his head and glared at Jiang Hao with a trace of resentment in his eyes. Jiang Hao was speechless: ¡°...¡± Don¡¯t you set up any protection? Such an important teleportation array... If the system could remind him of enmity, he should now be able to extract an enmity bubble. Enmity +1. But he didn¡¯t hesitate for a moment and quickly retreated to prevent the other party from becoming enraged and attacking. Boom! The moment Jiang Hao retreated, Man Long broke free from his restraints, laughed heartily, and in an instant, arrived in front of Xuanyuan Tai, pressing him to the ground with one hand. Successfully subdued the opponent. Alive, he¡¯s valuable. ¡°Cut it out, do you think I was caught by you?¡± Xuanyuan Tai stared coldly at Man Long. ¡°A prisoner still cares about face?¡± Man Long didn¡¯t care and turned to Jiang Hao, saying: ¡°I am Man Long, a disciple of the Hengliu Waterfall. And you, Junior Brother, are?¡± ¡°Duanqing Cliff¡¯s Jiang Hao.¡± Jiang Hao politely replied, keeping his distance. ¡°Good, the credit for this goes to you, I will report it. However, I¡¯ve also put in the effort, and I hope Junior Brother can understand,¡± Man Long laughed heartily. ¡°Senior Brother is joking, all the credit goes to Senior Brother, Junior Brother was just passing by,¡± Jiang Hao quickly said. He didn¡¯t dare to take this credit. ¡°Hahaha!¡± Man Long laughed loudly: ¡°Junior Brother is sensible. However, if my credit is sufficient, the rest will be yours. I will remember this favor.¡± ¡°By the way, Junior Brother, wait here until tomorrow, and the mine¡¯s issue should be resolved. It¡¯s dangerous to wander around,¡± Man Long kindly reminded before leaving. Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief when the other party left. He didn¡¯t take the favor mentioned seriously at all. It¡¯s easy to invite dislike if you take polite words too seriously. He truly didn¡¯t want the credit, as capturing an important disciple of the Xuantian Sect could lead to being targeted. Having already provoked the Luoxia Sect, he didn¡¯t want to provoke the Xuantian Sect as well. Otherwise, whitewashing his name would be more than difficult. He couldn¡¯t be a Demon Sect cultivator for his entire life, could he? Afterward, he retreated deep into the forest. Although Man Long said it was relatively safe here, he didn¡¯t quite trust him. It was better to wait in an unknown place. One thing he did believe was that the crisis at the mine would be settled soon. Deep in the forest, Jiang Hao sat cross-legged under a tree, with the Primordial Heaven Saber on his lap. He was cultivating his saber and gathering momentum. If anyone approached, he could take the initiative at a moment¡¯s notice. With the momentum, he would have the upper hand. As long as one is not above the Golden Core stage, perhaps he could hold his own for a while. He sat like this for an entire day. The next morning, things seemed to have calmed down in the direction of the mine. In the evening, he started heading towards the mine. From a distance, it indeed seemed to have quieted down. ¡°It looks like it¡¯s all clear, and the mine doesn¡¯t seem to have too many issues.¡± The fact that the mine hadn¡¯t been blown up meant that the Xuantian Sect had failed. With that, he returned to the previous exit and made his way inside. Eventually, he found Wu Jing and the other miners. They were sitting cross-legged on the ground, each looking somewhat panicked. Frequent tremors had occurred in the mine, some people had been injured, and leaving was impossible. They weren¡¯t fools; with the commotion outside, they would die the moment they stepped out. They could only wait in panic for the final outcome. The person who had told them to wait hadn¡¯t come back, and they knew they had likely been abandoned. This situation plunged them into despair. Fortunately, in the end, Jiang Hao returned. ¡°Senior Brother Jiang, you¡¯ve finally come back,¡± Wu Jing said excitedly. The others also immediately found their pillar of support. Even though they had been mistreated by the inner disciples, seeing an inner disciple now brought them genuine joy. In their eyes, Foundation Establishment was synonymous with strength. Jiang Hao nodded and tossed some Pain Relieving Talismans to the injured miners before asking about Wu Jing¡¯s situation. Upon learning that Yan Hua had been here, he didn¡¯t speak. He just looked puzzled and then dropped the subject. Among the miners, there were those from other sects as well as from the Tianyin Sect; those who could run had already fled. The rest were basically destined to be miners for life unless someone came to redeem them. ¡°I¡¯ve found a way out, follow me.¡± He led the miners out of the mine. After a short while, he met Liu Xingchen, who had brought people into the cave. ¡°Seeing Junior Brother is timely, I have some matters to discuss with Junior Brother,¡± he said with a smile. It seemed he knew Jiang Hao was unharmed. Chapter 65 - Making a Great Contribution Chapter 65: Making a Great Contribution The miners were taken out by the people brought by Liu Xingchen. Jiang Hao also left the mine with Liu Xingchen and came to the edge of the mining area, where the Hall of Enforcement was searching the mine for more suspicious individuals. ¡°Many people from external sects have come, but as soon as they arrived, Elder Bai Zhi immediately trapped them and then encircled and attacked.¡± ¡°Some of their people died, some escaped, and some were captured. It can be said that their losses were heavy. Our side only suffered some damage to the mining area, and they probably got away with a little something. It was an unavoidable situation,¡± Liu Xingchen said, standing at the edge of the mining area, looking down at a large pit. ¡°Relatively speaking, we¡¯ve already won a great victory. However, I was unaware of this news, and I was completely in the dark about the sect¡¯s secret arrangements until they attacked. Otherwise, I would have come to warn Junior Brother.¡± Saying this, Liu Xingchen looked towards Jiang Hao. Looking down at the huge pit, Jiang Hao also felt a sense of generosity; he didn¡¯t know what was at the bottom of the seemingly bottomless pit, but he could faintly feel power emanating from it. It was clearly not simple. It seemed the Tianyin Sect was well-prepared; otherwise, the entire mining area might have been blown away. He was curious, though, had it been confirmed that there was a treasure inside? If it had been confirmed, would the Haotian Sect be curious about this place? Jiang Hao always felt that it was not good for the Tianyin Sect to have a mining area, not to mention the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. Regarding what Liu Xingchen said, he naturally nodded and thanked him. However, he also appropriately asked about the reason for the attack on the mining area. ¡°It¡¯s said that there¡¯s some kind of treasure below, but I think it¡¯s unlikely. If there really was one, why wouldn¡¯t the sect leader and the elders take it. Why wait for others to come and snatch it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s more likely that they deliberately released the news, then planned to trap and kill the surrounding sects. Our Tianyin Sect is not to be trifled with,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a smile. Hearing this, Jiang Hao nodded imperceptibly; indeed, that woman knew this theory. Yet even someone as powerful as her did not attempt to seize the treasure. As long as the Tianyin Sect doesn¡¯t completely excavate it, they can continue to attract people. Because no one knows for sure whether there is a treasure inside, anyone who believes it will come and try. For a supreme immortal sect like the Haotian Sect, there¡¯s no reason for them to make a big fuss. This news might not even have reached their ears. Or perhaps they simply don¡¯t care about the so-called treasure. ¡°The mining area will need some time to be dealt with, and Junior Brother will probably be able to go back today,¡± Liu Xingchen said. ¡°Today?¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. I still want to mine. With Yan Hua dead, his danger had greatly decreased, and continuing to mine would mean reaching the late Golden Core stage or even Golden Core completion soon. Leaving was indeed a reluctant choice. ¡°The spiritual energy here is chaotic; it needs to be sealed for a while, and you can¡¯t stay even if you wanted to,¡± Liu Xingchen, unaware of Jiang Hao¡¯s thoughts, continued. ¡°But there¡¯s a troublesome matter that has come up for Junior Brother, and I need to give you a heads-up in advance.¡± ¡°Troublesome matter?¡± Jiang Hao stopped thinking about mining. There would always be opportunities in the future. He indeed needed to go back to take care of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, and he needed to buy some decent tea leaves before that woman arrived. ¡°Has Junior Brother done anything recently? Like helping to capture enemies?¡± Liu Xingchen asked seriously. ¡°There was something, but it was just a small effort,¡± Jiang Hao roughly explained the situation. Hearing this, Liu Xingchen gave a wry smile. ¡°Junior Brother, this is far from a small effort. If you wanted to claim this merit, most of it would be yours for being here.¡± ¡°In short, Junior Brother has made a great contribution again. Not only that, but as the chief among the top ten disciples, Man Long has a lot of influence, and because of this merit, he got the techniques and treasures he wanted.¡± ¡°The rest of the merit he gave to you, and he spoke highly of you. In theory, this is indeed good for you; the sect will give you a lot of rewards. But it puts pressure on our Hall of Enforcement.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Jiang Hao asked, puzzled. ¡°Does Junior Brother remember that I put your name on the watchlist?¡± Liu Xingchen looked at Jiang Hao and spoke calmly. ¡°Normally, without any conclusions, we can keep a name on the list as long as we want. As long as you have no objections, it¡¯s fine.¡± ¡°Our Hall of Enforcement wouldn¡¯t be under any pressure, but the problem has arisen. Junior Brother has made contributions repeatedly, and this time the merit is not small. Plus, with Man Long speaking for you, this list can¡¯t be maintained.¡± ¡°Otherwise, it would bring significant impact to the Hall of Enforcement, especially since there¡¯s still no evidence of your betrayal. So many merits are enough to remove your name from the Hall of Enforcement¡¯s watchlist and the suspect list.¡± ¡°So, does Junior Brother know what will happen once your name is removed from the Hall of Enforcement¡¯s watchlist and the suspect list?¡± Jiang Hao¡¯s heart sank slightly, his expression subtly changing. ¡°The Hall of Enforcement can¡¯t restrict my movements. I can leave the sect at any time. If the people from Tianhuan Pavilion tamper with the next sect mission, I¡¯ll have to leave the sect to carry it out. At that time, the Hall of Enforcement won¡¯t intervene in whatever happens.¡± ¡°It¡¯s good that Junior Brother understands,¡± Liu Xingchen nodded, not beating around the bush, and continued. ¡°There is a way to remedy this and keep Junior Brother¡¯s name on the watchlist. Do you know Junior Sister Yan Hua?¡± ¡°Senior Sister Yan?¡± Jiang Hao was surprised internally, but his expression remained unchanged. ¡°I know her; she has taken care of me many times when I¡¯ve been here.¡± At that moment, a talisman flew up from below. After reading it, Liu Xingchen continued: S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°The timing of this news is just right. Yan Hua has disappeared, and according to those who investigated, there¡¯s a very high chance she¡¯s dead, but it¡¯s not ruled out that she faked her death to flee the sect.¡± ¡°There¡¯s a certain probability that she was a traitor to the sect, which we learned from a newly captured traitor. It¡¯s just that now there¡¯s no proof since she¡¯s dead.¡± ¡°What does Senior Brother mean?¡± Jiang Hao asked cautiously. He felt that Yan Hua¡¯s death might actually be able to help him quite a bit. ¡°Does Junior Brother know about her last actions?¡± Liu Xingchen inquired. ¡°I heard she came to find me,¡± Jiang Hao said softly. ¡°Do you have a witness?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°She met with Junior Brother, right? She must have.¡± Jiang Hao looked at Liu Xingchen, then nodded: ¡°Yes, she did.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Liu Xingchen said earnestly. ¡°Junior Brother is now suspected of colluding with a sect traitor, leaking the secrets and location of the mine. I hope Junior Brother will cooperate with our Hall of Enforcement¡¯s investigation.¡± ¡°We also hope you can truthfully disclose Yan Hua¡¯s whereabouts. During the investigation, please cooperate with us and do not leave the sect.¡± ¡°Otherwise, you will be charged with the crime of betraying the sect.¡± Chapter 66 - Junior Brother, try not to achieve any great merits from now on Chapter 66: Junior Brother, try not to achieve any great merits from now on Hearing Liu Xingchen¡¯s words, Jiang Hao felt both absurd and helpless. Others try to avoid getting on the Hall of Enforcement¡¯s radar. He, on the other hand, was trying every means to get on it. This time, he could continue to be on the Hall of Enforcement¡¯s list, thanks to Senior Sister Yan Hua. ¡°By the way, there¡¯s something I¡¯d like to ask Senior Brother,¡± Jiang Hao said. ¡°I¡¯d like to know what kind of punishments the Hall of Enforcement usually gives.¡± ¡°Punishments?¡± Liu Xingchen was a bit puzzled. ¡°Sent to the Lawless Tower?¡± ¡°What about other than that?¡± Jiang Hao inquired. ¡°There¡¯s not much else; many issues are resolved by the various main veins themselves. The Hall of Enforcement doesn¡¯t manage everything.¡± ¡°If the main veins don¡¯t want to handle it, the Hall of Enforcement can take over. But most punishments involve being sent to the Thunder Punishment Platform.¡± ¡°Does the Hall of Enforcement ever punish people by sending them to mine?¡± Jiang Hao asked what was on his mind. ¡°No, such minor matters are definitely handled by the various main veins. The Hall of Enforcement mostly deals with sect members killing each other and traitor infiltrations. They also maintain the balance between the main veins,¡± Liu Xingchen explained. Jiang Hao nodded, somewhat disappointed. It seemed he would have to rely on his master. ¡°Actually, there¡¯s something I need to tell Junior Brother,¡± Liu Xingchen looked at Jiang Hao and said. ¡°You¡¯re at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, right?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao replied, puzzled: ¡°Is there something wrong?¡± ¡°Not at all,¡± Liu Xingchen shook his head, continuing. ¡°Junior Brother is in his early twenties? In fact, with Junior Brother¡¯s talent, you could become a true disciple. But with Junior Brother¡¯s repeated connections to traitors, Duanqing Cliff wouldn¡¯t dare to accept you.¡± ¡°So now, being on the Hall of Enforcement¡¯s watchlist also has its downsides, and Junior Brother should consider this as well.¡± Upon hearing this, Jiang Hao understood. His master knew he was at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment but showed no sign of it because of his many ties to traitors. But without the restrictions of the Hall of Enforcement, he was also worried about the dangers of going out. In the end, he chose to continue as an inner disciple. At least that was less conspicuous. True disciples were few, and each was easily noticed. ¡°I have to get busy now, Junior Brother, remember this, you are still our suspect. At least until Junior Sister Yan Hua is found, it will be hard for you to clear your name.¡± Liu Xingchen started to leave, then after a couple of steps, couldn¡¯t help but remind. ¡°Junior Brother, try not to achieve any great merits from now on.¡± Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± I don¡¯t want to either. The merit from the Man Long side was indeed an unexpected encounter. He had just lost a Ten Thousand Swords Talisman; who would have thought it would actually succeed. ¡°By the way, Xuanyuan Tai has been captured, and Junior Brother¡¯s significant contribution will likely get the attention of the Xuantian Sect,¡± Liu Xingchen said before heading to the mine. The Hall of Enforcement had to inspect all suspicious individuals. ¡°A Ten Thousand Swords Talisman has offended the Xuantian Sect...¡± That talisman was indeed costly. Shaking his head helplessly, Jiang Hao stepped away from the mine. He couldn¡¯t mine here for now, and he couldn¡¯t force himself to stay. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He could only hope that the mining would start and that he would be punished by his master and sent to the mines. Now, he needed to go back and check on the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. I¡¯ve been at the mine for a month now. ...... Below Duanqing Cliff. In Jiang Hao¡¯s courtyard. A rabbit lies in front of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, staring intently at its leaves. Its stomach growls with hunger. And the scent of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower is tempting. It opens its mouth, intending to take a bite. But quickly, it retracts its head and slaps its own face. ¡°No, no, if the master returns, I, the Lord Rabbit, will be stewed.¡± ¡°But...¡± It gazes at the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, opens its mouth, and plans to lick it. Just once. It sticks out its tongue, about to touch the flower, but then thinks better of it and tries to pull back. However, before its tongue can retract, a scabbard presses down from above, pinning it. ¡°Oooh!¡± The rabbit struggles frantically but can¡¯t break free. ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± Jiang Hao¡¯s voice comes over. At this moment, Jiang Hao stands by the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, pressing down on the rabbit¡¯s tongue with the flat of his blade. Seeing that the rabbit can¡¯t speak, he lifts the blade. Feeling its tongue and finding it intact, the rabbit breathes a sigh of relief and immediately says. ¡°Master, I saw dust on the leaves and wanted to clean it.¡± ¡°Clean it with your life?¡± Jiang Hao retorts. If the rabbit had dared to lick it, it might indeed have died. And it could have implicated him. What that woman might do, nobody knows. ¡°If your tongue had touched the flower just now, you probably wouldn¡¯t have survived,¡± Jiang Hao says seriously. As for how one would die, he doesn¡¯t know either. He goes to a corner and sticks the blade into the ground. The blade, now covered in cracks, is no longer usable. He had used this saber for a long time, and considering its cheap price, it had been worth it. This was the second one; the Heavenly Saber Seven Forms and Purple Qi could not withstand ordinary treasures. Only the Primordial Heavenly Saber was unaffected. The rabbit, frightened by Jiang Hao, covers its mouth and dares not even think. ¡°Has anyone come here these days?¡± Jiang Hao asks, sitting on a wooden chair. The woman hadn¡¯t taken the table and chairs with her, so they had remained here. He wipes the table, noticing some dust, and with a flash of his Foundation Establishment cultivation, the dust completely disappears from the surface. ¡°Lord Rabbuit has a big reputation here; who would dare to disturb the master? ¡°Friends on the road give face to the Lord Rabbit, they all know to respect the master,¡± the rabbit says, hopping onto the wooden chair opposite. Jiang Hao stares at the boastful rabbit. Seeing that Jiang Hao doesn¡¯t speak, the rabbit becomes anxious and quickly changes its tune. ¡°A female human named Ming Yi came looking for the master.¡± ¡°What did she say?¡± Jiang Hao asks. ¡°She said it was a pity and that she would have to come back another time,¡± the rabbit says. Jiang Hao lowers his gaze. Fairy Ming Yi is from the Tiansheng Sect, and he wonders if she came looking for him because of Yan Hua. Afterward, Jiang Hao doesn¡¯t dwell on it and prepares to go find his master and Senior Brother Mu Qi. He can¡¯t stay at the mine. He has to return to continue guarding the Spiritual Medicine Garden. ...... At Baihua Lake. Bai Zhi kneels on one knee, bearing some injuries and looking terrified. Hong Yuye stands by the lake, feeding the fish. After scattering a handful of fish food, she finally speaks, ¡°Is there a result from the matter at Tianqing Mountain?¡± Chapter 67 - Han Ming feels he’s back in action Chapter 67: Han Ming feels he¡¯s back in action Bai Zhi is worried about the mine. Although they achieved a great victory this time, her preparations were not sufficient. If it weren¡¯t for the sect leader¡¯s reminder on the last day, she wouldn¡¯t have been able to leave so many people behind. The losses would have been greater. She had suspected early on that someone would target the mine, but she didn¡¯t expect it to be with such force. Nor had she properly observed the specific situation of the mine, which was her mistake. Because she was fully engaged in dealing with Tianqing Mountain, she somewhat neglected the mine. She thought that since it was within the sect, it would always be possible to mobilize in time. She nearly let a major accident occur at the mine. She naturally understood the importance of the mine; the talk of a treasure was uncertain for anyone. But there was no doubt that the mine could yield many good things, not just spirit vein ores. Of course, it also came with dangers, so they used normal mining methods, digging in little by little. If there was a treasure, there would be a day when it would be unearthed. As for the talk of a treasure, it was deliberately spread by the sect leader. And those captured people were worth more than ordinary spirit veins. Thinking of this, Bai Zhi felt fear; the sect leader¡¯s thoughts were too profound. Just like with the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, she still couldn¡¯t see through the sect leader¡¯s true intentions. ¡°For the past few months of engagement, we have had the advantage.¡± ¡°Tianqing Mountain is not as strong as we assessed. They have been weakened by internal strife, and with a portion of their people out, it gave us an opportunity.¡± ¡°We plundered quite a few treasures in this battle, even bringing back the core techniques from Tianqing Mountain, the Tianqing Divine Transformation Art,¡± Bai Zhi said, as she began to lay out various treasures around her. There were sabers, swords, books, medicinal pills, Ruyi scepters, jade pendants, as well as alchemy furnaces and flames, and even a strange seed. Hong Yuye only glanced at them briefly, not paying much attention. Instead, she looked at Bai Zhi. Sensing the gaze of the sect leader, Bai Zhi took a deep breath and said, ¡°On this trip to Tianqing Mountain, I indeed found traces of the people behind Tianqing Mountain. This is what we found.¡± With that, Bai Zhi handed over a stone tablet, which flew straight to Hong Yuye. The tablet was covered with dense symbols, as if its original text had been scrambled. ¡°This object likely originates from overseas, so those coveting the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower are probably foreigners,¡± Bai Zhi said. Hong Yuye looked at the stone tablet but said nothing, simply putting it away. Then, a book flew towards her¡ªit was the Tianqing Mountain technique, the Tianqing Divine Transformation Art. She briefly flipped through it before closing it. ¡°The haul seems substantial,¡± Hong Yuye said, turning her gaze to Bai Zhi. ¡°Since we¡¯ve acquired quite a bit, go ahead and distribute it. Let the disciples at the Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul stages compete for it. Pick out five items for each major realm. The rest can be thrown into the Contribution Pavilion to be exchanged for contributions.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Bai Zhi hesitated before asking carefully. ¡°What treasures should we use for the Foundation Establishment stage?¡± Hong Yuye glanced at the saber, thought for a moment, and then shook her head, ¡°You decide.¡± Afterward, she picked up the book and asked, ¡°Has Tianqing Mountain been wiped out?¡± ¡°No, we attacked and took it, but we were unable to hold it for long before being pushed back. To annihilate them, we would need to deploy more people, and since other sects are helping them, it would take quite some time,¡± Bai Zhi replied, shaking her head. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Hong Yuye said, and then threw the secret manual to Bai Zhi. ¡°Since Tianqing Mountain still stands, let your twelve branches compete for this.¡± If Tianqing Mountain were no more, they could use this manual to start a new lineage. But now, it was better to let the twelve main branches have an additional technique to choose from. Bai Zhi accepted the book with a nod. She was no longer destined for the Tianqing Divine Transformation Art. Since the sect leader had emerged from seclusion without anyone knowing, Bai Zhi, as the acting Sect Master, could not participate in the competition and could only let the other eleven compete. Jiang Hao greeted his master and noticed that his master seemed to have sustained serious injuries. It seemed that everyone had a tough time besieging the mine. Later, Mu Qi also made it clear that he would give most of the rewards to Jiang Hao. After all, it was he who had sent Jiang Hao to the mine. Jiang Hao bowed his head in thanks and did not decline, knowing that the things Senior Brother Mu Qi got from the mine were beyond any reward, and he was happy to give them away. Returning to the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao encountered Han Ming. After several months, Han Ming¡¯s cultivation had completely solidified. He now carried a hint of a stern aura and was no longer the naive youth he once was. ¡°Senior Brother Jiang,¡± Han Ming said with a smile upon seeing Jiang Hao. His reverence had diminished slightly; he felt he was up to par. ¡°Junior Brother, still thinking of challenging?¡± Jiang Hao asked, certain he would not win this time. ¡°No, I think I¡¯m still lacking a bit,¡± Han Ming shook his head, truly feeling insufficient. ¡°I just happened to have something to do and came by. I¡¯ve made quite a few contributions this time outside and should get a lot of cultivation resources. Senior Brother shouldn¡¯t stay here; it¡¯s better to go out and gain experience. That way, you can advance faster in cultivation and gain combat experience. There are also many merits to be had, almost none here.¡± ¡°Junior Brother is exceptionally talented and fortunate; ordinary people can¡¯t compare with you,¡± Jiang Hao replied politely. Hearing this, Han Ming smiled confidently. Then he cheerfully bid farewell to Jiang Hao, not forgetting to say before leaving, ¡°Senior Brother, if you don¡¯t earn any merits, I¡¯ll catch up to you easily.¡± Jiang Hao just smiled, offering no reply. He was most afraid of merits. If he made more contributions, Liu Xingchen couldn¡¯t help him. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 68 - Jiang Hao Among the Top Ten in Merits Chapter 68: Jiang Hao Among the Top Ten in Merits After seeing off Han Ming, Jiang Hao walked into the Spiritual Medicine Garden. The rabbit followed curiously, asking. ¡°Who is he, master?¡± ¡°A true disciple,¡± Jiang Hao reminded. ¡°He¡¯s of higher status than me, so don¡¯t stir up trouble.¡± ¡°True disciple? No wonder he didn¡¯t show any respect to Lord Rabbit. Master, you need to work hard,¡± the rabbit sighed. Jiang Hao glanced at it without responding, thinking that since the rabbit had survived well during his absence at the mine, it should understand the importance of not causing trouble. ¡°Why don¡¯t you just follow me in the future, Master? People in the know are aware of my limitless potential. I¡¯m bound to dominate the world,¡± the rabbit suggested again. Jiang Hao chose to ignore this; the rabbit was always boastful. He had only one request for it: don¡¯t cause trouble. After busying himself in the Spiritual Medicine Garden for a while, he got used to the days with only a little bit of progress again. He missed the rapid progress from mining. He always wanted his master to punish him by sending him to the mine, but it would take some time before the mine was operational again. He heard that people at the mines have started to shift to other work. ...... At dusk. After returning to his residence, Jiang Hao began to ponder over the days ahead. Today, he received clear news that the battle with Tianqing Mountain had ended, and the Tianyin Sect had emerged victorious. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Many people had snatched up quite a few valuable items. However, as the powerful individuals from various sects fell at the mines, the battle came to a definitive end. The Tianyin Sect stopped fighting, and the other side didn¡¯t want to fight anymore either. The mine had captured many people from the sects, and only a handful of those were rescued; the majority remained with the Tianyin Sect. If they were lucky, their sect would come to take them back. If not, it would be difficult for them to escape a fate of mining for the rest of their lives. It¡¯s not out of the question that some of the more beautiful women would be taken away by disciples of Demon Sects. The Tianhuan Pavilion, for instance, had a great need for these cauldrons. Their fate wouldn¡¯t be much better. As for the future of these people, Jiang Hao he was unable to intervene in such matters. Nor did he have the ability or the desire to do so. Struggling to survive himself, how could he take care of others? After resting for a moment, he took out a book on talismans and began to read. It was time to start earning spirit stones. Currently, he only had three hundred and forty spirit stones on him. Buying a good saber required spirit stones, and so did tea leaves. Fortunately, there was still the reward from the mine, which should include a good number of spirit stones. He opened the book on talismans. The first one he saw was a Healing Talisman. An enhanced version of the Pain Relieving Talisman, similar to a healing spell, but with effects better than the ordinary healing spell. This type of talisman was rarely used, but many people kept some on hand. Accidents always happen, and having a Healing Talisman not only saves spiritual energy but also allows for quick release. After a serious injury, it might not be possible to cast a healing spell, but having a talisman would make things much better. Therefore, those who often went out, especially those at the Foundation Establishment and Golden Core stages, definitely had some Healing Talismans. Looking at the materials, Jiang Hao realized it was the same kind of talisman paper as the Ten Thousand Swords Talisman. However, the selling price of the talisman was half higher than that of the Ten Thousand Swords Talisman. About thirty spirit stones. ¡°What a pity, I only started learning the fine six talismans after the battle. Otherwise, I could have made a lot.¡± During the battle, the price of Healing Talismans would definitely surge, possibly even doubling. The price should still be inflated now, but after some time, it would return to the normal thirty. Taking a deep breath, Jiang Hao activated Clear Heart and Pure Mind and began to comprehend the Healing Talisman. ...... Duanqing Cliff. At Ku Wuchang¡¯s residence, Han Ming came to report. He was excited. Because today his master said that a list of meritorious deeds would be compiled, and the top ten would be given a lot of resources. He had no hope for the top ten in the sect, but he had great hopes for the top ten of Duanqing Cliff. You see, he had gone to battle early on and had made significant contributions along the way. Not only him, but there were also two Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters in the courtyard. Including him, there were only nine true disciples of Duanqing Cliff, and the four they often saw were him, Senior Brother Mu Qi, and the two Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters present. One was a drunken Senior Brother Wu, and the other was a dark-skinned Senior Sister Fei Zhu. After greeting the two, Han Ming waited in place. After a while, Mu Qi walked in. ¡°Master, the Hall of Merits from the Enforcement Peak has sent over the list, and a simple ranking has been done.¡± Saying this, he handed over the list. ¡°Senior Brother, am I in the top ten?¡± Han Ming asked Mu Qi in a low voice. Hearing this, Mu Qi chuckled and said. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen it yet, but the people from the Enforcement Peak mentioned Junior Brother, saying that your contributions are significant among those at the Foundation Establishment stage. It seems likely that you¡¯re in the top ten of our Duanqing Cliff.¡± Hearing this, Han Ming was thrilled. However, he was still restrained, understanding the need to be discreet in the land of the Demon Sect. Only when facing those inferior to him did he not need to be too restrained. With these achievements, he could stand tall and proud in front of Jiang Hao, making Senior Brother Jiang feel inferior. In time, he would use his absolute advantage to avenge his previous humiliation. ¡°Hm?¡± Ku Wuchang, who was originally looking at the list, spoke up with some surprise. This made Han Ming and the others curious. Mu Qi showed no reaction; he seemed to know why his master was surprised. ¡°Two of our Duanqing Cliff have made it into the top ten of the sect,¡± Ku Wuchang said with a slight surprise, then regained his composure: ¡°That¡¯s good. It means you¡¯ll get a larger share of resources. The upcoming resource competition will also have more spots available.¡± ¡°Master, which two Senior Brothers made it into the top ten of the sect?¡± Han Ming asked. Senior Brother Wu and Senior Sister Fei Zhu were also curious. ¡°One is Bai Yi, who is ranked seventh,¡± Ku Wuchang said. Bai Yi, the Nascent Soul realm Eldest Senior Brother of Duanqing Cliff, was extremely powerful. It was only natural for him to be in the top ten, and they were not surprised. ¡°And the other?¡± asked Senior Sister Fei Zhu. Han Ming was also waiting, wondering which Senior Brother or Senior Sister it was. ¡°The second is Jiang Hao, who is ranked tenth,¡± Ku Wuchang said. As the words fell, Han Ming¡¯s mind was bombarded with shock. Chapter 69 - About to Get Rich Soon Chapter 69: About to Get Rich Soon Hearing the name Jiang Hao, Han Ming¡¯s head buzzed. He couldn¡¯t figure out why Jiang Hao, who was only at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, could rank in the top ten for achievements. It didn¡¯t make sense. What was even harder for him to accept was that he had just been bragging about his own achievements to Jiang Hao during the day. And by evening, he found that his own achievements were insignificant in comparison. It gave him a sense of defeat. He thought he could surpass the other, but instead, he was pressed down again. When would he be able to trample this Senior Brother underfoot? The more he remembered Jiang Hao¡¯s calm demeanor today, the more he wanted to return the favor in kind. ¡°Jiang Hao? Who is that?¡± Ji Wu asked with some curiosity. ¡°I¡¯ve heard of him,¡± Fairy Fei Zhu said uncertainly. ¡°He should be a Junior Brother at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. I¡¯ve seen him in the Spiritual Medicine Garden.¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s him,¡± Mu Qi confirmed. ¡°Mid-stage of Foundation Establishment?¡± Ji Wu said in disbelief. ¡°How could someone with such cultivation make it into the top ten achievements of the sect?¡± Han Ming perked up. He wanted to know why as well. Or rather, on what basis? ¡°A few days ago, the mine was attacked. Powerhouses from Xuantian Sect and Fenglei Sect joined forces to strike at the mine. During the conflict, a Man Long from the Hengliu lineage fought with Xuantian Sect¡¯s pride, Xuanyuan Tai.¡± ¡°Xuanyuan Tai played a pivotal role in the battle; his physique allowed more powerhouses to retreat. As long as he left first, it was as good as winning half the battle.¡± ¡°It was not easy for our masters to repel his protectors, giving Man Long a chance. Unfortunately, in the end, Man Long was bound and could only watch helplessly as Xuanyuan Tai escaped.¡± ¡°It was at this moment that Junior Brother Jiang single-handedly stopped Xuanyuan Tai from leaving. Only then did Man Long have the chance to capture him alive,¡± Mu Qi explained roughly, and then added. ¡°Xuanyuan Tai has at least a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivation.¡± At these words, everyone was shocked. Late-stage Nascent Soul... They didn¡¯t even have the courage to face it. For a moment, everyone bowed their heads in silence, with nothing to say. Especially Han Ming, in the same situation, he might not be able to do anything. ¡°I remember Junior Brother Jiang¡¯s name has always been on the Hall of Enforcement. Is he able to come down this time?¡± Fairy Fei Zhu asked. ¡°He could have, but Junior Brother Jiang got involved with the traitor Yan Hua, so the Hall of Enforcement won¡¯t let him down,¡± Mu Qi said. In fact, he felt that the Hall of Enforcement was deliberately not letting him down. He didn¡¯t know if it was to protect Jiang Hao or to prevent Jiang Hao from becoming a true disciple. In his view, Jiang Hao¡¯s performance and his cultivation were enough to become a true disciple. The only drawback was that his talent was above average but lacking. However, from his performance, there was a certain probability that the master would accept him. Now it was impossible. At this moment, Ku Wuchang interrupted their conversation, instructing: ¡°This time you all have benefited a lot. Make an effort later on; the competition among fellow disciples will start in a few months. There¡¯s a chance to get good things, and there should be five items for each realm. There aren¡¯t many from the twelve meridians who can fight.¡± Several people nodded in agreement. Han Ming wanted to participate, to at least prove himself outstanding. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ...... Overnight, Jiang Hao finally comprehended the Healing Talisman. With the support of his Golden Core cultivation, the success rate reached fifty percent. With a few more days of practice, he should be able to reach eighty percent. After that, it would come naturally. It¡¯s good to have high cultivation, but he couldn¡¯t sell too many talismans, as it would be easy to notice something was amiss. He couldn¡¯t sell talismans used by Golden Core cultivators, only those needed by late-stage and complete Foundation Establishment. The first three of the six premium talismans were of this kind. He only needed to practice these three types of talismans. The Ten Thousand Swords Talisman could also be made in some quantity and sold well, considered a normal talisman for the Foundation Establishment Realm. Taking a breath of relief, Jiang Hao went out to the courtyard. He glanced at the Half-Moon in the corner and remembered that he currently had no sword. After collecting two bubbles, he glanced at his panel. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 21¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Mid-stage Golden Core¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 6/100 (cannot be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 10/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 2/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ Poor numbers. In the two days since leaving the mine, there had been little progress in cultivation and vitality. ¡°Let¡¯s earn spirit stones first, buy the sword and tea leaves, then save up spirit stones to feed the rabbit.¡± The rabbit would consume a lot of spirit stones, so he needed to prepare in advance. ¡°I wonder how many spirit stones the reward from Senior Brother Mu Qi will be.¡± Leaving the courtyard, Jiang Hao headed towards the Spiritual Medicine Garden. The rabbit lying on the ground immediately jumped up and followed Jiang Hao out. It shook the collar around its neck, only satisfied after turning it twice. With its spiritual intelligence, it knew what it was and had no intention of destroying it; instead, it took pride in it. It wasn¡¯t a wild rabbit at all. It had an owner at home, waiting to take care of it. ¡°Master, can I eat humans?¡± the rabbit asked on the road. ¡°Do humans taste good?¡± Jiang Hao inquired. ¡°Tasty.¡± ¡°Have you eaten one?¡± ¡°Never, but all the big demons like to eat humans, and everyone on the road knows I, Lord Rabbit, am a big demon.¡± Jiang Hao looked down at the rabbit, contemplating whether to let it go as he stared at its collar. He couldn¡¯t accommodate a rabbit with such dreams. Without further thought, he headed towards the Spiritual Medicine Garden, casually remarking. ¡°I don¡¯t keep big demons.¡± The rabbit adjusted its collar and said earnestly. ¡°Just kidding. I¡¯m just an ordinary rabbit that likes to eat carrots, right, Master?¡± Jiang Hao shook his head helplessly; this rabbit had no shame at all. After a short while, in front of the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao saw Mu Qi. Seeing him, a glimmer of hope arose in his heart. He had been poor for a long time. Chapter 70 - I Want Something Tacky Chapter 70: I Want Something Tacky ¡°What kind of reward would Junior Brother like?¡± When Jiang Hao arrived, this was the soul-searching question posed by Mu Qi. Jiang Hao wanted to ask for something tacky, but instead, he said against his true desire. ¡°It¡¯s all up to Senior Brother.¡± ¡°Junior Brother seems too disinterested. You¡¯ll be at a loss,¡± Mu Qi said with a smile, shaking his head. That was a kind word, and Jiang Hao remained silent. His lack of desire was just to avoid unnecessary trouble. Apart from spirit stones, he didn¡¯t lack cultivation resources. As long as he could mine and take care of the Spiritual Medicine Garden, that was enough. But asking for mining as a reward didn¡¯t seem quite right. Even now, he couldn¡¯t enter the mines; they needed time to recover. ¡°In my rewards, there¡¯s a Golden Core stage pill. Technically, half of it belongs to Junior Brother, but a pill can¡¯t be divided, and giving this pill to Junior Brother might not be beneficial.¡± ¡°So, how about I buy it at a market price that¡¯s 10% higher and convert it into spirit stones for Junior Brother?¡± Mu Qi proposed. Holding a Golden Core pill during the Foundation Establishment stage indeed wasn¡¯t good. Although Jiang Hao had reached Golden Core, he couldn¡¯t show it, so between the pill and spirit stones, he naturally preferred spirit stones. ¡°Okay,¡± he agreed without hesitation. ¡°Seems like Junior Brother prefers spirit stones,¡± Mu Qi deduced from Jiang Hao¡¯s response, and continued. ¡°This pill is called the Golden Morning Pill, not particularly expensive; the market price is between nine hundred to a thousand spirit stones. I¡¯ll buy it for eleven hundred and cash out six hundred spirit stones for Junior Brother.¡± ¡°Plus, I received five hundred spirit stones, and I¡¯ll give Junior Brother two hundred and fifty. That makes a total of eight hundred and fifty.¡± Saying this, Mu Qi handed Jiang Hao eight hundred and fifty spirit stones, then took out a bottle of pills, ¡°This is the Purging Clear Pill, it can neutralize many poisons. I¡¯ll give Junior Brother five out of the ten pills. They¡¯re not cheap outside. Oh, and there¡¯s a spirit sword, suitable for the Foundation Establishment stage, I¡¯ll just give it to Junior Brother.¡± The Purging Clear Pill was valuable, and Jiang Hao naturally accepted it. He already had one or two of these pills, priced between seventy to a hundred, quite expensive. He had been worried about poisoning, so he always kept one or two on hand just in case. Then his gaze fell on the spirit sword, and after hesitating, he tried to ask: ¡°Can Senior Brother convert it into spirit stones?¡± Hearing this, Mu Qi laughed heartily. ¡°It seems Junior Brother really likes spirit stones. This spirit sword has a good appearance and craftsmanship, the market price is roughly a little over a thousand. I¡¯ll give Junior Brother one thousand.¡± In the end, Jiang Hao received one thousand eight hundred and fifty spirit stones, and with his own three hundred or so, he had roughly twenty-two hundred. A fortune indeed. He had never seen so many spirit stones. He could finally buy a better saber and tea leaves. The Primordial Heavenly Saber was too remarkable; he dared not use it as a common sidearm. However, he couldn¡¯t help but admire Mu Qi; the Golden Core rewards were much better than his Foundation Establishment ones. If it were his task, he wouldn¡¯t even get a third of that. If he didn¡¯t know that the Senior Brother in front of him was so generous because of an ancient inheritance, Jiang Hao would suspect another undercover. But being involved with the Tiansheng Sect¡¯s candidate for Saintess also had its impact. He would have to be more cautious in the future. ¡°In a few months, the sect¡¯s competition will start. Junior Brother should prepare early,¡± Mu Qi kindly reminded. Jiang Hao was somewhat puzzled, what competition? sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°We snatched quite a few good things from Tianqing Mountain, and the sect is allocating some to Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul disciples.¡± ¡°They¡¯re letting people from the three realms compete, and it seems only the top five will get the really good stuff,¡± Mu Qi explained when he saw Jiang Hao¡¯s confusion. Hearing this, Jiang Hao lost interest; he wouldn¡¯t participate. However, the words that followed from Mu Qi made him realize he had no choice but to participate. ¡°Junior Brother has made great contributions at the mine this time and will directly participate in the final competition. Originally, each lineage was to select one or two people. Now, Junior Brother will directly enter the competition among the twelve main lineages.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s one or two people per stage, so there won¡¯t be any skipping of ranks. Of course, if you¡¯re confident, you can challenge higher ranks.¡± After Mu Qi left, Jiang Hao sighed, pondering how he would lose when the time came. The merits he earned at Xuantian Sect had not brought him any benefits, only troubles. Not only had he caught the attention of the Xuantian Sect, but he had also nearly been removed from the Hall of Enforcement¡¯s list. Now, he had to participate in the competition. ¡°I wonder what the reward is.¡± Out of curiosity, he inquired about it. By noon, Cheng Chou from the Spiritual Medicine Garden brought him the list of treasures. ¡°They¡¯ve only settled on the Foundation Establishment rewards for now; the higher ones are not out yet,¡± said Cheng Chou. Afterward, he found the rabbit and felt that staying with the rabbit was more interesting. Jiang Hao opened the list and checked it. There were five items in total. The first was the Nine Suns Saber, forged from Nine Suns True Fire Stone, compatible with all techniques, and possessing astonishing power with an attached true fire attack, suitable for all cultivators below the Return to Void stage. Upon reading the description, Jiang Hao¡¯s first thought was that the blade was very expensive. Suitable for all cultivators below the Return to Void stage meant that even Nascent Soul cultivators could use it fully, and even those at the Return to Void stage could manage it. If sold, it would fetch an astronomical price. Jiang Hao wanted it, but he felt it was unlikely. The second item was a technique manual, the Tianchen Spirit Technique, which was for training the spirit sea. The third was a spell technique, the Nine Suns Detachment Fire Technique, capable of summoning a sea of fire and exploding to injure enemies, possessing the power to challenge higher ranks, extremely terrifying. The fourth was a robe that allowed one to stand in the air, impervious to water and fire, and could resist attacks from a higher cultivation level when powered by one¡¯s own strength. Aside from the blade, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t care much for these items. He had the Nine Heavens Battle Armor for defense, he wasn¡¯t interested in fire spells, and the spirit technique seemed superfluous since he could gather spirit energy every day. Then he looked at the last item. The description of the fifth item made Jiang Hao feel curious: a seed with remarkable spiritual energy, carrying it could enhance cultivation speed and also had a focusing effect. Chapter 71 - Why don’t you just rob me? Chapter 71: Why don¡¯t you just rob me? ¡°A seed with spiritual energy? Did they not mention what kind of seed it is?¡± ¡°Or do they also not know what kind of seed it is?¡± This gave Jiang Hao some ideas. If it was a powerful seed, he would want to try to obtain it. But it couldn¡¯t be that coincidental. These items were all plundered from Tianqing Mountain, so there was no chance they were equivalent to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. But even if it wasn¡¯t as good, a golden one would do. Even a purple one would suffice. However, he would need to get it appraised first. If it truly was a seed worth cultivating, then he would try to win the mid-stage Foundation Establishment competition. It would make him stand out, though. ¡°How can I avoid drawing too much attention?¡± Hesitating, Jiang Hao thought he could put more effort into talismans. A Ten Thousand Swords Talisman had average power at the Foundation Establishment level, but having Hundred Thousand Swords Talisman would be different. If he were outmatched, he could use a large number of talismans to win. Hundred Thousand Swords Talismans were priced the same as Healing Talismans, and the difficulty was similar. The power probably wasn¡¯t as strong as a late-stage Foundation Establishment, but it could deal some damage to the mid-stage. He could start making them tonight. Arriving at the sect¡¯s market, Jiang Hao began to set up his stall. But he noticed there were few people around. It was empty. Few people were browsing, and even fewer were buying. ¡°Junior Brother Jiang, long time no see,¡± Leng Tian greeted as she approached. ¡°Senior Sister Leng,¡± Jiang Hao replied politely. He observed that Senior Sister Leng had reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment. Her cultivation was not yet stable, likely a recent breakthrough. ¡°Healing Talismans? You can make such talismans now?¡± Leng Tian looked at Jiang Hao¡¯s stall in surprise. ¡°How much for one?¡± ¡°The normal price is thirty spirit stones,¡± Jiang Hao answered. ¡°I¡¯ll take all five, and do you have Hundred Thousand Swords Talismans?¡± Leng Tian took the talismans and handed over the spirit stones, seemingly afraid Jiang Hao would change his mind. One hundred and fifty spirit stones in hand, minus the forty for costs, netting a profit of one hundred and ten. These talismans really sell well. ¡°I don¡¯t have Hundred Thousand Swords Talismans yet,¡± Jiang Hao said as he took the spirit stones. For now, he didn¡¯t plan to sell them; he wanted to keep them for later use. ¡°By the way, Senior Sister, do you know why there are so few people here?¡± Jiang Hao asked for advice. ¡°It¡¯s because the sect has opened a temporary market below. Didn¡¯t you know, Junior Brother?¡± Leng Tian kindly explained. ¡°Didn¡¯t we attack Tianqing Mountain? We plundered so much that it was difficult for our sect to absorb it all. So, we invited other sects, known as Demon Sects, to trade. It allows us to quickly process these gains.¡± Jiang Hao nodded, understanding. ¡°Junior Brother can go take a look. There are many good items below, and perhaps you¡¯ll find what you¡¯re looking for. Moreover, the selling price will be a bit lower than usual,¡± Fairy Leng Tian reminded. Jiang Hao nodded his thanks; he indeed planned to go take a look. Today, he needed to buy tea first, as no one knew when that woman would appear. It was better to be prepared for any situation. ¡°I heard that Junior Brother¡¯s achievements ranked in the top ten this time. As long as you don¡¯t perform too poorly in the competition, you can choose something from the top five. There are also additional rewards, such as the extremely valuable Heaven Replenishing Pill, which can be used to break through the bottleneck of Foundation Establishment and advance to Golden Core.¡± Leng Tian made sure no one was around before mentioning this. ¡°Extremely valuable?¡± Jiang Hao hesitated but still asked a somewhat tacky question. ¡°How much is it worth, roughly?¡± Leng Tian looked puzzled but still thoughtfully replied, ¡°Actually, ¡®extremely valuable¡¯ is relative to certain people. To someone at the Golden Core stage, this pill isn¡¯t very useful. But for those at the peak of Foundation Establishment, especially the wealthy ones, it¡¯s worth quite a lot. To put it simply, some have sold this pill for three thousand spirit stones, while others have sold it for ten thousand.¡± Ten thousand? Indeed, it was extremely valuable. After parting with Leng Tian, Jiang Hao went to Xuelian Pavilion to buy tea. The first tea he inquired about was Azure Red Sky. The guiding fairy smiled and said, ¡°Ten thousand spirit stones per mace.¡± Ten thousand? Why don¡¯t you just rob me? Even the usually calm Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but feel agitated. One mace is only five grams, barely enough for a single brew. ¡°What about September Spring?¡± Jiang Hao asked next. The guiding fairy didn¡¯t speak but simply held up two fingers. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t ask further and instead asked for one hundred spirit stones per maces tea. All of these were spiritual teas, and buying one hundred was already extravagantly luxurious. In the end, Jiang Hao bought five maces of Red Sleeve Fragrance, costing him five hundred spirit stones. Now he had only a little over eighteen hundred spirit stones left. He then spent over two hundred spirit stones on six bundles of talisman-making materials. He could roughly make sixty attempts, and with a fifty percent success rate, he would have thirty talismans. This left him with only sixteen hundred spirit stones. Spirit stones really don¡¯t last long when you¡¯re spending, and he hadn¡¯t even bought any magical treasures yet. Returning to his residence, Jiang Hao began to study the Hundred Thousand Swords Talisman. Six days passed in a flash, during which he only went to the Spiritual Medicine Garden and collected a bunch of white and green bubbles. Blue ones were few and far between. However, there was steady progress, and he had something to look forward to. In these six days, he made thirty talismans. The success rate wasn¡¯t very high, possibly because his mind wasn¡¯t calm enough, as making them every day affected his mental state. He made ten Healing Talismans and twenty Hundred Thousand Swords Talismans. After some hesitation, he decided to sell only five Healing Talismans and keep the rest. Too many would attract unwanted attention. It wasn¡¯t easy for someone at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment to make these talismans. After finishing up at the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao let the rabbit watch over things while he went to the market under the Tianyin Sect. ¡°Master, my collar isn¡¯t sturdy enough, could you get me a stronger one? Mention my name and it¡¯ll be cheaper; people on the road all give Lord Rabbit some face,¡± the rabbit said, pointing to its collar before Jiang Hao left. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was about to advance and wanted a better collar. Jiang Hao ignored it and went to the market to inquire about the selling price of Healing Talismans. They were selling for fifty spirit stones each. ¡°...¡± Senior Sister Leng had snatched a bargain. Chapter 72 - Oppression Chapter 72: Oppression Jiang Hao found a spot and sold five Healing Talismans and some Ten Thousand Swords Talismans before closing his stall. It had to be said that talismans were easy to sell at this time. In a few days, supply would likely exceed demand. Then, he wouldn¡¯t sell many talismans in a day. After careful calculation, Jiang Hao found he had accumulated nineteen hundred spirit stones. He should be able to buy a fairly good magical treasure. Preferably one that would be suitable for both Golden Core and Foundation Establishment stages. After looking around, Jiang Hao saw many magical treasures and some long sabers, but most were mediocre. The occasional ones suitable for Golden Core were exorbitantly priced. Nineteen hundred spirit stones couldn¡¯t buy any of them. Moreover, some merchants were too greedy, asking for over a thousand for treasures like the Shadow Saber. He also encountered tea leaves, and to his surprise, someone was selling Azure Red Sky for one thousand spirit stones per tael. That was one hundred per mace, the same price as the Red Sleeve Fragrance. The seller claimed it was a chance find and only had five taels left. Jiang Hao glanced at it and walked away; although he had never seen Azure Red Sky, the color was worse than the Red Sleeve Fragrance he had bought. He didn¡¯t want to take the risk. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Who knew how the woman would react to fake tea? It would truly be like paying to suffer. Better to buy something cheaper to get by for now. ¡°Speaking of which, that woman has never mentioned her name, and it seems I haven¡¯t tried to identify her in a long time.¡± The first time he tried to identify her, she was at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, and he couldn¡¯t identify anything. Now that he was at the mid-stage of Golden Core, his divine abilities should have strengthened with his cultivation. Perhaps he could identify something. For a moment, Jiang Hao was looking forward to her arrival. If he could identify something, it meant the stronger he was, the more he could learn about her. Now we¡¯re just waiting for the other party to come over. The market is bustling, with most goods related to Tianqing Mountain, and some outsiders are setting up stalls. Some people from unknown sects make Jiang Hao feel threatened. Their cultivation levels vary, including Golden Core, Foundation Establishment, and even Qi Refining practitioners. However, Qi Refining cultivators are only found on the fringes. Higher levels are rarely seen. After all, not many Golden Cores have been spotted. The higher the cultivation, the fewer the people in the market. Halfway through, Jiang Hao suddenly stops, drawn to a stall nearby. The vendors are two men who appear to be in their late twenties, and upon seeing someone take interest, they immediately show a merchant¡¯s humble smile. ¡°Fellow Daoist, would you like to take a look?¡± There aren¡¯t many items on the stall, just three magical treasures, including a spirit sword that¡¯s fairly decent. There¡¯s also a very ordinary shield. These aren¡¯t worth paying attention to, but what Jiang Hao is interested in is a saber lying in the middle, with a black body and a white blade. Judging from the material and craftsmanship, it¡¯s several grades higher than the Shadow Saber he has used before. Although it¡¯s still at the Foundation Establishment level, the material and craftsmanship bonuses allow it to barely catch up to a Golden Core magical treasure. It could be considered high-grade among Foundation Establishment items. ¡°How much for this saber?¡± Jiang Hao picks up the black saber and examines it for a moment before asking. It¡¯s indeed a good saber. Suitable to be his sidearm. ¡°This Black Fox saber is the work of a famous craftsman, and it¡¯s quite expensive.¡± ¡°However, we brothers are in a hurry to sell it, so let¡¯s say three thousand.¡± Li Fei, with a sharp chin and monkey cheeks, whispers. Hearing this, Jiang Hao frowns slightly. He doesn¡¯t have enough money. Three thousand is actually a very fair price, even somewhat cheap. At Xingchen Building, this saber would cost upwards of four thousand. Among Foundation Establishment items, it¡¯s rare to find something better than this saber. Jiang Hao feels a certain heaviness to it. It¡¯s worth buying. After some thought, he decides to use talismans as collateral. He has five Healing Talismans and twenty Hundred Thousand Swords Talismans. These could be mortgaged for several hundred. Plus some elixirs, that should be enough. ¡°Does the fellow Daoist seem to be having some difficulties? It¡¯s getting late, and we¡¯d like to leave early. How about we reduce the price by another five hundred?¡± At this point, the short-haired Hong Lai speaks up, seeming eager to sell. This sudden price drop displeases Li Fei, but he just sighs without speaking. Jiang Hao finds this strange. Is this a steal? He¡¯s picked up a high-grade magical treasure at a bargain. It¡¯s been so long and it hasn¡¯t sold, which seems to be good luck on his part. Without further hesitation, he proposes to use talismans as collateral. The vendors are a bit hesitant, but when they hear about the Healing Talismans and Hundred Thousand Swords Talismans, they readily agree. The deal is finally made for one thousand nine hundred spirit stones, five Healing Talismans, and twelve Hundred Thousand Swords Talismans. After Jiang Hao pays, Li Fei smiles warmly and says. ¡°Let me package it for the fellow Daoist.¡± He takes the long saber and stoops to place it in a box under the stall. Then Li Fei hands the box to Jiang Hao. ¡°Fellow Daoist, the transaction is complete.¡± Taking the box, Jiang Hao¡¯s brow furrows; the weight is off. He intends to open the box to check, but Li Fei¡¯s hand rests on the box, preventing Jiang Hao from opening it. ¡°Fellow Daoist, our transaction is complete, you may leave now.¡± Upon hearing this, Jiang Hao realizes what¡¯s happening. The magical treasure has been switched, and the other party is threatening him. At this moment, the two vendors release the pressure of their complete Foundation Establishment cultivation. This is an outright robbery. ¡°Alright.¡± Feeling the power of the two complete Foundation Establishment cultivators, Jiang Hao nods in agreement. He takes the box and turns to leave. So that¡¯s why it seemed like a steal; it was a trap waiting for him. Watching Jiang Hao leave, Hong Lai expresses some concern. ¡°Brother Li, he seemed too calm, could there be danger?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve observed him on his way here, and he doesn¡¯t blend in with the surroundings. He must be a solitary inner disciple. It¡¯s unlikely he can find someone to deal with us.¡± Li Fei hesitates, then adds: ¡°Better safe than sorry, let¡¯s buy the cultivation resources and leave, to prevent him from actually finding help. We should remove the magical treasures that alter our aura and appearance.¡± The two head to a secluded corner, and when they reappear, they have transformed into the appearance of two women. Unnoticed by gods and ghosts. Chapter 73 - Is My Saber on You? Chapter 73: Is My Saber on You? Before nightfall. Two women are quickly leaving the Tianyin Sect¡¯s territory. They have made quite a haul this time. And they have offended three people, two at the early stage of Foundation Establishment and one at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. The early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators are from other sects, and the mid-stage one is from Tianyin Sect. They are not immediately concerned about the other sects, but Tianyin Sect poses a certain danger. Therefore, after gathering enough resources, leaving becomes a top priority. ¡°Nothing will happen, right?¡± Hong Lai asks with some worry. At this moment, she was a woman with short hair. Li Fei, on the other hand, was a woman with long, enchanting hair. ¡°So much time has passed, if that person had something to do, they would have come looking for us already,¡± Li Fei said with a shake of his head and a smile. ¡°Besides, even if that person really did send someone after us, they¡¯d have to be able to find us. Over the years, we¡¯ve deceived countless people with this trick. Even those at the Golden Core stage couldn¡¯t pinpoint our location accurately, let alone someone in the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.¡± ¡°And from his demeanor, he doesn¡¯t have the aura of a true disciple. He seems like the kind of person who wouldn¡¯t dare to draw attention to himself. There¡¯s no danger.¡± ¡°That¡¯s true, but the way that person left was too calm, as if they were powerless, yet I always felt they were holding back, and he was the wealthiest we¡¯ve encountered,¡± Hong Lai said with a shake of his head and a sigh. He felt he was being overly sensitive. ¡°By the looks of it, he should have some talent in talisman making, having some spirit stones is to be expected, don¡¯t overthink it. Even if he¡¯s holding back, what of it?¡± Li Fei said dismissively. ¡°A mere mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator can¡¯t stir up any trouble. By the time he advances, we¡¯ll already be at the Golden Core stage. We¡¯ll be worlds apart, and if he really comes after us then, one strike will be enough to wipe him out. There¡¯s no need to worry about a Foundation Establishment...¡± Huh? Just as Li Fei was about to continue, his perspective suddenly changed. What he saw was Hong Lai¡¯s face covered in blood, looking at him in horror. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At that moment, he vaguely saw a man with a saber standing behind him, and he was struck by a blade... After that, there was silence. Watching Li Fei¡¯s head separate from her body, Hong Lai looked around in terror and asked. ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± Thud! A saber pierced through Hong Lai¡¯s body from behind. A cold sensation overcame him. He tried to unleash his power, but to his horror, he discovered his internal organs were being rapidly destroyed. With a gush, he spat out blood, completely unaware of who was attacking him. ¡°Senior, whatever you want, we can give it to you,¡± he pleaded. ¡°Is my saber on you?¡± came a cold voice from behind. In an instant, Hong Lai remembered the way Jiang Hao had looked when he left. They had succeeded in deceiving others countless times, but one failure meant paying with their lives. Another long saber sliced across his neck, and the cold voice came again: ¡°Don¡¯t trouble yourself, I¡¯ll take it myself.¡± In his terror, Hong Lai completely lost his voice. He was just one step away from reaching the Golden Core stage. After confirming the two were dead, Jiang Hao took the valuables. He didn¡¯t bother to clean up the bodies. Outer sect disciples, the Hall of Enforcement wouldn¡¯t investigate.) Otherwise, he would have had to be more cautious. ...... During the night. In his room, Jiang Hao sat cross-legged on the bed, examining the storage treasures. What he saw were pills, talismans, and a mess of array flags. ¡°Only three hundred spirit stones left, ten Healing Talismans, and the Hundred Thousand Swords Talismans I gave them,¡± Jiang Hao sighed as he looked at the items: ¡°It¡¯s a pity they were all exchanged for pills.¡± He needed pills for his cultivation, but not those for the Foundation Establishment level. Comparatively speaking, these two were quite wealthy. The most valuable item in the two¡¯s possessions was probably that long saber. Jiang Hao swung it a couple of times, and it felt good in his hand. After some thought, he decided to keep the name ¡®Half-Moon¡¯ for the saber; it would be convenient to have a consistent name for each saber he would use in the future, as he expected to change them frequently. Putting away the saber, he took out a six-sided iron block. The iron block was only the size of a fingernail, and upon close inspection, it had six blank faces. ¡°Is this the treasure that changed their appearances? It doesn¡¯t look simple.¡± With that thought, he activated his divine power to identify it. ¡¾Six-Sided Dice: A luck-based treasure. Each roll absorbs a portion of the owner¡¯s luck and grants a new face, providing a perfect disguise, difficult to detect.¡¿ Reading the description, Jiang Hao decided against using it. This treasure was like a death omen. The absorption of luck would definitely have a significant impact, and even if it wouldn¡¯t affect him in the long term, it could cause short-term misfortune. That the two had used it for so long without incident was quite remarkable. He put it away for now, as it might have other uses in the future. The next day. Jiang Hao went to the courtyard to collect energy bubbles. ¡¾Vital Energy+1¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation+1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit+1¡¿ The blue lotus and snow lotus could provide some energy bubbles. The blue lotus gathered spiritual energy, and now the spiritual energy in the courtyard was much stronger than before. Especially with the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower present, the entire courtyard was filled with a refreshing fragrance. Other floral scents seemed nonexistent in comparison. At this moment, the rabbit was still lying next to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, staring intently. ¡°Are you watching it all the time?¡± Jiang Hao asked as he approached. ¡°This is the master¡¯s flower; of course, I have to keep an eye on it,¡± the rabbit said, patting its chest. He might have believed it if the rabbit hadn¡¯t been drooling all the time. A deceitful beast rabbit, full of lies. As soon as he arrived at the Spiritual Medicine Garden, the rabbit immediately started calling out: ¡°Master, it was that woman who was looking for you last time. Master, you really have a way with women. When are you going to eat her?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t eat people,¡± Jiang Hao replied. ¡°But last time you said she eats people,¡± the rabbit said with a tremble in its heart. That might be true, Jiang Hao thought as he looked at Fairy Ming Yi. A candidate for the Saintess of Tiansheng Sect, she was definitely more dangerous than Yan Hua, even if she was only at the early stage of Golden Core. ¡°Junior Brother, long time no see. I was worried you might have had an accident when I heard you went to the mines,¡± Fairy Ming Yi approached Jiang Hao with a gentle smile. Chapter 74 - Re-Appraisal of Hong Yuye Chapter 74: Re-Appraisal of Hong Yuye ¡°Senior Sister, you¡¯ve been concerned for nothing. The mine trip went smoothly,¡± Jiang Hao said insincerely. During the trip to the mines, Yan Hua from the Tiansheng Sect put a lot of pressure on him. And this Senior Sister in front of him was also an undercover agent from Tiansheng Sect. ¡°I¡¯ve heard about it. Not only did Junior Brother come back safe, but you also made a great contribution,¡± Fairy Ming Yi¡¯s face was brimming with smiles, and then she handed a potted plant to Jiang Hao. ¡°Junior Brother, could you take a look at this spiritual medicine for me? I feel like it¡¯s been wilting lately. I bought it from your place.¡± ¡°Bai Li Xiang?¡± Jiang Hao took the pot and said in surprise. ¡°This spiritual medicine is extremely vigorous in life; it shouldn¡¯t have any problems. Did Senior Sister do something to it?¡± As he asked, Jiang Hao led the way to the loft of the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Along the way, he collected some bubbles. ¡¾Strength+1¡¿ ¡¾Endurance+1¡¿ ¡¾Ordinary Spiritual Sword+1¡¿ Feeling the slight changes, Jiang Hao arrived at the loft. At this moment, he placed the potted plant aside. It was a purple flower with seven petals, aptly named Bai Li Xiang. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Although it didn¡¯t literally spread its fragrance for a hundred miles, it wasn¡¯t difficult to fill the courtyard with its scent. The fragrance had a slight effect on focusing the mind. Because its effect on cultivation wasn¡¯t that strong, the price was also not expensive. To say that it was bought from their Spiritual Medicine Garden was an exaggeration; they only supplied spiritual medicines according to orders. Many were given away or allocated. ¡°Thinking about it carefully, I didn¡¯t do anything special; it just ended up like this while I was raising it,¡± Fairy Ming Yi pondered all the way but couldn¡¯t come to any useful conclusion. ¡°No harm, I¡¯ll take a look,¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t mind. He used his spiritual energy to try and comb through the Bai Li Xiang. Soon he discovered that the roots of the Bai Li Xiang were damaged, seemingly due to an excess of spiritual energy. ¡°Does Senior Sister have a Blue Lotus in the courtyard?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Indeed, I do. Is there a connection?¡± Fairy Ming Yi inquired. ¡°There is a bit. Next time, don¡¯t place it next to the Blue Lotus. When one spiritual medicine disperses and the other gathers, they will repel each other, and over time, one of them will have problems,¡± Jiang Hao explained simply. After identifying the problem, he began to try and treat the root issue. ¡°Junior Brother, you¡¯ve offended quite a few people lately,¡± Fairy Ming Yi suddenly said. Jiang Hao looked up at her and then lowered his head again to tend to the spiritual medicine. ¡°Senior Sister, why do you say that?¡± ¡°I had just come out of seclusion when I heard that Junior Brother had offended Tianhuan Pavilion because of a traitor. Upon closer inquiry, it seems to be no small matter,¡± Fairy Ming Yi rested her chin on her hands as she looked at the spiritual medicine, speaking casually. ¡°But it seems Junior Brother can handle it. However, I¡¯ve recently heard that Junior Brother has gotten involved with Tiansheng Sect. Oh, Junior Brother might not know? After an investigation, it seems that Yan Hua might belong to Tiansheng Sect.¡± ¡°After her disappearance, some puppets also started acting up, so the Hall of Enforcement found out quite a bit of information. As far as I know, some people from Tiansheng Sect have their eyes on Junior Brother. Because it seems like Yan Hua has truly vanished from the human world, and Junior Brother was the last person to see her.¡± ¡°Some from Tiansheng Sect believe that Yan Hua has betrayed the sect and given something important to Junior Brother. Although I don¡¯t know if this news is true or false, Junior Brother should be more careful when going out in the future.¡± Jiang Hao looked astonished; this time he wasn¡¯t pretending, it was truly hard to imagine. So, the other party was also worried about a traitor. But what important thing could Yan Hua have had on her? ¡®Is she trying to probe me?¡¯ At this moment, Fairy Ming Yi didn¡¯t let Jiang Hao speak; she continued: ¡°Do you think that¡¯s all? I remember Junior Brother has made significant achievements this time, right? It¡¯s about Xuanyuan Tai from Xuantian Sect. Do you think that Man Long Senior Brother kindly gave you credit out of goodwill? Have you ever thought about who Xuantian Sect blames for the capture of Xuanyuan Tai?¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao was startled. Liu Xingchen had warned him that he might have offended Xuantian Sect. But no one had mentioned Man Long. So... Could it be that Man Long gave up the credit to find a scapegoat? Indeed, none of the top ten disciples were easy to deal with. Afterward, he sent away Ming Yi Senior Sister. Before she left, he wanted to evaluate her, but he was called away by his Master. Regarding the Tiansheng Sect, Ming Yi¡¯s words cannot be fully trusted. ¡°Let¡¯s do it tomorrow, Bai Li Xiang needs to be processed one more time.¡± However, the Xuantian Sect indeed requires attention. But since the Luoxia Sect has already been offended, adding the Xuantian Sect isn¡¯t that much more exaggerated. At worst, just don¡¯t go out. As long as the Hall of Enforcement hangs his name for a hundred years, any grievances can be easily resolved. If they can¡¯t resolve it themselves, then he can help resolve it. What he¡¯s afraid of now is that there might be Xuantian Sect spies within the Tianyin Sect. But first, he needs to find out the rewards for the big competition. His Master told him that in a couple of days, the rewards for Foundation Establishment would be displayed. Because he has merits, as long as he doesn¡¯t lose too badly, he will have the priority to choose one. If he becomes a mid-stage Foundation Establishment victor, there will be additional merit rewards. The reward Jiang Hao cares about for Foundation Establishment is that seed, which he needs to appraise in a couple of days. In the evening, Jiang Hao returned to his residence and sat in the courtyard, looking outside. The way to eliminate the hatred of others is to become stronger as quickly as possible. But the fastest way to become stronger... Jiang Hao took out a hoe and sighed. ¡°I really want to go mining.¡± Bang! A sudden noise came, and turning his head, he saw a white figure crashing into the wall. It was a rabbit that had fallen to the ground, now unconscious. Its nose was blue and its face swollen, seriously injured. Looking towards the direction of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, there was an elegant figure that had appeared at some point. Dressed in red, her expression was calm. ¡°It seems like you really enjoy mining,¡± Hong Yuye said, her gaze resting on Jiang Hao. Especially on the hoe. ¡°You flatter me, senior,¡± Jiang Hao put away the hoe and stood up respectfully: ¡°I was just reminiscing about the hard days of mining.¡± ¡°You seem quite accustomed to lying,¡± Hong Yuye said, no longer paying attention to Jiang Hao, and bent down to touch the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, which had three tender leaves. ¡°This flower is growing quite fast.¡± Jiang Hao looked at her, hesitated, but still wanted to appraise her. Chapter 75 - Discovered Using Divine Ability Chapter 75: Discovered Using Divine Ability The first failure of his daily appraisal was with this woman. He wasn¡¯t discovered at that time, which made Jiang Hao less worried. Trying again now should also go unnoticed. But worry was inevitable. Soon he activated his divine ability, attempting to appraise the woman in front of him. The feedback from the divine ability was not quick, but it didn¡¯t just show question marks. After a few breaths, he received feedback. ¡¾Hong Yuye: ??????¡¿ Although it was still a bunch of question marks, it wasn¡¯t without gain. At least he knew her name. This also meant he could continue to appraise in the future. But he would have to wait until he broke through to Nascent Soul. Who knows how long that would take. He could only continue to cultivate some good things or find a way to work in the mines. But the more good things he cultivated, the easier it was to get caught in a vortex. The best scenario would be to have the power to stop the vortex when it erupts. ¡°Are you using a divine ability?¡± Hong Yuye¡¯s sudden voice startled Jiang Hao. It even made his heart skip a beat¡ªwas he discovered? ¡°You seem a bit flustered,¡± Hong Yuye said with a smile that was not quite a smile. ¡°No,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head to hide his unease. He couldn¡¯t understand how he had been discovered. Seeing Jiang Hao no longer so composed, Hong Yuye said with a smile. ¡°It seems you¡¯re quite puzzled. Both divine abilities and techniques have their costs. You¡¯ve expended energy twice under my watch, did you really think I was blind?¡± Jiang Hao remained silent. He felt both fortunate and unfortunate. Unfortunate because he couldn¡¯t deceive her, but fortunate because she didn¡¯t know about his appraisal divine ability. ¡°Didn¡¯t you finish reading the book I gave you?¡± Hong Yuye asked. ¡°I¡¯ve been pondering the beginning, I only glanced over the rest,¡± Jiang Hao replied truthfully. ¡°I thought someone who likes to hide like you would read it thoroughly at least once,¡± Hong Yuye shook her head and slowly said. ¡°No wonder your use of divine abilities is still so crude.¡± What does she mean... Jiang Hao wondered. Can divine abilities be concealed like cultivation levels? ¡°Do you want to go mining?¡± Hong Yuye suddenly changed the subject. Jiang Hao almost agreed on impulse, but he restrained himself and shook his head. ¡°I would prefer to stay here and take care of the flowers for senior.¡± ¡°Not a single word of truth,¡± Hong Yuye walked to the corner, pulled out Jiang Hao¡¯s discarded Half-Moon blade, examined it, and then walked towards the house. ¡°Serve some tea.¡± Jiang Hao exhaled, took out the Red Sleeve Fragrance, brewed it, and poured a cup on the table. Glancing over, Hong Yuye picked up the cup and took a sip. Without speaking, she simply continued to drink her tea. Seeing this, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°How did you raise this rabbit?¡± Hong Yuye casually asked while holding her teacup. ¡°I feed it spirit stones,¡± Jiang Hao replied. ¡°Is that all?¡± Hong Yuye took another sip of tea, still appearing nonchalant. After hesitating, Jiang Hao spoke softly, ¡°I hang it up to feed it.¡± Giving Jiang Hao a fleeting glance, Hong Yuye fell silent for a moment before speaking with renewed interest. ¡°What else can you raise?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. He really couldn¡¯t be sure. He could raise anything for which he could determine the method, but he was helpless if he couldn¡¯t figure it out. ¡°Go find something interesting to plant,¡± Hong Yuye suddenly said. Where can I find that? Jiang Hao sighed. He also wanted to plant something interesting and good, but he couldn¡¯t find anything. The Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower was ridiculously precious. ¡°If I like it, I¡¯ll take it away.¡± Hong Yuye said seriously, looking at Jiang Hao, ¡°Do you have any objections?¡± Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± ¡°No?¡± Hong Yuye put down her teacup, her voice turning cold. That vast aura appeared along with her tone. ¡°As the senior says,¡± Jiang Hao nodded in agreement. Seeing that Jiang Hao was now listening, Hong Yuye stood up and walked away. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t let you help for nothing. When the time comes, whatever you want to learn, I can give you the corresponding thing.¡± Jiang Hao did believe her promises. The Nameless Secret Manual and the Heavenly Saber Seven Forms were both given by her. They were extremely important to him. He didn¡¯t consider himself at a loss. ¡°By the way,¡± Hong Yuye said, looking at the empty teacup on the table. ¡°Remember to prepare better tea for me next time. I will come often to see my flowers. You know what happens when you anger me.¡± ¡°I will bear it in mind,¡± Jiang Hao replied respectfully, nodding his head. Afterward, Hong Yuye disappeared from the spot, leaving the courtyard. ¡°Ouch, that hurts, what happened to Lord Rabbit? Ah... my face...¡± The rabbit cried out in pain as it got up from the ground. Assured that the rabbit was fine, Jiang Hao paid it no more mind. He felt that the rabbit passing out might have been Hong Yuye¡¯s doing, as she probably didn¡¯t intend to let the rabbit see her. ¡°Plant better things?¡± Jiang Hao sighed. He would have to check out the displayed treasures in a couple of days. He really wanted to find a purple bubble. Having one more divine ability could improve a lot of things. Cultivation could only be endured over time. With the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, it wouldn¡¯t take too long. But before going back to his room, he glanced at the corner and noticed that the Half-Moon that was there was now gone. Was it taken again? A beauty by nature, yet playing the thief. After Hong Yuye left, Jiang Hao¡¯s heart finally settled down completely. Such an obvious difference in state of mind made him feel the need for the tempering of time. Sitting in the training room, he took out the Nameless Secret Manual and began to read seriously. This time he intended to read the entire book, without the need to practice or rush to understand. As Hong Yuye had said, read it first and then see. He did nothing else all night but read. It wasn¡¯t until morning that he finished reading. Gently closing the book, Jiang Hao began to ponder. ¡°The text doesn¡¯t explicitly mention divine abilities, but it does talk about special techniques and special consumption, which probably refers to divine abilities.¡± ¡°I was mistaken. I thought special consumption was something else.¡± If it was about divine abilities, he should have noticed. Without that woman¡¯s reminder, he wouldn¡¯t have paid attention to special consumption. That is to say, divine abilities also consume something, and each divine ability consumes something very different. There¡¯s spirit, physical strength, cultivation, blood energy¡ªevery part of the body can be a point of consumption, even the external environment. Some even require a comprehensive consumption. As long as you understand what you are consuming, you can try to hide it. Integrating it with the body¡¯s breathing and the extension of the spirit¡¯s consumption can greatly reduce traces. If the consumption is already small, then it can be done in the span of a breath and making it impossible for others to trace. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°The person who wrote this book must be an absolute genius.¡± Holding the book, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but be amazed. He had much to learn, with his immature state of mind and lack of knowledge. These were his weaknesses. If it hadn¡¯t been for the need to identify Senior Sister Ming Yi today, Jiang Hao would have tried to identify the Nameless Secret Manual to see if it was written by Hong Yuye. If so... He would have to be even more careful in the future. ...... After a while, Jiang Hao brought the rabbit with a bruised face to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. He met Senior Sister Ming Yi in the attic. Without any hesitation, he activated the appraisal. Chapter 76 - Peach Tree Seed Chapter 76: Peach Tree Seed ¡¾Ming Yi: Candidate for Holy Maiden of Tiansheng Sect, early-stage Golden Core cultivator, undercover in Tianyin Sect¡¯s Yanyun Peak, aiming to uncover the reason behind the rise of Tianyin Sect. Recently troubled by the disappearance of Yan Hua, the higher-ups of Tiansheng Sect suspect that Yan Hua might have uncovered the secrets of the mines and is attempting to abscond with the knowledge, and they think you might be Yan Hua¡¯s accomplice. The decisions of Tiansheng Sect are at odds with her plans; she believes you should not be touched for now. Currently, she wants to secretly eliminate those who interfere with her plans.¡¿ Looking at the appraisal results, Jiang Hao remembered the content from his first appraisal of Senior Sister Ming Yi. She has a ruthless character, hiding a knife behind her smile. Tiansheng Sect is indeed dangerous. Neither Tiansheng Sect nor Tianyin Sect are good places, but Tiansheng Sect has its beliefs, and twisted thinking is quite common there. Getting involved with them is truly an unwarranted disaster. ¡®Yan Hua¡¯s mission was to investigate the mines, and now that she¡¯s dead, others will inevitably have many thoughts, but it¡¯s surprising that they suspect me.¡¯ Because I needed to stay on the Hall of Enforcement¡¯s watchlist, that¡¯s why I had contact with Yan Hua. Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t have this trouble. Fortunately, the beliefs within Tiansheng Sect are not unified. It¡¯s not dangerous for now, and the secrets of the mines can continue to be explored. It¡¯s not a deep grudge. Just something to be mindful of. ¡°This time, taking it back should be fine,¡± Jiang Hao said after dealing with the Bai Li Xiang. ¡°Thank you, Junior Brother. If there¡¯s anything in the future, I¡¯ll come to bother Junior Brother again. I hope Junior Brother won¡¯t find me annoying,¡± Sister Ming Yi joked. She didn¡¯t stay long and left straight away. Distant yet close, hot and cold¡ªdoes she intend to affect my state of mind? Jiang Hao found it somewhat amusing. If it were before, she might have succeeded, given my youth and lack of experience. It would have been easy for some women to play me. But after being poisoned by the Tianjue Gu, such things are completely irrelevant to him now. He can use this to temper his mind and mature his mentality. With the poison in his body, fortune and misfortune coexist. Afterward, Jiang Hao began organizing spiritual herbs. Since he couldn¡¯t go to the mines, the harvest from the spiritual herb field couldn¡¯t be neglected. To grow stronger, no matter how slight is still to grow stronger. While Jiang Hao was busy, the rabbit was chatting with people all around. Everyone in the spiritual herb field respectfully called it Lord Rabbit. Jiang Hao turned a blind eye to this. In the spiritual herb field, there are no formidable people, and it¡¯s not easy to offend anyone. The rabbit has good social skills and doesn¡¯t offend people easily. Being too watchful can backfire. ....... A few days later. It¡¯s been a month since Jiang Hao returned from the mine. Aside from the initial incident with buying the saber, things have been relatively smooth. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 21¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Mid-stage Golden Core¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 18/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 22/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 2/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ Looking at the panel numbers, it¡¯s steady progress. During this time, he has been comprehending the Nameless Secret Manual and appraising something every day. He often appraises the rabbit as well. It hardly ever changes, at most showing some mood swings. He fed it some spiritual stones, but its favorability is still one of terror. Yet he hasn¡¯t noticed any sign of the rabbit being terrified of him. These are all secondary. The constant appraisals are to feel the consumption of using divine powers. After multiple uses and night and day comprehension of the secret texts, he finally felt it. It¡¯s a slight consumption of spirit and physical strength. It¡¯s hard to believe that woman could notice such a thing. The consumption is almost negligible. Now that he¡¯s aware, he can disguise it so it won¡¯t be detected. For a moment, he thought of testing it on that woman, but unfortunately, she might not tell the truth. Taking a deep breath, Jiang Hao headed down to the Enforcement Peak. Yesterday, they displayed Foundation Establishment-level treasures, and it seems like Golden Core treasures will be displayed today. Although he can¡¯t obtain them, Jiang Hao still wants to see them. Some things are worth seeing, even if you can¡¯t afford them. Like some powerful magical treasures, to see the prices also gives him motivation to earn money. The rabbit¡¯s subsequent consumption will require five thousand spiritual stones; he wonders how many talismans he¡¯ll have to make. After a short while, Jiang Hao stood at a display stand covered with a light screen, on which five items were placed, the rewards for Foundation Establishment. The first item was a crimson treasure saber, a blade that embodied both heat and weight. Seeing it, Jiang Hao felt that his Half-Moon No. 2 wasn¡¯t good enough. But what¡¯s suitable for now is fine. He¡¯s not suited to wield the Nine Suns Saber. He has the Primordial Heaven Saber as his life-bound magical treasure; there¡¯s no need for the Nine Suns Saber, and sometimes it can even attract unwanted attention. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The second and third items were books, which couldn¡¯t be viewed. The fourth was a blue robe, floating in mid-air with flowing light, quite luxurious. The item was good, but he had the Nine Heavens Armor for defense, so it was somewhat redundant. Finally, Jiang Hao stood in front of a box. Inside the box was a dark seed, the size of an egg, covered in complex patterns. The faintly discernible spiritual energy it emitted made it seem extraordinary. ¡°This is it, I wonder if it¡¯s what I need,¡± Jiang Hao murmured to himself, voicelessly. If it wasn¡¯t, and he had to choose, he might end up picking the Nine Suns Saber. Even if he was worried about attracting unwanted attention, he could still sell it. It was worth a fortune. Adjusting his breathing, Jiang Hao tried to conceal the exhaustion from using his divine abilities. Then, between breaths, he activated his divine power. Although not everyone could detect these subtleties like that woman, it was still better to be cautious. This time he concealed it well. It was just a bit slow. As he pondered, feedback from his divine ability arrived. ¡¾Peach Tree Seed: A seed on the verge of losing its vitality, birthed from the core of a fruit of the ancient divine Peach Tree, possessing a trace of the divine tree¡¯s characteristics. After rooting, sprouting, flowering, fruiting, and undergoing nirvana nine times, it will become a divine Peach Tree. To revive the seed, it must be nourished beside a divine object for seven days, then surrounded by ninety-nine spirit stones, watered daily with pure water, and after nine days it can root and sprout.¡¿ Reading the lengthy message, Jiang Hao came to a conclusion. This seed was not something trivial. It was indeed valuable. Just like the mythical beast rabbit, it needed time to become formidable. ¡°Planting a fruit tree in the yard does sound nice,¡± Jiang Hao decided in his heart. This time, he would do his best to acquire this seed. As for nourishing it with a divine object, that might be difficult for others, but it was exceptionally simple for him. The Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower was a divine object. The Primordial Heaven Blade also counted as one. After inquiring, Jiang Hao found out that the competition for the items would start in a month. ¡°I need to figure out what ranking I need to choose an item.¡± After hesitating for a moment, he sought out his Master. ¡°Have you looked at the items?¡± Ku Wuchang asked with a calm expression. ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°What rank do you wish to choose at?¡± Ku Wuchang inquired. There were five treasures and four winners; logically, the first to choose should be the one who has completed the Foundation Establishment stage, and so on. ¡°What about first place?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°You just need to win the mid-stage Foundation Establishment competition. Your achievements will allow you to choose first, and no one can stop you,¡± Ku Wuchang replied. ¡°And fifth place?¡± Jiang Hao asked again. ¡°Being in the top three of the mid-stage Foundation Establishment is enough,¡± Ku Wuchang paused before continuing, ¡°There are thirteen competitors in total, you just need to win three matches.¡± Chapter 77 - Isn’t Beating Jiang Hao a Sure Win? Chapter 77: Isn¡¯t Beating Jiang Hao a Sure Win? Because Duanqing Cliff had two disciples in the top ten of achievements, they had two spots. Each realm had two spots. This increased the chances of winning, and even without a victory, there would be some benefits. Thirteen would be narrowed down to seven, then seven to four. With some luck, one could get two byes, and then from four to two, the third place would be chosen. Logically, the seed was the least useful, but its cultivation effects might still be valued by others. After all, they didn¡¯t know the seed was about to wither. Even if it withered, it could still emit spiritual energy and help one focus and calm the mind. After pondering for a moment, Jiang Hao humbly asked for advice: ¡°Master, how do you think the five items should be ranked?¡± ¡°The Nine Suns Saber first, the robe second, the Nine Suns Detachment Fire Technique, the Tianchen Spirit Technique fourth, and the seed fifth,¡± Ku Wuchang answered expressionlessly. The Tianchen Spirit Technique only fourth? Jiang Hao felt puzzled. Ku Wuchang continued: ¡°The Nine Suns Saber is self-explanatory; it¡¯s powerful enough. The robe is not only useful during the Foundation Establishment phase but also during the Golden Core and can barely be used in the Nascent Soul stage, which shows its value. Although the Tianchen Spirit Technique is remarkable, it¡¯s extremely difficult to cultivate and not as strong and fast as the Nine Suns Fiery Scripture.¡± ¡°As for the seed, its value lies in its mysterious properties. No one knows what kind of seed it is. However, I¡¯ve observed it for a moment, and its vitality is nearly exhausted, and the spiritual energy won¡¯t last many years. It¡¯s quite useful for Qi Refining practitioners, somewhat ordinary for Foundation Establishment, and useless for Golden Core.¡± With that understanding, Jiang Hao bowed his head and thanked his master for the clarification. He then asked for a movement technique to prepare for the upcoming competition. Normally, disciples would have to compete against each other to be chosen as the strongest. Jiang Hao was different; with his achievements, he was directly qualified for the competition. ¡°Demon Sound Thousand Li, it¡¯s part of the same series as Demon Sound Slash seems much easier to learn.¡± Taking the book, Jiang Hao left his Master¡¯s residence. Just like the last time, he received the transmission once and then studied on his own. There was no special treatment. He could understand why. He must learn Demon Sound Thousand Li; this way, he would be more at ease during the competition and not be forced to win quickly. He could delay the opponent¡¯s defeat. ...... The next day. Duanqing Cliff started to buzz with activity as they prepared to set up a platform to select the competing disciples. Aside from the mid-stage Foundation Establishment, there were two people for the other stages. Jiang Hao also showed some interest in this; he wanted to see the strength of these people so he could have an idea of when he would encounter similar cultivations in the future. Seven days later. Jiang Hao left the platform of the late-stage Golden Core. He felt that these Senior Brothers and Sisters hadn¡¯t given their all. Although the ten late-stagers each had different strengths, with the seven forms of the Heavenly Saber and the Primordial Heaven Blade, it seemed he could defeat them. Taking a deep breath, Jiang Hao suppressed the disdain in his heart, knowing that it could lead to blindness. Power can lead to loss of self. ...... During the night. Jiang Hao raced through the forest at an extremely fast pace, with a faint rumbling sound following his movement. However, a white shadow passed by him, quickly disappearing into the distance. ¡°After breaking through to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, its speed has increased a lot,¡± Jiang Hao remarked as he watched the white shadow vanish. The white shadow was naturally the mythical beast, the rabbit. In the past few days, it had broken through to the mid-stage and was nagging to change its collar. Jiang Hao ignored it; mid-stage collars were too expensive, and he didn¡¯t have that many spirit stones right now. That would have to wait. Logically, after receiving a large sum of spirit stones from Senior Brother Mu Qi, he should have been considered wealthy, but he was still exceptionally poor. However, he had many spiritual medicines, which were difficult to sell, and almost all of them were given to the rabbit. ¡°I¡¯ve managed to learn the Demon Sound Thousand Li; next, I need to start making talismans.¡± If the opponent is too strong, I can use the Hundred Thousand Swords Talisman to counter them. But during these days, I also need to continue to comprehend the first and second forms of the Heavenly Saber, in addition to spending time controlling the consumption of my divine powers. ...... Three weeks later, on the eve of the competition. Han Ming came looking for him. ¡°Senior Brother Jiang, we might face each other again, it would be good to exchange a few moves with Senior Brother,¡± he said confidently before turning and leaving. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He must think he¡¯s quite capable. This time at Duanqing Cliff¡¯s mid-stage Foundation Establishment, he had outperformed everyone and made it into the top twelve of the main veins. ¡°It makes sense, with the care of the Spirit of Mountains and Rivers, a powerful inheritance, and being a true disciple, it¡¯s not impossible for his strength to have increased significantly during this period,¡± Jiang Hao muttered to himself. Sitting in the courtyard, he took out the Half-Moon Blade No. 2 and began to maintain it. The blade was black with a white edge, almost identical in length to the Primordial Heavenly Saber, perfectly balanced, and the craftsmanship was exceptional. It was definitely made by a master. With the Half-Moon Blade No. 2, the Demon Sound Thousand Li, and fifty Hundred Thousand Swords Talismans, winning the competition shouldn¡¯t be difficult. But... The opponent might not necessarily be poor. ...... The next day. Jiang Hao woke up from his meditation, watered the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower with a bowl of water, and then stepped outside. The rabbit followed at his side: ¡°Master, why don¡¯t you take me with you?¡± ¡°Take you for what?¡± Jiang Hao asked, looking down. ¡°I, Lord Rabbit, am incredibly fast. People on the road knows I¡¯m like a dragon seen in the head but not the tail. When Master¡¯s opponent appears, I¡¯ll strike first and severely injure them, then Master can follow up and win. With Lord Rabbit by your side, Master is sure to win,¡± the rabbit assured, thumping its chest. Jiang Hao listened quietly, then instructed: ¡°The Spiritual Medicine Garden is in your care.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± the rabbit replied instinctively. The competition was held in the central square of Tianyin Sect, where there were many arenas. There were separate areas for Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul stages. Jiang Hao arrived at the Foundation Establishment area and checked the competition list. There were thirteen people in each stage, and the one with a bye in the mid-stage Foundation Establishment was... Duanqing Cliff¡¯s Han Ming? ¡°He really is lucky to be favored by the Spirit of Mountains and Rivers,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head indifferently, then saw that he was matched against Leihuo Peak¡¯s Xin Yuyue. The name sounded familiar, and after pondering for a moment, he remembered that she was the Senior Sister who had entered the Demon Cavern with him. He hadn¡¯t expected her to have reached the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment as well. After confirming that it was the third arena, he headed straight there. On the other side, Leihuo Peak¡¯s Xin Yuyue confidently came to check the competition list. Although she had only recently advanced to the mid-stage, the battle with Tianqing Mountain had brought her many benefits, and she had obtained many treasures. She had the Red Phosphorus Sword in her hand, the Moon Frost Treasure Garment on her body, and many talismans. With her techniques and movement skills, she could stack her abilities to ensure victory. She wasn¡¯t greedy; she just wanted the Tianchen Spirit Technique. ¡°With Junior Sister¡¯s recent opportunities, winning shouldn¡¯t be difficult,¡± a Senior Brother next to her said with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s just good luck,¡± Xin Yuyue modestly replied. Soon they saw the competition list. Xin Yuyue¡¯s eyes first went to the bye, but unfortunately, it wasn¡¯t her. Then, at the third arena, she saw her name, and her opponent was... Duanqing Cliff¡¯s Jiang Hao. The moment this name entered her sight, Xin Yuyue was stunned. She found it hard to believe. Wasn¡¯t he at the early stage of Foundation Establishment? How did he end up in the mid-stage? For a moment, her spirits dropped. Not only was winning out of the question, but she was also likely to lose her first battle. Although there was no evidence, she and Zheng Shijiu from Bingyue Valley had assumed this person was exceptionally talented. ¡°Jiang Hao? Junior Sister is really lucky to encounter someone who only picks up opportunities. I heard he has neither consolidated his cultivation nor has any real combat experience. Congratulations, Junior Sister.¡± The envious and congratulatory voices around Xin Yuyue sounded piercing to her. But biting her lip, she still wanted to give it her all. The Tianchen Spirit Technique was too important to her. Perhaps, she could win? Chapter 78 - One Strike to Determine the Victor Chapter 78: One Strike to Determine the Victor On the arena, Jiang Hao quietly waited. There weren¡¯t many spectators around. He wasn¡¯t a celebrity, and neither was Xin Yuyue from Leihuo Peak, so there were very few spectators. Many people went to watch the battles of the stronger fighters. If it were Jiang Hao himself, he would do the same. There wasn¡¯t much need to watch unless it was a battle between famous people in the Foundation Establishment stage. After a short wait, a woman approached from the opposite side. She had her hair tied in a single ponytail, with a resolute look in her eyes. It was as if she was prepared to fight to the death. She¡¯s so spirited... Jiang Hao felt surprised with a lowered gaze. Without thinking, he knew that among those five items, there was one that the other party desperately wanted. Unfortunately, he also wanted one, so he would have to disappoint someone else. ¡°Senior Sister Xin,¡± Jiang Hao greeted proactively. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect Junior Brother to advance so quickly,¡± Xin Yuyue said with a hint of bitterness. She came full of confidence, only to face the person she least wanted to encounter. In the Demon Cavern, it was this person before her that made her feel fear. ¡°Pure luck,¡± Jiang Hao said modestly. At that moment, Jiang Hao heard someone below cheering for Xin Yuyue, seemingly saying to defeat him with a thunderous method. He naturally didn¡¯t mind. Then, a Golden Core Senior Brother arrived at the arena and spoke seriously: ¡°State your names.¡± ¡°Leihuo Peak¡¯s Xin Yuyue,¡± Xin Yuyue said respectfully. Jiang Hao did the same: ¡°Duanqing Cliff¡¯s Jiang Hao.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s begin,¡± said the Senior Brother before stepping down. In an instant, Jiang Hao felt a spiritual sword piercing through the air towards him. Clang! The Half-Moon was unsheathed, blocking the attack. Without any gap, the opponent attacked again from the side. Jiang Hao naturally defended quickly. But the opponent didn¡¯t stop the rapid attacks, their speed increasing, and their movements indicated they were no simple matter. For a moment, there was a flurry of blade and sword shadows, with Jiang Hao only defending and not attacking. He stood in place, not moving, or rather, the opponent didn¡¯t give him the chance to move. A rumbling sound erupted. Jiang Hao felt the gathering of spiritual energy; the opponent was casting the Lightning Drawing Sword while attacking. Because of the Nameless Secret Manual, he could control the power of his body well and sense the fluctuations of spiritual energy around him. It was a peculiar feeling, not needing to be on guard yet able to react the instant the opponent attacked as if he was always on alert. Moreover, he could discern the strength of the opponent¡¯s attacks and counter them. However, Xin Yuyue felt the struggle. Facing Jiang Hao, who didn¡¯t even need to move, she used all her strength, and at that moment, she felt the person before her was a monster. He was like an immovable rock, no matter how hard she tried. But since the opponent didn¡¯t have time to attack, it also gave her time. With a thunderous roar, the lightning was summoned. Jiang Hao saw Xin Yuyue¡¯s sword slash coming, and he didn¡¯t hold back. Blade raised, Demon Sound Slash. The demonic sound rolled. The blade cut through Xin Yuyue¡¯s spiritual sword, the blade fell, the sword broke, and the slash continued toward the sword wielder. Boom! The blade landed beside Xin Yuyue¡¯s cheek, sweeping across the ground behind her. After the sound, a blade mark was left on the arena. With a clang, the tip of the sword fell to the ground. Xin Yuyue, holding the broken sword, had a look of shock on her face. She took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Jiang Hao. Jiang Hao returned the gesture and spoke softly: ¡°Senior Sister concedes.¡± Xin Yuyue just bowed her head a bit lower, then turned and left. Those who came with Xin Yuyue saw the Senior Sister leave and immediately followed. At this time, the Golden Core Senior Brother returned to the arena and announced. ¡°Duanqing Cliff¡¯s Jiang Hao wins.¡± Saying so, he took another look at Jiang Hao, surprised at the solid foundation of this person. After exchanging courtesies with the Senior Brother, Jiang Hao turned and left. The next match would wait until the afternoon. After the top four were decided, the top two would emerge tomorrow, the third place would be contested the day after, and the winner would be determined the day after that. Jiang Hao carefully calculated that there were three more matches to fight. He couldn¡¯t win too obviously in the following matches. Senior Sister Xin was able to win from their sect, luck must have played a part. She might be not much different from Han Ming. ¡°Thank you for going easy, Senior Brother.¡± ¡°You¡¯re too kind; it was just luck,¡± a familiar voice suddenly came from the road. Jiang Hao turned his head and realized he was passing by Han Ming¡¯s arena; he had also won his match. Taking a closer look at Han Ming, he found that this Junior Brother had made significant progress after going out. He should be stronger than Senior Sister Xin. Afterwards, he stopped paying attention and returned to the Spiritual Medicine Garden to collect bubbles. ¡¾CVital Energy+1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit+1¡¿ ¡¾Strength+1¡¿ ¡¾Endurance+1¡¿ Feeling the subtle changes in his body, Jiang Hao was somewhat pleased. Although these changes were not obvious, their impact would grow over time. So far, the most significant impact had been on his spirit. His mental strength was much greater than his peers at the same stage, and he could even catch up with those in the late Golden Core stage. He then began to take care of the spiritual medicines, which were the foundation of his strength and could not be neglected. ¡°Did Senior Brother suffer a loss in the competition?¡± Cheng Chou cautiously approached Jiang Hao and asked. ¡°Not at all,¡± Jiang Hao replied. ¡°Then shouldn¡¯t Senior Brother rest for a bit and wait for the afternoon match?¡± Cheng Chou asked curiously. ¡°No need, there are some things here you guys can¡¯t handle, so I¡¯ll take care of them,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. Seeing this, Cheng Chou didn¡¯t dare to say more and busied himself with other tasks. Jiang Hao was good to the people of the Spiritual Medicine Garden, or rather, not being bad was already being very good. Therefore, they all hoped that Jiang Hao would do well so that they wouldn¡¯t have to return to their previous lives. As for the little thoughts of the people from the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t think about them or care. He wouldn¡¯t blame these people without reason, but if someone did something wrong, he wouldn¡¯t be overly lenient. As of now, these people were all doing very well. With a whoosh, a rabbit darted out from the side. ¡°Master, I¡¯ve noticed something odd about the spiritual field,¡± the rabbit said, shaking the dust off its fur. Jiang Hao¡¯s expression changed, and he asked, ¡°Where?¡± After a short while, Jiang Hao was led to a corner of the spiritual field, where he observed that the nutrients in the soil had become diluted. It wasn¡¯t a natural dispersion and disappearance; it seemed as if something was accelerating the process. ¡°Have Cheng Chou investigate what was previously planted in this spiritual field,¡± Jiang Hao instructed. If the spiritual medicine planted was of good quality, it would absorb the nutrients from the soil and the surrounding spiritual energy before maturing. While Cheng Chou was investigating, Jiang Hao returned to the central square. He saw his position and name for the second match. ¡°Platform one, the opponent is Zhou Chan from Baiyue Lake.¡± ¡°Zhou Chan, Senior Sister Zhou?¡± If it was the Senior Sister Zhou he knew, Jiang Hao found it hard to believe that she was so strong, being the strongest in the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment at Baiyue Lake. When he arrived at platform one, he saw that Senior Sister Zhou was already in position. ¡°Is it really you, Junior Brother Jiang? I thought it was someone with the same name. The last time we met, you were at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, and now you¡¯re in the mid-stage,¡± Zhou Chan greeted him with a smile. Jiang Hao nodded slightly and replied politely: ¡°I was lucky enough to advance, but Senior Sister Zhou is truly formidable. I¡¯ve heard that Baiyue Lake is full of geniuses, and I never imagined that Senior Sister would be the strongest in the mid-stage.¡± Zhou Chan laughed awkwardly. ¡°Actually, there are very few people in Baiyue Lake, and I¡¯m the only one in the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.¡± ¡°Is... is that so,¡± Jiang Hao said, feeling a bit embarrassed. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°The two of you, please register,¡± the Golden Core Senior Brother from the morning appeared once again. Chapter 79 - Once the momentum starts, she will rise like a fish leaping over the dragon gate Chapter 79: Once the momentum starts, she will rise like a fish leaping over the dragon gate After registering their names, red ribbons appeared around Zhou Chan. She briefly introduced the red ribbons and said. ¡°The red ribbons are strong in attack, fast in speed, and not weak in defense. Junior Brother, if you can¡¯t match up, don¡¯t force yourself.¡± With that, she waved her hand and began to attack. With a whoosh, the attack reached him in an instant. Clang. The Half-Moon blocked the attack, but Jiang Hao, who was holding the blade, was pushed back, the power of the red ribbons was quite strong. It was completely different from Senior Sister Xin¡¯s, worthy of someone from Baiyue Lake. As the thought crossed his mind, the red ribbon attacked again. Demon Sound Thousand Li revolved, and the Half-Moon swung to counter. The red ribbons attacked swiftly like red light, and while Jiang Hao dodged, he also used Demon Sound Slash to attack the opponent. However, each attack was narrowly avoided, not missing by a hair. Senior Sister Zhou was very strong, and it seemed she wasn¡¯t far from the late stage... Jiang Hao made a judgment in his heart. He couldn¡¯t continue to be passive like this unless he dragged it out until the opponent was exhausted. But this magical treasure was quite formidable, and it would take a lot of time to exhaust its power. In an instant, Jiang Hao began to attack proactively. Demon Sound Thousand Li ran wildly, and Demon Sound Slash always managed to strike in the opponent¡¯s gaps. The demon sound rolled, breaking the offensive of the red ribbons. At this moment, Jiang Hao realized that Senior Sister Zhou lacked experience in combat, and although he also lacked experience, the Nameless Secret Manual had given him a great deal of help. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After dodging the red ribbons¡¯ attacks twice, he was already behind Senior Sister Zhou, with the Half-Moon resting on her shoulder. Seeing this, Zhou Chan put down the red ribbons. Although she had a magical garment for defense, she felt she wouldn¡¯t be able to hold on for much longer. ¡°I¡¯ve lost.¡± ¡°Senior Sister, thank you for going easy.¡± Jiang Hao said politely. Zhou Chan didn¡¯t mind the defeat and greeted Jiang Hao before returning to continue her duties. ¡°Senior Sister Zhou is quite familiar, but she seems nice.¡± Out of curiosity, he appraised Senior Sister Zhou. ¡¾Zhou Chan: Baiyue Lake inner disciple, superior talent, pure-hearted with good intentions, able to sense malice in her surroundings. Once the momentum starts, she will rise like a fish leaping over the dragon gate.¡¿ Can you perceive malice? Looking at the appraisal results, Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. Recalling how his every attack had been narrowly avoided just now, he began to understand. He had thought that Senior Sister Zhou Chan might have practiced something similar to the Nameless Secret Manual or had some personal perception training. Now it seemed that it wasn¡¯t that kind of ability, but rather a sense of malice. ¡°Was it because I only wanted to place the blade at her throat at the end, so she didn¡¯t notice it?¡± The more he thought about it, the more Jiang Hao felt this was the case. However, the last few words also caught his attention. ¡°Once the momentum starts, she will rise like a fish leaping over the dragon gate... I wonder what it takes to get that momentum going.¡± Shaking his head, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t dwell on these thoughts. Someone like Senior Sister Zhou should go to the Haotian Sect. It might be the best for her. Staying in the Demon Sect, it¡¯s uncertain whether she would have the chance to rise. Leaving the square, Jiang Hao saw some disciples of the Demon Sect in conflict, all with unpleasant expressions on their faces. Looking at these people, Jiang Hao felt that Senior Sister Zhou Chan staying in the Demon Sect might not necessarily be a bad thing. Because in the immortal sects there are hypocrites, while in the Demon Sect, it¡¯s clear that everyone is truly wicked, which is better. There wouldn¡¯t be too much psychological pressure. On the way back, Jiang Hao encountered Han Ming. His face was full of smiles, and he was in a good mood. ¡°Senior Brother Jiang, I made it to the top four,¡± he said with a big smile as he approached Jiang Hao. Jiang Hao glanced at him and replied calmly: ¡°Congratulations, Junior Brother.¡± ¡°Did Senior Brother Jiang make it?¡± Han Ming asked with some concern. ¡°Mhm, I did,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. Hearing this, Han Ming didn¡¯t show disappointment; instead, he seemed to be deep in thought. Wondering what he was pondering. When they reached Duanqing Cliff, their paths diverged, and Han Ming headed towards his own residence. Along the way, he encountered some inner sect Senior Brothers and Sisters. ¡°Han Junior Brother, did you make it to the top four?¡± a Senior Sister asked. Han Ming nodded slightly and replied in a calm and casual manner. ¡°Yes, I did.¡± ¡°Junior Brother Han has just entered the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment not long ago, yet he managed to fight his way into the top four. His future is boundless,¡± the Senior Sister said admiringly. Hearing this, Han Ming smiled again, accepting the praise graciously. Back at his residence, Jiang Hao was contemplating the Nameless Secret Manual. Although recent appraisals hadn¡¯t shown significant fluctuations, delving deeper into the manual was never a mistake, as it might lead to deeper insights. Besides the Nameless Secret Manual, he also wanted to understand the third form of the Heavenly Saber, but unfortunately, he was unable to comprehend it at the moment. His cultivation at the mid-stage of Golden Core was not sufficient to learn the third form. After contemplating until midnight, he began practicing to recover from the fatigue of using divine abilities. Each session of contemplation required him to activate Clear Heart and Pure Mind, which was quite draining. Divine abilities had many unimaginable uses, but he was still one purple bubble short. Otherwise, he could have an additional divine ability. ...... The next day. After collecting the bubbles from the yard and the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao went to the square to check the list and locations. ¡°Second arena, Duanqing Cliff¡¯s Han Ming?¡± The moment he saw this, Jiang Hao found it quite interesting, wondering how Junior Brother Han felt. After waiting a long time at the second arena, Han Ming arrived. He looked in good spirits, not at all discouraged. Right off the bat, he declared. ¡°I know it¡¯s going to be tough to win against Senior Brother, but I won¡¯t give up.¡± ¡°Register your names,¡± said the Golden Core Senior Brother from the day before, appearing again. He gave Jiang Hao an extra look as if he saw potential in him. After registering their names, Han Ming wielded his sword and cast spells, with thunder spreading around him. Then, like a bolt of lightning, he charged at Jiang Hao. Clang! Sword and saber clashed, and Jiang Hao was pushed back a bit. Surprised, Han Ming had grown much stronger, and there was another force swirling in his sword. ¡®An inheritance of a great power?¡¯ Jiang Hao immediately guessed and wasn¡¯t worried. Instead, he began to attack. The two exchanged blows with sword and saber, with thunder spreading around them at times and demonic sounds rolling. After a tug of war, Han Ming used his strongest move, a sword of thunder slashing out. Faced with such a powerful attack, Jiang Hao could only pretend to be defeated and avoid the sharp edge. Then he stepped closer to Han Ming, placing the saber in front of his brow. Han Ming couldn¡¯t react in time, or rather, he didn¡¯t understand how Jiang Hao had escaped from under his sword. For a moment, he thought he could win. Unfortunately, it was just an illusion, but he had already guessed the outcome. Given some more time, Senior Brother Jiang would surely become his defeated opponent. ¡°I lost,¡± he said, sheathing his sword calmly. ¡°Junior Brother has given me face,¡± Jiang Hao also sheathed his saber. Some people around were watching the fight, but not many were surprised. Especially since Jiang Hao was still the Senior Brother, those familiar with Duanqing Cliff and Han Ming felt it was a pity. It should have been him who won. Afterward, he didn¡¯t rush back but watched other Senior Brothers¡¯ matches. The battles between Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators were eye-opening, with the power of their spells being vast and mighty. He wondered if he would ever be able to break through such spells in the future. However, he committed all these techniques to memory, so that he would have some experience to draw upon if he ever faced them in the future. The next day, he continued to watch the battles. He observed those at the later stages of Golden Core and those who had reached perfection. He watched fewer Nascent Soul battles because they were still far beyond his reach. The main issue was the lack of time; the fights were over too quickly. And with everyone starting their battles simultaneously, being able to watch even two matches in a day was quite good. On the third day, Jiang Hao once again appeared in the square. Today was the day of the championship matches. Chapter 80 - Junior Brother Is Too Modest Chapter 80: Junior Brother Is Too Modest ¡°On the second platform, Ning Wanping from the Enforcement Peak.¡± It was someone from the Enforcement Peak, which surprised Jiang Hao a bit. However, there are many types within the Enforcement Peak, so there¡¯s no need to worry about offending anyone. There aren¡¯t many people he has offended in the sect, except for the Tianhuan Pavilion, which looms over him like a mountain. It¡¯s said that they still haven¡¯t found a new charming body cauldron. If this continues, they might come to suppress him and vent their anger from time to time. After a short while, he arrived at the second platform. Today, there were four platforms in total. The Foundation Establishment realm was being contested simultaneously. After it ended, one could choose a treasure. Tomorrow would be the Golden Core realm, and the day after, the Nascent Soul realm. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The treasures would be distributed based on the results of the same day. Just as his thoughts settled, a young man in black arrived on the platform. His eyes and brows carried a cold indifference. It was as if he didn¡¯t take anyone seriously. Upon closer observation, Jiang Hao sensed that the opponent was indeed in the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment but very strong. Moreover, when his spirit was released, it carried a bone-chilling coldness. This person was extraordinary. Thinking about it, how could anyone who made it this far be ordinary? Han Ming, who possessed the inheritance of a great power and was favored by the Spirit of Mountains and Rivers, didn¡¯t even make it to the top three. Although he wasn¡¯t given time to grow, that was quite an achievement. Losing only meant that there were plenty of excellent people. ¡°State your name,¡± said the same Golden Core Senior Brother. Jiang Hao was curious as to why he always seemed to encounter him. Don¡¯t the other places switch referees often? ¡°Enforcement Peak¡¯s Ning Wanping,¡± Ning Wanping said expressionlessly. ¡°Duanqing Cliff¡¯s Jiang Hao,¡± Jiang Hao replied politely. After the start, the opponent didn¡¯t rush to attack. Seeing this, Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t in a hurry either and stood his ground. Soon he realized that the opponent was building momentum, similar to when he swung his Heavenly Saber for the second form, which also required momentum. Whoosh~ A breeze blew, and the opponent¡¯s momentum surged towards Jiang Hao. In response, Jiang Hao stood with his saber, countering the opponent¡¯s momentum with his saber intent. The two stood there, the opponent¡¯s momentum growing stronger, while Jiang Hao¡¯s saber intent was equally formidable. At this point, some of the spectators below found it boring. ¡°It¡¯s Enforcement Peak¡¯s Ning Senior Brother again. Every time I watch his matches, I don¡¯t understand. He just stands there and then wins.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that the truth? How long do you think this Duanqing Cliff¡¯s Senior Brother can last?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, let¡¯s go somewhere else to watch. Haven¡¯t you noticed there aren¡¯t many people here? It¡¯s because they saw it was Enforcement Peak¡¯s Ning Senior Brother and went to other places.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± A few people agreed to leave. But just as they turned to leave, suddenly a rumbling sound erupted, and power vibrated non-stop, startling everyone to immediately turn back to look. When they turned around, they were shocked to find that Ning Wanping from the Enforcement Peak was kneeling on one knee, holding a broken sword and refusing to fall. Pfft~ He spat out a mouthful of blood, his body trembling. ¡°What, what happened?¡± They were shocked to find that they had missed the most exciting part in just a turn of their heads. For a moment, the crowd angrily turned towards the fellow disciple who had suggested leaving. It was his fault they missed the crucial moment. How did Senior Brother Ning lose? And how did the other side win? Jiang Hao sighed inwardly; the opponent¡¯s momentum forced him to end the match early, as dragging it out could reveal his cultivation level. That¡¯s just how the opponent¡¯s momentum was; victory or defeat was decided in an instant. At that moment, they each made three moves. The opponent with three swords, Jiang Hao with three sabers. Each slash was a Moon Slash. The first slash was too much for the opponent, the second broke his sword, and Jiang Hao held back on the third. Otherwise, the opponent would have surely died. ¡°Thank you!¡± Ning Wanping understood the situation clearly. His momentum had built up; it was either victory or death. That he was still alive was entirely because the other had held back at the last moment, otherwise, he would be a corpse now. He would definitely remember this favor. Afterward, Jiang Hao looked towards the referee Senior Brother, who appeared to be in his late twenties with a bit of stubble. He didn¡¯t look particularly handsome, but he had a certain style. A rather steady appearance. ¡°Junior Brother, when do you plan to choose your treasure?¡± Zhan Lie asked with a smile. Watching Jiang Hao win all the way here, he could only say that this Junior Brother was too modest. Solid foundation, extraordinary magical treasures in hand, and just now, his saber technique was exceptional. Although there was a lot of luck involved in his high achievements, it must be somewhat related to his strength. ¡°Can we do it now?¡± Jiang Hao thought he had to wait until everyone was finished. He had finished relatively quickly on his end. ¡°Um, others have to wait, but Junior Brother, you don¡¯t have to. You have priority as the victor,¡± Zhan Lie responded. Under his guidance, Jiang Hao arrived at the display stand. ¡°You can choose now.¡± Zhan Lie opened a gap for Jiang Hao to enter. After circling the display stand with feigned hesitation, Jiang Hao eventually chose the last item. The box contained seeds. After closing the box, he took it and stepped back. ¡°Are you sure you want to choose this?¡± Zhan Lie couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Choosing something else might be better. These are rewards from the sect, and even if others have ideas, they would have to think twice. It wouldn¡¯t bring about trouble.¡± He seemed to see through Jiang Hao as he advised. After thanking him, Jiang Hao said, ¡°This is fine; it might be the most suitable for me.¡± What he wanted was this seed, which seemed to be the most useful. Everything else was temporary and couldn¡¯t compare to the seed. Zhan Lie had no more to say. Finally, Jiang Hao turned and left, heading back to Duanqing Cliff. He needed to plant the seed next to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower to nourish it for seven days before moving it to a more spacious place. It would cost quite a few spirit stones. These things really did add complications to his life. Watching Jiang Hao leave, Zhan Lie couldn¡¯t help but remark that the others were really lucky. The least useful item had been taken, and by the first person to choose, no less. The second person must be thrilled. He didn¡¯t pay it much mind; it was just each person¡¯s choice. Maybe this way, he could live a little longer? Who knows? ...... ¡°Alright, just wait seven days.¡± Jiang Hao patted the soil and then stood up to leave the courtyard. It was still early, so he planned to tend to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. He needed to collect spirit bubbles tomorrow; otherwise, there would be too few. Nowadays, accumulating cultivation was already slow; he couldn¡¯t afford further delays. Arriving at the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao saw Cheng Chou and others looking worried. ¡°Is something wrong?¡± he asked. A few days ago, he had asked Cheng Chou to check on that spiritual field, and it seemed there were results. Seeing Jiang Hao, Cheng Chou, as if finding his backbone, hurriedly said, ¡°Senior Brother Jiang, we found out that the spiritual field was affected by the Bone Flowers from the Hundred Bones Forest.¡± ¡°Why do you say that?¡± Jiang Hao inquired. He had encountered the Bone Flowers of the Hundred Bones Forest many times and hadn¡¯t found any issues. ¡°This morning, Lord Rabbit discovered a problem with the second spiritual field. After investigating, the only commonality was that both had been planted with Bone Flowers. We then checked the other Bone Flowers and found that the nutrients in the spiritual fields were depleting. It was hard to notice without a close look,¡± Cheng Chou explained. ¡°Take me to see it.¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t hesitate. He was in charge of most things in the spiritual field, and if problems kept arising, especially due to the spiritual medicines he was fostering, it would be his fault. Not doing his job well would have a significant impact on him. Chapter 81 - Bullying the Honest Person Chapter 81: Bullying the Honest Person When they arrived, the rabbit was standing on the spiritual field, sniffing something. Upon seeing Jiang Hao approach, it immediately said, ¡°Master, this field is just like the last one.¡± With a slight nod, Jiang Hao bent down to examine it. The nutrients in the spiritual field were severely lacking; if left as is, it would take a year or two to recover. ¡°Let¡¯s look at the Bone Flower.¡± The rabbit led the way; it was familiar with the area. Jiang Hao was also familiar, but he didn¡¯t know which Bone Flower showed these signs. After a short while, he stood before a white Bone Flower, its branches, leaves, and petals all white. Like white bones standing tall. It was a medicinal material needed for body refining, capable of strengthening bones. It was also an important spiritual medicine for a technique of the Hundred Bones Forest. Because there wasn¡¯t enough space in the spiritual field, they would ask other spiritual fields to plant it. This happened every year without issues, but this time something was amiss. After an inspection, he understood that indeed, the flower was causing the problem. ¡°Appraisal.¡± Jiang Hao silently activated his divine ability. ¡¾Mutated Bone Flower: The mutated Bone Flower has lost all the characteristics of a Bone Flower, leaving only its ruthless absorption of surrounding nutrients. It is the work of Bai Ye, designed to trouble the caretakers of the Spiritual Medicine Garden, to profit from it, and incidentally gather nutrients.¡¿ Bai Ye? To trouble the caretakers of the Spiritual Medicine Garden for profit? Reading this, Jiang Hao felt somewhat helpless. Even hiding here, he couldn¡¯t escape these things. However, he had never heard of Bai Ye. The disciple of the Hundred Bones Forest who handed over duties to him was not called Bai Ye. ¡°How many more Bone Flowers are there?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°There are five more spiritual fields, with about five hundred plants in total,¡± Cheng Chou quickly replied. Bone flowers aren¡¯t valuable, but five hundred of them are still worth a considerable number of spirit stones. ¡°Go inform the people of the Hundred Bones Forest to come here and tell them there¡¯s a problem with the bone flowers,¡± Jiang Hao tried to resolve the issue normally. ¡°Yes,¡± Cheng Chou dared not hesitate. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After Cheng Chou left, Jiang Hao went to the market. He sold twelve of his Hundred Thousand Swords Talismans and obtained three hundred spirit stones. The effects of the attack on Tianqing Mountain had passed, and many prices had returned to normal. In fact, due to the excessive consumption before, prices were falling. Now, Jiang Hao had six hundred spirit stones and wondered if that would be enough to deal with the bone flower issue. He visited the Spiritual Medicine Garden again, and not seeing Cheng Chou return, he went back to his residence. It was fine for people to come to him if there was an issue. Especially to inform Cheng Chou. However, by the next day, Jiang Hao still hadn¡¯t seen Cheng Chou. He spent the whole night sharpening his saber. After watering the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, he went to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. ¡°Senior Brother Jiang...¡± Cheng Chou said with a low brow and some guilt. ¡°I went to find the people from the Hundred Bones Forest yesterday. They said they were too busy and that even if it was a major issue, it would have to wait five more days.¡± Jiang Hao lowered his eyelids, knowing that the other party was deliberately stalling. ¡°By the way, when I went yesterday, I found that other Spiritual Medicine Gardens were also having similar issues,¡± Cheng Chou reminded. Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. Weren¡¯t they afraid of bringing disaster upon themselves? But then he thought that he hadn¡¯t planned to inform his Master either, as accountability would be a troublesome matter. It might be better to press down on the issue for now and see if a solution could be found. The spiritual field wasn¡¯t beyond repair; it just required some cost. ¡®It seems the Hundred Bones Forest is only so fearless because they see the guardians of the Spiritual Medicine Garden as weak,¡¯ Jiang Hao mused silently, then instructed Cheng Chou. ¡°First, transplant the bone flowers out and keep them away from the spiritual field.¡± ¡°Okay, okay,¡± Cheng Chou immediately nodded. Whatever Jiang Hao said, he had to do. He also bore some responsibility for this negligence. Since they had to wait five days, Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t in a hurry and decided to wait patiently. However, five days passed, and the other party still hadn¡¯t come. ¡°They said they are still busy and need to wait another five days,¡± Cheng Chou said with his head down. ¡°The other Spiritual Medicine Gardens?¡± Jiang Hao asked curiously. ¡°They seem very anxious, and they haven¡¯t transplanted the bone flowers out,¡± Cheng Chou thought for a moment and said. ¡°They¡¯re probably worried that there will be problems with the bone flowers and needing... needing compensation.¡± By now, the bone flowers they had transplanted were almost withered. This was their responsibility, and disputes were bound to follow. But this was Jiang Hao¡¯s order, and he could only obey. Whether it was good or bad, he couldn¡¯t tell. They didn¡¯t transplant theirs out, probably thinking there was still room for negotiation... Jiang Hao felt that the more honest you were in the Demon Sect, the easier it was to be bullied. Well, those people were also bullies who feared the tough. Baiyue Lake also had spiritual medicine fields; would the Hundred Bones Forest dare to plant mutant bone flowers there? They wouldn¡¯t dare even if they had a hundred times the courage. Senior Sister Zhou Chan, who often guarded the gate, had top-notch talent. In other places, she would be a true disciple. It was only someone like himself, with above-average talent but not highly valued, who was easy to bully. ¡°Then let¡¯s just keep waiting,¡± Jiang Hao said. The bone flowers had already been transplanted out; there was nothing to wait for. It was just a matter of them withering quickly. After another five days, they probably wouldn¡¯t delay any longer. Continuing to delay would exceed the guardians¡¯ limits, and they wouldn¡¯t compromise. By then, it wouldn¡¯t be something that could be resolved privately. It wouldn¡¯t be good for anyone. Naturally, Jiang Hao was prepared to compensate, as there was no need to worry about whether the flowers withered. Ordinarily, normal bone flowers wouldn¡¯t wither so easily; these mutant bone flowers were withering because they lacked nutrients to absorb. He had also observed and hadn¡¯t found a way to extract nutrients. Jiang Hao¡¯s calmness reassured Cheng Chou a lot. The other Spiritual Medicine Gardens were already panicking, but their side was acting as if nothing was wrong. Jiang Hao let the rabbit continue to observe the Spiritual Medicine Gardens while he started to take care of his own affairs. After finishing, he didn¡¯t idle around but made a round to ensure there were no other problems. Through this incident, he couldn¡¯t help but lament that he had to guard not only against spies but also against some trouble-seeking fellow disciples. Two days later, Jiang Hao planted the peach seeds next to the wooden table and surrounded them with ninety-nine spirit stones. Only then did he start watering them. ¡°Nine more days to wait.¡± In nine days, they could take root and sprout, and then bubbles would appear. It was impossible for them to be purple-gold, and gold would also be difficult. After all, they weren¡¯t divine trees before the nine transformations of nirvana. During these days, aside from selling some talismans, Jiang Hao spent most of his time comprehending the Heavenly Saber Seven Forms. Not the third form, but the first and second. He wanted to make these two forms exert even greater power. Of course, he also spent these days nurturing his saber. Occasionally nurturing the Half-Moon, but more often the Primordial Heavenly Saber verses. He still hadn¡¯t found out about Bai Ye and didn¡¯t dare let anyone investigate, as it could easily lead to trouble. After all, he knew nothing about Bai Ye¡¯s identity. ...... Three more days passed. Jiang Hao finally encountered someone from the Hundred Bones Forest, a late Foundation Establishment Senior Brother. He had a broad forehead and looked to be just over thirty years old. It was Li Kai who often interacted with him. ¡°Junior Brother Jiang, you¡¯re not being very fair,¡± Li Kai said with a low, cold voice as the power of his late Foundation Establishment stage faintly spread around him. ¡°Why would you say that, Senior Brother Li?¡± Jiang Hao asked in response, not confronting the other¡¯s aura. They were in the Spiritual Medicine Garden, and he didn¡¯t want to start a fight or cause a big dispute. ¡°I was only a few days late, and you, in a fit of anger, cleared out our bone flowers?¡± Li Kai questioned. Chapter 82 - Arrival of a New Divine Ability Chapter 82: Arrival of a New Divine Ability Hearing the accusation, Jiang Hao remained calm and simply said, ¡°The bone flowers were problematic and damaged the spiritual field.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a big accusation, Junior Brother. Are you suggesting that we from Hundred Bones Forest want to destroy your spiritual field?¡± Li Kai stared at Jiang Hao with a hostile tone. ¡°Besides, why can the other spiritual fields grow just fine, but yours can¡¯t? Can they all wait for us to come and discuss, but you¡¯re special? Or do you think Hundred Bones Forest has no one left, and you can¡¯t afford to offend Junior Brother?¡± ¡°You say the bone flowers are problematic, but you didn¡¯t mention it when they were delivered or when you took the money. Now that they¡¯re about to mature, suddenly there¡¯s an issue. Is it really the bone flowers that are the problem, or is it you, Junior Brother?¡± Li Kai spoke forcefully, absolving himself of all responsibility. It was as if the fault lay entirely with Duanqing Cliff. Jiang Hao lowered his brows, not wanting to argue. ¡°But I did go to you, and if you hadn¡¯t delayed so long, there wouldn¡¯t have been a problem,¡± Cheng Chou said softly from the side. ¡°Hmph!¡± Li Kai looked coldly at the fearful Cheng Chou. ¡°Just because you from Duanqing Cliff call us, should we come running immediately? If we from Hundred Bones Forest call you, would you drop everything and run over? We entrusted the spiritual medicine to you because we didn¡¯t have time to look after it ourselves. Isn¡¯t it only right that we come a few days late? Is that your reason for destroying our bone flowers? Ridiculous.¡± Jiang Hao waved his hand, sending Cheng Chou off to attend to his own matters, and then he got to the point. ¡°How does Senior Brother Li want to handle this? Now that it¡¯s happened, let¡¯s find a solution.¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s find a solution,¡± Li Kai said, staring at Jiang Hao and beginning to calculate. ¡°A mature bone flower is worth five spirit stones, and you have a total of five hundred plants here, which adds up to two thousand five hundred spirit stones.¡± ¡°Weren¡¯t the bone flowers only three spirit stones each?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°That was before. After the battle at Tianqing Mountain, prices have gone up. You know that, don¡¯t you, Junior Brother?¡± Li Kai said with a smile. ¡°You¡¯re not going to say you don¡¯t have the spirit stones, are you? I¡¯ve heard you¡¯ve made quite a few contributions, so you should be able to afford it.¡± Li Kai was well aware of Jiang Hao¡¯s achievements, having specifically asked some Senior Brothers about it. He concluded that Jiang Hao had no real merit in front of a Nascent Soul and was merely pushed forward by Man Long to take the fall. This way, Xuantian Sect would overlook Man Long and remember Jiang Hao. Man Long would reap the benefits, and Jiang Hao would bear the consequences. So, there was no need to take it seriously. Otherwise, he would have to show some respect. Jiang Hao was silent for a moment, thinking that no ordinary person would have so many spirit stones. The other party was just after spirit stones, and asking for two thousand five was like asking for his life. Making too big a fuss was not what they wanted to see. But he didn¡¯t have two thousand five either. Although he had been selling the Hundred Thousand Swords Talisman in the past few days, it wasn¡¯t easy to sell, and he had only accumulated nine hundred spirit stones so far. He couldn¡¯t sell anymore in the coming days. Even if he sold the remaining twenty talismans, it wouldn¡¯t be enough. ¡°Doesn¡¯t Senior Brother want to take back the bone flowers?¡± Jiang Hao asked, looking at the pile of bone flowers stacked to one side. ¡°Of course, we¡¯ll take them back. They¡¯re our property, and it¡¯s only right to do so,¡± Li Kai stated righteously. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t that reduce the amount?¡± Jiang Hao focused his gaze on Li Kai. ¡°The bone flowers are ours, and the compensation is an apology to us. The two are not in conflict,¡± Li Kai said as if he had thought of something. ¡°Is it that you don¡¯t have enough spirit stones, Junior Brother? No worries, I¡¯ve heard you make spirit stones quite quickly. You can pay the rest within three months. We¡¯re not unreasonable; we can give you time. If it¡¯s really not possible, you can pay within six months, but you¡¯ll need to pay some interest.¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao knew the other party had investigated him. They were determined to get what they wanted from him. ¡°Alright,¡± Jiang Hao nodded, then took out five hundred spirit stones. ¡°Here¡¯s five hundred for now, and I¡¯ll make up the rest within three months.¡± ¡°Looks like Junior Brother is also easy to talk to. Alright then.¡± Li Kai said, taking the five hundred spirit stones with a smile, then added, ¡°I heard your spiritual field has lost a lot of nutrients. I have a treasure here that replenishes nutrients, which I¡¯ll sell to Junior Brother for one thousand spirit stones, two for two thousand. You can pay it off within a year. These are the only two good items I have, and I wouldn¡¯t sell them to anyone else for one thousand five hundred.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Jiang Hao agreed. Afterward, Jiang Hao took two black pearls and watched as Li Kai left. At that moment, he activated his divine abilities and began to appraise him. ¡¾Li Kai: Hundred Bones Forest inner disciple, late Foundation Establishment stage, obeying Ming Zuoquan¡¯s orders to reclaim the Bone Flowers and incidentally extort you. Thinks you¡¯re a naive, rich, and timid person, the perfect target he¡¯s been longing for. Will report back to Ming Zuoquan in seven days.¡¿ Ming Zuoquan? Jiang Hao carefully recalled, remembering this person. He should be a true disciple of Hundred Bones Forest, with at least an early Golden Core cultivation. ¡°There¡¯s no appearance of Bai Ye. I don¡¯t know what identity this Bai Ye has.¡± Jiang Hao muttered to himself. ...... Seven days before going to report to Ming Zuoquan... That¡¯s quite a while. Arriving at the Spiritual Medicine Garden and informing Cheng Chou that all was well, he buried two black beads in two different spiritual fields. Sure enough, nutrients began to return. But not as much as before; something more was needed to restore the fields to their original fertility. That would have to wait for later. He would come tomorrow to appraise the spiritual fields to see if there would be any surprises. After returning, Jiang Hao began to comprehend the second form of the Heavenly Saber, Mountain Suppressor. He occasionally practiced his cultivation diligently. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Sunrise and sunset. Jiang Hao watered the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and tended to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Tirelessly and without complaint. ...... Six days later. In the early morning, Jiang Hao stood in the courtyard, the fragrance of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower invading his nostrils. He felt the presence of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, and his spirit became much more solid. However, he didn¡¯t come out early today because of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. It was for the peach tree. Today was the day it would take root and sprout. The tender leaves had just pushed through the soil, as if peering into the world. Next to it was a purple bubble. ¡¾Divine Ability Fragment +1¡¿ Although it wasn¡¯t golden, the appearance of a purple one was even more delightful. Since his divine abilities were full, he could now acquire a new one. He didn¡¯t rush to acquire it but appraised the peach tree again. ¡¾Peach Tree Sapling: Related to the ancient divine Peach Tree, possesses a trace of the divine tree¡¯s characteristics. After flowering, fruiting, and undergoing nirvana nine times, it will become a divine Peach Tree. Growing alongside divine objects and receiving a bowl of water every day will speed up its growth, and the peaches will be sweeter.¡¿ ¡°Also one bowl of water a day.¡± Jiang Hao noticed that these things just needed daily watering. Such a low cost. He was curious if having more spirit stones would reveal a more luxurious growth method. As for growing alongside divine objects, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t pay much attention. The Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower was in the courtyard; as long as he was in the yard, it counted as growing together with a divine object. This was also why the rabbit lay beside the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower every day. Returning to his room, Jiang Hao sat cross-legged and glanced at his divine abilities. ¡¾Divine Abilities: 3/3 (can be acquired)¡¿ ¡°Acquire.¡± As Jiang Hao¡¯s thought was issued, the divine abilities instantly reset, changing from acquirable to non-acquirable. Afterward, Jiang Hao felt something emerging at his brow. He understood that the new divine ability was related to his brow. After a short time, he learned the name of the divine ability. ¡¾Hidden Spirit Manifestation¡¿ Chapter 83 - Taking Action to Kill Chapter 83: Taking Action to Kill ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 21¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Mid Golden Core¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind, Hidden Spirit Manifestation¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 40/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 45/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 0/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡°Time to start accumulating again.¡± Looking at the reset divine abilities, he wondered when he would be able to gather three fragments again. Wait for the Peach Tree¡¯s rebirth? Who knows how long that would take? Not dwelling on these thoughts, he focused on the divine abilities. Hidden Spirit Manifestation was a surprise to him. What was this divine ability? He touched his brow, feeling something new there. After making sure everything around was safe, he activated the divine ability, Hidden Spirit Manifestation. However, he felt that this divine ability had two parts, and what he activated now was Hidden Spirit. Once Hidden Spirit was activated, Jiang Hao felt a vortex forming at his brow, followed by the movement of all the spiritual energy in his body, which then flowed towards his brow. He couldn¡¯t stop it. But he wasn¡¯t too alarmed and waited quietly. A moment later, all the spiritual energy of the Golden Core middle stage had been swept clean. At this time, Hidden Spirit stopped, and on the vortex between his eyebrows, there seemed to be a figure made of spiritual energy sitting cross-legged. Sensing this, Jiang Hao found that he could use Manifestation again. ¡°So, does this mean that a portion of the power has been stored?¡± This divine ability is really good. Once he¡¯s exhausted, activating Manifestation could allow him to recover instantly. However, he was curious if activating Manifestation during his peak would have any effect. Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t sure, but he could try it out in the following days. After regaining his spiritual energy, Jiang Hao went to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Standing on the road and looking up at the sky, he saw the clear blue of June¡¯s heavens. ¡°What beautiful weather, I¡¯ll be able to get a good night¡¯s sleep after tomorrow.¡± ¡°Has Master been sleeping poorly lately?¡± the rabbit walking beside Jiang Hao asked curiously. ¡°Have you been sleeping well?¡± Jiang Hao responded with a question of his own. ¡°I watch over the yard at night, so I sleep late and wake up early,¡± the rabbit lied without a second thought. Jiang Hao knew it did indeed sleep late, but only because it was fixated on the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and couldn¡¯t sleep. It always wanted to take a lick. After struggling and getting tired, it would fall asleep. In the early morning before dawn, it would wake up again at the scent of the flower. ¡°Master, do we go to the Spiritual Medicine Garden every day? Can¡¯t we go somewhere else?¡± the rabbit asked somewhat disheartened. ¡°No,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. ¡°When will the entire Demon Sect recognize Lord Rabbit¡¯s existence? Lord Rabbit is invincible, yet they don¡¯t know me; they are really pitiful,¡± the rabbit lamented. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t respond. The rabbit being invincible was unlikely. However, its fluffy appearance should be quite popular. But this was the Demon Sect, and if it encountered someone with a twisted mind, the rabbit might never return. Jiang Hao still needed it for the golden bubbles, so he wouldn¡¯t let it out for now. When it stopped producing bubbles, he would throw it out of the Demon Sect. Let it become famous in the cultivation world, as long as it didn¡¯t mention him, it didn¡¯t matter. ¡°Master, can you give me a storage treasure? People on the road want to give me gifts, but I can¡¯t accept them,¡± the rabbit said again. After looking at the rabbit, Jiang Hao was silent for a moment, then said, ¡°Go to Cheng Chou for help to get a suitable one.¡± ...... A short while later. Jiang Hao entered the Spiritual Medicine Garden, and bubbles swarmed towards him. ¡¾Strength+1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit1¡¿ ¡¾Ordinary Long Saber+1¡¿ ¡¾Endurance+1¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy Pill+1¡¿ ... Feeling the slight changes in strength and spirit, Jiang Hao looked at his endurance. This feeling was the least noticeable. It seemed to be a combination of physical strength and defense. So even adding one didn¡¯t feel like much. Even after learning the nameless secret technique, it was hard to notice. One can imagine how slight it was. In the afternoon, Han Ming brought over a token, saying it was a token for going to the Lawless Tower. ¡°It¡¯s said that you can go to the side of the Lawless Tower to absorb power and improve your cultivation level. Especially when facing a bottleneck, the opportunity is said to be extremely precious. Senior Brother, this token is the reward for your recent achievements,¡± Han Ming said with a smile. ¡°I¡¯ve been working hard outside for a long time, and I did quite well in the competition, so I also got an opportunity. I don¡¯t know how long it will be until the next time.¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao understood that Junior Brother Han was probably showing off. ¡°Junior Brother is truly remarkable,¡± he replied politely. Afterward, Han Ming left satisfied, seemingly having come specifically to impress Jiang Hao. Watching Han Ming leave, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but remark that if Junior Brother Han acted like this in front of everyone, it was uncertain how long he could survive in the Demon Sect. After all, the Demon Sect was not safe. ...... The next day, in the evening. Hundred Bones Forest. On a small path in the woods, a man kept walking deeper. The surroundings were silent as if there were no insects or birds at all. After walking for a while, the man stopped in front of a courtyard and said softly: ¡°Li Kai has come to visit Senior Brother Ming.¡± After waiting for a while, a man in white clothes walked out of the courtyard. With his hands behind his back and a cold look in his eyes, he walked with a steady pace. He looked at Li Kai and said, ¡°Come in.¡± Hearing this, Li Kai stepped forward and entered. He took out a storage treasure with a smile. ¡°Senior Brother, this is the harvest this time.¡± Ming Zuoquan took the storage treasure and checked it, frowning slightly. ¡°There are more spirit stones than before, but there are fewer other items.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just these spirit stones,¡± Li Kai said with a hint of excitement, ¡°There are also two thousand spirit stones that haven¡¯t been collected yet. Jiang Hao from Duanqing Cliff has a lot of spirit stones, and it seems he has obtained some good things recently. Next month, I¡¯ll add five hundred in interest for him. It¡¯ll be so much that he feels like he¡¯s about to pay it off but can¡¯t quite manage it.¡± ¡°Jiang Hao? The one Man Long dragged out to take the fall?¡± Ming Zuquan was somewhat skeptical. ¡°I¡¯ve also asked some Senior Brothers, he¡¯s a minor character with quite a few troubles on his back. But can he really pay it off?¡± ¡°He can pay it off. Tianhuan Pavilion gave him three months and he paid back a thousand,¡± Li Kai said obsequiously. ¡°Pay back a thousand in three months? We really should take good care of this Junior Brother. Even if it¡¯s only for a year, it¡¯s not a small amount.¡± Ming Zuquan nodded, took out a pill from his bosom, and tossed it over. ¡°This is for you. You¡¯ve done well this time. This pill will help you advance to the peak of your current stage to the utmost. As for advancing to Golden Core, that¡¯ll depend on whether you have the opportunity or not.¡± Li Kai¡¯s face lit up with joy as he took the pill. He had done so much for this one pill. After tonight, he might become a cultivator at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, just one step away from Golden Core. However, in his ecstasy, he suddenly felt a buzzing in his head. Bang! S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A long spear pierced through Li Kai¡¯s head with the speed of lightning, its force and velocity completely beyond the comprehension of the two present. His head exploded instantly. Blood splattered on Ming Zuquan¡¯s face, and he didn¡¯t even know what had happened. Li Kai didn¡¯t even realize he was dead. Chapter 84 - The Consequences of Killing a True Disciple Chapter 84: The Consequences of Killing a True Disciple Li Kai was dead. He died right in front of Ming Zuquan, who couldn¡¯t even prevent his death. Blood splattered on his face. This cold and powerless feeling spread from his heart. But as a Golden Core stage powerhouse, he reacted immediately. However, before he could act, a blade had already stabbed him from behind. Clang! His protective clothing automatically shielded him. This gave Ming Zuquan a sigh of relief, but he didn¡¯t dare waste time. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The clothing didn¡¯t hold up for long, and just before he could muster his strength, a purple light flashed. The defense shattered, and the protective clothing disintegrated. Pfft! A silver-white blade carrying Purple Qi pierced through Ming Zuquan¡¯s body. From the moment Li Kai was killed to the blade piercing through the protective clothing and Ming Zuquan¡¯s body, it took less than a breath¡¯s time. ¡°Senior, I am willing to submit and offer my life soul to serve you!¡± Ming Zuquan didn¡¯t make any rash moves, instead trying to persuade the person behind him. He felt that the blade could suppress his spiritual energy. ¡°Forget this life, maybe in the next,¡± another black blade, also carrying Purple Qi, slashed across his neck. The voice was cold with determination. Ming Zuquan wanted to struggle, but the blade was faster. In an instant, blood sprayed from his neck. ¡°You, I am a true disciple...¡± Whoosh! The blade was swung again, the second form of the Heavenly Saber, Mountain Suppressor. With one slash, the opponent was cut to pieces. Jiang Hao looked at the remains for a long while before he quietly said, ¡°Even a true disciple has only one life.¡± Afterward, he left with the storage treasure. In the room, Jiang Hao looked at the storage treasure, feeling it was a pity. Because it was Li Kai who had brought it out, not Ming Zuquan¡¯s. When he checked, there were no extra treasures; he didn¡¯t know if they weren¡¯t brought or if they were destroyed by the Mountain Suppressor. Besides that, he didn¡¯t find the mastermind behind the scenes. ¡°Bai Ye, I don¡¯t know who he really is. Ming Zuquan was at the mid-stage of Golden Core. If he was also acting on someone¡¯s orders, then Bai Ye¡¯s cultivation must not be low. I might not be able to deal with him now.¡± This was also the reason he had to act; there was no reason to wait any longer. He didn¡¯t want to wait anymore. Before he acted, he had assessed Ming Zuquan and found no information about Bai Ye. However, it was apparent that making a profit was secondary, or rather, spirit stones were secondary; what they really wanted was nourishment. ¡°In the storage bag, there are only one thousand six hundred spirit stones, but there are quite a few black beads.¡± These were used to restore the nourishment of the land. ¡°One thousand six hundred, five hundred from me alone, and only one thousand one hundred for the others combined?¡± Jiang Hao had inquired before; there were at least four others who had experienced the same as him. One thousand one hundred for four people was not a small amount. Spread out, it was almost three hundred per person. Most of the time, they were guarding the Spiritual Medicine Garden, mostly receiving sect resources. ¡°Speaking of which, I haven¡¯t collected resources for a long time, having been cut off for several years.¡± After collecting the spirit stones and nearly three thousand black beads, he destroyed Li Kai¡¯s storage treasure. Next, he would have to face the investigation of the Hall of Enforcement. A true disciple had died; he didn¡¯t know what trouble it would bring. In theory, after dragging it out for seven days, they shouldn¡¯t be able to trace it back to him. He could only wait and see if Liu Xingchen would come. After that, he began to study the divine ability to restore the spirit, ¡°Hidden Spirit Manifestation.¡± ...... Early morning. Jiang Hao opened his eyes, and the much stronger power within him burst forth instantly. Majestic and profound. However, this power didn¡¯t linger for long before Jiang Hao quickly dispersed it. ¡°Wow, that¡¯s impressive.¡± He clenched his fist, feeling emotional. He had just used the technique of Manifestation to add Hidden Spirit on top of his existing power. Since each advancement consolidated his body with vital energy, he could withstand even double the strength. At that moment, his power was unprecedentedly strong. Facing the later stages, he seemed utterly composed. For a moment, he even wished for a Golden Core late-stage adversary to provoke him just to test his might. But he immediately quashed such a dangerous thought; it was too risky to get so carried away. However, the Manifestation of the Hidden Spirit could be used as an important trump card. It was suitable for either endurance or a burst of power. ¡°Divine abilities really are wonderful things. I wonder how long it will take to save up three of the fragments next time.¡± Setting aside divine abilities, his cultivation and vital energy should accumulate enough after a while. After recovering his Hidden Spirit, Jiang Hao stepped out of his room. Upon reaching the courtyard, he saw a rabbit standing at the gate. ¡°You¡¯re up early?¡± Jiang Hao said, surprised. Usually, the rabbit would be lying next to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. ¡°Master, something big has happened,¡± the rabbit said anxiously, holding its collar. ¡°Look, it¡¯s cracked. You need to get me a new one, or it¡¯s going to break.¡± ¡°Then just don¡¯t wear it,¡± Jiang Hao said nonchalantly. ¡°But how will others know I¡¯m a rabbit raised by the Master if I don¡¯t wear it? Master, please buy me a new one, and I¡¯ll tell you some great news,¡± the rabbit pleaded bitterly. What great news could this rabbit have? A collar costs a thousand; even after robbing people, he could barely afford it. Jiang Hao sighed inwardly; even with last night¡¯s addition, he only had nineteen hundred spirit stones. The Hundred Thousand Swords Talisman was also nearly sold out. Spending a thousand left him with only nine hundred. He didn¡¯t even know if he could afford tea leaves, let alone check for precious spiritual medicine seeds. But not giving the rabbit a collar indeed made it a target for others and could lead to trouble. He would have to check the market next time. After collecting the spirit bubbles, he took out a black pearl and identified it. ¡¾Nutrient Pearl: A masterpiece by Bai Ye, created for his advancement. It can enrich the soil and abnormally enhance spiritual objects.¡¿ It was Bai Ye again, and it was something he had researched for his own advancement. Jiang Hao was curious about what realm the other party was aiming to advance to. It seemed like a tough character to deal with, and now that he had so many nutrient seeds, he wondered if it would cause trouble. But then he thought, trouble had already arrived, so he didn¡¯t worry about it anymore. He needed to focus on advancing as soon as possible. As the sun shone down, Jiang Hao left the courtyard to collect spirit bubbles from the Spiritual Medicine Garden. But he hadn¡¯t gone far when he was met by Liu Xingchen. Two disciples from the Hall of Enforcement followed him, all with serious expressions. This made Jiang Hao feel uneasy. Had they come so quickly? He thought it would take at least two or three days. ¡°Junior Brother Jiang, we meet again. This time we are here on official business,¡± Liu Xingchen said solemnly. It was clear that this was serious and not a time to relax. ¡°What business does Senior Brother have here?¡± Jiang Hao asked politely. ¡°A true disciple has had an accident, and the culprit has not yet been found. Therefore, we need to take some people related to him for custody and investigation,¡± Liu Xingchen explained. In that instant, Jiang Hao realized how serious the murder of a true disciple was. They had already investigated thoroughly early in the morning and were now directly taking people away without asking for reasons. ¡°Am I involved?¡± Jiang Hao asked, though he already knew the answer. ¡°Yes,¡± Liu Xingchen nodded slightly: ¡°There is a certain connection, so Junior Brother will need to come with us. And before we leave, we need to check Junior Brother¡¯s residence. Would Junior Brother mind?¡± Jiang Hao shook his head to indicate it was fine. Liu Xingchen was polite in his approach; in other places, they probably wouldn¡¯t ask and would just conduct a search. Although Jiang Hao didn¡¯t know what they were looking for. ¡°Junior Brother, please come with us to prevent any damage to your belongings,¡± Liu Xingchen led the way to the courtyard. Once inside, Liu Xingchen didn¡¯t search but stood with Jiang Hao and then casually asked. ¡°Is there anything important in Junior Brother¡¯s storage bag?¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao tensed up but tried not to show any reaction. ¡°Just some spiritual talismans and medicinal pills.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± Liu Xingchen¡¯s tone was less serious. ¡°When we get to the place of custody, the Senior Brother or Elder in charge of this matter will likely inspect Junior Brother¡¯s storage treasures.¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao was greatly alarmed. This was bad news. Chapter 85 - Should I ask that woman for help? Chapter 85: Should I ask that woman for help? They were going to check the storage treasures. This statement hit Jiang Hao like a blow to the head. His storage treasure contained many ordinary treasures and medicinal pills, but more importantly, the three thousand nutrient pearls were inside. If searched, they would find many items of unclear origin, as well as the truth about the murder of Ming Zuoquan. The only relief was that they weren¡¯t searching now. Otherwise, the consequences were unpredictable. For a moment, he felt like there was no escape, but he dared not show it. ¡®No, I need to find an opportunity to hide them.¡¯ ¡®The search must be for this, right?¡¯ He followed the people from the Hall of Enforcement through all the rooms. They didn¡¯t rummage through things; they just glanced around briefly. Then they used magical treasures to probe. After finding nothing, they finally left. Of course, Jiang Hao had to leave with them. ¡°You¡¯ll be taken to the detention area of the Hall of Enforcement, and this investigation is likely to last about seven days. I¡¯m afraid it will be a bit inconvenient for you, Junior Brother,¡± Liu Xingchen kindly reminded him on the way. ¡°Understood.¡± Jiang Hao nodded, his face calm as he asked. ¡°Which lineage¡¯s true disciple was involved in the incident?¡± ¡°Hundred Bones Forest,¡± Liu Xingchen replied seriously. ¡°Junior Brother, you¡¯ve had issues with Li Kai before, haven¡¯t you?¡± ¡°There was a little trouble,¡± Jiang Hao did not deny. The matter with the Spiritual Medicine Garden indeed counted as a dispute. ¡°It¡¯s not just Junior Brother; the other four from the Spiritual Medicine Garden will also be taken to the Hall of Enforcement. Of course, anyone from Hundred Bones Forest who has been involved with him recently will be taken in as well,¡± Liu Xingchen did not hide much. ¡°Senior Brother Li is an inner disciple, right?¡± Jiang Hao asked with a hint of confusion. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t say too much, but someone from the Hall of Enforcement will take over this matter. The involvement of a true disciple is too significant, and I¡¯m not qualified to handle it. Otherwise, I would let Junior Brother know the full story,¡± Liu Xingchen sighed. After thanking him, Jiang Hao asked about the custody process. ¡°What¡¯s the general procedure for this custody investigation?¡± ¡°The first one or two days are for identifying all the relevant people and matters and taking control of them. The next three days are for questioning and investigation, and the last two days are for drawing conclusions,¡± Liu Xingchen explained with a smile. ¡°Actually, it normally wouldn¡¯t take this long; it¡¯s just to give each main lineage time to react. We¡¯ll see if they want to protect someone or if there can be a trade between the lineages.¡± ¡°But the murderer must enter the Lawless Tower, and losing a major realm of cultivation is inevitable. They¡¯ll also be sent to labor... oh, there are no mines now, so they should be sent to other places to do hard labor.¡± ¡°Usually, they¡¯re sent to places not strictly overseen by the Hall of Enforcement, like mines or Demon Cavern.¡± So, whether someone is killed or not really depends on the main lineages¡¯ power play? Jiang Hao felt a chill in his heart. If he were found out, he would most likely be finished. ¡®I wonder if the divine ability to hide the spirit can counter the Lawless Tower.¡¯ ¡®No, once I¡¯m found out, even if I could counter the Lawless Tower, I¡¯d still face certain death unless my Master intervenes at a great cost, and even then, my safety isn¡¯t guaranteed.¡¯ S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Walking along, Jiang Hao showed no signs of distress. According to Liu Xingchen, the questioning and investigation started three days later, so the probability of searching for storage magical treasures in the next day or two was very low. As long as he could find a way to transfer them before the search, there would be no problem. Who could he ask for help? He glanced at Liu Xingchen, who seemed like the only possibility. But that would mean putting his life in someone else¡¯s hands, which was too risky. Who else was there? Get that woman to come and then have her help move the items? Compared to Liu Xingchen, Jiang Hao trusted that woman more. ¡°The killing of a true disciple has made the situation big and complicated. It¡¯s not something that can be explained in a few words or from one or two perspectives. It involves a lot of things. More troublesome than the killing of a true disciple is the killing of someone on the list like Junior Brother, which means someone is obstructing justice. This matter could escalate to affecting the foundation of the sect.¡± ¡°The Hall of Enforcement would be granted absolute authority to find the murderer. As for the killing of a true disciple within the sect, there¡¯s a similar trend, so these days will be busy,¡± Liu Xingchen remarked with a sense of gravity. Is it that serious? Jiang Hao thought it wouldn¡¯t be so severe. ¡°What if one day I¡¯m killed by such an elusive murderer?¡± he asked curiously. Hearing this, Liu Xingchen suddenly laughed, ¡°Remember the genius I mentioned last time? The one ordered to be killed by the sect leader. He relied on his ability to hide and kill the people we were investigating to prevent the truth from being uncovered. Then the Hall of Enforcement requested the sect¡¯s treasure, the Tianyuan Shaping Divine Mirror, sparing no expense to find that murderer. In the end, he was thrown into the Lawless Tower and then executed without leaving the tower.¡± As he spoke, Liu Xingchen looked at Jiang Hao meaningfully, ¡°So, those on the observation list and under investigation by the Hall of Enforcement cannot be killed. Of course, secret lists don¡¯t count, like Yun Ruo Junior Sister last time.¡± Jiang Hao bowed his head in agreement, feeling the weight of Liu Xingchen¡¯s words. ...... Bang! The iron door closed. Jiang Hao was locked in a small room. There was a small hole at the top edge of the room, which, although not very bright, prevented it from being completely dark. Aside from a meditation cushion, there was nothing else in the room. Sitting down, he began to reflect on what he had just seen. With his understanding of the Nameless Secret Manual, he could clearly see traces of formations and restrictions around him. This place was part of the simple detention area under the Enforcement Peak. The surveillance was not strict, and the formations and restrictions were not strong. ¡°With my mid-Golden Core stage cultivation, it would be easy to leave, but once I do, it would be tantamount to defection and even more dangerous.¡± ¡°But staying here and waiting to be discovered is just as dangerous.¡± After calming down for a while, Jiang Hao began to consider the consequences. Once discovered, one must enter the Lawless Tower, but will anyone come to the rescue after coming out? If Elder Bai Zhi still needs him to tend to the flowers, there might be a chance of getting help. The same goes for that woman. However, there¡¯s a possibility that Elder Bai Zhi might replace him, and by the time that woman comes, it might be too late. Sighing, Jiang Hao looked up at the ceiling. There should have been no problem with killing a true disciple this time. But the mistake was that he took something from them and still carried it on him, which was a grave error. It would have been much safer if he had taken it and left everything but the spirit stones outside. If he could get out of this predicament, he would definitely remember this lesson. After reflecting on himself for a moment, Jiang Hao began to think of ways to save himself. Either try to destroy the items, which might help him escape this disaster. If that didn¡¯t work, he would have to sacrifice some freedom and ask Liu Xingchen for help. Or ask that woman for help. That woman knew many of his secrets, and if he could use some favors to have her help remove the items from his storage treasure, that would be the most feasible option. But... he couldn¡¯t get that woman to come to him. And he only had two days, within which he must make a choice. Thus, Jiang Hao quietly stayed in the room, waiting for time to pass. The worst-case scenario would be to find Liu Xingchen and use the excuse of having a mysterious person behind him to buy some time. ...... The next morning. Jiang Hao was awakened by the noisy sounds behind him. Turning his head, he saw a white shadow squeezing through the highest little hole in the wall. Soon, a rabbit¡¯s big head appeared. The moment it saw Jiang Hao, the rabbit excitedly said, ¡°Master, buy me a collar. Please buy one.¡± Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Chapter 86 - The Arrival of the Female Demon Chapter 86: The Arrival of the Female Demon Watching the rabbit crawl in, Jiang Hao was quite surprised. Hearing that it still wanted a collar made him laugh. This creature had gone through so much trouble just for a collar. Too bad its master was in dire straits. But soon, he noticed that the rabbit seemed to have come in without anyone else knowing. ¡°How did you get in?¡± Jiang Hao asked. The guards here were not strict, but it was not a place where a Foundation Establishment mid-stage rabbit could come and go freely. ¡°I saw the window and climbed in,¡± the rabbit said nonchalantly as it landed on the ground. ¡°The formations on the road all gave Lord Rabbit some face and didn¡¯t report me.¡± ¡°How did the formations give you face?¡± Jiang Hao found it amusing. Whether they gave face or not wasn¡¯t important; what mattered was that the rabbit really got in. It had passed through the formations. ¡°Just like this.¡± The rabbit hopped, and a white mist seemed to envelop it before it disappeared from Jiang Hao¡¯s view. Seeing this, Jiang Hao was quite surprised, then reached behind his head. The rabbit trying to sneak attack him was caught by the ears. The rabbit didn¡¯t struggle, knowing full well how terrifying its master could be. ¡°What is this?¡± Jiang Hao brought the rabbit in front of him and asked. Hanging in the air, the rabbit crossed its arms and said, ¡°It¡¯s the great news I wanted to tell Master about yesterday.¡± Great news? Jiang Hao did remember this, but he hadn¡¯t paid much attention. He didn¡¯t expect the rabbit to have such an ability. The rabbit¡¯s appearance made him think of many possibilities. Perhaps there were other options to consider. After hesitating, he activated his divine ability. Appraisal. ¡¾Mythical Beast Rabbit: Possesses sufficient spiritual intelligence, at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, has just comprehended the innate divine ability ¡®Deceive the Heavens to Cross the Sea¡¯, which weakens its presence, deceives simple formations and restrictions, as well as people¡¯s perception. It harbors a deep-seated mythical beast bloodline. If fed with one hundred spirit stones a day, its hidden bloodline can be further awakened after forty-nine days. Feeding it spirit stones daily can increase its favorability. Currently, it feels awe towards you.¡¿ Deceive the Heavens to Cross the Sea? After understanding the divine ability, he couldn¡¯t help but feel that it was indeed very suitable for the Mythical Beast Rabbit. However, this divine ability wasn¡¯t high-level, only capable of deceiving simple formations and those with weaker perceptions. Which means it could come in safely, but it might not be able to leave safely. ¡°Master, look, the collar is cracked some more,¡± the rabbit pleaded, holding its neck collar. ¡°Please buy one.¡± After putting the rabbit down, Jiang Hao was silent for a long time. Finally, he sighed slightly, as if he had made a decision, and said, ¡°I remember you wanted a storage treasure a couple of days ago.¡± ¡°Yes, look here,¡± the rabbit pointed to the iron ring on its collar and said: ¡°Cheng Chou gave me a little face and bought it for me.¡± ¡°It really suits you,¡± Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but remark. When he returned, he could indeed give some advice to the other party, as ordinary storage treasures weren¡¯t very expensive. But for someone from the outer sect, they were very costly. ¡°Will you be discovered if you go out?¡± Jiang Hao asked. The rabbit said nonchalantly: ¡°Even if I¡¯m discovered, it¡¯s no big deal, people on the road are easy to talk to.¡± Jiang Hao smiled, not putting any pressure on it, but instead took its storage treasure and filled it with a lot of items from his own storage treasure. The space in the iron ring was too small to hold much, but it could fit most things that shouldn¡¯t be there. Nutrient beads, spirit swords, spears, sabers, and pills¡ªhe put almost everything inside. Only then did he hand the iron ring to the rabbit, ¡°Go and make sure no one sees what¡¯s inside the iron ring. I¡¯ll buy you a collar when I get out.¡± ¡°Really?¡± The rabbit¡¯s face lit up with joy as it took the iron ring. Jiang Hao nodded earnestly. ¡°Really, but there¡¯s one condition¡ªyou mustn¡¯t let anyone discover it.¡± ¡°Leave it to me, Lord Rabbit is invincible in this world,¡± the rabbit said, brimming with excitement. ¡°Right, after you get out, remember to hide the iron ring somewhere no one can find it. I¡¯ll tell you when to bring it back,¡± Jiang Hao instructed further. The rabbit agreed wholeheartedly and then zipped out the window. And like that, it disappeared from Jiang Hao¡¯s sight. Watching the rabbit leave, Jiang Hao¡¯s heart couldn¡¯t stay calm. Because in the end, he had chosen the rabbit. Neither that woman, Liu Xingchen, nor using the Nine Revolutions Death Replacement were the best options. Perhaps that woman was the safest bet, but she was also the hardest to deal with. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. So the rabbit became the best choice, though he had also considered the consequences if the rabbit were caught and everything was exposed. He needed to fabricate a person in the remaining time. Whether he could escape this calamity or not, he had to try. After all, he was the one who had planted the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower; perhaps just one favorable condition would be enough for them to spare him. He couldn¡¯t rush or act recklessly. Suddenly, there was a rumbling of the formation outside. It seemed something had triggered the formation and been detected. ¡°Over on the right, chase them.¡± Voices came from outside, making Jiang Hao¡¯s heart race. This was still under the condition of being poisoned by the Tianjue Gu; without it, it was debatable whether his immature mind could remain stable. He was still too young and not mature enough in mind. But since he had made his choice, there was no need for regrets. Striving to forge a path to survival was the urgent matter at hand. After the noise outside stopped, Jiang Hao began to wait. If the rabbit was caught, they would come for him soon. Thump- Sure enough, it wasn¡¯t long before there was a knock at the door. ¡°Junior Brother Jiang, your actions have been exposed, but I can save you.¡± An unfamiliar voice came from outside. Hearing this, Jiang Hao was startled and felt helpless. Had the rabbit been caught? Just as he was about to respond, he hesitated again. Then he questioned. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°You know what I mean. There¡¯s only one chance. Do you want to seize it?¡± the person outside asked. Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief internally, then remained silent. He didn¡¯t want to engage with the person outside. According to them, they didn¡¯t know about the rabbit. Since they didn¡¯t know, it was impossible for him to be exposed. This person might be from the Hall of Enforcement trying to fish for information. Eventually, the person outside sighed and left after making a threatening remark. Jiang Hao continued to wait. In the darkness, there was no sound, nor was there anyone to talk to. Jiang Hao sat still, just waiting. ...... The next day. When he opened his eyes, he found an additional figure beside him, which surprised him greatly. Turning to look, he saw a woman in red gazing out of the small hole, lost in thought. Seeing Jiang Hao wake up, she turned her gaze back to him and said. ¡°Do you really like terrible environments? It¡¯s either the mines or places like this cramped dark room.¡± Seeing that it was Hong Yuye, Jiang Hao relaxed and then stood up to greet her respectfully. ¡°Greetings to senior.¡± He didn¡¯t know how she had gotten in, but he wasn¡¯t surprised she could. Hong Yuye waved her hand, and a new chair appeared along with a teapot and water. After sitting down, she took out a teacup and calmly spoke. ¡°Did you bring your tea leaves?¡± ¡°I did,¡± Jiang Hao replied without hesitation, beginning to help make tea. If the rabbit hadn¡¯t shown up yesterday, Hong Yuye might have become his lifeline. Chapter 87 - Is the Female Demon Waiting for Me to Beg for Her Help? Chapter 87: Is the Female Demon Waiting for Me to Beg for Her Help? After brewing the Red Sleeve Fragrance tea, Jiang Hao stood aside. Indeed, the place was a bit cramped, and he didn¡¯t even know what to do to pass the time. Occasionally, he also worried whether the door might be opened by someone. ¡°How long do you plan to stay here?¡± Hong Yuye asked while sipping her tea. ¡°I should stay another four or five days,¡± Jiang Hao answered truthfully. This wasn¡¯t a good place, and he didn¡¯t want to stay longer than necessary. If nothing unexpected happened to the rabbit, indeed, he would only need to stay another four or five days. The results would come out in seven days, and without results, they would probably let people go back. ¡°I thought you not only liked staying in the mines but also enjoyed cramped and dark places,¡± Hong Yuye said casually, holding her teacup. ¡°Senior has misunderstood. This place still can¡¯t compare to where I live,¡± Jiang Hao stated truthfully. Upon hearing this, Hong Yuye became interested. ¡°How does your residence compare to the mine?¡± ¡°It¡¯s better at my place,¡± Jiang Hao said reluctantly. Hong Yuye looked at Jiang Hao with a half-smile. In response, Jiang Hao bowed his head to maintain his composure. He didn¡¯t believe this woman could see through his thoughts. The topic did not continue. After pouring herself a cup of tea, Hong Yuye spoke calmly, ¡°Use that divine ability again.¡± Daily Appraisal? Jiang Hao hesitated. He might face interrogation, and it could be beneficial to save his divine ability. Then he silently adjusted the consumption to fake it and spoke. ¡°Senior, it¡¯s been used.¡± As soon as he finished speaking, Hong Yuye, who was drinking tea, suddenly stopped and looked at Jiang Hao. She stared at him intently. Bang! After a few breaths, Jiang Hao was slapped against the wall by a terrifying force. He stood up, somewhat in pain. But he was not injured. ¡°No wonder you keep a Mythical Beast Rabbit,¡± Hong Yuye said with a slightly cold tone while sipping her tea. ¡°Full of lies.¡± Jiang Hao dared not say much, just stood quietly. ¡°Give you another chance, use that divine ability,¡± Hong Yuye said, putting down her teacup. Seeing this, Jiang Hao sighed inwardly, realizing he had no choice but to use it. He activated the divine ability. Appraising Hong Yuye. The result was unchanged, still a bunch of question marks. ¡°It¡¯s been used,¡± he reported after seeing the feedback. This time, Hong Yuye did not speak further but sat quietly drinking tea. This woman was not easy to approach, Jiang Hao understood. So, since she did not speak, he could only stand quietly. From morning to noon, then to evening. During this time, Hong Yuye only spoke a few words, mostly maintaining silence and occasionally drinking tea. Jiang Hao kept helping with the tea. It was the first time he saw this woman stay for such a long time, unsure of what she intended to do. When the sun set, Hong Yuye finally stood up. The surrounding objects disappeared with her. She gave Jiang Hao a deep look and said, ¡°Next time I come, I hope you won¡¯t be here, otherwise...¡± She didn¡¯t finish her sentence, but the surrounding atmosphere suddenly turned cold. Jiang Hao knew it would be dangerous to stay. ¡°Junior understands, as long as senior does not come in the next few days,¡± Jiang Hao said with his head bowed. At this moment, Hong Yuye did not leave but looked at Jiang Hao. Seeing that he had nothing else to say, she turned and left. She transformed into a wisp of red shadow and disappeared on the spot. Seeing her leave, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. But he felt something was odd. Hong Yuye rarely stayed so long, and before leaving, she paused longer than usual. ¡°Could she... have been waiting for me to ask for help?¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t think this woman was so kind-hearted, but the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower was in his yard. Clearly, it wasn¡¯t time to harvest it yet, so he was of sufficient value. If the Tianyin Sect were to change the caretaker, it would be troublesome for everyone. So whether it was this woman or Liu Xingchen and the others. As long as he asked for help, they would likely assist. But the cost would not be the same. Without the rabbit, he would definitely choose this woman. If he had known this woman would come, he might not have chosen the rabbit. Because even with the rabbit, the risk was still too high. Now, all he could do was wait. And whether Hong Yuye was really waiting for him to ask for help remained unknown. No matter how much he thought, he couldn¡¯t reach a conclusion. ...... At night, the door to the small dark room was opened. Jiang Hao was taken out. It was a slightly dark place. Opposite him sat three people with indistinct faces, seemingly two men and a woman. The man in the middle had a beard. ¡®Even with my cultivation, I can¡¯t see clearly. This room is not simple.¡¯ While he was surprised, he had already come to sit opposite the three. ¡°Duanqing Cliff¡¯s Jiang Hao?¡± the man in the middle slowly spoke. ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°Take a seat, there are some things I want to ask you,¡± the other party said. Jiang Hao sat down, maintaining his composure. ¡°You seem much calmer than the others,¡± a female voice from the left remarked. Although he couldn¡¯t see the faces of these people, they all seemed to be quite old. The one on the right might be younger. ¡°I am Fan Lu, the Elder in charge of the Hall of Enforcement. I am the main person responsible for this matter. I hope you will tell us everything you know,¡± Fan Lu said seriously. ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao dared not say more. The questioning began quickly. ¡°Did Li Kai look for you? What for?¡± ¡°There was an accident with the Bone Flower.¡± ¡°How was it resolved?¡± ¡°I compensated with two thousand five hundred spirit stones.¡± ¡°Do you resent him?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°What were you doing when Li Kai died?¡± Jiang Hao instinctively wanted to say he was cultivating in his room, as it was late at night but quickly expressed confusion. ¡°When did it happen?¡± ¡°Did you cause the Bone Flower to wither?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Li Kai left behind the clue ¡®Duanqing Cliff¡¯ when he died. Do you think it refers to you?¡± ¡°This...¡± Jiang Hao was at a loss for words for a moment. ¡°Just answer yes or no,¡± the female voice prompted. ¡°No.¡± ¡°How many spirit stones were in Li Kai¡¯s storage bag?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°When Cheng Chou found out about the Bone Flower¡¯s problem, was his expression worried or angry?¡± ¡°Worried.¡± ¡°What was Li Kai¡¯s expression when he died? Happy or dejected?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°Does Ming Zuoquan carry a storage magical treasure with him?¡± Jiang Hao, puzzled, shook his head and said: ¡°This... I cannot answer.¡± At that moment, Jiang Hao felt terrible; these people¡¯s questions were illogical. If it weren¡¯t for his strong mental fortitude and calmness, he would have certainly answered incorrectly. Especially since he always felt that something in this room influenced his mind, similar to Senior Sister Yun Ruo¡¯s charm technique. ...... Dawn. The questioning finally stopped. At this time, they proposed to inspect the storage magical treasure. Jiang Hao handed over his storage bag, and the person who had been silent until now checked it. But after a moment, the magical treasure was returned. ¡°Alright, you can go back in a couple of days. We have to inconvenience you for a little longer.¡± After acknowledging, Jiang Hao walked out. ...... Only then did the three inside look at each other. Fan Lu said with a steady tone. ¡°He performed the best, yet we got nothing from him.¡± ¡°Not only that, he remained calm under my charm technique. I have no idea how he did it,¡± Yan Mei couldn¡¯t help but express her surprise. ¡°There was nothing special found in the storage magical treasure, but there were some extraordinary items. Iit seems he has had some fortuitous encounters,¡± the young man spoke. ¡°After all, he was in the top ten for contributions last time. We can¡¯t keep him too long. If there¡¯s nothing tonight, let him go back although he¡¯s very suspicious,¡± Yan Mei said. ¡°Being in the top ten for contributions was just because Man Long couldn¡¯t shoulder the achievement and pushed him forward. Both the Xuantian Sect and Fenglei Sect are watching; whoever takes on this achievement will soon face trouble. As an inner disciple, Ku Wuchang won¡¯t be able to protect him. He¡¯s in the limelight now, but what follows will be tragic,¡± Fan Lu shook his head, showing a hint of disdain. ¡°Then we¡¯ll have to trouble the two Senior Uncles later. I will go back and report to the master,¡± the young man said as he stood up respectfully. Fan Lu and Yan Mei didn¡¯t dare to take it lightly and stood up to personally see him out. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 88 - Possessed by a True Dragon Chapter 88: Possessed by a True Dragon At night, Jiang Hao was in a small dark room, resting with his eyes closed. In his sleep, he felt as though he saw the path that Li Kai had taken. He also saw Li Kai¡¯s figure. At this moment, he involuntarily followed as if acting on his subconscious. But then, a strand of Purple Qi flashed through Jiang Hao¡¯s eyes. He quickly regained clarity but was still in a dream. ¡°Has someone cast a spell on me?¡± This sudden dream made Jiang Hao break out in a cold sweat. If he hadn¡¯t cultivated the Primordial Heart Sutra, he might have ended up killing Li Kai and Ming Zuoquan again in his dream. That was close. Afterward, he looked at the forest and turned to leave, appearing somewhat fearful. He wanted to follow but didn¡¯t dare. However, just as he turned to leave, Li Kai suddenly appeared and attacked. He instinctively defended himself, even questioning Li Kai verbally about what he was doing. But Li Kai did not respond, continuing the assault instead. In the end, Jiang Hao was struck hard and fell to the ground. Li Kai¡¯s bone sword slipped from his grasp, flying towards him. At the last moment, Jiang Hao came to his senses. He looked at the small dark room, taking deep breaths, clearly in discomfort. He felt something had locked onto him, probably the doing of some powerful individual. After this incident, he couldn¡¯t help but reflect on the significant impact his actions at Tianyin Sect had caused. Next time, he would have to lure people outside. No wonder so many at Tianhuan Pavilion harbored resentment but dared not act against him. Although he was not a true disciple, his name was listed in the Hall of Enforcement. Thus, the impact of killing him would be no less significant than that of a true disciple, perhaps even greater. Who would dare to enter the Lawless Tower? Coming out might leave one crippled. ...... Early morning. Jiang Hao stood outside the Enforcement Peak, watching the sunrise. Somewhat unexpectedly. It was only the fourth day, and he was already out. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Much faster than anticipated. This meant the rabbit hadn¡¯t been discovered, and his actions hadn¡¯t been suspected. ¡°Congratulations, Junior Brother, for coming out earlier than anyone else,¡± Liu Xingchen approached with a smile. ¡°Weren¡¯t I told seven days?¡± After exchanging greetings, Jiang Hao voiced his confusion. ¡°Because of the merits Junior Brother has, this matter hasn¡¯t passed for long, and just having your name listed is already a great pressure for the Hall of Enforcement, let alone being detained?¡± Liu Xingchen walked alongside Jiang Hao and continued, ¡°Moreover, Duanqing Cliff is not just for show. Your achievements bring tangible benefits to Duanqing Cliff, and the Hall of Enforcement can¡¯t just take you away without pressure from them. ¡°So, as long as it¡¯s clear that Junior Brother is innocent in the first round, you would naturally be released immediately. Others will have to wait another three or four days.¡± Why not just find someone else to take the blame? Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. It was unexpectedly fair. ¡°Is Junior Brother surprised?¡± Liu Xingchen looked ahead contentedly and said, ¡°Although we are called the Demon Sect, our sect does not act on whims. Killing outsiders is one thing, but fratricide is not permitted. If the murderer cannot be found, the Hall of Enforcement will keep an eye out, and if related incidents occur again, they might even call upon the Tianyuan Shaping Divine Mirror.¡± ¡°However, Junior Brother shouldn¡¯t feel too safe within the sect. If it¡¯s just a minor injury or a slightly more serious wound, the Hall of Enforcement almost doesn¡¯t intervene. It all depends on each branch. Only when things get serious will the Hall of Enforcement step in.¡± So it seems everyone is safe, but in reality, everyone is in danger. Jiang Hao understood in his heart. ¡°Junior Brother, after you return, you¡¯d best be cautious around Hundred Bones Forest,¡± Liu Xingchen suddenly warned. This puzzled Jiang Hao. ¡°Why?¡± Liu Xingchen laughed, ¡°Why? Doesn¡¯t Junior Brother think he stands out in the sect? Your name is in the Hall of Enforcement, you¡¯re associated with several traitors, and you even ranked in the top ten for your achievements in the attack on Tianqing Mountain. No matter how coincidental, you can¡¯t avoid being noticed by others.¡± ¡°Many were captured, but none as conspicuous as Junior Brother. If you had to pick the most noteworthy among these people, would Junior Brother choose someone else? Moreover, we¡¯ve found quite a bit about this bone flower incident, and the people behind it are not simple. If they set their sights on Junior Brother, then you must be careful in the future.¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao was alarmed; he didn¡¯t realize he was so conspicuous. Although it wasn¡¯t his intention, he was indeed too noticeable and needed to lay low for a while to mitigate the impact. As for Hundred Bones Forest, perhaps there would be no trouble if he didn¡¯t leave Duanqing Cliff. ¡°Actually, if you want to have an easier time in the sect, it¡¯s best to become a true disciple,¡± Liu Xingchen suggested as he looked at Jiang Hao. ¡°If Junior Brother becomes a true disciple, then even if Hundred Bones Forest targets you, it won¡¯t be too troublesome.¡± ¡°But that would remove the restrictions on going out,¡± Jiang Hao said. Once he could go out, Tianhuan Pavilion would find a way to interfere. Now, the Hall of Enforcement was like an insurmountable wall; without it, even Duanqing Cliff¡¯s strong defenses might be breached. Once he went out, Tianhuan Pavilion would take action, and if Hundred Bones Forest targeted him, they would definitely make a move. Not to mention Luoxia Sect, Xuantian Sect, Tiansheng Sect. How could he, a Golden Core, survive under such circumstances? ¡°The best solution is to become a true disciple and then get on the list,¡± Liu Xingchen proposed. Become a true disciple and then get on the list? Jiang Hao was surprised; indeed, it was a good strategy. But it was not easy. First, he had to be removed from the list, which was not difficult. Second, becoming a true disciple depended a lot on luck, with a seventy percent chance. The last and hardest part was getting back on the list. ¡°Once off the list, can I get back on after some time?¡± Jiang Hao asked for advice. ¡°No, at least not under the current circumstances. Unless Junior Brother gets involved with another traitor. But as a true disciple, even if you¡¯re associated with someone, the Hall of Enforcement won¡¯t keep your name listed for long without evidence unless the matter is significant,¡± Liu Xingchen roughly explained. Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Getting involved with a traitor again would be problematic even if there were no issues to begin with. Moreover, it¡¯s too risky. He even suspected that Liu Xingchen was using him to root out the traitor. Simply watching the drama unfold. After hesitating for a moment, he activated his divine ability to appraise. ¡¾Liu Xingchen: A true disciple of the Haotian Sect, born with the aura of Dragon Slaughter, possesses a Golden Core at full completion. Because he is bored, he becomes an undercover agent in the Tianyin Sect¡¯s Hall of Enforcement. He befriends you to get closer to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and to watch the drama unfold. He has started paying attention to you, suspecting whether all the people were killed by you. He is currently being slowly possessed by the remnant soul of a True Dragon.¡¿ Everything else aside, Jiang Hao was stunned when he read the last sentence. His breathing almost quickened. Liu Xingchen was being possessed by the remnant soul of a True Dragon? He glanced at the other person, who seemed perfectly normal. This was not good; Jiang Hao felt some concern. Given the current situation, Liu Xingchen posed no threat to him; on the contrary, he was quite helpful. But if the True Dragon¡¯s remnant soul succeeded in the possession, the balance of things would be lost. ¡®Should I warn him? How should I warn him?¡¯ After pondering for a moment, he realized there was no way to warn him. It would easily expose himself, and if the True Dragon succeeded in the possession, it might seek revenge on him. He could only continue to observe and, if really necessary, give a warning. Midway through, they parted ways, and Jiang Hao returned alone to Duanqing Cliff. After paying respects to his master, he returned to his residence. The rabbit was lying next to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, looking around as if it wanted to do something. When it saw Jiang Hao, it got scared and jumped up, hurriedly saying. ¡°Master, you¡¯re back?¡± Chapter 89 - Returning a Favor Chapter 89: Returning a Favor Jiang Hao looked at the rabbit but didn¡¯t say much. He just checked its collar and didn¡¯t see any storage treasure. He didn¡¯t ask about it either. Instead, he began to water the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. The peach tree had grown a bit in the few days he was away. The growth was not slow. ¡°I¡¯ll buy you a new collar in a month, and we¡¯ll talk about other things then too,¡± Jiang Hao instructed before heading to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. The rabbit pointed at its collar and said: ¡°It¡¯s broken in many places. Can you fix it for me, master?¡± Glancing at the ineffective collar, Jiang Hao said indifferently. ¡°You fix it yourself.¡± Afterward, he went to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Cheng Chou was very happy to see Jiang Hao return. The others seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. ¡®It seems that after I was captured, someone temporarily took over.¡¯ The other Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters were not easy to talk to. Han Ming was a bit more approachable, mainly because if you showed him enough respect, he wouldn¡¯t lower himself to argue with ordinary people or outer disciples. ¡°By the way, I asked some people, and I heard that a few years ago there was also an incident with bone flowers. A previous inner sect Senior Brother was blackmailed by the Hundred Bones Forest because of it. In the end, his whereabouts became unknown.¡± Cheng Chou looked around cautiously before speaking: sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°And more than ten years ago, it happened as well.¡± Jiang Hao frowned, realizing that this seemed to happen every few years. The deaths of Li Kai and Ming Zuoquan couldn¡¯t stop this matter; the real mastermind behind the scenes must be Bai Ye. Sighing inwardly, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t dwell on it. Because he still didn¡¯t know who Bai Ye was. According to Liu Xingchen, he might have been targeted by him. ¡°I need to get stronger quickly.¡± Feeling a sense of urgency, Jiang Hao then turned to Cheng Chou. ¡°Cheng Junior Brother, what level of Qi Refining are you at?¡± ¡°Just reached the eighth level,¡± Cheng Chou said somewhat embarrassedly. ¡°I¡¯m already in my thirties, Foundation Establishment seems hopeless.¡± The other person was in his thirties, and Jiang Hao was in his twenties. Because of his inner sect status, he was called Senior Brother. Plus, they didn¡¯t know each other before, so it wasn¡¯t a big deal. If Han Ming, as a true disciple, hadn¡¯t lost to him, he probably would have liked to call Jiang Hao Junior Brother. The gap in status was indeed significant. ¡°What are you cultivating?¡± Jiang Hao asked again. ¡°Tianyin Hundred Revolutions,¡± Cheng Chou answered truthfully. Tianyin Hundred Revolutions was a superior cultivation method that everyone in the Tianyin Sect could practice. Previously, the Tianyin Sect didn¡¯t have twelve main branches; it¡¯s said that the sect leader formed one lineage after destroying a sect, eventually leading to the formation of the twelve main branches. The original members of the Tianyin Sect were distributed among the other branches. The most important group remained at the Hall of Enforcement. Thus, Tianyin Hundred Revolutions became a cultivation method that everyone could practice. Later, when Jiang Hao had some free time, he gave Cheng Chou some pointers. Although he didn¡¯t have a deep understanding of Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, he was, after all, a Golden Core cultivator. Giving advice to a Qi Refining practitioner was more than enough. Cheng Chou, who received the guidance, was overjoyed and listened humbly. For him, this was a great opportunity. ...... A month passed, and Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t called back to the Hall of Enforcement, nor did he see any suspicious people. Bai Ye also never appeared. The situation in the Hundred Bones Forest seems to be gradually coming to an end. The people from the other Spiritual Medicine Gardens have also been released. This was no small matter, yet it did not cause a huge uproar. For safety¡¯s sake, Jiang Hao waited for another half a month; it had been two months since Li Kai and Ming Zuquan were killed. Once he was sure there were no problems, he let the rabbit bring back the storage treasure. ¡°Master, can we buy a collar now?¡± the rabbit handed the storage treasure to Jiang Hao. After confirming that everything inside was intact and had been transferred over, Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Where did you hide it?¡± ¡°I raised a turtle in the river. The turtle was old and lay motionless in the water. I hid the thing inside its shell,¡± the rabbit said as it took back its own storage treasure. It must be said that this rabbit was exceptionally bold, which made Jiang Hao somewhat emotional. ¡°I¡¯ll get you a new collar tomorrow.¡± With Jiang Hao¡¯s affirmation, the rabbit became excited. Its collar had been broken, and it had been looking forward to a new one for a long time. Back in the house, Jiang Hao glanced at the numbers on the panel. ¡¾Vital Energy: 67/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 70/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡°I¡¯m over halfway there. If I absorb now, there¡¯s a high chance I could enter the late stage of the Golden Core.¡± The conversion below one hundred is different, so even if I absorbed seventy last time, I would need around seventy this time too. If it were one hundred, I would only need to absorb about eighty points, but the conversion rate is not as good as at one hundred. One hundred thirty or forty should be doable. ¡°It feels a bit wasteful, but the Hundred Bones Forest might be watching me. What if they are also waiting for the dust to settle?¡± Jiang Hao was waiting for the noise about Ming Zuquan¡¯s death to die down, while those who wanted to deal with him were probably waiting for the noise about his top ten achievements to pass. ¡°Forget it, let¡¯s absorb it. I¡¯ve been honing my cultivation this past month and can feel the promotion is imminent.¡± ¡°There shouldn¡¯t be a failure to advance.¡± ...... At night. Jiang Hao sat cross-legged on the ground, beginning to extract vital energy for cultivation. This time he was aiming for the late stage, so he let the power surge into his body from the start. The Primordial Heart Sutra began to circulate, and Jiang Hao was enveloped in Purple Qi. The Purple Qi swirled around him like a vortex. Jiang Hao felt the surging power within him, this power trying to blast open the gates to the late stage of the Golden Core. But... It felt somewhat powerless in front of the gate. The numbers on the panel kept dropping, and Jiang Hao didn¡¯t dare to be distracted. ...... The next morning. Jiang Hao¡¯s furrowed brow slowly relaxed, and the Purple Qi, like a vortex, converged in his dantian. When all the power settled, new strength began to overflow. A powerful aura spread around him. Late stage of the Golden Core. Only then did Jiang Hao open his eyes and exhale. ¡°That was close, I almost failed to advance.¡± He looked at the panel and was somewhat shocked. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 21¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Late stage of the Golden Core¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind, Hidden Spirit Manifestation¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 7/100 (cannot be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 0/100 (cannot be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 0/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡°Exhausting all my resources, I barely managed to advance, and I can¡¯t even consolidate my cultivation.¡± ¡°The conversion rate was much lower, leading to a lack of power during the breakthrough.¡± Next time, I should wait until it¡¯s a solid one hundred. However, reaching the late stage of the Golden Core is indeed delightful. Feeling the new power, he thought he could compete with Senior Brother Mu Qi. Once he reaches the perfection stage of the Golden Core, Liu Xingchen¡¯s danger will also be greatly reduced. Over the past month, he had been paying attention to Liu Xingchen, who so far was still the same as always. He didn¡¯t know when the change would happen. True Dragon¡¯s remnant soul, he didn¡¯t even know how Liu Xingchen got targeted. Coming to the courtyard, the rabbit had been waiting for a long time. Just waiting to go out. ¡°You go to the Spiritual Medicine Garden first, I¡¯ll be back soon,¡± Jiang Hao said. The rabbit happily agreed. ¡°Master, remember to come back quickly, don¡¯t delay on the road, and buy one that fits my status.¡± The rabbit said as it ran quickly towards the Spiritual Medicine Garden. It seemed to think that the sooner it got to the Spiritual Medicine Garden, the sooner the collar would be in its hands. Chapter 90 - Can’t Afford to Raise a Female Demon Chapter 90: Can¡¯t Afford to Raise a Female Demon In the courtyard, Jiang Hao observed his surroundings. At this time, the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower had grown a bit taller, the leaves were still in threes, and no change had appeared yet. The flat peach tree was different; it had grown to knee height. This was just two months, and perhaps it would bloom and bear fruit next year. Unexpectedly fast. ¡°Thank goodness the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower doesn¡¯t grow that fast.¡± The peach tree was planted by himself, so whether it grows fast or not doesn¡¯t really matter. But once the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower matures, it¡¯s a matter of life and death for him. That woman will come for the flower, Elder Bai Zhi will come too, and undercover agents like Liu Xingchen will take further action. So far, however, no third undercover has approached him. He has taken the time to appraise everyone in the Spiritual Medicine Garden and found no spies or traitors. They¡¯re all just ordinary people living cautiously. ...... A short while later. Jiang Hao arrived at the market. He hadn¡¯t been here for over a month to avoid the Bone Forest. Now he had no choice but to come. The first thing he did was buy a red-gold collar, as the rabbit wanted something eye-catching. Jiang Hao indulged it. Next time, he¡¯ll buy a silver-white one, close to the color of its fur, to keep a low profile. After some effort, he spent nine hundred and sixty-five spirit stones. He casually asked about the cost for the late stage of Foundation Establishment, which was around one thousand five hundred and two thousand for completion. Golden Core... He didn¡¯t dare ask. Keeping a pet with a personality is too expensive. ¡°Next time, I¡¯ll just save up for a Golden Core one.¡± Jiang Hao thought to himself. That way, he could save three thousand five hundred. If the rabbit doesn¡¯t damage it, he could even resell it and not suffer such a loss. He then bought five maces of slightly better tea. It was still Red Sleeve Fragrance, but this time it was one hundred and fifty per mace. That cost him seven hundred and fifty. He was left with only three hundred spirit stones. His own earnings weren¡¯t enough to cover the expenses of his spiritual pet and the female bandit. And this was just an occurrence of a few months; if it were monthly, how many spirit stones would it cost? ¡°Next time she drinks tea, she won¡¯t want some snacks to go with it, will she?¡± The thought alone made Jiang Hao feel like he was going to be poor again. Afterward, he set up a stall to sell some spirit talismans. He didn¡¯t have much stock, and in total, he only sold four hundred spirit stones worth. With these spirit stones, he bought ten stacks of talisman materials. As well as a talisman brush and beast blood. That cost him five hundred spirit stones. After a full round, he was left with only two hundred spirit stones. Fortunately, everything went smoothly; he didn¡¯t encounter anyone from the Tianhuan Pavilion or the Bone Forest. It seems they don¡¯t want to stoop to petty bullying; they¡¯re waiting for an opportunity. Only ordinary inner disciples with grievances would come to cause trouble. The Bone Forest wouldn¡¯t have such people because a normal disciple wouldn¡¯t believe he killed Ming Zuoquan. Some even looked down on him. For no other reason than that he, a mid-stage Foundation Establishment, had made it into the top ten of the sect¡¯s merit list. Some would even say from a distance, ¡°Look, that¡¯s the guy, Jiang Hao of Duanqing Cliff, top ten in the sect¡¯s merits. Guess how he got there? Pushed forward by Senior Brother Man Long to attract hatred.¡± ¡°I heard too; how could someone at a mid-stage Foundation Establishment have such power and block a genius freak like Xuanyuan Tai? It¡¯s no different from seeking death.¡± ¡°Just wait for him to make a fool of himself. I heard people from the Xuantian Sect are coming soon. It¡¯s perfect to use this top ten mid-stage Foundation Establishment as a scapegoat, everyone¡¯s happy.¡± Jiang Hao heard a lot of this talk, but he didn¡¯t care what others thought. However, he was worried about the Xuantian Sect causing trouble. If the sect really pushed him, a mid-stage Foundation Establishment, forward, then... The consequences would be unimaginable. But thinking about the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, he felt he should still be valuable. However, this was a value that could be discarded; he still needed to become stronger. ¡°I need to plant more things or find some mines.¡± Returning to the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao saw the rabbit eagerly awaiting. Without hesitation, he threw out the collar. The rabbit leaped up, grabbed the new collar, waved it a few times, and with what it considered a dashing pose, put on the collar. ¡°Master, do I look like a great demon?¡± The rabbit, with the collar around its neck, hopped over to Jiang Hao and asked. Glancing at it, Jiang Hao said ¡°No¡± and went straight to the inner loft. Today¡¯s bubbles had not yet been collected. ¡¾Vital Energy Pill +1¡¿ ¡¾Strength +1¡¿ ¡¾Strength +1¡¿ ¡¾Strength +1¡¿ ... After absorbing the bubbles, Jiang Hao began to tend to his duties. During the process, he felt frustrated with some of the more complex medicinal herbs. This was surprising to him, as it wasn¡¯t something he had experienced before. Recently, his realm had improved, but his heart had become inexplicably restless. ¡°Is it a case of ¡®virtue unaccompanied by talent¡¯?¡± Reflecting on the recent times, Jiang Hao realized that in less than two years, he had leaped from the ninth level of Qi Refining to the late stage of Golden Core. He had traveled a hundred years of journey of other people in just two years. Inflation of ego was inevitable; the restlessness was minor, all things considered. Of course, the calm he now relied on was mainly due to the Tianjue Gu poison. Without this poison, he didn¡¯t know how inflated his ego could become. Although he tried hard to suppress it, his words would inevitably reveal self-satisfaction. Jiang Hao took a deep breath and whispered to himself. ¡°I need to calm my heart and use the Tianjue Gu poison to temper my mind.¡± To get used to this power, to recognize oneself. Recognize oneself... Jiang Hao envisioned his future: now in the late Golden Core stage for two years, he might achieve Nascent Soul in another two years, then Spirit Refining in ten years, and Return to Void in thirty years. Invincible in a hundred years? On second thought, isn¡¯t a bit of self-satisfaction somewhat excusable? A flurry of thoughts assailed him. Jiang Hao shook his head with a light chuckle, casting these thoughts aside. If he couldn¡¯t control his own heart, disaster would surely follow in the future. Expansion should wait until one is truly invincible. Afterward, he began organizing spiritual medicines to calm himself down. When he returned, he started making talismans in the latter half of the night. This time was different from before; he only drew one, slowly, the slower the better, trying to understand impatience and eliminate it. Without a doubt, the talisman-making failed. Then he began to consolidate his late-stage cultivation. ...... Day and night passed, the sun and moon alternated. During this time, Jiang Hao did not leave Duanqing Cliff, nor did he worry about his poverty. Instead, he did what he did yesterday. He took care of the spiritual medicines, observing and handling them carefully. Then he started drawing talismans, and after failing, he practiced cultivation. Day after day. ...... After the autumn wind, the cold winter arrived. The snow fell, the white snow faded, and greenery began to show on the grass. Finally, spring rain nourished the earth. Winter went and spring came. Half a year passed like clouds of smoke. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The peach tree also grew non-stop during this period, reaching over two meters tall, enough for rabbits to play climbing games. During this time, Jiang Hao felt irritated, attempted to give up, and even tried to procrastinate. But then the irritation gradually disappeared, the sense of giving up slowly faded, and he no longer considered anything else. One day, a light appeared on Jiang Hao¡¯s desk. An ordinary Purifying Heart Talisman was drawn by him. It took half a night, only because his heart was no longer impatient. ¡°Finally succeeded.¡± ¡°Although I relied on the Tianjue Gu poison, there should be no danger to my state of mind now.¡± A whole half-year passed, fortunately without anyone causing him trouble. Otherwise, it would have been easy to break this calm. However, Hundred Bones Forest has done nothing so far, which surprised him. Liu Xingchen had also not been seen for months. He didn¡¯t know what the situation was. ...... The next day. Jiang Hao took a deep breath; this half-year, he had consolidated his cultivation and stabilized his mind. The materials for the talismans were exhausted, and he hadn¡¯t earned any spirit stones. Now it was time to consider his livelihood. But just as he was about to leave, he saw Liu Xingchen coming over. There was something off about his aura. Chapter 91 - Watching the True Dragon Possess Chapter 91: Watching the True Dragon Possess For half a year, Jiang Hao stayed at Duanqing Cliff, but he still kept an eye on Liu Xingchen. It¡¯s just that there had been no news of him for a long time. Not just Liu Xingchen, even that woman hadn¡¯t appeared. It was good that he used this time to cultivate his character and temper his mind. Of course, because of the last appraisal, he was also worried about Liu Xingchen. But he could never bring himself to speak up and remind him, and now seeing him again, he immediately noticed something was wrong. Through the nameless secret manual, he faintly sensed a special aura in Liu Xingchen, extremely subtle. Perhaps it was dragon qi. ¡®Has the possession succeeded? Or is it about to succeed?¡¯ Without hesitation, he initiated the appraisal. ¡¾Liu Xingchen: A true disciple of the Haotian Sect, born with the aura of Dragon Slaughter, Golden Core at full completion, undercover at Tianyin Sect¡¯s Enforcement Peak. He is bored watching the True Dragon¡¯s remnant soul slowly trying to possess him, the cautious demeanor of the other party makes him even more bored. He befriends you to get closer to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and to watch the unfolding drama, taking the opportunity to enjoy the show. He has a considerable interest in you.¡¿ Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± No, what¡¯s going on? Seeing the results of this appraisal, the usually calm Jiang Hao was momentarily taken aback. He even doubted whether he was hallucinating. Bored watching the True Dragon¡¯s remnant soul slowly trying to possess oneself? Would a normal person be bored to this extent? Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but admire the quality of a true disciple of the Haotian Sect. Though, he had only seen one so far, so he didn¡¯t know if this was common in the Haotian Sect. ¡®As a disciple of the Demon Sect, seeing a disciple of the Immortal Sect so remarkable puts a lot of pressure on me.¡¯ Fortunately, Liu Xingchen poses no threat to him for the time being, otherwise, he would truly be restless. This appraisal also made him realize that his previous worries were somewhat superfluous. He should worry about himself instead. Half a year had passed, and the rumors had mostly subsided; if someone was going to cause trouble, they probably would have done so by now. However, there has been no reaction from the Tiansheng Sect so far, and it¡¯s unclear whether they have given up or if Senior Sister Ming Yi has dealt with them. ¡°Junior Brother seems to have become more composed after not seeing you for several months,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a smile. ¡°You flatter me, Senior Brother,¡± Jiang Hao replied with a clasped fist and a polite bow. After exchanging greetings, the two of them walked together towards the Spiritual Medicine Garden. A rabbit hopped ahead of them, occasionally catching fish by the stream. It played but did not fall behind. ¡°Junior Brother¡¯s rabbit is surprisingly intelligent. It¡¯s rare to see such intelligence in the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment,¡± Liu Xingchen couldn¡¯t help but praise. Normally, spirit beasts at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment would either just be beginning to show intelligence or not have it developed at all. And those that possess such intelligence in their youth are usually beyond the Foundation Establishment stage when they are born. So it¡¯s indeed rare for it to be so intelligent yet still so weak. Jiang Hao could only sigh in response. ¡°It easily gets me into trouble.¡± ¡°Junior Brother seems to have been quite leisurely lately. It¡¯s been half a year since the Tianqing Mountain incident. Now everyone is wrapping things up, and it won¡¯t be long before the Xuantian Sect might come to negotiate. Do you know about this?¡± Liu Xingchen asked, looking at Jiang Hao. ¡°I haven¡¯t heard anyone mention it,¡± Jiang Hao replied honestly, shaking his head. But he knew that this matter could have a significant impact on him, and he wasn¡¯t sure what kind of trouble it might bring. As the one ranked tenth in merit, he would inevitably be entangled with Xuanyuan Tai. When the time comes, he might indeed be pushed to the forefront to take the blame, just as some people have said. ¡°Then Junior Brother should pay attention in the coming days. People from the Xuantian Sect, Fenglei Sect, and Luoxia Sect might all come calling,¡± Liu Xingchen said calmly. After hesitating, Jiang Hao still asked in confusion. ¡°Normally speaking, I, being only at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, couldn¡¯t possibly stop Xuanyuan Tai. Why would they target me? Shouldn¡¯t they be more concerned with Senior Brother Man Long?¡± Liu Xingchen chuckled and said, ¡°Man Long is the tenth chief disciple, and targeting him would bring a lot of trouble.¡± So they are looking for someone easier to bully so that everyone can save face? Jiang Hao sighed inwardly. It seemed as if everyone had tacitly agreed to this. ¡°This matter is actually quite complicated, and it may not necessarily involve Junior Brother, but you should still be prepared,¡± Liu Xingchen reassured him before continuing. ¡°However, Junior Brother really should be careful about the cooperation with the Hundred Bones Forest for the spiritual medicines. I heard they have quite a few spiritual medicines working with your Spiritual Medicine Garden. It should be a true disciple from Duanqing Cliff who took on the task.¡± ¡°Is there a problem with the spiritual medicines?¡± Jiang Hao asked, concerned. ¡°It¡¯s unlikely because after the incident with the bone flower, a true disciple from Hundred Bones Forest died. This was a big blow to the people of Hundred Bones Forest, and no one dares to produce problematic spiritual medicines at this critical juncture. But just because the spiritual medicines are fine doesn¡¯t mean there¡¯s no problem,¡± Liu Xingchen looked around and whispered: ¡°Has Junior Brother ever heard of Bai Ye?¡± S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Bai Ye?¡± Jiang Hao was startled, but he kept his composure. ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of him.¡± ¡°That¡¯s normal, after all, Bai Ye is reclusive, and even I rarely hear news of him. But it¡¯s not good to be on his radar,¡± Liu Xingchen said with some trepidation: ¡°This person is extremely talented, strong in cultivation, and equally adept in other areas, especially in the understanding and application of spiritual medicines. He can trap people without them realizing it.¡± ¡°This Senior Brother is targeting me?¡± Jiang Hao¡¯s heart sank. He knew that Bai Ye was no ordinary person; the nutrient beads alone were proof. In the past six months, he had almost used up all the nutrient beads, applying them to the soil in his yard. Fortunately, he had the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, which allowed him to attribute all the oddities to it. He also didn¡¯t dare to carry the nutrient beads with him all the time; it was too dangerous. The Enforcement Peak wouldn¡¯t investigate again, but he was worried that if someone became suspicious of him, they might tamper with his storage magic treasure. Not daring to kill didn¡¯t mean they wouldn¡¯t dare to steal. In fact, after this incident, he wanted to find a storage magic treasure that he could hide to guard against all dangers. ¡°There¡¯s a high possibility, so after Hundred Bones Forest starts cooperating with you, Junior Brother should be extra cautious,¡± Liu Xingchen warned. ¡°How strong is Senior Brother Bai Ye?¡± Jiang Hao asked the question he had been wanting to know. ¡°Very strong, stronger than me,¡± Liu Xingchen fell silent for a moment, as if contemplating, before continuing. ¡°Although he¡¯s not one of the chief ten disciples, his talent and achievements are not much less.¡± Jiang Hao fell silent. Being stronger than Liu Xingchen meant that he was not at the Golden Core stage. Being close to the chief ten disciples meant he was only slightly weaker than Man Long. He was indeed someone Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t afford to provoke. As someone who had worked his way up from the outer sect, Jiang Hao was well aware of his own limitations. ¡°Junior Brother doesn¡¯t need to worry too much. You¡¯re connected to several traitors, so you¡¯re not in danger of losing your life,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a smile. Hearing this, Jiang Hao felt it was quite absurd that his safety depended entirely on those deceased traitors. ¡°By the way, there will be another sect mission soon,¡± Liu Xingchen said, seeing Jiang Hao¡¯s surprise. ¡°Doesn¡¯t Junior Brother know that it¡¯s been a year and a half since the last one? Although your name is on the list this time, it¡¯s different from the last; it¡¯s just some simple tasks. For example, selecting new disciples.¡± Selecting new disciples? Jiang Hao mused inwardly about the kind of people who would join the Demon Sect. Chapter 92 - Invisible Means, Sealing Your Cultivation Chapter 92: Invisible Means, Sealing Your Cultivation The Demon Sect is different from the immortal sects. Normal people, if given a choice, would not come here; only those with no other options would try their luck with the Demon Sect. After all, the Demon Sect also practices cultivation, allowing one to fly and live a long life. There are towns and families nearby that also have no choice but to live under the shadow of the Tianyin Sect and cooperate with it. Jiang Hao was thus sold into the Tianyin Sect. ...... After Liu Xingchen left, Jiang Hao continued on his way. He needed to pay attention to the Spiritual Medicine Garden and see what Hundred Bones Forest was up to. Since Liu Xingchen had come to warn him, it meant that there was indeed a risk. ¡°If only all the undercover agents around me were like Liu Xingchen,¡± Jiang Hao muttered to himself. But thinking back, it had been a long time since he encountered that female demon. He glanced at his panel. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 22¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Late Golden Core Stage¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind, Hidden Spirit Manifestation¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 77/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 71/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 0/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡°Twenty-two years old, huh.¡± He still remembered congratulating himself when he turned twenty. It felt like just yesterday. However, Hong Yuye hadn¡¯t appeared for half a year, and during this time, his heart had been at peace for quite a while. He wanted to see her again. That way, he could know to what extent his normal self could remain calm. Without Hong Yuye, he had actually constantly been in a ¡°sage¡± state. It was hard to clearly perceive the weaknesses in his state of mind. ¡°I¡¯m somewhat looking forward to her arrival.¡± ...... Spiritual Medicine Garden. Many people were gathered at the Spiritual Medicine Garden, bustling about. At the center of these people was an indifferent fairy. She was dressed in off-white clothing, with a simple bun atop her head, and delicate features. Ning Xuan. One of the true disciples of Duanqing Cliff, Jiang Hao had only seen this Senior Sister once before. At that time, he didn¡¯t know her cultivation level, but now it seemed she was quite extraordinary. She must have surpassed the Golden Core stage. But with just one glance, he looked away, so he wasn¡¯t certain. Facing such a person, he didn¡¯t dare to observe too much, as it could easily bring trouble upon himself. ¡°Greetings, Senior Sister.¡± Jiang Hao approached her and politely bowed his head. ¡°Mm.¡± Ning Xuan nodded indifferently and then slowly spoke. ¡°Hundred Bones Forest is going to plant some spiritual herbs here. I¡¯ve heard you have some misunderstandings with them. If there¡¯s any issue with the herbs this time, remember my name. You just need to help with leading the way and allocating a suitable area.¡± Ning Xuan treated Jiang Hao neither with special regard nor disdain, just very ordinarily. Regarding his top ten merit last time, she naturally had her speculations. Man Long seemed rough and bold, but in reality, he was quite scheming. Why would he give out merit for no reason? It was just to protect himself. Plus, with some of the older generation¡¯s comments in the sect, she naturally understood that this Junior Brother might be heading for disaster. So there was no need for her to care. ¡°Yes.¡± Jiang Hao nodded in agreement. He didn¡¯t let the indifferent tone and dismissive look in her eyes affect his emotions. If she had been all smiles, it would have actually been more alarming. Afterward, Ning Xuan turned and left without further instructions. ¡°Junior Brother Jiang.¡± A mature woman approached Jiang Hao and politely said. ¡°This time, I¡¯m in charge of the spiritual herbs from Hundred Bones Forest. You can just call me Lian Qin.¡± ¡°Senior Sister Lian.¡± Jiang Hao greeted her with a bow. With just one look, he knew that this woman was not comparable to Li Kai; she was a Golden Core early-stage powerhouse. It was unbelievable that a Golden Core-level powerhouse would be mobilized just to handle the transfer of spiritual herbs. ¡°This batch of spiritual herbs is quite precious, so I need to be hands-on. I might trouble Junior Brother quite a bit,¡± Lian Qin said softly. ¡°If Junior Brother finds any place unsuitable for planting, you can have someone find me, and I can transplant them. Also, we¡¯re not only planting in the Spiritual Medicine Garden but also in the woods. We will set up the defensive formations ourselves.¡± This Senior Sister looked to be almost thirty, with a somewhat pale complexion, likely related to her cultivation method. Her appearance was naturally not bad, and her tone was even nicer. ¡®If Hundred Bones Forest is really targeting me this time, it might be a bit difficult to handle.¡¯ Unlike Li Kai, if he wanted something, he would say it directly, with clear intentions. But with this Senior Sister in front of him, he had no idea what her true purpose was. ¡°Senior Sister Lian is too kind. I will certainly do my best to help,¡± Jiang Hao said. After that, the people from Hundred Bones Forest planted some spiritual herbs in the Spiritual Medicine Garden, some of which Jiang Hao had seen before and some he hadn¡¯t. He decided to look up some information carefully. Later, they also planted a strange kind of spiritual herb and trees under Duanqing Cliff. ...... It was a busy day. Jiang Hao followed the whole process and didn¡¯t notice anything unusual. In the evening, the people from Hundred Bones Forest had finished their departure. This left Jiang Hao feeling surprised. ¡°Just like that?¡± The spiritual medicine was fine, and if there were any problems, it would be Senior Sister Ning Xuan who would take responsibility, which felt somewhat unreal to him. ¡°Am I overthinking it?¡± Regarding this, Jiang Hao could only wait and see. For the following seven days, he observed the Hundred Bones Forest spiritual medicine and continued his talisman crafting and cultivation practice. His cultivation in the later stages had now solidified, and reaching perfection was not far off. Roughly another three months to go. Then he could attempt to comprehend the third form of the Heavenly Saber. And over these days, he had checked the spiritual medicine; there were no issues. Hundred Bones Forest had made no moves either. Today, Jiang Hao planned to cultivate as he intended to visit the market tomorrow to purchase materials for talisman crafting. Currently, he has only a little over two hundred spirit stones. He never seemed to get rich. Just as he sat down to cultivate, he felt a sharp pain in his meridians. Startled, he immediately opened his eyes. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± In the past, running the Primordial Heart Sutra never caused any issues. He immediately checked his body but found nothing amiss. He tried running the Primordial Heart Sutra again, yet the sensation of pain and blockage persisted. ¡°Appraisal.¡± Stopping his cultivation, Jiang Hao immediately performed a self-diagnosis. However, his status appeared normal. Apart from being poisoned by the Tianjue Gu, there were no other issues. ¡°If it¡¯s not a problem with my body, then what could it be?¡± If he had to pinpoint any changes this week, it would be the planting of some spiritual medicine by Hundred Bones Forest. And Liu Xingchen had said that one could fall into Bai Ye¡¯s trap without realizing it. The next day. Jiang Hao immediately went to check on the spiritual medicine planted in the forest by Hundred Bones Forest. ¡°Appraisal.¡± ¡¾Thousand Feather Flower: The leaves of the Thousand Feather Flower contain continuous spiritual energy, which can be used to alleviate conflicts between spiritual medicines during alchemy. One of Bai Ye¡¯s proud creations, it uses intangible means to seal your cultivation progress.¡¿ Bai Ye... Such methods were unheard of by Jiang Hao, no wonder this person was considered dangerous. ¡°I need to find out where he is and also check his cultivation level.¡± While going to the Spiritual Medicine Garden, he asked Cheng Chou to find Fairy Lian Qin and disrupt the placement of the spiritual medicines. To see if that would have any effect. Fairy Lian Qin arrived very quickly, and upon hearing what Jiang Hao said, she did not hesitate or make any excuses. She simply asked where would be suitable, and she would transplant them there. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 93 - Faster Promotion than Mining Chapter 93: Faster Promotion than Mining ¡°Junior Brother, do you still sense any problems?¡± Fairy Lian Qin asked politely. Her attitude was so good that Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t find any faults. In the end, he could only shake his head and let her go back. After waiting a few days, Jiang Hao began to cultivate, but just like before, as soon as he started, his meridians began to ache faintly. ...... The next day. He appraised the Thousand Feather Flower again, and the result was exactly the same as before. Does this mean that no matter how it¡¯s transplanted, the final result won¡¯t be affected? ¡°How did he do it?¡± Bai Ye was becoming somewhat unfathomable. This time he didn¡¯t ask anyone to find Fairy Lian Qin. It was useless to do so. Since the other party was so cooperative, it meant they didn¡¯t care about the disruption of the placement. No wonder it was considered a proud creation. ...... Another day passed. Jiang Hao began to cultivate, and this time, while feeling the faint pain in his meridians, he distracted himself to perform an appraisal on himself. Sure enough, something else appeared. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡¾Current Status: Afflicted with Tianjue Gu poison and Bai Ye¡¯s Spirit Sealing Technique. The Spirit Sealing Technique, created by Bai Ye, utilizes the properties, flavors, and spiritual energy of spiritual medicines in an intangible, colorless, and unguarded manner. Planting a Black Lotus nearby can break the seal.¡¿ Seeing the appraisal result, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. The solution was found. However, Black Lotus was not easy to find. He needed to make a trip to Xuelian Pavilion. But this was not a long-term solution; he still needed to find Bai Ye and ascertain his cultivation level. As soon as day broke, Jiang Hao headed to Xuelian Pavilion; Black Lotus seeds cost three hundred spirit stones. He left behind a Healing Talisman, sold everything else, and finally bought the Black Lotus seeds. The next day, he appraised the seeds. To see how to plant them for the fastest growth. ¡¾Black Lotus Seed: Potent medicinal power, can be used to enhance cultivation once mature. Planting it will cause invisible fluctuations to spill out, affecting the stability of the surrounding spiritual energy. One bottle of spirit liquid daily, and it can take root and sprout after seven days.¡¿ One bottle of spirit liquid every day? Jiang Hao went to buy spirit liquid, thirty spirit stones per bottle. It cost him two hundred and one in total. Now, he was penniless. The cost of planting the Black Lotus was exorbitantly high. ...... Seven days later A black lotus broke through the soil, and as a result, Jiang Hao received a blue bubble. Looking at the bubble, he suddenly started calculating. Five hundred spirit stones for one blue bubble. If he had fifty thousand now, would he be able to get a hundred bubbles in seven days? If he had a hundred thousand, could he advance in rank every seven days? This was even faster than mining. The key issue was, where could he find these hundred thousand spirit stones? After collecting the bubble, Jiang Hao tried to cultivate. Indeed, the stabbing pain did not occur again. The person named Bai Ye had delayed him for nearly a month. Truly a fearsome individual. ¡°Master, why did you plant so many lotuses?¡± the rabbit asked, shaking the collar around its neck: ¡°Snow lotuses, blue lotuses, black lotuses, next time do you want to plant a white lotus?¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao was startled and took a closer look. It was true. There weren¡¯t many spiritual medicines in the yard, but lotuses accounted for three of them. ¡°If I collect seven lotuses, I wonder if anything unusual will happen.¡± Jiang Hao murmured softly. ¡°What did the master say?¡± the rabbit asked curiously. ¡°Nothing, let¡¯s go to the Spiritual Medicine Garden.¡± Jiang Hao left the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Since Hundred Bones Forest had already made a move, there wouldn¡¯t be much action to follow. Tianhuan Pavilion was still waiting for the right moment, so as he moved around the various places of the sect, he wouldn¡¯t be troubled. Taking this opportunity, he wanted to investigate Bai Ye. ¡°I heard people say that the master¡¯s name appeared in the sect¡¯s tasks to recruit new disciples. Can I go? I need to let them recognize the future great demon, Lord Rabbit,¡± the rabbit said excitedly and expectantly. Imagining the complexity of recruiting disciples, Jiang Hao flatly refused. ¡°No.¡± However, he hadn¡¯t even noticed the sect tasks coming out, these days the matter with Bai Ye had left him mentally exhausted. He wasn¡¯t strong enough and had no one behind him, and he was extremely conspicuous. Indeed, it was very difficult to survive in the Demon Sect like this. If it weren¡¯t for his reliance, he would have hardly survived until now. How did the others manage to live on? Speaking of which, he was twenty-two years old. He hadn¡¯t even congratulated himself yet. After shaking his head slightly with a hint of emotion, he arrived at the Spiritual Medicine Garden. He went through the routine, collected bubbles, and tended to the spiritual medicines. Then he went to the base of the Enforcement Peak to check his task. ¡¾Duanqing Cliff¡¯s Jiang Hao, to recruit new disciples, with a minimum of three hundred and a maximum of one thousand.¡¿ Looking at the task, Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised; there were so many? ¡°Is it because of the battle with Tianqing Mountain, which was quite costly?¡± He remembered being sold into the Demon Sect, where they said he had to recruit at least a hundred disciples. It was because they were short on numbers that they had to search everywhere. And that¡¯s how he was fortunate enough to become an outer disciple. Although new disciples could be recruited casually, they must have the aptitude for cultivation, otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t count. The sect might turn a blind eye to one or two without aptitude, but not to many. This task didn¡¯t seem easy. But he wasn¡¯t the only one with this task. Then he saw the names of four other people. Bingyue Valley¡¯s Zheng Shijiu. Leihuo Peak¡¯s Xin Yuyue. Hundred Bones Forest¡¯s Feng Baifei. Hengliu Waterfall¡¯s Le You. ¡°Two acquaintances, plus one from Hundred Bones Forest and one from Hengliu Waterfall.¡± There shouldn¡¯t be any problems with the two acquaintances, but Hundred Bones Forest was uncertain. There had been no conflict with Hengliu Waterfall so far. ¡°I wonder if I can find out about Bai Ye from this Hundred Bones Forest disciple.¡± This would depend on the opportunity and couldn¡¯t be rushed. He was still only in the late Golden Core stage. Although he had accumulated a lot of cultivation, there was still some distance from perfection. Afterward, he checked the time for recruiting disciples; it was in seven days. It seemed that there was no need to prepare anything for this; previously, he was given a month to prepare for the demon cave. Comparatively, it was clear which was more difficult. ...... Seven days later. Before departure, his master called him over, apparently having something to entrust to him. On the way, he glanced at his cultivation and vital energy. ¡¾Vital Energy: 89/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 83/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ He was close to one hundred, only two months away from Golden Core perfection. But he didn¡¯t know how far he was from Bai Ye. Shortly after. ¡°Master,¡± Jiang Hao said respectfully in front of Ku Wuchang. ¡°Are you going to recruit disciples today?¡± Ku Wuchang didn¡¯t beat around the bush and directly said, ¡°This time when you recruit, bring back three with good talents to Duanqing Cliff.¡± Bringing them back early means they can be accepted into the inner sect sooner. Normally, outer disciples cultivate outside the twelve main meridians. Once their cultivation is sufficient, they are selected by the various meridians to become inner sect disciples. Of course, they can also take the initiative to request entry as long as their cultivation is enough. By bringing them back early, there¡¯s no worry about them being chosen by others. This is a convenience only available to those who recruit disciples. However, each can only take three. It won¡¯t have too much of an impact. ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao quickly nodded. ¡°What would you like?¡± Ku Wuchang didn¡¯t expect Jiang Hao to work for free. Jiang Hao wanted to mine... he answered in his heart, but couldn¡¯t say it out loud. However, he wondered if his master would agree to remove the spiritual medicine from the Hundred Bones Forest. He didn¡¯t want to startle the snake just yet. Once he understood Bai Ye¡¯s cultivation level and his own strength was sufficient, he would make a trip to the Hundred Bones Forest. One must not rush; it¡¯s important to progress steadily and securely. Chapter 94 - Jiang Hao Became a Sacrifice Chapter 94: Jiang Hao Became a Sacrifice When leaving, Jiang Hao felt somewhat emotional. His master had given him three thousand spirit stones. It seemed to be because Mu Qi Senior Brother mentioned to the master that he liked spirit stones. So, when he hesitated, the master directly took out three thousand spirit stones. Jiang Hao was satisfied with this. Three thousand! When he returned from the mines, he hadn¡¯t received so many spirit stones. With just another two thousand, he could start feeding the rabbit to further awaken its bloodline. However, the more it awakened, the faster it should advance, and at that time, it would need a lot of spirit stones for its collar. He wondered if it would cause trouble. At the base of the Enforcement Peak, Jiang Hao met Zheng Shijiu and Xin Yuyue. The other two hadn¡¯t arrived yet. Seeing Jiang Hao, the two smiled and greeted him, but inwardly they were complaining. What grudge did they have with the Enforcement Peak to be assigned to a mission with Jiang Hao again? However, this time there were no people from Tianhuan Pavilion, and since it was a recruitment mission, nothing should go wrong. Even if something did happen, it wouldn¡¯t matter as long as it didn¡¯t drag them down. ...... Baihua Lake. Under the pavilion, Hong Yuye in red clothes placed the stone slab on the table. She was silent, seemingly contemplating how to deal with this object. After sitting quietly for a long time, a white figure landed in front of the pavilion and respectfully saluted, ¡°Sect Leader.¡± ¡°What progress has there been with the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower over the past six months?¡± Hong Yuye asked casually, looking towards the sky. ¡°It has grown quite a bit, and its growth rate is not slow,¡± Bai Zhi answered and continued. ¡°In the past six months, Jiang Hao has been unusually quiet, seemingly lying low, becoming more stable and tranquil. It¡¯s somewhat unusual. There are others in their early twenties at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, but few are as steady as him, especially with his above-average talent.¡± Seeing that the Sect Leader did not comment, she continued, ¡°We¡¯ve also investigated the matter of the traitor, and there¡¯s no evidence to suggest he¡¯s involved. But putting everything together, we can¡¯t prove he¡¯s not involved either.¡± ¡°The death of Ming Zuoquan in the Hundred Bones Forest, he¡¯s the prime suspect. If it wasn¡¯t him personally, there¡¯s a good chance it was someone behind him. In my opinion, Jiang Hao may not necessarily be the traitor, but he¡¯s definitely not clean.We still need to keep an eye on him.¡± ¡°Of course, cultivating the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, he¡¯s bound to attract some traitors. Even if he isn¡¯t one, he could be pulled in by others.¡± ¡°Who is closest to him?¡± Hong Yuye suddenly asked. ¡°Liu Xingchen from the Enforcement Peak,¡± Bai Zhi said. ¡°Does he have any issues?¡± Hong Yuye asked casually. ¡°Looking at his behavior, past, and enforcement actions, there are no issues. But his background is a mystery; when he joined the Tianyin Sect, he simply said he was bored of being a casual cultivator and wanted to join a sect,¡± Bai Zhi explained. ¡°Has Tianqing Mountain shown any reaction?¡± Hong Yuye stood up and walked into the flowerbeds. ¡°No, after the last heavy blow, they are recuperating. If we want to completely eliminate Tianqing Mountain, it would be best to do so next year, once we have recuperated and can eradicate them in one fell swoop,¡± Bai Zhi followed and said. ¡°No need, let them continue to grow stronger,¡± Hong Yuye said as she scattered fish feed by the lake. ¡°What¡¯s Xuantian Sect up to?¡± ¡°They might come to take someone back in a few days, but they said they want an explanation. At least some people need to pay a price,¡± Bai Zhi hinted. Hong Yuye continued to scatter fish feed, her voice calm yet authoritative, ¡°We¡¯ll talk about it when they come.¡± ¡°Oh, right,¡± Hong Yuye finished scattering the fish feed and stretched out her hand to condense a transparent box. Inside lay a wrist guard, resting quietly. She casually tossed it, and the transparent box landed in Bai Zhi¡¯s hands. ¡°Rewards must be given for contributions.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Bai Zhi said respectfully as she took the box. After reporting some matters, she withdrew. Looking at the wrist guard, she knew who it was for. Jiang Hao was questionable but also worth cultivating; this was the impression she got from the sect leader. As for Liu Xingchen, she didn¡¯t really care much. What she hoped for was that someone with high authority would pay attention to Jiang Hao and get close to him. Catching such a traitor would highlight her own achievements. For those at the Golden Core or Foundation Establishment level, as long as they didn¡¯t stir up trouble, it was fine. Other sects had their own people as well. But it was difficult to infiltrate the upper echelons, and once someone did, it was hard to find them. And now that the sect leader had brought out the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, it would surely attract those lurking in the shadows. She just didn¡¯t know how long they would have to wait. ¡°However, the real trouble is outside. With the appearance of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, surely many powerful figures are aware, and the Xuantian Sect¡¯s visit this time will likely be targeted.¡± She still didn¡¯t know how to respond. Mainly because she couldn¡¯t fathom the sect leader¡¯s attitude towards Jiang Hao. Was the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower something only Jiang Hao could cultivate, or could anyone do it? Once she understood this, she would be able to make a decision more easily. ...... Xuantian Sect. After finishing a sparring session in the training ground, Situ Jian sighed. ¡°Senior Brother¡¯s strength has improved even further. Even if I suppress my cultivation to the early Golden Core stage, I am no match for you.¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing to boast about.¡± Huo Tianyi shook his head self-deprecatingly and then left the training ground with Situ Jian. ¡°I heard that our sect is going to visit the Tianyin Sect soon. Junior Brother, what do you think about this?¡± ¡°I think we should just honestly bring back the elder and Xuanyuan Senior Brother. We shouldn¡¯t stir up unnecessary trouble.¡± ¡°Hahaha, Junior Brother, you still have that kind of personality.¡± Huo Tianyi laughed. ¡°If the elders knew, they would accuse you of bolstering the morale of the demonic path.¡± ¡°The Tianyin Sect is not simple. The Tianyin Demon has never shown herself from the beginning to the end. Over a hundred years ago, when this Female Demon came to power, she was ruthless and decisive. She¡¯s a bit difficult to deal with; we should be cautious,¡± Situ Jian said. ¡°This time, I heard that we are going to demand people in conjunction with other sects. The Tianyin Demon is indeed daunting, but she has been out of the news for sixty years. Her deterrence is far less than before. Especially since those people feel that the other side also has someone to take the blame and give us face.¡± Situ Jian just smiled and didn¡¯t say anything. The ones going were just some ordinary stewards and elders, so the problem shouldn¡¯t escalate. After parting with Huo Senior Brother, Situ Jian saw Ren Shuang talking to a middle-aged man ahead. ¡°Tell your father, during your time at the Tianyin Sect, did anyone bully you? If so, your father will also go to the Tianyin Sect this time to seek justice,¡± Ren Tianhe said with a serious face. Hearing this, Ren Shuang subconsciously touched her neck, recalling Jiang Hao¡¯s appearance, and felt some resentment in her heart. But then she quickly remembered Situ Jian¡¯s warning. Feeling a bit fearful, she forced a smile and shook her head. ¡°No, nothing like that.¡± Ren Tianhe looked at his daughter and finally sighed, ¡°You¡¯ve grown up a lot.¡± After Ren Tianhe left, Situ Jian approached. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°It seems Junior Sister, you¡¯re not as foolish as I thought.¡± Ren Shuang was startled, then looked at Situ Jian with some defiance: ¡°Do you really think that person is dangerous, Senior Brother Situ? I heard that this time he was pushed out by the Tianyin Sect as a scapegoat to complete the transaction. He won¡¯t die but will be skinned.¡± ¡°Who knows?¡± Situ Jian looked into the distance and said. ¡°Time will give us the answer. Let¡¯s wait and see, maybe you¡¯ll be grateful for today¡¯s choice in the future.¡± Chapter 95 - Screening Outer Disciples Chapter 95: Screening Outer Disciples ¡°Junior Brother, your cultivation has improved recently.¡± While waiting for the other two, Zheng Shijiu was very polite. ¡°Not compared to Senior Brother Zheng,¡± Jiang Hao replied politely. In the past, Zheng Shijiu would be calm and elegant when facing someone like Jiang Hao at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. But after the incident in the demon cave, he felt somewhat unconfident. He didn¡¯t dare to underestimate the person in front of him. ¡°Did Jiang Junior Brother end up winning the mid-stage Foundation Establishment prize?¡± Xin Yuyue asked. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m taking the seed with me,¡± Jiang Hao nodded in response. ¡°Junior Brother Jiang is really cautious,¡± Zheng Shijiu couldn¡¯t help but remark. Xin Yuyue felt it was a pity; if it were the Tianchen Spirit Technique, she would have liked to buy it at a high price. But she heard that the Tianchen Spirit Technique was taken by Ning Wanping of the Enforcement Peak, and it would be too difficult to exchange for it. The fact that Ning Wanping got the Tianchen Spirit Technique surprised many people. He was actually the fifth person to choose a treasure. And Jiang Hao¡¯s victory reaffirmed for Xin Yuyue and Zheng Shijiu that this person was definitely not to be provoked. After chatting for a while, a woman carrying a giant sword came from a distance. She was not tall, but the sword on her back was particularly eye-catching. She recognized Zheng Shijiu at a glance and came over politely. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to have kept the three of you waiting, I¡¯m Le You from Hengliu Waterfall.¡± ¡°We¡¯ve just arrived as well,¡± Zheng Shijiu said with a smile. ¡°Isn¡¯t it tiring for Junior Sister Le You to carry a sword like that?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just part of my training,¡± Le You replied. Jiang Hao glanced at her and then paid no further attention. The other party had a calm demeanor, not seeming like someone fond of talking. From their aura, they appeared to be at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. Soon after, a bald man with well-developed muscles, prominent brow bones, and a somewhat fierce complexion approached from a distance. He was Hundred Bones Forest Feng Baifei at the late stage of the Foundation Establishment. When Jiang Hao looked at him, he also glanced back with a hint of provocation. ¡°...¡± Once everyone had arrived, the five of them flew on their swords to recruit new disciples. The recruitment was taking place at the base of another peak. On their way, they would pass over an abyss surrounded by clouds and mist. At this moment, four of them were flying over the abyss on their swords. The sea of clouds and mist below was churning, making them all somewhat vigilant. ¡°It¡¯s said that the sect¡¯s spirit beast, the Sky-Swallowing Giant Crocodile, is kept below. Falling in would be extremely dangerous,¡± Zheng Shijiu said with apprehension as he looked down at the clouds and mist. Jiang Hao had also heard of it but had never seen the giant crocodile himself. Nor had he heard of the crocodile coming up from below. There were those who had gone down, but no one seemed to have seen the crocodile. ¡°I heard someone was accidentally eaten by the senior crocodile, which caused a stir in the Hall of Enforcement,¡± Hengliu Waterfall said leisurely. Being accidentally eaten was no small matter; even if the Hall of Enforcement would intervene, it was still extremely dangerous. The five of them sped up, quickly crossing the cloud-wreathed abyss. Shortly after. The five arrived at a plaza on the mountain peak, which was empty at the moment. Only one person at the early stage of Foundation Establishment was waiting. ¡°Greetings to the five Senior Brothers,¡± Miao Xing said respectfully. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Miao Xing looked to be in his thirties or forties. He had no hope of advancement and was doing some outer sect work. It was a respectable position. ¡°Junior Brother Miao is too polite. Are all the people here?¡± Zheng Shijiu asked with a smile, seeming familiar with the process of recruiting disciples. ¡°Yes, we¡¯re just waiting for the five Senior Brothers to take charge,¡± Miao Xing nodded. Even the weakest among Jiang Hao and the others was at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, and each was very young, beyond comparison for him. Miao Xing was well aware of this fact. ¡°It seems Junior Brother Jiang is not quite familiar with the procedure.¡± Zheng Shijiu said, turning to Jiang Hao and explaining, ¡°Normally, the outer sect Junior Brothers handle the preliminary arrangements. We only need to be present on the day of the assessment to make the final decisions.¡± ¡°There are generally two types of disciples we recruit: those we test for talent and those we test for perseverance. If their talent is sufficient, we accept them. If not, we test their perseverance, and if it¡¯s acceptable, they can join the outer sect.¡± ¡°Of course, if Junior Brother feels someone is suitable, they can also be allowed into the outer sect. Right now, the candidates are gathered at the base of the mountain, and we need to go down to test their aptitude. As long as it¡¯s not a fraud, they can be accepted.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°I wonder what the quality is like this year,¡± Hundred Bones Forest Feng Baifei said curiously. The others were curious as well. Selecting new disciples was always exciting. If there were any exceptionally talented disciples, they would be the first to bring them back to their own lineage. This was considered a significant merit. Thus, the task of recruiting disciples was a good thing for many. The only fear was bringing back trouble. Looking down from the mountain peak, Jiang Hao saw quite a few people below. ¡°There are a total of 2,656 applicants, with 2,632 present,¡± Miao Xing explained. With over two thousand people, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t immediately tell who had exceptional talent. But most seemed quite ordinary, even less so than himself. His above-average talent was already considered quite good. ¡°Let¡¯s go down and test their aptitude,¡± Hengliu Waterfall¡¯s Le You said, now interested. Jiang Hao also thought it was a good idea. Aside from the Senior Brother from Hundred Bones Forest occasionally casting fierce glances, the process was going smoothly. He believed no one would cause trouble during the disciple recruitment process, as they all must have been instructed by their masters to bring back recruits. Any mishap would be regrettable upon return. So everyone hoped for a smooth and trouble-free process. Any existing grudges had to be set aside for the time being, not to mention that there were no significant grudges among them. As for the people from Hundred Bones Forest, it was likely because the Hall of Enforcement couldn¡¯t find the culprit, so they were suspicious of the most suspicious-looking one. And Jiang Hao was that person. In truth, the death of Ming Zuo Quan was simply because they had gone too far, but unfortunately, it seemed the people from Hundred Bones Forest were not inclined to self-reflect. The six flew down on their swords, landing at the forefront of the plaza. This caused an uproar among the people below. Most of them looked on with longing. Jiang Hao could understand; he too had aspired to fly on a sword when he first joined. But to reach that level, one had to first strive to survive. ...... Testing aptitude was divided into two parts: the first was to use a jade slip to test the compatibility with spiritual energy. The better the compatibility, the faster the absorption of spiritual energy. This was an inherent talent, difficult to improve, while the second part was to recite the Heart Sutra. This was to test comprehension. This way, they could assess normal talent and preliminarily determine suitability for cultivation. Jiang Hao and the others, with Zheng Shijiu at the lead, sat to one side, waiting for the people below to come up and test their compatibility with spiritual energy. There were only ten jade slips, so they had to test in groups of ten. With over two thousand people, they could finish by the morning. The jade slip is divided into seven sections, and reaching the third section qualifies one to enter the outer sect. The first and second sections only indicate subsequent comprehension and perseverance. If not even one section lights up, then there is no fate with immortality. Following Miao Xing¡¯s order, the people lined up below began to come forward in groups of ten. All they had to do was hold the slip without moving. Out of the first ten people, only one reached the third section. Afterward, Xin Yuyue asked for his name and recorded it. Jiang Hao could see the joy in the man¡¯s eyes; for these people, it didn¡¯t matter whether the Tianyin Sect was a Demon Sect or not. ¡°Next group,¡± Miao Xing continued. At this moment, a little girl walked up, looking somewhat clumsy, but the moment Jiang Hao saw her, his pupils contracted. It wasn¡¯t that he recognized her, but under his comprehensive assessment, she was somewhat extraordinary. Chapter 96 - The Divine Power Is Somewhat Insufficient Chapter 96: The Divine Power Is Somewhat Insufficient This was a girl around twelve or thirteen years old, with short hair and a rather disheveled appearance, her face pale. She looked like a malnourished farm child. Such an image was not uncommon among the more than two thousand people. But to Jiang Hao, this little girl seemed to have a pure and flawless spirit, strong yet restrained physical strength. With each breath, a powerful vital energy surged like a vast tide. Yet not a trace of spiritual energy was to be seen. This little girl was definitely not ordinary. If he weren¡¯t worried about other strange individuals appearing later, he would have identified her on the spot. Soon, the assessment of the ten people was over. Not a single one reached the third section. This probability made the others slightly frown; the minimum requirement for this mission was three hundred, and if they didn¡¯t reach that number, they would have to go out and search. ¡°No talent, huh?¡± The little girl looked at the jade slip with some disappointment. Just as Miao Xing was about to call the next group, Jiang Hao suddenly interrupted him. ¡°Wait a moment.¡± Seeing this, the others looked at Jiang Hao with some confusion, not understanding why he suddenly interrupted. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± Ignoring the others, Jiang Hao asked the little girl. If she truly had exceptional talent, he would take her back to Duanqing Cliff. If not, he would let her return to wherever she came from. ¡°M-me?¡± The little girl pointed at herself and continued after Jiang Hao nodded: ¡°Xiao Li.¡± ¡°Stand aside and wait,¡± Jiang Hao said calmly. This made Zheng Shijiu and the others somewhat puzzled, not understanding what Jiang Hao was up to. Miao Xing was curious but did not ask further. Xiao Li was surprised and then stood aside to wait. ¡°Is this Xiao Li not ordinary?¡± Xin Yuyue asked curiously. Le You scrutinized the little girl and said, ¡°She seems to have a good foundation, strong limbs, and even breathing, but if she lacks the talent for cultivation, she can only learn martial arts.¡± Hundred Bones Forest Feng Baifei also glanced at her and then shook his head. Each of them had three spots and couldn¡¯t afford to waste them. ...... The assessment continued. From time to time, someone would reach the third section, occasionally the fourth. So far, no one had exceeded the fourth section. Jiang Hao and the others were not in a hurry; this was just under a hundred people. Four sections were considered average, five sections above average, six sections high, and seven sections superior. Anything higher couldn¡¯t be tested here, nor would it be done in front of everyone. In fact, as soon as someone of superior talent was found, everyone would immediately notify their master. Such talented individuals were usually taken away by the various main veins. When the assessment reached over a hundred people, a girl with five sections appeared. Then two more people followed. By the time they reached five hundred, there was one person with high talent. It was a scruffy little boy. His name was instantly remembered by everyone. Jiang Hao was naturally paying attention. Everyone had three spots, and of course, the higher the talent, the better. The talent assessment went smoothly. The people being tested had mixed emotions. Two thousand had been tested, and by this time, nine people of high talent had appeared. Not too few. However, Zheng Shijiu told him that they couldn¡¯t all be taken away. For each person of high talent, only one could be chosen. Jiang Hao understood that this was to maintain balance among the other main veins. Then four more people came up, and it seemed that three of them were from the same village. Two boys and one girl. One of the boys had a good temperament, and the girl was also pretty and beautiful. Only the boy in the middle looked frail and somewhat self-conscious. Jiang Hao kept his eyes on this self-conscious youth. He was different from the others; he could see many hidden things, and this person was somewhat unusual. However, the two accompanying him were also particularly lively, suggesting that their talents should not be bad. Sure enough, the jade slips in the hands of those two lit up immediately. All seven sections lit up, indicating a superior talent. Seeing this, Zheng Shijiu and the others were also taken aback. One by one, they all stood up. Seeing this, Jiang Hao had no choice but to stand as well otherwise he would stand out for the wrong reasons. To have two individuals with superior talent emerge one after another was not only shocking to the crowd below, but even Zheng Shijiu and his peers were excited. Compared to those two superior talents, Jiang Hao was more concerned about the self-deprecating young man. His jade slip showed three sections lit up. Barely enough to be considered for entry. Now he had another person he wanted to assess, but unfortunately, he could only choose one. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, he wasn¡¯t in a rush and decided to wait and see if there were others. At this moment, Zheng Shijiu and the others had calmed down and quickly spoke up. ¡°Both of you, come here. Tell us your names.¡± Watching the two familiar people walk over, the self-deprecating young man stood there, looking somewhat lost. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t say anything; the gap in talent would cause him to drift further away from these two individuals. It could be that they would leave him behind, or perhaps his own inferiority would make him avoid them. It was an inevitable situation. In fact, being alone in the Demon Sect, as long as one doesn¡¯t cause trouble, might be better. ¡°My name is Zhao Qingxue,¡± the girl said timidly. ¡°I¡¯m Lin Mo,¡± the boy followed. Hearing this, Zheng Shijiu turned to Jiang Hao and the others and asked, ¡°What do Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters think?¡± ¡°We can¡¯t make this decision. Just bring them in,¡± Xin Yuyue from Leihuo Peak said. ¡°Hundred Bones Forest wants one,¡± Feng Baifei stated. ¡°Do you think you can just claim one?¡± Le You calmly said. ¡°Superior talents aren¡¯t something we can decide on. Junior Sister Xin is right; we should bring them in after this is over. I¡¯ve heard Baiyue Lake hasn¡¯t recruited in a long time; they should take one. As for the remaining eleven veins vying for them, does Hundred Bones Forest even stand a chance?¡± ¡°Then does Hengliu Waterfall stand a chance?¡± Feng Baifei retorted without any courtesy. ¡°What does Junior Brother Jiang think?¡± Zheng Shijiu asked Jiang Hao. ¡°It¡¯s all up to Senior Brother,¡± Jiang Hao replied politely. No matter how they saw it, they couldn¡¯t make the decision. They could either notify the people inside now or bring them in. It was all the same. It would be up to those people to compete. As he spoke, he added another line: ¡°Let¡¯s wait a bit longer; maybe there are more to come?¡± Hearing this, the others didn¡¯t pay much attention, as it wasn¡¯t that easy. Zheng Shijiu had people stand behind them and then continued with the testing. In the end, no more superior talents appeared, not even high ones. There were a few more in the above average tier. Until the last moment, Jiang Hao frowned, and his expression turned sour. Because a Golden Core mid-stage tester had arrived. The person was a beautiful woman with a ponytail, smiling at Jiang Hao and the others as she asked. ¡°Do I need to be tested?¡± Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± The others also sensed something was amiss. But before they could react, the woman¡¯s jade slip lit up with all seven sections. The speed was extremely fast. This should have surpassed superior talent. But she was already a Golden Core cultivator; the test was meaningless. She could control it secretly. At this moment, Miao Xing also realized something unusual. This woman was somewhat powerful. ¡°Is there anyone from Duanqing Cliff here?¡± the woman asked. ¡°I am,¡± Jiang Hao said, bracing himself as he stood up. ¡°What can I do for you, fairy?¡± ¡°I want to join Duanqing Cliff. I heard you have three spots to directly bring people to your own vein. Take me with you,¡± the woman said without any courtesy. ¡°May I ask who the fairy is?¡± Jiang Hao asked politely. ¡°Miao Tinglian,¡± the woman said with a smile. Jiang Hao was surprised and somewhat taken aback. Chapter 97 - This Time It’s Someone Else’s Traitor Chapter 97: This Time It¡¯s Someone Else¡¯s Traitor Miao Tinglian, the reserve Saintess of the Tiansheng Sect, had an affair with Senior Brother Mu Qi. Information about her flashed through Jiang Hao¡¯s mind. This made him somewhat worried. But he also found it strange; if she was here to be an undercover agent, why would she use her Golden Core stage cultivation so openly? ¡°With such remarkable cultivation, may I ask which sect or faction you belong to?¡± Jiang Hao maintained his composure as he asked. The other candidates were surprised; among them was someone who even an immortal master would respect. They were lucky not to have provoked this big sister, some thought with relief. Of course, some of the older candidates were shocked; they had certain intentions. After all, among so many people, Miao Tinglian stood out for her beauty. It was natural to have some thoughts. ¡°Tiansheng Sect,¡± Miao Tinglian said openly. ¡°But I have already defected, and now I come here to surrender. I¡¯ve brought my statement of allegiance; you just need to take me to see your master.¡± Betrayal? Jiang Hao felt a headache coming on, unable to ascertain the truth. But he didn¡¯t want to use today¡¯s assessment on this person. The other four people around him were on high alert. Both Tiansheng Sect and Tianyin Sect were considered Demon Sects, but every member of the Tiansheng Sect was incredibly fanatical. Provoking them was always troublesome. ¡°Of course, I will give you something in return.¡± Jiang Hao¡¯s hesitation let Miao Tinglian know that she had to offer something. She took out a small bottle, her voice calm. ¡°As long as you can get me inside, this Heaven Replenishing Pill is yours.¡± As her words fell, Zheng Shijiu and Bai Fei from the Hundred Bone Forest were both stunned. The Heaven Replenishing Pill was exactly what they needed to pursue the Golden Core. It was worth a fortune. For a moment, they all felt a strong desire, even considering offering their help directly. Jiang Hao looked down, his eyes fixed on the bottle, filled with the same longing. Because this pill was worth at least three thousand spirit stones, and at most ten thousand. Ten thousand. Next time he could buy a saber without any hesitation, and he could awaken the bloodline of the rabbit again. He could also buy a bunch of spirit medicine seeds. Finally, he decided to use the assessment. ¡¾Miao Tinglian: One of the prospective saintesses of the Tiansheng Sect, mid-stage Golden Core cultivation, exceptional talent. She has successfully defected and wants to join Duanqing Cliff to evade capture by the Tiansheng Sect. She has a relationship with Mu Qi of Tianyin Sect¡¯s Duanqing Cliff, and her defection is also for him.¡¿ Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± When he had previously assessed Senior Brother Mu Qi, he had been worried about the possibility of defection due to the connection with a prospective saintess of the Tiansheng Sect. But he had never considered that the other party would defect first. Even so, she was still one of the prospective saintesses of the Tiansheng Sect, which was truly strange. For now, there was no danger from her, but that could change later. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After hesitating for a moment, he pushed the Heaven Replenishing Pill back. ¡°The entrance test won¡¯t finish until tomorrow, and we can only take people inside then. Regarding the fairy¡¯s request, I need to report to my master. I hope the fairy will understand.¡± Once he accepted the item, any issues that arose would be his responsibility. If he didn¡¯t accept it, the responsibility would be much less. Moreover, the way Zheng Shijiu and the others looked at the pill was too eager; accepting it would definitely be troublesome. Miao Tinglian naturally agreed to Jiang Hao¡¯s suggestion. The testing continued. In the end, the results were one Miao Tinglian, two superior talents, nine high, fifty-six above average, one hundred thirty-two average, and two hundred six below average. The number had far exceeded three hundred. The mission was complete. Afterward, Miao Xing gave everyone a book. Even those without talent received one because if they had high comprehension, the sect would still want them. High comprehension, given the right opportunity, could lead to soaring success. Although it rarely happened, what if it did? ¡°Start reading aloud, ¡®Tianyin Strings,¡¯¡± Miao Xing instructed everyone. Jiang Hao¡¯s gaze, however, was on the previously mentioned Xiao Li and the self-deprecating youth. ¡®Tianyin Strings¡¯ was the initial Chapter of the Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, used to test talent. And it was completely public, not only tested by their sect but also by others. They were even stealing their ¡®Tianyin Strings.¡¯ It was said that the sect leader had allowed this, even if it was theft. The books were specially made; the more one comprehended, the brighter the book would glow, with seven sections in total. Moments later, the most dazzling were still the two with superior talent. The others were quite a bit behind, even the nine with high talent. However, one of the above-average talents surpassed the high ones. Because there was a limit, they could no longer continue reading. One above average talent lasted longer than the high ones and even seemed to be catching up to the superior talents. This was worth paying attention to. But during this observation period, Xiao Li still showed no talent. This struck Jiang Hao as extremely odd. As for the self-deprecating youth, he was average, with three sections. His name was Lin Zhi, and his background was similar to the two with superior talent. ¡°It looks like I¡¯ll have to assess Xiao Li tomorrow.¡± These two were the ones he wanted to assess; originally, he could have done one today and the other tomorrow. Now he could only choose one. Lin Zhi could enter normally, so there was no need for assessment. Xiao Li needed to be confirmed. If she really was just an ordinary person, it would be better to let her go home. ¡°You are really lucky; with so few people, you managed to find two with superior talent,¡± Miao Tinglian remarked. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t respond. If Miao Tinglian were counted, there would be an exceptional talent among them. But it was indeed rare for two superior talents to emerge from two thousand people. Even though their comprehension wasn¡¯t astonishing, they still barely made it to the superior level. ...... After the comprehension test, thirty more people were added. What remained was the test of perseverance; they set off now, and those who could climb the mountain where disciples were recruited by noon tomorrow would be able to enter the outer sect. ¡°Spirit root, comprehension, perseverance. Truly a comprehensive recruitment of disciples,¡± Miao Tinglian said, somewhat surprised. However, she doesn¡¯t need to participate. As a Golden Core, there¡¯s no need for testing. If it weren¡¯t for issues with her identity, she could directly enter the inner sect. ¡°Arrange the people, we¡¯ll take them in tomorrow,¡± Zheng Shijiu instructed Miao Xing. ¡°Yes,¡± Miao Xing responded, then turned to Jiang Hao. ¡°Senior Brother, do you think we should keep that Xiao Li?¡± Because the little girl had no talent, logically, there was no need to keep her. And Jiang Hao had not yet written down her name. So he needed to ask. ¡°Keep her for now, I¡¯ll decide tomorrow,¡± Jiang Hao said. Afterward, he bid farewell to Miao Tinglian before flying back on his sword. Of course, the two superior disciples were also with them. Before leaving, Jiang Hao saw the two bidding farewell to Lin Zhi, saying they would meet inside. Lin Zhi, with his head lowered, forced a smile. Everyone could see that the future of these two was boundless. They were too different from the others. It wouldn¡¯t be long before they widened the gap significantly. Of course, this was a matter for the three of them, and Jiang Hao didn¡¯t want to interfere. He only hoped that Lin Zhi could steady himself. With the many idle talks in the Demon Sect, his future would be difficult. He just hoped Lin Zhi would maintain his sanity and not let himself be too embarrassed. Whether it was him avoiding those two or them intentionally distancing themselves, he hoped Lin Zhi could withstand it. ¡°Senior Brother, Senior Sister, which lineage will we be joining?¡± Lin Mo asked on the way. ¡°We don¡¯t know yet,¡± Zheng Shijiu said with a smile: ¡°But wherever you go, you¡¯ll be valued.¡± ¡°Will we be able to fly with swords like Senior Brother and Senior Sister in the future?¡± Lin Mo asked longingly. ¡°Not just like us,¡± Xin Yuyue said enviously. ¡°You¡¯ll be even more formidable in the future.¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t speak; the superior talent of the top disciples was indeed enviable. But everyone present was not far behind. ¡°Can we bring our friend to cultivate with us?¡± Zhao Qingxue suddenly asked. ¡°No,¡± Le You said clearly: ¡°Is it that Lin Zhi? I¡¯ve observed him, and his talent and comprehension are truly limited. The gap between you and him is too great. You can help him, but in the future, there will be an insurmountable gap. If you consider him a friend, I suggest you manage your relationship carefully.¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised; this Senior Sister¡¯s words were particularly agreeable. ...... After a while, they landed at the base of the Enforcement Peak, each calling for their master. Soon, the two superior disciples were taken up the Enforcement Peak, it seemed they had to compete for their place. Jiang Hao also took the opportunity to inform his master that there were other matters to report. The answer was to visit his residence tonight. With this, Jiang Hao was at ease. Chapter 98 - The Dragon Clan Comes to The Sect for a Meal Chapter 98: The Dragon Clan Comes to The Sect for a Meal Taking advantage of the free time, he visited the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Upon entering, he heard the rabbit discussing with Cheng Chou which people were tasty. ¡°Sixteen-year-old rich girls are the most tender; they... they love to feed rabbits the best carrots. Lord Rabbit likes them so much, they always give face to Lord Rabbit.¡± Under Cheng Chou¡¯s astonished gaze, the rabbit turned to Jiang Hao at the entrance. ¡°Ah, master, you¡¯re back? I was just enjoying some carrots, do you want some? They¡¯re all selected for me by friends from the road.¡± Saying this, it took a bite of a carrot from who knows where. ¡°Senior Brother Jiang,¡± Cheng Chou also immediately greeted with respect. Ignoring the rabbit, Jiang Hao turned to Cheng Chou: ¡°Any confusion with your cultivation?¡± S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°There¡¯s a little,¡± Cheng Chou said somewhat embarrassedly, raising a few questions. Then Jiang Hao answered each one and finally said, ¡°You¡¯re about to advance. It¡¯s best to refine your cultivation recently to prevent accidents.¡± ¡°Yes, thank you, Senior Brother Jiang,¡± Cheng Chou said excitedly. He had been stuck at the Qi Refining eighth level for too long. After Jiang Hao¡¯s guidance, he was finally about to step into the ninth level. As long as the Foundation Establishment was successful, he would be an inner disciple. However... He still wanted to stay in the Spiritual Medicine Garden. After all, his talent was limited, and he felt more at ease under the protection of Senior Brother Jiang. Jiang Hao took care of the spiritual medicine, and Senior Sister Zhou Chan found him, giving him a transparent box. It was sent by Elder Bai Zhi¡¯s orders. After thanking her, Jiang Hao sent Senior Sister Zhou Chan away. Looking at the transparent box in his hand, he knew it was the second piece of the set. It must also be the result of his half-year effort in gardening. ¡°It looks like a wrist guard, but it still needs to be appraised,¡± Jiang Hao thought as he put it away. ...... After dark, he went to his master¡¯s residence. ¡°Come in.¡± He heard his master¡¯s voice as soon as he arrived. ¡°Master,¡± Jiang Hao entered the courtyard and respectfully saluted. At this moment, Ku Wuchang¡¯s expression was not good, his brows furrowed. Jiang Hao noticed something but felt no change, as the master often had a stern face. However, not seeing the two superior talent disciples, it seemed the master had not won over others. ¡°Is there something important?¡± Ku Wuchang asked in a low voice. ¡°Regarding a new disciple,¡± Jiang Hao recounted everything about Miao Tinglian. Waiting for the master to make a decision. At this moment, Ku Wuchang was silent with his eyes lowered, seemingly deep in thought. He did not keep Jiang Hao waiting long before he said: ¡°Bring her in.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± With that response, Jiang Hao withdrew. Since the master had given his approval, he had no need to worry about anything else. That left him with only two spots remaining. He would decide tomorrow who to bring to Duanqing Cliff. The next morning. Jiang Hao met up with the other four and once again flew on their swords through the misty abyss. ¡°Do you have any news? Which sect did those two join?¡± Zheng Shijiu asked curiously on the way. ¡°We didn¡¯t manage to get them,¡± Feng Baifei from Hundred Bones Forest said somewhat angrily. ¡°We didn¡¯t either,¡± Le You, carrying a giant sword, shook his head. ¡°I only know that Junior Sister Zhao has joined Baiyue Lake,¡± Xin Yuyue said. Seeing everyone looking at him, Jiang Hao shook his head, ¡°I have no idea.¡± Zheng Shijiu sighed: ¡°It seems they were taken by other main branches, most likely to the Enforcement Peak. I heard it¡¯s been a long time since they¡¯ve taken in disciples.¡± Enforcement Peak isn¡¯t actually that scary; the real power lies in the Hall of Enforcement. The Hall of Merits and others don¡¯t have any awe-inspiring authority. And the Hall of Enforcement can¡¯t interfere in many matters and is very strict in selecting people. It¡¯s hard to get in, but those who do get in are usually not easy to get along with. Of course, the Hall of Enforcement isn¡¯t very safe either, as it¡¯s easy to offend people. So, each member of the Hall of Enforcement has exceptionally high talent and strength. They are the outstanding figures of their generation. In a short while, everyone landed on the peak where disciples were being recruited. Since there were enough people, everyone was relatively relaxed. What they needed to do now was actually to select three people to complete their task. ¡°Senior Brothers, the new disciples have already gathered here,¡± Miao Xing announced, leading a few hundred people standing on the peak. They had climbed up the stone steps early in the morning. Zheng Shijiu and the others nodded, then went to select three people. Miao Tinglian approached Jiang Hao, a bit nervous, and asked, ¡°How is it?¡± ¡°You¡¯ll follow me to see the master later,¡± Jiang Hao replied truthfully. Afterward, he went to the edge of the peak, looking to the side, he noticed many people climbing up. Only a little over a hundred could reach this place. Even fewer would make it to the top. Looking at these people, Jiang Hao was moved; the path to immortality is so cruel, some fall on the way, some at the threshold of entry. The word ¡®immortal¡¯ attracts countless people. Crack! Suddenly, a sound rang out; someone¡¯s handhold on the rock broke. ¡°Ahhhh¡± A young man fell off the cliff. With a sigh, Jiang Hao flicked his finger, and an invisible force gently caught and lowered him down. ¡°Go back,¡± he said softly. His voice naturally traveled the distance and reached the other¡¯s ears. The young man, with a face full of unwillingness, finally knelt down in the direction of Jiang Hao and kowtowed deeply. After doing this, he turned back. As for whether he would give up, Jiang Hao did not know. Perhaps not. ¡°It¡¯s very dangerous for you to be like this. You¡¯ve already reached Foundation Establishment and still show such compassion. Isn¡¯t Tianyin Sect supposed to be a Demon Sect?¡± Miao Tinglian reminded from the side. Jiang Hao gave her a bow, thanked her, and then turned to leave. He wanted to check on the little girl named Xiao Li. Xiao Li was waiting on the side, having heard that it hadn¡¯t been decided whether to take her in or not. This worried her. She couldn¡¯t go back now. The dry food her grandmother had given her was all gone. At this moment, she saw Jiang Hao approaching, her face lit up with joy. Then she showed a sweet and adorable demeanor. Jiang Hao was unmoved by the little girl¡¯s expression and began the appraisal. To his surprise, the feedback from his divine ability was somewhat slow this time. ¡¾Xiao Li: Dragon Race, ordinary methods cannot appraise her talent, severely injured by the heavenly thunder, lost her memory and strength, fell into the river and was picked up by an elderly couple who could only afford to keep her for three years due to her large appetite, and reluctantly sent her to Tianyin Sect with tears, hoping she could be accepted into the sect to have a meal to eat.¡¿ Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± He was surprised for two reasons. One was that the other party was actually of the dragon race, which he had failed to detect. The second was that she had come just to have a meal to eat. It reminded him of Liu Xingchen, who had come to the sect undercover out of boredom. Looking at her expectant gaze, Jiang Hao sighed softly and said. ¡°Come with me.¡± Upon hearing this, Xiao Li jumped up excitedly. Seeing this, Jiang Hao felt helpless, thinking to himself that he might as well give her a meal to eat. There weren¡¯t many people staying outside Duanqing Cliff, and he hoped she could take care of herself. As for whether her dragon lineage will be discovered, that depends on his master. Then he approached Lin Zhi and said, ¡°Come with me as well.¡± The sudden appearance of Jiang Hao surprised him. However, he knew being chosen was a good thing, so he nodded gratefully. Choosing these two, along with Miao Tinglian, should avoid drawing attention and it won¡¯t displease others. Because one has no talent, and the other¡¯s talent is mediocre. So even if Miao Tinglian has outstanding talent, it doesn¡¯t matter. Chapter 99 - Facing the Female Demon Chapter 99: Facing the Female Demon Jiang Hao¡¯s choices puzzled others; Zheng Shijiu and the rest thought he would choose two with above-average talent. They didn¡¯t expect him to pick the two worst. But seeing Miao Tinglian, who is at the Golden Core stage, they felt this choice was quite fitting. It seemed very low-key. Actually, Xin Yuyue found it strange, as in her perception, Jiang Hao was a very low-profile person, yet his reputation was quite prominent. Of course, this also made her and Zheng Shijiu feel intimidated. Perhaps the more silent a person is, the more dangerous they are. Feng Baifei of Hundred Bones Forest expressed disdain, as they couldn¡¯t say much even if he had chosen those with above-average or superior abilities. After all, Miao Tinglian was going for Duanqing Cliff, and nothing could stop her. There was no need to count her among them. Bringing such people back would only make others think they are not doing their job well. Le You stared at Xiao Li; if the other party had some talent, she would also want to take them away. Unfortunately, there was no talent. She didn¡¯t dare to choose rashly, let alone the fact that this person was left behind by Jiang Hao. ¡°Is it almost time?¡± Zheng Shijiu suddenly asked. ¡°There¡¯s still some time left,¡± Jiang Hao said, looking towards the edge of the mountain. At this time, people were continuously climbing up. One by one... Finally, twenty-six people made it up. In the last moments, a young man with bloodied hands and half his body already on the mountain peak arrived. It was at this moment. Miao Xing spoke: ¡°Time¡¯s up, those who haven¡¯t fully climbed up the mountain can descend now.¡± The moment the young man heard these words, it struck him like a bolt from the blue, his face turned pale and he looked helpless. His determined face drooped at this moment, and tears uncontrollably dripped down. He seemed very unwilling. Others didn¡¯t pay much attention to him, but some of the new disciples felt pity for him. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t want to intervene, but the young man¡¯s physical condition was actually very poor, and being able to climb to this point could be said to be the most determined among everyone. If this were an immortal sect, he could let the person stay, giving him a chance. But in the Demon Sect... the competition is much more brutal than in the immortal sects. Those who join a sect based on perseverance either go back or are buried there. So far, there have been no stories of anyone rising to prominence. While pondering, he approached the young man, and accompanying him was Le You, the fairy with the great sword on her back. ¡°Do you have family?¡± Fairy Le You asked first. She also admired the other¡¯s perseverance, and if possible, she would take him directly back to Hengliu Waterfall. Having one more person like this wouldn¡¯t cause any complaints from others. ¡°Yes, I do,¡± the young man answered. ¡°Do you know what kind of sect you¡¯re joining?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°I know,¡± the young man replied. ¡°Is that so?¡± Jiang Hao nodded and said no more. Fairy Le You stomped heavily on the ground, and then the young man flew onto the mountain peak. With that, she turned and left, adding: ¡°Follow me; if you can keep up, come with me to the main vein of Hengliu Waterfall. If you can¡¯t, I¡¯ll have someone send you away.¡± Watching Fairy Le You, Jiang Hao felt she was not simple. Afterwards, he glanced at the others still halfway up the mountain and said to Miao Xing. ¡°Take them down.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Miao Xing nodded in agreement. As he was about to carry out the task, Jiang Hao gave him an ordinary spiritual sword. ¡°Keep it.¡± ¡°Th-thank you, Senior Brother,¡± Miao Xing said gratefully. Although spiritual swords are cheap, they are still spiritual swords. With the sword in hand, Miao Xing worked even more diligently. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t mind; he had many spiritual swords, an absurd amount in fact. He had always been looking for ways to use them up. Giving one away was also a way to use them. After that, they walked towards the location of the outer sect, a journey that took half a day. This part of the road was nourished by spiritual energy, a test of one¡¯s Dao Heart, and considered a benefit of the sect. If one¡¯s Dao Heart is solid, the mind is steadfast, and they have enough opportunity, one could glimpse the path ahead in one night, and after obtaining the Tianyin Hundred Revolutions Qi Refining Chapter, they could be initiated in one night. ¡°Tianyin Sect is really generous,¡± Miao Tinglian, walking beside Jiang Hao, remarked. She knew this path as well. Seeing it today truly shocked her; it was unbelievable that such a sect was actually a Demon Sect. In the future, it might become one of the top Demon Sects in the cultivation world. ...... At dusk, Jiang Hao and the others arrived at the location of the outer sect. Others were arranged by Miao Xing, and Jiang Hao and his group could each take their people back. This matter was considered concluded. There were no unexpected complications. Although there were surprises, they were not unacceptable. He just didn¡¯t know if bringing Miao Tinglian would provoke Mu Qi Senior Brother. Although the two had some connection, he didn¡¯t know the specifics. ¡°Follow me,¡± Jiang Hao said to Miao Tinglian and the others. Xiao Li nodded vigorously, but her steps were a bit unsteady. Jiang Hao knew she was hungry. Lin Zhi kept his head down. Miao Tinglian was somewhat nervous; she was about to meet someone who could decide her life or death, and one misstep could mean no return. Before leaving, Jiang Hao glanced over at Senior Sister Le You; the determined young man had not fallen behind. From today on, the destinies of these new disciples would change from the past. Some would make their mark, while many more would become mere bones under others¡¯ feet. Of course, being an ordinary person might be safer, but it wasn¡¯t much better. When night fell, Jiang Hao brought people back to Duanqing Cliff. He first went to his master¡¯s residence. He reported the situation of the three people. Lin Zhi and Xiao Li were only glanced at by Ku Wuchang, who then paid them no more attention. His face showed no extra emotion, and Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t tell if his master was satisfied. ¡°Take those two to settle down,¡± Ku Wuchang said in a low voice. ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao respectfully complied. Afterward, Jiang Hao led the people out, leaving Miao Tinglian alone inside. Just as he stepped out, Jiang Hao saw Mu Qi Senior Brother in black, looking worried. Upon noticing Jiang Hao, he immediately smiled. ¡°Junior Brother, is the mission complete? Are these the new disciples you brought back?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m about to settle them in,¡± Jiang Hao replied politely. Mu Qi nodded, then asked with some confusion: ¡°Why only two?¡± Senior Brother must be asking about Miao Tinglian... Jiang Hao understood, so he honestly replied, S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°There¡¯s another fairy named Miao Tinglian who has come to surrender. Her background is not ordinary, so I had to leave it to the master to decide.¡± After a brief chat, Jiang Hao led the people away. He wasn¡¯t sure if Mu Qi Senior Brother would blame him for bringing Miao Tinglian, but it was out of his control. Everyone was watching, and with Golden Core cultivation, he couldn¡¯t justify not reporting it. But holding a grudge is holding a grudge; who would consider his perspective? After taking Xiao Li and Lin Zhi to the gathering place of Duanqing Cliff¡¯s outer sect, Jiang Hao left. What happened to them next was up to them. Before leaving, he kindly reminded them, ¡°In the sect, speak less, do more, and don¡¯t offend anyone.¡± Both nodded. Lin Zhi might have taken it to heart. As for Xiao Li... perhaps not. ...... Late at night. Jiang Hao finally returned to his residence. The mission had gone smoothly, and tomorrow he could continue to keep a low profile and become stronger as quickly as possible. Soon, he immersed himself in cultivation. And to calm his own heart. Today, seeing those people willing to die for the path of immortality, although mostly forced by circumstances, still left him with many thoughts. The next day. Sunlight streamed in, and he went to the balcony to take a deep breath. Looking down at the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, he noticed an additional person in the courtyard. Dressed in red, standing gracefully with her long hair fluttering. At that moment, she slightly raised her head, locking eyes with Jiang Hao. Chapter 100 - The Female Demon Strikes Chapter 100: The Female Demon Strikes Early morning. A gentle breeze. Hong Yuye¡¯s hair tips swayed gently, and she looked up at the balcony without moving. Jiang Hao, looking down at her, seemed to behold a beautiful scene from the human world. His calm heart couldn¡¯t help but become restless. For a moment, he wanted to exclaim at the beauty of the woman before him. But he quickly recovered, feeling somewhat disappointed. His half-year of mental training did not seem to be effective at this moment. He still couldn¡¯t maintain his usual calm. Then, Hong Yuye slowly spoke: ¡°Have you forgotten who I am by looking at me like that?¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao leaped down to the courtyard, respectfully saying, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare. I was just too surprised to see senior arrive, and I didn¡¯t greet you properly. I hope senior forgives me.¡± From the front, Hong Yuye in her red dress, with a belt cinched at her waist and her fairy skirt touching the ground, along with her cold gaze, seemed unapproachable. This woman is both powerful and beautiful, with a mysterious background and strange magical techniques. No wonder they need the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower to lure her in. ¡°What have you been doing for the past half year?¡± Hong Yuye asked casually, withdrawing her gaze. At this moment, she stood beside the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, with the rabbit already tossed onto the peach tree, still swollen and bruised, its fate unknown. ¡°I¡¯ve been helping senior take care of the flowers,¡± Jiang Hao quickly replied. ¡°Is that so?¡± Hong Yuye looked at Jiang Hao with a smile that wasn¡¯t quite a smile. However, she found the conversation tolerable and didn¡¯t intend to probe further. Instead, she lowered her gaze to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and said, ¡°This flower is well-cared for, and I really like its moderate fragrance.¡± While this should have been taken as a compliment, Jiang Hao felt worried, fearing that the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower might be taken away prematurely. That would spell doom for him. ¡°If senior likes it, that¡¯s great,¡± he said, forcing a smile. Seeing Jiang Hao¡¯s nervous demeanor, Hong Yuye walked towards the peach tree with satisfaction. The peach tree was now taller than her, but there were no signs of it flowering or bearing fruit yet. ¡°It should be able to flower and bear fruit this year,¡± Jiang Hao explained. After looking at the peach tree for a long time, Hong Yuye finally asked, ¡°Will the fruit be sour or sweet?¡± Remembering the content of the last assessment, Jiang Hao cautiously replied, ¡°It should be sweet.¡± Hearing this, Hong Yuye turned to look at Jiang Hao and said softly. ¡°If it¡¯s sour, I¡¯ll take it as you deceiving me right now.¡± Jiang Hao felt that every time there was trouble, it was either because he had done too much or said too much. However, seeing the rabbit hanging on the tree was quite an eyesore. He then took it down and tossed it aside. Hong Yuye sat on a wooden chair and asked Jiang Hao to make tea. During this time, she took out a drawing and said, ¡°Upgrade the surrounding formations to prevent environmental changes from affecting the growth of the flowers.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve just saved up enough spirit stones to upgrade,¡± Jiang Hao said insincerely as he served the tea. He had never thought about upgrading because the drawings and materials were too expensive. ¡°You have neither powerful magical treasures nor outstanding techniques, so where have all your spirit stones gone?¡± Hong Yuye asked while sipping her tea. This question left Jiang Hao stunned. He didn¡¯t know where he had spent his spirit stones, as they were always running out. Without a response from Jiang Hao, Hong Yuye quietly continued drinking her tea. From time to time, Jiang Hao glanced at the woman beside him, feeling that she would frown slightly while drinking her tea. He wasn¡¯t sure if she was pondering a difficult problem or if she found the tea distasteful. The tea was too expensive, so Jiang Hao had never tried it himself. After a while, Hong Yuye suddenly said. ¡°I¡¯m planning to visit the secular towns in a while. I¡¯ll come to find you then, and you¡¯ll accompany me.¡± ¡°Ah?¡± Hearing that he would have to leave Tianyin Sect, Jiang Hao was shocked, ¡°Senior, I...¡± ¡°What?¡± Suddenly, a tremendous force surged like a tidal wave, and Hong Yuye looked at Jiang Hao calmly. ¡°Are you busy?¡± Feeling the terrifying aura, Jiang Hao felt as if his body was disintegrating and quickly said, ¡°It would be an honor for this junior to accompany senior.¡± ¡°Full of lies,¡± Hong Yuye said indifferently, standing up and walking towards the house. Relieved, Jiang Hao could only follow, thinking she would stay in the hall. But to his surprise, she went straight upstairs. Was this her second time upstairs? The first was at the beginning. ¡°Your little building seems much sturdier,¡± Hong Yuye commented as they went upstairs. ¡°It¡¯s been repaired once,¡± Jiang Hao replied somewhat awkwardly. Because the wooden house had been assessed once before and the results were somewhat unexpected, he specifically learned a bit about it, then he made repairs. After another assessment, it was deemed not easily collapsible. Shortly after, Hong Yuye made her way to the second floor, passed through the bedroom, and came to the balcony. She stood there, looking down at the courtyard in silence. After a moment, she stepped back twice, allowing Jiang Hao to stand in front of her, facing her. ¡°Like this?¡± Jiang Hao asked as he stood on the balcony facing Hong Yuye. Although puzzled, he complied. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The two looked at each other, and Hong Yuye nodded slightly. Then she extended her left hand and gently pressed it against Jiang Hao¡¯s chest. This sudden action startled Jiang Hao, but before he could think further, he felt a strong push. Immediately, he fell backward, and in the blink of an eye, he flew off the balcony and began to fall, watching in disbelief as Hong Yuye pushed him off. This inexplicable feeling made him feel quite strange. Because the distance wasn¡¯t great, he landed on the ground with a thud. It was somewhat painful... As a late-stage Golden Core cultivator, falling from the second floor naturally wouldn¡¯t actually harm him, but he didn¡¯t understand why the woman did this. When he stood up and looked up, he was suddenly stunned. The breeze blew, the woman¡¯s long hair on the balcony swayed significantly, and her skirt fluttered a few times. The loose hair by her ears also swayed near her mouth. She stood at the edge of the balcony, one hand resting on the wooden railing, her features exuding tranquility as she seemed to casually look down. Their eyes met. The restlessness in Jiang Hao¡¯s heart instantly calmed down. Looking up from below offered a completely different view. After a short while, Jiang Hao wondered to himself, could this woman be reminding me that she¡¯s the only one who can look down on me? ¡°Remember, when I decide to go to town, you¡¯d better be able to go out as well. Otherwise, you know the consequences.¡± With those words, Hong Yuye disappeared from the balcony. As soon as Hong Yuye left, the courtyard was filled with the wailing of a rabbit. ¡°It hurts, it hurts so much, ah ah ah~¡± The rabbit cried out, clutching its face. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t understand why the woman felt the need to beat the rabbit every time she visited. Probably because it got too close to her flowers. ¡°I don¡¯t know why she wants to take me to town, but this matter is troublesome.¡± Jiang Hao pondered for a long time but couldn¡¯t come up with a good reason to go out. Moreover, his name was still listed in the Hall of Enforcement; he needed to consult with Liu Xingchen if he wanted to leave. With Hong Yuye around, there probably wouldn¡¯t be any danger, but he was worried about the possibility of her presence being discovered. That wouldn¡¯t be much different from treason. Sighing, Jiang Hao put away the formation diagrams and planned to head to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. However, just as he stepped out of the courtyard, a talisman flew towards him. It was a communication talisman. ¡°From my master?¡± After checking it, his brow furrowed. The message was simple. Xuanyuan Tai wanted to see him and asked him to come over today. But why would someone of that stature want to see him? Chapter 101 - Invitation to Join the Xuantian Sect Chapter 101: Invitation to Join the Xuantian Sect After pondering on the spot for a while, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t come up with an answer. ¡°Let¡¯s go see them.¡± He sighed and decided to make the trip, although he didn¡¯t feel it would be a good thing. Before leaving, he wanted to collect some spirit bubbles. He had planned to study the wrist guard when he had some time, but now that would have to wait until he returned from Xuanyuan Tai. ¡°Junior Brother Jiang, good morning.¡± In front of the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Miao Tinglian greeted Jiang Hao. He instinctively returned the greeting, but soon felt something was off. It was one thing for her to be there, but by all rights, even as a newcomer, she should be calling him Senior Brother. ¡°I¡¯m at the mid-stage of Golden Core; surely you don¡¯t expect me to call you Senior Brother, do you?¡± Miao Tinglian seemed to notice Jiang Hao¡¯s confusion and then added with a smile. ¡°Junior Brother, I¡¯ve realized that you¡¯re really wasted your life in the Demon Sect.¡± Jiang Hao bowed his head and didn¡¯t say anything. However, he felt that this Senior Sister Miaoting¡¯s cultivation level didn¡¯t seem to be at its peak. It was sealed. Suppressed to the peak of Foundation Establishment. ¡°Junior Brother, don¡¯t mind her. Master has ordered a one-year assessment, and only if there are no issues can she join our Duanqing Cliff,¡± Mu Qi came over and explained. ¡°As for the terms Junior Sister and Senior Sister, don¡¯t listen to her.¡± Jiang Hao greeted him and then nodded in agreement. To avoid trouble, calling a Golden Core stage powerhouse Senior Sister wasn¡¯t a big deal. Afterward, Mu Qi took Miao Tinglian to familiarize herself with the surroundings. Along the way, Jiang Hao could vaguely sense that Mu Qi didn¡¯t want to get too close to Miao Tinglian. ¡°I¡¯m warning you, don¡¯t cause trouble.¡± ¡°Cause trouble? Even teasing a kid is called causing trouble? I think your Junior Brother is quite good, aren¡¯t you being too meddlesome?¡± ¡°What do you know? Everyone who has had a grudge with Junior Brother Jiang is dead.¡± Watching them walk away, Jiang Hao mentally apologized; he hadn¡¯t meant to eavesdrop, but due to the nameless secret manual, coupled with his late-stage Golden Core cultivation, he had inadvertently heard them. But this sentence indeed reminded him that even if those people had no evidence, everything revolved around him. Every time someone died without a trace, it was somehow related to him. He was too conspicuous. Half a year of silence had not been effective. ¡°I wonder if they think there¡¯s a problem with me or if there¡¯s someone behind me.¡± In fact, those who openly mocked him were far less dangerous than those who were wary of him. Like Bai Ye. He never showed up, nor did he say anything unpleasant. But he casually used spiritual medicine to secretly seal his cultivation progress, which was terrifying and dangerous. The reason was simply suspicion. With a light sigh in his heart, he went to the Spiritual Medicine Garden to collect the spirit bubbles and asked about the situation in the garden. Seeing that there were no problems, he left the Spiritual Medicine Garden and headed for the Lawless Tower. Xuanyuan Tai was detained near the Lawless Tower, where there was an area that restrained the power of the body, which was also the preparation area for entering the Lawless Tower. ¡°Duanqing Cliff¡¯s Jiang Hao?¡± The middle-aged man guarding the prison asked. ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°Come with me. However, you might feel some discomfort after entering, but there¡¯s no need to panic,¡± Guo Feng reminded. After nodding, Jiang Hao walked inside. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The place was dark and narrow, going downhill. After some time, he felt his power being constantly compressed inside his body. This surprised him, but he did not show it. When he arrived at the underground cell, his power was completely sealed. ¡°It¡¯s the power of the lawless tower. Entering the Lawless Tower also requires going through this, and then the power uncontrollably spills out. Nascent Soul depleted, Golden Core shattered, Foundation Establishment collapsed. It¡¯s truly a terrifying process,¡± Guo Feng said with an involuntary shiver as if he had experienced it himself. ¡°But on the other side, it¡¯s the opposite. There¡¯s an abundance of spiritual energy, and one can even use the power of the Lawless Tower to advance,¡± Guo Feng said with some envy. ¡°Unfortunately, only a very few people can enter, as well as those with a lot of merits.¡± This reminded Jiang Hao of the jade pendant Han Ming had given him, which seemed to also allow one entry without a time limit. Maybe he could try entering it when he wanted to advance; it could save a lot of cultivation points. But he needed to be sure of the situation there. After hesitating, he talked with the man and then learned about which cultivation levels could enter which layers. This seemed rather useless. ¡°Here we are, go in,¡± Guo Feng said in front of a relatively bright cell. As he spoke, he gave Jiang Hao a piece of jade that allowed free passage. After thanking him, Jiang Hao looked at the stone door in front of him. The place was very spacious, and the cells were made of Xuan stone. This was where serious offenders were detained; if he had been imprisoned here last time, Rabbit¡¯s ¡®face¡¯ wouldn¡¯t have been of any use. Boom! The stone door opened, and he walked in. ¡°The person you want to see has arrived,¡± Guo Feng said. Boom! The stone door closed, and Jiang Hao turned to glance back, instinctively assessing whether he could break through the stone door to escape. Although his cultivation was sealed, he felt that his divine ability, Hidden Spirit Manifestation, was still usable. With the Primordial Heavenly Saber in hand, breaking through the stone door shouldn¡¯t be difficult. However, he had to check for any other defensive measures. After evaluating the situation, he began to observe the prison cell. The cell was not a simple square but a cave, surrounded by cliffs and magma, with a path leading to a central pillar. Around the pillar, there were four supporting columns with iron chains that bound the prisoner¡¯s hands and feet in the middle. Jiang Hao sensed traces of formations everywhere, hidden yet untriggered. Escaping from here would be extraordinarily difficult. ¡°You¡¯ve finally arrived,¡± said a haggard Xuanyuan Tai, sitting on the ground and looking at Jiang Hao. He was dressed in a Taoist robe, and despite his disheveled appearance, he still exuded an impressive aura. Sitting there, he seemed extraordinary. ¡°Did you want to see me?¡± Jiang Hao approached politely. Although Xuanyuan Tai was a prisoner, he was not someone Jiang Hao could look down upon. ¡°It seems you¡¯ve become quite the celebrity in the sect for capturing me, haven¡¯t you?¡± Xuanyuan Tai asked with a smile. ¡°Fellow Daoist is joking,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head to correct him. ¡°It was Man Long Senior Brother who captured you.¡± He didn¡¯t want to get involved, but Xuanyuan Tai¡¯s next words surprised him. ¡°Do you want to join the Xuantian Sect?¡± This question, coming from Xuanyuan Tai¡¯s mouth, was casually spoken yet carried a sense of gravity. ¡°Don¡¯t be too surprised. I simply took a liking to you,¡± Xuanyuan Tai continued, looking at Jiang Hao. ¡°People from the Xuantian Sect are coming, and you might be in trouble. If you agree, even if you are taken away, I can save you. Of course, you don¡¯t have to answer me now. You can even wait until you¡¯re being taken away to respond. My invitation will always stand.¡± Appraisal. Jiang Hao immediately used his divine ability. ¡¾Xuanyuan Tai: Xuantian Sect true disciple, a devotee of the mountain and sea, possesses a special spatial physique. With sufficient preparation, he can use the Qiankun Misplacement divine ability. Learning from Hua Le that you are cultivating the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, he instantly understood your value and wants to take you back to cultivate the ancestral divine flower for him. However, he will not let anyone else know your value. As long as you can help him cultivate the divine flower, he will not only let go of his grudge against you but will also offer you great benefits, ensuring your absolute safety within the Xuantian Sect.¡¿ Chapter 102 - The Female Demon’s Formation Effects Chapter 102: The Female Demon¡¯s Formation Effects Surprised by the appraisal results, Jiang Hao pondered. Hua Le... must be a new undercover agent. That wasn¡¯t surprising; he had seen many undercover agents before. But none compared to Liu Xingchen; others might just watch from afar, not daring to approach too closely. The value part puzzled Jiang Hao. Did he possess some unknown worth? He wanted to ask but couldn¡¯t. He would have to investigate later, likely related to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. The last part was the most surprising. The other party wanted to cultivate flowers and would offer protection and benefits. Indeed, he wasn¡¯t an ungrateful person. But... what if he failed to cultivate the flowers? The consequences would probably be worse than being in the Demon Sect. However, it was also an option. If the Tianyin Sect truly abandoned him, joining the Xuantian Sect might be feasible. But by then, it would be much more difficult than now. So, if he could avoid leaving the Tianyin Sect under such circumstances, it was better not to leave. ¡°You don¡¯t have to answer me now.¡± As Jiang Hao was about to refuse, Xuanyuan Tai stopped him. ¡°Even if you stay with the Tianyin Sect in the end, I still hope we can be friends. The path of immortality is long, and today¡¯s enemy could be a close ally in life and death tomorrow. However, I truly cannot interfere with who the Xuantian Sect sends, what they say, or what decisions they make.¡± Jiang Hao nodded slightly without speaking. They talked for a while longer about talisman-making. Xuanyuan Tai brought up the Hundred Thousand Swords Talisman that had prevented his escape, asking if Jiang Hao had drawn it himself. After confirming, Xuanyuan Tai shared his own experience in talisman-making and offered some pointers. Jiang Hao was grateful and eagerly sought advice. A few words from Xuanyuan Tai were incredibly enlightening. Using gestures to control spiritual energy, and channeling spiritual energy to manage the quality of details. Many things Jiang Hao had never known before. When it was time to leave, he stood up and exited the prison. Stepping out of the prison gate, Jiang Hao took a deep breath. ¡°The Xuantian Sect is really coming. I wonder how the Tianyin Sect will respond,¡± he murmured to himself. There was no answer to this matter; he could only wait and see what would happen at that time. But at present, it seemed his prospects were grim. ¡°Not strong enough.¡± For a moment, he unconsciously thought of mining. If he could go in for a hundred years... Actually, he didn¡¯t need to mine for a hundred years; just being able to cultivate quietly for a hundred years would be enough. Unfortunately, the appearance of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower made it difficult for him to cultivate in peace. With gains come losses; he had to learn to adapt. Afterward, he took out the blueprint left by Hong Yuye, planning to buy enough materials. This way, he could assemble a formation. But after inquiring about the prices in the market, he was stunned. ¡°Thirteen hundred?¡± Isn¡¯t that a bit too expensive? The array master selling the goods shook his head and said, ¡°I¡¯ve already given you a discount. What you¡¯re asking for is not ordinary; it¡¯s a modified spirit-gathering array. But normally, no one would modify it in such a peculiar way as you have. I have no idea what the purpose of these added array patterns is; they seem incompatible. Yet, taken separately, these things are quite common, and I can understand them all. It¡¯s just that the work is very meticulous and will take some time.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have it in stock?¡± Jiang Hao was even more surprised. Last time, the array diagram given to him by Hong Yuye was easy to handle, and it didn¡¯t cost any spirit stones. This time, not only is it more expensive, but it¡¯s also not easy to purchase. ¡°It will take three days.¡± The array master held up three fingers as he spoke. After hesitating, Jiang Hao went to Xingchen Building, where the price was sixteen hundred, but they had it in stock. In the end, he returned to the array master and paid a deposit of three hundred. ...... Three days later. He handed over the spirit stones and successfully obtained the materials to start setting up the array. All he had to do was place the items according to the array diagram. In a short time, the array was successfully enhanced. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief. The existence of this array was to prevent the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower from affecting the surroundings. The more people who knew about the uniqueness of his place, the more trouble it would bring. Only a very few people knew about the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower; ordinary people would just think it was a fine spirit herb. Those with a discerning eye would not wonder what kind of flower it was but rather how to seize the treasure. Such troubles would be endless. Elder Bai Zhi had not made this matter public to lure those who had the ability and the treasures to detect the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. Senior Sister Ming Yi, Liu Xingchen, and the rabbit all came this way. But the only one who dared to take the bait was Hong Yuye. In the courtyard. Jiang Hao came in and saw the rabbit drooling next to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. He didn¡¯t mind; someone would teach it a lesson next time. By now, night had fallen, and he planned to rest and start making talismans. But just as he sat down to cultivate, he frowned. He discovered that today¡¯s spiritual energy was exceptionally smooth. Even though he had broken the spirit-sealing technique, there would still be some impact at the beginning because of Bai Ye. But today, there was no impact at all. In fact, it was even smoother and more comfortable than before. This made him think of the array. ¡°Wow~ Master, what kind of array did you set up? I feel like today¡¯s spiritual energy is especially respectful to Lord Rabbit,¡± came the excited voice of the rabbit from outside. Hearing this, Jiang Hao remained silent. He then began to calm his mind. He wanted to be in the best state to make talismans, and once he was proficient enough with the Healing Talisman, he could continue to learn other spirit talismans. As long as he could make talismans, he could survive well even outside of the sect. ...... Early in the morning. Jiang Hao put down the talisman brush and took a deep breath. He had spent ten talismans overnight. At first, they were all successful, but the success rate decreased as he continued. It was strange. However, he still succeeded with eight talismans and would need to rest for a day or two. After careful study, he felt that the reason for the failures was probably because he had been using the divine ability Clear Heart and Pure Mind. The burden of the divine ability became too great later on. ¡°I should try not using the divine ability.¡± But this would mean wasting a lot of materials, yet to go further, consumption was inevitable. ...... Three days later. Jiang Hao looked at the failed talismans and shook his head with a sigh. Without using the divine ability, the failure rate had sharply increased to half. But he didn¡¯t feel that sense of fatigue. After tidying up, he went to the courtyard to collect the bubbles. ¡¾Cultivation+1¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy+1¡¿ ¡¾Strength+1¡¿ ¡°Let¡¯s go to the Spiritual Medicine Garden.¡± Jiang Hao walked outside, and the rabbit hopped along. ¡°Master, don¡¯t you get bored doing the same thing every day?¡± the rabbit asked. ¡°You have to learn to enjoy days like this,¡± Jiang Hao replied. ¡°Master, you¡¯ve raised me to be so powerful and strong. Don¡¯t you feel lonely not letting them witness my invincible form?¡± the rabbit asked. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Jiang Hao smiled slightly. Still, he couldn¡¯t accommodate a big demon here. When the time came, he would set it free. Arriving at the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao noticed that Cheng Chou had a worried expression on his face. ¡°Is there a problem?¡± Jiang Hao asked. Since the Bone Flower incident, he knew that the Spiritual Medicine Garden was not peaceful. ¡°Jiang Senior Brother, there¡¯s something I¡¯d like to ask for your help with,¡± Cheng Chou said somewhat awkwardly: ¡°It¡¯s not about the Spiritual Medicine Garden, it¡¯s about a new disciple.¡± ¡°A new disciple?¡± Jiang Hao instantly thought of Xiao Li and Lin Zhi. ¡°It¡¯s Junior Sister Xiao Li... she¡¯s too much of a handful,¡± Cheng Chou sighed. She¡¯s already causing trouble so soon? Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. Chapter 103 - A Home Visit Chapter 103: A Home Visit ¡°Tell me more about it.¡± On the way to the outer sect, Jiang Hao asked. After all, as the outer disciple he had brought back, he felt responsible to check on her if there was an issue. ¡°The thing is, normally outer disciples are required to recite the ¡®Tianyin Hundred Revolutions¡¯ to stimulate their spiritual roots and make initial contact with spiritual energy. But Junior Sister Xiao Li...¡± Cheng Chou recalled with a bit of a headache. ¡°She¡¯s quite diligent in her duties, but she falls asleep when asked to study. She even sleeps when punished by standing by some Senior Brothers. Yet, when it¡¯s time to eat, she runs to the dining hall. The Senior Brother teaching cultivation got angry and used a spell to restrain her, but she broke the spell and still ran off when it was time to eat. In just a few days, various Senior Brothers tried all sorts of methods, but none could restrain her. She keeps saying she¡¯d rather die than study. Now she¡¯s hiding, and no one else can handle her.¡± Hearing the details, Jiang Hao sighed internally. It was understandable that Xiao Li, being of the Dragon Race, couldn¡¯t be restrained by these people. But her dislike for studying was unexpected; to think a member of the noble dragon race was illiterate. Normally, the outer sect wouldn¡¯t bother with a troublesome disciple like Xiao Li, but since she was personally brought back by him, these people didn¡¯t dare to completely ignore her. And so, it became a problem. At the forest edge outside Duanqing Cliff, Jiang Hao looked ahead and asked: ¡°Is she in there?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Cheng Chou nodded. ¡°Let her come out,¡± Jiang Hao said. While Cheng Chou wondered about this approach, the rabbit spoke up. ¡°Just shout that it¡¯s mealtime, and all the friends on the road will show some respect for lunch.¡± Awakened by the rabbit¡¯s words, someone immediately shouted ¡°Mealtime!¡± and whoosh, a pink figure dashed out. Seeing such enthusiasm, Jiang Hao sighed and quickly approached, swinging his scabbard. Thump. The pink figure yelped in pain and then fell to the ground. It was Xiao Li, no longer in such a sorry state. When she touched her head and thought about fleeing, she realized that Jiang Hao was standing in front of her and dared not move. Since he was the one who had brought her into the sect, she subconsciously felt he was in charge of her and didn¡¯t dare to resist. Seeing her hang her head like a child who had done something wrong, Jiang Hao felt helpless. She really was just a child. ¡°Hungry?¡± he asked. Xiao Li instinctively nodded, then immediately shook her head. ¡°Come with me,¡± Jiang Hao said again. Then Xiao Li followed, head bowed. Cheng Chou was surprised on the side, wondering why this Junior Sister was so afraid of Senior Brother Jiang. The rabbit hopped onto Xiao Li¡¯s shoulder and said: ¡°So you¡¯re also hanging out with master? Call me Elder Brother, and I¡¯ll look after you. All the friends on the road will give Lord Rabbit some face.¡± Seeing the rabbit, Xiao Li was surprised, then grabbed it and pinched its face. It was fluffy. ¡°You¡¯re quite cute,¡± Xiao Li said in amazement. ¡°That¡¯s disrespectful to Lord Rabbit,¡± the rabbit retorted. But it didn¡¯t try to escape. ...... In the dining hall. Jiang Hao sat down and had Xiao Li and Cheng Chou sit as well. He then ordered some food. When the meal arrived, Xiao Li tentatively asked: ¡°Can I... can I eat?¡± Jiang Hao nodded, allowing her to eat as she pleased. Then the restrained Xiao Li began to eat heartily, and when it came to dessert, she secretly wrapped a piece in paper and put it on her person. ¡°Is that for a snack later?¡± Jiang Hao, who had been silent, suddenly asked. ¡°No, it¡¯s for my grandparents. They¡¯ve never had such delicious food,¡± Xiao Li replied without hiding anything, her face beaming. It seemed she was already picturing her grandparents¡¯ happy faces. Jiang Hao paused for a moment, his mind flashing back to his own home before he was sold to the Demon Sect. He sighed internally and calmly asked, ¡°How old are they?¡± Xiao Li hummed thoughtfully, as if considering, then began to describe: ¡°Grandpa¡¯s hair is all white, and he can¡¯t chop firewood; I always help him. Grandma can¡¯t thread a needle when my clothes tear; I do it myself. They say there are many things they can¡¯t chew, so they would definitely like something as soft as this. By the way, when can I go home to see them?¡± Go home to see them? These few sentences struck Jiang Hao profoundly, as if opening a gap deep within him. Going home... How long had it been since he had gone to see the home that sold him to the Demon Sect? Did he hold a grudge? Certainly, there is. Did he hate them? Actually, there¡¯s not much hate. Struggling to survive over the years, he has almost forgotten they exist. Because of Xiao Li, he too wanted to go back and take a look. But, he dare not step out of the sect. Luoxia Sect, Tianhuan Pavilion, Tiansheng Sect, and even Bai Ye are all watching. He has long been no longer in control of his own fate. Not to mention that the people from Xuantian Sect and others are about to arrive, and he is about to face a huge crisis. How could he even think about going back to take a look? Seeing Jiang Hao silent, Xiao Li, who was across from him, lowered her head and said: ¡°Can¡¯t I go back?¡± Jiang Hao, brought back from his thoughts by her words, looked at the child in front of him and couldn¡¯t help but sigh. Actually, wanting to go back is indeed difficult. But it¡¯s not impossible. He took out the introductory volume of Tianyin Hundred Revolutions and handed it over, saying: ¡°Study this thoroughly. Once you reach the first level of Qi Refining, I will have someone send you back to stay for a few days. I¡¯ll also buy some tasty sweets to send back with you.¡± ¡°Study, read?¡± Xiao Li was somewhat resistant. ¡°Whether you read or learn, it all depends on whether you want to go home for a visit.¡± Jiang Hao stood up and continued. ¡°Once you¡¯ve learned this well and have entered Qi Refining, come find me.¡± After that, Jiang Hao turned and left, with Cheng Chou and the rabbit immediately following. Only Xiao Li was left, looking down at the book, then glanced at the sweets she had hidden away. She took out the first piece she had hidden before, opened it, smelled it, and began to eat. ¡°It¡¯s almost spoiled.¡± After she finished eating, she grabbed the book and ran to the practice area. Then, under the astonished gazes of everyone, she began to study. At this moment, the teaching Senior Brother seriously said, ¡°Junior Sister Xiao Li, if you fall asleep again, you¡¯ll have to stand and learn.¡± Xiao Li glared at him, puffing up with anger, and then stood up. This action frightened the teaching Senior Brother. After so many days together, they had realized something. This Junior Sister was no ordinary person. Magic techniques had no effect on her, and in a real fight, they, who were at the seventh, eighth, or ninth level of Qi Refining, might not necessarily win. However, Xiao Li simply stood up to study. This relieved them. ...... Spiritual Medicine Garden. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Jiang Hao began to collect the bubbles. The enhancement of his strength and spirit comforted him. But Xiao Li¡¯s words had caught his attention again. After so many years, if there was a chance, he too wanted to go back for a look. Not for any particular reason, just a simple desire to see. ¡°Senior Brother, according to Junior Sister Xiao Li¡¯s description, her grandparents are very old. By the time she enters Qi Refining and goes back, will they...¡± Cheng Chou asked with some concern. Once you join the Tianyin Sect, you¡¯re almost cut off from your worldly relatives. Especially for those of them from the lower classes, by the time they have some cultivation and go back, it¡¯s already too late. ¡°In a few days, prepare to send her back for a visit,¡± Jiang Hao instructed. Cheng Chou nodded in understanding. It seemed Senior Brother intended to send Xiao Li Junior Sister back ahead of time as long as she was willing to cultivate earnestly. Jiang Hao saw that Cheng Chou seemed to have misunderstood something but did not explain further. He would understand in a few days. Chapter 104 - Want to Rob My Spiritual Medicine Garden? Only If You Let Me Go Mining Chapter 104: Want to Rob My Spiritual Medicine Garden? Only If You Let Me Go Mining In the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao observed the surrounding spiritual medicines. Those sent from the Hundred Bones Forest, he had already checked carefully. On the surface, they all seemed to be spiritual medicines that aided cultivation, and they were the same at a deeper level. But how they could form a spirit-sealing technique when together, he had no clue. It was beyond his understanding. Jiang Hao had to admit that no matter where, there would always be such remarkable beings. Especially in the Demon Sect, without any constraints, these people experimented without any pressure. Even if they couldn¡¯t experiment within the sect, what about outside the sect? He had once heard of a city that encountered a strange demonic beast, and in the end, the entire city was destroyed. Looking at it this way, it might also be some people from the Demon Sect experimenting with something. Or perhaps simply feeding their own spirit pets. ...... S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In the afternoon. When Jiang Hao was thinking of leaving, Miao Tinglian suddenly found him. ¡°Senior Sister, is there something you need?¡± Jiang Hao asked. Hearing him say ¡°Senior Sister,¡± Miao Tinglian smiled and said, ¡°No wonder some Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters from Duanqing Cliff either don¡¯t know about you or feel that you¡¯re inconspicuous. After all, you don¡¯t seem to want to upset anyone.¡± Jiang Hao kept his eyes low and did not speak. In fact, Senior Sisters and Senior Brothers above the Golden Core level were rarely encountered. Most of them are still Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters at the Foundation Establishment stage. ¡°By the way, I¡¯m a new disciple. Is the Spiritual Medicine Garden supposed to be handed over to me to manage?¡± Miao Tinglian asked. ¡°No need, Senior Sister should focus on cultivating diligently. I can take care of this place,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head and refused. Taking over the Spiritual Medicine Garden wasn¡¯t impossible, but at the very least, he should be sent to mine. ¡°Actually, I have some research on spiritual medicines. Are you sure you don¡¯t want me to manage a part of the Spiritual Medicine Garden?¡± Miao Tinglian hinted. However, Jiang Hao still shook his head. Miao Tinglian didn¡¯t insist and turned to leave, adding, ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, consider the favor of you introducing me to the sect repaid. If you¡¯re feeling unwell, I advise you to try moving to a new place.¡± After saying that, she left for good. Jiang Hao looked at the spiritual medicines in the Hundred Bones Forest and thought to himself that Senior Sister Miaoting¡¯s expertise in spiritual medicines wasn¡¯t low either. She could tell at a glance that there was something wrong with these medicines. He just didn¡¯t know if she was acquainted with Senior Sister Ming Yi. Following the stream upwards, Jiang Hao returned to his wooden hut. He looked at the courtyard stabilized by the formation and couldn¡¯t sense anything. That meant very few people knew he was growing the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower inside, and it was hard to see that he had broken the sealing technique. ¡°If Bai Ye finds out, I wonder if there will be any new actions.¡± Back in the courtyard, the rabbit that had been silently following him exclaimed: ¡°Master, I feel so comfortable at home. You won¡¯t drive me out in the future, will you?¡± ¡°As long as you¡¯re not a big demon, everything is negotiable,¡± Jiang Hao reminded. ¡°Master really likes to joke. How could a little rabbit become a big demon?¡± the rabbit said with a laugh, waving its paw. Then it lay down beside the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, admiring the flower. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t mind and went back to his room to concentrate and calm his spirit for a moment before starting to make talismans. He still had one thousand and seven spirit stones. Once he gathered five thousand, he could hang up the rabbit. ...... Seven days later. Cheng Chou got up early in the morning, intending to go to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. But as soon as he stepped out, he saw Xiao Li standing at his doorstep. This made him a bit worried. This Junior Sister was really something. Some people who couldn¡¯t stand her had tried to harm her in various ways. But it was all in vain. She found out and beat them one by one. Being beaten in the outer sect didn¡¯t attract much attention; even injuries weren¡¯t a big deal. Everyone had to swallow their pride. Moreover, they all realized that this Xiao Li Junior Sister was extraordinarily talented. If she caught the attention of the inner sect, those with lesser talent would be the ones to suffer. After all, some of the outer sect managers didn¡¯t dare to provoke her. ¡°Junior Sister Xiao Li, are you looking for me?¡± Cheng Chou asked with a smile. ¡°I want to see Senior Brother Jiang,¡± Xiao Li immediately said. She already knew Jiang Hao¡¯s name but didn¡¯t know how to find him. She needed someone to lead her. And Cheng Chou was familiar with Jiang Hao, which she knew. So she came to him. Hearing that she was looking for Senior Brother Jiang, Cheng Chou understood that Junior Sister Xiao Li wanted to go back. He didn¡¯t say much and led her to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. On the way, he kindly said, ¡°Junior Sister, do you want to wait a couple more days? That way, Jiang Senior Brother can let you out.¡± ¡°Why should I wait a couple more days?¡± Xiao Li asked curiously. But before Cheng Chou could answer, she continued: ¡°Jiang Senior Brother said that as soon as I started, he would let me go home to visit. I have already started.¡± Hearing this, Cheng Chou suddenly stopped, then looked at Xiao Li in disbelief. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Xiao Li was puzzled. ¡°Nothing, nothing,¡± Cheng Chou said, shaking his head numbly. He remembered what Jiang Hao had said a few days ago, telling him to prepare to send Junior Sister Xiao Li back home. At that time, he thought Jiang Hao was just letting her go on purpose. Now it seemed that Senior Brother had known about Xiao Li Junior Sister¡¯s talent. She was a genius. ....... Looking at Xiao Li, who was now at the first layer of Qi Refining, Jiang Hao had his suspicions but still couldn¡¯t help but marvel. ¡®The Dragon Race is truly powerful.¡¯ This was even when she refused to read books; otherwise, it wouldn¡¯t have taken so many days. Not to mention that she was just recovering her cultivation. Seeing others advance so quickly, Jiang Hao also felt the pressure. He needed to advance as soon as possible. He subconsciously looked at his panel. ¡¾Vital Energy: 97/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 90/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ In another month, he could be on par with Liu Xingchen¡¯s cultivation. He just didn¡¯t know how far behind he was from Bai Ye. However, facing the people from Xuantian Sect, being at the full completion of the Golden Core was completely insufficient. Putting aside these worries, he said to Xiao Li. ¡°Does anyone know you¡¯ve advanced?¡± ¡°No, not at all,¡± Xiao Li shook her head. Jiang Hao nodded slightly, things were now simpler: ¡°Pack up, let Cheng Chou take you back for a visit. I¡¯ll notify the outer sect management.¡± Neither of them was valued by the sect, so Jiang Hao letting them leave wouldn¡¯t cause any issues. Afterward, he gave Cheng Chou five spirit stones, along with some talismans. He handed over two Hundred Thousand Swords Talismans, three Healing Talismans, and a bunch of Swift Travel Talismans. Seeing so many talismans, Cheng Chou was stunned. He had never held such expensive items in his life. ¡°Senior Brother Jiang,¡± Xiao Li raised her hand to ask. ¡°Will I be able to see my grandma and grandpa again in the future?¡± ¡°You can visit them once after each promotion,¡± Jiang Hao replied. Upon hearing this, Xiao Li jumped up excitedly. After she left, Jiang Hao turned to Cheng Chou and said, ¡°When you go, check on the health of Xiao Li¡¯s grandparents.¡± Hearing this, Cheng Chou was shocked and cautiously said, ¡°Does Senior Brother mean to have Junior Sister Xiao Li cut off her worldly attachments as soon as possible?¡± (TLN: He thought Jiang Hao was asking him to kill them.) Jiang Hao was taken aback; he looked at Cheng Chou and didn¡¯t know what to say for a moment. Everyone thought he was a pushover because he was nice. However, Cheng Chou doesn¡¯t see him as a nice guy; not only is he not nice, but he is also ruthless. ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it, and don¡¯t do anything unnecessary,¡± Jiang Hao clarified, worried he might misunderstand. ¡°I just want you to check on their health and, if possible, help them live a little longer.¡± There were no good people in the Demon Sect, and Jiang Hao didn¡¯t consider himself a good person either. It¡¯s just that some things happened to touch his heart. Xiao Li probably hadn¡¯t thought about life and death separation, right? It¡¯s better if that kind of pain comes later. Chapter 105 - Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman Chapter 105: Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman Jiang Hao would help with things within his power, but if it was beyond his ability, he could only regret it. Before Cheng Chou left, Jiang Hao told him to be careful. If they encountered an enemy they couldn¡¯t deal with, let Xiao Li take the lead. It could prevent accidents. Cheng Chou nodded in agreement. He had considered this and was fully prepared. One of them is Qi Refining first level, and the other is Qi Refining eight level and is about to reach ninth level. If someone really wants to target them, it seems that a ninth level Qi Refining practitioner would be enough. But in fact, even a mid-stage Foundation Establishment might not suffice. So the danger should be minimal. After they left, Jiang Hao sat in the loft, touching his wrist guard. It was a gift from Elder Bai Zhi, which he had appraised before. It needed to be worn on the body to establish a connection with other set pieces. It would take about seven days to activate its full new abilities. Today was about the right time for a re-appraisal. ¡¾Nine Heavens Battle Armor wrist guards: When combined with another piece of battle armor, its abilities are enhanced, providing strong offensive support. It can conceal an attack of Golden Core level within it, and the more armor pieces, the stronger the auxiliary effect.¡¿ After sensing carefully, Jiang Hao indeed felt his attacks were stronger. As for concealing his attacks, he needed to study this. It wasn¡¯t clear whether it was for spells or sword techniques. If he could conceal sword techniques, he wanted to hide a Moon Slash and a Mountain Suppressor. Then he began to try it out when no one was around. First, he activated the wrist guard, and then a suction force appeared as if it wanted to absorb the power he released. He simply used a fireball spell. The spell disappeared on the spot, and a mark appeared on the wrist guard. Jiang Hao moved his hand, and with a thought, the fireball flew out from his hand. It required a sliver of spiritual energy but was instant. Next, he tried the Demon Sound Slash, and it could also be recorded; then his fingers could act as a sword, attacking instantly. He also carefully tried the Moon Slash and found no issues. At this point, he couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the extraordinary gift from Elder Bai Zhi. It was incredibly generous, especially since each piece came with a bonus. Now the armor should also be able to defend against Golden Core level attacks. The armor was mainly for defense and the wrist guard for offense. Not only could it surprise an opponent, but it could also provide extra life-saving measures, especially the Mountain Suppressor. Normally, using the Mountain Suppressor required a buildup, but now, as long as it could be concealed, there was no need to worry about the buildup. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Unfortunately, there was no enemy yet who would push him to such an extent. If they were too strong, he would avoid them, and if he could take action, he was very confident. For now, he could only continue to hide it. The Mountain Suppressor couldn¡¯t be tried here; he had to wait until he returned. ¡°The reward for cultivating the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower is so generous. If I can collect the entire Nine Heavens Battle Armor, how exaggerated would that be?¡± Jiang Hao wondered. Unfortunately, he didn¡¯t know how long it would take. He might not even be around by then. The arrival of Xuantian Sect was imminent, and his future was uncertain. After taking care of the spiritual herbs, he went to the market. He set up a stall to earn some spirit stones. ¡°Junior Brother is setting up a stall again. Let¡¯s see what you have...¡± ¡°You actually have so many Healing Talismans and Hundred Thousand Swords Talismans. Give me five of each,¡± Fairy Leng Tian visited once more. ¡°That will be three hundred spirit stones. I¡¯ll give Senior Sister an extra Hundred Thousand Swords Talisman,¡± Jiang Hao said, appreciating this regular customer. Every time, he can¡¯t help but sigh, Senior Sister Leng really is wealthy. ¡°Thank you, Junior Brother. I feel like the quality is even better this time. You truly have a talent for this. If I had the same, I wouldn¡¯t have to buy every day.¡± Leng Tian smiled and continued. ¡°Does Junior Brother need any pills? I have quite a few here.¡± Jiang Hao shook his head: ¡°Not at the moment.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a shame,¡± Leng Tian said with a look of regret. ¡°I have quite a few pills, and I make some in my spare time.¡± ¡°Is Senior Sister a pill refiner?¡± Jiang Hao asked incredulously. No wonder she¡¯s so wealthy. But she doesn¡¯t seem to have the temperament of one. She reminds him more of the people at Hengliu Waterfall, with a fierce look in their eyes. ¡°No, just as a hobby,¡± Leng Tian said with an embarrassed smile, then looked around and whispered. ¡°Does Junior Brother have any interest in acquiring high-level talismans?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Jiang Hao asked cautiously. ¡°I see that Junior Brother has good talent, and I wanted to ask if you have any interest in this area. The general selling price is two thousand spirit stones. If Junior Brother can afford it and is interested, I can provide you with one,¡± Leng Tian said with a smile. ¡°What kind of talisman is it?¡± Jiang Hao tried to ask. ¡°I don¡¯t know. We got it by accident when we were out, and it¡¯s only half of it. It feels extraordinary, but we¡¯re afraid others will think we have the other half, so we dare not seek out someone powerful,¡± Leng Tian said. After hesitating, Jiang Hao softly said, ¡°Can you bring it to Duanqing Cliff tomorrow for me to see?¡± Senior Sister Leng Tian nodded with a smile. She then reminded him. ¡°I heard that people from Xuantian Sect are coming. Junior Brother should be prepared. But it¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve seen Junior Brother like this, having provoked so many people.¡± Jiang Hao gave an awkward smile and then watched her leave. A good talisman, he really didn¡¯t want to miss out. Because the ones you can buy on the market are usually not very good, and these things become closely guarded secrets at a certain level. It¡¯s the same with pill refining and weapon forging, it¡¯s just that the threshold for making talismans isn¡¯t as high. After selling a few more talismans, Jiang Hao packed up and went back. Lately, talismans haven¡¯t been selling well. Including today¡¯s earnings, he now has a total of two thousand and one spirit stones. Without this much, he wouldn¡¯t have dared to take up Senior Sister Leng Tian¡¯s offer. Speaking of which, he had never appraised this Senior Sister before; previously, it was just a simple transaction without the need for appraisal. Logically, she shouldn¡¯t be a traitor. It¡¯s a pity he appraised the wrist guard today; otherwise, he could have appraised her. ...... The next day. As Jiang Hao stepped out of his courtyard, he saw Senior Sister Leng Tian approaching from a distance. ¡°Junior Brother lives quite remotely, I almost couldn¡¯t find the place,¡± she said, looking at the courtyard behind Jiang Hao. ¡°May I speak with you inside?¡± ¡°Please, Senior Sister.¡± Due to the presence of several undercover individuals, he subconsciously felt that Senior Sister Leng Tian wanted to enter the courtyard. But on second thought, it¡¯s normal for people to talk inside. After entering, Leng Tian seemed surprised, sensing something extraordinary about the place. But out of an instinct for survival, she didn¡¯t speak up or look around carelessly. Jiang Hao invited her in and then brewed some ordinary tea. ¡°I¡¯ve brought the item. Junior Brother can take a look,¡± Leng Tian said, taking out a wooden box. She opened the box to reveal a stone slab. The slab was the size of a talisman paper, with half a talisman carved on it. Complex, but showing no divine presence. Without hesitation, Jiang Hao activated his appraisal. ¡¾Teleportation Talisman Inheritance: Dip a brush in water at noon when the mind is clear, and begin to trace the upper half of the talisman to receive the inheritance and comprehend the Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman. This item is a treasure obtained by Leng Tian and her Senior Brother and Sister after surviving life-and-death situations.¡¿ The moment he saw the appraisal result, Jiang Hao was startled. Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman. If he couldn¡¯t stay in Tianyin Sect, could he use this talisman to escape? Regardless, such a talisman was incredibly rare and difficult to come by. Even purchasing it was extremely difficult, not to mention inheriting it. He could buy it, but he pretended to look at the talisman and said, ¡°Can it be a bit cheaper?¡± ¡°That¡¯s...¡± Leng Tian seemed troubled: ¡°After all, this isn¡¯t just my item. If it¡¯s to be cheaper, it certainly can¡¯t be by much. I can only deduct from my share.¡± Jiang Hao¡¯s intention wasn¡¯t to haggle, but he needed to put on an act. He even wanted to pay more. Unfortunately, he was limited by the number of spirit stones he had. Chapter 106 - Soaring to the Skies Chapter 106: Soaring to the Skies ¡°Can I use talismans instead of spirit stones?¡± Seeing Senior Sister Leng Tian¡¯s brow furrow, Jiang Hao continued, ¡°For five spirit stones less than the market price.¡± ¡°What kind of talismans?¡± Leng Tian asked. ¡°Healing Talisman and Hundred Thousand Swords Talisman,¡± Jiang Hao replied. ¡°Deal,¡± Leng Tian said without hesitation. Jiang Hao also breathed a sigh of relief. Although he was effectively giving her a higher price, being able to save some spirit stones was good. In the end, he paid 1,500 spirit stones, along with ten Healing Talismans and ten Hundred Thousand Swords Talismans. After that, his inventory was almost depleted. Fortunately, he still had 600 spirit stones left. He wasn¡¯t sure how much it would cost to make the Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman. ¡°That talisman is yours now, Junior Brother, but there¡¯s something I need to remind you of.¡± Fairy Leng Tian kindly said, ¡°We went through a lot of trouble to obtain this item, and although we don¡¯t know exactly what it is, there¡¯s a very high chance it¡¯s an incredibly valuable treasure. It¡¯s fine if you use it for yourself, but if you decide to sell it, you must be careful. It could easily bring disaster upon you.¡± ¡°An incredibly valuable treasure?¡± Jiang Hao feigned surprise. ¡°Then why would Senior Sister sell it to me?¡± ¡°One can have the luck to obtain it, but not necessarily the luck to sell it.¡± Leng Tian said with a self-deprecating smile, and continued, ¡°Two thousand spirit stones is already quite enough for us. If it were a complete talisman, we wouldn¡¯t be so worried, but half a talisman is too dangerous. It¡¯s actually safer to let it go. Greed can sometimes be one¡¯s undoing, Junior Brother, so you should restrain yourself.¡± ¡°Of course, if Junior Brother can gain great benefits from this talisman, that would be your good fortune, and it has nothing to do with us.¡± Jiang Hao stood up and bowed his head in gratitude, ¡°Thank you for the reminder, Senior Sister.¡± ¡°It¡¯s what I should do,¡± Leng Tian smiled and didn¡¯t linger. As she was leaving, she noticed a rabbit hanging from a tree, upside down like a bat. ¡°Junior Brother¡¯s spirit pet is quite extraordinary,¡± Leng Tian said with an awkward smile, having never seen such a spirit pet before. Jiang Hao also chuckled dryly; this rabbit was not something to be proud of. After Leng Tian took her leave, Jiang Hao hesitated but decided to visit the Spiritual Medicine Garden in the afternoon. At noon, he wanted to unlock the inheritance and see the specifics. If he could make the talisman before the Xuantian Sect arrived, it would give him more options. Given the level of cultivation he had shown, the most he could be pursued by was a Golden Core. And he was about to reach the Golden Core completion, so perhaps there really was a chance for survival. But this was a last resort, to be considered when the time came. ¡°Master, why are you so popular with the ladies?¡± the rabbit asked curiously as it landed on the ground. ¡°You must be mistaken,¡± Jiang Hao replied. Aside from Senior Sister Leng Tian, who was a regular customer, the others were either traitors or spies. ¡°Could one of these people become a mistress?¡± the rabbit inquired. ¡°No,¡± Jiang Hao stated with certainty. ¡°Then who will be the mistress?¡± the rabbit asked, full of curiosity. A flash of red crossed Jiang Hao¡¯s mind, but he did not speak. Although it was unlikely, as long as he was afflicted with the Tianjue Yang Gu poison, no other woman was possible. Now, even if he had the ability to remove the poison, he wouldn¡¯t because the benefits outweighed the drawbacks. With his current state of mind, he could only rely on the Tianjue Gu poison. With the poison in him, he had no worldly desires and could completely ignore mental attacks, especially charm techniques. Thinking of this, Jiang Hao shook his head and sighed, sometimes feeling the price was too heavy. Without dwelling on it any further, he turned and went back inside the house. He prepared a stone slab, clean water, and a brush, then began to meditate to stabilize his mind, waiting for noon to arrive. At noon, Jiang Hao stood in front of the table, picked up the brush, and dipped it in some clean water. He activated the divine ability Clear Heart and Pure Mind. The identification process required a clear and serene state of mind, which Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t achieve on his own, so he relied on the divine ability. He hoped it would be enough. Then he began to draw, carefully tracing the talisman. He didn¡¯t dare to relax even slightly, fearing a single mistake. He had actually tried several times already; otherwise, he really might have made an error. With the divine ability enhancing him, Jiang Hao¡¯s movements were fluid, and finally, he made the last stroke with emphasis. The moment the last stroke was made, a light appeared from the stone slab, which traveled through the brush and into Jiang Hao¡¯s body. A golden light then appeared in his mind, like a brush painting runes in his consciousness. Each stroke was grand and powerful, firm and steady. Jiang Hao watched intently, not daring to miss a single detail. The process was a great test of one¡¯s state of mind as if it could collapse at any moment. No wonder a clear and serene mind was necessary. As the runes became complete, Jiang Hao felt a sense of joy. The moment the talisman was finished, the golden light disappeared. With that, Jiang Hao had memorized the entire talisman. Crack! Something on the table split. It was the stone slab that had cracked and then shattered on the spot. ¡°Just one inheritance?¡± Jiang Hao was surprised. But he had already gained a preliminary understanding that to make a Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman, one would need a Golden Core level beast skin, beast blood, and a Golden Core material brush. With this knowledge, he headed to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. After collecting the bubbles and tending to the garden, he went to the market to purchase materials. He spent a total of five hundred spirit stones to purchase the materials. They were surprisingly expensive. Fortunately, he can attempt it ten times. He just doesn¡¯t know how much they will sell for. Right now, he only has a hundred spirit stones on him. The three thousand spirit stones he just got his hands on have been spent just like that. Returning to the courtyard, Jiang Hao drew the Teleportation Talisman on other talisman papers without using spiritual energy. He was just memorizing the strokes. After many attempts, he finally began to make the talisman. However, once he started, he realized it required a tremendous amount of spiritual energy. When his spiritual energy was exhausted, he couldn¡¯t complete the talisman. Although he tried to use it again, fluctuations in his spiritual energy caused the beast skin talisman paper to burst into flames on the spot. Failure. With his spiritual energy depleted, he couldn¡¯t continue for the night. ...... The next day. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Jiang Hao intended to go to the Spiritual Medicine Garden but once again encountered Liu Xingchen. This time, Liu Xingchen looked serious. Seeing this, Jiang Hao knew it wouldn¡¯t be good news. Sure enough. ¡°Junior Brother has been restricted in his movements recently,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a sigh. ¡°The Xuantian Sect will be here in half a month. Junior Brother, be careful.¡± Jiang Hao thanked him with a bow. This time, Liu Xingchen didn¡¯t say much else and didn¡¯t stay long. The more serious the matter, the less Liu Xingchen would say. Jiang Hao had already sensed it. He might become the sacrificial pawn in a deal. Of course, Liu Xingchen seemed heavy-hearted, but he might be secretly delighted to have a drama to watch. Self-mockingly, Jiang Hao headed to the Spiritual Medicine Garden to collect bubbles and tend to the spiritual herbs. Even Mu Qi, who had heard the news, couldn¡¯t help but remind him. ¡°Junior Brother, are you still tending to the spiritual herbs? You might as well go and ask Master for advice.¡± Jiang Hao thanked him, but he knew it would be of no use. He was not a true disciple, and Master¡¯s help was always limited. Mu Qi knew this too, but what else could be done if not to go? For the next few days, Jiang Hao continued to tend to the Spiritual Medicine Garden during the day and went back to make talismans at night. But he failed for seven consecutive days. He rested for three days and planned to continue. During these ten days, Miao Tinglian, watching Jiang Hao quietly organize the Spiritual Medicine Garden, couldn¡¯t help but express to Mu Qi: ¡°If Junior Brother Jiang grows up, he will surely soar to great heights. He¡¯s facing a huge crisis in just five days, yet he can still remain so calm.¡± Chapter 107 - Moving to Your Place Tonight Chapter 107: Moving to Your Place Tonight ¡°Actually, I tried to probe Master, but Master didn¡¯t say anything,¡± Mu Qi said softly, looking at Jiang Hao in the Spiritual Medicine Garden. ¡°After some events, Master seems to want to take Junior Brother Jiang as a true disciple. Unfortunately, the Enforcement Peak has always been blocking it. Now, wanting to help is a bit troublesome, it seems like people from other places just want to push someone out to exchange for more resources. And some people from the Xuantian Sect are willing to spend money to save face. It¡¯s like they¡¯ve vented their anger.¡± ¡°Anyway, both sides seem to have tacitly agreed, and we¡¯ll have to see how they negotiate in five days.¡± ¡°What will happen to Junior Brother Jiang?¡± Miao Tinglian curiously asked. Mu Qi pondered for a moment and said, ¡°It depends on whether he will be taken away. If he is taken away, it depends on how the Xuantian Sect deals with him. If he¡¯s not taken away, there¡¯s a high probability he¡¯ll end up in the Lawless Tower, which might be even worse than being taken away.¡± Miao Tinglian was somewhat astonished; she had naturally heard of the Lawless Tower and couldn¡¯t help but feel it was cruel. ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s ruthless.¡± ¡°By the way, didn¡¯t you say that the people who had a grudge with Jiang Junior Brother are all dead? Will someone from the Xuantian Sect die this time?¡± sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Upon hearing this, Mu Qi glanced at the woman beside him and said: ¡°Can it be the same?¡± The two fell silent for a moment and then walked away. On the way, Miao Tinglian suddenly asked: ¡°Does your Master know about our relationship?¡± ¡°What are you trying to do?¡± Mu Qi asked back. ¡°If he knows, I¡¯ll move to your place tonight. As long as I don¡¯t cause trouble for a year, I won¡¯t drag you down,¡± Miao Tinglian said straightforwardly. Seeing that Mu Qi didn¡¯t agree immediately, she became annoyed. ¡°Mu Qi, what do you mean? You followed me secretly in the past, and now that I¡¯ve come to you, you¡¯re starting to despise me? Haven¡¯t you fallen for one of your Junior Sisters?¡± Mu Qi sighed. ¡°If we do this, we can easily be used by those with ulterior motives.¡± Miao Tinglian¡¯s tone softened. ¡°Just let me move in with you, and I¡¯ll keep a low profile and won¡¯t cause you any trouble.¡± Mu Qi sighed again and could only nod. ¡°You said it, don¡¯t go back on your word.¡± Jiang Hao, who had just come out of the Spiritual Medicine Garden, happened to see Mu Qi and Miao Tinglian leaving. He felt somewhat emotional. Ever since Senior Sister Miao arrived, Senior Brother Mu Qi has changed. He¡¯s no longer so unapproachable; his heart seems to have softened. Beauty is indeed a terrifying thing. You must know that once Miao Tinglian is an undercover agent, that¡¯s a fatal blow¡ªespecially since Mu Qi possesses a powerful inheritance. As long as he develops steadily, his future is boundless. But with Miao Tinglian in the picture, it¡¯s very dangerous. With attachments come concerns, which can influence decisions in many matters. However, Miao Tinglian did come for Mu Qi, and she has sacrificed a lot. Even so, Jiang Hao still feels that being in the Demon Sect is too dangerous. Once you get involved in other people¡¯s interests, no matter how much you try to avoid it, you can¡¯t help but get dragged in. But in these days, Senior Brother Mu Qi and Senior Sister Miao have been quite good to him. Probably because he brought them in. Afterwards, he returned to his dwelling. He came to the talisman crafting table again. He had tried eating elixirs first and then using divine powers to recreate them. Later, he found that these were not enough. The only thing that was enough was to consume the elixir and then release Hidden Spirit Manifestation. When the power of Hidden Spirit Manifestation is exhausted, it will use his own power. Then, at that moment, the elixir starts to replenish spiritual energy. Only in this way can a process be maintained. Now, he needed to stabilize these powers to prevent fluctuations that could cause ripples and force the talisman crafting to fail. With only five days left, failure meant no more chances. And he had only three beast skin talismans left. At night, Jiang Hao stood in front of the table. After swallowing an elixir, he activated the divine power Clear Heart and Pure Mind. With the pen in hand, Hidden Spirit Manifestation was also initiated. Only then did he begin crafting the talisman. Each stroke was infused with spiritual energy, each one slow. His movements were steady and forceful, the spiritual energy continuous and undisturbed, without a ripple. The divine light was restrained. After a long time, when Hidden Spirit Manifestation was exhausted and his own spiritual energy continued, supplemented by the elixir. By dawn, Jiang Hao¡¯s forehead was covered in sweat. His spiritual energy was almost completely depleted, but just before it ran out, the final stroke was made. However... The moment the pen fell, a fire ignited, and the talisman was destroyed. ¡°Failed?¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat bewildered. There were no accidents this time, everything went normally, so why did it fail? After a day of thought, he remembered that he had received the inheritance at noon. ¡°Does it have to do with the time?¡± (TLN: Dip a brush in water at noon when the mind is clear, and begin to trace the upper half of the talisman to receive the inheritance and comprehend the Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman.) ...... After resting, Jiang Hao continued crafting the talisman at noon the next day. There were only two days left. Two more chances. Meanwhile, he had been placed under house arrest, temporarily unable to leave, waiting to be summoned in two days. Tianyin Sect also wanted the transaction to go smoothly. After all, they were not dealing with Tianqing Mountain, but with Xuantian Sect, Fenglei Sect, and Luoxia Sect, each stronger than Tianqing Mountain. If the transaction failed and it led to the three sects attacking, it would be bad for everyone. They didn¡¯t want to fight, and neither did Tianyin Sect. If they could use a Foundation Establishment disciple to facilitate a harmonious transaction, why wouldn¡¯t a Demon Sect agree? Jiang Hao also understood this, blaming only his own weakness and bad luck. ¡°If I can escape, I¡¯ll go work in a mine somewhere.¡± He muttered to himself, standing at the table. At noon, he repeated his previous actions. He took the elixir, activated Hidden Spirit Manifestation and Clear Heart and Pure Mind, and then began to write. At that moment, he felt an inexplicable sensation, his body burning hot and his mind clear, as if a light connected to the talisman pen. He felt an inexplicable joy, the pen moved with his body, his body with his heart, and his heart with his will. Under the talisman pen, divine light flashed, each stroke creating wind. Finally, the divine light was restrained, and the spiritual energy was harmonious. This time it lasted only an hour. Jiang Hao made the final stroke. At that instant, his mental energy was crazily absorbed, pain spreading throughout his body and vital energy being continuously extracted. His consciousness even began to fade, and if he hadn¡¯t endured, he would have collapsed to the ground. Fortunately, this state didn¡¯t last too long. When everything ended, the talisman flashed once and then settled down. At that moment, Jiang Hao sat down on the side, drenched in sweat. He held his head and muttered to himself, ¡°Could the impact be this huge? It seems I can¡¯t continue drawing anymore.¡± He felt his spirit withering, the side effects were outrageously severe. A single Teleportation Talisman that could move one across a thousand li was terrifyingly powerful. After resting for quite a while, he finally picked up the charm to initiate the appraisal. To ensure its usage and whether it could be used. ¡¾Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman: Inferior quality, disregards all spells and barriers, randomly teleports the user to any location between seven hundred and a thousand li away, can be activated directly with fresh blood or spiritual energy, cannot be interrupted.¡¿ ¡°It can actually disregard barriers?¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised; this was quite impressive. This charm must be worth more than two thousand spirit stones, right? But since it only covers seven hundred li, there might be a discount on the price. However, for a Golden Core practitioner, seven hundred li is still considered far. If one needs to escape, it could be very useful. As long as one isn¡¯t caught immediately, one could conceal their presence and start fleeing. But he had to be fully prepared. Chapter 108 - Preparing for Defection Chapter 108: Preparing for Defection The next day at noon. Jiang Hao sat cross-legged at the entrance, watching the rabbits hop around without a thought in his mind. Just watching. Tomorrow was the day the Xuantian Sect would arrive. He had just recovered his strength and had also stored two attacks in his wrist guard. Moon Slash and Mountain Suppressor. Both were very powerful attacks, but he wasn¡¯t sure if they would be helpful later on. As for the Teleportation Talisman, he couldn¡¯t make any more. It affected his spirit. Even Clear Heart and Pure Mind were somewhat unusable. Unless necessary, he thought of waiting until he advanced to the Nascent Soul stage before trying to make them again. As for selling them, naturally, he didn¡¯t dare. It would bring him a fatal disaster. ¡°Master, will you come back tomorrow?¡± Suddenly, the rabbit hopped over to Jiang Hao and asked. This question caught Jiang Hao off guard, and he didn¡¯t know how to answer. Maybe he would come back, maybe not. Or maybe he would return after some time. But upon closer inspection, it was highly likely that he would not come back. Although he was still weak, he neither wanted to be taken away nor enter the Lawless Tower. Once he lost his cultivation, the level of danger would be surprisingly high; it was better to take a chance and flee. He had no choice before, but now he did. With a Teleportation Talisman, if used well, there was a high chance he could get away. It was a pity he couldn¡¯t advance. He subconsciously glanced at his panel. ¡¾Vital Energy:100/100(can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation:96/100(can be cultivated)¡¿ He was just ten days short of advancing to the perfect Golden Core stage, which would have helped him face this crisis better. ¡°Master, I plan to go down the mountain tomorrow,¡± the rabbit suddenly said. ¡°What for?¡± Jiang Hao asked. The rabbit spoke righteously. ¡°My friends on the path have been encouraging me to embark on the journey of becoming a great demon.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Jiang Hao smiled and said: ¡°Then go down the mountain tomorrow.¡± It was better if the rabbit went down the mountain; if Jiang Hao never returned, the rabbit wouldn¡¯t be implicated. As for the rest, Jiang Hao glanced at the spiritual herbs and the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower in the courtyard. He had no intention of taking them. They should stay here; he couldn¡¯t take them with him, nor was he able to. Taking the flower would only increase the danger manifold. Just the thought of possibly being on the run tomorrow made him feel a bit sentimental. After being cautious for so many years, he still couldn¡¯t cultivate in peace. ...... In the afternoon, Han Ming came over. He said he wanted to challenge Jiang Hao. Seeing the serious look on Han Ming¡¯s face, Jiang Hao accepted the challenge. This time he struck twice. Han Ming couldn¡¯t withstand the first strike, and he was defeated by the second. ¡°Junior Brother, thank you for going easy,¡± Jiang Hao said politely. He had thought about going easy but then decided against it. Han Ming looked at Jiang Hao and didn¡¯t say anything. In the end, he turned his head and left. There was still reluctance in his eyes, and it was unclear what he was reluctant about. After that, no one else came to find him. Looking back, he realized he didn¡¯t have a single close acquaintance in the entire sect. Some people were somewhat familiar, but they avoided him. And he didn¡¯t dare disturb others, fearing he might bring them trouble. He still had that much self-awareness. The person he¡¯s most familiar with at the moment is probably Cheng Chou, but he has left the sect with Xiao Li. When he returns, he might have some feelings about it. Afterwards, he¡¯ll continue to live cautiously. As for Xiao Li, who knows what trouble she might stir up. There shouldn¡¯t be any danger to her life, but whether she¡¯ll be hungry is another matter. ...... The next day. Jiang Hao got up early, as today was the day the Xuantian Sect was due to arrive. He planned to wait nearby. However, he wasn¡¯t in a hurry and instead watered the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. After some time, Liu Xingchen arrived and called out from outside. ¡°Junior Brother.¡± ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± Jiang Hao casually replied. Then he stepped outside, understanding the purpose of Liu Xingchen¡¯s visit. On the way, Liu Xingchen spoke softly. ¡°Junior Brother seems very calm.¡± Jiang Hao just smiled without speaking. Calm? S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Perhaps. But aside from that, he had no other choice. The world of cultivation is not so gentle; under the influence of interests, not just an inner sect disciple like him, but even a true disciple could be sacrificed. If one is reluctant to be pushed forward, it probably means the benefits are not sufficient. Even the immortal gates can¡¯t avoid this. When interests speak up, justice must remain silent. ¡°Actually, it might not be a problem. I heard your Master is involved too. As long as he speaks up, there¡¯s a good chance you can avoid danger,¡± Liu Xingchen said. Jiang Hao nodded in thanks. He had made it into the top ten in achievements, which had its pros and cons. The advantage was that he had the qualifications to enter the Lawless Tower for cultivation, plus the seed of the peach tree, and the Hall of Enforcement wouldn¡¯t easily detain him. The downside was almost fatal. ¡°Junior Brother, you¡¯re at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, right?¡± Liu Xingchen suddenly asked. ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°Actually, if Junior Brother needs to enter the Lawless Tower, it¡¯s usually managed by those at the late stage or completion of Foundation Establishment. I can¡¯t really intervene,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a sigh. ¡°I remember once there was a Junior Brother who defected. He was at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, and in the end, those who chased him were at the late stage or completion of Foundation Establishment.¡± ¡°Only if these people have not had any gains for a long time or die outside would they send out someone at the early stage of Golden Core. If there¡¯s another accident, they¡¯ll directly send out someone at the completion of Golden Core or even higher. That time, he was captured by someone at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, and I couldn¡¯t even go if I wanted to.¡± Jiang Hao listened in astonishment. Was Liu Xingchen telling him that if he defected, those who would come after him would be at the late stage or completion of Foundation Establishment? If they don¡¯t die, they wouldn¡¯t send stronger ones for a short time? It would take two failures before they send someone of a much higher realm? This indeed could buy him a lot of time. It seemed like Liu Xingchen wanted to watch the drama unfold again. ¡°Where are we going?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°To listen in,¡± Liu Xingchen led Jiang Hao to the frontmost peak of the sect and continued. ¡°The Xuantian Sect, Fenglei Sect, Luoxia Sect, none dare to enter our sect, so they plan to talk directly outside.¡± Jiang Hao settled on the peak where he could see the square below and some of the cultivation sites. He could also see the vast mountains and rivers outside. In some of the practice areas, he saw quite a few people. It seemed many were waiting for the deal to be struck, and probably many were guessing what his fate would be. Jiang Hao lowered his gaze and waited calmly. After some time, he slowly looked up as several figures approached in the sky. He knew they had arrived. There were thirteen figures in total. Quite a few people had come. When they got closer, Jiang Hao was surprised to find that except for the last young man at the completion of Golden Core, he couldn¡¯t understand the cultivation levels of the others. They were truly powerful. At that moment, three people also emerged from the Tianyin Sect. A beautiful woman, a middle-aged man, and an elderly elder. ¡°The first one is the Peak Master of Yanyun Peak, Senior Qingyan; the second is your master; the third is an elder from the Hall of Enforcement. This negotiation is mainly led by Senior Qingyan,¡± Liu Xingchen explained on the side. Jiang Hao nodded. Soon, thirteen powerful figures from the Tianyin Sect stood outside, led by an elderly man, flanked by two middle-aged men. Behind them were some beautiful women and middle-aged men. The marks of time were quite evident on them. At this point, both sides greeted each other with a bow. The negotiations began. Jiang Hao lowered his gaze and started listening to their conversation. Chapter 109 - Drawing the Saber Chapter 109: Drawing the Saber ¡°I am Yang Huo from the Xuantian Sect.¡± The leading man stated his identity. ¡°Chi Yuan from the Fenglei Sect.¡± ¡°Xin Dong from the Luoxia Sect.¡± Hearing the names from the other side, Fairy Qingyan from Yanyun Peak smiled slightly and said: ¡°Not a single big shot among them.¡± ¡°We certainly can¡¯t compare to a fairy, but we do have the right to finalize this transaction. That¡¯s enough for Tianyin Sect, isn¡¯t it?¡± Xuantian Sect¡¯s Yang Huo said with neither arrogance nor humility as if there was a sense of pride about him. ¡°Then do you agree to the terms we¡¯ve offered?¡± Fairy Qingyan didn¡¯t beat around the bush. The resources obtained are the only real assets; everything else is illusory. Moreover, Tianyin Sect doesn¡¯t want to start a war with these people at the moment. They¡¯ve just finished fighting Tianqing Mountain, and if they start a conflict with other sects, they would be at a disadvantage. Not to mention facing three major sects at once. If it weren¡¯t for the distance and the fact that they each have their own enemies, they might have already been attacked. If the negotiations fail, it won¡¯t be good for either side. Now it¡¯s about taking the benefits and then putting an end to this matter. That¡¯s what every decision-maker is thinking. ¡°We can agree to spirit stones, magical treasures, and medicinal pills, but we simply cannot give most of the techniques and spells,¡± Yang Huo continued, seeing that the other party¡¯s expression was not good. ¡°However, we will compensate with spiritual herbs, medicinal pills, and spirit stones. We will give what should be given.¡± This response surprised Fairy Qingyan and the others; they didn¡¯t try to bargain at all? ¡°Do the others feel the same way?¡± the elder from the Enforcement Peak asked. ¡°Luoxia Sect feels the same,¡± Xin Dong said calmly to the three people in front of him. ¡°We can give you an equivalent for what you want. But we have a small condition.¡± Hearing the conversation above, Jiang Hao lowered his eyebrows. These people were willing to give anything, which meant they were about to set conditions. And the conditions they would propose might involve him. Whether Tianyin Sect would protect him depended on what happened now. ¡°What condition?¡± Fairy Qingyan wasn¡¯t surprised. It would be surprising if they didn¡¯t set conditions. ¡°We had a disciple who died at the hands of one of your sect¡¯s disciples. Coincidentally, she was a friend of an important person in our sect. We wouldn¡¯t have agreed to your harsh conditions even if it meant mutual destruction. But that person is willing to compensate with his own fortune. Now he just wants the murderer who killed our sect¡¯s disciple,¡± Xin Dong of Luoxia Sect said seriously. ¡°Who are you talking about?¡± Qingyan Fairy asked. ¡°Duanqing Cliff, Jiang Hao,¡± Xin Dong of Luoxia Sect revealed the name. Many people were surprised but also understood. They had already heard about this matter. Many were dissatisfied with Jiang Hao being in the top ten for his achievements, and now it seemed he was getting his comeuppance. How could someone in the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment make it to the top ten? Jiang Hao remained silent. All he had to do was wait quietly. ¡°Do you want the person, or do you want his life?¡± Ku Wuchang, who had been silent, finally spoke up. ¡°Of course, we want both,¡± Xin Dong of Luoxia Sect replied. They indeed wanted to take the person back; that would be the best way to explain things. As for what would happen once they took him back, it was obvious to everyone. ¡°That¡¯s not possible,¡± Ku Wuchang said in a deep voice. ¡°Duanqing Cliff will not hand over the person.¡± This statement surprised Xin Dong and others. The other party was actually unwilling to hand over the person, and not only them, Fairy Qingyan from Yanyun Peak was also surprised. ¡°If you won¡¯t even agree to such a condition, then why does Tianyin Sect dare to make such outrageous demands? Why don¡¯t you just come over and rob us directly?¡± Xin Dong said coldly. Yang Huo of Xuantian Sect also laughed and said, ¡°Does Tianyin Sect think they have us completely under control? Refusing to give anything and making such grand demands, do you really think we would be afraid of you? Since you won¡¯t hand over the person, then crippling him should be okay, right?¡± ¡°Let him be unable to cultivate for the rest of his life. Tomorrow we¡¯ll hand over the resources, and you release the person and cripple him in front of us. The best disciple of my Xuantian Sect died under his despicable means, and we cannot swallow this insult no matter what.¡± ¡°That¡¯s also not possible,¡± Ku Wuchang spoke again. ¡°Then there¡¯s nothing to talk about?¡± Chi Yuan from Fenglei Sect spoke up. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then why are we still staying here?¡± Yang Huo and others were about to leave. ¡°Tianyin Sect has no sincerity, so you might as well come and rob us directly,¡± Xin Dong of Luoxia Sect said coldly. ¡°Why be so hasty, everyone?¡± Fairy Qingyan quickly spoke up. ¡°How about we all take a step back, reduce by twenty percent, and as for the disciple from Duanqing Cliff who has offended everyone, it¡¯s indeed not possible to hand him over, but what if we punish him ourselves?¡± ¡°How will you punish him?¡± Yang Huo of Xuantian Sect asked. Some people were fighting for Jiang Hao¡¯s life, while others were fighting for face. Tianyin Sect, in order to quell their anger, would deal with a disciple who was among the top ten in merit. Tianyin Sect didn¡¯t care about reputation, only about sufficient resources. With enough resources, they naturally would have no objections. ¡°Send him to the Lawless Tower, completely strip him of his cultivation, and then expel him to the outer sect.¡± Fairy Qingyan looked at the people and asked, ¡°How about that?¡± Once the negotiations broke down this time, they would be facing even more dangerous situations. So it was best to take what they could get and leave. The resources in hand were the only reality. ¡°I heard that when he killed our sect¡¯s disciple, he stabbed her in the neck with a dagger.¡± Xin Dong of Luoxia Sect looked at Qingyan Fairy and said, ¡°According to what you said, that¡¯s fine, but before he goes in, I must personally stab him once.¡± ¡°Let him experience this kind of pain. Whether he lives or dies, we no longer care.¡± Ku Wuchang¡¯s brows furrowed slightly, but he said nothing more. He could no longer speak. Below, Jiang Hao also sighed inwardly, harboring no blame towards his master. As an ordinary inner disciple, repeatedly associated with traitors, it was already beyond expectation that his master had refused twice on his behalf. After all, his master owed him nothing. And naturally, he would not agree to such a thing; he would enter the Lawless Tower tomorrow. He could leave tonight. The sect¡¯s judgment would lead to a massive manhunt from Xuantian Sect, Luoxia Sect, Tiansheng Sect, and Tianyin Sect. There would be no more peaceful days. If he had any other choice, he would not have chosen this path. ...... Baihua Lake. Hong Yuye, dressed in red, stood under the pavilion, gazing into the distance, her focus unknown. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Today the sky was clear, the breeze gentle, making one feel relaxed and comfortable. The scent of flowers moved with the wind, refreshing to the soul. At that moment, a white figure landed outside the pavilion. ¡°Sect Leader.¡± Bai Zhi bowed respectfully. ¡°The people from Xuantian Sect have arrived, and they have almost agreed to our terms, but with one additional demand. They want Jiang Hao from Duanqing Cliff.¡± ¡°For now, Ku Wuchang has rejected their request, so we have reduced our demands by twenty percent. The proposed condition is to have Jiang Hao enter the Lawless Tower and be demoted to the outer sect.¡± ¡°This is likely the face-saving measure Xuantian Sect wants, as well as the revenge sought by Luoxia Sect. Fenglei Sect simply wants to gain some benefits from the situation.¡± ¡°Did the people from Xuantian Sect agree?¡± Hong Yuye withdrew her gaze and calmly asked amidst the flowers. ¡°Xuantian Sect has not spoken, but it seems the people from Luoxia Sect would like to personally drive a dagger into Jiang Hao¡¯s neck,¡± Bai Zhi reported truthfully. Hong Yuye nodded slightly. ¡°As expected, they¡¯ve suffered great losses and need someone to vent their anger on. The more Duanqing Cliff refuses, the more excited they become.¡± At this moment, Hong Yuye walked into the flowers, her steps light and slow, her dress brushing against the petals. The fragrance swayed with the wind. After a few steps, she stopped. Bai Zhi watched from behind, feeling that something was amiss. Simultaneously, Hong Yuye bent down gently, reaching into the flowers. Then she grasped the hilt of a saber, a blade full of cracks, which she slowly drew out. This sudden action startled Bai Zhi. An unknown fear took hold of her. ¡°Bai Zhi,¡± Hong Yuye spoke softly. ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± Bai Zhi responded instinctively, kneeling on one knee amidst her fright. But soon she felt puzzled, for the Sect Leader had only asked her a common question. At that moment, Hong Yuye looked at the silver-white saber in her hand and asked. ¡°What do you think of this saber?¡± Chapter 110 - This Saber Strikes Fear into the Entire Tianyin Sect Chapter 110: This Saber Strikes Fear into the Entire Tianyin Sect Among the flowers, Hong Yuye held a silver-white saber. She examined it in her hand for a moment before asking Bai Zhi what she thought of the saber. At that moment, Bai Zhi felt the oddity but dared not overthink it; she simply observed the long saber on the verge of breaking and said. ¡°This saber should be a Half-Moon, commonly used as a transitional weapon during the Foundation Establishment phase. However, this saber is full of cracks and likely can¡¯t be used anymore.¡± ¡°Indeed, it can no longer be used,¡± Hong Yuye nodded, agreeing with Bai Zhi¡¯s assessment. As her voice fell, she walked to the lakeside, holding the saber. At the edge of the water, she watched the lake, serene and elegant. The wind danced around her, and the flowers swayed. After a moment of silence, she turned to Bai Zhi. ¡°I remember you used to study the saber.¡± S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Yes, but the Sect Leader said I was not suited for the saber, which led to my achievements today,¡± Bai Zhi nodded in response. Her success today was indeed due to the Sect Leader¡¯s cultivation. She had been on the wrong path, so despite her talent, she could never go far. It was only after meeting the Sect Leader that everything started to improve, leading to her position as Tianyin Sect¡¯s Protector Elder and the power of a deputy Sect Master. ¡°I recall you studied Moon Shadow?¡± Hong Yuye asked. ¡°Yes,¡± Bai Zhi nodded, though she didn¡¯t understand why the Sect Leader was suddenly bringing this up. Hong Yuye lifted the saber and caressed the blade, speaking softly: ¡°To you, learning the saber was an obsession. Even though you gave it up, you¡¯ve always wanted to know what Major Achievement in Moon Shadow would be like, haven¡¯t you?¡± Hearing this, Bai Zhi felt somewhat ashamed but hesitated and then nodded. ¡°There is some of that.¡± ¡°Then watch closely,¡± Hong Yuye said as she swung the saber in her hand, which seemed to start dancing. Then, in Bai Zhi¡¯s gaze, Hong Yuye¡¯s surroundings shone like a bright moon illuminating the earth, leaving moon shadows even under the bright sun. Afterward, the Half-Moon was swung. A slash was made. A bright moon appeared in the sky. The bright moon moved like a blade, seeming to tear through the void. The saber¡¯s edge cut through everything. Under the bright moonlight and sunlight, the moon¡¯s shadow blossoms, seemingly eclipsing all other light, becoming the sole illumination. Bai Zhi, originally stunned by this slash, suddenly sees the direction in which the moon¡¯s shadow is cleaving and instantly feels a mix of shock and unease. This slash is aimed at the people of the Xuantian Sect and the others. ...... ¡°Tomorrow, I will stab him in front of Lawless Tower, then watch him enter. This way, we can still offer the original resources,¡± said Xin Dong of Luoxia Sect to the people of Tianyin Sect. He must make Jiang Hao pay a sufficient price for this trip. ¡°We of Xuantian Sect have no objections either, but we won¡¯t make up the twenty percent. Of course, we also want to witness Jiang Hao entering Lawless Tower,¡± Yang Huo added. Chi Yuan watched coldly, not uttering a word. It seemed that if the other party dared to refuse, he would dare to turn around and leave. Fairy Qingyan was not angry, not really. Just as she was about to nod in agreement, Suddenly, she felt a chill on her back and immediately turned to look. What she saw made her freeze on the spot. In the depths of Tianyin Sect, a bright moon suddenly appeared, its light cutting through the void like a blade heading their way. The moonlight stole the brilliance of the world, becoming the only thing visible to everyone. But in the blink of an eye, the moonlight flew over her head, and she felt as if she had just walked the edge of life and death. A terrifying sensation and a chilling horror spread throughout her body. She instantly trembled in fear. And with her fear, the slash headed towards Yang Huo and the others. This attack was very conspicuous; Yang Huo and the others noticed it immediately, somewhat in disbelief. ¡°How dare you? Aren¡¯t you afraid of starting a war?¡± In shock, they defended themselves at once. Some even turned to flee. However, it was all in vain. The moon¡¯s shadow swept through everything, all defenses crumbled, all magical treasures shattered. The moon¡¯s shadow, like the scythe of death, began to reap lives. ¡°Tianyin Sect really has some nerve, you actually dare...¡± With a whoosh, the moon¡¯s shadow cut through the terrified Yang Huo, swept past the fearful Xin Dong, caught up with the fleeing Chi Yuan, and the others behind them. The slash was like a gust of wind, arriving quickly and leaving just as fast. Out of the thirteen, the one at the Golden Core completion stage looked around in fear, and when the moon¡¯s shadow passed over him, he screamed. However, he found himself unharmed. Just when he thought it was all a false alarm, Pfft~ Suddenly, the other twelve sprayed blood from their necks, heads separated from bodies, and life extinguished. One slash passed, and aside from the weakest one, twelve corpses fell from the sky. Blood scattered everywhere. For a moment, the edge of Tianyin Sect fell silent, as if struck by a cold chill. At this time, Bai Zhi knelt on one knee. Full of fear and trepidation. The sect leader¡¯s personal intervention could only mean one thing. She, as the acting sect leader, had mishandled the situation. Hong Yuye made one slash and then made no further moves, simply carrying the blade to the flowerbed. Gently, she inserted the blade back into its place. Only then did she look towards Bai Zhi, her voice cold. ¡°Take a message to Xuantian Sect, tell them to bring some sincerity next time they come. Also, send all the prisoners into Lawless Tower for five days. If they lack sincerity next time, they need not come again, and those captured need not leave Lawless Tower either.¡± With that, she walked to the pavilion and slowly sat down, saying. ¡°You may leave.¡± ¡°Your subordinate obeys,¡± Bai Zhi said with trepidation. At this moment, she finally understood one thing: only Jiang Hao could plant the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. She should never have allowed Jiang Hao to be thrust into such a precarious position. Yet, she didn¡¯t understand why the sect leader, who didn¡¯t seem to care much about him, was now taking such action. But now she didn¡¯t dare to think too much, and she promptly left. She needed to handle this matter well. After Bai Zhi left, Hong Yuye gently pressed her finger to her lips and coughed lightly twice. She seemed a bit uncomfortable. ...... Outside Tianyin Sect, Fairy Qingyan and the others were sweating profusely. Had that slash been aimed at them, then perhaps there would have been three more corpses. For a moment, their eyes were filled with awe and fear. At the same time, a white figure descended from the high sky. It was Bai Zhi, coming from Baihua Lake. Seeing Bai Zhi, Fairy Qingyan, Ku Wuchang, and the others immediately bowed respectfully. Bai Zhi did not pay them any mind but looked towards the last surviving Golden Core completion stage individual. ¡°Are you from Xuantian Sect?¡± Bai Zhi asked. ¡°Y-yes,¡± the Golden Core completion stage individual said in fear. ¡°Go back and tell your people to bring some sincerity next time they come. Additionally, because of your unreasonable behavior, everyone will be sent to Lawless Tower for five days. If this happens again next time, you don¡¯t need to come back, and those who stay with us won¡¯t need to leave Lawless Tower either.¡± Bai Zhi said coldly to the other party. ¡°Leave if you understand.¡± In an instant, that person scrambled away from Tianyin Sect. Only then did Bai Zhi turn to look at the Fairy Qingyan and others, finally speaking in a deep voice. ¡°The Sect Master has not yet emerged from seclusion, but this matter cannot be taken lightly by the twelve main branches. Those who disobey will either step down themselves or I will help them step down.¡± After saying this, Bai Zhi turned and left, adding, ¡°Dismissed.¡± With that, today¡¯s events came to a close. ...... Jiang Hao was somewhat stunned; he had made many guesses, but he had not anticipated this outcome. ¡°Was it Elder Bai Zhi who took action?¡± he asked subconsciously. ¡°Does Junior Brother think it looks like it?¡± Liu Xingchen retorted. After pondering for a moment, Jiang Hao shook his head. It didn¡¯t seem like it. Although these people were respectful towards Elder Bai Zhi, they showed not respect but panic and fear in the face of that strike. The only person more terrifying than Elder Bai Zhi in Tianyin Sect was one. The Sect Master, the Tianyin Demon. Chapter 111 - The Sudden Appearance of the Female Demon Chapter 111: The Sudden Appearance of the Female Demon Walking back, Jiang Hao occasionally encountered a few people. In secret, they would all make a comment or two. Saying he was really lucky. Not only did they think so, even he thought the same. The Sect Master, who had been in seclusion, had suddenly taken action. This made him recall what Elder Bai Zhi had said earlier, mentioning that the reward was given to him by someone. ¡°So, was it the Sect Master who wanted me to plant the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower?¡± Jiang Hao had some guesses in his heart, but he wasn¡¯t certain. Whether it was or wasn¡¯t, it made no difference to him. Whether it was Elder Bai Zhi or the Sect Master, it was all the same to him. Both were beyond his ability to provoke. After a while, he returned to his own courtyard. Liu Xingchen had already said that the surveillance on him had been lifted. Apart from not being able to leave the sect, there were no other restrictions. Sitting on the wooden chair in the courtyard, Jiang Hao took out the Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman, which he had thought he would use today. Unexpectedly, it was not needed. Looking back, he realized that in this tide of events, aside from fleeing, he had no other option. He was still not strong enough. Turning to look at the courtyard, Jiang Hao suddenly stood up and began to clean. Even if it wasn¡¯t dirty, he wanted to clean it. Not for any particular reason. He just wanted to calm his heart, as today he had been jumping between life and death and safety. Now that things had settled down, the anxiety he had been holding onto was slowly dissipating. He had made many preparations, prepared ways to escape, prepared to face various pursuits. Although he had been calm these past few days, he had always been on guard. It was difficult to calm down once he let go. He stretched out his hand and found it was trembling slightly. On reflection, apart from advancing quickly, he was quite ordinary in other respects. In terms of mentality and thought, he was far behind those true powerhouses. Strength can dazzle the eyes and make one unconsciously overlook one¡¯s own shortcomings. Suddenly, a fresh fragrance wafted over, not from the courtyard. This sent a chill through him, and he immediately turned to look. He saw someone sitting at the wooden table in the courtyard, gazing at the peach tree in front. Hong Yuye. Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. He hadn¡¯t expected her to come today. In fact, he had also considered whether she would appear if he started to flee. Would she come to inquire about the situation or to ask where her flower had gone? On second thought, she might ask if he enjoyed running away. But the answer he would never know because the matter had been resolved. ¡°Looking at you like this, it seems you don¡¯t remember my scent.¡± Hong Yuye turned her head to look at Jiang Hao and asked. ¡°Senior has misunderstood,¡± Jiang Hao replied respectfully with his head bowed: ¡°The fragrance from senior is different from before; this time it¡¯s mixed with many kinds of floral scents.¡± He was telling the truth, but her appearance made it hard for him to suppress the palpitations of the day. With the effect of the Tianjue Gu poison gone, he could only rely on his own state of mind to remain calm. Fortunately, he did not embarrass himself. Hong Yuye turned her head away from Jiang Hao and sat quietly at the table. The wind stirred around them, making everything seem exceptionally peaceful. Jiang Hao also began to calm down slowly. At that moment, Hong Yuye suddenly spoke, ¡°Take good care of my flower, and then get ready to go to town with me. Otherwise, you won¡¯t be able to withstand my fury.¡± As her words fell, Jiang Hao saw Hong Yuye transform into a red shadow and disappear from the side of the wooden table. Vanished without a trace. She left just like that, leaving Jiang Hao feeling strange. This time, she didn¡¯t even glance at the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. At this moment, Jiang Hao looked at his hands and found that they had regained their calm. He took a deep breath and congratulated himself. ¡°I¡¯ve survived another calamity.¡± He would need to discuss the matter of going to town with Liu Xingchen. He didn¡¯t know what Hong Yuye¡¯s anger was about. But it was certainly not easy to bear. Provoking her was not a wise move. ...... Noon. The rabbit returned. ¡°Didn¡¯t you go down the mountain?¡± Jiang Hao asked, sitting in a wooden chair. The rabbit stood on the table, fiddling with its collar, and said indifferently. ¡°I figured I should come back and look after my Master. From now on, Master can just hang out with me, so friends from the road will give the master face.¡± Jiang Hao smiled and remained silent. Why the rabbit went down the mountain and why it returned, he wasn¡¯t quite sure. But the rabbit was full of lies; whatever it said was mostly false. Its requests, however, might be genuine. Like wanting a collar. ¡°Master, will you eat people in the future?¡± The rabbit looked scared. ¡°Today, when I went down the mountain, I passed by a place where a man stripped a woman bare and threatened to eat her. The woman pleaded bitterly, and later when the man decided to spare her, she didn¡¯t seem happy about it.¡± Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± He thought of Hong Yuye for no particular reason, just because he only had normal psychological reactions to her. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Other people held no temptation for him. For a moment, he felt a sense of desolation. ¡°Don¡¯t sneak a peek at these things in the future, or one day you¡¯ll be gone,¡± Jiang Hao advised the rabbit. ¡°I saw it in the woods,¡± said the rabbit. Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± The Tianyin Sect wasn¡¯t so open, was it someone from the Tianhuan Pavilion? That seemed unlikely too. ¡°Then the man was eaten by the woman, bite by bite, his organs scattered all over the ground, it was too crude,¡± the rabbit continued, looking at Jiang Hao. ¡°Master, be careful when you eat women, don¡¯t get eaten yourself.¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao was stunned; what the rabbit saw seemed different from what he had imagined. ¡°Did she notice you?¡± he asked the rabbit. ¡°Everyone in the road gives Lord Rabbit face; they all pretended not to see me,¡± the rabbit said earnestly. Jiang Hao nodded slightly. If what the rabbit said was true, then this woman had killed someone. If it was a disciple of the Tianyin Sect, it wouldn¡¯t be long before the Hall of Enforcement got involved. Even if she had eaten the person clean, it would be the same. But who would dare to kill someone so brazenly within the Tianyin Sect? Jiang Hao worried that this person, like him, had something to hide. If the victim was someone important, then he could be implicated by this person¡¯s actions. After all, Liu Xingchen had mentioned the sect¡¯s treasure, the Tianyuan Shaping Divine Mirror, intentionally or not. Once this item was called upon, the murderer would almost certainly not escape. Hesitating for a moment, Jiang Hao decided to look for Liu Xingchen in a few days. To see if there was any news and to ask about how to leave. There was no rush for now; his promotion was in the coming days, and the priority was to get stronger first. ...... The next day. Jiang Hao stood at the entrance of the courtyard and took a deep breath. Today, he would resume his normal routine and start earning spirit stones. Currently, he had only a few dozen spirit stones left. Arriving at the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao found that Cheng Chou had been out for over half a month and didn¡¯t know when he would return. ¡°Junior Brother Jiang, good morning,¡± Miao Tinglian greeted Jiang Hao. She had also been helping out in the Spiritual Medicine Garden recently. She had transplanted a bunch of spiritual medicines and was busy planting them. ¡°Senior Sister Miaoting, good morning,¡± Jiang Hao replied politely. This Senior Sister was quite friendly, but he wasn¡¯t sure if she had other motives. ¡°Do you have a moment, Junior Brother? There¡¯s something I¡¯d like to ask you,¡± Miao Tinglian said amiably. After a pause, she continued: ¡°It¡¯s about Senior Brother Mu Qi.¡± Chapter 112 - Full of Love and Affection Chapter 112: Full of Love and Affection Under the simple loft in the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao was processing a spiritual medicine while listening to what Miao Tinglian wanted to ask. ¡°Junior Brother, the way you¡¯re handling it isn¡¯t quite right. Although it works, it¡¯s only a temporary solution. Go get some Blue Lotus leaves and bury them around it, then treat it like this, and it will cure the wilting of the spiritual medicine,¡± Miao Tinglian kindly advised. Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± He learned something, but if he cured it, so what? Without doing actual work, there would be no bubbles. Just like the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower in the courtyard, it won¡¯t produce bubbles without being watered. After saying thanks, Jiang Hao asked Miao Tinglian about her purpose. ¡°Senior Sister, what would you like to ask?¡± Miao Tinglian also became serious. ¡°Junior Brother, are you familiar with Senior Brother Mu Qi?¡± ¡°I am an inner disciple; I rarely see true disciples,¡± Jiang Hao replied tactfully. He wasn¡¯t familiar with him. ¡°Then, Junior Brother, have you heard anything about Senior Brother Mu Qi and other Junior Sisters or Senior Sisters?¡± Miao Tinglian inquired. Does she need to ask so clearly? Jiang Hao set aside the spiritual medicine he had processed. After pondering for a moment, he answered. ¡°No.¡± ¡°I also think there probably isn¡¯t anything,¡± Miao Tinglian muttered. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But she felt puzzled; whenever she looked for Mu Qi at night, he was always cultivating. It wasn¡¯t like this before. After a moment of doubt, she asked again. ¡°Is there anything else that¡¯s unusual?¡± ¡°Does getting injured count?¡± Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t think of anything else. ¡°Injured? He¡¯s injured?¡± Miao Tinglian asked somewhat excitedly. Realizing she had lost her composure, she regained her calm. ¡°Junior Brother, could you tell me about it?¡± Then Jiang Hao told her about how Senior Brother Mu Qi had been injured in the mines. After listening, Miao Tinglian stood up, seemingly ready to find someone. Before leaving, she kindly reminded him. ¡°If any fairy suddenly approaches Junior Brother or wants to do something with Junior Brother, you should be careful. I heard that a woman used this method to kill someone, and the Hall of Enforcement has found some clues and is currently tracking to confirm. Also, Junior Brother, you should keep your eyes wide open when looking for a dao companion. We¡¯re going to continue to be sect mates, so just call Senior Sister if there is someone, and I¡¯ll help you keep an eye out.¡± After saying this, Miao Tinglian quickly left. She must be going to find Mu Qi. Jiang Hao was taken aback by her behavior; could she really not be an undercover agent? Appraisal. Before Miao Tinglian left, the appraisal was completed. ¡¾Miao Tinglian: One of the Tiansheng Sect¡¯s Saintess candidate, at the mid-stage of Golden Core cultivation. She betrayed the Tiansheng Sect for Mu Qi and joined the Tianyin Sect, becoming an inner disciple of Duanqing Cliff. She has been troubled by Mu Qi for some time and, upon receiving your hint, wants to immediately check on Mu Qi¡¯s injuries. She helped you because she wanted to thank you for introducing her to the sect, plus you seem naive, and since you have no grudges with Mu Qi, helping a junior like you is a happy affair for her.¡¿ ¡°Is she actually a good person?¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat shocked. But soon he sensed something was amiss; the appraisal result mentioned he had no grudges with Mu Qi. If he did, he might have seen the terrifying side of Senior Sister Miao. Being a candidate holy woman of the Tiansheng Sect and managing to defect successfully, then smoothly joining the Tianyin Sect¡ªshe was not someone simple by any means. It just seemed that her mind was full of love and affection. Such a person, if abandoned by Senior Brother Mu Qi, would not only be pitiable but might also turn completely dark. That would be the most terrifying. If one day, Senior Sister Miao suddenly came to him to ask if all men in the world were heartless, the crisis would have arrived. Shaking his head, Jiang Hao could only hope that Senior Brother Mu Qi wouldn¡¯t let the danger erupt. However, encountering a woman like Senior Sister Miao might not necessarily be a good thing. It would probably be quite troublesome in the Demon Sect. Jiang Hao imagined that if he had a dao companion, with his own strength, he would definitely be unable to protect her. When fleeing for life, whether to bring her along would be a difficult choice. So, it was better to be alone. Then he thought about the murder case, and indeed the Hall of Enforcement knew about it, but it was surprising that they only had clues and had not yet caught the person. This indicated that the perpetrator really had something to rely on; otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t dare to kill so casually. ...... A short while later. After organizing some spiritual medicine, Jiang Hao was checking for anomalies in the spiritual field. Bang! A sound of someone falling came from behind. Turning his head, he saw a young girl weakly falling to the ground. ¡°I-I¡¯m so sorry,¡± the girl apologized incessantly while kneeling before Jiang Hao. After observing her closely, Jiang Hao noticed she was weak and pale. She was overworked. ¡°Go rest over there,¡± he said calmly. The girl looked at Jiang Hao with disbelief, then gratefully said, ¡°Th-thank you, Immortal.¡± She was an ordinary person, around fourteen or fifteen years old. How she came to the Tianyin Sect, Jiang Hao did not know, but there were generally three possibilities: Sold here, kidnapped, or born into servitude at the Tianyin Sect from a young age. She must have been new to the Duanqing Cliff Spiritual Medicine Garden; otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t be so surprised. However, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t care about these things; what concerned him was that there were no wars happening now. Why would someone be overworked? He looked carefully at the people in the Spiritual Medicine Garden and noticed that some were missing. After he inquired, he found out that some people had been transferred to other places to help, and the number of people in the other Spiritual Medicine Gardens had decreased. ¡°Killed?¡± Jiang Hao frowned. Ordinary people being killed was not something the Hall of Enforcement would concern itself with. This was something each vein had to handle on their own. Did the other Spiritual Medicine Gardens not want to get involved, or were they unable to? Problems could arise elsewhere, but they couldn¡¯t happen here. It was a pity that Cheng Chou wasn¡¯t around; otherwise, he could have had him monitor the situation daily. Afterward, Jiang Hao called over a rabbit and asked it to take a look around the area to inform him immediately if it found anything. Then he sent someone to Duanqing Cliff¡¯s outer sect to find some people to come and help. These days, because of the Xuantian Sect, he hadn¡¯t paid much attention to the Spiritual Medicine Garden; otherwise, such an oversight wouldn¡¯t have occurred. Before long, the rabbit hopped over. ¡°Master, I¡¯ve found something.¡± So quickly? Jiang Hao looked at the rabbit in surprise. Then he followed the rabbit outside. They walked along the main road, and soon, in the area where ordinary people lived, they saw a middle-aged man lying on the ground. ¡°Vital energy is weak, spirit extension is feeble, doesn¡¯t seem like overwork, more like illness.¡± Jiang Hao came over and squatted down to check. In his confusion, he began to examine the man¡¯s body. Indeed, the man was sick with a persistent high fever. After Jiang Hao transferred a strand of spiritual energy, the man finally woke up. ¡°I-Immortal master?¡± the middle-aged man said in panic. ¡°Have you encountered anything unusual recently?¡± Jiang Hao gestured for him not to worry. After a brief conversation, he found out that the man had been having dreams lately. He often dreamt of a woman seducing him. Always the same woman. Seduced in dreams? Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised; what kind of technique was this? And what was the point of targeting ordinary people? Cultivation? Impossible, who would use ordinary people for cultivation within the sect? These ordinary people were meant for labor; using them for cultivation would have significant consequences. Just go out and find any city, and you could do as you please. This was a common occurrence. Otherwise, why would the Tianyin Sect be known as the Demon Sect? Chapter 113 - Seduced by Beauty? Chapter 113: Seduced by Beauty? In the evening, Jiang Hao was practicing with his saber in the courtyard, just swinging it normally without any force. Heavenly Saber Seven Forms also had some techniques, but they were not for combat; they were to get used to the saber in his hand and to cultivate the main seven forms. After a long while, he sat on the ground and placed the Half-Moon saber on his lap, beginning to nurture the blade. The rabbit hadn¡¯t returned. Jiang Hao had sent it out to look around. Seeing someone collapse today, he knew that the unknown person had set their sights on Duanqing Cliff. Ordinary people in other places had encountered danger. So far, his area had not. The collapsed man might be the first. Strictly speaking, this matter was none of his concern, but a reduction in the Spiritual Medicine Garden¡¯s workforce meant delays in progress. Outer disciples couldn¡¯t come here to work every day. They had their responsibilities. So once the workforce decreased, the Spiritual Medicine Garden would face semi-paralysis. This was a dereliction of duty by the disciples in charge of the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Others didn¡¯t care why the Spiritual Medicine Garden was short-staffed. Wouldn¡¯t a shortage of people lead to going out and capturing more? There were so many ordinary people; if you¡¯re short-staffed, you should be recruiting in advance. That was probably the attitude. Bringing people back wasn¡¯t very realistic; everyone was reluctant to let go of their workers. If they did, they¡¯d be doomed. While capturing ordinary people to come in was easy, finding those who could work in the Spiritual Medicine Garden was rare. They also needed to be familiarized. So, the best solution for now is to prevent accidents from happening. Just watching over them wasn¡¯t a solution. The most direct approach was to deal with the problematic person. ...... Under the moonlight. Jiang Hao looked up. The full moon hung high in the sky, its silver light covering the entire courtyard. It brought a sense of spacious tranquility to the mind. ¡°It would be nice to be able to cultivate here properly.¡± The Xuantian Sect matter had just passed, and Tianhuan Pavilion, along with Bai Ye, had no excuse to make a move against him. Moreover, the Luoxia Sect and Tiansheng Sect couldn¡¯t affect what happened within the Tianyin Sect. In theory, aside from the occasional undercover agents making their presence known, now was the best time to cultivate properly. Yet, someone was targeting the people of the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Swoosh! A white shadow suddenly burst into the courtyard. ¡°Master, master, I¡¯ve found something.¡± The rabbit landed excitedly in front of Jiang Hao. Upon hearing the words, Jiang Hao picked up his saber, stood up, and said indifferently. ¡°Lead the way.¡± If the opponent was too strong, he would naturally retreat. He could only follow secretly or seek help from Liu Xingchen. If he could match the opponent, he would decide based on the situation. He didn¡¯t want to cause trouble, but he also didn¡¯t want others to trouble him. Rabbits are fast, and it¡¯s hard for someone even at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment to keep up. After a short while, they arrived at the edge of the forest. ¡°There.¡± The rabbit pointed at a middle-aged man outside the forest. ¡°The one from the daytime?¡± Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t surprised. Upon closer inspection, he noticed that the man¡¯s steps were light, his eyes lifeless, and his body languid. He was bewitched by something. ¡°Is Master going to eat a woman?¡± The rabbit asked curiously. ¡°Follow and see, then you¡¯ll know,¡± Jiang Hao said calmly, trailing behind. However, he didn¡¯t make his presence known. Instead, he moved in secret. It wasn¡¯t that he was worried about being discovered by this man, but that he was concerned about being noticed by someone hidden. The rabbit was a bit surprised and asked, ¡°Master wants to eat too?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not interested in women,¡± Jiang Hao glanced at the rabbit, feeling a sense of desolation. After getting the rabbit to be quiet, he saw the middle-aged man enter the forest. Deep in the forest for a long time, Jiang Hao sensed someone ahead. Early stage of Foundation Establishment? So weak and yet so bold? The Tianyin Sect is a Demon Sect, indeed, but it¡¯s rare to see such boldness. This wasn¡¯t just boldness; the person was also not thinking straight. With such cultivation, one could have whatever they wanted among ordinary people. Yet, she kept killing ordinary people within the sect. What was she after? Shaking his head, Jiang Hao approached the middle-aged man from behind, knocked him out with a gentle move, and then took his place, heading towards the woman. The person at the early stage of Foundation Establishment shouldn¡¯t be able to detect him here. He was at the late stage of Golden Core, and even someone at the peak of Golden Core might not be as sensitive as him. In the forest, under the full moon. With each step Jiang Hao took, his cultivation seemed to decrease. Early stage of Foundation Establishment. Ninth level of Qi Refining. Eighth level of Qi Refining. He finally stayed at the third level of Qi Refining. This way, he could see what the other party wanted to do, and if he was mistaken for someone else, it wouldn¡¯t be a big deal. But the absence of people from the Hall of Enforcement around made him feel strange. It was so easy for him to find this place; there was no reason the Hall of Enforcement couldn¡¯t. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After a short while, he arrived at a clearing in the forest. Moonlight shone down, and in the middle of the grass, a woman in a silky dress lay half-shouldered on the ground. Her hair was slightly disheveled, and her appearance was fully visible under the moonlight. Quite delicate. Her full curves and fair thighs were eye-catching. But Jiang Hao looked at her with a calm heart, as if he were looking at ordinary plants. Such was the terror of the Tianjue Gu poison. However, it also allowed him to face danger better and prevent problems with his state of mind. Identification. Seeing that the other party was still pretending to sleep, he wanted to check her details. ¡¾One of the Great Thousand Spirit Technique clones: One of Wen Yin¡¯s clones from the Great Thousand Divine Sect, it absorbs spirit and devours flesh to reach the initial stage of Foundation Establishment. A portion of this is secretly transferred to the original body, and she is currently using the Great Thousand Charm Technique on you, planning to consume you completely after intercourse. To remain concealed, the clone and the main body do not share memories.¡¿ The Great Thousand Divine Sect? Jiang Hao had never heard of this sect, and the opponent was just one of the clones. No wonder there were no people from the Hall of Enforcement watching. Fortunately, they didn¡¯t share memories. Otherwise, taking action would startle the snake. Once he confirmed her cultivation, he no longer suppressed his own. Instead, he instantly returned to the regular middle stage of Foundation Establishment. The sudden change startled the lying avatar, causing her to open her eyes in shock and then get up to flee. Jiang Hao shook his head and immediately used Demon Sound Thousand Li. In the blink of an eye, he blocked her path. The Wen Yin¡¯s clone looked at Jiang Hao with some panic, pretending to be pitiful: ¡°Senior Brother, I just wanted to enjoy the pleasures of the flesh. As long as Senior Brother spares me, I am willing to be confined in your residence for your use.¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao swung his Half-Moon handle. With a bang, he struck her temple. The sound of her falling echoed as the avatar Wen Yin collapsed to the ground, motionless. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t kill her. Afterward, he sent the rabbit to find Liu Xingchen. After a short time, Liu Xingchen arrived on his flying sword, looking at the scantily clad woman on the ground with some surprise. ¡°Junior Brother is really vigilant; you actually caught one.¡± After that, Liu Xingchen began to explain. ¡°This person should be from the Great Thousand Divine Sect. She is just a spiritual possession clone; her main body is still in pursuit. We should be able to catch her in the next couple of days. If her main body hadn¡¯t been hiding so well, our people would have caught her by now.¡± ¡°The Great Thousand Divine Sect?¡± Jiang Hao feigned surprise. ¡°The Great Thousand Divine Sect is similar to a sect that specializes in doing things for others, often active in the Tianhe Sea area. I didn¡¯t expect them to come to our Tianyin Sect; they must be here for something important. They probably don¡¯t know the rules of our sect, as they killed an outer disciple within the sect and acted as if nothing happened.¡± Liu Xingchen explained with a smile, then pointed to the woman on the ground and said, ¡°I¡¯ll take this person back. Do you want to record it under Junior Brother¡¯s name?¡± Jiang Hao naturally did not want the merit; Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have sought Liu Xingchen but would have gone to his master. As for the arrival of the Great Thousand Divine Sect, it was probably related to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. However, the other party indeed didn¡¯t know much about the Tianyin Sect. In the end, because of an outer sect disciple, they caught the attention of the Hall of Enforcement. They were about to be captured. After hesitating, Jiang Hao remembered something: ¡°If I want to go out soon, is there any way?¡± Upon hearing this, Liu Xingchen was stunned. He wondered if he had heard wrong. Chapter 114 - Casual Guidance Chapter 114: Casual Guidance Under the moonlight, Jiang Hao and Liu Xingchen stood in the woods. In front of them lay a woman with disheveled clothes and a full figure. However, neither of them paid her any attention. ¡°What did Junior Brother say?¡± Liu Xingchen asked, still in shock. ¡°I¡¯m thinking of taking a risk and going out for a bit,¡± Jiang Hao sighed. Although surprised, Liu Xingchen didn¡¯t ask why but simply said: ¡°It seems Junior Brother has encountered something extremely important. Going out isn¡¯t difficult, but coming back is. It¡¯s best to find a time when no one knows and leave stealthily. However, Tianhuan Pavilion and Luoxia Sect might be waiting outside. If something seems off, it¡¯s better to retreat and come back.¡± Jiang Hao expressed his gratitude politely for this advice. He indeed needed to be cautious. In fact, he wanted to use the Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman, which would be foolproof. As for that woman, of course, she could be found. ¡°How to go out? Junior Brother¡¯s current situation is still good, so just ask the Enforcement Peak to open a mission for you. Whenever you want to go out, I¡¯ll find someone to open one for you. If the Hall of Enforcement agrees, you can go out. But unlike others, there is a time limit. You must return within the specified time, usually within three months,¡± Liu Xingchen said. ¡°Three months should be enough. What kind of mission would it be?¡± Jiang Hao asked. Liu Xingchen didn¡¯t hide anything and said directly, ¡°Since it¡¯s a suspect, the mission is either to recruit designated disciples or to exterminate traitors. For recruiting disciples, accurate information will be given for you to follow. The same goes for exterminating traitors. If you fail, you¡¯ll have to compensate with spirit stones. The difficulty of the mission for Foundation Establishment is for Foundation Establishment, remember, it¡¯s Foundation Establishment, not mid-Foundation Establishment. Sometimes the intelligence might be wrong, and it turns out to be Golden Core level. In such cases, you can only choose to come back and compensate with spirit stones.¡± Compensate with money again? Jiang Hao felt that the Demon Sect always liked to take things from people, whether it was robbing cultivation in the Lawless Tower or extorting spirit stones. After hesitating, he slowly spoke: ¡°Is there a reward for success?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a slight smile. ¡°Reducing the level of suspicion.¡± It¡¯s hardly worth it, Jiang Hao sighed. ¡°How much do I have to compensate with spirit stones?¡± ¡°Three thousand to start.¡± ¡°...¡± Seeing Jiang Hao stunned, Liu Xingchen explained, ¡°The Enforcement Peak also needs to make money, and by reducing suspicion with merit, the Enforcement Peak is vouching for you. If there¡¯s a problem, the Enforcement Peak bears the main responsibility. There¡¯s a risk.¡± ¡°Will people really take on such missions?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Some will. Some people can¡¯t do anything because they¡¯re on the suspect list; they can¡¯t move an inch.¡± Liu Xingchen looked at Jiang Hao and said, ¡°Not everyone is like Junior Brother, staying in the Spiritual Medicine Garden and refusing to go out. Many people want to improve and need to go out and earn spirit stones.¡± Jiang Hao nodded; that made sense. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He could improve without going out, and going out was more dangerous. You see, previous outings were either to dangerous places or ended up not finding any bubbles. But in the sect, you could often find them. Coming to the Spiritual Medicine Garden was different; you could find them every day. ¡°Are there any restrictions on taking missions?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°I can have someone make a note for you, and you can go pick it up when it¡¯s ready. Just submit it within three months. If you fail, start saving up. The Enforcement Peak is reasonable; as long as you¡¯re alive, you can pay back a little each month and clear the debt within three years,¡± Liu Xingchen said. ¡°What if I can¡¯t pay it all back?¡± ¡°They¡¯ll probably arrange some profitable work for you.¡± ¡°...¡± After chatting a bit more, Liu Xingchen left with his people. As for going out, that could be arranged in a few days. With that, Jiang Hao also breathed a sigh of relief. Now, what he needed to do was to earn spirit stones as quickly as possible and then rest well to try making another Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman. It¡¯s always good to be prepared. It would be best to save up three thousand spirit stones. He wasn¡¯t worried about failing the task, but he was reluctant to let it go. When leaving the forest, Jiang Hao thought about bringing the ordinary person back with him. But just as he reached the spot where the man had fallen, he noticed a young boy standing beside him, looking very panicked. At that moment, he also noticed Jiang Hao coming out and looked over in fright. ¡°S-Senior Brother?¡± the boy said in astonishment. Quickly, he pointed to the middle-aged man on the ground and explained: ¡°No, it wasn¡¯t me. He was already here when I arrived.¡± ¡°I know. Why are you here so late?¡± Jiang Hao asked softly. This person was one of the three he had brought back, Lin Zhi. After bringing him back, he hadn¡¯t paid much attention to him. Although he felt that Lin Zhi had secrets, he had never gone to identify him. He had thought the next time they met would be when Lin Zhi entered the inner sect. He didn¡¯t expect it to be here. ¡°The Senior Brothers were resting at night, so I planned to come to the forest to cultivate,¡± Lin Zhi said, looking down. Cultivation is divided into active and passive exercises. In the beginning, it¡¯s impossible to properly circulate the spiritual energy within the body because it¡¯s not perceivable. Nor is it easy to absorb spiritual energy. Active exercises are for better absorption and guidance of circulation. Therefore, in the early stages, active exercises are more important; it¡¯s not just about sitting in meditation. Constant meditation only wastes a lot of time. Unless there are no conditions to practice active exercises. Jiang Hao went over to help the middle-aged man up, intending to carry him back. Lin Zhi immediately said: ¡°Let me do it. I often help out at home, so it¡¯s easy for me.¡± Seeing this, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t insist and let the young boy carry the adult man. ¡°Entry involves three steps: slightly perceiving spiritual energy, using active exercises to draw it into the body, and finally accumulating enough spiritual energy to travel through the meridians, completing a cycle and entering the dantian. Which step have you reached?¡± Jiang Hao asked on the way out of the forest. ¡°I¡¯ve just started to perceive spiritual energy,¡± Lin Zhi admitted, feeling ashamed. He heard that Lin Mo and the others are about to or get started. They were just short of completing a cycle. ¡°It¡¯s coming soon,¡± Jiang Hao consoled him. ¡°Cultivation should be gradual. The most taboo thing is to be impatient and irritable, which can easily lead to chaotic circulation. You need to see yourself clearly and maintain a normal state of mind.¡± Along the way, Jiang Hao casually explained active exercises, and Lin Zhi listened with shining eyes. He looked delighted. It seemed to clear up many of his doubts. For Jiang Hao, it was just a whim to give some guidance. But for Lin Zhi, it was like an enlightening transformation. As an outer disciple, the chance to receive individual guidance from a Golden Core stage cultivator was extremely rare. Although Lin Zhi did not know that the person accompanying him was a late-stage Golden Core cultivator. After putting the man back at his place, Jiang Hao told Lin Zhi to go back, ¡°Don¡¯t go out at night recently, rest well.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Lin Zhi also knew it wasn¡¯t safe outside now. Afterward, Jiang Hao turned and left. Lin Zhi¡¯s path was not easy; after all, the two people he knew both had top-notch talents. The gap was too big, and a slight carelessness could lead him into a dead end. Moreover, this was a demonic sect. Evil in one¡¯s heart could be infinitely amplified. ¡°Master, are you going out?¡± the rabbit, who had been silent on the way back, asked with interest. ¡°Should I come with you? You know, Master, friends on the road all call me Lord Rabbit. They give me a lot of face.¡± ¡°You stay and watch the house,¡± Jiang Hao replied. ¡°Then can Master bring me back some gifts?¡± the rabbit asked. ¡°What do you want?¡± Jiang Hao inquired. ¡°Maybe a handy magical treasure suitable for Lord Rabbit.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not buying.¡± ¡°Buy one, Master. Just one.¡± Chapter 115 - The Terrifying Sect Leader Chapter 115: The Terrifying Sect Leader Early morning, Xuantian Sect. Ren Shuang was in the square, listening to a senior explain cultivation. She didn¡¯t turn to leave until noon was over. These past few days, she had been paying close attention to one matter, which was the progress of some seniors heading to the Tianyin Sect. She had even asked a Junior Sister to help gather information. But several days had passed without any news coming back. What she really cared about was the person Situ Jian had mentioned. This time, the target was more or less that person, and if he were to be captured and brought back, then Situ Jian would be proven wrong. In fact, there was no reason not to bring him back, after all, he was just an inner disciple. His strength was not formidable either. Even if he had some special abilities, under the pressure of the Xuantian Sect, Fenglei Sect, and Luoxia Sect, he wouldn¡¯t be able to stir up any trouble. However, just as she had left the plaza not long ago, she suddenly saw a Junior Sister running over in panic. ¡°Senior Sister Ren, something terrible has happened.¡± The young fairy, who appeared quite young, came over in a fluster and said, ¡°T-there¡¯s news that has come back.¡± ¡°What is it? Don¡¯t panic, speak slowly.¡± Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing the other party in such a state, Ren Shuang¡¯s heart also tightened. ¡°Is there news from the Tianyin Sect?¡± ¡°Yes, yes.¡± Xiao Xue took a few breaths before continuing, ¡°All the people who went to the Tianyin Sect, except for Senior Brother Dongfang Cheng, w-were all killed. All the stewards and elders, not one survived.¡± ¡°N-not one survived?¡± Ren Shuang¡¯s eyes widened as she unconsciously repeated the words. I-if she had let her father go last time, then... The thought made Ren Shuang feel a chill all over. The terror of the Demon Sect had once again surpassed her understanding. But what puzzled her was, did this really have anything to do with that Jiang Hao? She found it hard to believe. But there was no one to answer her, perhaps the future would reveal the outcome. ...... Tianyin Sect. The matter of Xuantian Sect coming to demand a person had completely settled down. Although some disciples reminisced about the situation that day, and some regretted not witnessing that peerless slash with their own eyes, no one felt the need to hand over anyone anymore. Some outer disciples were analyzing whether there would be a war with the three major sects in the end and how the combat power of both sides would compare if a fight did break out. They spoke with authority, with reason and evidence. In fact, some true disciples also had this thought; they didn¡¯t understand why the best trade-off wasn¡¯t chosen. Only the twelve main vein holders in the highest positions knew that this was not something they needed to worry about. The Sect Leader¡¯s slash meant they had to be tough externally. If they weren¡¯t tough, they would have to leave their position. Someone tougher would take over. For decades, just thinking of the Sect Leader made them shiver. This time their choices were all wrong, and to reassure themselves, each of them sent a large amount of resources to the Contribution Pavilion of the sect. With ample resources, they were ready for battle at any moment. This was their way of showing loyalty. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t know much about this, but he had also managed to avoid this calamity. Once he was sure there was no trouble, he took the spirit stones he had and went to buy materials for making talismans. Now he needed to save up four hundred spirit stones to buy materials for making the Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman. He had to make at least one more. ...... Seven days later. Jiang Hao looked at the four hundred and sixty-three spirit stones he had earned and went to buy materials again. Four hundred for the Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman, forty for the Healing Talisman. Thus, he spent almost all of his spirit stones. After purchasing these, he returned to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. ¡°Master, the man-eating woman has been giving Lord Rabbit some face and hasn¡¯t come out recently. Can I go back tonight?¡± The rabbit asked while standing on the wooden railing and eating a carrot. To ensure the Spiritual Medicine Garden had enough people, Jiang Hao had the rabbit patrol at night. Fortunately, nothing else had happened. However, the people from the Great Thousand Divine Sect had not been caught yet. The efficiency of the Hall of Enforcement was somewhat low. ¡°Master, would you like some?¡± The rabbit offered a fresh carrot to Jiang Hao. ¡°The friends on the road are too enthusiastic, insisting on picking such good carrots for Lord Rabbit.¡± Taking the carrot, Jiang Hao checked it and found it to be indeed a good one. However, it was not a spiritual item. He then handed the carrot back to the rabbit. ¡°Have an extra meal tonight.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± The rabbit took the carrot and responded instinctively. Jiang Hao was about to go and tend to the Spiritual Medicine Garden when he suddenly felt a fluctuation of spiritual energy behind him. Turning his head, he saw someone coming this way, and judging by the strength of the power and the extension of his spirit, it should be someone at the peak of Foundation Establishment. One person fleeing, four in pursuit. Seeing this, Jiang Hao walked outside. Sure enough, after a while, a woman in tattered clothes came flying towards him in terror. ¡°Why are you trying to capture me? I only killed an outer disciple, why are you making such a big fuss?¡± The woman couldn¡¯t understand. It was just an outer disciple at the third level of Qi Refining. The Tianyin Sect had actually mobilized so many at the peak of Foundation Establishment, carefully investigating and then finding her main body. Wasn¡¯t the Tianyin Sect said to be a Demon Sect? Even immortal sects aren¡¯t this twisted. ¡°Still trying to escape? Do you think the Hall of Enforcement is just for show?¡± Four disciples from the Hall of Enforcement attacked with their flying swords. Four spiritual swords struck, and with a loud bang, the undercover agent from the Great Thousand Divine Sect was severely injured. However, seeing that she couldn¡¯t resist, she spat out a mouthful of blood, forcing back the four spiritual swords and charged at Jiang Hao. Since this sect valued its disciples so much, she decided to take one as a hostage. Maybe there was still a chance. Just then, Jiang Hao caught her eye, and she immediately rushed towards him. Seeing someone charging at him, Jiang Hao sighed inwardly. Is this the undercover agent from the Great Thousand Divine Sect? Daring to approach him even when severely injured? Without hesitation, he drew his Half-Moon saber. Clang! The first move of the Heavenly Saber, Moon Slash. The moonlight appeared, slicing towards the woman. Boom! She was stopped in her tracks by the slash, and then the attack from behind arrived. Swoosh! Four flying swords pinned the Great Thousand Divine Sect¡¯s undercover agent to the ground. A scream followed. ¡°I am not willing to give in! I just killed an outer disciple, why are you pursuing me so relentlessly? I am also a disciple of the Tianyin Sect.¡± ¡°Save your words for the Lawless Tower. If you cooperate, you might get out sooner. But that¡¯s only if you¡¯re really one of us from the Tianyin Sect, otherwise...¡± The disciples from the Hall of Enforcement picked up the person and left. The leading young man approached Jiang Hao and politely said, ¡°Thank you, Junior Brother, for intervening.¡± ¡°It was nothing.¡± Jiang Hao replied with a polite gesture. He had no choice but to act just now; this undercover agent clearly didn¡¯t understand the rules of the Tianyin Sect. The Tianyin Sect seemed to enjoy sending people to the Lawless Tower, and the Hall of Enforcement seemed to relish capturing people for it. It was as if there were some kind of reward. Perhaps the sect needed the Lawless Tower to accumulate power, and the Enforcement Peak needed spirit stones. Eventually, the group turned and left. ¡°Using hostages as threats? How could that possibly work?¡± Jiang Hao sighed to himself. The Hall of Enforcement of the Tianyin Sect would not be threatened by anyone. ¡°Master, will there be an extra meal tonight?¡± The rabbit handed the carrot back to Jiang Hao. ¡°Let¡¯s save it for dinner.¡± Jiang Hao turned and entered the Spiritual Medicine Garden. The threat from the Great Thousand Divine Sect should be over. Now, it was time to think of ways to replenish the workforce. Even if people from other places were called back, there would still be gaps. He would need to find some ordinary people. How would that happen? There would likely be people sent out to capture them. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t manage this, but if people were captured, he would have someone bring a few over. He hadn¡¯t observed other places closely, but at least those who came to his place could live like human beings. Chapter 116 - Surge in Cultivation Chapter 116: Surge in Cultivation The Spiritual Medicine Garden was growing more and more herbs, and there was a shortage of manpower. Some of the elderly should also retire. It wasn¡¯t about asking them to leave but rather to manage sanitation and prepare food in the residential area for ordinary people. Of course, this was provided that they were willing to stay. If they wanted to leave, Jiang Hao would also send them to nearby towns and give them enough money. Although the Demon Sect valued spirit stones, they were generous with worldly money. The Tianyin Sect had twelve main branches, most of which had a Spiritual Medicine Garden. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t care about the other places. That was how he operated. That¡¯s why people often thought he was a righteous person and then they would take advantage of him. Without further thought, Jiang Hao returned to his residence. Tonight was important for him because this morning, he had seen a blue bubble. And then the panel became what he wanted to see. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 22¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Late Golden Core¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind, Hidden Spirit Manifestation¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 100/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 100/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 0/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ Vital energy and cultivation had finally filled up again. After nearly half a year, the day had finally arrived. If all went well, he could advance to the perfect Golden Core stage tonight. Reaching the realm of Liu Xingchen, among those he knew, there should be no one who could threaten him. Apart from some formidable true disciples, the next in line are the ten chief disciples of the sect. In fact, among the ten chief disciples, he only knew one, Man Long, and was clueless about the rest. He had no idea about the cultivation level of the first one. He wasn¡¯t sure if they had surpassed the Nascent Soul stage or not. If everything went smoothly, he would reach the threshold of the Nascent Soul stage in another year. After that, advancing further would depend on how many days he could extract bubbles from the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. Currently, it was three days, but next time it should be at least five days, or even more. This would significantly slow down his advancement rate, and he would need to earn spirit stones to buy spiritual medicines. These were concerns for the future; for now, he should focus on advancing to the perfect Golden Core stage. After calming his mind, Jiang Hao began to absorb vital energy and cultivation. In an instant, a vast amount of vital energy and spiritual energy surged in. The Primordial Heart Sutra operated, guiding the blood qi and spiritual energy. The immense power began to cleanse his meridians, bringing with it a painful sensation. The spiritual energy circulated through his meridians, converging towards the dantian. It continuously merged with the Golden Core. At this moment, the power circulated through his meridians, steadily sinking into the dantian. The formidable power seemed as if it would burst the dantian. Purple Qi appeared and revolved around him. After an unknown period, Jiang Hao felt the power gradually integrating into the Golden Core. The pressure on his body also slowly receded. When all the power settled, the Golden Core shone with dazzling light. A new aura emerged from Jiang Hao, continuous and surging like a river. Golden Core perfection. ¡°Phew.¡± He exhaled with relief and a touch of joy. Feeling the strong power, he wanted to go out and pick a fight. It had been a long time since he had fought someone of equal strength. The most enjoyable fight was with the two from Tianhuan Pavilion. Back then, he had forcibly advanced, and his body was injured and unable to consolidate his cultivation, which is why he needed to fight longer. Later, the battles ended in an instant. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Though equally dangerous, they always felt like something was missing. After calming his inflated ego, Jiang Hao began to extract the remaining twenty-plus points of blood qi and cultivation. To consolidate his cultivation. ...... Early in the morning. Jiang Hao had completely consolidated his cultivation. He was now truly at the perfect Golden Core stage. His blood qi and cultivation had dwindled to single digits; it would take a long time to accumulate them again. Once accustomed to his cultivation, he could start making talismans. Mainly the Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman. He must produce another one before Hong Yuye arrived. However, the Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman was difficult to complete; it seemed he needed to recuperate after the last attempt. His divine abilities, Clear Heart and Pure Mind couldn¡¯t reach their peak. ...... Half a month later. Jiang Hao attempted eight times and failed without exception. Left with no choice, he had to rest for a while. First, he would draw Healing Talismans and Hundred Thousand Swords Talismans to earn spirit stones. Today, going to the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao saw Cheng Chou, whom he hadn¡¯t seen for over a month. His arm seemed somewhat limp, indicating he had been injured. ¡°Finally back,¡± Jiang Hao also sighed with relief. With no news for over a month, he had begun to worry if something difficult had occurred. The rabbit also excitedly ran over, happy to have one more person to give it face. ¡°Senior Brother Jiang.¡± As Jiang Hao walked in, Cheng Chou greeted him respectfully. ¡°Are you injured?¡± Jiang Hao asked, looking at his arm. ¡°I encountered a demon beast on the way, and I used all the spirit talismans Senior Brother gave me,¡± Cheng Chou said with his head lowered, somewhat worried. ¡°It¡¯s fine, they were meant for emergencies. How was the situation when you went back with Junior Sister Xiao Li?¡± Jiang Hao asked as he sat down inside the loft. Cheng Chou followed and reported truthfully: ¡°Junior Sister Xiao Li¡¯s home is about a five-day journey from Tianyin Sect. We were delayed by a day because we encountered a demon beast on the way. It took us seven days to reach Junior Sister Xiao Li¡¯s village by the river.¡± Jiang Hao nodded slightly; he was aware of the river. When he appraised Xiao Li, it was mentioned that she was rescued from the river. Cheng Chou continued. ¡°Junior Sister Xiao Li¡¯s grandparents are over sixty and not in good health. I¡¯m afraid they won¡¯t last many years. They were very happy to see Junior Sister Xiao Li join the sect and be able to visit them. She stayed for more than half a month, helping with chopping wood and taking care of household chores. She also prepared a lot of food.¡± ¡°The money we used was arranged by Senior Brother, and oh, there are still two spirit stones left...¡± ¡°You keep them,¡± Jiang Hao said, not taking the spirit stones back as there was no need. Moreover, he gave a vital energy pill to Cheng Chou. ¡°Take this for healing.¡± ¡°Thank you, Senior Brother.¡± Cheng Chou was delighted. With this pill, advancing to the ninth level of Qi Refining would be even easier. ¡°Does Junior Sister Xiao Li¡¯s grandparents have any other relatives?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°They say there are some, but they haven¡¯t come back for over a decade, so it¡¯s as if they don¡¯t exist,¡± Cheng Chou replied truthfully. At this moment, Cheng Chou hesitated as if he wanted to say something but didn¡¯t dare. ¡°What is it?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°It¡¯s this.¡± Cheng Chou sighed inwardly and then took out a well-wrapped package of wax paper. ¡°It¡¯s some snacks made by Xiao Li¡¯s grandmother to thank Senior Brother Jiang for letting Xiao Li go back to see them.¡± Looking at the ordinary wax paper, Jiang Hao accepted and put it away: ¡°Where is Junior Sister Xiao Li?¡± ¡°She went... to eat,¡± Cheng Chou said somewhat awkwardly. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t mind and simply instructed. ¡°Does she still want to go back?¡± Cheng Chou nodded: ¡°Very much.¡± ¡°Tell her that if she advances to the second level of Qi Refining by the end of the year, she can go back,¡± Jiang Hao emphasized to Cheng Chou. ¡°Make sure she understands. It¡¯s by the end of the year.¡± Cheng Chou was somewhat puzzled. Why did it have to be the end of the year? Wouldn¡¯t later be okay? He didn¡¯t dare to ask more. ¡°By the way, I came back today to check on the Spiritual Medicine Garden. It seems we¡¯re a bit short on hands. I heard that some ordinary people were captured by the outer sect. Should we bring a few over?¡± Cheng Chou asked. Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°Bring them here for me to review.¡± Chapter 117 - Call Me Elder Brother Chapter 117: Call Me Elder Brother Some people had already been reassigned back to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. But it still wasn¡¯t enough. For safety¡¯s sake, it was better to have more hands. After all, there was no shortage of tasks in the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Processing spiritual medicines involved many steps that most ordinary people could complete. This way, there was no need to waste the cultivation time of outer disciples. Of course, for some tasks that required cultivators, people from the outer sect would be brought in. Some tasks were paid, others were not. The work in the Spiritual Medicine Garden was usually unremarkable, but when it came to rush orders, the ordinary people suffered. At least before Jiang Hao arrived at the Spiritual Medicine Garden, those people lived in fear every day. If an inner disciple was in a bad mood and took a dislike to them, it could be the start of trouble. ...... At noon. After taking care of the spiritual medicines, Jiang Hao ate the snacks sent by Xiao Li¡¯s grandmother, making sure to check them first. They were non-toxic. The taste was nothing special, just ordinary homemade cooking. Not long after eating, Cheng Chou returned with the rabbit. To introduce the invincible Lord Rabbit to everyone, the rabbit insisted on going. At this time, eight ordinary people also returned with them. They wore tattered hemp clothes, were thin and pale, looking like refugees. Most of these people were young, around seventeen or eighteen years old. Only one looked younger, about fourteen or fifteen. A girl. How they came to be here was not Jiang Hao¡¯s concern. But all eight of them kept their heads down, trembling slightly, showing some fear. Some even had fresh wounds, likely inflicted by people from the Tianyin Sect. Jiang Hao¡¯s gaze found nothing out of the ordinary; they all seemed to be just ordinary people. He hadn¡¯t fully comprehended the nameless secret manual yet; once he did, he would be able to see much more. Of course, it was normal not to see anything now. He could take his time to identify them later when he had the chance. ¡°Arrange their accommodations, then get them changed and start learning,¡± Jiang Hao instructed. ¡°Yes,¡± Cheng Chou responded, bowing his head. He then led the people outside. ¡°You don¡¯t need to look so hopeless. Compared to others, you¡¯re already very lucky. You¡¯ll understand in time, just do your jobs well,¡± Cheng Chou tried to reassure them on the way. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t care; having eight more people would make things much easier. As long as there was no conflict, everything was manageable. ¡°Master, these people were chosen by Cheng Chou first. Friends on the road all gave me face, scrambling to let me pick first,¡± the rabbit said, hopping onto a wooden railing and shaking its collar. Jiang Hao glanced at it without speaking; the rabbit had the strength of the Foundation Establishment mid-stage. Those who went to fetch people were at Qi Refining; it would be strange not to give it face. Later, Jiang Hao went to the market and sold the talismans he had made in the past few days. He earned over two hundred spirit stones. After resting for a month, Jiang Hao carefully sensed the Clear Heart and Pure Mind divine ability, and once he felt it was about right, he continued to work on the Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman. For this talisman, he hadn¡¯t even started to comprehend the third form of the Heavenly Saber. Because comprehension required activating divine abilities, which would affect recovery. Hong Yuye¡¯s arrival time is uncertain, so it¡¯s better to create the second talisman as soon as possible. This time, he has a feeling that the consequences of creating the second one will be even more severe. But that¡¯s still better than encountering danger outside. ....... Noon. Dipping the talisman brush in some beast blood, he begins to outline the runes. Each stroke is smooth and flowing. The spiritual energy is stable, and his mind is calm. Halfway through, he suddenly feels a warmth in his body and a clarity in his spirit. It seems he has entered an even better state. Shortly after, the final stroke is made. Then comes the extraction of his spirit and vital energy. Once everything settles down, Jiang Hao slowly sits back, feeling incredibly exhausted, even more so than the last time. Despite having improved his realm, he still feels this way. It¡¯s unbelievable. He can¡¯t muster any strength at all. After a long rest, he gets up to pick up the talisman. On the surface, it looks no different from the previous one, but the aura it emits seems slightly different. ¡°Hmm?¡± Puzzled, he activates the appraisal. ¡¾Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman: low-grade, disregards all spells and barriers, randomly teleports the user to any location between nine hundred and twelve hundred li away, can be activated directly with fresh blood or spiritual energy, cannot be interrupted.¡¿ ¡°Low-grade? It covers an extra two hundred li, no wonder the damage was so great this time.¡± After storing the talisman, Jiang Hao begins to check his own condition. He finds that he can no longer activate the divine ability Clear Heart and Pure Mind. This... seems like a loss that¡¯s not worth the gain. ¡°It seems that this talisman is not something that can be made at the Golden Core stage. I wonder if the damage would still be significant at the Nascent Soul stage.¡± ¡°However, with two talismans, it will be much safer to go out.¡± He doesn¡¯t plan to leave the sect but intends to activate the talisman from his residence; seven hundred li should be enough to leave the sect directly. Afterward, Jiang Hao begins to meditate and rest. His current situation is still quite good. There¡¯s no movement from Tianhuan Pavilion, and Bai Ye hasn¡¯t taken further action to seal spirits. Jiang Hao understands Tianhuan Pavilion; they are waiting for an opportunity. As for those who are interested in Senior Sister Yun Ruo, those who wanted to act against him have already done so. The rest either don¡¯t care or are waiting for their chance. Speaking of which, it¡¯s surprising how many people are fond of Senior Sister Yun Ruo, even to the point of taking great risks. There are such people in Tianhuan Pavilion, as well as in Luoxia Sect. Especially since someone from Luoxia Sect went to such lengths to kill him. He can¡¯t understand their way of thinking. In Jiang Hao¡¯s view, there are many beautiful fairy maidens at the Foundation Establishment stage, and those comparable to Senior Sister Yun Ruo are not few. Yet, these people don¡¯t seem to be as infatuated with them. Sighing, Jiang Hao stops dwelling on it. The most pressing matter is to manage the Spiritual Medicine Garden well and then collect spirit bubbles to advance. Advancing one more time would allow him to leave the Golden Core stage and step into the Nascent Soul stage. Then Bai Ye would no longer be a threat. The next day. After watering the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, Jiang Hao continues to the Spiritual Medicine Garden to collect spirit bubbles. ¡¾Strength+1¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation+1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit Gathering Pill+1¡¿ ... After collecting the spirit bubbles, he looks at the other people in the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Over the past month, he has identified all eight of them. There are no issues. They are all ordinary people. They have also slowly integrated into the Spiritual Medicine Garden, although they have not yet realized their good fortune. But no one cares about that. Not long after sitting in the pavilion, Jiang Hao hears some commotion at the edge of the Spiritual Medicine Garden. ¡°Rabbit, rabbit, let me catch you,¡± Xiao Li calls out, chasing after the rabbit. ¡°You can¡¯t call me rabbit,¡± the rabbit says, dodging to one side. ¡°Then what should I call you?¡± Xiao Li asks, standing still. At that moment, the rabbit leaps onto Xiao Li¡¯s shoulder and, after a moment of thought, says, ¡°Calling me Lord Rabbit is too distant. How about this, you call me Elder Brother, and I¡¯ll look after you. Friends on the road will all give Lord Rabbit some face, and you¡¯ll even get an extra serving at lunch.¡± S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Really?¡± Xiao Li grabs the rabbit and squeezes it several times. The rabbit doesn¡¯t mind at all and says. ¡°Of course it¡¯s true. Lord Rabbit¡¯s reputation on the road is all about credibility.¡± Hearing this, Xiao Li is very happy. Jiang Hao almost laughs out loud. A Mythical Beast Rabbit talking about credibility? Probably only that amnesiac dragon would believe it. Xiao Li is here because she didn¡¯t want to study anymore; the teachers in the outer sect couldn¡¯t handle her, so they asked Jiang Hao for help. So, Xiao Li is allowed to stay in the Spiritual Medicine Garden under the rabbit¡¯s watch. Fortunately, she was quite obedient and didn¡¯t cause any trouble. When Jiang Hao was about to get busy, Senior Sister Ming Yi, whom he hadn¡¯t seen for a long time, suddenly came looking for him. Chapter 118 - The Soul-Searching Question from the Female Demon Chapter 118: The Soul-Searching Question from the Female Demon ¡°Junior Brother seems to have encountered a lot of things recently, hasn¡¯t he?¡± Ming Yi, dressed in a light blue fairy dress, approached Jiang Hao. She wore a smile on her face as if she was happy to see an old friend. ¡°Senior Sister is joking. I¡¯ve been at Duanqing Cliff all this time,¡± Jiang Hao said, shaking his head. Although the arrival of people from the Xuantian Sect was a tribulation for him, in the end, the sect leader took action. So, it had nothing to do with him. Ming Yi sat down casually and mentioned offhandedly, ¡°I heard that Duanqing Cliff has welcomed a new inner disciple?¡± Jiang Hao nodded, keeping his guard up. Senior Sister Miao was a Saintess candidate for the Tiansheng Sect, and this Senior Sister Ming Yi in front of him was also a Saintess candidate for the Tiansheng Sect. It was very likely that the two knew each other, and he had no idea what might happen if they met. But the fact that Ming Yi Senior Sister dared to come here indicated that she was not worried about her identity being exposed. He wondered why that might be. It couldn¡¯t be that the Saintess candidate didn¡¯t know each other, could it? ¡°Yes, there is a Senior Sister who has joined us,¡± Jiang Hao confirmed. Ming Yi Senior Sister laughed and said: ¡°So, just by joining, she is a Senior Sister?¡± ¡°Her cultivation level is higher than mine,¡± Jiang Hao replied, somewhat helplessly. ¡°I see,¡± Ming Yi Senior Sister said, covering her mouth with a laugh. She didn¡¯t ask further but instead said: ¡°I went out for a while recently and heard some things. It seems that quite a few people are targeting Junior Brother. Some will wait outside, and others will try to infiltrate the sect by disguising themselves as ordinary people.¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao was startled. The other party was probably not joking, especially since the Tianyin Sect had brought back some ordinary people. Although they weren¡¯t assigned to Duanqing Cliff, it didn¡¯t mean they weren¡¯t in the sect. He would have to be more cautious. ¡°Thank you, Senior Sister, for the information,¡± Jiang Hao expressed his gratitude. Although she was an undercover agent with a smile that hid a knife, so far, she had been friendly towards him. ¡°By the way, there¡¯s also the matter with Tiansheng Sect. They are increasingly convinced that the secret of the mines lies with Junior Brother. Those fanatics from Tiansheng Sect are very single-minded, so Junior Brother must be extremely careful,¡± Senior Sister Ming Yi said earnestly. Jiang Hao nodded to show he understood. After some more casual conversation, when they were having a good time, Senior Sister Ming Yi stood up to take her leave. It seemed as if she left with some reluctance. Seeing Senior Sister leave, Jiang Hao felt that her actions were deliberate. Keeping him at arm¡¯s length, playing hard to get. He was curious whether his past self would have fallen for it. Now, well, there was some regret. But from Senior Sister Ming Yi, he could confirm that Tiansheng Sect was still watching him. They might even have disguised themselves as ordinary people and infiltrated Tianyin Sect. Although it was a bit troublesome for his mid-stage Foundation Establishment, they probably wouldn¡¯t deploy anyone stronger than a Golden Core. In that case, he could consider himself safe. He just needed to be a bit more cautious. After taking care of the spiritual herbs, Jiang Hao planned to leave. Xiao Li had already run off to eat. Nothing was more important to her than eating, and fortunately, Tianyin Sect was not impoverished and could afford to feed her. On his way back, he saw Cheng Chou, who had just arrived and was now at the ninth level of Qi Refining. ¡°Have you advanced?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Yes,¡± Cheng Chou replied with a smile: ¡°Thanks to the guidance of Jiang Senior Brother.¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± Jiang Hao nodded, then said. ¡°Consolidate your cultivation. When the time comes, I¡¯ll explain the essence of the ninth level to you. With diligent practice, reaching Foundation Establishment is not impossible.¡± Cheng Chou was once again grateful. Foundation Establishment was a distant dream for him, and the chance to achieve it naturally made him happy. Jiang Hao nodded and then left. In fact, with Cheng Chou¡¯s talent, he indeed had the chance to reach Foundation Establishment. With the right guidance and some resources, it wasn¡¯t too difficult. It just required some time. After Foundation Establishment, to advance to Golden Core, one would have to risk a life-and-death challenge. Even if one succeeded, they would probably only reach the early stages of Golden Core unless they encountered some extraordinary opportunities. Like Han Ming¡¯s powerful inheritance, or Mu Qi¡¯s ancient inheritance, or perhaps the True Dragon remnant soul on Liu Xingchen. Of course, to possess a True Dragon remnant soul, one would need to be completely fearless of possession like Liu Xingchen. ¡°I wonder how that True Dragon remnant soul is doing,¡± Jiang Hao mused. He suddenly felt a bit sorry for the True Dragon. It had encountered Liu Xingchen, a rather inexplicable person. To think someone would be bored enough to watch a True Dragon remnant soul possess them was unbelievable; such people did exist in the world. Returning to the courtyard, Jiang Hao sat on a wooden chair and casually took out the Heavenly Saber Seven Forms. He hadn¡¯t opened this book for days as he had been focused on improving his talisman-making skills. Now that he couldn¡¯t use his Clear Heart and Pure Mind ability, comprehending the book would also require a lot of time. However, he might need to leave soon, so it was still worth trying to understand it. What if he managed to comprehend it just in time? He read until late into the night but couldn¡¯t make sense of anything. The third form of the Heavenly Saber was particularly difficult to grasp. Named Meteor, it seemed to be a different technique from Moon Slash and Mountain Suppressor. The specifics, however, remained elusive to him. Reaching for his teapot, he intended to pour himself a cup of tea only to find that it was empty. After some hesitation, he took out the last bit of Red Sleeve Fragrance tea. There were two types: one cost a hundred spirit stones, and the other one hundred and fifty. He had never tasted them since he bought them. Now was a good time to try. First, he brewed the tea that cost a hundred spirit stones. The tea was a lustrous red and had a light fragrance. Taking a sip, he discovered the tea contained spiritual energy and was sweet and refreshing. ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s good tea, but a bit expensive,¡± Jiang Hao remarked. ¡°Master, pour me a cup too,¡± said the rabbit that had been lying next to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. It suddenly hopped onto the table, holding a teacup out to Jiang Hao. Without a word, Jiang Hao poured a cup for it. The rabbit drank it all in one gulp. ¡°This tea also gave Lord Rabbit a lot of face,¡± the rabbit commented nonchalantly. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t care about face and continued to drink his tea and read his book. After midnight, he switched to the Red Sleeve Fragrance that cost one hundred and fifty spirit stones. This tea was even redder, and upon tasting, it had a bitter note and was more robust in flavor. ¡°This taste?¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. ¡°No wonder she frowned.¡± ¡°It seems I need to find another type. What other options are there for one hundred and fifty?¡± If Hong Yuye didn¡¯t enjoy the tea and decided to take action, he would be the one at a disadvantage. After the man and rabbit finished the tea, Jiang Hao returned to his room to cultivate. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He planned to sell the talismans he had made during this period the next day and then buy new tea leaves. He had fifteen Healing Talismans, eighteen Hundred Thousand Swords Talismans, some Ten Thousand Swords Talismans, and Cleansing Talismans. He could probably sell them for a few hundred spirit stones. With the three hundred spirit stones he already had, he would have enough to buy five mace of tea leaves. Having made his calculations, he began to cultivate until he woke up the next morning. As soon as he stepped outside, he saw a woman squatting next to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. She was dressed in a red and white gown with a red hairpin in her bun. There was no wind today, making her look like a fairy descended from a painting. ¡°What¡¯s your cultivation level now?¡± Hong Yuye asked softly, touching the small leaves of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. She was aware of Jiang Hao¡¯s presence. ¡°Mid-stage Foundation Establishment,¡± Jiang Hao replied quietly. Hong Yuye didn¡¯t react as if she had grown accustomed to Jiang Hao¡¯s lies. ¡°Are you ready to go to town with me?¡± This time she looked up slightly at the man at the doorway. ¡°I¡¯ve been preparing all this time. I¡¯m almost ready and can leave at any time,¡± Jiang Hao replied truthfully. ¡°This trip will pass by a mine. Do you want to go in and dig for a few days?¡± Hong Yuye suddenly asked. Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Chapter 119 - Anger Strikes Again Chapter 119: Anger Strikes Again Mining. It was something Jiang Hao had often thought about recently. If he had been mining all this time, he might have been able to reach the Nascent Soul stage by now. Unfortunately, to attempt reaching the Nascent Soul stage now, he would need to wait another year. If he were to leave for a few months, even a year might not be enough. That was the difference between mining and not mining. Sometimes he wondered what it would have been like if he had been sent to mine right after he started cultivating. Perhaps he would be at the mid or late Nascent Soul stage by now. Maybe even stronger, but then... he wouldn¡¯t have a way to conceal his cultivation level. That wouldn¡¯t be good either. The Primordial Heart Sutra was something he got from cultivating the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. Mining would hardly produce golden bubbles, let alone purple-gold ones. However, being able to mine now would be a great opportunity. Then, against his true feelings, he shook his head. ¡°Senior¡¯s matters are more important. I don¡¯t like mining.¡± ¡°Lies upon lies.¡± Hong Yuye stood up and looked at the man in front of her. ¡°Get ready. You¡¯ll leave with me in seven days.¡± ¡°May I know where senior plans to go? Is there anything I need to prepare in advance?¡± Jiang Hao asked. He had already mentally prepared himself for the eventual departure. Moreover, the Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman is already prepared, everything else is fine. His condition is also at its peak, except for the inability to use the divine ability Clear Heart and Pure Mind, everything is good. ¡°You¡¯ll know when the time comes. As for what you need to prepare?¡± Hong Yuye looked at Jiang Hao with a cold smile and said. ¡°If you lack this or that, you know the consequences.¡± Should I consider it myself? Jiang Hao felt a bit of a headache at the moment. Since he started his cultivation journey, he hadn¡¯t really been to towns much and didn¡¯t know what he needed to prepare. Moreover, he had no idea what Hong Yuye was planning to do. Thinking about preparations was a bit troublesome. He could only try to probe for some information. ¡°It seems like it¡¯s about to bloom.¡± Hong Yuye sat on a wooden chair, looking at the flat peach tree beside him and said. At this moment, the flat peach tree was already as tall as two people and taller than the surrounding wall, with flower buds already appearing. In a few more months, it would bear fruit. It should mature in four or five months. Jiang Hao glanced at the flat peach tree but didn¡¯t answer the question. Instead, he asked curiously: ¡°Senior, how long do you plan to have the junior accompany you?¡± ¡°At least one month, at most four months. Any problems?¡± Hong Yuye fixed his gaze on Jiang Hao. ¡°No, none.¡± Jiang Hao said, forcing himself to be brave. He could only be away for three months; four months would be difficult. But he felt that if he voiced this, it would easily anger the other party. ¡°Make some tea.¡± Seeing that Jiang Hao¡¯s attitude was acceptable, Hong Yuye didn¡¯t care about the rest. But upon hearing the request for tea, Jiang Hao was stunned. Last night, he and the rabbit drank merrily, finishing all the tea. In the end, he reluctantly brewed some ordinary tea. Hong Yuye drank it, and then... Bang! Jiang Hao was blasted against the wall by a powerful force, feeling sore all over. He now understood that one of the things he needed to prepare for the next few days was definitely tea leaves. At this moment, Hong Yuye stood up, his gaze turning to Jiang Hao. ¡°In seven days, at noon, where do you plan to wait for me?¡± ¡°Outside of Tianyin Sect.¡± ¡°Good, if I don¡¯t see you, you know what the consequences will be.¡± ¡°The junior understands.¡± ¡°During this period, take good care of my flowers. If there¡¯s any mistake, you will also bear my wrath.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± After a moment of silence, Hong Yuye spoke again: sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Use your divine ability from before one more time.¡± Jiang Hao had no choice but to appraise Hong Yuye again. Of course, he used a hidden method to make the divine ability¡¯s consumption negligible. But the appraisal result was the same as before. Still a name with a question mark. ¡°I¡¯ve used it.¡± He looked at the other party as he answered, trying to discern from Hong Yuye¡¯s expression whether he had noticed anything. However, he got nothing. After Hong Yuye finished the tea in his cup, he disappeared from the spot like a gust of wind. You could at least put down the teacup, Jiang Hao sighed. Although it was just ordinary tea ware, he had bought it with money. He always felt that Hong Yuye had a habit of taking things. But he also needed to prepare, as he had to earn some spirit stones in the next few days. Speaking of which, today was somewhat quiet. ¡°Logically, after Hong Yuye leaves, there should be screams, why are there none today?¡± Jiang Hao was puzzled. After thinking about it, he realized the rabbit was gone. Curious, he looked outside and then saw the rabbit floating on the water surface, drifting away with the river current. It seemed to be struggling to get out of the water. Probably because today it drooled over the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and was seen by Hong Yuye, being alive was already its good fortune. Later, while Jiang Hao was recuperating, he often made talismans. He also updated his divine ability Hidden Spirit Manifestation, re-concealing his current strength. Moon Slash and Mountain Suppressor were also re-recorded on his wrist guard. Every day he grew a bit stronger, so re-concealing his spirit and re-recording were inevitable. Five days later, Jiang Hao had made quite a few talismans. He also sold most of them. He earned over eight hundred spirit stones, and with what he had on him, he now had a total of one thousand and one spirit stones. This was due to good luck, as he had encountered several Foundation Establishment Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters who needed a large number of talismans. They bought many talismans at a market discount of 15% off. The discount was a bit low, but the quantity made up for it. Leng Tian Senior Sister hadn¡¯t visited recently; he had given her quite a few talismans last time, so she probably didn¡¯t need any. ¡°The day after tomorrow is the departure. I¡¯ll buy some tea leaves today, then go accept the mission.¡± He had already explained the matter of going out to his master. The master didn¡¯t say much, just nodded in agreement. Senior Sister Miao was surprised when she found out but didn¡¯t ask further. Recently, she hadn¡¯t asked about Mu Qi Senior Brother anymore, and occasionally, she could see them working together in the spiritual medicine fields. It seemed they were getting along well. That¡¯s probably for the best. Otherwise, the entire Spiritual Medicine Garden would suffer. Two Golden Core cultivators frequently appearing¡ªif they took a dislike to each other, it would be a pain for Jiang Hao, let alone anyone else. At this moment, Jiang Hao arrived at the Xuelian Pavilion. After hesitating for a short while, he purchased some fragrant Snow After Spring for one and fifty spirit stones. It was half the price of Red Sleeve Fragrance. The main reason was that he was going to be away for a long time, and if he ran out, he would be the one to suffer. It made more sense to buy something decent and not too expensive. Fifty spirit stones were a fortune to him, but it was cheap compared to Red Sleeve Fragrance. In the end, he bought thirteen maces, which should last him for some time, spending six hundred spirit stones. There was a deal¡ªbuy twelve maces, get one free. Otherwise, Jiang Hao had planned to buy only ten maces. He didn¡¯t intend to spend the remaining five hundred, as he would need spirit stones for his trip. It¡¯s always good to be prepared. Afterward, he went to the Enforcement Peak. ¡°Recruiting disciples?¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised when he received the task. He had thought it would be something like dealing with traitors. But it turned out to be about recruiting disciples. ¡°This person has caught the eye of a major sect and will be taken to an immortal sect in the coming days. The chances of Junior Brother bringing him back are very low. If you can wait, then wait until this person is taken away before accepting the task to leave.¡± The Senior Sister giving him the task kindly advised. ¡°No, this one is fine.¡± Jiang Hao declined, then curiously asked, ¡°Does Senior Sister know which major sect it is?¡± ¡°Mingyue Sect, its strength is somewhat close to that of the Haotian Sect.¡± Chapter 120 - Raising a Dragon Inside the Body? Chapter 120: Raising a Dragon Inside the Body? Mingyue Sect. Although it wasn¡¯t as powerful as the Haotian Sect, it was still much stronger than the average major sect. The Tianyin Sect was far inferior. But the distance was so great that it wouldn¡¯t have any impact. Unexpectedly, they had come all the way here to recruit disciples. Logically, taking the disciple shouldn¡¯t have much impact, but the fear was not being able to return to the sect before being intercepted. If it were the Xuantian Sect, Luoxia Sect, or Fenglei Sect, taking advantage of the recent limelight to snatch the disciple wouldn¡¯t be a big problem. The biggest issue would fall upon the sect itself, not him personally. These three major sects were no weaker than the Tianyin Sect, and their foundations were much stronger. If it weren¡¯t for the fact that they were holding many of the other side¡¯s powerhouses, he would doubt whether the previous strike could have brought disaster upon his sect. But the die was cast, and he would inevitably face retribution in the future. However, such conflicts would take years to evolve, so there was still time. The Xuantian Sect had targeted him because they had captured Xuanyuan Tai, which was not easy to resolve. But the Luoxia Sect¡¯s grudge was just because someone bore a grudge against him for Senior Sister Yun Ruo; logically, as long as he dealt with that person, there shouldn¡¯t be much enmity left. ¡°I wonder if killing their undercover agents counts as holding a grudge?¡± Jiang Hao left the Enforcement Peak, shaking his head and sighing with self-mockery. In just over two years, he had leaped from the ninth level of Qi Refining to a Golden Core cultivator at full completion. In the same short period, he had offended the Tianhuan Pavilion, Hundred Bones Forest, Luoxia Sect, Xuantian Sect, and Tiansheng Sect. Such things were unimaginable in the past. With a sigh, he planned to return to the Spiritual Medicine Field to ask Cheng Chou what he needed to prepare for the trip to town. ¡°Junior Brother, are you heading out?¡± Liu Xingchen approached, greeting him. Seeing him, Jiang Hao was inwardly startled. In the past, Liu Xingchen exuded the aura of a Golden Core at full completion. Although much stronger than the average person, he was still within the realm of Golden Core. But today, he was no longer in that realm. How could this be? He remembered that just a year or two ago, the other party had advanced to Golden Core full completion. Out of curiosity, while greeting him, he activated his divine ability, Daily Appraisal. ¡¾Liu Xingchen: A true disciple of the Haotian Sect, born with the aura of Dragon Slaughter. He is bored watching the True Dragon¡¯s remnant soul slowly trying to possess him. As it was too slow, he swallowed half of the dragon soul in one bite to motivate it, advanced to the early stage of Nascent Soul in one fell swoop because of it, and then pretended not to see the remaining True Dragon¡¯s remnant soul hiding and waiting for the next possession attempt. Undercover at the Tianyin Sect¡¯s Enforcement Peak, he befriends you to get closer to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and to watch the drama unfold. Currently taking a great interest in you.¡¿ Jiang Hao bowed his head, utterly shocked. ¡°Junior Brother, what task have you received this time?¡± Liu Xingchen asked. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Jiang Hao smiled helplessly, concealing his surprise. ¡°To recruit a disciple who has caught the eye of the Mingyue Sect.¡± ¡°Mingyue Sect, huh?¡± Liu Xingchen seemed surprised. ¡°The Mingyue Sect usually pre-selects their disciples and then waits until the disciples are a bit older to recruit them. They have a locating divine ability, and no matter where the disciple is, they will go to them. It¡¯s said that the Haotian Sect once snatched a disciple, but the sect master of the Mingyue Sect personally came to the Haotian Sect. In the end, for various reasons, they took the disciple back. Junior Brother, be mentally prepared.¡± Jiang Hao understood that he was most likely going to fail this time. Failure was not a big deal; what he cared about was the three thousand spirit stones. But he had to go out this time. However, the Mingyue Sect seemed even more exaggerated than he had imagined. ¡°How strong is the Mingyue Sect?¡± Jiang Hao asked, curious. ¡°Junior Brother, how do you think the Xuantian Sect and Luoxia Sect compare to us?¡± Liu Xingchen countered. ¡°They should be stronger than us,¡± Jiang Hao answered based on his own knowledge. ¡°Actually, they are quite a bit stronger. Their sect has a profound foundation, having stood in the cultivation world for thousands of years. It¡¯s just that they all have their own troubles, otherwise why would the twelve main veins want to push someone out? They¡¯re afraid of unexpected problems arising over time.¡± Liu Xingchen looked at Jiang Hao and continued, ¡°On the other hand, we seem strong with our twelve main veins. But all of this has developed over the past few decades. How can our less than a hundred years of foundation compare to their thousands? They are not like Tianqing Mountain, which is on the decline. So, Junior Brother, getting into trouble with Xuantian Sect and Luoxia Sect is a very troublesome matter.¡± Jiang Hao nodded slightly. Now that he had reached the peak of Golden Core, he had no way to confront these sects. Although Golden Core is strong, it also depends on who you¡¯re up against. Each sect has some people who have had fortuitous encounters, making their cultivation speed difficult to measure by normal standards. Take Liu Xingchen, for example. The first time he met him, he was in the late stage of Golden Core, and in just two short years, he¡¯s reached the early stage of Nascent Soul. At this rate, Liu Xingchen might even pursue a position among the top ten disciples. ¡°But what does this have to do with Mingyue Sect?¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat puzzled. Liu Xingchen smiled and said, ¡°Xuantian Sect, Luoxia Sect, Fenglei Sect, even if you combine the three, they are not a match for Mingyue Sect. So, Junior Brother, you need to be careful this time. Failing to bring back the disciple you want to recruit might only mean a failed mission, but if you do bring them back, you might also bring back trouble.¡± After saying this, Liu Xingchen left with a smile. Jiang Hao sighed. Was the Enforcement Peak openly demanding spirit stones? In fact, as long as the person¡¯s tracking ability was erased, there should be no trouble. The premise is that he has to be able to do it. Secondly, is it really necessary to bring a person with a promising future to the Demon Sect? Just for three thousand spirit stones. Watching Liu Xingchen leave, Jiang Hao sighed again. However, Liu Xingchen was indeed extraordinary, actually treating a dragon within his body like a cattle. I wonder how that dragon feels, regretting provoking Liu Xingchen now. It¡¯s unbelievable how bored Liu Xingchen must be. But what troubled Jiang Hao the most was the last part, as the other party¡¯s interest in him had grown from considerable to great. ...... Spiritual Medicine Garden. ¡°What do I need to prepare for going to the town?¡± Cheng Chou asked subconsciously, ¡°There shouldn¡¯t be anything to prepare. I¡¯ve been out with some Senior Brothers before, and they didn¡¯t prepare much.¡± ¡°What if something is missing?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°If you visit the homes of some officials and nobles, they will give you what you need.¡± Cheng Chou thought for a moment, then continued, ¡°Just let them know what you need, and they will take care of it. If there are peripheral families affiliated with our Tianyin Sect, it would be even more convenient.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. But he didn¡¯t want to bother others, not used to it and also afraid of bringing trouble from Hong Yuye. ¡°If Jiang Senior Brother wants to do everything himself, then the first thing you need to prepare is money,¡± he said, handing Jiang Hao a good amount of cash. ¡°This is what I exchanged from my last outing. If Senior Brother doesn¡¯t mind, you can take it directly.¡± Jiang Hao took about a hundred taels of silver and ten taels of gold, then immediately asked, ¡°Do you have copper coins?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Cheng Chou gave him some copper coins. After hesitating, he asked with some concern, ¡°Senior Brother, are you going out?¡± ¡°Yes, in the next few days,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. From the moment he took the mission, anyone paying attention would probably know he was going out. He had a three-month deadline. ¡°How long will Jiang Senior Brother be out?¡± Cheng Chou asked cautiously. ¡°The Candlelight Alchemy Court lineage has some Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters who have not paid the fees for nurturing their spiritual medicine. This...¡± Collecting debts? Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised; this wasn¡¯t his responsibility, but it was somewhat related. ¡°If it¡¯s not urgent, let¡¯s wait until I return.¡± Hearing this, Cheng Chou quickly agreed. He really had no way to handle such matters, as an outer disciple has no say over an inner disciple unless they have astonishing talent. ¡°Master, are you finally going to take me down the mountain to show off my great demon flair?¡± The rabbit hopped excitedly to Jiang Hao¡¯s side. Jiang Hao looked at the rabbit calmly and said, ¡°You take care of the house.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± the rabbit immediately agreed, then realized. ¡°Master, won¡¯t you be lonely? Everyone on the road respects Lord Rabbit. If you take me out, it will also make you look good.¡± Ignoring the rabbit, Jiang Hao continued to prepare some things. ...... Two days later. Jiang Hao stood in the courtyard, activating the Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman. Chapter 121 - The Female Demon Takes Me Home Chapter 121: The Female Demon Takes Me Home Duanqing Cliff. Spiritual Medicine Garden. Miao Tinglian stood at the entrance, feeling pleased. ¡°With Jiang Junior Brother gone, this place has finally become my territory. Although Jiang Junior Brother is not bad, his understanding of spiritual medicine is really too limited. I need to reform the Spiritual Medicine Garden.¡± ¡°There are many precious spiritual medicines here, many of which require suitable soil. If you mess up and cause problems, you might be expelled from the sect. Don¡¯t cause trouble for me.¡± Mu Qi stood by, speaking sternly. ¡°Just scold me, I¡¯m not afraid. I¡¯m very strong when it comes to spiritual medicine, but I can¡¯t compare to the people from Hundred Bones Forest. I really didn¡¯t expect there to be such terrifying people,¡± Miao Tinglian said with a shudder. ¡°Is there really such a technique?¡± Mu Qi was stunned when he heard Miao Tinglian¡¯s explanation. At first, he didn¡¯t think so, but Jiang Hao¡¯s sudden descent from the mountain might have been for this reason. Using the aura of spiritual medicine to seal a person¡¯s cultivation was unheard of. ¡°I¡¯m not sure either, but is it really okay for Junior Brother Jiang to go down the mountain?¡± Miao Tinglian asked curiously. Mu Qi shook his head: ¡°It¡¯s his choice. The master hasn¡¯t said anything, so no one else can say anything either.¡± Miao Tinglian didn¡¯t care much either. Stepping into the world of cultivation and becoming a cultivator meant embarking on a point of no return. Life and death could be advised by others, who could lead for a while, but they couldn¡¯t help with the choice. It all depended on oneself in the end. ¡°You stay busy here; I need to make a trip to the mine. It may start operating again in a few months,¡± Mu Qi instructed. He had always been in charge of that place. He had previously used his injuries as an excuse to hide, but now he didn¡¯t need to worry. ¡°Why do you need to go to the mine? Can¡¯t you apply to stay in the Spiritual Medicine Garden?¡± Miao Tinglian asked. ¡°Guarding the Spiritual Medicine Garden isn¡¯t a necessary task. There¡¯s no need to apply. As long as there¡¯s an inner disciple here, it¡¯s fine. The sect has many other tasks to attend to; it¡¯s not possible for everyone to be here. And even if I could apply, Junior Brother Jiang would have to be willing to go to the mine. Of course, the master wouldn¡¯t agree to me staying in the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Besides, we also need spirit stones,¡± Mu Qi explained. Miao Tinglian nodded, showing understanding. ...... In the forested mountains outside the Tianyin Sect, space began to distort. Then, a figure fell out of the distortion and landed on the ground with a thud. Jiang Hao sat up from the ground, holding his forehead, trying to recover. ¡°Is it normal to be this dizzy?¡± He had never imagined that using this talisman could make him so dizzy and unstable. If someone at the Golden Core completion stage like himself felt this way, those below the Golden Core stage could suffer mental trauma. ¡°It seems there¡¯s a threshold for using this talisman.¡± After recovering a bit, he slowly stood up and began to figure out where he was. ¡°I wonder how far I am from the Tianyin Sect...¡± ¡°Five hundred li,¡± a sudden voice came through. Jiang Hao felt a chill in his heart but quickly relaxed. The voice was very familiar. It was Hong Yuye¡¯s. Turning his head, he saw a woman in a red and white dress sitting on a tree branch. When Jiang Hao noticed her, Hong Yuye moved and descended from the tree. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She wore a simple bun, a belt cinched at her waist, and her fairy dress reached her ankles, simple and unadorned, seemingly suitable for travel. ¡°Senior, where are you planning to go?¡±Jiang Hao asked, now recovered. He had prepared many things and didn¡¯t expect to anger the other party during the process. ¡°Youyun Prefecture,¡± Hong Yuye said. Youyun Prefecture, the closest prefecture to the Tianyin Sect. The Tianyin Sect was located to the south of the south, a vast area with sixteen prefectures, each very broad. The prefectural capitals had many towns and villages. The Tianyin Sect would capture people near Youyun Prefecture. A Golden Core completion stage cultivator could see towns after a little more than a day¡¯s journey on a flying sword. ¡°Senior, are you going to fly on your sword?¡± Jiang Hao asked. Hong Yuye glanced at Jiang Hao, and then a strand of red light appeared, covering both of them. Seeing this, Jiang Hao was surprised. But in the blink of an eye, the surroundings changed. When he came to his senses, he found himself on a road with a town not far ahead. People were entering the town in an endless stream. The town gate bore the name ¡°Luo City.¡± ¡°This...¡± This was indeed one of the prosperous cities on the outskirts of Youyun Prefecture. For him, at the Golden Core completion stage, it would be more than a day¡¯s journey. But under Hong Yuye¡¯s divine power, they arrived in the blink of an eye. He suddenly realized that even if he had many talismans for moving a thousand li at a time, he couldn¡¯t escape from her grasp. However, he had some impression of Luo City, though it was very vague yet unforgettable. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Hong Yuye said, walking ahead. Jiang Hao stopped pondering and immediately followed, kindly reminding her, ¡°Senior, shouldn¡¯t you disguise yourself?¡± ¡°Disguise? Do you think I¡¯m ugly?¡± Hong Yuye stopped and stared at Jiang Hao. A powerful force emanated from her, seemingly ready to act at any moment. ¡°Senior has a beauty that could grace an era, graceful as a startled swan. Not to mention ordinary people, even cultivators who often see fairies from the immortal sects would surely give you more than a second glance.¡± ¡°It will bring unnecessary trouble to the senior,¡± Jiang Hao advised as he began to speak. Upon hearing this, Hong Yuye stared at Jiang Hao for a long time. Then she continued to walk forward: ¡°Are you worried about others causing trouble for me or for you?¡± ¡°Of course, I¡¯m worried about the senior,¡± Jiang Hao said helplessly as he followed behind. ¡°Lie,¡± Hong Yuye said coldly. Jiang Hao quietly followed, no longer speaking. At this moment, he was surveying the surroundings, fearing that these people with no vision might provoke Hong Yuye. The higher one¡¯s cultivation, the more they tend to look down on ordinary people. To these people, the lives of others are like mayflies in a lake; Brief and ordinary. Hong Yuye is powerful and would not hesitate to kill. What surprised him, however, was that they had reached the city gates, and yet no one seemed to be paying any attention to them. This relieved him. It must have been Hong Yuye¡¯s doing. Indeed, how could someone like her allow others to point fingers at her? ¡°I will stay in Luo City for three days. Find a place for us to stay,¡± Hong Yuye said to Jiang Hao after they entered the city. ¡°There should be a decent inn up ahead,¡± Jiang Hao pointed down the road ahead and said. Hong Yuye walked forward and casually asked. ¡°Have you been here before?¡± ¡°Sort of,¡± Jiang Hao said softly, looking down the road ahead. He had indeed been here before, but there was a feeling of familiarity mixed with strangeness. It was similar to the streets in his memory, yet quite different. It must be the changes over the past decade or so. This place is... His childhood home. He had lived in this city until he was five years old. At first, he didn¡¯t remember, but after entering the city, it all came back to him. This was the hometown he wanted to revisit. He had thought about coming back to take a look once he was free of danger, not for any other reason, just to take a look. But his cultivation was not enough, and the danger was not yet past. He thought it would be difficult to return. Yet, he had come back so soon. Perhaps... he could visit his old home? He didn¡¯t remember much about that home, only that he helped fetch water, chop wood, and cook in the yard. Occasionally, he would also endure scolding from his stepmother. Besides these, he had no other memories of being mistreated. What he remembered most clearly was the famine that year when his stepmother gave him two steamed buns and drove him out. After that, his stepmother sold him to the Tianyin Sect. At this thought, Jiang Hao was filled with a multitude of emotions. Chapter 122 - Returning Home Chapter 122: Returning Home ¡°Here?¡± While Jiang Hao was still reflecting, Hong Yuye¡¯s voice suddenly brought him back to the present. They were standing in front of an inn with a somewhat imposing presence. It had four large characters written on it¡ªYunshang Inn. ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao nodded lightly. He remembered thinking in the past that if he had money, he would come here to eat and stay; it must be very comfortable. But now, although he indeed had money, he no longer had that same desire. After entering, Jiang Hao and Hong Yuye stood in front of the reception desk. ¡°Would the two of you like to stay?¡± the middle-aged innkeeper asked. The two of them? Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised; he was curious about how the innkeeper perceived Hong Yuye. No one had looked their way on the road, and he had thought that they couldn¡¯t see Hong Yuye. ¡°Yes, we¡¯d like to stay,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°Would you like one room for the two of you?¡± the innkeeper asked tentatively. Jiang Hao instinctively glanced at Hong Yuye and noticed that she was calm and had no intention of speaking. Feeling his gaze, Hong Yuye turned to give him a look. It seemed to carry a hint of mockery. Afterward, Jiang Hao asked for two rooms. Naturally, he wanted two rooms, but he was concerned about disrupting Hong Yuye¡¯s purpose for the trip, which is why he needed to gauge her expression. The Yunshang Inn had six floors. The first floor was a dining hall. The second and third floors had ordinary rooms called Yunxia, the fourth and fifth had mid-level rooms called Yunzhong, and the sixth floor was Yunshang. Jiang Hao asked for the sixth floor. If it were just him, it wouldn¡¯t matter. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But with Hong Yuye accompanying him, any carelessness could be his loss. Creak! The door to the room opened. A fresh fragrance wafted through. What came into view was an exquisite room, complete with a bed, chairs, a dressing table, and all the essentials. On the side stood a screen, upon which was a landscape painting. Behind the screen was a wooden tub for bathing. There was a window at the very front, with a table and chairs set by its edge, perfect for enjoying the view of the city. Jiang Hao approached the window and looked down at the main road and streets below. Hong Yuye came over, sat down, and gestured towards the teapot. Understanding, Jiang Hao took out some Snow After Spring tea, brewed a pot, and poured a cup for her. Hong Yuye stared at the teacup for a long time without touching it. She glanced at Jiang Hao and remained silent. Was she dissatisfied with the tea? Jiang Hao felt a bit alarmed and quickly changed the subject. ¡°What brings senior to Luo City?¡± ¡°For this.¡± Hong Yuye placed a stone slate on the table. ¡°This slate can convey secret messages. The message it gave was to meet in this city within three days.¡± ¡°Who is the other party?¡± Jiang Hao asked curiously. ¡°I don¡¯t know. That¡¯s why what you need to do is to find the origin of this slate or other slates like this one.¡± Hong Yuye pushed the slate towards him. ¡°Now you take the slate. Later, I will teach you how to decipher it.¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao could only accept the slate. He didn¡¯t understand who could be at the origin of the slate that someone like Hong Yuye would take interest in. At that moment, the sun outside was shining brightly, somewhat scorching and dazzling. ¡°Go buy me an umbrella,¡± Hong Yuye suddenly said. After nodding in agreement, Jiang Hao left. Standing at the entrance of the inn, he felt a wave of emotion. He had wanted to go out anyway, and now the timing was perfect. If he remembered correctly, his former home wasn¡¯t far from here. Seventeen years had passed. He wondered how they were doing now. At this moment, he wasn¡¯t quite sure what he was feeling, he just wanted to go back and see. Whether he hoped they were doing well or poorly, he didn¡¯t have an answer at the moment. Maybe seeing them well would make it clear. ¡°Would they recognize me? Would they be shocked to see me?¡± He had many questions he wanted to know, yet at the same time, he didn¡¯t really want to know. After a moment of reflection, he started walking towards ¡°home,¡± following his memory. He passed by a place selling oil-paper umbrellas and chose one with red patterns on it. Every time he saw Hong Yuye, she was in red attire; she probably liked the color red. After putting the umbrella away, he continued on his way. Shortly after, he left the main road and entered a residential area. It wasn¡¯t as bustling and lively as the outside, but it was peaceful. After turning a few corners, he stopped at the edge of an alley. Not far ahead was a residence. If he remembered correctly, it should be where he lived as a child. Hesitating for a long while, Jiang Hao quietly stood at the corner, looking in that direction. He just wanted to take a distant look to see their current life. But after waiting for a long time, no one opened the door. ¡°I was sold at five, and now I¡¯m twenty-two. They probably wouldn¡¯t recognize me.¡± Having come to this conclusion, he approached the door and reached out to knock. But just as he was about to knock, he suddenly stopped mid-air. His heart suddenly became unsettled, as if he didn¡¯t know how to face the family behind the door. Taking a deep breath, he finally knocked on the somewhat old door. Knock, knock- The sound of knocking echoed. Jiang Hao stood waiting. After a short time, footsteps came from inside, followed by an elderly voice. ¡°Who is it?¡± The door then slowly opened, and an old woman peered out, looking at Jiang Hao. ¡°Who are you?¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat taken aback. This person didn¡¯t match any memories he had. ¡°You¡¯re a funny young man, knocking on my door and asking who I am,¡± the old woman said with a chuckle, looking at Jiang Hao. Confused, Jiang Hao asked, ¡°Isn¡¯t this the Jiang family residence?¡± ¡°The Jiang family?¡± The old woman pondered for a moment and replied, ¡°It seems it once was.¡± ¡°It once was?¡± Jiang Hao was surprised. ¡°Come in. My husband knows more,¡± the old woman said as she got up and stepped aside. ¡°Thank you,¡± Jiang Hao said with a bow of gratitude. Entering the gate, he saw the familiar courtyard, almost unchanged, just much older. ¡°He¡¯s in the backyard,¡± the old woman said, closing the door and leading Jiang Hao towards the backyard. Slowly crossing the courtyard, Jiang Hao looked around. Passing a stone, he remembered sitting there as a child, sneaking snacks and dreaming of the future. Approaching the living quarters, he could almost hear his stepmother¡¯s scolding. ¡°Eat, eat, that¡¯s all you know. Get to work!¡± Reaching the backyard, Jiang Hao saw the place where firewood was piled up, a place he knew well. He used to sleep there, chopping wood and cooking from the age of four or five. Looking at these places, there was an inexplicable joy in his heart. Returning this time, he wanted to see the place and those people. Unfortunately, things have changed, and people are no longer the same. ¡°Old man, this person seems to be looking for the Jiang family. You talk to him,¡± the old woman said as she brought the person over and then left. At this moment, Jiang Hao saw an elderly man in front of him, who was slowly chopping wood with a spirited demeanor. Hearing his wife¡¯s words, he looked at Jiang Hao with slight surprise: ¡°Are you here to find relatives?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Jiang Hao nodded, politely saying. ¡°I hope the elder can inform me a bit.¡± ¡°It¡¯s been many years,¡± the old man said with a smile. ¡°Let me think about the past.¡± Jiang Hao did not rush him but took over the wood chopping. ¡°Take your time to think, I¡¯ll help you chop the wood.¡± ¡°You are quite polite, and your clothes don¡¯t seem like those of an ordinary family. You¡¯ve never chopped wood before, have you?¡± the old man asked, somewhat surprised. Even if Jiang Hao was low-key, as a cultivator, he wouldn¡¯t be dressed ordinarily. Chapter 123 - Sublimation of the Mind Chapter 123: Sublimation of the Mind Hearing the question, Jiang Hao replied with a light smile. ¡°You jest. I started chopping wood when I was four or five years old. It was quite difficult back then due to my small strength.¡± Right here, in this place, in this position. Jiang Hao placed the chopping axe on the wood, weighed it lightly a couple of times, then with a bit more force, he secured it in place. With two heavy strikes, the wood split apart. ¡°Four or five years old?¡± the old man exclaimed. ¡°You could barely hold the axe steady, right?¡± ¡°It was indeed difficult at that time,¡± Jiang Hao said with a smile. Decades have passed, and he would feel nostalgic about his past experiences, but he harbored no hatred. Apart from remembering his stepmother scolding him, he didn¡¯t even remember the bad things she did to him. Moreover, he was beginning to forget what his stepmother even looked like. ¡°It seems you really did come from a poor background,¡± the old man said, somewhat incredulously. Chopping wood, Jiang Hao felt as if he had returned to his childhood. Unfortunately, not many memories remained. As a cultivator, his memory should have been excellent, but he hadn¡¯t started cultivating before he left. He had also spent a lot of time improving himself afterward. As the years passed, the events of the past gradually became blurred and forgotten. ¡°Are you here to inquire about the Jiang family?¡± the old man asked curiously, looking at Jiang Hao. ¡°What is your relationship with them?¡± Upon hearing this, Jiang Hao paused, looking at the old man in front of him. Despite some signs of age, he had a good spirit and an air of quality about him. He must have been a respected figure in his youth. Hesitating for a moment, he truthfully said. ¡°Their son.¡± ¡°Their son?¡± the old man was shocked. ¡°That can¡¯t be. When I bought the house from them, I never heard they had a son.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao nodded and said casually: ¡°I was sold away when I was five years old. Today, by chance, I returned to Luo City and wanted to see them.¡± The old man looked at Jiang Hao in surprise, his mouth opened but no words came out. After Jiang Hao chopped some more wood, the old man finally asked/ ¡°When did you leave?¡± ¡°About seventeen years ago,¡± Jiang Hao replied. ¡°I bought this house sixteen years ago,¡± the old man thought for a moment and continued. ¡°I heard they were moving to another place.¡± The year after I was sold? Were they worried I would survive joining the Demon Sect and come back for revenge? Jiang Hao thought bitterly. He wouldn¡¯t go that far. Even though life in the Tianyin Sect wasn¡¯t easy, he would not resort to such measures. ¡°Did they say where they were moving to?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°No,¡± the old man shook his head: ¡°But it¡¯s probably one of the towns nearby. If you want to see them, you could look around.¡± Jiang Hao looked down, not responding. He had come out with Hong Yuye this time and couldn¡¯t possibly wander around the nearby towns. It was already fortunate that he could come here. Being in the Demon Sect, he had made many powerful enemies. It was a luxury to go out safely, and now no one knew he still had relatives in the secular world. It would not be good if it were discovered. He wasn¡¯t worried this time because of Hong Yuye; her strength could shield all dangers. ¡°Seventeen years ago, I remember there was a famine, right? It was a difficult time for the entire city,¡± the old man added. ¡°Yes, I have some recollection,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. Looking at Jiang Hao, the old man could somewhat understand his feelings and asked. ¡°Do you hate them?¡± ¡°Not really, just a bit of resentment,¡± Jiang Hao replied softly. ¡°That¡¯s quite rare. Anyone else would hate them to death,¡± the old man said with a smile. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t say much more, just quietly continued chopping wood. After a long while, he finished chopping all the wood. ¡°I¡¯m leaving now,¡± Jiang Hao said politely as he stood up. ¡°Let me see you out,¡± the old man said, rising to escort Jiang Hao. Walking along, Jiang Hao was lost in his memories, memories that were hazy. He could find a sense of familiarity in many places, yet he couldn¡¯t recall the specifics. Finally, he stepped out of the gate, feeling an inexplicable sense of loss. He bowed with his hands clasped in front of the elders, and then Jiang Hao strode away. After some time, he heard the sound of the gate closing behind him. Only then did he stop, turn around, and look back at the door. It was an old house that seemed to have witnessed the vicissitudes of time. For a moment, he felt as if he had returned to seventeen years ago. That year, he had also looked back to see the closed gate. Back then, he hadn¡¯t felt that his home would be gone, but now... With another turn, there was no longer a home, and he would not return. This place had nothing to do with him anymore. Feeling a bit reluctant and a sense of emptiness in his heart, he had nowhere to place it. Finally, Jiang Hao bowed deeply, a bow of farewell. After rising, he turned and left. Had he let go? No. But he had resolved a matter of the heart. The past could be reminisced, but the road was still ahead. At that moment, Jiang Hao felt as if a light burst forth in his heart, and power surged within him. His state of mind elevated, and his cultivation soared. In the blink of an eye, he was not far from breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage. This short half-hour surpassed the half-year he spent in the Spiritual Medicine Garden cultivating his state of mind. He began to understand that the change in his state of mind was not about loneliness. It was a resonance, detachment, and clarity. To pick up, one must be able to let go. To possess, one must understand. To lose, one must comprehend. Leaving the residential area, Jiang Hao once again returned to the main road. The street was bustling with people and filled with vendors¡¯ calls. Just moments ago, his mind was clear as if isolated from the world, and now it was as if he had entered the mundane world anew. ¡°What a strange feeling,¡± he said to himself with a hint of self-mockery, planning to go back and find Hong Yuye. Passing by a teaware shop, he suddenly stopped. After thinking it over, he realized the teaware at the inn was quite ordinary and had been used by who knows how many people. Would Hong Yuye use it? After hesitating, he entered the teaware shop. ¡°What kind of teaware would you like, sir?¡± the shopkeeper immediately asked. Jiang Hao looked around and finally noticed a set of pale red teaware. Its color was translucent and not too conspicuous, its craftsmanship as fine as art, with patterns that were few but particularly fitting. ¡°How much?¡± he asked, pointing at the teaware set. Fifteen taels. With the shopkeeper¡¯s flattering words, Jiang Hao bought the teaware. On the way back, he caught a whiff of a fragrant scent. It was the smell of tea snacks. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He turned his head to see a very ordinary pastry shop. As a child, he had wanted to come here but never had the chance. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, he bought some. It was like fulfilling a childhood dream. Carrying his purchases, Jiang Hao hadn¡¯t gone far when he suddenly looked towards an alley and something flew towards him. It was a stone. Jiang Hao controlled it through the air and caught it. Ensuring it was safe, he examined it closely in his hand. Feeling something was off but finding nothing, he decided to use his divine power. ¡°Appraisal.¡± ¡¾Secret Whisper: A stone used by the Great Thousand Divine Sect to convey messages. Crush and place in water to reveal the content.¡¿ ¡°The Great Thousand Divine Sect?¡± Jiang Hao was puzzled. Why would the Great Thousand Divine Sect contact him? And how had he come to their attention? With these questions, Jiang Hao returned to the inn. Perhaps he could ask Hong Yuye. ¡°Bring a basin of water to Room No. 1 Yunshang,¡± he instructed the inn¡¯s servant before heading straight to Hong Yuye¡¯s door. At that moment, the door opened automatically. Jiang Hao saw Hong Yuye sitting by the window, looking at him with a smile that was not quite a smile and said: ¡°I thought you had run away.¡± Chapter 124 - A Late Night Outing with the Female Demon Chapter 124: A Late Night Outing with the Female Demon ¡°It was the selection of the paper umbrella that delayed me,¡± Jiang Hao said respectfully, standing by the window. There was no immediate threat to his life, so why would he risk escaping from here? Or perhaps escaping would be even more dangerous. With Hong Yuye here, others should not be able to detect his location. Even if they knew he had gone out, they would be at a loss for what to do. However, he noticed that Hong Yuye¡¯s teacup had indeed not been touched. Hong Yuye glanced at the man in front of her, and seeing that he was still listening, she chose not to speak further. Seeing this, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief and handed over the oil-paper umbrella to her. He then tidied up the teaware on the table and set it aside. Next, he arranged the newly purchased teaware, cleaned it, and brewed a fresh pot of tea. As for the tea he had brewed earlier, he planned to drink it himself. That was fifty spirit stones. Hong Yuye sat to one side, watching Jiang Hao¡¯s series of actions without saying a word. It wasn¡¯t until Jiang Hao placed a cup of tea in front of her that she slowly picked up the teacup and began to drink. ¡°You¡¯re quite adept at your tasks,¡± Hong Yuye said, glancing at Jiang Hao. ¡°Serving senior, I naturally give it my all,¡± Jiang Hao said insincerely. ¡°You¡¯re also quite good at lying,¡± Hong Yuye said calmly. Jiang Hao fell silent. At that moment, someone knocked on the door. It was the inn¡¯s servant bringing water. Jiang Hao went to the door, took the basin of water, and then closed the door. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He placed the basin at the edge of the table and explained, ¡°I just went out and received something.¡± As he spoke, he took out a stone, crushed it, and placed it in the water. Sure enough, the water in the basin began to move, quickly forming a sentence: ¡°Meet at the Mountain God Temple outside the city at midnight.¡± Looking at this sentence, Hong Yuye said indifferently, ¡°Take out the stone tablet.¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised; he had a rough idea of why he had received the secret message from the Great Thousand Divine Sect. It was because the stone tablet happened to be on him. He just didn¡¯t know when it had been discovered. When he took out the stone tablet, Hong Yuye instructed him to place his hand on it. ¡°Try to sense it with all your might.¡± Puzzled, Jiang Hao began to sense the stone tablet. Moments later, he saw nine stone pieces. Then nine beams of red light appeared, each connecting to a stone piece. ¡°Push the stones to where the red light connects,¡± Hong Yuye¡¯s voice came again. Without hesitation, Jiang Hao pushed the stones to where the red light connected. Before long, the nine stone pieces rearranged themselves into a whole. A rune appeared on it. The moment the rune appeared, it was as if a door had been opened. A force swept out. Soon, he learned from the feedback of the force that there was another stone tablet nearby. But to know the exact location, he had to be very close. With this understanding, Jiang Hao became enlightened. The other party had discovered him in the same way. It wasn¡¯t until after he had bought the tea snacks that they had found him. Knowing this, he also felt relieved. At least he wouldn¡¯t implicate the two elderly people. Withdrawing from the stone tablet, Jiang Hao asked curiously. ¡°Senior, what is this?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a Secret Whisper Slate. Currently, it seems to be used by the Great Thousand Divine Sect. The whereabouts of the other tablets or the source of the tablets are unknown,¡± Hong Yuye explained. ¡°Other stone tablets? There¡¯s one in Luo City, but where are the others?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°In the surrounding towns, just search one by one,¡± Hong Yuye said calmly. Surrounding towns, searching one by one? Jiang Hao was shocked. Could it be a coincidence? The first stop was Luo City, and then they would search city by city. It just so happened that he could try to find the whereabouts of his family members. Jiang Hao even suspected that the other party was monitoring him, but he didn¡¯t dare to ask. Asking would easily expose him to pressure. Afterward, Jiang Hao packed up his things, planning to return to his room to rest. Because of the elevation of his state of mind, he needed to consolidate his gains. Before leaving, he took the inn¡¯s teapot and, after hesitating, left half of the tea snacks he had bought for Hong Yuye. As long as he didn¡¯t see her eat them, he shouldn¡¯t have to worry about her wanting something better. Once Jiang Hao left, Hong Yuye stared at the tea snacks for a long time. Finally, she picked up a piece and brought it to her lips. She took a light bite, her eyebrows furrowing slightly. After putting down the snack and taking a sip of tea, she coughed lightly twice. Afterward, she looked outside, silent and speechless. ...... Jiang Hao returned to his own room. He began to drink tea and eat tea snacks. ¡°The taste is pretty average.¡± He held the tea snack with some disappointment. As a child, the smell made him think it would be delicious, but now it tasted nothing like he had imagined. Still, he finished it. After all, he needed to drink tea. The fifty spirit stone tea gave him some spiritual energy. The taste wasn¡¯t much worse than that of Red Sleeve Fragrance. The fact that Hong Yuye didn¡¯t turn hostile also said a lot. Then he began to meditate and cultivate. The change in his state of mind made it easier for him to remain calm. Plus, with the Tianjue Gu poison, he was now unflappable, as if Mount Tai were collapsing in front of him without causing any disturbance. At night, Jiang Hao calmed his inner breath. ¡°It¡¯s about time.¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t know what was hidden behind the secret whisper slate, but since Hong Yuye made a move, the person behind it must be significant. Now that his Golden Core was at full completion, he wondered if it was enough. ¡°Time to go.¡± A sudden voice came from outside the window. Jiang Hao looked out and saw Hong Yuye standing in the air. Seeing this, he immediately followed on his flying sword. ...... In a short while, the two arrived outside the city. The Mountain God Temple was ahead. The temple appeared slightly damaged, and there was a light of a fire inside. It seemed someone was spending the night there. Jiang Hao sensed three people, one at the mid-stage of Golden Core and two at the late stage of Foundation Establishment. This surprised him; they didn¡¯t seem like people from the Great Thousand Divine Sect. ¡°Senior?¡± he looked at Hong Yuye. ¡°Don¡¯t look at me. The fact that I let you come along means I won¡¯t make a move. It¡¯s all up to you,¡± Hong Yuye said calmly. ¡°But senior,¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat troubled. Before he could finish speaking, he felt an overwhelming and terrifying presence. ¡°Do you find it difficult?¡± Hong Yuye asked Jiang Hao softly. ¡°Not difficult,¡± Jiang Hao replied, bowing his head. Only then did the presence disappear. Jiang Hao sighed inwardly. Did this mean he had to face whatever situation arose on his own? However, he still felt that the people inside were not from the Great Thousand Divine Sect. The secret whisper might be fake. But for the moment, he couldn¡¯t detect anything and could only wait outside for a while. However, past midnight, Jiang Hao even sensed the slate, with no more slates at close range. But it must be near the city. ¡®The purpose of luring people here must be for some scheme.¡¯ After hesitating, Jiang Hao could only walk towards the Mountain God Temple. His arrival was quickly noticed by the mid-stage Golden Core individual. But the other party did not speak until they arrived in front of the temple when a deep voice came from inside. ¡°Are you two also looking for a place to stay?¡± Jiang Hao walked in, followed by Hong Yuye, and as soon as they entered, he felt an array and restrictions activating. Trapping both of them inside. ¡®These three people came prepared.¡¯ But Jiang Hao did not make a fuss and instead looked towards the center of the temple, where a man and a woman were calmly lighting a fire with matches. The two were surprised by Jiang Hao¡¯s and Hong Yuye¡¯s entrance but remained calm. At the front was a middle-aged man who was meditating with his eyes closed. He was the one who had spoken just now. Upon seeing the three people, Jiang Hao sensed a trace of danger. Having contemplated the Nameless Secret Manual until now, he could see signs of a common origin in the aura of the three people. Without hesitation, he activated his appraisal. Chapter 125 - Too Cautious? Chapter 125: Too Cautious? ¡¾Po Lang: A disciple of the Great Thousand Divine Sect, one of the owners of the secret whisper slate, whose main task is to gather intelligence and pass on messages. Knowing of your arrival, he understood that the slate had changed hands. To uncover the truth, he used a magical treasure to isolate the slate¡¯s aura and set up a trap here, waiting for you to fall into it.¡¿ Reading the feedback from his divine ability, Jiang Hao realized that the person who lured him here had not failed to appear. He had been present all along. He had neglected other things because of the slate. It seemed his experience was insufficient. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you like to sit down, fellow Daoist?¡± Po Lang opened his eyes and asked Jiang Hao. ¡°No, thank you,¡± Jiang Hao replied, standing with his Half-Moon saber drawn, saying. ¡°I came here purely for business, no need to stay overnight like the senior.¡± Po Lang smiled and looked at Jiang Hao. ¡°The night is long. Why not sit down and have a chat?¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t want to waste time. Normally, he would sit down for a chat, but with Hong Yuye by his side, the longer he delayed, the more disadvantageous it was for him. ¡°I¡¯ll get straight to the point,¡± Jiang Hao said coldly to Po Lang: ¡°Is the secret whisper slate with you? Do you know who is behind the slate?¡± As his words fell, the entire Mountain God Temple fell silent. Only the occasional crackling sound came from the fire. ¡°What are you talking about, Fellow Daoist?¡± Po Lang asked. Jiang Hao looked on indifferently as if watching the other party¡¯s performance. Po Lang fell into silence. After a long while, he looked at Jiang Hao, puzzled, and spoke, ¡°How did you figure it out?¡± Jiang Hao naturally wouldn¡¯t reveal that he had identified it through divine powers; his voice remained even. ¡°Let¡¯s drop the act and get to the point.¡± ¡°Although we¡¯re using the Secret Whisper Slate, it doesn¡¯t belong to the user. You really aren¡¯t afraid of offending people,¡± Po Lang scoffed. ¡°Do you know the whereabouts of the other slates? Or who we might offend?¡± Jiang Hao asked again. Offending people was not within his concerns. The other party had Hong Yuye, who was even stronger. ¡°I know some, but why should I tell you?¡± Po Lang slowly stood up with a cold smile. ¡°You, one at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment and the other at the late stage. What right do you have to make me tell you what you want to know?¡± Jiang Hao lowered his gaze, understanding the other¡¯s implication. Clang! The Half-Moon saber was unsheathed. Demon Sound Thousand Li was activated. In an instant, he was before Po Lang, swinging his long saber. This sudden change surprised Po Lang, but what terrified him was the chill he felt when Jiang Hao¡¯s blade came down, prompting his protective talisman to activate instinctively. However, under this strike, the talisman shattered instantly. Boom! The blade fell at the neck of Po Lang, and the mountain god statue behind him was split in two, the sound thunderous. Amidst his terror, Jiang Hao calmly said, ¡°Shall we talk now?¡± ¡°You...¡± Po Lang said incredulously. ¡°Are you not at the Foundation Establishment stage?¡± Clang! The blade flashed, and Po Lang¡¯s neck was sliced. Blood spurted out continuously. ¡°Speak, where is your slate and the others? Who is behind all this?¡± Jiang Hao said calmly and coldly. ¡°I don¡¯t know much about the person behind the scenes,¡± Po Lang said. ¡°Continue,¡± Jiang Hao said coldly. ¡°My slate is hidden elsewhere because it¡¯s far away, so you didn¡¯t notice,¡± Po Lang confessed, lying. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t expose his lie and continued. ¡°Where are the other slates?¡± ¡°The other slates are scattered throughout Youyun Prefecture. I only know of two places where they can be found. One is in Tiantu City¡¯s Zuo Lan next door, and the other is at a small sect...¡± Po Lang¡¯s expression turned cold. At this moment, the two Foundation Establishment cultivators by the fire suddenly sprang up, attempting to ambush Jiang Hao. ¡°Why bother?¡± Jiang Hao sighed. He slashed at Po Lang. Heavenly Saber¡¯s first move, Moon Slash. Pfft! With one slash, the head was severed. Po Lang was killed instantly. ¡°You!¡± As the scene before him spun, Po Lang found it hard to believe. He hadn¡¯t revealed the location of the slate, so why had the other party killed him outright? As his physical body died, the two Foundation Establishment cultivators also collapsed instantly. Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised; the spiritual clones had no independence at all? It didn¡¯t seem right. He then lifted the Half-Moon and gave each of the two Foundation Establishment cultivators a slash. When killing the second one, the person indeed showed autonomy and tried to flee. How could Jiang Hao let him succeed? He used Moon Slash to kill the enemy. ¡®Being cautious is correct.¡¯ Afterward, for safety, he gave Po Lang¡¯s body two more slashes. After thinking it over, he also gave two slashes to each of the Foundation Establishment cultivators. He stood still for a moment, waiting to see if there were any extensions of their spirits to ensure no new clones would appear. After a while, Jiang Hao finally relaxed. Hong Yuye had watched the whole process without saying a word as if she didn¡¯t exist. It was only when Jiang Hao began to search for the storage treasures that she spoke: ¡°Aren¡¯t you being a bit too cautious?¡± ¡°The cultivation world is very dangerous, and we can¡¯t be sure of the enemy¡¯s methods. It¡¯s right to be careful,¡± Jiang Hao said as he picked up Po Lang¡¯s storage treasure. He tried to open it and found a seal. After casually wiping it away, he discovered that the other party was quite wealthy. Three thousand six hundred and twenty-three spirit stones. It¡¯s a windfall. With the five hundred on him, that made four thousand one hundred. Seeing this, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but sigh that the most profitable thing in the cultivation world was still plundering. After collecting the spirit stones, he rummaged through the rest. There were some elixirs, but none of them were of any use to Jiang Hao. Spirit medicines below the Golden Core perfection level could only be sold for money. Thinking of this, Jiang Hao suddenly realized he had quite a few elixirs on him and could look for an opportunity to sell them. Perhaps he could save up ten thousand spirit stones on this trip and then go back to hang up that rabbit. Later, he found a box and a sword. Hong Yuye beckoned, and two Foundation Establishment storage treasures came into her hands. She checked them and then casually tossed them aside. Nothing of interest. ¡°Did you find it?¡± she asked Jiang Hao. ¡°Mhm,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. After that, the spirit sword and the box were taken out. ¡°This box can block my detection; the stone tablet might be inside,¡± Jiang Hao said. He then casually checked the spirit sword. Clang! The spirit sword unsheathed with a fluctuation of spiritual energy spreading out. The blade glowed with a blue light, like flowing water, tranquil yet surging. But when he came back to his senses, all he saw was a pale blue spirit sword. It was exquisitely crafted and full of vitality. Jiang Hao used his spiritual energy and found that it could fully withstand the power of his Golden Core perfection level. A fine sword indeed. It was countless times better than the Half-Moon No. 2. How many spirit stones would this treasure fetch? Ten thousand? Twenty thousand? Or even more? Jackpot. But then he worried a bit. The spirit sword was valuable, but it would be difficult to sell. With this in mind, he put the sword away. He preferred using sabers, but sabers were not as common as swords. Boom! Hong Yuye opened the box. Inside, as expected, lay a stone tablet. Without seeing Hong Yuye make a move, the stone tablet automatically flew into her hand and then disappeared. Just as Jiang Hao and she were about to leave, they suddenly heard footsteps outside. ¡°Thief, come out! You¡¯ve stolen my spirit sword; you won¡¯t be able to escape even if you fly to the heavens or burrow into the earth,¡± an angry voice came from outside. Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Speaking of the spirit sword, he naturally thought of the treasure he had just put away. Had the owner come looking for it? Jiang Hao and the others walked out and saw three people arriving at the temple entrance. The newcomers were one man and two women. The man was dressed in white with an extraordinary demeanor, his features sharp and cold. The women, one in blue and one in white were both beautiful and elegant. What caught Jiang Hao¡¯s attention was their cultivation levels. The man was at Golden Core perfection, the woman in white at the late Golden Core stage. Only the woman in blue was weaker, at the early Golden Core stage. These three had unusually high realms. How could there be so many Golden Core cultivators in such a remote place? Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 126 - Sudden Wealth Chapter 126: Sudden Wealth Jiang Hao was surprised. The newcomers were surprised too, especially the woman in the blue fairy dress, who looked at Jiang Hao and Hong Yuye with confusion: ¡°Who are you?¡± ¡°And who are you?¡± Jiang Hao retorted. The appearance of these people made him feel uneasy. There was no need for conflict; he didn¡¯t want to start a quarrel. After all, the newcomers were not weak. And Hong Yuye didn¡¯t look like she was about to fight. Otherwise, what was the point of him coming out? But there was also no sign of her instructing him on what to do, so it was all up to his own judgment. ¡°Where is that despicable thief? He stole my treasure sword; are you with him?¡± the woman in blue demanded loudly, full of confidence facing those at the mid and late Foundation Establishment stages. ¡°Junior Sister Lan, don¡¯t be so unreasonable,¡± the man next to her reprimanded her, then cupped his hands towards Jiang Hao and said. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°My name is Fang Jin. I heard from my Junior Sister that someone stole her spirit sword. This person is vicious and evil, and they should be hiding in the Mountain God Temple. I wonder if brother Daoist has seen them?¡± ¡°It must be inside; I can sense my sword is here,¡± Fairy Lan spoke up. Hearing that they could pinpoint it, Jiang Hao sighed internally and took out the blue spirit sword he had found earlier. ¡°Is this the sword you¡¯re talking about?¡± Seeing the spirit sword in Jiang Hao¡¯s hands, all three were startled. Fairy Lan wanted to speak, but Fang Jin stopped her. He looked at Jiang Hao seriously and said: ¡°That¡¯s indeed the one. I didn¡¯t expect it to end up in Fellow Daoist¡¯s hands. Here¡¯s what I propose: I have a Heaven Replenishing Pill that you might need.¡± Without hesitation, he tossed a bottle to Jiang Hao. Jiang Hao caught the medicine bottle and opened it to check. Since it wasn¡¯t the first time he had seen such a pill, he recognized it immediately. This pill was worth a fortune, with a median value of seven thousand. Thinking of this, he wasn¡¯t greedy and threw the spiritual sword back ¡°I¡¯ll return it to its rightful owner.¡± Having her spiritual sword returned, Fairy Lan breathed a sigh of relief. However, giving away a Heaven Replenishing Pill was quite a loss. She couldn¡¯t understand why she wasn¡¯t allowed to speak. Were these two people so formidable that they couldn¡¯t be offended? ¡°Do the three of you have any other business?¡± Jiang Hao asked. The three people were blocking the way. ¡°We do have a small issue,¡± Fang Jin said somewhat awkwardly. ¡°We are pursuing Po Lang because we have an important matter. Do you happen to know where he is?¡± ¡°At the temple,¡± Jiang Hao said as he walked forward. Fang Jin and the others stepped aside. Hong Yuye didn¡¯t speak, simply following Jiang Hao as they left. ¡°How can he be so composed when he¡¯s only at mid-stage of Foundation Establishment?¡± Fairy Lan said with some dissatisfaction. ¡°Don¡¯t cause trouble. From their behavior, they are not simple,¡± Fairy Bai said with a smile. ¡°Let¡¯s go inside and have a look,¡± Fang Jin suggested. ¡°There¡¯s a formation, but it was already ineffective when we rushed over. It seems the formation¡¯s core was broken. Still, we should be careful,¡± Fairy Bai warned. Fang Jin nodded. He led the way into the temple. Even with Po Lang¡¯s Golden Core mid-stage cultivation, he dared not be careless. But upon entering, he stood frozen in place. ¡°Senior Brother?¡± Fairy Lan called out loudly from behind, checking if everything was alright. ¡°There¡¯s no problem. You all come in,¡± Fang Jin¡¯s voice came from inside. ¡°Why are you taking so long inside if there¡¯s nothing?¡± Fairy Lan asked curiously. She followed her Senior Sister into the temple. What they saw was Po Lang¡¯s body, torn apart. Fairy Lan stood frozen, somewhat in disbelief. ¡°Besides the damaged statue at the back, there are no more signs of a fight. Po Lang was killed in a single move,¡± Fairy Bai said with furrowed brows. ¡°The person¡¯s cultivation must be more than just late Golden Core stage, possibly even Golden Core completion. Only then could he kill so effortlessly.¡± ¡°A late Golden Core stage could do it, but not just any ordinary late Golden Core stage,¡± Fang Jin corrected. Fairy Bai thought carefully and said: ¡°I might not be able to do it. This person¡¯s attack was too sharp. He must have used a saber, and it was extremely powerful.¡± ¡°Who did it?¡± Fairy Lan looked at her Senior Brother and Senior Sister and said: ¡°It couldn¡¯t really be those two people we just met, could it?¡± ¡°What do you think?¡± the two of them said in unison. ...... Back in the city, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to kill them to silence them?¡± Hong Yuye asked with a smile. ¡°They are from the Mingyue Sect. I saw their identity jade tokens.¡± Jiang Hao sighed and said: ¡°Killing them would have significant repercussions, and since they don¡¯t recognize me, there¡¯s no need to silence them. Moreover...¡± Moreover, anyone seeing Hong Yuye would assume she¡¯s just an ordinary person, and by association, there was a good chance they would think the same of him. Even if they didn¡¯t, he wasn¡¯t too worried. The people from the Mingyue Sect were likely there on business and would return soon. The two factions were so far apart that they couldn¡¯t affect him. ¡°Aren¡¯t you at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment?¡± Hong Yuye asked with a teasing smile. Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Seeing Jiang Hao break out in a cold sweat, Hong Yuye was satisfied and disappeared on the spot. Then a voice reached Jiang Hao¡¯s ears: ¡°Head to Tiantu City the day after tomorrow. You can move on your own for the next two days.¡± Move on his own? Jiang Hao looked up at the sky and saw that dawn was about to break. Were there any spirit veins nearby? He wanted to go mining. Unfortunately, he didn¡¯t dare leave the city; if he strayed too far from Hong Yuye, his location might be revealed. The one from the Luoxia Sect who was infatuated with Senior Sister Yun Ruo seemed to hate him to the bone, almost to the point of obsession. If they knew he had gone out, they would definitely search for him with all their might. ¡°I wonder if there¡¯s a cultivator¡¯s market around here.¡± Jiang Hao thought about selling some things he had on him. Then he would buy some materials for talisman making, as well as tea leaves, to prevent running out. Back in his room, Jiang Hao began to ponder the third form of the Heavenly Saber. Although it was difficult, he couldn¡¯t waste time. As for his cultivation, it was very solid at the moment, especially since returning from his old family home. Without further thought, he continued to ponder the third form of the Heavenly Saber. The next day, Jiang Hao stood by the window, looking out at the slowly awakening Luo City, filled with emotion. Tomorrow I¡¯ll be leaving, and it¡¯s unlikely I¡¯ll have the chance to return. This place used to be his ¡°home¡± and where his family was, but now there¡¯s nothing left. No place to return to. Taking a deep breath, Jiang Hao decided to wander around the city to clear his mind. For over a decade he had been cautious, but now, with Hong Yuye¡¯s power for protection, he could consider himself safe. Just as he was leaving his room, the door to room number three opened. A handsome man emerged. It was Fang Jin, whom he had encountered the night before. Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised, but after a slight nod, he continued downstairs. ¡°Fellow Daoist, please wait a moment,¡± Fang Jin called out to Jiang Hao. ¡°What is it?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°I¡¯d like to invite you for a couple of drinks. I¡¯ve heard there¡¯s a place called Drunken Immortal Pavilion nearby. Would you honor me with your company?¡± Fang Jin inquired. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, Jiang Hao nodded in agreement. He needed to keep an eye on the people from the Mingyue Sect. This time, his mission involved competing with the Mingyue Sect for disciples. He wanted to see the level of their strongest contender. If he failed, he would have to compensate with three thousand spirit stones. Having sold the Heaven Replenishing Pill, he had ten thousand. Three thousand was not much to him. Suddenly, he felt generous now that he had money. Wealth can indeed blind one¡¯s eyes. Chapter 127 - Gratitude to the River God Chapter 127: Gratitude to the River God Drunken Immortal Pavilion. Jiang Hao looked at the food and drink on the table, feeling somewhat emotional. He had seen others dine here before but had never visited himself. Now sitting here, his youthful innocence was long gone. Though, to be fair, he wasn¡¯t exactly in his youth back then either. ¡°I am Fang Jin from the Mingyue Sect. May I know your name, fellow daoist?¡± Fang Jin asked politely. Without his Junior Sister accompanying him, he felt more relaxed. It also made it easier to interact with others. ¡°Jiang Haotian,¡± Jiang Hao replied, giving both his real and a fake name. ¡°So, you are Daoist Jiang,¡± Fang Jin said, not inquiring about Jiang Hao¡¯s sect but instead apologizing for the previous night¡¯s incident. ¡°My Junior Sister Lan is still young and may have offended you last night. I hope you won¡¯t take it to heart.¡± ¡°Not at all,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. He didn¡¯t care much about such matters; if it didn¡¯t conflict with his interests, it was best to stay away. Especially since these people were from the Mingyue Sect. Any conflict could bring him significant trouble. Dealing with the Xuantian Sect and the Luoxia Sect was already enough for him; adding the Mingyue Sect would be terrifying. ¡°To make up for my Junior Sister Lan¡¯s behavior, I¡¯d like to thank you. Also, this spiritual sword isn¡¯t bad; perhaps you¡¯ll find it to your liking,¡± Fang Jin said with a smile, taking out a simple long sword. The sword was still sheathed, so Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t assess it fully. But there were fluctuations of spiritual energy around it, restrained yet vast. This sword wasn¡¯t as good as the one from last night, but it was much stronger than ordinary magical treasures. It could sell for a good amount of money. But giving away such a sword just for a few words exchanged last night seemed too generous. ¡°Do you need my help with something, fellow daoist?¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t touch the sword, simply voicing his inner doubts. It¡¯s more frightening if there¡¯s no request. ¡°Daoist Jiang sees clearly,¡± Fang Jin smiled, then revealed his purpose. ¡°The Mingyue Sect is far from Youyun Prefecture, and we seldom set foot here. We came mainly for a Junior Sister this time. We were supposed to come later, but we discovered that this Junior Sister had gone missing, so we hurried over. The leader of our group is an uncle-master, and we are currently acting separately. We¡¯ve been tracking and traced it to Po Lang. The somewhat childish Junior Sister Lan is quite capable. She found the person but lost her sword, and then led us here to look for Po Lang. Unfortunately, we couldn¡¯t get any information from him.¡± Jiang Hao looked down. Were they here for that disciple? If so, that was unfortunate. His mission was likely to fail, especially since they mentioned an uncle-master. This meant that the person who came was above the Golden Core; whether it was Nascent Soul or above that was unknown. In the end, he shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I didn¡¯t learn anything from him.¡± ¡°That¡¯s alright,¡± Fang Jin said, still offering the sword to Jiang Hao. Jiang Hao declined. Even if the other party was from the Mingyue Sect, with its substantial resources, giving away several thousand spirit stones was no small matter, and they might not be willing to part with them so easily. Likewise, he couldn¡¯t be too greedy. It could easily bring trouble upon himself. Afterward, Fang Jin didn¡¯t insist further, nor did he inquire more about these matters. They simply drank and chatted casually. Jiang Hao also tried a bit of the drink. It had been a long time since he had drunk alcohol; he mostly drank tea. After tasting it, he found the flavor to be quite good. It wouldn¡¯t hurt to carry some with him in the future. After a long while, Jiang Hao and Fang Jin parted ways. Watching Jiang Hao disappear from view, Fang Jin sighed. He felt that Jiang Hao was somewhat difficult to approach and seemingly cautious. He genuinely wanted to gift the sword to the other party to form a good connection. If he had a saber, he would have offered that instead. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Senior Brother, you¡¯re here? We¡¯ve been looking for you for a while,¡± Fairy Lan approached Fang Jin and said. ¡°Senior Brother, did you just finish eating?¡± Fairy Bai asked curiously. ¡°Mm, I had a drink with that friend from last night. He¡¯s not easy to approach. I couldn¡¯t get any information from him. It seems we¡¯ll have to go to Tiantu City to find Zuo Lan, hoping to find new clues,¡± Fang Jin said with a smile. ¡°Tiantu City¡¯s Zuo Lan?¡± Bai Qiong frowned and said, ¡°He¡¯s not weak. I¡¯ve had someone check; he might be related to the Great Thousand Divine Sect. If Junior Sister¡¯s disappearance is related to him, there might be the shadow of the entire Great Thousand Divine Sect behind it. And the Great Thousand Divine Sect usually deals with money, which means there might be someone else behind this.¡± ¡°It is quite complicated. We just don¡¯t know who the target is,¡± Fang Jin sighed, ¡°Our location divination has been interfered with; the other party has really invested a lot.¡± ¡°When shall we go to Tiantu City?¡± Bai Qiong asked. ¡°Let¡¯s go now,¡± Fang Jin didn¡¯t want to delay any further. ¡°Senior Brother, were those two people from last night really that strong?¡± Fairy Lan asked curiously on the side. ¡°I don¡¯t know, I observed carefully today, and he¡¯s still at the Foundation Establishment mid-stage. But there are many extraordinary people in the world. Although we come from the Mingyue Sect, the sect¡¯s reputation only serves as a deterrent; it doesn¡¯t make us instantly stronger. When traveling outside, it¡¯s best to keep peace. We can make friends where possible, and with those we can¡¯t befriend, we should avoid making enemies. Of course, the most important thing is to have strong personal strength,¡± Fang Jin explained with a smile. ¡°But this place is close to the Demon Sect Tianyin Sect. Could he be a disciple of Tianyin Sect?¡± Fairy Lan continued to ask. Hearing this, Fang Jin laughed and said earnestly, ¡°Does that really matter? I find his demeanor to be good, and he¡¯s worth making friends with. There¡¯s no need to dig too deep into where he comes from. Sometimes, it¡¯s also good to play the fool. It makes things much easier when you¡¯re outside.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t quite understand,¡± Fairy Lan shook her head. ¡°Why should I go out of my way to make friends? Can¡¯t others come to befriend me?¡± Bai Qiong chuckled softly and said. ¡°Don¡¯t you think that everyone who approaches Junior Sister has an ulterior motive?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that the case?¡± Fairy Lan asked. The group stopped chatting and chose to leave. At this time, Jiang Hao was walking along the streets. He was taking familiar paths, or rather, the more he walked, the clearer his memories became and the more familiar he felt. Of course, some places no longer overlapped with his memories, with some roads altered and some new houses built. Where there used to be open land in his memory now stood pavilions. After a while, he arrived at the riverside, where some trees stood and children played and frolicked underneath. Seeing this, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but smile. He had played here before, although he never quite fit in with the other children. ¡°Why did I come here back then?¡± Jiang Hao pondered for a moment and then remembered. Chopping wood was too tiring, so he had sneaked out. But he never rested for long before his stepmother would catch him and drag him back. Only occasionally would he stay until mealtime. Standing still and thinking, Jiang Hao realized that most of his memories were of his stepmother and very few of his birth father. Perhaps because his father had neither beaten nor cherished him. Jiang Hao stopped wandering and found a place to sit, watching the clear river flow and listening to the children¡¯s play. For a moment, he felt as if he had returned to his childhood. For cultivators, dwelling too much on the past is not a good thing. Yet, these memories were not something he could deliberately forget. Of course, he wouldn¡¯t make an effort to remember them either. It¡¯s just that, at the moment, he felt somewhat... nostalgic. Splash! Suddenly, the sound of something falling into the water came. Jiang Hao turned his head and saw that a child had accidentally fallen into the river while playing. ¡°Mom, Mom, come quick, Goudan has fallen into the water.¡± Seeing this, Jiang Hao walked to the river¡¯s edge, quickly stepped into the water, and lifted the child out. By the time the adults hurried over, they found Goudan sitting by the river, soaking wet, as if he had climbed out of the water himself, but there was no one else around. ¡°How did you get out?¡± Goudan¡¯s father asked. ¡°I-I don¡¯t know?¡± Goudan said, bewildered. He had suddenly fallen into the river, and then just as suddenly, he was by the riverbank. Smack! Goudan¡¯s father patted Goudan on the head, excitedly saying, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to thank the River God for saving your life?¡± Chapter 128 - The Female Demon is Snatching My Spirit Stones Chapter 128: The Female Demon is Snatching My Spirit Stones Watching the people kneeling by the river, Jiang Hao simply smiled faintly. They were worshipping the river, which had nothing to do with him. He didn¡¯t stay not because he was afraid to be seen. It was just that he found it troublesome. A simple gesture of help wasn¡¯t necessary. After watching for a while longer, and once the adults had scolded the children, Jiang Hao turned and left. As someone from the lower class, parents couldn¡¯t always keep an eye on the many children. But scolding when necessary could prevent tragedies. As the sky grew dark, Jiang Hao inexplicably found himself back at the ¡°home¡± where he had stayed. He stood at the doorway for some time. After hesitating for a long while, he decided to do something. Finally, he gently knocked on the door of the house. The door was opened by the same old woman. ¡°You¡¯re back?¡± she remembered Jiang Hao. Just as she was about to invite him in, Jiang Hao shook his head. ¡°No, I came to ask the two of you for a favor.¡± ¡°Just wait,¡± the old woman immediately shouted inside. ¡°Old man, come out quickly.¡± Her voice wasn¡¯t loud and seemed somewhat strained. After someone inside responded, the old woman explained with a smile. ¡°My memory isn¡¯t very good.¡± Jiang Hao nodded with a smile, showing understanding. Soon, the old man came out, looking somewhat surprised to see Jiang Hao: ¡°Young man, is there something you need?¡± ¡°It¡¯s like this,¡± Jiang Hao hesitated, then continued. ¡°If people from the Jiang family ever come here one day, I would like to ask the two elders to pass on a message.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± the old man asked curiously. Jiang Hao was silent for a short time, then slowly spoke: ¡°Please tell them that the son who left home at the age of five is still alive. Although life has been hard, he is doing well. He doesn¡¯t blame them, nor does he hate them.¡± Upon hearing this, the old couple was very surprised. ¡°If they come back, I will definitely pass on your message. Even if I, the old man, am dead, I will entrust it to someone else,¡± the old man said with a smile. Jiang Hao bowed deeply in thanks. Afterward, he turned and left with no further attachment. He had done everything he could. Although it might not be the best, he had tried his hardest, and his heart was free of any other thoughts. Leaving tomorrow, he wouldn¡¯t have too many regrets. However, among the words he had just spoken, there was one falsehood. He did resent them. But this resentment was strange. Was it because they sold him or because they moved away so quickly? He couldn¡¯t quite distinguish at the moment. ...... The next day. Jiang Hao checked out of his room. Hong Yuye followed him as they left together. This morning, the second Secret Whisper Slate was also thrown his way. It seemed to be a way to attract others. He was the bait Hong Yuye had put out, waiting for other small fish to bite. Unlike normal fishing, Hong Yuye, the fisher, had no intention of exerting any effort. The bait had to solve the problem on its own. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t dare to object, but he was also willing. Po Lang had brought him several thousand more spirit stones; even if others weren¡¯t as wealthy, they could still bring him a substantial income. ¡®No wonder some people love to venture out. How could one possibly get many spirit stones by staying confined in a sect?¡¯ ¡®The greater the risk, yhe greater the profit.¡¯ Shaking his head, Jiang Hao left the Yunshang Inn to the ¡°Take care, guest¡± farewell of the innkeeper. For a moment, he felt quite wealthy in the town. Completely unlike when he was dealing with sect affairs. He always felt like he didn¡¯t have enough spirit stones. But fortunately, after a bit of robbery, he was quite a bit richer. Thinking about this, he felt somewhat happy. ¡°A few thousand spirit stones make you happy?¡± Hong Yuye asked while holding her oil-paper umbrella as they walked. Hearing this, Jiang Hao was startled and touched his face. Had he just unconsciously started smiling? In front of others, he wasn¡¯t worried about anything. He would remain calm. But in front of Hong Yuye, the calmness provided by the Tianjue Gu poison would fail. Not only that, his heart might even become agitated. So it wasn¡¯t strange to be noticed for emotional changes. ¡°No,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. Under the midday sun, Hong Yuye walked slowly with an umbrella in hand. ¡°Will you speak more confidently if you continue to get more spirit stones?¡± she asked casually. Money blinds people, and Jiang Hao didn¡¯t know how he would change if he had more spirit stones. But he was determined to control himself. A few thousand or tens of thousands of spirit stones wouldn¡¯t change him much. ¡°No, after all, I still need to buy good tea leaves for senior, these spirit stones are not enough,¡± Jiang Hao humbly replied. ¡°How much is a Heaven Replenishing Pill worth?¡± Hong Yuye suddenly asked. ¡°Three thousand to ten thousand,¡± Jiang Hao answered without hesitation. At that moment, Hong Yuye stopped walking and looked at Jiang Hao. ¡°Those are the extreme market prices, so the average would be seven thousand?¡± sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Probably,¡± Jiang Hao replied, not entirely sure. ¡°What¡¯s the price of Azure Red Sky?¡± Hong Yuye continued. ¡°One thousand spirit stones per mace,¡± Jiang Hao responded. He had a feeling that something was not quite right. ¡°You got over three thousand from killing Po Lang, and with the Heaven Replenishing Pill at seven thousand, that makes ten thousand,¡± Hong Yuye said with a cold smile. ¡°Remember to buy me a mace, so I won¡¯t hold it against you for deceiving me with inferior tea leaves time and again.¡± After saying that, Hong Yuye continued walking forward. She didn¡¯t give Jiang Hao a chance to refuse. Hearing her words, Jiang Hao stood frozen in place. He felt as if he had fallen from a great height into a deep valley. A mace of Azure Red Sky made it seem like he had robbed Po Lang for nothing. Now, even with ten thousand spirit stones in his possession, he couldn¡¯t feel happy. He sighed inwardly and followed after Hong Yuye. He just hoped that she wouldn¡¯t interfere with the spirit stones he would rob in the future. ¡°By the way,¡± Hong Yuye¡¯s voice continued from ahead. ¡°Make sure to keep the previous teapot safe; use that for brewing tea from now on.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao nodded in agreement. He had collected the tea set that morning and had been carrying it with him for brewing tea. Being with a powerful person meant he didn¡¯t have to worry about safety, but he had to do everything himself. ¡°Remember to keep the two secret whisper slates together,¡± Hong Yuye instructed. Hearing this, Jiang Hao nodded, curious about the secrets behind these stone tablets. He could try to identify them when they rested. There was no rush. For some reason, he didn¡¯t dare to use Daily Appraisal casually in front of Hong Yuye. With her intelligence and strength, she might deduce the function of his divine ability. It was safer to be cautious. ...... ¡°Senior, have you found any clues?¡± Jiang Hao asked. Before long, the two of them had left Luo City. Jiang Hao looked back, no longer feeling attached. ¡°There¡¯s no communication, but finding another one should reveal some information,¡± Hong Yuye said calmly. Seeing Jiang Hao looking back, she asked with a faint smile. ¡°Do you feel reluctant to leave this city?¡± ¡°I shouldn¡¯t,¡± Jiang Hao replied uncertainly. ¡°There¡¯s nothing left in this city worth my attachment.¡± After all, his stepmother and his father were not there. Initially, he had held onto the possibility of having siblings. But now... Indeed, there was no one. Hong Yuye gave Jiang Hao a deep look, seemingly surprised that he hadn¡¯t lied. Then, the two quickly disappeared on the official road. Chapter 129 - Kill the enemy with one sword Chapter 129: Kill the enemy with one sword This time, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t feel the space change. Instead, he saw the surrounding scenery rapidly receding. They were moving forward at a speed incomprehensible to ordinary cultivators. At this rate, they might reach Tiantu City in an hour. ¡°Senior, do you want to enjoy the surrounding scenery?¡± Jiang Hao asked curiously, looking around. ¡°We might find clues to the secret whisper slate on the way, not just at the destination,¡± Hong Yuye said, still moving ahead. ¡°Have you inquired about Tiantu City?¡± Jiang Hao was taken aback. In that moment of distraction, Hong Yuye stopped, and a vast aura burst forth. ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao immediately nodded as she made her move. He would have been sent flying if he was too late. ¡°Tell me,¡± Hong Yuye continued walking forward. At this time, they passed a tavern. Hong Yuye put away her oil-paper umbrella and sat down in the tavern. It seemed she wanted to have a drink. Seeing this, Jiang Hao brought out a teacup for her and explained/ ¡°I learned from Mingyue Sect that Sha Po Lang might have captured some important people along with others. They are likely untrained children with good potential.¡± ¡°Did they say where?¡± Hong Yuye asked, holding the teacup. ¡°No, but those who would cooperate with Po Lang are likely their own people. Perhaps Zuo Lan from Tiantu City is among them. I just don¡¯t know if their goal has anything to do with the Secret Whisper Slate,¡± Jiang Hao said. There¡¯s someone behind the Secret Whisper Slate, and the actions of the person who possesses it are likely commands from that someone behind the scenes. Many people have come here to work for the Great Thousand Divine Sect. They must be plotting something. And there are people from the Great Thousand Divine Sect in the Tianyin Sect as well. Is their goal the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower? If that¡¯s all, why would it attract the attention of Hong Yuye? It doesn¡¯t make sense. There must be something else. ¡°What would you two like to order?¡± the owner came over and asked. Jiang Hao glanced at him, his eyebrows slightly furrowed. The man appeared middle-aged and slightly overweight. He seemed like a simple, honest person, very ordinary. But to Jiang Hao¡¯s eyes, he was anything but ordinary; the man¡¯s power was restrained, his spirit vibrant, and his breathing carried the scent of strength. His physical vitality was robust; this was a Golden Core expert. Probably in the mid to late stages of Golden Core. ¡°A bottle of good wine and a pot of hot water,¡± Jiang Hao replied. ¡°Alright, just a moment,¡± the owner responded with a smile. At this moment, Jiang Hao looked around the tavern. It wasn¡¯t just the owner present. There was also a proprietress. She seemed like an ordinary woman, but her aura was turbulent. She too was a Golden Core expert. Probably in the early stages of Golden Core. The other two tables of guests included a family of three¡ªa young couple with a little son dressed in coarse linen, eating coarse wheat buns. They were truly ordinary people. The other table had four men, one in the early stages of Golden Core and three at the peak of Foundation Establishment. Their auras were unstable, likely due to injuries, and their expressions were off as if they were on guard against something. ¡®What are these people up to?¡¯ Jiang Hao was somewhat puzzled. However, he had no intention of getting involved. Was Hong Yuye bringing him here a sign that he had to participate? He sighed inwardly and decided to just watch and see. When the hot water arrived, Jiang Hao took out the Snow After Spring tea and brewed it for Hong Yuye. In an instant, spiritual energy wafted out, drawing glances from the men nearby. Even the owner and his wife couldn¡¯t help but sneak a peek. ¡®Really now?¡¯ Jiang Hao sighed to himself. Perhaps for them, tea that costs fifty spirit stones a coin was considered a luxury. If he took out the Azure Red Sky tea, would these people directly make a move? Jiang Hao didn¡¯t ponder further. There was no answer. He would have to go back to purchase Azure Red Sky. Unable to refuse Hong Yuye, he had come to accept the situation. Perhaps there would be some income in the future. He hoped it would fill the gap of the three thousand spirit stones owed to the Enforcement Peak. Hong Yuye sipped the tea while Jiang Hao drank his wine. The people nearby, although they glanced at them, made no other moves. After drinking for a while, Jiang Hao saw that the family of three was about to leave. ¡°Daddy, can you buy me a toy when we go back?¡± the little boy asked with anticipation. The man, his face weathered, smiled and nodded. ¡°Sure.¡± ¡°You promised,¡± the little boy said with a smile. The woman beside him seemed a bit helpless but didn¡¯t say anything. The three of them were about to leave. At that moment, three people approached them. Two men and one woman, all emanating a crimson aura. The leader, a man with a pale face and somewhat fierce features, said: ¡°The three of you stay here.¡± He Chang blocked the path of the family of three. ¡°I need to use the Blood Soul Banner, and I hope the three of you will stay to contribute to the ritual.¡± ¡°Sir,¡± the man pulled his child back and said with a forced smile. ¡°We only have some small silver coins, all of which we¡¯ll give to you, sir.¡± He handed over all the money he had earned, hoping to ensure their safety. Slap! He Chang swatted away the silver in the man¡¯s hand and said. ¡°Stay quiet on the side.¡± With that, he pulled out a blood-red broadsword in his hand. The blade was filled with the stench of fresh blood. He swung the broadsword, intending to sever the legs of the three people in front of him. The crimson aura surged instantly. Seeing this terrifying object, the couple in shock instinctively hugged their child, as if trying to block the blow. Clang! Just as the large blade was about to strike the three individuals, Jiang Hao threw the cup in his hand, stopping the attacker. The man wielding the blade was at the early stage of the Golden Core realm, and the man and woman behind him were both at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage. Their aura carried a scent of blood, likely disciples from the Blood Fiend Sect in a distant region. The Blood Fiend Sect was not significant and was considered a minor sect. The Tianyin Sect wouldn¡¯t even bother to wipe out such a small faction. A Golden Core cultivator was almost the pinnacle of combat power for such sects. ¡°Why must you make things difficult for ordinary people?¡± Jiang Hao spoke softly. He didn¡¯t want to meddle, but some things he couldn¡¯t ignore. Although he was part of the Demon Sect, he remembered well what things he could do and what he couldn¡¯t. If he couldn¡¯t overpower the enemy, remaining silent was one thing. However, having the power to intervene and disregard life was something he found difficult to do. ¡°Foundation Establishment mid-stage?¡± He Chang looked at Jiang Hao with disdain, then turned his gaze to Hong Yuye. ¡°Foundation Establishment late-stage? Her appearance is rather ordinary, but I just happen to need a cauldron, so I might as well take her with me.¡± At that moment, Hong Yuye, who was drinking tea, showed no change in expression. However, Jiang Hao sighed inwardly. Clang! The Half-Moon saber was unsheathed. The second form of the Heavenly Saber, Mountain Suppressor. As the blade rose, the power of Myriad Great Mountains pressed down. A mere early Golden Core cultivator couldn¡¯t withstand this terrifying force. Whoosh! The blade fell. Clang! The Half-Moon saber was sheathed. And He Chang, in his terror, turned into a clump of blood and fell to the ground. This sudden strike shocked everyone around. The two Foundation Establishment peak cultivators who followed He Chang retreated in fear and were about to flee. However, Jiang Hao moved the Half-Moon saber again, and moonlight appeared. Moon Slash. With a swoosh, the heads of the two Foundation Establishment peak cultivators separated from their bodies. Seeing this, Jiang Hao turned to the three ordinary people and said, ¡°Pick up your silver and go home.¡± ¡°T-thank you, immortal,¡± the three people bowed to Jiang Hao, then quickly picked up their silver and left. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t care and continued to drink his tea. ¡°What made you take action?¡± Hong Yuye asked Jiang Hao as she drank her tea. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 130 - I didn’t want to draw my sword, but the female demon forced me to do it. Chapter 130: I didn¡¯t want to draw my sword, but the female demon forced me to do it. ¡°What made me take action?¡± Jiang Hao repeated Hong Yuye¡¯s question and immediately responded without hesitation, ¡°Naturally, because they dared to be disrespectful to the senior.¡± ¡°Are you worried that I would blame you, or do you think more would die if I took action?¡± Hong Yuye casually said as she sipped her tea. Her voice was calm and indifferent as if she never cared for the lives around her. ¡°I was worried about dirtying the senior¡¯s hands; it¡¯s better for a junior like me to kill such people,¡± Jiang Hao said respectfully. ¡°Lies,¡± Hong Yuye continued to drink her tea and didn¡¯t ask further. She seemed accustomed to Jiang Hao lying. Seeing this, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. Indeed, the other party had said something they shouldn¡¯t have. If he hadn¡¯t acted, he would certainly have been punished. There might not have been real danger, but he would have suffered physically. Moreover, if the people from the Blood Fiend Sect continued to speak wildly, and Hong Yuye became angry, no one nearby would survive. By acting first, he could control the situation. So as long as Hong Yuye was present, he would not hesitate to draw his sword. He just didn¡¯t know why the Blood Fiend Sect had come here. Logically, with one early Golden Core and three peak Foundation Establishment individuals, the Blood Fiend Sect would dare to target them only if they knew these people were injured. These four must have known they would be targeted, yet they stayed here, likely with an ulterior motive. Thinking this, Jiang Hao looked at the tavern owner and his wife. They probably knew the strength of these two people. The place wasn¡¯t far from Tiantu City; if there was trouble, it probably had something to do with Zuo Lan or perhaps with the Great Thousand Divine Sect. After all, people from the Mingyue Sect had been drawn here. With a rough guess, he decided to ask these people. Since his strength was already exposed, there was no need to hide. But before he could speak, the four stood up to settle their bill and said they were leaving. ¡°Wait a moment,¡± Jiang Hao called out to them. This statement made the four tremble. They had witnessed Jiang Hao¡¯s power. A single strike had killed an early Golden Core cultivator. If that strike were aimed at them, they too would not escape death, especially since they were injured and even weaker than He Chang. At this moment, the leading middle-aged man looked at Jiang Hao and said with a forced smile, ¡°Is there something you need, senior?¡± Zhao Sha, robust and in his early thirties, replied. ¡°I have a few questions for you.¡± Jiang Hao put down his wine cup and turned to Zhao Sha. ¡°What were those three people after you for?¡± Upon hearing this, the four¡¯s expressions turned pale. Even the tavern owner and his wife paused for a moment but quickly returned to normal. ¡°We heard that the Blood Fiend Sect is colluding with Tiantu City, apparently capturing many people with cultivation potential in the vicinity for some purpose,¡± Zhao Sha tried to stay calm and continued. ¡°We discovered one of their important bases, but we didn¡¯t expect to be discovered by them, and they¡¯ve been chasing us all the way here. We planned to stay here to lure them further along the road. That way, we could avoid them. We didn¡¯t expect to still be found.¡± ¡°Whose people are you?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°We are from the Zhao family of Luoyuan City,¡± Zhao Sha replied respectfully. ¡°Where is this important base?¡± Jiang Hao inquired. ¡°Just outside the Tiantu City, by the Heavenly Lake,¡± Zhao Sha quickly replied. ¡°You may leave,¡± Jiang Hao said calmly. Upon hearing this, the four of them were overjoyed. Then they quickly left. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Each of them exerted their full strength as if they were afraid that Jiang Hao would change his mind. It wasn¡¯t until these people disappeared that Jiang Hao withdrew his gaze. ¡°Do you think they told any truths?¡± Hong Yuye casually asked while sipping tea. After a moment of thought, Jiang Hao finally spoke to answer the question. ¡°There probably weren¡¯t many truths, but the location might be real.¡± These four were injured and came to the tavern for help; how could it possibly be just to deliver a message back? It¡¯s more likely they were meant to bring something back. As for what it was, he had appraised¡ªit was a book. With this in mind, it wasn¡¯t worth his concern. As long as it wasn¡¯t the secret whisper slate, he had no interest. Jiang Yuye didn¡¯t speak again and continued to drink tea for a while before standing up, ready to leave. Seeing this, Jiang Hao cleaned the teacup and put it away. Before leaving, he paid with copper coins. He casually picked up two Foundation Establishment storage treasures. the early Golden Core treasures were gone. It might have been destroyed by the Mountain Suppressor. ¡°By the way,¡± Jiang Hao turned to the tavern owner and asked curiously. ¡°Do you know someone named Zuo Lan?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard he¡¯s in the Tiantu City, selling some information. Just ask around the market, and you¡¯ll find news,¡± the owner replied politely. Jiang Hao nodded, thanked him, and then followed Hong Yuye, disappearing at the end of the road in a way the tavern owner couldn¡¯t comprehend. Seeing this, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. From the beginning, he suspected he had exposed himself, but those two just kept drinking tea and never paid him any attention. Zhao Sha and the others had left, but the trickery was obvious to anyone. He had been waiting for Jiang Hao to ask. The other party¡¯s delay made him uneasy. It was only before leaving that Jiang Hao asked. Whether it was confidential information or not, he would answer. He didn¡¯t dare not to answer anymore. ¡°We¡¯re all packed up,¡± the landlady came over and said. ¡°Let¡¯s go, far from here. Who knows who¡¯s involved? This place has become a lot more complicated. The Tianyin Sect might get involved too, and we would definitely suffer.¡± The owner sighed, taking his wife and fleeing far away in the evening. ...... Hong Yuye and Jiang Hao arrived in front of the Tiantu City. There were fewer people coming and going here than in Luo City. After entering, they found the streets and facilities to be somewhat different. Fortunately, they found an inn just like the last one. It was also the Yunshang Inn, with the same six floors and Yunshang rooms at the top floo. Jiang Hao took out some silver and placed it on the counter. ¡°Sorry,¡± the innkeeper said awkwardly. ¡°The inn is fully booked.¡± Jiang Hao sensed around and found that there were hardly any guests. ¡°Did a big customer book the entire place?¡± Jiang Hao asked softly. The innkeeper looked troubled. ¡°Sir, our inn is just a regular place, I hope you can understand.¡± Jiang Hao glanced at Hong Yuye, who also looked back at him. Her silver eyes were calm and undisturbed, showing no sign of whether she was willing to compromise. With a sigh, Jiang Hao took out his Half-Moon saber. His original intention was to avoid trouble, but it seemed Hong Yuye had no such plans, which forced him to be more conspicuous. The Half-Moon saber was unsheathed, the moonlight shone, and he slashed towards the sixth floor. A sword light appeared, countering Jiang Hao¡¯s strike. A middle-aged man emerged from the room, looking at Jiang Hao with furrowed brows, but before he could speak, Jiang Hao stepped forward and swung his sword again. After exchanging two moves, Jiang Hao raised his sword and slashed down, breaking the man¡¯s long sword and cutting open his chest. With a thud, the middle-aged man fell heavily to the ground. He wasn¡¯t strong, and Jiang Hao had restrained himself to prevent destroying the inn with a single strike. At this point, other people in the inn appeared and, seeing Jiang Hao injuring someone, attacked without a word. They were just a group of Foundation Establishment late-stagers. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t even draw his sword and left them seriously injured on the ground. Then he approached the first middle-aged man who had appeared and said calmly, ¡°I want to stay at the inn.¡± Before he could finish, the middle-aged man asked: ¡°Who are you?¡± Jiang Hao drew his sword and cut the man¡¯s throat, blood spilling out continuously. Then, under the man¡¯s horrified gaze, he said coldly and indifferently. ¡°I want to stay at the inn. I heard you¡¯ve booked it all. Can you give us two Yunshang rooms?¡± The people were terrified, and no one dared to refuse. In the end, Jiang Hao left two taels of silver and went upstairs with Hong Yuye. Chapter 131 - Who’s Ugly? Chapter 131: Who¡¯s Ugly? Thump, thump. Jiang Hao followed Hong Yuye up to the sixth floor. Along the way, he felt somewhat contemplative. When you¡¯re out and about, it¡¯s best to keep a low profile. Make things easier for others, and it¡¯ll be easier for yourself. But some people just don¡¯t get that. They go ahead and book the entire inn, forcing others to step aside, which is bound to cause dissatisfaction. Not to mention, there are plenty of Demon Sects around here. Isn¡¯t this just asking for trouble? If they end up getting attacked, it¡¯s their own fault. Of course, Jiang Hao hasn¡¯t exactly been keeping a low profile himself on his journey, which might also attract trouble. That¡¯s exactly what happened just now. But if he doesn¡¯t take action, Hong Yuye might, and that could lead to even bigger problems. There might not be any survivors left in the vicinity. Although he hasn¡¯t seen her kill, he knows that once she does, it won¡¯t be ordinary. ¡°Senior, may I ask you a question?¡± Jiang Hao asked as they arrived in Hong Yuye¡¯s room. At that moment, Hong Yuye was sitting by the window, watching the sunset without speaking. After finishing his tea, Jiang Hao posed his question to her, ¡°Others see the senior in different forms. Do others see me the same way?¡± This question piqued Hong Yuye¡¯s interest. She shifted her gaze from the window to Jiang Hao¡¯s face and said with a light laugh. ¡°You¡¯re a bit ugly.¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t quite understand what she meant, but he didn¡¯t dare to ask further. One wrong move and he could hit a wall. After drinking tea for a while, Hong Yuye continued, ¡°Stay here for the next few days. Try to find clues for the third stone tablet, or figure out a way to contact others who have a tablet. I¡¯ve already taught you how.¡± Jiang Hao nodded in agreement. Hong Yuye didn¡¯t set a time limit, but Jiang Hao himself was on a tight schedule. Three months had already passed, and he had about four or five days left, which was still plenty of time. Back in his room, Jiang Hao took out the two Secret Whisper Slates. He tried to sense other tablets, but to no avail. These people all had the ability to block the search for the tablets. He didn¡¯t have the intention to block them; letting others find him might be for the best. But if they wanted to sense him, he would have to leave the inn. They wouldn¡¯t be able to detect him while he was near Hong Yuye. ¡°Appraisal.¡± Jiang Hao activated his divine ability to identify the first stone tablet. ¡¾Secret Whisper Slate: Karmic Treasure. Crafted to search for treasures in the world. When near a significant treasure, it alerts the owner of the treasure, allowing them to exert influence. The tablets can communicate with each other or search for other pieces to assemble into one. Nine pieces can be combined into one to form a different power. This tablet has been influenced by Hong Yuye, making it impossible for the owner to detect nearby objects or exert influence.¡¿ ¡°Karmic Treasure?¡± ¡°It¡¯s similar to the fortune treasure I encountered before.¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. The owner behind this treasure was actually looking for other treasures. Was using it essentially a treasure hunt? By holding the tablet, had he already become entangled in its karma? He couldn¡¯t be sure, but the last sentence reassured him that the treasure was currently safe. However, the fact that nine pieces could be assembled into one meant that there were at least nine Secret Whisper Slates. ¡°Is three months enough time to find them?¡± Suddenly, Jiang Hao felt the pressure of time. Of course, obtaining another piece would allow him to assemble them once, which should speed up the process; there was still hope. ¡°But I wonder if the owner of the treasure is the person Hong Yuye is looking for.¡± Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t figure it out. Perhaps someone had the treasure and then dispersed it to achieve their goal. For a moment, Jiang Hao wondered whether it was the person behind the stone tablet who had offended Hong Yuye, or if Hong Yuye wanted to seize the Secret Whisper Slate. In an instant, he remembered the second time he met Hong Yuye. She saw the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, said she liked it, and took it. Now, seeing that the Secret Whisper Slate could search for treasures, it wouldn¡¯t be unreasonable for her to want it. After pondering for a moment, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t find an answer and had to give up. These matters were somewhat distant to him. Right now, he needed to find Zuo Lan quickly and then locate the whereabouts of the stone tablet. He had to return within three months. ¡°The market mentioned by the tavern owner should be a cultivators¡¯ market. I should go out and take a look tomorrow. At the same time, I can sell the medicinal pills I have on me.¡± ¡°If I have time, I might as well look around. Maybe I can find those people...¡± He was thinking of looking for his stepmother and the others. If they hadn¡¯t come, he would gradually let go of the matter. But now that he was here, looking for them wouldn¡¯t be a waste of time. After making a decision, he took out the storage treasure he had received today. In total, there were about two hundred spirit stones. Truly poor. Besides spirit stones, there were some common medicinal pills, and everyone had a healing talisman, which could sell for about fifty or sixty spirit stones. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If he could sell everything he had, he might end up with more than ten thousand spirit stones. Azure Red Sky was expensive, and he needed to continue purchasing Snow After Spring. Overall, he should still come out ahead. After sorting everything out, Jiang Hao began to assess his situation. First, he checked his status panel. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 22¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Late Golden Core Stage¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (Unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind, Hidden Spirit Manifestation¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 24/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 26/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Powers: 0/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡°After coming out, my cultivation and vitality haven¡¯t changed; it¡¯s not easy to see the bubbles.¡± ¡°Mining is probably impossible, and cultivating spiritual herbs is also unlikely; it all depends on whether I can hunt demonic beasts later on.¡± Of course, after this outing, his cultivation didn¡¯t stagnate; on the contrary, it improved a lot due to his enhanced mental state. He then checked his divine powers. Except for Clear Heart and Pure Mind, which hadn¡¯t fully recovered, there were no issues with the others. Afterward, Jiang Hao had three choices: practice cultivation, comprehend the nameless secret manual, or understand the third form of the Heavenly Saber. After some consideration, he chose to comprehend the nameless secret manual. His cultivation had just improved; further progress would be difficult. He knew very little about the third form of the Heavenly Saber, and comprehending it would take a long time. However, he had been studying the nameless secret manual for quite a while and could make some progress by morning. Jiang Hao put away the nameless secret manual and walked out of his room, looking around before heading to a room on the third floor and knocking on door number three. The door creaked open, revealing a fairy-like maiden in the prime of her youth. She showed a look of terror upon seeing Jiang Hao. ¡°Here¡¯s today¡¯s room payment.¡± Jiang Hao took out two taels of silver and continued, ¡°I¡¯d like to see the person inside.¡± He was looking for the individual he had wounded with a single strike before, the one with the highest strength among the group, with a complete Foundation Establishment cultivation. Initially, he thought the person would be on the sixth floor, but to his surprise, he found him on the third floor, so Jiang Hao went in. The middle-aged man was lying in bed, recuperating from his injuries. Upon seeing Jiang Hao, he became agitated, as if he feared another strike. ¡°Senior,¡± he said with trepidation. ¡°There¡¯s no need to overthink.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve just come to ask you a few questions; just answer them, and that¡¯s all.¡± Chapter 132 - The Female Demon Comes to My Room Chapter 132: The Female Demon Comes to My Room Chen Quan was deeply anxious about Jiang Hao¡¯s arrival. In his family, he was a strong practitioner, and this time he had received news that a powerful person from a prestigious sect was coming to Tiantu City. To prevent those people from refusing to visit the mansion, he had specifically booked the entire Yunshang Inn, hoping to greet them. But before those people arrived, he encountered this terrifying cultivator. The opponent was decisive and ruthless. He was severely injured by him, and then the cultivator simply stayed at the inn, which was definitely the act of a Golden Core expert. Some say that powerful individuals are capricious, and he used to think that to become a powerful individual, one must have a mind as cunning as a demon. But now, he finally understood why powerful individuals are capricious: because the weak do not require the strong to use their intellect to scheme or flatter; a single strike can end everything. ¡°Senior, what would you like to ask?¡± Chen Quan struggled to stand up. Even with severe injuries, he had to stand. Facing such a powerful individual, he couldn¡¯t lie down in peace. Only then did the woman beside him come over to support him. Jiang Hao saw how the other party was behaving and felt somewhat foreign, but he said nothing, only reflecting on how his Golden Core cultivation was actually stronger than many others. At the Tianyin Sect, he was suppressed by many. The same was true in the major sects. After coming out, he found that a complete Golden Core could rival many people, except for those from the big sects, as Nascent Soul practitioners were rare. And he, if all went well, could advance to Nascent Soul within a year. At most, he would be twenty-four years old; at least, twenty-three. It was unbelievable. Such a young Nascent Soul, Jiang Hao himself felt a bit worried when he imagined it. Worried that he wouldn¡¯t be able to control his inner self, leading to arrogance and attracting trouble. Strength unconsciously gives one the confidence to speak, subtly changing a person¡¯s perception. A slight carelessness could lead to underestimating others. After reminding himself, Jiang Hao looked at the middle-aged man who was now standing properly and calmly asked. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± ¡°I am Chen Quan, I offended you yesterday, please punish me, senior,¡± Chen Quan bowed respectfully. ¡°Friend Chen?¡± Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t concerned with the man¡¯s words and continued. ¡°Is there a cultivator¡¯s market in Tiantu City?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s in a forest to the west of the city. There¡¯s an array barrier there, but the market opens once a month, and the next opening is tomorrow,¡± Chen Quan quickly replied. Jiang Hao nodded and then asked. ¡°Who is the strongest in Tiantu City?¡± ¡°There are two cultivator families in Tiantu City; the strongest are the two family heads, both at the early stage of Golden Core,¡± Chen Quan said. ¡°Are there any spiritual mines nearby?¡± Jiang Hao asked again. ¡°I¡¯ve heard there are some in Luoyuan City.¡± Chen Quan pondered for a moment and then continued, ¡°But it¡¯s quite far from Tiantu City.¡± Jiang Hao nodded, not asking anything further. After thanking him, he stood up to leave, and the people inside felt as if they had escaped death. When he reached the entrance of the inn, Jiang Hao extended his senses to survey the terrain. Soon, he was slowly walking down the street, hearing many hawkers along the way. When he came across a stall selling roasted chicken, he stopped, looking at the crispy outside and tender inside of the chicken, he reminisced about the past. He must have seen it before but couldn¡¯t afford it. When wandering around Luo City, he hadn¡¯t noticed anyone selling it. After standing there for a moment, he moved on. I won¡¯t eat it; I¡¯ll leave it as a memory. Afterward, he walked to the residential area. He spent the whole day wandering through the residential area and the surrounding streets, visiting places with many people and those with few, observing the people around him carefully each time. In the evening, he returned to the Yunshang Inn with some regret. ¡°Maybe they¡¯re not in this city.¡± Jiang Hao murmured to himself before returning to his room, waiting for tomorrow to go to the western market. He had also gone there today. Indeed, there was an array in place. But just as he opened the door, he saw Hong Yuye sitting in a chair in his room. ¡°Senior, why are you here?¡± He closed the door, somewhat surprised. At that moment, Hong Yuye glanced at him, and immediately a terrifying force manifested. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Jiang Hao was slammed heavily against the wall. The sudden attack left Jiang Hao, who had just returned, somewhat stunned. He hadn¡¯t done anything after all. ¡°Are you puzzled?¡± Hong Yuye looked at Jiang Hao, who was standing properly, and calmly asked. ¡°How long do you think a pot of tea can last?¡± Jiang Hao was taken aback. Because in Luo City, Hong Yuye always stayed in her own room, and he never disturbed her, thinking there was no need to pay attention. Now that he thought about it, in Luo City, Hong Yuye was researching the Secret Whisper Slate. Now, there is no third piece of the Secret Whisper Slate. Still, for someone of her level, going hungry for a day wasn¡¯t a big deal, though he didn¡¯t dare say it out loud, he could only bow his head and admit his mistake. ....... ¡°It¡¯s getting dark.¡± Fang Jin complained as she looked at the sky, ¡°It¡¯s all because of that demon beast¡¯s delay.¡± ¡°The appearance of such a strong demon beast nearby is clearly abnormal. It seems that Tiantu City has also become much more dangerous recently,¡± Bai Qiong sighed. Their group was supposed to have arrived at Tiantu City the day before yesterday. But due to some delays along the way, they were postponed until today. ¡°Killing the demon beast did yield quite a few good things, but I wonder if it will startle the snake,¡± Fang Jin said as he walked ahead. They were walking on the main road, and ahead was the Yunshang Inn, where they planned to stay. ¡°Are the elders coming over?¡± Bai Qiong asked. ¡°Not yet, they seem to have been stopped by the Tiansheng Sect,¡± Fang Jin shook his head. Tiansheng Sect, hearing this name also gave them a headache. It wasn¡¯t that the Tiansheng Sect was particularly powerful. Compared to Mingyue Sect, Tiansheng Sect was actually quite average. But the other party was fearless, and their way of thinking was different from the norm. Almost like madness. If they got involved, not to mention their Mingyue Sect, even the Haotian Sect would feel troubled, of course, only those who were not strong enough would feel troubled. After a while, they arrived at the Yunshang Inn and as soon as they entered, they saw a middle-aged man being supported as he stood in the lobby, seemingly there to welcome them. ¡°The three of you must be the immortals from Mingyue Sect. I am Chen Quan, and I have come specially to greet the three immortals,¡± Chen Quan said respectfully, with several people behind him also bowing in salute. Fang Jin looked at the building curiously. ¡°I remember your people said that you booked the entire Yunshang Inn, but it seems there are quite a few people staying here.¡± Hearing this, Chen Quan bowed his head somewhat embarrassedly. The others also did not dare to speak directly. This surprised Fang Jin and the others. However, they did not need to book the place as it would be too high-profile. It would inevitably attract unnecessary trouble. ¡°Is Brother Chen injured?¡± Fang Jin asked. ¡°Just a minor issue,¡± Chen Quan said with a forced smile. ¡°I was injured by a demon beast earlier, it¡¯s nothing serious. The rooms have been prepared for the three of you, and if you need anything, just command us. We have also helped to inquire about the matter of Zuo Lan, and we will bring news tonight. We have also made some progress on other matters.¡± ¡°Then we thank Brother Chen. If you don¡¯t mind, I can help Brother Chen with some cultivation matters,¡± Fang Jin said warmly. Since the other party had helped them so much, it was only right to offer some guidance. Hearing this, Chen Quan and the others were overjoyed. That night, Fang Jin heard someone knocking on the door. Opening it, he saw his two Junior Sister ¡°We¡¯ve found out.¡± After closing the door, Bai Qiong spoke in a low voice, ¡°The one who injured the Zhen family is right next door to us.¡± Chapter 133 - Inquiring About the Name of the Female Demon Chapter 133: Inquiring About the Name of the Female Demon ¡°Right next door?¡± Fang Jin was somewhat surprised. ¡°What exactly happened?¡± ¡°It¡¯s said that the Chen family did indeed book the Yunshang Inn, but two days ago, two people arrived,¡± Bai Qiong organized her thoughts and spoke softly. ¡°They wanted to stay at the inn, and after finding out that the rooms were booked, they directly attacked and seriously injured all the Chen family members. Then they left two taels of silver, informing them that they wanted to stay. So they started living in the Yunshang Inn.¡± ¡°There are indeed many dangerous people like that. The Chen family is relatively lucky. If they had encountered a Demon Sect cultivator who had no scruples, the Chen family would probably have been more than just seriously injured,¡± Fang Jin remarked. ¡°But isn¡¯t this person too high-profile? Don¡¯t you all advocate for peace? Isn¡¯t he going to cause trouble sooner or later?¡± Fairy Lan said from the side. Fang Jin nodded and said seriously. ¡°That¡¯s true, so Junior Sister must not learn this kind of behavior.¡± ¡°Then what should we do when faced with someone booking the whole place?¡± Fairy Lan asked curiously. ¡°You can ask Junior Sister Bai Qiong about that tonight, let¡¯s talk about serious matters,¡± Fang Jin didn¡¯t dwell on these topics and continued. ¡°We have news about Zuo Lan, he will appear in the market tomorrow. He has released three locations where he will sell things. One is for selling information, the second is for selling spiritual medicines, and the third is for selling disciples.¡± ¡°Selling disciples, what does that mean?¡± Fairy Lan asked curiously. ¡°Does it mean he has people to sell?¡± Bai Qiong frowned. ¡°Is he the one who has been capturing people recently?¡± ¡°Not necessarily,¡± Fang Jin shook his head and spoke softly. ¡°It might be related, but it shouldn¡¯t be a direct reference to him, otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t be so bold. Of course, it¡¯s also possible that I¡¯m wrong in my guess. Maybe they are just that bold.¡± ¡°Should we split up for those three locations?¡± Fairy Lan asked. ¡°No, Zuo Lan is very powerful, and it¡¯s too dangerous for Junior Sister to act alone,¡± Fang Jin didn¡¯t hesitate and immediately refused to split up. ¡°I have already refined my spiritual sword, and although my strength is not as good as yours, it¡¯s not bad,¡± Fairy Lan said earnestly. ¡°It¡¯s not about strength, Junior Sister hasn¡¯t been down the mountain much and lacks experience,¡± Bai Qiong said with a smile, shaking her head. They were worried that this Junior Sister might cause trouble for various reasons and encounter other problems. ¡°Should we go to the place where they sell information, or to the place where they sell disciples?¡± Fairy Lan said somewhat dejectedly. However, after a moment of thought, Fang Jin reached a conclusion: ¡°Let¡¯s go to the place where they sell disciples, and combine it with Junior Sister¡¯s ability to find people to see if we can learn about more people. Right, the Chen family also brought a piece of news, there¡¯s been some activity near the Heavenly Lake outside the city. Perhaps we¡¯ll discover something. If there are no more clues tomorrow, we¡¯ll head to the Heavenly Lake.¡± After talking for a while, Bai Qiong and Lan Jin planned to return to their own rooms. Before leaving, Fang Jin seemed to remember something and reminded Fairy Lan. ¡°If Junior Sister sees the people next door, remember to be polite. Rashly making enemies could affect our subsequent actions.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Fairy Lan replied nonchalantly. After leaving, she began to complain: ¡°Senior Sister, don¡¯t you think Senior Brother is being too modest? The three of us are Golden Core cultivators. Not to mention you and Senior Brother, I could beat the strongest of the Chen family on my own.¡± ¡°Developing good habits is important, so when we go to bigger cities, we won¡¯t have trouble adjusting,¡± Bai Qiong explained with a smile. ...... Early morning. Jiang Hao woke up from his contemplation of the nameless secret manual. Today was the day the western city market opened. He needed to make a trip there. While selling items, he would also look for Zuo Lan¡¯s whereabouts. The ultimate goal was to find the Secret Whisper Slate and see who was behind the scenes. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The person behind the scenes was probably not someone he could handle as a Golden Core completion stage cultivator. But he hadn¡¯t planned on dealing with it himself; Hong Yuye would likely take action. Below Nascent Soul, he would naturally be fine. Anything stronger was beyond his capabilities, and if he had to take action, it would be no different from courting death. Stepping out of his room, he knocked on Hong Yuye¡¯s door. Creak! The door slowly opened. Jiang Hao saw Hong Yuye sitting by the window, looking outside. The sun had not yet risen. It was a good time to watch the sunrise from the window. While making tea for Hong Yuye, the sun slowly rose, shining upon them. ¡°Do you need to bring anything, senior?¡± Jiang Hao offered a cup of tea. ¡°Is there a courtyard here?¡± Hong Yuye suddenly asked. ¡°Yes, there¡¯s a fairly large courtyard in the back,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. Although he didn¡¯t know what Hong Yuye intended to do, he would try his best to accommodate. The other party was simply too strong. Several times, he had wanted to ask about her cultivation level, so he could have an ultimate goal. If one day he could escape her clutches, other sects probably wouldn¡¯t be able to do anything to him. At that time, he would be free. But it seemed far off. Even if he kept mining, he didn¡¯t know how many years it would take. Thinking about this, Jiang Hao sighed softly in his heart. Not to mention Hong Yuye¡¯s cultivation level, so far she hadn¡¯t even mentioned her name. He had never asked either. Hesitating, but in order not to expose himself later, he plucked up the courage to say. ¡°Recently, we¡¯ve encountered many people, and there will always be those who are curious and ask about senior¡¯s name... I wonder...¡± Jiang Hao asked very tactfully, as they had indeed met many people recently who were curious. Hearing this question, Hong Yuye¡¯s hand, which had just grasped the teacup, paused. She slightly raised her eyebrows and glanced at Jiang Hao. Her eyes held a hint of amusement. Just when Jiang Hao thought she wouldn¡¯t answer, Hong Yuye¡¯s pleasant voice rang out, concise and casual. ¡°Hong Yuye, but you can¡¯t tell others.¡± ¡°Junior Jiang Hao,¡± Jiang Hao bowed respectfully. It seemed he hadn¡¯t introduced himself either. Hong Yuye drank her tea, her expression calm. ¡°I need to use the courtyard, and by the way, help me plant some spiritual herbs.¡± ¡°What kind of spiritual herbs does senior need?¡± Jiang Hao asked curiously. As for the courtyard, he understood that it meant no other people should disturb it. It shouldn¡¯t be difficult to speak with the people at the inn. The main concern was the other residents. Nowadays, most of the guests at the Yunshang Inn were cultivators, which made things much easier. He would just need to visit each room. A simple show of force, along with one or two spirit stones, should suffice. If they weren¡¯t interested in spirit stones, then he would take action. ¡®After coming out, it seems I can¡¯t keep a low profile.¡¯ After a moment of reflection, he still had to continue helping with tasks. ¡°Something like the flower you have planted in your courtyard will do,¡± Hong Yuye said calmly. Jiang Hao was stunned for a moment, somewhat in disbelief, ¡°Senior means, the one in your courtyard?¡± ¡°Is this troubling for you?¡± Hong Yuye asked with a smile that was not quite a smile as she sipped her tea, looking at Jiang Hao. Behind her smile seemed to lie an endless force, just waiting for Jiang Hao to admit difficulty so it could be unleashed. ¡°It¡¯s not a problem,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. After that, he left Hong Yuye¡¯s room. A spiritual medicine similar to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower? Jiang Hao lowered his gaze, not in a hurry. Initially, when Hong Yuye asked him to prepare Azure Red Sky, he used Red Sleeve Fragrance instead, and there was no issue. PNow, even using Snow After Spring as a substitute, there was still no problem. This meant that it was possible to use a lesser product in place of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. Every time Hong Yuye mentioned something, it was always top-grade, but with his capabilities, obtaining top-grade items was impossible. So, using a substitute that wasn¡¯t too bad wouldn¡¯t be too much of a hardship. Having found the pattern, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. He just didn¡¯t know how many more spirit stones it would cost him. He was going to be poor again. Chapter 134 - Making Money Chapter 134: Making Money Walking down from the inn, Jiang Hao went to the backyard and looked around. The place wasn¡¯t small and indeed seemed suitable for growing spiritual herbs, but the soil was poor. He would need to buy some good soil or perhaps spiritual liquid. However, there was a back door that seemed to be frequently used, which could be a bit of trouble. Hong Yuye wouldn¡¯t like people wandering around in front of her. The rabbit was the best proof; so far, it had seen Hong Yuye. Not only that, but every time the rabbit had to endure a huge attack. Did it think that its friends from the road were not giving it face? After inspecting the yard, Jiang Hao approached the counter. ¡°Is the backyard available for use?¡± ¡°The backyard?¡± The innkeeper looked at Jiang Hao, hesitant. ¡°If the immortal wishes to use it, we can clear it out.¡± ¡°I will need it to be off-limits to others during my use,¡± Jiang Hao stated. ¡°That¡¯s no problem for our inn. We can lock the back door and bring things in through the front.¡± The innkeeper glanced at the people upstairs, troubled. ¡°Our inn is just an ordinary inn.¡± Jiang Hao understood what he meant; the inn was ordinary, but the guests seemed to be anything but ordinary. They had no way to restrict the other guests. ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about those people. I will talk to them.¡± Jiang Hao reassured the innkeeper, noticing his concern, and continued, ¡°How much would it cost to use the backyard?¡± The innkeeper wanted to say it was free, but before he could, Jiang Hao seriously insisted on paying. ¡°One tael per day,¡± the innkeeper said, forced to set a price. Jiang Hao paid three taels of silver and said. ¡°I¡¯ll rent it for three days. If I don¡¯t need it, I¡¯ll let you know in advance. Please help clean it up today.¡± After the innkeeper agreed, Jiang Hao added. ¡°If someone from upstairs objects, we can discuss it when I return.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± The innkeeper was grateful for Jiang Hao¡¯s understanding. Afterward, Jiang Hao left the inn. Some time later, three people came down from upstairs. They noticed someone cleaning the backyard and were curious, as if the yard was being specifically cleared for something. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Bai Qiong asked the innkeeper. Upon their inquiry, the innkeeper grew nervous. ¡°The guest from room number five wants to rent the backyard.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Fang Jin was somewhat surprised. Room number five was right next to theirs. Or to put it another way, so far, only five people were staying in the rooms above. ¡°Did they say what they¡¯re going to use the backyard for?¡± he asked. ¡°I didn¡¯t dare to ask,¡± the innkeeper replied with a nervous smile. ¡°Let me ask you something,¡± Fairy Lan said, her face full of curiosity. ¡°You were here when someone took action, right?¡± The innkeeper hesitated, but after Fairy Lan assured him there would be no trouble, he spoke softly, ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t ask about anything else, just what was the situation with the Chen family¡¯s people when they faced that person? What kind of spells did the other party use?¡± Fairy Lan was very curious. Fang Jin and the others didn¡¯t say much. They were also somewhat curious. So far, they didn¡¯t know what level of cultivation the person who had taken action had. ¡°That immortal used a saber and exchanged a few blows with the Chen family¡¯s immortal. Then he injured the Chen family¡¯s immortal with a single strike,¡± the innkeeper recounted the scene vividly. ¡°How many moves?¡± Fairy Lan imagined the scenario and then said, ¡°If it were me, facing a Foundation Establishment completion stage, one Earth Heart Thunder could cause serious injury. A Palm Heart Thunder could do the same. That person actually took several moves, so it seems he is either a new Golden Core or a very ordinary Golden Core cultivator.¡± Fang Jin smiled and said, ¡°Junior Sister¡¯s guess is correct, but it¡¯s still best not to underestimate others.¡± He then approached the innkeeper and asked, ¡°Did that person cause any damage to the inn? Did he pay for renting the backyard?¡± ¡°There was no damage to the inn, and he paid the silver,¡± the innkeeper replied. After that, Fang Jin turned and left. Fairy Lan was puzzled. Bai Qiong sighed and said, ¡°That person came to stay at the inn, not to cause trouble. If it were your Earth Heart Thunder, what do you think the inn would look like?¡± With that, she also left. Fairy Lan imagined that it could create a hole in the inn. She then thought about using a spiritual sword, which should also be able to seriously injure Chen Quan without damaging the inn. Even if she underestimated the other party, he couldn¡¯t be much stronger than her. ...... West of the city. Jiang Hao landed in front of a forest. After observing for a bit, he made his way inside, and upon entering, he found himself in an ordinary marketplace. The district was filled with numerous stalls, and some people were wandering around aimlessly. Unlike the outside world, there wasn¡¯t a single ordinary person here. However, most of them had relatively low cultivation levels; Qi Refining was the norm, Foundation Establishment was rare, and there wasn¡¯t a single Golden Core. Jiang Hao noticed that his own Foundation Establishment cultivation level was considered top-notch in this place. Weakness equated to poverty. Forget about buying good items; he couldn¡¯t even sell his own possessions. Jiang Hao realized there was an insurmountable gap between large sects and small ones. As a talisman maker, even if he made many Hundred Thousand Swords Talismans, he might not be able to sell them all. Not to mention the Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman, whose materials were hard to come by. Later, Jiang Hao came inside and found some decent lofts, which were likely places where good items were traded. To understand the prices, he asked around. He found that the prices here were lower than at the Tianyin Sect. For a Healing Talisman, it was only twenty-seven, but there were few sellers. Afterward, he went to a stall and laid out his items. ¡°Young brother, setting up a stall requires spirit stones, you can¡¯t just set up anywhere. Someone will come to collect the fee,¡± a middle-aged man kindly reminded Jiang Hao, who noticed the man had a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation. Although concealed, he was a rare strong presence. ¡°Thank you for the reminder,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. He then displayed Foundation Establishment cultivation pills, some talismans, and spirit swords. He also took out Swift Travel Talismans that he hadn¡¯t been able to sell before, hoping to make a sale. ¡°Concentration Talisman? Ten Thousand Swords Talisman? Healing Talisman? And Hundred Thousand Swords Talisman?¡± The middle-aged man was astonished, then politely asked, ¡°Young brother, how much for the Healing Talisman?¡± ¡°Twenty-six,¡± Jiang Hao replied. ¡°I¡¯ll take five,¡± the middle-aged man immediately said. One less than the market price meant he could make a profit by reselling. ¡°And the spirit swords?¡± the man asked. ¡°Seven spirit stones,¡± Jiang Hao answered. The going rate here was eight to twelve stones. ¡°How many do you have?¡± ¡°How many do you want?¡± Without another word, Jiang Hao handed over ten swords. He had plenty of items. The middle-aged man was stunned. Where did this wealthy young master come from? Could he have stolen these items from his family to sell? ¡°I am Shi Xin, and you are?¡± Shi Xin politely asked Jiang Hao. ¡°Jiang Haotian,¡± Jiang Hao replied politely. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He observed that although Shi Xin was dressed plainly, his vital energy was abundant, and his cultivation was active. It was the sign of someone on the rise, with the potential to reach Golden Core. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, he softly asked, ¡°Does Brother Shi plan to attempt reaching Golden Core?¡± This question took Shi Xin by surprise. Chapter 135 - Three Abnormal States of Being Chapter 135: Three Abnormal States of Being Shi Xin was puzzled. Jiang Hao¡¯s question seemed out of the blue. The desire to reach Golden Core? Who among cultivators didn¡¯t wish to achieve that? To them, Golden Core was the true step onto the path of immortality. Otherwise, why would people say ¡®the Great Way of Golden Core¡¯? Advancing to Golden Core was incredibly difficult; many spent their entire lives without reaching it. Talent, resources, effort, and luck were all essential. Some had the talent but lacked resources and missed great opportunities. Although Shi Xin had a decent technique, his master could only teach him up to the Golden Core level; advancing to Golden Core was something he had to figure out on his own, not to mention the need for certain pills. He had been working hard, preparing for that moment. ¡°Brother, you must be joking. Of course, a cultivator wishes to achieve Golden Core,¡± Shi Xin said with a sense of longing. ¡°Do you have spirit stones?¡± Jiang Hao asked directly. This made Shi Xin wary, then he laughed helplessly, ¡°I have a hundred or two, but no more. Otherwise, why would I be setting up a stall here?¡± ¡°I see,¡± Jiang Hao nodded, understanding the situation. A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator wouldn¡¯t have enough money to afford a Heaven Replenishing Pill. Even as a talisman maker, it would take a long time to earn enough. If one relied solely on sect resources, saving for ten years without spending any wouldn¡¯t be enough. After reaching Foundation Establishment, his resources would increase. In the early stages, about twenty spirit stones a month, thirty in the middle stages; three hundred sixty a year, three thousand six hundred in ten years, seven thousand two hundred in twenty years¡ªbarely enough. If prices peaked, it would take thirty years, and that¡¯s without spending any. Of course, Jiang Hao never relied on sect resources. It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t care about the spirit stones, but his resources had been cut off for five years, and only a little over two years had passed. He then sat at his stall, not saying more. Since the other party couldn¡¯t afford it, there was no need to continue the conversation. He calmly ran his stall, planning to visit the stores later to see if he could sell the Heaven Replenishing Pill. Although it would be at a loss, it was much more convenient than going back to the Tianyin Sect. Seeing Jiang Hao fall silent, Shi Xin was surprised. He pondered for a while but still didn¡¯t understand. Initially, Jiang Hao asked if he planned to attempt to reach Golden Core, and then he asked if he had spirit stones. After Shi Xin answered no, Jiang Hao stopped talking. What was the direct connection between the two? ¡°If I had answered yes, what would he have asked next?¡± Shi Xin was curious. But he understood the principle of not flaunting wealth. After waiting a while, he saw that the neighboring stall was doing well, with items gradually decreasing. This made him feel a sense of irritation as if he was about to miss out on something. He kept thinking, what did his potential for advancing to Golden Core have to do with whether or not he had spirit stones? After pondering for a long time, a sudden inspiration struck him. Should he advance in rank, and did he have any spirit stones? Did he have anything to sell related to advancing to Golden Core? Was he looking for a buyer who could afford it? S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But he worried it might be a trap. Hesitating for a moment, he calmed himself and said, ¡°Young man, how many spirit stones do you think one needs to be considered as having spirit stones?¡± Hearing the question, Jiang Hao looked back at Shi Xin and thought for a moment before replying, ¡°Nearly ten thousand, I guess.¡± At his words, Shi Xin¡¯s face turned somewhat pale. Nearly ten thousand? If this was indeed a trap, the other party was really generous, targeting the wealthy. He hesitated for a moment, and after confirming that the other person was at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, he packed his things and spoke softly, ready to leave the place quickly. ¡°Do you have them?¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised that someone at the late stage of Foundation Establishment would have so many spirit stones? After observing several times and confirming that the other person was indeed at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, he felt somewhat relieved. ¡°Do you want pills?¡± Shi Xin replied earnestly, ¡°What kind of pills?¡± ¡°Heaven Replenishing Pill,¡± Jiang Hao got straight to the point. ¡°Heaven Replenishing Pill?¡± Shi Xin exclaimed in shock. ¡°A Heaven Replenishing Pill used for advancing to Golden Core?¡± He had been saving money for decades just for this pill, preparing for years, and he was originally going to owe favors to buy a Heaven Replenishing Pill. He never expected someone would be selling it? After Jiang Hao nodded, Shi Xin pointed to a corner and said, ¡°Can we talk over there?¡± Jiang Hao nodded, and after packing up, the two went to the corner. In fact, Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t worried about anything. Since he had nothing to appraise yesterday, he appraised his own condition. He had three abnormal statuses: afflicted with the deadly poison of Tianjue Gu, his divine ability Clear Heart and Pure Mind was continuously being damaged, and he was covered by Hong Yuye¡¯s power, which twisted others¡¯ perceptions. So not only did others see Hong Yuye as ordinary, but they also saw him as very ordinary, perhaps even too ordinary. However, this was also good, as it meant he didn¡¯t need to worry too much about taking action later. Sometimes, though, he was curious about how others perceived him. But the continuous damage to his divine ability was of some concern to him. Unfortunately, there was no way to deal with it at the moment. After confirming there were no issues around, Shi Xin asked: ¡°Can I inspect the goods?¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Jiang Hao tossed a small bottle to him. Shi Xin was surprised by the other¡¯s generosity, but he didn¡¯t ponder on it and instead opened the bottle to take a sniff. The fragrance of the pill was subtle yet refreshing. He could even feel the spiritual energy in his body becoming more active; it was genuine and of very high quality. He capped the bottle, reluctant to part with it, and asked, ¡°How much do you want to sell it for?¡± ¡°How much are you willing to offer?¡± Jiang Hao countered. Shi Xin looked at Jiang Hao and hesitated for a long time before stating his price: ¡°In total, about eight thousand five hundred spirit stones.¡± ¡°Eight thousand five hundred?¡± Jiang Hao¡¯s tone was calm. But he was somewhat surprised inside. That was fifteen hundred more than he had expected. A profit of fifteen hundred. Hearing Jiang Hao¡¯s tone, Shi Xin felt that the other party was not quite satisfied and immediately spoke up, ¡°I know it¡¯s a bit less. How about I go borrow some more? I might be able to make it up to ten thousand.¡± ¡°No need,¡± Jiang Hao interrupted him as he was about to nervously offer a higher price. ¡°Eight thousand five hundred is fine, just answer some of my questions.¡± He didn¡¯t want to wait; the longer the night, the more dreams might occur. He had already made a profit with eight thousand five, so he wasn¡¯t going to be greedy. Besides, he found the other person quite agreeable, so there was no need to delay. ¡°Really?¡± Shi Xin was somewhat incredulous, but he immediately began the transaction. After handing over the spirit stones and various pills and spirit swords to Jiang Hao, he continued, ¡°What do you want to ask?¡± As the spirit stones and talisman tubes returned to his hands, Jiang Hao felt a myriad of emotions. These items together were worth twelve hundred. With seven thousand spirit stones, he now had a total of eleven thousand seven hundred. After spending ten thousand, and if he sold the miscellaneous items, he could roughly get two thousand, leaving him with over three thousand. ¡°Do you know Zuo Lan?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Zuo Lan?¡± Shi Xin nodded and said softly: ¡°Zuo Lan is in this market. He sells things in three places. The first is a street corner where he sells pills, the second is the middle of the street where he sells talented individuals, and the third is the end of the street where he sells information. No one can be sure which one is the real Zuo Lan. It¡¯s possible that all three are fakes. Similar things have happened before, but from various perspectives, everyone feels they are all real...¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao immediately thought of the Great Thousand Spirit Technique. It¡¯s possible that all three are clones. If the clones are here, the main body can¡¯t be far. It¡¯s just hard to find out. Now he understood why the Hall of Enforcement took so long to find a Foundation Establishment before. But selling talented individuals, isn¡¯t that selling children? After hesitating for a moment, he decided to check out the second location. Conveniently, it was not far from those lofts. Chapter 136 - The Feeling of Being Wealthy Chapter 136: The Feeling of Being Wealthy Jiang Hao set up his stall in the same place, and Shi Xin didn¡¯t rush to leave. Instead, he stayed and set up his stall with things that weren¡¯t very valuable. Jiang Hao¡¯s decision not to leave surprised him. ...... By noon. Jiang Hao sighed as he saw that many items hadn¡¯t been sold. He had thought he could sell for two thousand spirit stones. In the end, he only sold for one thousand. Now he had twelve thousand seven hundred spirit stones. ¡°The purchasing power at this market is quite limited,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s because the items you have are too good, not everyone can afford them,¡± Shi Xin explained from the side. Jiang Hao nodded. He had Healing Talismans and Pain Relieving Talismans; in the end, all the Pain Relieving Talismans were sold, but only a few Healing Talismans were sold. Not to mention the Hundred Thousand Swords Talisman. It costs dozens of spirit stones, and few Qi Refining cultivators can afford it. And as for those at the Foundation Establishment level, they are rarely seen here. So far, he had only seen one person in the late stage of Foundation Establishment. That was Shi Xin, who had bought his Heaven Replenishing Pill. Packing up his things, Jiang Hao planned to leave. ¡°If you want to sell everything, you could go to Yunshang Pavilion inside. Their prices are quite fair. Of course, if you continue to set up your stall, you could probably sell out by tonight,¡± Shi Xin kindly reminded him. ¡°Are there more people at night?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Indeed, there will be many more people at night, but with the crowd comes chaos, and it¡¯s easy to be bumped into by some ignorant young masters and mistresses,¡± Shi Xin sighed. Jiang Hao hesitated and then asked, ¡°Zuo Lan starts selling in the afternoon, right?¡± ¡°Yes, but there might not be any stalls available at night,¡± Shi Xin nodded. ¡°Can I reserve a stall?¡± ¡°You can¡¯t, but if you want to set up tonight, I can wait here for you.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Jiang Hao nodded and added, ¡°If I have to leave for some reason, you don¡¯t have to wait for me.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Shi Xin nodded. Jiang Hao left the stall area and made his way to the Yunshang Pavilion that Shi Xin had mentioned. It was a loft located in the center of the street. He had seen it before. Without hesitation, he entered the loft. There were a few people moving around inside. The interior of the loft was quite exquisite, though it couldn¡¯t compare to the Xuelian Pavilion of the Tianyin Sect. He approached the counter and asked, ¡°Do you buy items?¡± ¡°We do, but what do you want to sell? We don¡¯t take very common items,¡± the fairy at the counter said with a smile. Jiang Hao sensed a trace of confidence in her eyes, as if working here was a significant achievement. After thinking about it, he felt that might be true. After all, most of the cultivators here were at the Qi Refining stage. Without further thought, he took out a spirit sword and a bottle of Foundation Establishment cultivation pills. ¡°Items like these.¡± He didn¡¯t plan to sell the talismans. He could sell those through normal channels without having to accept a lower price. He had too many spirit swords and planned to sell some. Even if the price was lower, it was better than using several swords to kill. ¡°Spirit Building Pill?¡± The fairy at the counter was a bit surprised after checking the bottle. This pill wasn¡¯t very expensive, but having such pills suggested that the person might be a Foundation Establishment cultivator. After speculating, she immediately stood up, somewhat flustered, and said: Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Senior, please come inside.¡± Jiang Hao nodded, indifferent to the reaction. Soon, he was led to a room inside, where a beautiful woman was present. After the guiding fairy explained Jiang Hao¡¯s intention, she respectfully left. ¡°Are you looking to sell a spirit sword and Spirit Building Pills?¡± Chen Sisi checked the pills and, finding no issues, said, ¡°The quality of these pills is average; we¡¯ll take them for thirty spirit stones per bottle.¡± Thirty was a bit low; Spirit Building Pills were suitable for the early stage of Foundation Establishment, and a bottle contained ten pills. The Tianyin Sect¡¯s selling price should be between forty and fifty. However, every Foundation Establishment disciple could receive one bottle per month. ¡°That¡¯s fine.¡± Jiang Hao nodded, then took out other pills and said, ¡°Continue with the appraisal.¡± He also brought out some Golden Core stage pills. He wanted to sell everything he could. The person before him, at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, should have some discernment. Otherwise, how could she dare to sit here? ¡°Golden Core level pills? Where did you get these?¡± Chen Sisi suddenly became a bit uneasy. ¡°Can you take them?¡± Jiang Hao countered. She fell silent for a moment, then began to appraise the items. After going through various items, she offered a total price of nine hundred and eighty spirit stones. Jiang Hao sighed lightly; although he hadn¡¯t brought out the talismans, he had brought the pills he had obtained from Po Lang. In the end, the total didn¡¯t even reach a thousand. If this place was considered fair, how much more would others rip him off? Without dwelling on these thoughts, he picked out a spirit sword and asked, ¡°How much for this?¡± ¡°This spirit sword is well-crafted; we¡¯ll take it for five spirit stones,¡± Chen Sisi replied. Jiang Hao was silent for a moment, then said, ¡°Six.¡± ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± Chen Sisi nodded without hesitation. Just a spirit stone, that¡¯s all. Upon hearing this, Jiang Hao waved his hand and produced a hundred spirit swords: ¡°Here are another hundred.¡± Chen Sisi was momentarily stunned at the sight of so many spirit swords. At that moment, she could definitely sense that the person before her was no ordinary individual. ¡°Can you take them?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Yes,¡± Chen Sisi nodded. The final transaction price was one thousand six hundred spirit stones. Adding to the twelve thousand seven hundred he already had, that made a total of fourteen thousand three hundred. After receiving the spirit stones, he found it somewhat unbelievable. Just a few robberies, and he had amassed fourteen thousand. After deducting the costs for Azure Red Sky and the penalties from the Hall of Enforcement, he was left with over a thousand. This was even before finding Zuo Lan, who often sold information here and was likely quite wealthy. For a moment, Jiang Hao felt a surge of joy. The future looked promising. After the transaction, Chen Sisi¡¯s attitude towards Jiang Hao became much more polite. However, she still retained a sense of superiority. They were both at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, but her status was higher. Such petty emotions were long gone for Jiang Hao, as one had to be very careful living in the Tianyin Sect. He had no room for such lowly feelings. Even when he reached the complete stage of Golden Core, surpassing Senior Brother Mu Qi and on par with Liu Xingchen, he kept his pride in check. Putting his thoughts aside, he began to shop: ¡°Do you have any tea leaves?¡± ¡°What kind of tea would you like, Fellow daoist?¡± Chen Sisi asked with a smile: ¡°We have Red Sleeve Fragrance for ten spirit stones per mace, Snow After Spring for five spirit stones per mace, and Qingkong Yun for three spirit stones per mace.¡± Jiang Hao was astonished; were they really that cheap? He asked to see them, and upon inspecting the low-grade quality, he realized they were practically trash. He wouldn¡¯t dare brew them for that woman even if they were given to him for free. ¡°Do you have more expensive Snow After Spring?¡± Jiang Hao felt he shouldn¡¯t let her set the price. ¡°More expensive?¡± Chen Sisi was puzzled. Jiang Hao took out the Snow After Spring he had and said: ¡°At least this quality, don¡¯t bother bringing anything worse than this.¡± The Snow After Spring he had was the lowest quality tea he had bought. ¡°Is this high-grade Snow After Spring?¡± Chen Sisi was astonished. ¡°Do you have it?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Yes, upstairs. I¡¯ll have someone fetch it right away,¡± Chen Sisi replied, not daring to delay. Who was this big spender? Soon, Jiang Hao saw the Snow After Spring, which was not much different in quality from his own. ¡°Fifty-five spirit stones per mace,¡± Chen Sisi said softly. For her, this was a luxury among luxuries. Fifty-five per mace, she wouldn¡¯t dare to dream of drinking it. She would only dare to buy a mace when meeting important figures. Chapter 137 - Ruthlessness Chapter 137: Ruthlessness It was five spirit stones more expensive. But there was no choice. If he didn¡¯t buy it now, he wasn¡¯t sure how long his remaining tea leaves would last. ¡°Give me thirty mace,¡± Jiang Hao said. Upon hearing this, Chen Sisi was stunned. It was her first time seeing someone buy tea leaves like this. Regrettably, she had to inform Jiang Hao of the bad news: there were only twenty mace in total. In the end, Jiang Hao bought the twenty mace for one thousand one hundred spirit stones, leaving him with thirteen thousand two hundred. After putting away the Snow After Spring, he asked curiously: ¡°Do you have Azure Red Sky?¡± He had only inquired about the price of Azure Red Sky at the Tianyin Sect. He had never asked elsewhere, so he was somewhat curious. ¡°A-Azure Red Sky?¡± Chen Sisi could hardly believe it. She had only recently heard of the name, but its cost was beyond what could be described as expensive. The reason she knew about it was that they actually had a mace of it. It was said to have been obtained by a certain important person through great effort and then consigned for sale here. ¡°You actually have it?¡± Jiang Hao was surprised to hear this: ¡°What¡¯s the asking price?¡± ¡°They say it¡¯s over nine thousand. Shall I pass on the message for you?¡± Chen Sisi instinctively used a respectful tone. ¡°Please do,¡± Jiang Hao said, curious to see it. If it was indeed genuine Azure Red Sky, over nine thousand was acceptable. Because it would cost ten thousand to go back. Afterward, Jiang Hao looked at some spiritual medicine seeds and bought two Tomorrow¡¯s Clear Snow seeds. They were a main ingredient for the Condensing Spirit Pill. They had a refreshing fragrance and gentle spiritual energy. The Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower was known for its refreshing scent and harmonious spiritual energy. The Tomorrow¡¯s Clear Snow flower was the perfect match. One seed cost one hundred spirit stones. Two seeds for two hundred. This spiritual medicine isn¡¯t bad; perhaps when it blooms, a blue bubble might appear. However, to ensure normal seeds would emerge, he bought fourteen bottles of spiritual liquid. Each bottle cost thirty. The expense was four hundred and twenty. Soon, an elder arrived in the room. His cultivation was at the peak of Foundation Establishment. ¡°Are you the one looking for Azure Red Sky?¡± Elder Chen inquired. At the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, he couldn¡¯t believe this person could afford it. ¡°Can I inspect the goods first?¡± Jiang Hao countered. After hesitating, Elder Chen took out an exquisite box. Inside was indeed a mace of Azure Red Sky. When opened, Jiang Hao smelled the fragrance; the tea leaves were emerald green with a hint of red at the edges. Good tea. Just by looking at the spirited tea leaves, he knew the quality of this Azure Red Sky was not bad. Closing the box, he raised an eyebrow at the elder: ¡°What¡¯s the price?¡± ¡°If the young friend really wants it, we can offer it for nine thousand three hundred,¡± Elder Chen dared not ask for too much. The tea had been stored for a long time, and they were eager to sell it. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t hesitate and immediately handed over the spirit stones. ¡°If there¡¯s no issue, I¡¯ll take the tea leaves,¡± Jiang Hao stated calmly. He earned seven hundred spirit stones. But this tea purchase had cost him most of his spirit stones. At most, he had fourteen thousand three hundred spirit stones; now, only three thousand three hundred remained. Actually, that wasn¡¯t too little. Ignoring the astonishment of those around, Jiang Hao left Yunshang Pavilion. He looked at the towers not far away, where there were some shops. Zuo Lan, who traded talented individuals, was located in that place. After confirming the time was about right, he headed over there. Upon entering, he arrived at Zuo Lan¡¯s designated area. He discovered the space was not small, with many rooms. ¡°Please come inside, fellow Daoist,¡± a young man led the way in front of Jiang Hao. ¡°Are you Zuo Lan?¡± Jiang Hao asked on the way. ¡°If the fellow Daoist thinks so, then I am. If the fellow Daoist thinks I¡¯m not, then consider me not,¡± the young man replied with a smile. Jiang Hao observed him for a moment. Mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, with a somewhat strange spiritual extension. He must be a puppet of Zuo Lan. He didn¡¯t act rashly but followed into a small room. The space wasn¡¯t large, with a tea table and some snacks, but it didn¡¯t feel cramped. ¡°Here¡¯s the list,¡± the self-proclaimed Zuo Lan handed the list to Jiang Hao, calmly saying. ¡°You¡¯re a bit late, fellow Daoist. Currently, there are only two left. Take a look and see if you¡¯re interested.¡± Jiang Hao looked at the list, which had over twenty names, genders, ages, and talents all marked. Out of the twenty-plus, only the last two had not been purchased. ¡°Didn¡¯t it start in the afternoon?¡± Jiang Hao asked casually while looking at the list. There were ten girls and thirteen boys on the list. The oldest was fourteen, and the youngest was seven. Such behavior Jiang Hao had rarely seen even in the Tianyin Sect. The Tianyin Sect captured people for labor, but not such young children. ¡°Of course, they wanted to start early. The customer is important, so naturally, I began ahead of time,¡± the self-proclaimed Zuo Lan said with a smile, then continued. ¡°How about it? Which one does the fellow Daoist want?¡± ¡°Chun Yu, female, ten years old, below average talent,¡± Jiang Hao continued as he read the list. ¡°Tie Dan, male, eleven years old, average talent.¡± ¡°Where did you find these?¡± Jiang Hao asked curiously. He appeared calm, as if making small talk. ¡°Captured from the surrounding villages. Being captured by me means they have a chance to change their fate. By rights, I should be seen as their benefactor. Unfortunately, they¡¯re ungrateful. Especially that Chunyu¡¯s parents, who even dared to attack me with a hoe, so ignorant,¡± the self-proclaimed Zuo Lan shook his head and laughed. ¡°Then what?¡± Jiang Hao asked with interest. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°I just helped their family reduce their numbers. They had quite a few family members, so now they don¡¯t have to worry about food shortages,¡± the self-proclaimed Zuo Lan said, posing as a good Samaritan. ¡°You really did them a big favor,¡± Jiang Hao nodded, then continued/ ¡°Bring both of them here.¡± ¡°Some people have their hands soaked in blood and still have the nerve to call me cruel. Are there any good people in the cultivation world? Anyone with a bit of strength, haven¡¯t they all climbed out from a pile of dead bodies? Why the pretense?¡± The self-proclaimed Zuo Lan seemed to appreciate Jiang Hao. Then he went outside. Jiang Hao sat quietly in his place, waiting for the other party to arrive. ...... After a short while. The door was pushed open, and the young man who claimed to be Zuo Lan returned, followed by two people. Jiang Hao looked over. These were two pale-faced children; the girl¡¯s eyes were red with fear mixed with hatred. Her clothes were made of coarse cloth, stained with blood that had long since dried. Around her neck was a large iron collar. The boy beside her was much better off; determination gleamed in his eyes as if he understood that only by surviving could other possibilities emerge. He was barefoot, with traces of mud still clinging to his feet, as if he had just finished helping with farm work at home. As for their appearances, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t pay attention. What looks could two malnourished children possibly have? ¡°How much?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°The girl for one hundred fifty, the boy for two hundred,¡± Zuo Lan said with a smile on his face. ¡°We also include a binding spell for control, would you need that?¡± ¡°No need,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. Boom! At that moment, a roaring sound came from outside. Jiang Hao turned to look out the window and saw a man at the late stage of Golden Core soaring into the sky. His speed was astonishingly fast, suggesting he had a magical treasure on him. Immediately, three figures chased after him. All were Golden Core level powerhouses. ¡®Is it them?¡¯ Jiang Hao recognized at a glance that it was the three people from before. However, he had observed that the one who escaped was just a clone. ¡°There¡¯s always someone causing trouble,¡± the man who called himself Zuo Lan shook his head and sighed, then looked at Jiang Hao. ¡°Would you cause trouble?¡± Jiang Hao looked back indifferently, then drew his Half-Moon sword from its sheath. The moonlight manifested. Clang! With one slash, Jiang Hao beheaded the man who called himself Zuo Lan. Under the man¡¯s incredulous gaze, Jiang Hao slowly sheathed the Half-Moon and said coldly, ¡°Perhaps.¡± One must have some principles in life. Chapter 138 - May I take a bit of your time? Chapter 138: May I take a bit of your time? The man who called himself Zuo Lan was dead, killed by Jiang Hao¡¯s sword. Perhaps he never imagined that Jiang Hao would strike, or even if he did, he wouldn¡¯t have known that Jiang Hao would act so swiftly. Looking at the corpse on the ground, Jiang Hao turned to the two young teenagers. Their faces were pale, and they leaned against the wall, so frightened they could barely stand. Even though they were precocious, even though the boy had determination in his eyes, the sight of Jiang Hao killing still filled them with panic. In a breath, this panic could spread throughout their bodies. Seeing this, Jiang Hao threw out two spiritual swords: ¡°You have two choices. One, I will arrange for you to be placed in a normal household to live an ordinary life. Two, draw the sword and stab the fallen person, and I will have someone take you as a disciple, entering another world where you could die at any moment. Of course, with danger comes the potential for power and longevity.¡± Looking at the two, Jiang Hao simply laid out the facts. He did not intend to explain further. He certainly didn¡¯t plan to bring them back to the Tianyin Sect. He just wanted to find them a master; their future would depend on their own fate and choices. At that moment, the boy named Tie Dan was the first to pick up the sword. Clenching his teeth, he took the first step, overcoming the fear in his heart. The girl also picked up a sword, her hand trembling as she drew it, but she too moved closer to the corpse. After hesitating for a while, they both stabbed down. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At first, they were somewhat fearful, but then they began to vent. It wasn¡¯t until the corpse was reduced to nothing that Jiang Hao led them away. Before leaving, he delivered two more slashes. Both the head and the body were struck twice. He wandered around inside, but did not see another clone of Zuo Lan. It felt like a pity. ¡®I¡¯ll have to go somewhere else then, fortunately, there are two more places.¡¯ With a decision in mind, Jiang Hao first went to find Shi Xin to ask if he had any plans to take on disciples. Tie Dan and Chun Yu held the spiritual swords tightly, following closely behind Jiang Hao. They didn¡¯t speak, only Chun Yu was silently crying, her body not in good shape. The two followed Jiang Hao with difficulty, not daring to relax for a moment. They knew that if they lost him, their fate would go from good to tragic. On the streets, Shi Xin, who was running a stall, saw Golden Core powerhouses chasing each other in the distance, eventually leaving the market. This surprised him. There were so many Golden Core powerhouses in the market. Just now, he felt the presence of four Golden Core powerhouses, and their aura seemed much stronger than that of the Chen family¡¯s patriarch. After a moment of reflection, he didn¡¯t pay it any further mind. As long as it didn¡¯t affect this area, all was well. ¡°That seems to be where Zuo Lan sells talented disciples; I wonder if Jiang Daoist friend was affected.¡± Shi Xin was curious, but he continued to run his stall. He was extremely poor now. Although these items weren¡¯t valuable, selling them for some spirit stones was still good. Today¡¯s biggest gain was that he finally obtained the Heaven Replenishing Pill. By the end of the year, he could try to break through to the complete stage of Foundation Establishment. Afterward, he can prepare for the attack on the Golden Core, continue to save spirit stones, and then find someone to purchase the Heaven Replenishing Pill. A few days before deciding whether to buy, he¡¯ll make his breakthrough. That way, he won¡¯t attract the attention of those with ulterior motives. Once he successfully advances, all threats will recede. ¡°Why is Brother Shi setting up a stall here?¡± someone suddenly asked. Shi Xin looked up to see three men approaching. Two middle-aged men with an elder following behind them. ¡°Chieftain Chen.¡± Shi Xin stood up and politely said, ¡°I¡¯m here to sell some small items.¡± Chen Baixiao, the chieftain of the Chen family, appeared middle-aged with streaks of white in his hair and was at the early stage of Golden Core cultivation. A true powerhouse. ¡°Brother Shi, if you need anything, just speak to our people. There¡¯s no need for you to do something like this,¡± Chen Baixiao said with a smile. Then he pointed to a black-haired man with a square face and a somewhat indifferent demeanor and said, ¡°This is Brother Jin.¡± ¡°Senior Jin,¡± Shi Xin said respectfully. The fact that this man could walk alongside Chieftain Chen suggested that their strengths were not far apart. It was only natural for Shi Xin, who was at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, to address him as ¡®senior.¡¯ Jin Yuan nodded casually, his face showing disdain. ¡°I heard there was some trouble inside, does Brother Shi want to join us?¡± Chen Baixiao invited. ¡°Thank you, Chieftain Chen, but I¡¯ve promised a fellow Daoist to save a spot for him, so I won¡¯t be going,¡± Shi Xin said with an apologetic face. The conflict involved Golden Core level individuals; as someone at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, going there would be akin to courting death. It was better to stay put. ¡°Brother Shi, the family kindly invites you, and with two Golden Core seniors accompanying you, what are you worried about?¡± Elder Chen said coldly from behind. He had just sold the Azure Red Sky and immediately went to find the chieftain. It just so happened that he saw the chieftain with an honored guest and followed them. The spirit stones had already been handed over. They were also curious about that customer; if there was no issue on Zuo Lan¡¯s side, they would like to meet this person again. ¡°It seems Chieftain Chen¡¯s face isn¡¯t that great,¡± Jin Yuan said with a laugh. For a moment, Chen Baixiao¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°No, not at all, it just so happens that I was about to head over as well. It is an honor for me to accompany Chieftain Chen,¡± Shi Xin said, not even glancing at his stall items as he prepared to leave. He dared not delay any further; the others wanted to pull him in as a pawn. The situation was stronger than the individual. Just as he stepped away from the stall, another voice came through: ¡°Is Brother Shi busy?¡± Hearing the familiar voice, Shi Xin looked up to see Jiang Hao coming over with two children. Seeing this, he could only smile and say, ¡°Brother Jiang, you¡¯ve come at the right time. The stall is yours now.¡± At this moment, Elder Chen quietly introduced Jiang Hao to Chieftain Chen. Seeing Jiang Hao here was a surprise. Hearing that Jiang Hao was the one who bought the Azure Red Sky, Chieftain Chen became interested: ¡°Would this friend have some time to sit with Chen inside?¡± ¡°Who are you?¡± Jiang Hao asked politely. He had never seen the other party before. However, given the early Golden Core cultivation, he must be a notable person from the vicinity. ¡°Friend, this is our Chieftain Chen. With the chieftain here, it will be much easier for you to buy whatever you want,¡± Elder Chen introduced. He thought Jiang Hao would apologize in fear and trepidation upon hearing this, but instead, Jiang Hao just nodded slightly. Jin Yuan scoffed again. ¡°Seeing the reaction, it seems Chieftain Chen¡¯s status isn¡¯t very useful.¡± Chieftain Chen¡¯s brows furrowed slightly as he looked at Jiang Hao and spoke in a low voice: ¡°Are you very busy, friend?¡± Shi Xin was making eye signals to Jiang Hao, but it seemed like he didn¡¯t notice at all. Early Golden Core was indeed strong, but Jiang Hao had no interest in accompanying them. It would be a waste of time. However, among these people, there was one who caught his attention. At this moment, he was staring at Jin Yuan, feeling that his aura was close to that of Po Lang and the others. The urgent task was to find Zuo Lan and obtain the Secret Whisper Slate. ¡°May I ask you a few questions?¡± he addressed Jin Yuan. ¡°Friend...¡± Chieftain Chen¡¯s expression darkened. Jiang Hao glanced at him, apologizing: ¡°I¡¯ll take a bit of your time, just two or three questions.¡± Boom! The aura of early Golden Core burst forth from Chen Baixiao: ¡°Friend, it seems you lack manners.¡± Clang! Half-Moon was unsheathed, and with one slash, Chen Baixiao¡¯s neck was almost severed. Blood spurted out instantly. Jiang Hao looked at him calmly and said: ¡°May I take a bit of your time?¡± Chapter 139 - I Hope They Don’t Provoke the Female Demon Chapter 139: I Hope They Don¡¯t Provoke the Female Demon The moonlight, like a scythe of death, struck at him. He thought he was going to die. Fear spread from his heart, quickly enveloping his entire body. Regaining his senses, he felt a sharp pain in his neck. Clutching the wound on his neck, he lowered his once proud head, his voice trembling: ¡°Please... please forgive me, senior.¡± Elder Chen stood frozen nearby, thinking it odd for someone at the Foundation Establishment level to purchase Azure Red Sky. Recalling his previous attitude, he felt anxious and uneasy. But the most shocked was Shi Xin. Was this the same person he had been sharing a stall with? Someone who could make a Golden Core expert bow with a casual slash. Jin Yuan¡¯s brows were deeply furrowed as he looked at Jiang Hao, already planning to flee. However, before he could make a move, the full presence of a Golden Core completion expert suppressed him. The terrifying power left him immobile. Jiang Hao looked at him, stepping forward, releasing his full Golden Core aura, overpowering the other. Two steps away, he reached Jin Yuan and placed a hand on his shoulder. Then, he applied a gentle force. Bang! Jin Yuan knelt down heavily. Only then did Jiang Hao pick up the Half-Moon and place it on the other¡¯s shoulder: ¡°Are you from the Great Thousand Divine Sect?¡± ¡°Who are you?¡± Jin Yuan, feeling the immense pressure, twisted his face and asked. Pfft! The blade¡¯s shadow flashed from the Half-Moon, slicing across the other¡¯s neck. Blood poured out. Jin Yuan grunted but did not submit. ¡°Where is Zuo Lan?¡± Jiang Hao asked again. ¡°Zuo Lan?¡± Jin Yuan looked at Jiang Hao, realization dawning. ¡°So it¡¯s you? You¡¯re the one who lured Po Lang to Luo City and killed him? Do you know who the things you took belong to?¡± ¡°Belong to whom?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Do you think I would tell you? One day he will come for you. Even if you, a mere Golden Core, survive, you¡¯ll still die,¡± Jin Yuan sneered. ¡°But you might not live that long. We¡¯ve made many preparations against you. Soon, you will face Zuo Lan. That will be your end.¡± ¡°At Heavenly Lake?¡± Jiang Hao asked. At that moment, the other seemed to hesitate. Seeing this, Jiang Hao wasted no more words. He executed the first form of the Heavenly Saber, Moon Slash. The blade rose and fell. Jin Yuan was even somewhat astonished. He couldn¡¯t believe the other¡¯s decisiveness, killing without warning. After two more slashes, Jiang Hao took the other¡¯s storage bag. Checking it, he found it similar to the one he got from Zuo Lan¡¯s clone, with not much inside. In total, there were only two hundred spirit stones. The rest were just ordinary cultivation pills. After taking the spirit stones, he tossed the two storage bags to Chun Yu and Tie Dan nearby. They were confused but still accepted the items. At this point, Jiang Hao turned to Shi Xin: ¡°Do you plan to take disciples?¡± ¡°Ah?¡± Shi Xin was stunned for a moment, then quickly understood. ¡°Yes, I think these two youngsters are quite good.¡± Jiang Hao nodded, then turned to Chun Yu and Tie Dan: ¡°Become disciples.¡± After confirming their apprenticeship, Jiang Hao discussed Jin Yuan¡¯s matter, then bid farewell to Shi Xin and the others. There were no clear clues here; he needed to find Zuo Lan. ¡°W-wait a moment.¡± As Jiang Hao turned to leave, Tie Dan seemed to muster courage and asked. ¡°Will we ever see the immortal again?¡± After pondering for a moment, Jiang Hao calmly said: ¡°If I pass by here on my next trip, I will come to see your master. If you haven¡¯t gone out, there might be a chance to meet again.¡± With that, Jiang Hao turned and left. Tie Dan knelt down, probably in gratitude for the life-saving grace. Chun Yu also knelt and gave a deep bow. Jiang Hao sighed in his heart. If he came out again... If Hong Yuye wasn¡¯t with him, he wouldn¡¯t come out again. Unless his own strength reached above Nascent Soul, making it safe to come out, he wouldn¡¯t leave the Tianyin Sect. If he did reach the point where his cultivation was sufficient to come out, whether these two would still be alive by then was uncertain. Shi Xin had a chance to advance to Golden Core, and as disciples of a Golden Core expert, the two had a chance to be a Foundation Establishment cultivator. But to go further was almost impossible. Their lifespans were close to two hundred years. Two hundred years, if they lived well, they should be able to meet again. His promise to return served to protect these two, as well as Shi Xin. The rest is up to their own fate. At this moment, watching Jiang Hao leave, Shi Xin was filled with emotion. It turned out that a powerful figure had always been by his side, no wonder there were so many things and the Heaven Replenishing Pill. Chen Baixiao, on the other hand, breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at the dead Jin Yuan, he felt a bit scared. If the other party had the intention to kill him, then he would already be dead. For a moment, he decided that he should speak more kindly to others in the future. Otherwise... ...... Afterward, Jiang Hao took a trip from one end of the street to the other. His arrival was bound to be guarded against by Zuo Lan, so there was no need to hide. He killed three of the opponent¡¯s clones. One of them was at the early stage of the Golden Core. Still, he was cut down by a single strike. Apart from three hundred spirit stones, there was no other gain. The opponent didn¡¯t speak at all, the only one said that no matter how many he killed, it was useless. Sooner or later, he would be killed by his main body. ¡°With these three hundred, I have a total of three thousand eight hundred spirit stones. After deducting the three thousand for the Enforcement Peak, I still have eight hundred left.¡± These eight hundred were not a small amount; if it wasn¡¯t for robbing and killing, he would have to sell quite a few spirit talismans to earn that much. With good market conditions, a few days would suffice, but with poor conditions, it could take over half a month. ¡°It seems I need to make a trip to Heavenly Lake, but it¡¯s a place everyone knows about, so it¡¯s hard to say if I can find Zuo Lan, moreover...¡± Jiang Hao walked on the road, his brows slightly furrowed. ¡°Jin Yuan just said that Zuo Lan would kill me, it looks like he started preparing from the moment he got the first stone tablet from Hong Yuye? They probably don¡¯t know about Hong Yuye¡¯s existence, otherwise, why would they prepare anything?¡± ¡°But Zuo Lan should also be at the Golden Core stage, what can he use to kill me at that level? Unless...¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat worried: ¡°Unless he wants to advance to Nascent Soul.¡± Once he advances to Nascent Soul, the threat to him would be much greater. Currently, he had quite a few trump cards, but he had never faced someone at the level of Nascent Soul. Although he wanted to try when he was feeling confident, he would refuse if it really came to that. There¡¯s nothing wrong with being alive; there¡¯s no need to risk one¡¯s life out of overconfidence to take on a challenge. ¡°It¡¯s a pity that Clear Heart and Pure Mind can¡¯t be used, otherwise I could try to comprehend the third form of the Heavenly Saber, to add another trump card.¡± Later, Jiang Hao returned to the inn. He actually had another question. That was whether Po Lang was drawn to Luo City by the first stone tablet. In other words, it was done by Hong Yuye. ¡°Was it a coincidence that it was chosen to be in Luo City?¡± Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t find the answer, even if he asked Hong Yuye, he probably wouldn¡¯t get it. ¡°Senior, the backyard has been cleared out,¡± the innkeeper informed Jiang Hao as soon as he saw him. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After expressing his thanks, Jiang Hao asked softly, ¡°Did any of the guests have any complaints?¡± ¡°No, currently all the residents have not shown any dissatisfaction,¡± the innkeeper replied. Jiang Hao nodded, then he went to the backyard and found that all the useless things had been cleared out. A pavilion had also been built. Flowers and plants were planted around it. He walked in and steadied himself, carrying a faint fragrance. It was quite acceptable. ¡°The rest is to appraise the seeds, plant them, and when I have time, visit everyone, hoping they won¡¯t offend Hong Yuye.¡± ¡°I also need to make a trip to Heavenly Lake tonight.¡± Chapter 140 - Spending the Night in the Female Demon’s Room Chapter 140: Spending the Night in the Female Demon¡¯s Room After checking the backyard, Jiang Hao took out the Tomorrow¡¯s Clear Snow seeds for tomorrow. Since Hong Yuye was coming here, it was better to plant the spiritual medicine sooner rather than later. Even if he didn¡¯t know how long he would stay here, it was better to act first. If it really didn¡¯t work out, he could take the seeds with him. ¡°Appraisal.¡± ¡¾Tomorrow¡¯s Clear Snow Seed: Fragrant, has a concentration effect after blooming, can be used to refine Condensing Spirit Pills, water with one bottle of spirit liquid daily, can take root and sprout in three days.¡¿ ¡°Three days?¡± ¡°That¡¯s it, no blue bubbles.¡± Last time, the black lotus that had blue bubbles needed to be watered with spirit liquid for seven days before it could take root and sprout. Now with only three days, it¡¯s more likely to have green or white bubbles. But three days is actually still a bit long; they might not stay here for three days. Perhaps they would find Zuo Lan tonight, obtain the Secret Whisper Slate, and then have to go elsewhere. However, the three stone tablets could be combined into one, which would grant higher access. The integration would probably take some time, so the likelihood of staying here for more than three days is very high. ¡°If the three stone tablets can be combined and directly locate the positions of the other tablets, that would be convenient.¡± But since he had only been out for a few days, he wasn¡¯t in a hurry. After planting the seeds and watering them with spirit liquid, Jiang Hao went to Hong Yuye¡¯s room door. At this time, a little girl came to Jiang Hao¡¯s side, a bit nervously said: ¡°Should I clean the guest¡¯s room?¡± ¡°Clean room number five, this one doesn¡¯t need it,¡± Jiang Hao pointed to the room and said. The little girl nodded and then went to clean Jiang Hao¡¯s room. Jiang Hao then knocked on the door and entered Hong Yuye¡¯s room. He didn¡¯t dare let anyone touch Hong Yuye, not knowing what might happen if she got upset. He hadn¡¯t left anything in his own room, so he wasn¡¯t worried about anything. ¡°Any gains?¡± Hong Yuye gazed out the window and casually asked a question. At that moment, she was dressed in a red and white outfit, sitting gracefully at the table, her demeanor calm and unruffled. From the side, one could see her long hair reaching her waist and her well-proportioned figure, exuding an air of elegance and nobility just from her presence. Jiang Hao dared not look too long as his heart was easily stirred. The Tianjue Gu poison had no effect on Hong Yuye, so even a slight carelessness in the presence of such a peerless beauty could cause ripples in his heart. ¡°There is a bit of discovery, but all the Zuo Lans in the market are clones. It seems he knew that the senior was coming. He is currently preparing something, wanting to counterattack,¡± Jiang Hao hesitated before continuing. ¡°According to a disciple of the Great Thousand Divine Sect, with Zuo Lan preparing his methods, his strength must have surpassed that of the Golden Core.¡± Seeing that Hong Yuye did not speak, Jiang Hao spoke again. ¡°There might be a fortress by the Heavenly Lake that Zuo Lan has planned. I intend to go there tonight to take a look.¡± ¡°What about the Secret Whisper Slate?¡± Hong Yuye asked softly. ¡°No news,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. ¡°And the courtyard?¡± Hong Yuye inquired again. ¡°It has been tidied up, and the seeds have been planted. If nothing unexpected happens, they should bloom in three days,¡± Jiang Hao answered each question. Hearing that the flowers would bloom in three days, Hong Yuye turned her head to look at Jiang Hao, a hint of interest in her eyes. ¡°What kind of flower did you plant?¡± It seemed she had been waiting to ask this question. Jiang Hao looked down, somewhat embarrassed, ¡°A flower similar to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower.¡± ¡°What¡¯s its name?¡± Hong Yuye asked with a smile that was not quite a smile. ¡°Tomorrow¡¯s Clear Snow,¡± Jiang Hao replied. After he finished speaking, he thought Hong Yuye would do or say something. However, he found that she did not speak but was simply pouring herself some tea. He couldn¡¯t understand what she was thinking, but it also relieved Jiang Hao. At least he was still standing there safely and had not been thrown against the wall. While drinking tea, Hong Yuye took out a small box and placed it on the table. ¡°I won¡¯t let you work for nothing; this is for you.¡± Seeing this, Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised; he had thought that she would give him something after the matter was concluded. Approaching the table, he picked up the box and sat down to examine it. When he opened the box, a refreshing fragrance wafted out. It was a snow-white pill that he had never seen before. Just the scent of the pill alone made his vital energy and spiritual energy become more active. Was it a pill for breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage? Jiang Hao wondered internally. ¡®Just now, I said that Zuo Lan might have surpassed the Golden Core, so she gave me such a pill. Is it for me to advance and defeat Zuo Lan?¡¯ It was very likely. He wondered how much such a precious pill could sell for. The prerequisite, of course, was to first know the name of the pill. He looked at Hong Yuye and asked, ¡°What is this pill?¡± ¡°Try it and see,¡± Hong Yuye said nonchalantly, sipping her tea. At that moment, Jiang Hao took out the pill, feeling a cool sensation. Without hesitation, he placed it in his mouth. Instantly, the coolness spread in his mouth as the pill dissolved. Then, the cool breath traveled down his throat and throughout his body. He felt as though he was enveloped in coolness, which then surged into his mind. It seemed to unlock his thoughts, and numerous sparks of thought collided in his mind, like Clear Heart and Pure Mind. Thinking of this, the divine ability Clear Heart and Pure Mind activated on its own, and the cool breath rushed into it. The divine ability, which had been continuously damaged, showed signs of reversal. Soon, the cool breath began to repair the divine ability. ¡®So it¡¯s a pill for repairing divine abilities?¡¯ Realizing the function of the pill, Jiang Hao began to absorb it fully, trying to completely restore his divine ability. Without Clear Heart and Pure Mind, his progress in becoming stronger had slowed down considerably. He had been unable to comprehend the third form of the Heavenly Saber. He was very curious, however, about how Hong Yuye knew his divine ability was damaged. Is her Nameless Secret Manual comprehension so powerful? With this thought, he was even more determined to comprehend the Nameless Secret Manual. In the future, he could better scrutinize his enemies. Afterward, he set aside his thoughts and began to heal. After a long while, Jiang Hao had fully absorbed the pill. Not only was his divine ability restored, but it had even surpassed its previous state, which could be considered a blessing in disguise. Once he stabilized his condition, he slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was Hong Yuye sitting opposite him, drinking tea, and then he noticed the sunlight streaming in. The light fell on her side face, and the breeze moved her hair, making one forget to breathe for a moment. ¡®Human beauty is like dust,¡¯ he thought to himself, but he quickly returned to normal. Looking at the sunlight outside, Jiang Hao was slightly surprised, ¡°Is it already morning?¡± Had he been absorbing the power of the pill all night? His original plan had been disrupted. ¡°Aren¡¯t you usually very cautious?¡± Hong Yuye fixed her gaze on Jiang Hao: ¡°Why did you take the pill this time without asking any questions?¡± ¡°If senior wanted to harm me, it wouldn¡¯t need to be this troublesome,¡± Jiang Hao replied truthfully. There was no point in refusing the pill that the other party wanted him to take. The Tianjue Gu poison was an example. It was better to be generous. If the other party was satisfied, he would suffer less. Hong Yuye looked deeply at Jiang Hao, and seeing that he could still listen and speak, she didn¡¯t ask further. ¡°Continue investigating the Secret Whisper Slate,¡± Hong Yuye said softly as she put down her teacup. ¡°If there¡¯s no progress, you know the consequences.¡± ¡°This junior understands,¡± Jiang Hao stood up and said. Then he brewed a fresh pot of tea for Hong Yuye. Looking at the tea, Hong Yuye said: ¡°Buy me some snacks to go with the tea.¡± Jiang Hao nodded, not daring to ask what kind of snacks she wanted. As long as he didn¡¯t ask, he had to choose on his own. If he asked, he definitely couldn¡¯t afford it. The few spirit stones he had left would be spent in an instant. Hong Yuye would never ask for ordinary snacks; what she wanted was either unattainable or unaffordable. ¡°I want to go out for a stroll tonight,¡± Hong Yuye added. Jiang Hao understood that he had to accompany her. After agreeing, he took his leave from the room. Just as he was closing the door behind him, he saw the young girl from yesterday cleaning the corridor. The girl was startled and quickly bowed her head to apologize to Jiang Hao. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t mind and took some time to go out and buy some snacks for Hong Yuye. They were just some ordinary pastries, but he had tasted them beforehand and found them to be good before making the purchase. He also selected them based on appearance; good-looking and tasty, so it didn¡¯t seem too perfunctory. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Sure enough, Hong Yuye didn¡¯t say much. Afterward, he went to the backyard to continue watering the seeds with spiritual liquid. ...... In the backyard. Jiang Hao saw the young girl watering the flower beds. Her skilled movements indicated that she often did this kind of work. When a guest arrived, she immediately greeted them, and upon recognizing Jiang Hao, she boldly asked out of curiosity: ¡°Sir, are these plants for your wife? She must be very happy, right?¡± The sudden question made Jiang Hao, who had just squatted down, break into a cold sweat. But he quickly steadied his mind and calmly looked at the young girl, who was about twelve or thirteen years old. He didn¡¯t understand why she would ask such a question. Then it dawned on him. He had seen her twice. The first time was yesterday evening. She saw him enter Hong Yuye¡¯s room. The second time was this morning. She saw him coming out of Hong Yuye¡¯s room. So he had stayed in Hong Yuye¡¯s room overnight, and no one would believe that a man and a woman alone in a room had nothing to do with each other. This led her to the misunderstanding. Chapter 141 - Explain that I’m not married to the Female Demon? Chapter 141: Explain that I¡¯m not married to the Female Demon? Jiang Hao lowered his gaze. No matter what he did in the room. Undoubtedly, he had spent the night with Hong Yuye in the same room. Although it wasn¡¯t the first time, this time was indeed innocent. But she didn¡¯t know that, so she misunderstood that Hong Yuye was his wife. He wanted to explain that it was a misunderstanding, but staying in the room together overnight would only make the girl think more. So whether he explained or not, it was a problem. Unless he silenced her permanently. He sighed inwardly and said to the young girl in a calm tone: ¡°Do more work, ask less, speak less. That way you won¡¯t easily offend the guests. Knowing too much about some guests¡¯ affairs can bring you a lot of trouble and also trouble your boss.¡± The girl didn¡¯t fully understand, but she knew she might have said something wrong, and she bowed her head in fear: ¡°Right, I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to.¡± ¡°The guests at the inn are not ordinary people; there are many things you can¡¯t ask or talk about with others, understand?¡± Jiang Hao said gently. ¡°I understand,¡± the girl replied with her head lowered. Seeing this, Jiang Hao handed her a copper coin: ¡°Here.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± the girl said with a smile as she accepted the coin. Jiang Hao nodded and then left the backyard. Before leaving, he also instructed her not to disturb the soil where the spiritual herbs were planted. In fact, it didn¡¯t matter if she told others about him and Hong Yuye; he wouldn¡¯t care if he heard it. He was just a passerby here and would soon be forgotten, like a grain of sand in the wind, not worth fussing over. But if Hong Yuye heard it, it could be a fatal blow. After all, it would be a slander to her chastity. ¡°Last night, I recovered my magical powers but didn¡¯t make it to the Heavenly Lake. I wonder if there will be any gains if I go now.¡± ¡°Clear Heart and Pure Mind has fully recovered, and starting tonight, I can accelerate my comprehension of the third form of the Heavenly Saber.¡± After such a long delay, I¡¯m finally about to learn the third form. But it will still take a few days. I¡¯m just curious about the pill Hong Yuye gave me¡ªwhat exactly is it? The effects are surprisingly good. ¡°I wonder how many spirit stones it would cost to buy one.¡± Having one of these pills on hand is definitely a good idea. Others rarely possess divine abilities, but I have three that I commonly use. If backlash occurs one day, it could damage my divine abilities. Divine abilities are like parts of the body; just as the body can be injured, divine abilities can also suffer from backlash. Or they could be damaged from overuse. Once damaged, aside from a long period of nurturing, I have no other means to repair them. It¡¯s a pity I couldn¡¯t find out the name of the pill; I¡¯ll have to wait until this matter is over and then check back at the Tianyin Sect. Afterward, he left Tiantu City and headed for Heavenly Lake. Heavenly Lake wasn¡¯t far from Tiantu City; otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t dare to leave the city. Being too far from Hong Yuye would make it easy for people from the Luoxia Sect or the Tiansheng Sect to detect his location. So if Heavenly Lake were too far, he would have to ask Hong Yuye to come along. Heavenly Lake was located in a forest, its surface like a mirror, reflecting the sky above. Hence the name Heavenly Lake. Jiang Hao was now standing by the edge of Heavenly Lake, looking at the surrounding forest and beginning to inspect the area. Not long after entering the forest, he saw some stone statues. There were some buildings inside. They were stone buildings, with broken pillars and collapsed statues, indecipherable. He didn¡¯t linger and continued deeper inside. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After a short while. In front of a massive structure, he saw guards. Two Foundation Establishment early-stage cultivators. They looked to be in their thirties, standing somewhat laxly, not paying much attention to their surroundings. They would occasionally exchange a few words. They seemed reluctant to guard this place. They appeared to be temporary guards with no sense of discipline. Bypassing the two men, Jiang Hao entered the building. Inside was a larger space. In the center of the space was an altar, surrounded by stone pillars smeared with bloodstains. Approaching the pillars, Jiang Hao touched the bloodstains. He found that some were not yet dry. ¡°It seems these were left recently; I wonder whose they are.¡± Puzzled, he remembered Zuo Lan, who had previously traded in talented disciples. Perhaps the blood was theirs, or perhaps not. Regardless, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t care; he could tell that these things were all prepared for the altar in the middle. Upon closer inspection, he realized the altar was different from the building; it was newly constructed. It was just hidden here. ¡°Appraisal.¡± He activated his divine ability immediately. ¡¾Spirit Communication Altar: Offer the fresh blood of boys and girls with spiritual roots, and use the Secret Whisper Slate as a medium to communicate with the temporary master behind the Secret Whisper Slate. It was prepared by Zuo Lan to deal with the uncontrollable owner of the slate. Originally, he would offer the final blood sacrifice in seven days to gain Nascent Soul-level power. However, his plans were disrupted by the sudden appearance of Fang Jin and others, so he decided to come back in nine days. He has now identified you as the owner of the slate.¡¿ Nascent Soul-level power in nine days. Reading the information from his divine ability, Jiang Hao sighed. Waiting a few more days wasn¡¯t an issue; the key was that the opponent could gain Nascent Soul-level power. ¡°I need to control him before he gains that power; otherwise, I might not be his match.¡± He had never directly confronted a Nascent Soul realm expert; the danger level was probably the highest he had faced so far. Jiang Hao walked up to the altar and saw where the slate was to be placed. He wondered if he could also gain Nascent Soul-level power by placing the slate there himself. But such power likely came with significant side effects. ¡°The temporary master behind the slate, I wonder if it¡¯s the source Hong Yuye is looking for.¡± According to previous identifications, there is only one master behind all the slates. Others are just users or temporary masters. The Great Thousand Divine Sect¡¯s arrival near the Tianyin Sect must be under the orders of this temporary master. ¡°I wonder if he is from the Great Thousand Divine Sect or the one who issued the tasks.¡± Thinking about these things is fruitless; I can only catch Zuo Lan and ask him. As for Zuo Lan¡¯s hiding place, it¡¯s still a mystery. After hesitating, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t destroy the altar. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t know when he could find Zuo Lan. He could only make him feel that this place is safe and that his plans can continue in order to lure him out. ¡°It¡¯s best to find Fang Jin and the others and tell them not to alert the enemy again.¡± If they alert the enemy again, he worries that Zuo Lan will keep delaying. The three months could easily be wasted. Leaving the building, Jiang Hao checked the surroundings again. He found some formations and hidden traps. There were prohibition traps and talisman traps. If someone were led in, others could easily fall into these traps. After spending a lot of time, Jiang Hao noted down each trap to avoid falling into them in nine days. Unfortunately, he had too few items on him and almost no knowledge of formations. Otherwise, he could have used these traps to his advantage. This is something that can¡¯t be helped. After practicing for more than a decade, I¡¯ve only recently started learning talisman crafting. There¡¯s not enough time to learn other things. The priority right now is to improve my cultivation level. Making talismans to earn spirit stones is also for the sake of strengthening my abilities. Returning to the inn, Jiang Hao once again arrived at the backyard. Looking at the yard, which was lacking in spiritual energy, he felt that it would be more practical to directly buy some spiritual herbs rather than growing them. This way, the fragrance of the herbs could cover the area immediately, and the spiritual energy could gather more quickly. Unfortunately, transplanting spiritual herbs often leads to problems. Moreover, ready-made spiritual herbs are too expensive. After some hesitation, Jiang Hao used some spirit stones to set up a spirit gathering array around the area, compensating for the lack of spiritual energy with spirit stones. This would make the backyard environment more vibrant. After ensuring the array was functioning properly, Jiang Hao looked up at the time and noticed it was getting dark. He needed to go up and find Hong Yuye. But just as he returned to the main hall, he heard someone complaining. ¡°I was so close to finding him. Zuo Lan has a treasure on him; otherwise, through his clone, I definitely could have located him,¡± Lan Jin complained. ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal that we didn¡¯t find him personally, but it¡¯s a pity we couldn¡¯t find out where he¡¯s holding people. We¡¯ll go to Heavenly Lake again tomorrow; there should be other clues,¡± Bai Qiong consoled. ¡°I wonder who killed all of Zuo Lan¡¯s clones; otherwise, we wouldn¡¯t have lost all our leads,¡± Lan Jin said angrily. At this moment, they also noticed Jiang Hao, who had just come out from the backyard. All three were taken aback. Jiang Hao maintained a calm expression, but inside he felt quite awkward. If he wasn¡¯t mistaken, they were complaining about him since he was the one who had killed Zuo Lan¡¯s clones. Chapter 142 - Fortune to Take, Fate to Drink Chapter 142: Fortune to Take, Fate to Drink ¡°Daoist Jiang?¡± Fang Jin was somewhat surprised. Seeing Jiang Hao coming out from the backyard, he realized that the person living next door to them was Jiang Hao. Given Jiang Hao¡¯s strength, it wouldn¡¯t be difficult for him to have inflicted heavy damage on the Chen family. It also confirmed that Jiang Hao was not just a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator as he appeared to be. After all, the other person was at the late stage of the Foundation Establishment. ¡°Daoist Fang,¡± Jiang Hao replied politely. Since they had met, he needed to discuss some matters with these people. ¡°Would you care to sit down?¡± Fang Jin invited, pointing to a seat nearby. The first floor was a dining area, naturally furnished with many tables and chairs. However, since they were not welcoming guests recently, it appeared spacious. If someone came in to cause trouble, the inn would explain very politely, fearing another encounter with someone like Jiang Hao. Lan Jin looked at Jiang Hao curiously; she also believed that the person living next door was him. She was very curious about his actual strength. Logically, it shouldn¡¯t exceed that of her Senior Brother and Senior Sister. It would seem presumptuous for her to challenge him to a sparring match, and her seniors would definitely say she was thoughtless. If it were within the sect, it would be a different matter. To avoid being lectured, she decided to wait and see. ¡°When did you arrive, Fellow Daoist?¡± Fang Jin asked casually after sitting down, then shared his own situation: ¡°We arrived in the last two days, staying in rooms 1, 2, and 3.¡± ¡°I arrived a day or two earlier, staying in rooms 5 and 6,¡± Jiang Hao replied politely. At this time, a plate of cold dishes and a plate of peanuts were served on the table as appetizers while waiting for the main meal. ¡°Did you ask them to tidy up the backyard?¡± Lan Jin asked. ¡°Yes, when it¡¯s closed, I hope you Fellow Daoist won¡¯t disturb the backyard,¡± Jiang Hao said as he stood up and bowed sincerely. ¡°Daoist Jiang, you¡¯re too polite,¡± Fang Jin immediately stood up and waved his hand. ¡°Of course, we won¡¯t disturb you. We¡¯re just a bit curious about what you¡¯re using the backyard for.¡± ¡°I¡¯m planting some things because I¡¯ll be staying for a while,¡± Jiang Hao sat down and explained briefly. ¡°Is it for the fairy accompanying you?¡± Bai Qiong guessed. Jiang Hao nodded. For a moment, he didn¡¯t know how to introduce Hong Yuye. Senior? In their eyes, Hong Yuye was a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, which clearly didn¡¯t seem like a senior. Senior Sister? It seemed fitting, but he didn¡¯t know if it would anger Hong Yuye. Thinking of this, he decided to forgo the introduction and wait until they asked about it. However, he didn¡¯t know that these three people were living next door. That was probably for the best, so he could also inform them about some matters regarding the capture of Zuo Lan. He didn¡¯t want to startle the snake. But the disciple they were looking for was probably his mission; he would decide whether to give up depending on the situation. ¡°What brings you here this time, Fellow Daoist?¡± Fang Jin poured a cup of tea for Jiang Hao. ¡°Did you come for Zuo Lan?¡± Jiang Hao got straight to the point: ¡°Yesterday, when you chased after Zuo Lan, did you gain anything?¡± This question made the three of them pause, but they weren¡¯t too surprised. At that time, they had been chasing openly. However, Lan Jin suddenly thought of something and said, ¡°Was it you who killed Zuo Lan¡¯s clone?¡± This person is quite clever, Jiang Hao thought as he sipped his tea. Unfortunately, sometimes they act too rashly. Fang Jin and the others were also curious, but they didn¡¯t blame or question him. After all, everyone has their own agenda. It¡¯s best when interests align naturally; if not, it¡¯s no big deal to simply not interfere with each other. Jiang Hao set down his tea and said softly, ¡°Originally, Zuo Lan was supposed to appear by the Heavenly Lake in seven days to perform the final spirit-summoning ritual. But due to your disturbance, it might be delayed by two days. If he doesn¡¯t show up voluntarily, do you think you can find him?¡± Upon hearing this, Fang Jin and the others were startled: ¡°Do you know where Zuo Lan is?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, but I do know that in nine days, he will appear at the altar by the Heavenly Lake. The person you¡¯re looking for will probably show up on that day as well,¡± Jiang Hao replied. If he knew Zuo Lan¡¯s whereabouts, he would have already gone after him. ¡°Do you wish for us to refrain from doing too much in these next few days?¡± Bai Qiong asked. ¡°You might want to visit the Heavenly Lake and then consider my suggestion,¡± Jiang Hao proposed. Fang Jin nodded and said respectfully, ¡°We will certainly take that into consideration. Could you perhaps provide more details?¡± ¡°The altar requires the fresh blood of boys and girls with innate cultivation talent. At the time of the final ritual, these children will surely be present,¡± Jiang Hao looked at them and continued. ¡°So the person you¡¯re looking for will likely be taken there on that day.¡± It was inevitable that someone would be taken there. However, there was one thing he couldn¡¯t figure out. How could Zuo Lan, a mere Golden Core, prevent the people from Mingyue Sect from locating him? After hesitating, he voiced his doubt. ¡°We¡¯re also puzzled by this,¡± Bai Qiong said with a frown. ¡°At first, we suspected that they had a powerful figure among them, but that doesn¡¯t seem to be the case. Later, we speculated that they might have a divine ability or a magical treasure that conceals our Junior Sister¡¯s location. But recently, our uncle-master was intercepted by someone from the Tiansheng Sect, and since Tiansheng Sect has been close to Zuo Lan¡¯s group, it¡¯s possible they had a hand in it.¡± ¡°Actually, there¡¯s another possibility. Do you know about Zuo Lan¡¯s background, Jiang Fellow Daoist?¡± Fang Jin asked. Jiang Hao took a sip of tea and replied calmly, ¡°The Great Thousand Divine Sect?¡± ¡°You¡¯re well-informed. We also began to suspect this after seeing his clone; it¡¯s likely the Great Thousand Spirit Clone from the Great Thousand Divine Sect,¡± Fang Jin sighed. ¡°The Great Thousand Divine Sect is usually in the Tianhe Sea, and coming here, they must be helping someone. In fact, it was our Mingyue Sect that drove them to the Tianhe Sea. So, it¡¯s quite possible that they inherently possess the ability to counter our sect¡¯s location-tracking divine abilities.¡± Jiang Hao nodded; this was the first he¡¯d heard of it. Of all the possibilities, Jiang Hao was most concerned about the connection with the Tiansheng Sect. He was not on good terms with the Tiansheng Sect. These people seemed convinced that he knew the secrets of the mine and were determined to learn it from him. Even Senior Sister Ming Yi, the reserve Saintess, had no solution, and in the future, he might have to use force to reveal the truth to them. But that would have to wait. If ten years weren¡¯t enough, then a hundred years; eventually, they would understand that Yan Hua hadn¡¯t shared the secret with anyone. After some more conversation, they ended their talk. Jiang Hao also learned that their senior might come over soon. Although he wasn¡¯t sure if it was true, Jiang Hao had already planned to give up the mission. These people were fairly easy to get along with, and for Mingyue Sect to go to such lengths for a disciple who hadn¡¯t even formally joined, it would actually be troublesome for him to bring the person back. It would be a shame to end up with neither credit nor blame. With the Demon Sect, nothing was impossible. Who knows how many spirit stones he would have to compensate the sect with? After going upstairs, Jiang Hao visited each guest one by one. He hoped they wouldn¡¯t enter the backyard during its closure. Chen Quan and the others assured that no one would disturb it, even saying they would have someone watch over it. This made Jiang Hao feel somewhat embarrassed, and in the end, to avoid owing them a favor, he gave them a mace of Snow After Spring. Chen Quan didn¡¯t want to accept it at first, fearing he might have the money to buy it but not the life to drink it. But Jiang Hao had already left. He had no choice but to reluctantly accept it. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 143 - How to Introduce the Female Demon Lord Chapter 143: How to Introduce the Female Demon Lord In the backyard. The sky gradually darkened, and today the outside was quite lively. Jiang Hao heard from the innkeeper that there was the triennial Lantern Festival outside. ¡°When does senior plan to leave?¡± At this moment, Hong Yuye was sitting in the pavilion, looking at the surrounding flowers, lost in thought. Finally, she turned her gaze to where the Tomorrow¡¯s Clear Snow would be planted: ¡°When will they sprout?¡± ¡°Tomorrow or the day after.¡± In truth, it would be the day after; tomorrow was the last day of watering, but Jiang Hao didn¡¯t dare to be too precise. Hong Yuye slowly stood up, looking at Jiang Hao calmly and asked, ¡°How long do you plan to stay here?¡± ¡°At least nine days,¡± Jiang Hao answered. During these nine days, he planned to look for clues while also comprehending the third style of the Heavenly Saber. To be prepared to deal with Zuo Lan. According to his plan, he would defeat Zuo Lan before he could obtain Nascent Soul-level power, but things rarely go as one imagines. So, it¡¯s important to be well-prepared. Hong Yuye didn¡¯t say anything, simply stepping outside. ¡°Senior, are you going to see the lanterns?¡± Jiang Hao followed and asked. Hearing about the lanterns, Hong Yuye glanced at the man beside her, silent. Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised; in that glance, he detected mockery. Or rather, the words ¡®childish¡¯ and ¡®naive.¡¯ It seemed that Hong Yuye had her own thoughts about going out, and it wasn¡¯t to see the lanterns. When they reached the street, Jiang Hao noticed that the lights were bright tonight. People were coming and going, talking to each other, creating an exceptionally lively scene. It was like a golden age on earth. This reminded him of his childhood when his stepmother seemed to have taken him to such festivals. Back then, before he started chopping wood, his father would carry him, and his stepmother would often complain. In that moment, he felt as if he saw the fireworks of the human world, and something stirred within him. This outing made him feel a lot. These were things he couldn¡¯t experience or understand within the sect. It was as if his half-year of tempering his mind in the Spiritual Medicine Garden couldn¡¯t compare to one trip home. He had a feeling that once he found his stepmother and the others, his state of mind would transform again. Would he be able to let go then? He didn¡¯t know. But it was this uncertainty that he needed to confront, to feel, to understand. Hiding alone in the sect was just empty enlightenment. Only by engaging with the world could he transcend it. At that moment, a clear and pleasant voice like birdsong came from beside him: ¡°Do you often space out?¡± ¡°No, I was just thinking about how crowded it is tonight and how to help senior navigate through the crowd safely.¡± Jiang Hao quickly returned to normal. ¡°You encountering the Mythical Beast Rabbit wasn¡¯t by chance,¡± Hong Yuye said with a light laugh, stepping forward. Indeed, it wasn¡¯t by chance because I cultivate the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, Jiang Hao sighed inwardly. Raising a rabbit isn¡¯t a bad thing; if there are similar creatures, I could continue to raise one. When it can no longer awaken its bloodline, I¡¯ll release it. It¡¯s better than causing trouble for myself. At first glance, the rabbit doesn¡¯t seem calm, full of lies and bound to cause trouble eventually. ¡°What do you think is the fundamental difference between you and your rabbit?¡± Hong Yuye asked along the way. She continued walking forward. Although the street was crowded with people coming and going, for some reason, the path they walked was very spacious. It seemed as if the people around were actively making way for them. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t care much; it would be strange if it weren¡¯t like this. ¡°The difference should be quite obvious,¡± Jiang Hao replied. He was human, and the rabbit was a demon. ¡°Let¡¯s assume it¡¯s quite obvious,¡± Hong Yuye didn¡¯t argue, and at that moment, she stopped in front of a mask stall. ¡°Senior, do you want this?¡± Jiang Hao asked curiously. Hong Yuye shook her head and continued walking forward. There were various noises around, and children were running all over the place. ¡°You can¡¯t catch me, you can¡¯t catch me.¡± ¡°Naughty boy, don¡¯t run off, or you¡¯ll cry if you get lost.¡± Jiang Hao watched as a woman scolded a little boy. Too mischievous, I wasn¡¯t like this when I was young, Jiang Hao subconsciously compared himself. Shaking his head slightly, he mocked himself, thinking it was childish to compare himself to a kid. He followed Hong Yuye until they finally left the crowd and arrived at a pavilion by the river. Lanterns hung around, and river lanterns could be faintly seen floating by. Since they didn¡¯t bring any tea utensils, they couldn¡¯t make tea. With nothing to do, he could only look around. After hesitating, he turned to Hong Yuye and said, ¡°Senior, would you like to release a river lantern?¡± As soon as Jiang Hao finished speaking, he saw the beautiful woman beside him glance at him, her eyes exactly the same as before, conveying just one word: childish. And so, the two of them sat in the pavilion, watching everything around them. No longer conversing, just quietly observing. A gentle breeze blew by. The corners of Hong Yuye¡¯s fairy-like dress fluttered with the wind. A faint and familiar fragrance entered Jiang Hao¡¯s sense of smell. It was the same scent he had subconsciously remembered from the first time he smelled it. That was one evening... At this thought, he immediately interrupted his train of thought, not daring to continue reminiscing. ¡°How did you introduce me?¡± Hong Yuye suddenly asked. Jiang Hao was surprised and didn¡¯t understand the meaning of her question. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say someone asked you about me?¡± Hong Yuye looked at Jiang Hao with a cold gaze. ¡°How did you introduce me?¡± For a moment, Jiang Hao thought of that little girl; had this matter been discovered? Remembering the girl¡¯s question, he broke out in a cold sweat. ¡°I haven¡¯t introduced you yet,¡± Jiang Hao replied. He indeed hadn¡¯t answered anyone. ¡°How do you plan to answer?¡± Hong Yuye¡¯s voice seemed to carry a hint of a cold laugh. ¡°How does senior think I should respond?¡± Jiang Hao tossed the question back. However, just as he threw the question back, he felt an overwhelming power that seemed capable of obliterating the entire city in an instant, let alone a Golden Core cultivator like himself. Under such pressure, Jiang Hao quickly spoke up, ¡°I¡¯ve thought it through, just waiting for them to ask.¡± As soon as he finished speaking, the presence completely vanished. Hong Yuye didn¡¯t ask anything further. ¡°Master Chen, look over there, there¡¯s a pavilion that seems perfect for watching the river lanterns later,¡± a light laughter came from not too far away. Jiang Hao turned his head and saw a group of people approaching. Leading them was a man and a woman, followed by some attendants. The one who spoke was the woman in front. She was fairly attractive, and that was about it. ¡°Ah, there are people up there,¡± the woman said with some disappointment upon seeing Jiang Hao and the other person. ¡°What a pity, we can¡¯t go up.¡± After saying this, she looked expectantly at the young Master Chen beside her. Jiang Hao also looked at this Master Chen, who turned out to be no ordinary person, with a Qi Refining level of fifth level; his strength was quite decent. When Master Chen saw Jiang Hao, he instinctively wanted to have someone drive them away, but after getting a clear look at Jiang Hao¡¯s face, he froze for a moment, then slapped the woman¡¯s face with the back of his hand. A loud smack echoed. This was followed by Master Chen¡¯s angry voice: ¡°Knowing there are people here, you still come to disturb?¡± The slap left the woman dazed, and the attendants behind her were equally stunned. Jiang Hao sighed inwardly, suddenly feeling that these people were less interesting than those on the streets. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Hong Yuye stepped away from the pavilion. Jiang Hao nodded and followed: ¡°Where does senior want to go?¡± ¡°To release river lanterns,¡± Hong Yuye said offhandedly. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Isn¡¯t that childish? Chapter 144 - If you summon the river god, I can grant him a wish Chapter 144: If you summon the river god, I can grant him a wish Hong Yuye and Jiang Hao walked along the riverbank towards the crowd. The area upstream was where the river lanterns were sold. To release them, naturally, they had to go there. As for the young Master Chen, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t care. But he was curious. The gazes of these people were twisted by Hong Yuye¡¯s power, yet the result of the distortion was consistent. So, what did they see when they looked at him? Out of curiosity, he asked Hong Yuye. However, Hong Yuye just glanced at him with a cold smirk in her eyes. Feeling a bit uneasy, Jiang Hao¡¯s heart pounded. Later, he looked at his reflection in the river water and saw his normal self. It seemed he was unaffected. Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t quite figure out Hong Yuye¡¯s personality and how she might twist appearances. But it didn¡¯t matter much. Ugly or ordinary, it wasn¡¯t a big deal. At least it was safe. As long as he was careful, there shouldn¡¯t be any problems. After a while, they reached the upper part of the river, where the surroundings were open, and many people were holding river lanterns, planning to release them. There were also stalls selling them, offering various kinds of river lanterns. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Once Hong Yuye found a good spot to wait, Jiang Hao went to pick out two lotus-shaped river lanterns. Handing the lanterns to Hong Yuye, he explained: ¡°I just heard from the vendors that releasing river lanterns is an annual event, used for making wishes and praying for blessings. Senior can make a wish and see.¡± Taking the river lantern, Hong Yuye looked down at the lotus paper lantern in her hands and chuckled: ¡°Who am I supposed to make this wish to?¡± ¡°The river god?¡± Jiang Hao said uncertainly. ¡°Are you asking me to make a wish to the river god for blessings?¡± Hong Yuye looked deeply at Jiang Hao. Her eyes conveyed disdain, as if to say, if you can summon him, I can grant him a wish. ¡°...¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat speechless, then quickly changed his statement. ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s about making a wish to the heavens for blessings?¡± Perhaps finding this explanation more acceptable, Hong Yuye didn¡¯t question it further but instead asked another question: ¡°What is your wish?¡± Mining... Jiang Hao looked down at the river lantern and said, ¡°Most of the time, it¡¯s just to live safely.¡± ¡°Are you not safe now?¡± Hong Yuye asked back, squatting by the river. ¡°Under senior¡¯s protection, indeed, it¡¯s very safe,¡± Jiang Hao said half-truthfully. It was true that there were no external threats, but he himself was not safe at all because he couldn¡¯t resist Hong Yuye. At that moment, he also squatted by the river, gently placing the river lantern on the water¡¯s surface. At this moment, if he were to make a wish, he actually felt a bit lost. What flashed through his mind was not mining or peaceful cultivation but scenes from his childhood. It seemed that what he truly cared about might be his father and the others. Mining was something he could strive to accomplish on his own, and living quietly, striving to survive, was something he had always been doing. Such things didn¡¯t require a wish. It was only the stepmother and the others, completely beyond his capabilities, that brought about the idea of making a wish for blessings. ¡®I wonder if my stepmother will still suppress me when she sees me.¡¯ With this doubt, he released the river lantern, letting it drift downstream. Hong Yuye also slowly let go of the river lantern in her hand. Jiang Hao took a special look at her expression, which was as calm as ever, revealing nothing. Afterward, the two of them stood up and watched the river lanterns drift away until they were out of sight. At this time, a large number of river lanterns appeared, covering the surface of the river. It was quite a spectacle. ¡°Let¡¯s go back,¡± Hong Yuye suddenly said. Jiang Hao felt that her mood was not very high. She seemed to have something on her mind. However, he didn¡¯t ask. The two turned around and slowly walked back to the inn. Along the way, they saw many people and lanterns, and it took quite some time to stop and go before they finally returned to the inn. After escorting Hong Yuye back to her room, Jiang Hao opened the door to his own room alone. Back in his room, he looked out the window at the full moon, puzzled. Wasn¡¯t this trip for the Lantern Festival? Well, it was probably for the best. If Hong Yuye was planning something, it would be too fatal for this city. And for him, tonight had actually brought quite a few gains. The act of making a wish had subconsciously made many things clear to him. The journey also let him experience the human world and its flourishing beauty. Although disasters and calamities were more likely to provoke deep feelings, it was better for them not to happen. He had seen such things in his childhood, although he didn¡¯t remember them clearly, but there were people lying everywhere, and everyone¡¯s eyes seemed to shine when they looked at him. With a sigh, Jiang Hao sat on the bed and took out ¡°Heavenly Saber Seven Forms.¡± After adjusting his state, he activated the divine ability Clear Heart and Pure Mind. In an instant, his mind became tranquil, and many things he didn¡¯t understand suddenly had answers. He was also quickly digesting the things he had contemplated before. It was a long-lost feeling. This time he could properly comprehend the third form. ...... Early morning. Jiang Hao closed the book, exhausted. His progress in comprehension was swift. He vaguely felt that his use of divine abilities had become more proficient, probably because his divine abilities had improved a bit. The pills given by Hong Yuye were indeed very good. Whether it was pills, formations, or techniques, nothing that came from her hands was ordinary. But the more powerful they were, the more Jiang Hao felt it was a pity. Because he probably couldn¡¯t afford these pills. After putting away the book, Jiang Hao went to the backyard to water the plants with the third bottle of spiritual liquid. They should sprout tomorrow. Then bubbles would appear. Thinking back, he hadn¡¯t seen a single bubble these days. He missed it a bit. After finishing these tasks, he went to the street to buy some tea snacks. On his return, he saw the little girl from before, who also had tea snacks in her hand, but they seemed to taste even better. ¡°Little girl,¡± Jiang Hao called out to her. Hearing this, the little girl looked up at him and immediately bowed her head and said: ¡°What do you need, sir?¡± ¡°Where did you buy those tea snacks in your hand?¡± Jiang Hao made his intention clear. ¡°This?¡± The little girl lifted the tea snacks in her hand and said: ¡°It¡¯s from Grandma Xu at the street corner, the best in Tiantu City.¡± After thanking her, Jiang Hao hurried over there. In the little girl¡¯s eyes, this was a guest¡¯s love for his lady. How envious. Shortly after. Jiang Hao placed two kinds of tea snacks in front of Hong Yuye. One looked good and tasted not bad, while the other tasted better but was less appealing in appearance. He didn¡¯t know which one Hong Yuye would prefer. After doing this, he returned to his room to start making talismans. In the morning, he made talismans, and in the afternoon, he went around to check on things. To see if there were any other clues. ...... The next day. A fragrant scent came from the backyard, carrying a faint spiritual energy. It was the Tomorrow¡¯s Clear Snow that had sprouted tender shoots, surprising everyone at the inn. Just smelling it made them feel refreshed and clear-headed. Jiang Hao was the first to arrive in the backyard and saw two green bubbles. He was slightly disappointed. ¡¾Ordinary Spirit Sword +1¡¿ ¡¾Ordinary Spirit Sword +1¡¿ ... It can sell for fourteen spirit stones. ¡°Tomorrow¡¯s Clear Snow, I didn¡¯t expect they were planting this.¡± Bai Qiong, descending the stairs, looked towards the backyard somewhat surprised. Yesterday, they had visited Heavenly Lake and also discovered the altar. Afterward, they decided to follow Jiang Hao¡¯s advice to investigate secretly for the next few days so as not to startle the snake by hitting the grass. ¡°As for the efficacy of this spiritual medicine, let¡¯s not mention it. It¡¯s not easy to transplant; it seems it¡¯s just to temporarily improve the environment.¡± Fang Jin expressed some admiration. It wasn¡¯t that he admired their abundance of spirit stones but rather that they still had the energy to do these things while pursuing their enemies. After that, they didn¡¯t pay it much mind. Ever since Tomorrow¡¯s Clear Snow sprouted, Jiang Hao had moved his talisman-making to the backyard. It was easier to succeed here. But in reality, the success rate had decreased... Hong Yuye was affecting him. One reason was his unstable state of mind. The occasional emanation of the other¡¯s aura was the second reason. Chapter 145 - The Luxury of the Wealthy Chapter 145: The Luxury of the Wealthy In theory, as long as Jiang Hao didn¡¯t look at Hong Yuye, his heart wouldn¡¯t be restless. But being too close still had some effect. Plus, Hong Yuye would unconsciously emit some aura. Very subtle. It seemed that she would do this whenever she spaced out. As such, it affected Jiang Hao¡¯s talisman-making. With no other choice, he could only return to his room to make talismans. However, he shortened the talisman-making time, spending most of his time in the backyard. He was mainly worried that someone might bump into Hong Yuye, and who knows what would happen if he wasn¡¯t there. To him, Hong Yuye was a terrifying presence that could explode at any moment, and others were unaware. If provoked, the entire inn might just vanish. And there was no shortage of people who were ignorant of the ways of the world. Young masters and misses from wealthy families, outstanding disciples from sects. And some servants who relied on others¡¯ power. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They were all prone to offending people. So with Hong Yuye in the backyard, Jiang Hao felt uneasy when he wasn¡¯t there. And so, seven days passed. Eight days since the altar inspection. Meaning today was the ninth day. Tomorrow would be the day Zuo Lan appeared. These days, he would follow Hong Yuye to the backyard in the morning, make talismans at noon, and gather information in the afternoon. In the evening, he would bring back some snacks. At night, he would contemplate the third form of the Heavenly Saber, Meteor. He had only begun to grasp it last night. It was very powerful, but he hadn¡¯t tested it yet. And it was somewhat difficult to control. It was a pity there wasn¡¯t more time; otherwise, he would at least have mastered it to the point of being able to use it freely. ¡°You seem to be overthinking things a bit,¡± Hong Yuye¡¯s voice came through. In the backyard, Jiang Hao was tending to Tomorrow¡¯s Clear Snow. Under his care, occasionally a white bubble would pop out. His spirit was strengthened. Although extremely slight. However, he didn¡¯t want to absorb the bubbles in front of Hong Yuye, so he didn¡¯t want to collect more white bubbles. With Hong Yuye¡¯s understanding of the nameless secret manual, she might notice something. But regarding her recent statement, Jiang Hao was somewhat puzzled. What was he thinking about? ¡°Very cautious,¡± Hong Yuye added. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Jiang Hao replied. Although he didn¡¯t know which matter Hong Yuye was referring to, that was just how he got by. With his own strength not being strong, being careful could help him live a little longer. Hong Yuye looked at Jiang Hao and said with a soft laugh: ¡°Have you been guarding against others offending me these past few days?¡± So it was about that. Jiang Hao understood and corrected: ¡°I¡¯m afraid of others disturbing senior¡¯s peace.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± After giving Jiang Hao a deep look, Hong Yuye¡¯s red lips parted slightly. ¡°Then I¡¯ll take it that¡¯s what you think.¡± At that moment, she looked down at the teapot on the table and said: ¡°Let¡¯s change the tea.¡± ¡°It was just brewed.¡± A pot of Snow After Spring cost fifty-five spirit stones, and Jiang Hao felt it was a bit wasteful. ¡°Take out the best tea you have and brew it,¡± Hong Yuye said, pouring the tea into the flower bed. The best tea? Jiang Hao immediately thought of Azure Red Sky. He had purchased Azure Red Sky but hadn¡¯t told the woman in front of him, worrying that if she drank it, he¡¯d have to dip into his savings to buy more. Better to act as if he hadn¡¯t bought it yet. He didn¡¯t know how she found out. With no choice, he had to bring out the Azure Red Sky. ¡°Are you wondering how I knew?¡± Seeing the decent quality tea leaves, Hong Yuye spoke with a smile. ¡°Tiantu City isn¡¯t big, and the inn houses quite a few people. Azure Red Sky is a treasure here, and its purchase can become big news that spreads.¡± Saying this, Hong Yuye looked at Jiang Hao, her eyes twinkling with a smile. ¡°Who in the entire Tiantu City would buy Azure Red Sky?¡± With a slightly teasing look in her eyes, Hong Yuye watched as Jiang Hao realized he had been duped. Could it be that if he had just said ¡®no¡¯ earlier, he could have bluffed his way through? ¡°Do you think that if you had just said ¡®no¡¯ earlier, there would be no issue?¡± Hong Yuye picked up her teacup and gently sniffed it, reminding him. ¡°The fragrance of Azure Red Sky can subtly affect the surrounding tea leaves, and your Snow After Spring was placed right next to Azure Red Sky. Isn¡¯t that blatantly telling me that you bought Azure Red Sky without making a sound?¡± So that was it, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but lament that he needed to catch up on his knowledge of tea. At that moment, the fragrance of Azure Red Sky wafted out from the tea. Refreshing and invigorating. After pouring a cup for Hong Yuye, Jiang Hao also sat down and poured one for himself. At nine thousand three hundred spirit stones per mace, he had to steel himself to drink a cup of this tea. Once the Azure Red Sky was ready, the fragrance filled the air. Many in the inn caught the scent. The three people who had just returned from outside, Fang Jin and his companions, were also surprised by the fragrance of the tea. ¡°Azure Red Sky,¡± exclaimed the Fairy Lan Jin. ¡°I¡¯ve seen my master brew it before, only when receiving a great senior. How could someone have brought this tea here to brew?¡± ¡°It¡¯s coming from the backyard,¡± Bai Qiong was somewhat shocked. ¡°Who exactly are they? To be willing to drink such tea?¡± ¡°I wonder what it tastes like,¡± Fang Jin said with some emotion, then quickly added: ¡°Let¡¯s take advantage of the tea fragrance and go to the second floor to cultivate, just in time to prepare for tomorrow¡¯s event.¡± Tomorrow was the sacrificial day mentioned by Jiang Hao, when Zuo Lan would appear, and their Junior Sister might also be found. After drinking a cup of tea, Jiang Hao felt the spiritual energy within it was abundant, the tea entering his mouth warm and smooth, and in the blink of an eye, his whole body felt comfortable. This sensation delighted him, and subconsciously, he began to practice the third form of the Heavenly Saber, which he had not yet fully mastered. This time, the power flowed smoothly, as if the spiritual energy brought by the Azure Red Sky could help with the evolution. Seeing this, Jiang Hao momentarily wanted to demonstrate this strike within his body. At this moment, he felt as if he was holding the Heavenly Saber, wielding the third form of the Heavenly Saber. The power circulated within his body, and the technique was practiced in his mind. As the practice began, Jiang Hao felt his grasp of the third form of the Heavenly Saber getting faster and faster. Not only that, but he even began to practice the first and second forms. For a while, all three forms were being practiced. Time passed without him knowing how long, and the special changes brought by the Azure Red Sky gradually disappeared. The comfortable feeling slowly faded, but he had gained some understanding of the three forms of the Heavenly Saber. When he opened his eyes again, the sun was directly overhead. It seemed not much time had passed. ¡°Is it only noon?¡± he asked subconsciously. ¡°The second day at noon,¡± Hong Yuye, sitting opposite him, kindly reminded. ¡°The second day?¡± Jiang Hao was surprised. Had the day Zuo Lan was to appear arrived? He knew that Zuo Lan was supposed to act today, but he wasn¡¯t sure of the time. It could have been in the morning or even at night. But now the morning had been missed. He had lost time. Once Jiang Hao was sure of his condition, he said to Hong Yuye: ¡°Senior, we should set off.¡± This time, with clear news of Zuo Lan, there was no need for him to go alone. Hong Yuye also wanted to get the stone tablet as soon as possible. So she would certainly go. After Hong Yuye got up, Jiang Hao took the teapot. He looked at the tea leaves inside, thinking they could be kept to nourish the soil. This cup of tea had greatly enhanced his understanding of the Heavenly Saber. He could now wield the third form with ease. He wondered if drinking it again would have the same effect. After a short while, checking his divine powers and the attack of his wrist guard, Jiang Hao and Hong Yuye left the inn. ...... In the woods, under the sunlight, Jiang Hao and Hong Yuye stood under a tree, looking at a building in the distance. That was where the altar was located. There was a window through which they could see inside, and so far, there had been no movement. ¡°We might have to wait until evening,¡± Jiang Hao explained. Hong Yuye leaped up and sat on a tree branch. Too conspicuous, Jiang Hao thought to remind her but didn¡¯t dare to speak. But then again, if Hong Yuye didn¡¯t want to be discovered, no one else would be able to notice her either. ...... At night, moonlight spilled from the high sky, covering the previously dark woods with a silver veil. Jiang Hao looked up at the moonlight, then down at the altar. He noticed that under the moonlight, the altar was actually emitting a faint glow. It was as if the power was being activated, but just lacking a little something. At that moment, he sensed someone approaching the altar building. ¡°They¡¯re here.¡± Chapter 146 - What Can You Do to Me? Chapter 146: What Can You Do to Me? Under the moonlight, Hong Yuye sat on a tree branch, gazing into the distance. Jiang Hao stood under the tree, always feeling that Hong Yuye was like a red shadow in the darkness. Slightly eerie. When there was a disturbance, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t pay attention to Hong Yuye in the tree anymore but stared in the direction of the building. His position was quite obvious, but since Hong Yuye was sitting on a tree branch, it indicated that this place wouldn¡¯t attract attention. Jiang Hao had already made preliminary observations of the other areas and so far hadn¡¯t found Fang Jin and his people. He wondered where they were hiding. ¡°Stay put and you¡¯ll suffer less,¡± said one of the four adult men escorting a group of children with black hoods over their heads, as Jiang Hao observed carefully. Nine children, five adults. Among the five adults, four were escorting, and the fifth walked at the back. The first four included two at the early stage of Golden Core, one at the late stage, and one at the peak of Golden Core. The man at the back had a commanding presence, his brows sharp like swords, exuding authority without anger. He was also at the peak of Golden Core cultivation. ¡®So strong?¡¯ Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. These five people seemed a bit too powerful. However, the person at the back must be Zuo Lan, only... ¡°Is it a clone? Then where is his real body?¡± Jiang Hao muttered to himself, subconsciously glancing at the woman in the tree. ¡°You don¡¯t need me to tell you what to do. Make your own decisions and act accordingly. I will neither influence you nor assist you,¡± Hong Yuye said softly, looking down at Jiang Hao. This response was within Jiang Hao¡¯s expectations. If Golden Core cultivators needed Hong Yuye to take action, then there was no need to bring him along. ¡®The other four aren¡¯t clones, but I don¡¯t feel any magical connection with Zuo Lan¡¯s clone. That means Zuo Lan is still hiding.¡¯ ¡®Is he waiting for the final power to appear before he makes his move?¡¯ ¡®Will I still have time to act then?¡¯ Not only these concerns, but Jiang Hao also realized that with two at the peak of Golden Core here, plus one Zuo Lan in his true form, that would make three. By then, he might be forced into a tough battle. Although he hoped for a tough fight, naturally it would be best to crush the enemy with one blow. He subconsciously touched his forehead; his divine ability could reappear without issue. This divine ability had become his trump card for the night; whether he could take down Zuo Lan in one fell swoop depended on this ability. At this moment, the nine children were brought to the altar next to the stone pillars. Since their heads were covered, Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t sure if there were any girls among them. Everyone¡¯s clothes were quite similar. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It seemed that the disciples of the Mingyue Sect also came from poor families. ¡°Stand still and don¡¯t move. You won¡¯t die, but struggling will make it easier for you to die,¡± a man said, kicking a child. From a distance, Jiang Hao seemed to hear the child stifling sobs. But he did not act, instead, he waited quietly. After the children were tied up, they took out daggers to start cutting their wrists. As they were about to cut the children¡¯s wrists, Jiang Hao saw a sword light flash in the distance. ¡°You Demon Sect scum.¡± It was Fairy Lan Jin who took action. Jiang Hao felt no disturbance in his heart and continued to watch quietly. As for the insult to the Demon Sect, that was normal; the Demon Sect¡¯s actions were indeed detestable. The Tianyin Sect also had a notorious reputation, and ordinary cultivators would pale at the mention of it. Some immortal sects also considered them worthy of extermination. This was why Jiang Hao wanted to clear his name; carrying the Tianyin Sect¡¯s name to other places was quite troublesome. The Tianyin Sect was not small, but not big enough. If it could rival the Haotian Sect, the situation might be better. But there was a high chance of being attacked by many. He still needed to clear his name. Boom! The moment Fairy Lan Jin made her move, two other places near the building launched surprise attacks. ¡°So the first one was a decoy.¡± Jiang Hao thought that Fairy Lan Jin had messed things up. Fang Jin moved quickly, injuring one at the peak of Golden Core. Although it wasn¡¯t a serious injury, he would have the upper hand in the subsequent fight. Bai Qiong was even more so; the Golden Core late-stage cultivator seemed no match for her. However... among Zuo Lan¡¯s group, there was more than one at the peak of Golden Core. At this time, Zuo Lan was helping the children to bleed one by one. Jiang Hao watched without moving. Zuo Lan¡¯s main body had not yet appeared and now was not the time to act hastily. The absence of the main body meant that the stone tablet was not present, which was a significant impact on him. But without the stone tablet, how would they activate the altar? Boom! The aftermath of the fight blew open the building, exposing the entire altar under the moonlight. Fang Jin looked anxiously at the activated altar, unsure of what the other party was planning to do. However, the Golden Core peak cultivator was clinging to him. Defeating the opponent wasn¡¯t difficult, but it would take some time. But what he lacks the most right now is time. ¡°Senior Brother, Senior Sister...¡± At this moment, Fairy Lan Jin called out as if seeking help. She was at a disadvantage fighting against two Golden Core early-stage cultivators alone. Although her strength was outstanding and her magical treasures were remarkable, her lack of combat experience soon put her at a disadvantage. ¡°Junior Sister, don¡¯t panic. They are no match for you. Steady your mind and analyze their movements. Think of the spells, movement techniques, and sword techniques you know. Apply them, and you will be able to defeat those two easily. They are not strong,¡± Fang Jin reminded her. ¡°Not strong? To deal with this little girl, we are more than enough,¡± one of the Golden Core early-stage men roared as he began to intensify his attacks. They also knew that if they let their opponent get accustomed to the fight, it would be dangerous for them. The power of this spiritual sword was too strong. ¡°Junior Sister, hold on a little longer.¡± Bai Qiong applied her magic seals, and the power of her spells suppressed the enemies. Thunder was summoned by her, and the lightning, like swords, swept across all directions. But it was unable to threaten the altar. At this moment, Fang Jin was somewhat puzzled, as he had not yet seen Jiang Hao. He wondered whether Jiang Hao was hiding in the shadows or had not come at all. ¡°People from the Mingyue Sect are nothing special after all,¡± Zuo Lan on the altar said, shaking his head as he looked at Fang Jin and the others. ¡°I even prepared extra measures, thinking they would be necessary.¡± ¡°Zuo Lan, do you realize you¡¯ve captured our Junior Sister?¡± Fang Jin questioned. But the sword in his hand did not weaken; instead, it suppressed the Golden Core completion-stage opponent with even greater force. The opponent had been at the completion stage for a long time and was quite strong. Otherwise, Fang Jin wouldn¡¯t have had to spend so much time. ¡°Of course, I know. But what can you do about it? Aren¡¯t you still unable to do anything to me? I heard a long time ago that the Tianyin Sect also had the idea of taking her as a disciple. Do you think if I send her there, they will give me a large sum of spirit stones?¡± Zuo Lan said as he activated the altar. ¡°I guess you¡¯ll be double-crossed by the Tianyin Sect. If you send her there, you¡¯re sure to die,¡± Fairy Lan Jin angrily said. ¡°Evil people killing scum, that¡¯s just perfect.¡± ¡°Thanks for the reminder. After tonight, I¡¯ll sell her somewhere else,¡± Zuo Lan said with a grateful smile. ¡°You...¡± Fairy Lan Jin was furious. At this time, Zuo Lan calmly took out a slate and placed it on the altar. Seeing this, the others felt nothing, but Jiang Hao paid attention. The slate looked like the Secret Whisper Slate, but to Jiang Hao, who had two slates, it was clear at a glance that the opponent¡¯s slate had a slightly different aura. ¡°Fake?¡± Jiang Hao was puzzled. ¡°Can a fake also serve as a medium?¡± In his confusion, he used the breath observation technique he learned from the Nameless Secret Manual to analyze the slate. He discovered that it seemed to be connected to something. ¡°A fake slate connected to a real one, using it as a medium?¡± Jiang Hao was shocked. Zuo Lan was careful to this extent? Chapter 147 - Instant Kill Chapter 147: Instant Kill Seeing that the fake slate could resonate with the real one, Jiang Hao knew that the real slate must be nearby. Moreover, the fact that the other party could do this indicated a deep understanding of the slates. Capturing the original should reveal more information. But finding the other party was somewhat difficult. Use the slate to investigate? It would alert the enemy, and if not close enough, he wouldn¡¯t be able to find the exact location. If the other party noticed, who knows what would happen? If they retreated, it would be harder to find them again. Currently, everything about the altar had little value to Jiang Hao. Thinking this, he decided to continue waiting. Since the other party needed Nascent Soul-level power, that power would definitely appear when it manifested. Seeing Zuo Lan¡¯s caution, Jiang Hao subconsciously glanced at Hong Yuye. He wanted to tell her that being cautious was the norm. However, Hong Yuye seemed to see through his thoughts and took the initiative to speak, ¡°Are you trying to tell me that there are many cautious people out there?¡± ¡°The junior believes that there are always enemies who are cautious, and we cannot let our guard down,¡± Jiang Hao replied. ¡°It¡¯s different,¡± Hong Yuye said softly, shaking her head slightly as her hair swayed gently. ¡°You have a fundamental difference from him. You don¡¯t want to offend people, nor do you want to draw attention.¡± ¡°Zuo Lan, on the other hand, is the exact opposite. He is not afraid of trouble and doesn¡¯t worry about attracting attention. He prides himself on being smart and wise, not fearing difficulties, and leaving no stone unturned. He is confident, even enjoying it.¡± ¡°Confident?¡± Jiang Hao looked at the altar, which was starting to glow. It seemed he could understand. Zuo Lan knew that people from the Mingyue Sect would come and that other slate owners were in Tiantu City. Yet, he still made preparations and began the sacrifice right here. He successfully held off Fang Jin and others, starting his final plan right under their noses. He even made many preparations, waiting for those who would cause trouble. While being cautious, he also seemed to have enough confidence in himself. In light of this, Jiang Hao decided to work harder in the future to improve his cultivation. To avoid falling into these people¡¯s traps unknowingly. As long as his strength was sufficient, he could be more composed. Boom! Fang Jin kept erupting, bombarding the surroundings with powerful spells. He saw the altar fully activated, with an immensely powerful force converging within it. Once this force finished gathering, not to mention saving Junior Sister, whether everyone could leave alive was in question. ¡°Junior Sister Bai, take action,¡± Fang Jin directed Bai Qiong. Understanding his command, Bai Qiong stepped back a little and then, like lightning needles, her attacks pierced the surroundings of the building. She stood in the air, her long hair flowing with the wind. Lightning surged around her. Above in the high sky, thunder roared. Then, thunderous sounds came from the ground. ¡°Heavenly Cycle Thunder Formation.¡± Bai Qiong shouted softly, and countless bolts of lightning rose from the ground, resonating with the thunderclouds. Boom! Thunder exploded in the sky. Thousands of lightning bolts covered the entire building, beginning to attack the altar. ¡°So you¡¯ve set up the Heavenly Cycle Thunder Formation here. I thought you had some kind of trump card,¡± Zuo Lan sneered, standing atop the altar. His body radiated light, and the surrounding void brought forth a new force of will. Facing the lightning array, Zuo Lan simply pinched a technique, and the pillars around the altar began to burst with blood-red light. The light converged into a shield, covering the altar. Boom! Lightning struck down. ¡°Ah ah~¡± The nine children tied to the pillars screamed in unison. ¡°Haha, this Blood Fiend Formation uses their fresh blood as a catalyst. Keep bombing, and once their blood runs dry, the formation will break,¡± Zuo Lan mocked Bai Qiong in the air. Now, Bai Qiong was in a dilemma about whether to continue the attack or not. While she hesitated, a force struck at her, forcing her to stop the array. Since she couldn¡¯t attack, she had to decisively give up. ¡°Your weaknesses are too obvious.¡± Zuo Lan sneered, feeling the powerful force converging, ¡°Do you know why I covered their faces? This way, you can¡¯t find your target to save, and you can¡¯t be sure if that child is even here. What if she was never in my hands? Hahaha.¡± Fang Jin and the others furrowed their brows, but the powerful force in the altar demanded their attention. If the opponent could control that kind of power, they would have no other options. ¡°You¡¯re not stupid, but you¡¯re not that smart either.¡± Zuo Lan sighed, looking around, ¡°There should be more people, why haven¡¯t they shown up yet? I¡¯ve prepared quite a few things to welcome them; I hope I haven¡¯t scared them away?¡± By now, he had absorbed most of the power, and the aura of Nascent Soul level power began to overflow. Without a doubt, he had transcended the Golden Core. Fang Jin felt a sense of urgency. But he thought the person Zuo Lan was waiting for must be Jiang Hao and others; he was also curious about what the other party was waiting for. Fairy Lan Jin felt that Jiang Hao¡¯s strength was limited, and it was normal for him not to dare to come out. Wouldn¡¯t coming out be seeking death? Not everyone was like them, coming to save a fellow sect sister. ¡°Since no one is coming out, then forget it,¡± Zuo Lan squatted down, pressing his hand on the stone slab. Seeing this, Jiang Hao¡¯s eyes narrowed; the opponent was about to transfer the Nascent Soul level power through the stone slab to his main body. Although he didn¡¯t understand what this power was about, he had to be cautious. He needed to catch the direction of the power¡¯s aura and stop the opponent¡¯s fusion as quickly as possible. Just now, when he felt the power surpassing the Golden Core, he sensed danger. He couldn¡¯t let Zuo Lan¡¯s main body gain power. However, as Jiang Hao prepared to strike at the surrounding area, he discovered that the Nascent Soul power was heading below the altar and was instantly received. A powerful force burst out from beneath the altar. Was Zuo Lan right below the altar? Jiang Hao, who had been ready to strike, gave up the idea, feeling bitter as it was too late. He could sense that the altar itself was covered with many formations, but he hadn¡¯t expected someone to be hiding within. ¡®I wonder if I would have detected Zuo Lan if I had just appraised the altar.¡¯ Jiang Hao sighed inwardly, knowing he would never get the answer. Boom! The Nascent Soul power erupted, and the altar couldn¡¯t withstand such a powerful surge, exploding instantly. The continuous loud noises shattered the altar, and debris scattered in all directions. The first to bear the brunt were the children. ¡°This is bad.¡± Fang Jin and the others wanted to take action to save them. The children couldn¡¯t withstand such an impact. But all three of them were blocked by Zuo Lan¡¯s men. They couldn¡¯t save them. At the same time, nine spiritual swords suddenly fell from the sky, with a loud bang, landing in front of the nine children. They blocked the flying debris. ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± One of the late-stage Golden Core cultivators who had been blocking Bai Qiong looked around. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But as he did, Bai Qiong noticed someone standing behind him, a person holding a dagger aiming for the Golden Core cultivator¡¯s neck. Pfft! The dagger, with the speed of lightning, pierced into the neck of the late-stage Golden Core cultivator. Feeling the sudden attack, the late-stage Golden Core cultivator wanted to flee from his spot. However, a spiritual sword appeared in front of him. Pfft! The spiritual sword pierced through his chest, penetrating his body. ¡°Who?¡± ¡°Who is it?¡± The late-stage Golden Core cultivator tried to locate his enemy, but as he stepped back twice, another spiritual sword stabbed him from behind. It too pierced through his body. He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his face filled with terror. Then, one after another, spiritual swords appeared from all directions, turning the late-stage Golden Core into a porcupine. Only then did Jiang Hao approach him, slowly removing the storage magical treasure, and comfortingly said. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯re not alone.¡± Chapter 148 - Crushing Zuo Lan with Absolute Strength Chapter 148: Crushing Zuo Lan with Absolute Strength Bai Qiong was momentarily stunned in place. From the appearance of the opponent to the cessation of the attack, it was only a matter of a few breaths. The late-stage Golden Core she had been fighting for so long was killed so effortlessly. There was not the slightest ripple caused. The only thing there was the struggle and terror of that person. Seeing Jiang Hao¡¯s appearance, Bai Qiong found it somewhat unbelievable. What level of cultivation did this person have? At this moment, Fang Jin and Lan Jin had both stopped fighting. They retreated, and the arrival of Jiang Hao was quite unexpected to them. Why come at this time? The Nascent Soul had already appeared; it was too late. ¡°Coming out at this time, were you waiting for me?¡± Zuo Lan¡¯s main body stood under the moonlight, exuding a powerful force. Nascent Soul Jiang Hao sighed inwardly as he looked at the opponent. He didn¡¯t want to engage with the Nascent Soul, even though the opponent wasn¡¯t a true Nascent Soul. But the strength was completely beyond that of a Golden Core. Such strength was the strongest he had encountered among his enemies. He lacked confidence. But if Hong Yuye didn¡¯t make a move, then he could only bite the bullet and go forward. He didn¡¯t know if being defeated would prompt Hong Yuye to take action, so he could only rely on himself to survive. ¡°I¡¯ve come for the stone tablet,¡± Jiang Hao said, looking at Zuo Lan. Zuo Lan had the appearance of someone in their late twenties, with pale skin and a well-defined, handsome face. His tall body surged with powerful vitality. ¡°Golden Core completion?¡± Zuo Lan looked at Jiang Hao and said with a sneer: ¡°What will you use to snatch the stone tablet from my hands? Just right, I will take you back. Your appearance has interrupted our plans, and your methods are quite peculiar; the people behind us also want to get something from you. You¡¯re looking for me, but actually, I¡¯ve been looking for you too.¡± Being targeted again, Jiang Hao sighed inwardly and asked, ¡°Who is the person behind you?¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t you meet them and find out?¡± Zuo Lan looked at Jiang Hao and said with disdain. ¡°You¡¯re really lucky, actually, I wanted to kill you. But I will spare your life.¡± Jiang Hao lowered his gaze; he actually wanted to launch a surprise attack, but Zuo Lan¡¯s clone was right behind him. There was no room for a sneak attack. Now he could only confront head-on. As for whether the opponent would speak, he wasn¡¯t in a hurry now. If he won, the initiative would be his. If he lost, asking anything would be meaningless. ¡°Make your move.¡± Zuo Lan didn¡¯t move himself, but he continued to stare at Fang Jin and the others and said: ¡°People of the Mingyue Sect, I¡¯m not interested in you right now, so you can take your people and leave.¡± ¡°Somebody would believe that, but I certainly don¡¯t,¡± Fang Jin didn¡¯t hesitate and prepared to make a move. Bai Qiong and the others also planned to take action. At this moment, a complete Golden Core and two early-stage Golden Cores together launched an attack on Jiang Hao. Fang Jin swung his long sword. Bai Qiong tried to activate the Thunder Formation again. Lan Jin gritted her teeth, not planning to drag their feet. However, just as they were about to make their move, a blade light suddenly swept past them. Heavenly Saber¡¯s third form, Meteor. Clang! The blade light was like a moon shadow, the figure like a meteor. In an instant, Jiang Hao arrived in front of the complete Golden Core, a slash passed, and the Meteor fell. Pfft! The complete Golden Core was slain with a single slash, and the light did not stop there, appearing again in front of the early-stage Golden Cores. The blade passed like the shadow of a meteor. After just a couple of flashes, the two early-stage Golden Cores were instantly slain. The third form of the Heavenly Saber was the combination of sword technique and movement technique. Arriving at the enemy¡¯s side with the fastest speed, slaying them, and then moving on to another. This one slash could consecutively slay seven people. It was only when he struck down the fourth person that Jiang Hao fully activated the Primordial Heart Sutra. He approached Zuo Lan, who was at the Nascent Soul stage. ¡°Hidden Spirit Manifestation.¡± The full power of the Golden Core emerged from the spiritual platform, augmenting Jiang Hao¡¯s body. He was now empowered with the third form of the Heavenly Saber. At the same time, Purple Qi appeared, spreading over his entire body and also covering the blade in his hand. Slash! Jiang Hao unleashed his strongest power to date with a single slash. Because the Meteor moved so swiftly, by the time Jiang Hao reached Zuo Lan, Zuo Lan had only just begun to react. Facing a slash that completely surpassed the Golden Core level, he dared not be careless and immediately used a defensive treasure. Crack! Bang! The Purple Qi swept across, shattering the defensive treasure and striking Zuo Lan¡¯s arm. With a bang, Zuo Lan was sent flying, blood gushing from his arm. He was severely injured by a complete Golden Core slash. At this moment, everyone was stunned. From the moment Jiang Hao drew his blade to Zuo Lan¡¯s injury, it was but a breath¡¯s time. It was too fast, so fast that they didn¡¯t even understand what had happened. Meanwhile, Jiang Hao did not stop; after sending Zuo Lan flying, he landed beside Zuo Lan¡¯s clone. Without hesitation, a long spear appeared in his hand, covered with Purple Qi, and then he struck down. Boom! The clone of Zuo Lan didn¡¯t even have time to react before Jiang Hao broke open his skull and casually killed him. The Purple Qi began to spread around, and as Jiang Hao took a step forward, he struck again. Moon Slash. The moonlight manifested. This time Zuo Lan began to counterattack, wielding an eight-sided sword to fight back. ¡°You¡¯re not a Golden Core? No, you are a Golden Core. I don¡¯t believe that a mere Golden Core at full completion could be my match.¡± Clang! For a moment, power surged, and blades and swords clashed. Jiang Hao was covered in Purple Qi, using his overwhelming power to suppress his opponent. A single Moon Slash drove the opponent back, followed by the second form of the Heavenly Saber, Mountain Suppressor. Bang! The surrounding buildings and trees instantly turned into rubble and sawdust, and Zuo Lan, heavily injured by the Mountain Suppressor, swung his heavy sword at Jiang Hao. The third form of the Heavenly Saber, Meteor. In that moment, Jiang Hao transformed into a Meteor and vanished from his original spot, appearing in front of Zuo Lan and slashing out, breaking the eight-sided sword on the spot. Then he disappeared again, reappearing behind Zuo Lan, and with the force of thunder, his second slash swept past the side of Zuo Lan¡¯s neck. Spurt! Blood gushed out. Zuo Lan clutched his neck in panic. ¡°How is this possible? Who exactly are you?¡± As a Nascent Soul, he was being overwhelmed by a Golden Core. At this moment, the Meteor flashed by, and a long blade pierced his chest. Front, back, side. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Several blades impaled Zuo Lan. By the time the Meteor ended, Zuo Lan was heavily injured and kneeling on the ground, with Jiang Hao standing in front of him, the blade wrist-guard Mountain Suppressor ready. Slash! ¡°Ah!¡± A scream rang out. Blood spilled onto the earth, and at that moment, Zuo Lan completely lost his ability to fight. His body seemed to have been cut by countless blades. Seeing this, Jiang Hao retracted the Purple Qi and slowly sheathed his blade. Looking at the Half-Moon now full of cracks, he sighed in his heart. He had lost three thousand spirit stones. His body was also temporarily weakened due to overexertion, but thanks to the nameless secret manual, he did not show it. Indeed, facing a Nascent Soul was too much of a stretch. He couldn¡¯t be so reckless in the future. Fortunately, this wasn¡¯t a true Nascent Soul; otherwise, he would have been seriously injured. Of course, he still had one ace up his sleeve. He had not drawn the Primordial Heavenly Saber. ¡°Can you start answering my questions now?¡± Jiang Hao¡¯s cold voice rang out. At this moment, the three people were finally pulled back to reality. Fairy Lan Jin looked at Jiang Hao in the moonlight with horror, his silhouette standing amidst countless bodies like a terrifying presence, causing her to subconsciously hide behind her Senior Brother and Senior Sister. His calmness, indifference, and methods filled her with trepidation. Especially his strength, which overturned her established understanding. How could a Golden Core directly kill a Nascent Soul? She finally understood what her Senior Brother and Senior Sister meant by ¡°there are skies beyond skies, and people beyond people.¡± If she had offended this person earlier, the consequences would have been unimaginable. Thinking this, she felt somewhat relieved that she had come out with her Senior Brother and Senior Sister. Fang Jin and Bai Qiong were just as shocked as Lan Jin. Jiang Hao¡¯s strength was formidable and awe-inspiring. Chapter 149 - Beginning to Tally the Spoils Chapter 149: Beginning to Tally the Spoils Jiang Hao stood in front of Zuo Lan, noticing that the other party was still in a daze, so he turned his head to look at Fang Jin and the others. This glance sent chills down Fairy Lan Jin¡¯s spine. Fang Jin and Bai Qiong also felt their scalps tingle. ¡°You should save the people first,¡± Jiang Hao reminded them. The nine children were still bleeding, and if left unattended, their lives would be in danger. Fang Jin and the others finally snapped out of it. ¡°Thank you for the reminder, Brother Jiang. We were negligent,¡± they said and went to rescue the children, hoping to confirm if their Junior Sister was among them. After they went to the altar, Jiang Hao turned his attention back to Zuo Lan. At some point, Hong Yuye had appeared beside him. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t mind and simply took away Zuo Lan¡¯s storage treasure first. Fortunately, Zuo Lan had withstood the Mountain Suppressor, preventing any damage to the treasure. Upon a preliminary inspection, Jiang Hao found 5,000 spirit stones and a Secret Whisper Slate inside, as well as a book. Five thousand spirit stones, another windfall. However, he didn¡¯t pay much attention to the spirit stones and handed the slate to Hong Yuye instead. After receiving the slate, she put it away and then looked at Jiang Hao: ¡°Give me the other two as well.¡± Jiang Hao knew she wanted to combine the three. After handing over the slates, he looked at the severely injured Zuo Lan and asked, ¡°What is your purpose here?¡± ¡°Purpose? Cough!¡± Zuo Lan struggled to lift his head, a glimmer of the will to live in his eyes. ¡°If I tell you, will you spare my life?¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t answer, just looked at him. Zuo Lan laughed self-deprecatingly, feeling his consciousness blurring and his vitality fading. Even if the other party didn¡¯t act, he was going to die. Finally, he spoke weakly. ¡°Investigate the Tianyin Sect.¡± ¡°Investigate the Tianyin Sect? Why?¡± Jiang Hao wondered inwardly but remained outwardly calm. Apart from the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, what was there to investigate about the Tianyin Sect? The mines? That was the only thing Jiang Hao could think of. ¡°We just follow orders, and each person with a slate has a different task,¡± Zuo Lan said in a low and weak voice. ¡°My task was only to collect the history of the Tianyin Sect.¡± ¡°Who do you take orders from?¡± Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t particularly interested in the history of the Tianyin Sect. Most of it could be found in the sect¡¯s archives. However, the investigation mentioned by Zuo Lan might be related to the book in the storage treasure. He would know the results of the investigation after looking at it later. At this point, Zuo Lan was so weak that he was bleeding from the mouth, his head lowered. ¡°I have a question.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Jiang Hao asked softly. ¡°You,¡± Zuo Lan struggled to look at Jiang Hao. ¡°Are you at the Nascent Soul realm?¡± ¡°Golden Core complete,¡± Jiang Hao replied truthfully. ¡°You will be killed,¡± Zuo Lan said self-mockingly. ¡°There are many in this world who are jealous of geniuses, many.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. That¡¯s why he didn¡¯t want to stand out and preferred to cultivate quietly. When he became invincible, he wouldn¡¯t have to live in fear. Unfortunately, he had already been discovered by Hong Yuye, and he didn¡¯t know if she would eventually make a move. He still needed to keep some cards up his sleeve. ¡°Zuo Yutian,¡± Zuo Lan suddenly mentioned a name. ¡°Is he from the Great Thousand Divine Sect?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Mhm,¡± Zuo Lan¡¯s breath was fading. ¡°It¡¯s him, we take orders from him, I don¡¯t know anything else.¡± Jiang Hao nodded and continued, ¡°Where are the other slates?¡± ¡°If I die, they¡¯ll probably flee,¡± Zuo Lan replied, his voice growing fainter. ¡°Do you know who made the slates?¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t know.¡± Jiang Hao looked down at Zuo Lan for a long time without asking further questions. Zuo Lan died. With a sigh in his heart, Jiang Hao turned to Hong Yuye. ¡°Senior, do you know Zuo Yutian?¡± Hong Yuye shook her head slightly, her tone indifferent: ¡°Let¡¯s go back.¡± Jiang Hao nodded; there was nothing left for them here. After taking all the storage treasures from the bodies, he made sure there were no issues by giving the corpses a couple of extra cuts. He then said goodbye to the astonished Fang Jin and the others before disappearing into the woods. By then, Fang Jin and his companions had rescued the nine children, indeed finding their Junior Sister among them. After many twists and turns, they finally saw their Junior Sister safe and sound, although a little boy who protected her caused them a slight headache. Of course, the one who truly alarmed them was Jiang Hao. His purpose and background must be anything but ordinary. But they wouldn¡¯t ask too many questions. Fortunately, they had not only avoided conflict with him previously, but their relationship was also quite good. ¡°Don¡¯t disturb me for the next three days.¡± After leaving this instruction, Hong Yuye closed her room door. Jiang Hao was happy to have some peace and quiet. These three days were free time, although he couldn¡¯t stray too far from Tiantu City. Otherwise, it would be easy for others to detect his location. During these three days, he wanted to explore the city, but the priority was to check out his recent gains. Perhaps tonight would be another night of sudden wealth. Returning to his room, Jiang Hao began to tally his spirit stones. He originally possessed 3,806 spirit stones. Now, from Zuo Lan¡¯s storage treasure, he had acquired an additional 5,101 spirit stones. Plus, there was a book of records. Jiang Hao placed the book on the table and then sorted the spirit stones. After storing the spirit stones in his own storage treasure, he opened Zuo Lan¡¯s clone¡¯s storage treasure and found nothing. ¡°Strange, it shouldn¡¯t just be these items. There should be a bunch of miscellaneous things as well.¡± Five thousand spirit stones were a considerable amount, and although Zuo Lan was good at making money, his expenses from all his activities must have been significant. So having 5,000, he was already quite satisfied. But the absence of other pills and treasures was unexpected. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It¡¯s not possible that he had a main base somewhere else, is it? ¡°What a pity, not a single survivor.¡± With a sigh, Jiang Hao began to inspect the storage treasures of the other four Golden Core cultivators. He started with the two at the early stage of Golden Core; these two weren¡¯t very wealthy either, one had 926 spirit stones, and the other had 1,103. ¡°They seem so poor.¡± Jiang Hao felt that the Golden Core members of the Tianyin Sect must be much wealthier than them. After all, being backed by the Tianyin Sect itself came with certain cultivation resources. These people had to continuously buy cultivation resources with spirit stones. Being poor was inevitable. Unless, like Shi Xin, they saved up spirit stones for decades to buy breakthrough elixirs. However, these two people¡¯s storage treasures did contain some miscellaneous items. Pills for Foundation Establishment and some average-quality treasures. Plus a few Healing Talismans. All together, these could sell for three to five hundred spirit stones. Next, he opened the storage treasure of the late-stage Golden Core cultivator and found that this person wasn¡¯t much wealthier than the first two. 1,300 spirit stones, a decent quality spirit sword suitable for Foundation Establishment. It should sell for over a thousand spirit stones, and there were also two bottles of elixirs commonly used in the mid-stage of Golden Core. These could be worth four to five hundred spirit stones. There wasn¡¯t much else of value. Finally, he took out the storage treasure of the Golden Core completion stage cultivator. Upon inspection, he found no spirit stones. Instead, there was a note, the first sentence of which read. ¡¾I knew I might not survive this time, so I hid all my valuables¡¿ Jiang Hao was stunned, never having expected to encounter such a person in the world of cultivators. Chapter 150 - The Young Master and the Maid Chapter 150: The Young Master and the Maid Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but laugh silently as he read the note. It was the first time he had seized such a storage treasure. But there was more written on the note than just that one sentence. ¡¾I have reached the pinnacle of the Golden Core stage and have been saving spirit stones to break through to the Nascent Soul stage. I¡¯ve saved for sixty-eight years, and have amassed a total of thirty-nine thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight spirit stones. In addition, there are various talismans, magical treasures, and medicinal pills. As well as the formations used for secluded cultivation. These are the savings of my entire life, but alas, I am dead. I¡¯m telling you this just so you know what you¡¯ve missed out on¡ªtens of thousands of spirit stones within easy reach. Though I am dead, you will remember my name, Daoist Dong Huo.¡¿ Reading these words, Jiang Hao felt a bit indignant, but eventually, he let out a long sigh. ¡°Daoist Dong Huo, huh? I¡¯ll remember that.¡± He truly hadn¡¯t expected that there were such a strange cultivator in this world. It felt like a pity even to kill him. But he hoped not to encounter such people again. It was quite infuriating. If what the other party said was true, he had missed the chance to become rich overnight. Forty thousand spirit stones. Forty thousand... For a moment, Jiang Hao looked at the over ten thousand spirit stones in his storage treasure and didn¡¯t feel as joyful as before. It must be said, this Daoist Dong Huo really knew how to play with people¡¯s feelings. In the end, Jiang Hao put away the note, thinking he might place it in someone else¡¯s storage treasure next time to let others experience this kind of thoughtful reminder. After carefully counting his current spirit stones, Jiang Hao realized he was still quite wealthy. He had a total of twelve thousand two hundred and sixty-three spirit stones. This time was different from the last; there was no need to purchase Azure Red Sky. After deducting three thousand for the Enforcement Peak and another three thousand for buying magical treasures, he still had over six thousand left. ¡°It¡¯s time to tie up and hang the rabbit.¡± ¡°However, what I got was just a golden bubble, which is a bit disappointing. I wonder how long it will take to fill up two.¡± Not to mention whether the rabbit could awaken its potential again, even if it could, it would require a large number of spirit stones. The spirit stones were still not quite enough. Shaking his head, Jiang Hao began to check his own condition. Today, after killing Zuo Lan, his condition was not good. ¡°Stacking Hidden Spirit Manifestation is powerful, but it¡¯s not without side effects; it can easily lead to exhaustion. I should have taken medicinal pills in advance to be prepared for emergencies.¡± ¡°Half-Moon is cracked again, but as a Foundation Establishment level treasure, it actually limits the power of Heavenly Saber Seven Forms. If I had used the verses of Primordial Heavenly Saber, perhaps today would have been a bit easier.¡± ¡°Although Zuo Lan had the power of a Nascent Soul, he was not a true Nascent Soul after all. A real Nascent Soul would probably be much stronger than him. I can¡¯t get cocky next time I encounter one.¡± Jiang Hao analyzed the situation, reminding himself not to naively think he could go head-to-head with a real Nascent Soul just because he managed to handle Zuo Lan this time. Harboring such thoughts could lead to danger in the future. He needed to nip such possibilities in the bud. After meditating for a moment to regulate his breath, Jiang Hao confirmed there were no hidden injuries in his body. After tonight¡¯s meditation, he would be able to fully recover his strength. However, he needed to reconsolidate the Hidden Spirit Manifestation and also re-record the attacks on his wrist. He just needed to decide which two techniques to choose. Moon Slash, Mountain Suppressor, Meteor. Each had its strengths. Moon Slash was fierce in attack, Mountain Suppressor was overwhelming in its might, and Meteor was known for its speed. Mountain Suppressor was a must-have for its imposing power. Moon Slash and Meteor... After hesitating, Jiang Hao chose Moon Slash. Meteor was more demanding, and if he was seriously injured at the time, he might not be able to unleash its true power. But Moon Slash was different. It could be released directly. Having made his choices, Jiang Hao began to cultivate. In the early morning, Jiang Hao activated the Hidden Spirit technique, allowing his fully recovered strength to converge at his brow. He then continued to restore his power. ...... By noon. Jiang Hao began to record Moon Slash and Mountain Suppressor. After completing these tasks, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. Now he had returned to his peak condition. He just needed a new saber. ¡°It¡¯s a pity that the market only opens once a month, which is a bit inconvenient.¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t force it; for now, he would make do with an ordinary saber. The green bubble would occasionally have sabers. Although he had wasted quite a few the previous night, there should still be some left. Enough for the time being. But to unleash sufficient power, he still needed a good one. By the window, Jiang Hao looked down at the bustling crowd below. While brewing a pot of tea for himself, Jiang Hao chose Snow After Spring. Although his condition had recovered, drinking some spiritual tea would make him feel even better. Of course, part of the reason was that he had twelve thousand spirit stones on him. With money, one tends to see things more openly. For example, he didn¡¯t mind drinking tea that cost fifty-five spirit stones per pot. Afterwards, he began to ponder his next steps. With Zuo Lan dead, finding the other stone tablets would likely be very difficult unless there was a substantial breakthrough with the three-in-one stone tablet. They would have no choice but to search the nearby cities one by one. ¡°There¡¯s only two and a half months left, I wonder if there will be any progress,¡± he thought. ¡°Zuo Yutian should also be considered a breakthrough point, I need to find a way to investigate.¡± S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In theory, these were matters that Hong Yuye should be concerned with, but Jiang Hao was pressed for time. He had to return within three months. After much thought and still unsure where the breakthrough might be, Jiang Hao stood up and left the room, planning to stroll around. As soon as he went downstairs, he heard a little girl shouting loudly, ¡°No, you can¡¯t send the young master away. Wherever the young master goes, Xiao Jie will follow.¡± Curious, Jiang Hao saw Fang Jin and others in the hall looking troubled. In front of them was a frail little girl, clinging to an equally frail little boy, refusing to let go. The boy seemed to be around eleven or twelve, and the girl about ten years old. Upon closer inspection, Jiang Hao noticed the girl¡¯s eyes were lively; even though she was thin and dark-skinned, her vivacity could not be hidden. Without needing a jade slip to test her, he could tell that the girl had exceptional talent. No wonder she was designated by the Mingyue Sect. Then Jiang Hao turned his attention to the boy, who had a look of unwillingness mixed with indecision in his eyes as if he was making some sort of decision. Observing him closely, Jiang Hao felt there was something odd about him. It seemed like all his auras were weak. ¡°Is he unwell?¡± Jiang Hao wondered curiously. At that moment, Bai Qiong noticed him. ¡°Daoist Jiang.¡± Fang Jin also turned to look at Jiang Hao coming down, saying somewhat bitterly. ¡°You¡¯ve caught us in an embarrassing situation.¡± Fairy Lan Jin kept her head down, not daring to speak. She had learned her lesson. Fortunately, she didn¡¯t have a bad temper, otherwise even her Senior Brother and Senior Sister wouldn¡¯t be able to protect her. ¡°It¡¯s nothing,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head and said to the little girl in front of him. ¡°Is she your Junior Sister? She seems unwilling to leave with you.¡± ¡°Indeed, we¡¯re at a loss at the moment and can only wait for our uncle master to arrive,¡± Fang Jin explained the situation regarding the girl in front of him. The girl¡¯s name was Chu Jie, formerly a maid of the Chu family. However, the Chu family had fallen into decline, leaving only the young master Chu Chuan, and the two had been relying on each other for three years. Despite the hardships, Chu Jie still played the role of a maid, taking care of the young master. She was single-minded, knowing only that she was a maid and must stay by the young master¡¯s side. The young master couldn¡¯t do without her. Chapter 151 - Take Me as Your Disciple? Chapter 151: Take Me as Your Disciple? Jiang Hao sat at the table and listened to the story, which was somewhat unexpected. The situation seemed complex, but when summarized, it was quite simple: a servant with exceptional talent who did not want to leave her master. ¡°By the way, we¡¯ve already settled the others, and they can be sent back to their parents. If they wish, the Chen family is also willing to take them in. After all, they are all talented individuals. It¡¯s not easy to find seven talented people at once under normal circumstances,¡± Fang Jin added about the others. Jiang Hao nodded and looked at Chu Chuan in the corner, puzzled. ¡°This young man also has talent, can¡¯t you take him back with you? With his talent, can¡¯t he even enter the outer sect?¡± ¡°Indeed, he can¡¯t.¡± Fang Jin sighed, ¡°I¡¯ve just checked. This young master Chu Chuan¡¯s talent is somewhat average, barely reaching three meridians. It¡¯s not that we can¡¯t take him back, but that his talent is worlds apart from Junior Sister Chu Jie. Moreover, he would be at the very bottom of the entire Mingyue Sect. For him, that might be an even greater blow. Not only would he be doing menial work, but he would also only have access to ordinary techniques.It would be better for me to teach him a better technique now, so he can cultivate elsewhere.¡± ¡°Although I¡¯m not very famous, my word still carries some weight in smaller sects. This way, he can cultivate better and receive better treatment. Unfortunately, my Junior Sister refuses. Actually, even placing him in the outer sect wouldn¡¯t be good. Daoist Jiang, you should understand that competition exists in the cultivation of any sect.¡± Jiang Hao understood. Where there is competition, there is inevitably a hierarchy, and bullying, both overt and covert, can occur. Those with lesser talent are often treated this way. It¡¯s even worse in the Demon Sect. That¡¯s why from the beginning, he had to show good talent and accumulate cultivation before showing even better performance. But not too good. That way, he wouldn¡¯t be targeted. The lower ranks couldn¡¯t bully him, and the higher-ups had no reason to suppress him. Looking at the two children on the edge, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but feel emotional. Two people who depended on each other for life were about to embark on two completely different paths. At that moment, Fairy Lan Jin was still trying to persuade the two. Chu Jie was not willing to give an inch. However, Chu Chuan seemed to understand the situation. ¡°Go with them,¡± he earnestly said to the girl beside him. ¡°Once I make a name for myself here, I¡¯ll come to your sect to find you. By then, I¡¯ll definitely be able to protect you.¡± To Bai Qiong and the others, these were just words of comfort. Because in the future, Chu Jie would far surpass this young man, to say they were as different as immortals and mortals wouldn¡¯t be an exaggeration. Even Jiang Hao would think so. The gap in talent was too great, so vast that effort alone couldn¡¯t bridge it. Unless this young man encountered some extraordinary fortune, he could only look up to his own maid. Moreover, once the girl went to the Mingyue Sect and saw the wider world, this small-town boy would seem insignificant in her eyes. She might not look down on him, but the gap between them could not be erased. Yet, this young man always seemed out of place to Jiang Hao. ¡°Appraisal.¡± Out of curiosity, he activated his divine ability. ¡¾Chu Chuan: A down-and-out young master with an obscured immortal heart but an unyielding spirit, a frail body but an unbeaten belief. Crush him, torment him, trample him, he grows stronger with each setback, more formidable with each battle, and when the wind rises, he soars through the heavens like a dragon.¡¿ Seeing the results of the identification, Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. Another one of these types. Somewhat similar to Senior Sister Zhou Chan. If such a person truly joined the Mingyue Sect, there was a high probability he would rise to prominence. Especially if he joined as a menial worker, he would certainly face oppression. Not to mention he has a connection with a remarkable disciple. A natural existence to be tormented and suppressed. ¡°Perhaps you could consider taking him back with you,¡± Jiang Hao suggested to Fang Jin. ¡°If there¡¯s no other way, we¡¯ll have to do that, but our uncle master has also dealt with the affairs of the Tiansheng Sect and will arrive in a day or two. The specifics will have to be decided by him,¡± Fang Jin replied with a slight shake of his head. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t say much more, not taking him back might be a loss for the Mingyue Sect. ¡°No, without me, who will take care of the young master¡¯s daily needs?¡± Chu Jie immediately shook her head in refusal. ¡°Then, when you return with your accomplishments, won¡¯t you be able to take better care of me?¡± Chu Chuan continued to persuade. ¡°Right, in a few years our sect will have a discourse, and by then your young master can come and see how much you¡¯ve grown,¡± Fairy Lan Jin coaxed like she was talking to a child. ¡°When you become powerful, you can protect your young master.¡± These words seemed to move Chu Jie. Jiang Hao smiled and then said goodbye to Fang Jin. He didn¡¯t want to get involved for the time being and decided to stroll around the town instead. This time Jiang Hao had no particular goal, just wandering aimlessly. Looking to see if any bubbles might drop somewhere. On the way, he pondered Chu Chuan¡¯s situation, with his obscured immortal heart, like a rabbit with a hidden bloodline. It was a pity that helping the rabbit unlock its bloodline would yield bubbles, but polishing someone¡¯s immortal heart wouldn¡¯t. Otherwise, he would definitely be interested in taking him back. People couldn¡¯t drop bubbles, Jiang Hao had understood this long ago. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Whether it was killing or anything else, they wouldn¡¯t drop anything. After wandering around and buying some food, he returned to the inn to continue contemplating the nameless secret manual. The more he pondered, the more he felt he could better control the power of his body. Although his spiritual energy wasn¡¯t abundant, his strength should be steadily increasing. The next morning, Jiang Hao was suddenly awakened. He felt a powerful aura coming from a distance, eventually settling in front of the inn. ¡°So strong, Zuo Lan seems like a grain of rice in front of him, this must be beyond the Nascent Soul stage. I wonder what realm it is.¡± The first thing Jiang Hao thought of was Fang Jin¡¯s uncle master. It was best to see as little as possible of such a strong person. He decided not to go out today and focus on cultivating instead. ...... The next day. Today was the third day of Hong Yuye¡¯s seclusion. It should also be the last day. On this day, someone knocked on Jiang Hao¡¯s door. ¡°Is Daoist Jiang there?¡± It was Fang Jin¡¯s voice. Awakening from his contemplation of the third style of the Heavenly Saber, Jiang Hao was puzzled as to why Fang Jin would come knocking. Was he coming to say goodbye? It was very likely. After opening the door, he saw Fang Jin with an awkward smile saying: ¡°Do you have a moment, Daoist Jiang? Could you come downstairs for a gathering? Actually, my uncle master wishes to meet you. Oh, don¡¯t misunderstand, he just has a favor to ask.¡± A favor to ask? Jiang Hao was surprised. But he still nodded in agreement, the strength of the other¡¯s uncle master made it difficult for him to refuse. If it really came to a fight, even if Hong Yuye could handle it, he would suffer. It was naturally convenient to be accommodating. After going downstairs, Jiang Hao saw three new people in the hall. A middle-aged man and two young men. Those two aren¡¯t worth paying attention to; they are both at the early stage of the Golden Core realm. The person who truly demands attention is the middle-aged man sitting in the seat of honor. His expression is calm, his powerful aura is evident, and his presence is as vast and profound as the ocean. ¡°Junior Jiang Haotian pays respects to the senior,¡± Jiang Hao said respectfully with a bow. This person is indeed powerful. He is not someone I can contend with. ¡°Sit,¡± Han Xiao gestured towards the chair, speaking calmly. ¡°I am Han Xiao. I would like to ask you a small question, young friend.¡± ¡°Please ask, senior,¡± Jiang Hao said modestly, sitting opposite the man. Han Xiao looked at Jiang Hao with a smile and said, ¡°I¡¯ve heard that you possess considerable strength. I wonder if you have considered taking on disciples?¡± Chapter 152 - Mingyue Sect Offers Too Much Chapter 152: Mingyue Sect Offers Too Much In the living room, there was only one table of guests, which included Jiang Hao. Three people were seated at the table: Han Xiao, Fang Jin, and Jiang Hao. Behind Han Xiao stood two young men, while Jiang Hao sat opposite him. Fang Jin sat to the side, observing. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At this moment, Jiang Hao¡¯s brows furrowed slightly; the other party was actually asking him about taking on disciples. He hesitated for show before tactfully declining, ¡°I am still inexperienced and lack sufficient strength to teach others.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be so quick to refuse, young friend. Why not listen to our proposal?¡± Han Xiao was not annoyed and spoke quite politely. Fang Jin hurriedly explained, ¡°Daoist Jiang must be aware of my little Junior Sister¡¯s situation. After discussing it these past few days, she finally relented. However, she has a condition: she wants to find a good master for her young master. She also insists that her young master be allowed to participate in the upcoming exchange conference hosted by Mingyue Sect. The latter is easy to agree to, but the former is somewhat difficult. We have all witnessed your strength, and we hope that you might consider taking on a disciple.¡± ¡°I truly have no intention of taking on disciples,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. Although Chu Chuan is somewhat special, taking on a disciple is a very troublesome matter, and I am not yet in a position to ensure my own safety, let alone take on a disciple. Moreover, being a teacher is a great responsibility, and leading a student astray is not something he wishes to do. Perhaps if his strength increases in the future and he no longer have enemies, he might consider it. But not now. Han Xiao took out a jade token and an invitation, placing them gently on the table. ¡°This jade token is a symbol of a distinguished guest of Mingyue Sect. If you encounter any trouble in the future, you may ask us for help once. The invitation can be used for any public event hosted by Mingyue Sect, whether it be for discussions or explorations.¡± A favor from Mingyue Sect? Jiang Hao¡¯s eyebrows rose. This was a generous offer; if he was to be on the run in the future, perhaps Mingyue Sect could provide temporary refuge. Such an item is invaluable. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that you enjoy tea. I have a small amount of tea leaves here that I would like to gift to you,¡± Han Xiao said as he took out an exquisite box. Jiang Hao looked at the box and could sense that the tea leaves inside were extraordinary. ¡°Open it and see,¡± Han Xiao said with a smile. Jiang Hao politely moved the box closer and opened it to take a look. The tea leaves were emerald green with a hint of fiery red at the edges¡ªthis was Azure Red Sky tea. Jiang Hao was taken aback and slowly closed the box. ¡°Our request is simple: take in Chu Chuan and teach him the ways of the Dao,¡± Han Xiao said calmly, looking at Jiang Hao. ¡°Years from now, when Mingyue Sect holds the Dao Discussion Conference, if he wishes to attend, you can send him. If not, it¡¯s no matter.¡± ¡°Do you not think Chu Chuan has potential?¡± Jiang Hao asked in return. ¡°His mind is fine, but his talent and comprehension are far too ordinary. It would be easy to let him enter the outer sect of Mingyue Sect, but there¡¯s a big problem¡ªit would affect that young girl¡¯s cultivation. It¡¯s better to do a favor and find him a good place. Years later, when both have grown, they will understand the difference between them is vast, like a chasm. Gradually, they will forget and it won¡¯t affect their cultivation,¡± Han Xiao spoke of the harsh reality indifferently. Jiang Hao understood. Years later, when Chu Jie reaches Foundation Establishment, with Chu Chuan¡¯s displayed talent, he might only be at the third or fourth level of Qi Refining. The difference would be like heaven and earth. But thinking about it, the people of Mingyue Sect are relatively decent. Although they look down on Chu Chuan, they did not ignore Chu Jie¡¯s request. If this were Tianyin Sect, they would take people normally if they could, but if it were this troublesome, they would have taken the person and run long ago without caring for others. ¡°Senior, aren¡¯t you going to ask which sect I am from?¡± Jiang Hao asked softly. ¡°No need,¡± Han Xiao shook his head. Asking would only lead to more trouble; not asking ensures there won¡¯t be any. Jiang Hao understood. The other party just wanted to rid themselves of this trouble. As long as they found someone seemingly powerful to take on this trouble, nothing else mattered. It made sense. They had done enough; doing more would be too generous. ¡°Do Chu Chuan and the others know my cultivation level?¡± Jiang Hao asked again. ¡°They do not,¡± Fang Jin interjected. ¡°They only know you are very strong, but they don¡¯t know how strong. Perhaps in their eyes, being at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment is already very impressive.¡± After a moment of silence, Jiang Hao looked at Fang Jin and said evenly. ¡°Do they know who killed Zuo Lan?¡± Having long understood Jiang Hao¡¯s thoughts, Fang Jin spoke again to clarify, ¡°No, they don¡¯t know, but they are aware that you were involved.¡± Jiang Hao always kept his cultivation at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, so he speculated that the other party wanted to conceal their cultivation level. Perhaps even from their own sect. In such a case, bringing someone back without knowing their cultivation level was ideal. Jiang Hao indeed had such concerns. To leave a way out for himself, he decided to accept the jade pendant. It could be useful in the future, even if only slightly, as it could change many things. Azure Red Sky was an additional gain. Retreating ten thousand steps, he had a mission, and bringing someone back might just complete it. Even if it didn¡¯t, there would be no further loss. This situation seemed to be all benefits and no drawbacks. Not to mention, they only requested to take someone in, with no further demands, and they didn¡¯t even require Chu Chuan to survive until the Mingyue Sect Dao Discussion Conference. After weighing the pros and cons, Jiang Hao first made his position clear: ¡°I truly do not intend to take disciples.¡± He would rather not owe this favor. After Han Xiao frowned, Jiang Hao continued: ¡°However, I will bring him back to the sect and have him join my master¡¯s lineage. I will also do what I can during this time. Whether he wishes to go to the Mingyue Sect, I will consider his wishes. This is my limit.¡± Having said this, Jiang Hao waited for the other party to decide. The difference between a disciple and a Junior Brother was like heaven and earth. Fang Jin was somewhat puzzled: ¡°Why does Jiang Fellow Daoist refuse to take disciples?¡± Looking at the man beside him, Jiang Hao smiled slightly and asked: ¡°Would Fang Fellow Daoist take disciples?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have enough seniority in the sect...¡± Fang Jin was slightly stunned, realizing that the other party also couldn¡¯t take disciples in their sect. Han Xiao pondered for a moment with lowered brows, then nodded and said in a deep voice: ¡°Alright, I agree. This is what I have prepared for him, it contains cultivation methods, pills, and magical treasures. You can pass them on to him when the time comes.¡± Saying this, he took out an ordinary storage magical treasure and placed it on the table. ¡°May I take a look?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Feel free.¡± Han Xiao nodded, then turned to Fang Jin. ¡°The follow-up is up to you. I need to leave the city for a while to deal with some people.¡± After speaking, he left with his people. Jiang Hao guessed that the other party was probably going to deal with people from the Tiansheng Sect, since they were the ones who had restrained them from the start. This gave him a sense of crisis; if the Tiansheng Sect found out he was here, the consequences would be unimaginable. ¡°Fellow Daoist, please keep these items safe, especially this jade pendant.¡± Fang Jin placed the items in front of Jiang Hao and continued. ¡°I suppose you understand that this jade pendant is equivalent to a favor, which can be big or small. Many in the Mingyue Sect would agree to it. For example, to be accepted into the sect or to help with a task. However, once the favor is used, the jade pendant will be taken back. If not used, it will always make you a distinguished guest of the Mingyue Sect. With this status, you will have many conveniences within the Mingyue Sect¡¯s domain.¡± Finally, Fang Jin added, ¡°It¡¯s best to refine it a bit to prevent it from being stolen.¡± Jiang Hao picked up the white jade pendant, which had the characters for ¡®bright moon¡¯ inscribed on it, carrying a special charm. It was actually a magical treasure. Without hesitation, he refined it on the spot. Chapter 153 - The Female Demon Bathes, Should I Stay By Her Side? Chapter 153: The Female Demon Bathes, Should I Stay By Her Side? After refining the jade pendant, Jiang Hao felt that if the imprint was erased, the pendant would self-destruct. Besides confirming identity, the pendant also emitted a gentle and soothing aura. It calmed the mind and spirit. Seeing Jiang Hao put away the jade pendant, Fang Jin pointed to the invitation and said, ¡°The invitation is addressed to you and Chu Chuan. If someone impersonates you, it might not be immediately noticed. So you must be careful not to lose it.¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t think much of it; such an invitation would only be useful for big events like the Dao Discussion Conference. With the jade pendant in his possession, he didn¡¯t really need it. The invitation was mainly for Chu Chuan. Afterward, he also put away the Azure Red Sky, which was of better quality than the one he had purchased. He had made over ten thousand spirit stones. And he didn¡¯t have to worry about Hong Yuye asking for more money. ¡°The items in this storage magical treasure, you should keep them safe, how you give them to Chu Chuan is up to you,¡± Fang Jin said. He didn¡¯t put any pressure or restrictions on Jiang Hao. After a brief look at the storage bag, Jiang Hao found a cultivation method called Star Moon Qi Refinement Technique, pills for Qi Refining, simple talismans, magical treasures that could be used up to the Foundation Establishment stage, and five hundred spirit stones. Truly... generous. Five hundred at the Qi Refining stage¡¯ he couldn¡¯t even dream of amassing such a large number. But possessing so many spirit stones at once could be a huge shock to one¡¯s state of mind, and a slight carelessness could lead to arrogance. Once others became aware, it could bring about a fatal disaster. ¡°I will give him a little at each stage.¡± Jiang Hao said calmly. Since he had received benefits from the Mingyue Sect, he would do his best to fulfill his obligations. After getting Fang Jin¡¯s approval, he looked through the Star Moon Qi Refinement Technique. Although it only records up to Foundation Establishment, this is indeed a formidable Qi Refining technique. It seems to surpass the Tianyin Hundred Revolutions. It uses starlight as a guide to draw qi into the body. Newcomers are best suited to cultivate at night, as the speed of cultivation will greatly increase, and the energy of the stars and moon is also more substantial. This is suitable for the cultivation of techniques. The Tianyin Hundred Revolutions speaks of vital energy roaring and surging within the body, providing better tempering for the physique. Jiang Hao did not continue to ponder; he would ask the person involved when the time came. The Tianyin Sect has no requirements for this; as long as one¡¯s background is clear, it¡¯s fine to cultivate the Haotian Sect¡¯s techniques. ...... In the afternoon. Fang Jin and the others are about to leave. ¡°Young Master, you must come to find Xiao Jie,¡± Chu Jie said with a choked voice. Chu Chuan readily agreed. ¡°Fellow Daoist Jiang, if you have free time, you can come to the Mingyue Sect, and let me extend my hospitality,¡± Fang Jin said politely to Jiang Hao. ¡°Definitely,¡± Jiang Hao replied with a cupped fist salute. ¡°Thank you, Fellow Daoist Jiang, for saving my life earlier,¡± Fairy Bai Qiong said with gratitude, bowing slightly. ¡°Fairy is joking,¡± Jiang Hao said with a light shake of his head. ¡°I offended you befoer, please, Fellow Daoist, do not take it to heart,¡± Fairy Lan Jin said with her head lowered, somewhat embarrassed to say such words. ¡°Fairy is too polite; I have not taken it to heart,¡± Jiang Hao replied with slight surprise but without losing his manners. Afterward, Fang Jin and the others turned and left, flying away with the young girl. Jiang Hao could still faintly hear some of their voices. ¡°Junior Sister has grown a lot from this trip.¡± ¡°I am not an ungrateful person.¡± ¡°If you learn more about how to conduct yourself, you can take other Junior Sisters and Junior Brothers out.¡± Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Watching them leave, Jiang Hao felt somewhat envious; he never had such Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters in his sect. Even if someone was kind to him, he would suspect them of being spies or traitors. Most of the time, the Immortal Sects are indeed better than the Demon Sects. ¡°Will I never see Xiao Jie again?¡± Chu Chuan suddenly asked. Jiang Hao looked down at the young man beside him and asked in return. ¡°What do you think?¡± ¡°I must be able to, I definitely want to go,¡± Chu Chuan said with determination. ¡°Having confidence is a good thing,¡± Jiang Hao said, looking up at the sky. ¡°Some people¡¯s ambitions are higher than the heavens, but their fate is as thin as paper. Do you think such people can achieve anything?¡± ¡°I...¡± Chu Chuan didn¡¯t know how to answer for a moment. ¡°Remember, what you need to do now is to survive first.¡± ¡°Do I have to endure being bullied?¡± Chu Chuan suddenly asked. ¡°Ask yourself, if you think it¡¯s necessary, then it is; if you don¡¯t, then it isn¡¯t. As long as you can bear the consequences,¡± Jiang Hao said as he walked towards the inn¡¯s backyard. Noticing Chu Chuan following, he continued. ¡°My sect is indeed not small, but to survive and become stronger within it is a very difficult thing. Your talent is not outstanding, so naturally, you will have to endure more than others.¡± Jiang Hao arrived at the pavilion in the backyard and sat down while Chu Chuan stood beside him, somewhat nervous and unsure where to put his hands. ¡°Have you thought it through? My sect is not a pleasant place.¡± This statement made Chu Chuan silent for a moment, then he nodded and said, ¡°I have thought it through. Even if I can¡¯t compare to Xiao Jie, I still want to visit her sect and see if she¡¯s doing well.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t say much else but let him choose a technique. ¡°You now have two techniques to choose from: one is the Tianyin Hundred Revolutions from my Tianyin Sect, and the other is the Star Moon Qi Refinement Technique from the Mingyue Sect.¡± ¡°Which one is more powerful?¡± Chu Chuan asked. Jiang Hao poured himself a cup of tea and spoke calmly. ¡°In my opinion, the Star Moon Qi Refinement Technique is the superior one.¡± ¡°Madter, which do you think I should cultivate?¡± Chu Chuan tentatively asked. ¡°Call me Senior Brother,¡± correcting his form of address, Jiang Hao continued, ¡°The Tianyin Hundred Revolutions.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Chu Chuan was puzzled. ¡°Because I have cultivated it, and it will be convenient to guide you later,¡± Jiang Hao said casually. After a long silence, Chu Chuan nodded seriously. ¡°Then, the Tianyin Hundred Revolutions.¡± Jiang Hao looked at him deeply, feeling somewhat absurd but not sure if it was himself or the other person who was being absurd. The future of the other person was decided so casually. But the Tianyin Hundred Revolutions was indeed suitable. Whether it¡¯s good or bad can only be left to time. Afterward, he taught Chu Chuan the static and dynamic exercises of the Tianyin Hundred Revolutions. ¡°Once you have entered the gate, I will give you the things from the Mingyue Sect in batches. After you join, every week I will have someone test your progress, and it will be tough. If you can¡¯t bear it, you can choose not to have your progress tested. Or perhaps you don¡¯t want to stay in the Tianyin Sect, you can also find me. I will have someone send you away. You have a choice before Foundation Establishment.After Foundation Establishment, I will no longer look after you, and you will not have the right to choose again. Whether it¡¯s fortune or misfortune, it all depends on you.¡± After admonishing him, Jiang Hao arranged a place for him to live and let him cultivate on his own. He also informed Chen Quan and the others. ...... The next day. Jiang Hao went to Hong Yuye¡¯s room. As soon as he entered, a stone slab was thrown at him. Before he could carefully examine the changes in the stone slab, Hong Yuye said to him. ¡°Prepare some hot water for me; I¡¯m going to take a bath.¡± Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t surprised by this request. However, he soon found himself frozen in place. Hong Yuye continued. ¡°You must not leave my room while I bathe, but if you dare to peek, you know the consequences.¡± Jiang Hao was shocked as he glimpsed the silhouette of the wooden tub behind the screen, suddenly worried. If it were any other woman bathing behind there, he wouldn¡¯t have a ripple of interest in his heart, even without a screen. He wouldn¡¯t want to look even if it were offered. But Hong Yuye was different; the Tianjue Gu poison had no effect on her. Sigh... He couldn¡¯t fathom what she was thinking at all. Chapter 154 - Should I Go Undercover? Chapter 154: Should I Go Undercover? Jiang Hao personally prepared the hot water for Hong Yuye. After testing the temperature to make sure it wasn¡¯t too hot, he stepped out from behind the screen and said to Hong Yuye by the window: ¡°Senior, the water is ready.¡± Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Is the door closed properly?¡± Hong Yuye asked, slightly rising. ¡°It¡¯s closed,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°Close the window as well.¡± At this moment, Hong Yuye moved behind the screen. After Jiang Hao closed the window, he heard Hong Yuye¡¯s voice again. ¡°Take a chair and sit in front of the screen with your back to it.¡± Jiang Hao did as he was told. Once seated, he heard the sound of clothes falling off and then being hung on the screen. This made him uncomfortable. To him, Hong Yuye was the most unique of the opposite sex. Although he felt normal around her, he knew he could easily lose his composure. That was something he didn¡¯t want to see. Splash/ Suddenly, the sound of water reached him, and as he stared at the wall in front, Jiang Hao could imagine someone stepping into the water. ¡°Focus on the door and the window,¡± Hong Yuye reminded him. With no other choice, Jiang Hao extended his Golden Core¡¯s full breath to cover the area, preventing anyone from approaching. In truth, with Hong Yuye¡¯s strength, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t think anyone could get near her bathing spot. This was just to make things difficult for him. Splash, splash. More sounds of water came from behind, and Jiang Hao felt this was Hong Yuye pouring water over her body. Then a floral scent wafted through. This inexplicable situation stirred something inside Jiang Hao. But he quickly took a deep breath to suppress the agitation and tried to shift his focus. ¡°There¡¯s something I need to discuss with senior.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Hong Yuye¡¯s voice came from behind the screen, slightly lazy. Jiang Hao could tell she seemed to enjoy soaking in the bath: ¡°When I left, I received a mission to bring a disciple back. So when we return, there might be one more person.¡± ¡°Is the person decided?¡± Hong Yuye asked. ¡°It¡¯s decided,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°Is it someone from the Mingyue Sect?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Han Xiao¡¯s arrival had caused quite a stir. Jiang Hao himself had noticed, so it wasn¡¯t strange that Hong Yuye was aware. And since the person was taken in during this period, it was very likely related to the Mingyue Sect. ¡°What benefits did they offer you?¡± Hong Yuye asked casually. At this moment, Jiang Hao heard the water again. Without overthinking, he calmly replied: ¡°One mace of Azure Red Sky.¡± ¡°Anything else?¡± ¡°An invitation.¡± ¡°Anything more?¡± ¡°That¡¯s all.¡± As he finished speaking, the sound of water inside stopped abruptly. A vast and profound aura emerged, then vanished just as quickly, followed by Hong Yuye¡¯s voice, tinged with amusement, accompanied by the sound of water. ¡°Then consider it as nothing.¡± Jiang Hao felt relieved inside. ¡°Have you ever thought about joining the Mingyue Sect directly?¡± Hong Yuye¡¯s voice was curious. ¡°The people of the Mingyue Sect seem to have a certain fondness for you.¡± ¡°Senior is joking. I need to tend to senior¡¯s flowers,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. ¡°Why not take the flowers with you?¡± Hong Yuye said nonchalantly. Elder Bai Zhi would kill me, Jiang Hao sighed inwardly, then replied. ¡°Leaving the Tianyin Sect is equivalent to betrayal, and I would be hunted down. Moreover, I am a disciple of the Demon Sect, and my actions tend to align with the Demon Sect, which doesn¡¯t mesh well with the immortal sects.¡± Although Jiang Hao had always managed to maintain his true nature, the Demon Sect was still the Demon Sect. Over more than a decade, the subtle influences had affected him. His behavior was quite different from that of people like Fang Jin. He, who is still relatively weak, may not necessarily benefit from joining the immortal sect. Let¡¯s wait for later and find a good opportunity. After a while. Jiang Hao no longer heard Hong Yuye¡¯s voice, only the sound of water splashing. Subconsciously, he began to guess how far the woman behind the screen had washed. This situation lasted for quite some time until the sound of falling water finally ceased, followed by the noise of a large amount of water being displaced. ¡°Senior, are you done washing?¡± Jiang Hao asked subconsciously. ¡°Do you want to wash?¡± Hong Yuye emerged from behind the screen, looking at Jiang Hao with a smile that wasn¡¯t quite a smile. A familiar fragrance followed her. She dressed so quickly... Seeing her, Jiang Hao hurriedly said. ¡°No, no need.¡± At this moment, Hong Yuye had changed into a new set of clothes, swapping her red and white fairy dress for an orange and white one. A white belt cinched her waist, the hem of the dress fell to her ankles, and the upper half was tightly wrapped, accentuating her curves. ¡°Pack up, we¡¯re getting ready to leave,¡± Hong Yuye said. Afterward, Jiang Hao gathered some things. Then he said goodbye to Chen Quan, asking him to take care of Chu Chuan. He didn¡¯t take Chu Chuan with him right now. Instead, he let him wait here to be picked up when Jiang Hao returned to the sect. The backyard had a formation and spiritual medicines; cultivating there would yield twice the result with half the effort. With the Chen family¡¯s help, there shouldn¡¯t be any problems. He also left some talismans for Chu Chuan, just in case. ¡°I¡¯ll come to pick you up in a month at the shortest or two and a half months at the longest,¡± Jiang Hao told Chu Chuan. After that, he left Tiantu City with Hong Yuye. On the way, Hong Yuye asked with interest: ¡°Do you think that person will feel you¡¯ve abandoned him and left on your own?¡± ¡°He might, but he will wait for three months,¡± Jiang Hao looked back at Tiantu City and said. ¡°If I don¡¯t return after three months, they¡¯ll probably think I¡¯ve left on my own.¡± Hong Yuye didn¡¯t ask any more questions, seemingly losing interest in the topic. ¡°Senior, did you find any clues from the stone slab?¡± Jiang Hao looked at the woman beside him. Hong Yuye shook her head slightly: ¡°No, so you¡¯ll have to figure it out yourself.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the use of the new stone slab?¡± Jiang Hao took out the stone slab and asked. ¡°This stone slab is quite interesting,¡± Hong Yuye walked ahead, covering an unknown distance with each step. ¡°You can see the communications of others in it, but it seems there¡¯s someone with higher authority. However, it¡¯s impossible to track the whereabouts of other stone slabs. Theoretically, the people inside know a lot. Once the influence I¡¯ve exerted on the slab fades, you can infiltrate their ranks to find their location or perhaps the location of those with higher authority.¡± ¡°Infiltrate?¡± Jiang Hao was sensitive to the idea of infiltration. He had seen many undercovers around him. He never thought he¡¯d have a day when he¡¯d be the undercover. Fortunately, it wasn¡¯t in the Tianyin Sect; otherwise... It would be a terrible end. The Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower was in his courtyard, and Elder Bai Zhi would definitely investigate whether his background was clean. Even if nothing was found, the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower could be used to lure him into compliance. In any case, once there was evidence, he would be in danger. As for infiltrating using the stone slab, even if discovered, it wouldn¡¯t be dangerous. Well, after some consideration, Jiang Hao felt there was danger, and it came from the woman beside him. ¡°If there¡¯s no location, then we can only start searching city by city,¡± Jiang Hao frowned slightly. ¡°However, Zuo Lan¡¯s matter might cause them to stay away from Youyun Prefecture.¡± Youyun Prefecture was absurdly large; three months was not enough to search much of it. But they could only try to continue searching. If that failed, he would have to ask her to send him back. Not returning would be considered desertion, and he would lose the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. That reason should be sufficient. Later, they arrived at the nearest city, Shuimu City. After staying for three days, Jiang Hao left reluctantly, having found nothing. Next, they arrived at Luoyuan City. There was a spirit mine here. Upon arriving, Hong Yuye observed for a long time. ¡°Senior, do you find something special here?¡± Jiang Hao asked curiously. Chapter 155 - Extraordinary Stature Chapter 155: Extraordinary Stature At the edge of the minefield. A barren expanse. Further away, the trees were lush. Hong Yuye stood on high ground, looking out over the minefield, and after some time, she slowly began to speak: ¡°There¡¯s nothing strange about the mine itself; it¡¯s the terrain that¡¯s odd, with spiritual energy condensing without dispersing and a great force gathering without releasing. It¡¯s a good place.¡± ¡°Is there any use for this kind of terrain?¡± Jiang Hao observed carefully but couldn¡¯t see anything special. Glancing at Jiang Hao, Hong Yuye smiled and said: sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Under the vein of the mine, there¡¯s a tomb. And it¡¯s not an ordinary tomb; perhaps these people will never discover it in their lifetimes.¡± A tomb? Jiang Hao was astonished and tentatively said, ¡°Shall we go down and have a look?¡± Hong Yuye let out a cold laugh, then turned her head and walked away. Gazing into her eyes, Jiang Hao felt that the woman before him held nothing but disdain for this place. ¡°What¡¯s there to see in a place where the dead linger?¡± Hong Yuye said with a slight look of disgust: ¡°It¡¯s bad luck.¡± Hearing these words, Jiang Hao increasingly sensed the strength of Hong Yuye. Her cultivation level, insight, and mindset were all extraordinary. Yet sometimes he found her odd, this person not only wanted to snatch the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower from his yard but also intended to take his broken magical treasure. While pondering, he momentarily forgot to follow. ¡°Do you want to stay behind to mine?¡± Hong Yuye asked indifferently as she looked back. ¡°No, I was just admiring senior¡¯s grandeur for a moment,¡± Jiang Hao quickly caught up. ¡°Can you lie?¡± Hong Yuye asked flatly. ¡°No,¡± Jiang Hao replied. Hearing this, Hong Yuye deliberately stopped and looked at Jiang Hao. For a moment, she couldn¡¯t help but show a smile. It seemed she had heard something very amusing. Jiang Hao felt a bit startled but could only bow his head. Then a red light flashed, and they disappeared from the spot. In the blink of an eye, Jiang Hao arrived at Luoyuan City, which should be the most prosperous and populous city in the vicinity. It was also a city with many cultivators. Jiang Hao and his company stayed there for four days, during which he sold some items. Some magical treasures, as well as elixirs. He earned a total of two thousand five hundred spirit stones. Adding to his existing spirit stones, he now had a total of fourteen thousand seven hundred. To acquire a suitable magical treasure, Jiang Hao spent three thousand seven hundred on a long saber. The craftsmanship of the saber was average, but the material was decent, suitable for both Golden Core and Foundation Establishment cultivators. A regular Golden Core cultivator could channel their power into it without damaging it. The blade lacked a sense of weight and power enhancement, its only advantage being durability. It was considered an inferior magical treasure for the Golden Core phase. But three thousand seven hundred was a good deal. It was usable. If he went back to the Tianyin Sect to buy one, he might not find such an inferior quality. Fortunately, the design was not bad, with a dark red hilt and a silver-white blade. The saber had no name, so he continued to call it Half-Moon. After four uneventful days, Jiang Hao and his company moved on to other cities. They would stop for a few days in each city they passed through. Sometimes they encountered trouble, but Jiang Hao usually resolved it in advance. It never affected Hong Yuye. Midway, when they ran out of money, Jiang Hao had to ¡°borrow¡± some from a wealthy family with a bad reputation. Only then could they continue to the next destination. More than two months passed in this way. Jiang Hao calculated that he had been out for two and a half months. He had to return within ten days. Unfortunately, there was no gain in these two months; they had passed through cities, visited various small sects, and although there were some clues, the people were long gone. After Zuo Lan¡¯s death, they either fled or received orders to retreat. During this time, Jiang Hao also studied the new slate. He discovered a public area for exchanging messages within it. But it was temporarily unusable. Upon inspection, he found that Hong Yuye had applied an influence to prevent the slate¡¯s owner from detecting their surroundings. Although she had erased the other party¡¯s methods, Hong Yuye¡¯s power persisted. It would take some time to dissipate. Only then could the slate be used. The functions identified were similar to before. He still needed to explore the specific uses. But the fact that the slate had a public communication area felt somewhat familiar. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t dare to jump to conclusions and decided to study it further upon his return. ¡°This is the last city in the vicinity; other cities are extremely far from here,¡± Jiang Hao said, looking at the smaller city ahead. At this time, Hong Yuye was still wearing her orange and white fairy dress, and she hadn¡¯t bathed again. Jiang Hao thought that the reason she bathed last time might have been because the Secret Whisper Slate had consumed some of her mental energy. ¡°Do you want to go back?¡± Hong Yuye asked softly, walking ahead. ¡°The junior has a time-limited mission,¡± Jiang Hao replied with an apologetic bow. ¡°Then pray that you, as an undercover agent, can obtain useful information, otherwise,¡± Hong Yuye glanced back at Jiang Hao with a cold voice. ¡°You know what the consequences will be, right?¡± Jiang Hao could feel the tangible chill and bowed his head: ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Three days later, if there¡¯s no discovery, I¡¯ll send you back,¡± Hong Yuye suddenly said: ¡°Do you want to know how many people are currently searching for your location during this period?¡± Upon hearing this, Jiang Hao¡¯s heart skipped a beat. He was very curious. But he didn¡¯t understand what Hong Yuye was up to. For a moment, he remained silent. Hong Yuye didn¡¯t mind Jiang Hao¡¯s silence; she continued walking forward, her gentle voice carrying through the air. ¡°There are four groups of people trying to find you, two of which are sparing no effort. You don¡¯t like to stand out, yet you seem to have quite the knack for attracting attention. I had thought you were invisible to everyone.¡± ¡°Senior is joking,¡± Jiang Hao sighed. To think that there were four groups after him. This put immense pressure on Jiang Hao, especially since he wasn¡¯t sure which four they were. The craziest ones were probably from the Tiansheng Sect and the Luoxia Sect. The others were hard to say. Maybe it was the Xuantian Sect and the Tianhuan Pavilion, or perhaps others. But no matter who it was, he needed to avoid going out alone. After returning, he would continue his cultivation. Give him a hundred years, and he could resolve these grudges. However, one thing to note was that these people knew his location was hard to pinpoint. This meant either someone powerful was helping him, or he had a magical treasure. It would be better to let people think he had a treasure rather than a powerful helper. He needed to find a good excuse. ¡°Senior, does the Secret Whisper Slate have the ability to conceal my location?¡± Jiang Hao suddenly asked. ¡°Barely, the slate is special, and few can see through it,¡± Hong Yuye answered offhandedly. With this, Jiang Hao felt at ease. If the sect seniors noticed, he would have no choice but to attribute all problems to the Secret Whisper Slate. As for the origin of the slate, that was even easier to explain. Opportunities were everywhere, weren¡¯t they? Having settled these thoughts, Jiang Hao looked towards the city ahead. The last stop. In these two months, besides searching for the Secret Whisper Slate, he had also been looking for his stepmother and the others. Although he was sold at the age of five, he had lived with them before that. Even if they hadn¡¯t treated him well, they still had the grace of raising him. They taught him to speak and occasionally to write a couple of characters. At five years old, he was alone and helpless in the Tianyin Sect, relying solely on himself. It was much harder than chopping wood at home. Seeing them one more time would settle a matter of his heart. But after two months of searching, there was no trace of them. This was the last city ordinary people could reach. If they were still alive, they should be in this city. However, they were not. Three days later, Jiang Hao left the city empty-handed. At that moment, he considered the worst possibility. Chapter 156 - Junior Brother, You’re Far Behind Chapter 156: Junior Brother, You¡¯re Far Behind Jiang Hao had visited every town around Luo City. Even some villages he had passed through. Logically, his stepmother and the others should have settled down in one of the cities. But there was no trace of them. He had hoped to see them one last time to settle his heart, but there was no news. When he was sold, he wanted to say goodbye to them, but to this day, he never had the chance. Seventeen years. It was a long time, with countless births, aging, sickness, deaths, natural disasters, and calamities. Perhaps... Jiang Hao didn¡¯t want to think further. It wasn¡¯t impossible for them to have left the surrounding towns over the years. If that was the case, then finding them in the vast sea of people would be unlikely, especially with his impending return. A few years at the least, or perhaps decades, before he could venture out again. By then, if they were to meet, he might be outside while they might be inside. Living to a hundred years was a luxury; in such times, living to sixty or seventy was already considered longevity. Seventeen years had passed, and another seventeen would make over thirty years. Even if they were free from disasters and diseases, how many more sets of seventeen years could they live? One, or two? Suddenly, Hong Yuye¡¯s voice rang in his ear: ¡°When you¡¯ve made your discovery, you¡¯d better be prepared to leave.¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao was slightly surprised, but he nodded in understanding. ¡°If you slack off, do you understand the consequences?¡± Hong Yuye looked at Jiang Hao with a cold gaze. ¡°I understand,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± said Hong Yuye, covering miles in a single step. Jiang Hao looked back at the city that was about to disappear from view, smiled faintly, and stopped dwelling on it. Time to go back. ...... Tiantu City. Chu Chuan was still cultivating in the backyard. His talent was average, so he needed to spend more moments on cultivation. It¡¯s been over two months, and he still hasn¡¯t grasped the basics. During this time, he had learned quite a bit, such as the concept of ¡°a hundred days to entry.¡± As long as one has the lowest level of talent, even the worst could enter within a hundred days. But two months had passed, and he was still at the stage of drawing qi into his body, and it seemed like it would take quite some time before he could circulate it through a complete cycle. Even Chen Quan, a senior, shook his head at this talent. Chu Chuan started to worry about whether he could even be accepted into the Tianyin Sect. He had learned a bit about the Tianyin Sect, the most powerful sect nearby. It was also a Demon Sect. He had heard about it from Senior Chen Quan, but he didn¡¯t dare to speak of it, fearing it would bring him disaster. He had even given them a false name, just in case. Whether they knew his real name or not, he didn¡¯t care anymore. He didn¡¯t have any aversion to the Demon Sect; after all, even as a Demon Sect, it was still a powerful sect. ¡°Are you still cultivating, young friend?¡± At that moment, Chen Quan walked in. ¡°Senior Chen.¡± Chu Chuan greeted respectfully. ¡°Has Senior Jiang not returned yet?¡± Chen Quan asked curiously. ¡°Mhm.¡± Chu Chuan answered. He had been asking about this frequently, and he understood why. But he didn¡¯t dare say much. He could only pray that he hadn¡¯t been abandoned because if he had been, he would have to find a way to survive. The false name was also a precaution against this. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Senior Jiang must have been delayed somewhere,¡± Chen Quan said with a smile. He didn¡¯t dare to think too much about it; even if that person didn¡¯t return for a year, he wouldn¡¯t do anything. The other¡¯s methods were too frightening. They would act without a word. If he really was delayed and came back after a year to find that the person he was supposed to pick up was gone... Just thinking about it made Chen Quan shiver. Chu Chuan wanted to reply but suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed. Chen Quan was shocked and about to go over when Jiang Hao suddenly descended from the sky, grabbed Chu Chuan, and flew away. ¡°Thank you, Daoist Chen, for your care these past days. The spiritual medicine in the courtyard is my gift to you.¡± Before Chen Quan could respond, Jiang Hao¡¯s figure had already disappeared. ...... After a while. Jiang Hao returned to the base of the Tianyin Sect. Hong Yuye had brought him here and then disappeared without a trace. Chu Chuan was placed to one side. Looking at the familiar sect, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. After more than two months, he had finally returned. It was almost three months, still within the mission deadline. ¡°Huh?¡± At this moment, Chu Chuan woke up. When he saw Jiang Hao, he was stunned and instinctively went on guard: ¡°W-who are you?¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat puzzled, then he realized. The power of Hong Yuye had disappeared from him. He didn¡¯t explain but instead said: ¡°I will take you to get started. After that, you will stay here to cultivate. Remember not to tell anyone how you entered. Just let them know that I brought you back. Don¡¯t easily disclose your relationship with the Mingyue Sect to others,¡± Jiang Hao reminded. Although it wouldn¡¯t necessarily cause trouble, it was still better to keep a low profile. If it brought trouble, this transaction would not be worth it. But this risk was worth taking for him. A favor from the Mingyue Sect could be useful in the future. Besides, no one outside had seen his true face; he could always find a way to deny it. ¡°Are you Senior Jiang?¡± Chu Chuan found it hard to believe. And how did he end up here? Wasn¡¯t he just in the backyard? But this place was like a fairyland. ¡°My name is Jiang Hao, you can call me Senior Brother,¡± Jiang Hao walked inside: ¡°Follow me, I¡¯ll take you to register. Remember, observe more and speak less.¡± On the way, Jiang Hao explained some things to ensure the other could survive here. After addressing the issues, he wanted to ask about how the other had seen him before. But fearing it would cause trouble, he decided against it. Chu Chuan understood that he had arrived at the Tianyin Sect. This was a place where immortals gathered, and he was going to be one of them. He was somewhat excited for a moment. But there was a big problem. ¡°Senior Brother, will I become a demon in the future?¡± There was a moment of silence before Jiang Hao replied: ¡°Just hold on to your true heart.¡± ...... After a while. Jiang Hao brought him to the Enforcement Peak. He had come here to complete a mission, and Chu Chuan was the person he had brought back for this mission. ¡°Junior Brother, isn¡¯t this a bit too much of a difference?¡± Looking at the person Jiang Hao brought back, the Senior Sister at the counter said somewhat helplessly. ¡°We asked for a girl named Chu Jie, but you brought back...¡± ¡°I heard the two of them grew up together, so they must have some relationship,¡± Jiang Hao whispered. Hoping the other party would be accommodating. ¡°Junior Brother, the mission is a failure,¡± the Senior Sister at the counter concluded directly. Jiang Hao sighed inwardly, unable to save even a single spirit stone. ¡°When does Junior Brother plan to repay the spirit stones?¡± the Senior Sister at the counter asked with a smile. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t say much more but instead handed over a thousand spirit stones: ¡°I¡¯ll pay off the rest within three months.¡± ¡°Alright, then Junior Brother, keep the debt note safe,¡± the Senior Sister at the counter said as she handed Jiang Hao a debt note. It stated that the Enforcement Peak had received a thousand spirit stones. ¡°Does Senior Sister want to make arrangements for this Junior Brother?¡± Jiang Hao asked. Although Chu Chuan didn¡¯t understand what was happening, he knew better than to speak too much. ¡°Junior Brother can make his own arrangements,¡± the Senior Sister at the counter said offhandedly. ¡°Okay.¡± With that response, Jiang Hao left the Enforcement Peak. He took the person to Duanqing Cliff and had someone help him collect the essentials for new disciples. Then he went to see his master. While informing his master of his return, he also explained Chu Chuan¡¯s situation. If because of this mistake, the master asked him to go mining, it couldn¡¯t be better. However, the master just responded indifferently and didn¡¯t say anything more. Jiang Hao was used to this. After instructing Chu Chuan to find him at the Spiritual Medicine Garden if needed, he returned to his courtyard. Chapter 157 - Did the Female Demon Give Me a Lost Elixir? Chapter 157: Did the Female Demon Give Me a Lost Elixir? In front of the courtyard, Jiang Hao was quite emotional. Three months had passed without returning, and nothing here had changed. The surrounding formations also had no issues. After entering, he saw the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower had grown four leaves and had gotten a bit taller. A refreshing fragrance permeated the courtyard, and the spiritual energy was denser. The lotuses were also growing well. ¡°It seems the rabbit hasn¡¯t been slacking off these days.¡± Jiang Hao shook his head and chuckled. At this moment, he came to the peach tree, and if there was any change in the courtyard, it was this tree that had changed the most. Not in height, but it was now full of peaches, some of which were ripe. They grew so quickly. Picking a peach, Jiang Hao took a bite and found it crisp and delicious. But aside from that, there was nothing special; it was just an ordinary peach. Even growing in such an environment, it was quite ordinary. ¡°It seems that it needs to undergo nirvana, but I don¡¯t know how to initiate it.¡± Without hesitation, Jiang Hao activated his divine ability. ¡°Appraisal.¡± ¡¾Peach Tree: Related to the ancient divine Peach Tree, it possesses a trace of the divine tree¡¯s characteristics, and its fruit is sweet. Leave one fruit on the tree, and arrange a spirit gathering formation with four thousand nine hundred spirit stones around it to stimulate a trace of the divine tree¡¯s characteristics and initiate nirvana. After nine nirvanas, it will become a divine peach tree. Being near divine objects makes nirvana more likely to succeed.¡¿ ¡°It seems I need to start the nirvana process.¡± Looking at the appraisal, Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. What surprised him even more was that he needed to use four thousand nine hundred spirit stones for the formation. There was also a condition that one fruit must be left on the tree. If there were no fruits, would he have to wait until next year? For a moment, Jiang Hao felt that the peaches wouldn¡¯t wait for anyone, and if he didn¡¯t want the nirvana to fail next year, he¡¯d need to prepare four thousand nine hundred spirit stones in advance. This was still without any changes; if there were more, the pressure would be immense. ¡°I thought I was well-off, but it turns out half went to feed the rabbit and the other half to the peach tree.¡± Fortunately, he hadn¡¯t rushed to hand over the compensation in full. Three thousand wasn¡¯t impossible, but he was worried that taking out three thousand at once would draw too much attention. So, spreading it over three months wouldn¡¯t attract notice. At most, they¡¯d gloat over his misfortune. This way, they wouldn¡¯t develop feelings of envy. The better he did, the more others would begrudge him. Eating the peach, Jiang Hao went to a corner of the courtyard, where he took out the scrapped Half-Moon No. 2 and stuck it into the ground as a decoration. Having already had two taken, surely this one wouldn¡¯t be taken as well? Afterward, he went inside the house to check, and there were no problems. On the balcony, Jiang Hao looked at the river in front of the courtyard, lost in thought. ¡°What kind of bubbles will appear after the peach tree undergoes nirvana? Gold or purple?¡± ¡°If nirvana is equivalent to helping the rabbit dig up its hidden bloodline, then it might be gold.¡± ¡°But the rabbit already has a bloodline; it¡¯s just hidden, whereas the peach tree only has a trace of divinity, meaning it¡¯s actually quite ordinary now. Can something so ordinary produce gold bubbles during nirvana?¡± Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t sure, but if gold bubbles did appear, it would be perfect, especially in combination with the rabbit, giving him two. But if not, there should at least be purple. Purple would be acceptable. The more divine abilities, the better, as he had come to understand. If he gathered three purple bubbles, he could get another divine ability. ¡°I¡¯ll try it after some time.¡± No longer pondering, Jiang Hao decided to take advantage of the fact that not many people knew he was back and make a trip to the library. He needed to check what kind of elixir Hong Yuye had given him back then. If possible, he wanted to save money to buy one. The Scripture Pavilion. Jiang Hao had been searching here for quite some time. ...... Evening. He finally came across a description that seemed familiar. ¡°Snow God Pill, consuming it can nourish divine powers, repair divine powers, and there¡¯s also a certain chance of awakening new divine powers.¡± ¡°Just this one sentence?¡± Confused, he asked the senior manager of this floor. The senior manager was an elderly man with white hair. Not the nicest person, but if you gave him a few spirit stones, he would become much more talkative. This was something Jiang Hao had observed. He handed over three spirit stones. The old man glanced at him and said casually: ¡°Ask whatever questions you have.¡± ¡°Junior wants to ask about this Snow God Pill, is this elixir very rare?¡± Jiang Hao inquired. ¡°You¡¯re thinking of using it to awaken divine powers?¡± The elder looked at Jiang Hao with amusement. ¡°Stop dreaming. There are many dreamers like you, but that¡¯s impossible.¡± ¡°The elixir doesn¡¯t work?¡± Jiang Hao tried asking. He wasn¡¯t concerned about awakening new divine powers; he had his own methods. What worried him was the potential damage to his divine powers one day. ¡°It works.¡± The elder seemed in a good mood and explained. ¡°For those without divine powers, the Snow God Pill can almost always help in awakening them. But there is no such pill.¡± ¡°No such pill?¡± Jiang Hao was astonished. ¡°Yes, none.¡± The elder said with a hint of regret: ¡°It¡¯s lost, maybe only a few immortal sects have one or two pills left.¡± So that was the case. After thanking him, Jiang Hao left the Scripture Pavilion. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. On his way back, he couldn¡¯t help but marvel that Hong Yuye was even more extraordinary than he had imagined. She could casually produce something that had been lost. Passing through a crowded area, Jiang Hao suddenly overheard a conversation. ¡°Those people are asking me for spirit stones again, it¡¯s so annoying. Why should I pay back the money I owe fair and square? A mere Foundation Establishment beginner dares to ask me for spirit stones?¡± ¡°Without our pill refining, where would they get so many elixirs for cultivation? And they still have the nerve to ask us for spirit stones?¡± ¡°Exactly, I don¡¯t believe they would dare to provoke us pill refiners.¡± ¡°We¡¯ve given up so much cultivation time just for their sake, to provide them with elixirs, and what do we get in return? Their scorn?¡± Listening to the voices of a man and a woman, Jiang Hao was reminded of something. Before he left, Cheng Chou seemed to have mentioned that people from the Candlelight Alchemy Court owed spirit stones and hadn¡¯t paid them back. ¡°I said I would deal with it when I returned. It seems to be a troublesome matter.¡± ¡°I wonder if it has been dealt with.¡± Hearing the conversation of the two just now, he knew that it was normal for pill refiners to owe spirit stones. Pill refiners were indeed not to be trifled with, but in Jiang Hao¡¯s understanding, pill refiners should be wealthy. Why would they even skimp on the spirit stones needed to help cultivate spiritual herbs? Thinking this, he arrived at the market, intending to buy some materials for talisman making. The rabbit needed spirit stones, the peach tree needed spirit stones. Plus the two thousand he owed to the Enforcement Peak. In total, he needed twelve thousand. Currently, he only had ten thousand. He needed to earn spirit stones quickly in the next two months, otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t even be able to pay off his debts. ¡°Junior Brother Jiang.¡± Just as he arrived at the stalls, Jiang Hao heard someone calling him. ¡°Senior Sister Leng Tian?¡± Seeing the fairy selling elixirs at a stall, Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. Senior Sister Leng Tian was indeed a pill refiner. As Jiang Hao approached, Senior Sister Leng Tian asked: ¡°Do you still sell talismans, Junior Brother?¡± ¡°What kind of talisman does Senior Sister need?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Do you have the Hundred Thousand Swords Talisman?¡± Senior Sister Leng Tian inquired. ¡°I have five.¡± ¡°Give them all to me.¡± After receiving the spirit stones, Jiang Hao felt a bit out of place, as if he, a shopper, was actually selling things to the stall owner. However, seeing the elixirs at the stall, he just happened to want to ask why pill refiners always owed debts without repaying them. Upon hearing his question, Senior Sister Leng Tian gave an answer: ¡°Because we¡¯re poor.¡± Chapter 158 - Is the Female Demon Head Coming to My Place for a Bath? Chapter 158: Is the Female Demon Head Coming to My Place for a Bath? ¡°Poor?¡± Jiang Hao was puzzled. ¡°Pill refining should be the most profitable profession, so why are they poor?¡± Elixirs were generally expensive, except for common ones which were cheap. For example, the Spirit Building Pill, a common elixir used by those at the initial stage of Foundation Establishment to enhance cultivation. Every realm has such elixirs; they are easy to produce in large quantities and have average effects, classifying them as mass-market goods, so the profits aren¡¯t very high. But the prices of others beyond these are much higher. So how could a pill refiner master be poor? ¡°Junior Brother, how many pill refiners do you think there are in the Candlelight Alchemy Court lineage?¡± Senior Sister Leng Tian looked at Jiang Hao with a sigh and gave the answer directly. ¡°Over two thousand three hundred. And that¡¯s only those who can refine pills above the Foundation Establishment level, just counting the Candlelight Alchemy Court lineage, not including others. How many talisman makers do you think there are in the entire sect? Merely a few hundred. Although the threshold for making talismans is low and the cost is low, the future is the most uncertain.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why there are fewer talisman makers, and while the profits from talismans can be decent in the early stages, they¡¯re pretty much the same later on, and it¡¯s hard to see a qualitative change. Pill refining, on the other hand, is different. It has a high status, a promising future, and once you create a pill formula, you can continuously earn spirit stones.¡± Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Pill refining even aids in cultivation, so there are far more people refining pills than making talismans. Of course, many people can make simple talismans, which is why nobody wants things like the Swift Travel Talisman. This is also the impact of having a low barrier to entry. Compared to talisman making, the threshold for pill refining is very high.¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. The Candlelight Alchemy Court actually had so many pill refiners? Wouldn¡¯t they make a fortune if they went out? But remembering the situation in Tiantu City, he felt that the purchasing power there was too low. It was also not easy to make money. ¡°Senior Sister, please continue,¡± Jiang Hao said humbly. He wanted to know what the situation was. Senior Sister Leng Tian looked somewhat helpless and said: ¡°A high threshold means that a lot of spirit stones are spent. Although the Alchemy Court lineage provides a lot of support, pill refining requires continuous experimentation to make progress. Each attempt costs a batch of spirit stones.¡± ¡°Junior Brother, you understand that making talismans also requires buying materials, right? So think about how many materials a pill refiner needs to consume. Add to that a high failure rate, and it¡¯s a complete loss. To improve in pill refining, one must practice non-stop.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. It was for this reason that he gave up on becoming a pill refiner. The results were slow, the investment was large, and it required talent. Making talismans was easier. ¡°But those who can refine pills above the Foundation Establishment level should be able to earn quite a few spirit stones, right?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Because there are just too many common pills, the buyback prices are not high, and when selling pills, everyone tries to drive the price down. This is still with the sect looking out for us; the Xuelian Pavilion rarely sells common pills,¡± Senior Sister Leng Tian shrugged and said. ¡°So, pill refiners at the Foundation Establishment level are actually quite poor. Only by advancing to Golden Core can they escape their plight. After all, out of the two thousand three hundred pill refiners, fifty percent are at the Foundation Establishment level, about twenty percent are at Golden Core. Nascent Soul accounts for about fifteen percent, Spirit Refining should also be close to fifteen percent, and those above Return to Void are few and far between.¡± ¡°What realms are there above Return to Void?¡± Jiang Hao suddenly asked, curious. ¡°I¡¯m not too clear on that,¡± Senior Sister Leng Tian shook her head, then said: ¡°I¡¯ve heard that even the Alchemy Court has single-digit pill refiners above Return to Void. Some seniors say that our foundation is too weak.¡± Jiang Hao understood that although the Candlelight Alchemy Court lineage had many pill refiners, the quality was average, with most concentrated at the Foundation Establishment level. However, the large number meant that more people would advance in the future. Once there are more high-level pill refiners, the foundation will become stronger. The forging lineage is weaker, and talisman making... is not even taken seriously. Compared to talisman making, the sect probably cares more about array masters. But array masters don¡¯t make much money either. Their threshold is not much lower than that of pill refining. Because it¡¯s too difficult. ¡°Is Senior Sister from the Candlelight Alchemy Court lineage?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Yes.¡± Senior Sister Leng Tian nodded, somewhat embarrassedly said: ¡°My talent for pill refining is actually a bit low, which is a bit embarrassing to admit. However, I and some Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters have thought of a solution. The best way to become a Golden Core pill refiner is to first advance to Golden Core, then continue with pill refining.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. Advancing first indeed seemed better. With higher cultivation, everything else becomes more convenient. Afterward, he bid farewell to Senior Sister Leng Tian. After buying some talisman-making materials, Jiang Hao returned to his courtyard. Just as he entered the courtyard, he saw a rabbit with a swollen face and bruised nose hanging from a tree branch, its life and death unknown. Seeing this, Jiang Hao knew that Hong Yuye had come. He immediately surveyed his surroundings. As he looked up, he just saw Hong Yuye walking onto the balcony. Their eyes met. Neither spoke. Then a red shadow appeared on Hong Yuye, and in the next instant, she was in front of Jiang Hao, speaking calmly: ¡°Is there no place to bathe here?¡± This question left Jiang Hao somewhat taken aback, but he still replied respectfully. ¡°There is, but there¡¯s no bathtub.¡± ¡°Remember to prepare it,¡± Hong Yuye walked under the peach tree, casually tossed the rabbit into a corner, and plucked a peach to look at Jiang Hao. ¡°If it¡¯s not ready when I need it, you will bear my wrath.¡± Although Jiang Hao didn¡¯t understand why Hong Yuye wanted to bathe here, he could only nod in agreement. ¡°Yes, junior understands what to do.¡± He just hoped she wouldn¡¯t make things difficult for him next time. ¡°Are you about to advance to Nascent Soul?¡± Hong Yuye suddenly asked. As she spoke, she plucked another peach that was not yet ripe and casually tossed it to Jiang Hao. ¡°I remember you said it was sweet, now you try it.¡± ¡°Senior, this peach...¡± Jiang Hao looked at the unripe peach, wanting to explain. But the overwhelming aura coming from the other side forced him to change his words. ¡°I¡¯ll try it now.¡± He glanced at the peach tree and noticed that all the ripe peaches were gone. Eaten by rabbits? After taking a bite, Jiang Hao felt it was a bit sour. It was fragrant, but not sweet enough. ¡°Is it sweet or sour?¡± Hong Yuye asked. ¡°Sweet, fragrantly sweet,¡± Jiang Hao replied. ¡°Sweet?¡± Hong Yuye looked at Jiang Hao with a smile that was not quite a smile. ¡°Sweet,¡± Jiang Hao nodded and repeated. Bang! A collision sound came from the courtyard wall, and Jiang Hao was pushed against the wall by the mighty aura. His back was a bit sore. But when he came to his senses, he found that Hong Yuye¡¯s figure had already disappeared from the courtyard. Soon, a pleasant and melodious voice rang in his ear: ¡°I won¡¯t let you accompany me for nothing, the item on the table is yours. You¡¯d better look up some information before advancing to Nascent Soul.¡± Now there was a book on the table. Curious, Jiang Hao approached the table, picked up the book, and saw bold characters on it¡ªMerge with Light and Blend with Dust. ¡°¡¶Merge with Light and Blend with Dust¡·, what kind of book is this?¡± Confused, he opened the first page, which read: Merge with its Light, Blend with its Dust. Advance, and you can travel tens of thousands of miles. Retreat, and you can disappear into the crowd without a trace. ¡°Is this a movement technique?¡± He continued to read. A movement technique was something he currently needed. Previously, besides Demon Sound Thousand Li, he had no impressive movement techniques. Now with this ¡¶Merge with Light and Blend with Dust¡·, perhaps things would be much more convenient in the future. He just didn¡¯t know to what extent it could be developed. While he continued to flip through the pages, a wailing sound came over. The rabbit had woken up. This time it didn¡¯t wail for long before it stopped and immediately got up from the ground, ¡°Master, have you come back? The friends on the road reminded me that you¡¯re back.¡± Quickly, the rabbit saw Jiang Hao by the table and excitedly ran over. ¡°Master, did you bring me a gift?¡± the rabbit asked expectantly as it jumped onto the table. ¡°No,¡± Jiang Hao closed the book and shook his head. ¡°Master, the friends on the road open their shops late, why don¡¯t you go and bring me one now?¡± the rabbit twisted its collar and said. ¡°I don¡¯t have a gift, but I brought something else,¡± Jiang Hao took out a rope. Chapter 159 - Let’s Release the Rabbit and the Dragon Chapter 159: Let¡¯s Release the Rabbit and the Dragon Under the rabbit¡¯s puzzled gaze, Jiang Hao hung the rope on the tree. It was just tied up in advance; it was still too early to hang the rabbit. He would observe the situation for the next few days. Make sure there were no major issues within the sect, then hang the rabbit. This way, there would be less chance of mistakes. ¡°What did you bring, Master?¡± the rabbit asked, touching its swollen face. ¡°You¡¯ll know in a few days,¡± Jiang Hao said, looking at the peaches on the tree. ¡°Did you pick the ripe fruits?¡± ¡°It was Xiao Li who picked them,¡± the rabbit immediately sold out Xiao Li. Jiang Hao looked down at the rabbit and asked, ¡°Can she come in by herself?¡± Xiao Li might be mischievous, but she still had manners. ¡°Master, Xiao Li used the name of Lord Rabbit, and the peaches on the road gave me some face; they fell from the tree on their own,¡± the rabbit declared confidently. Jiang Hao chuckled. Then he instructed the rabbit not to pick all the fruits. These were just ordinary peaches; it was better for someone to eat them than to let them sit there. There was nothing much to fuss about. When entering the house, Jiang Hao suddenly looked towards the corner. The spot where Half-Moon No. 2 used to be was now empty. ¡°Gone again.¡± With a sigh in his heart, Jiang Hao returned to the room and sat down cross-legged. He thought about Hong Yuye¡¯s words. He needed to look up some information before advancing to Nascent Soul. This was indeed something that required research to prevent any accidents. He could just take some time to visit the library. There was still quite some time before his advancement. Probably eight or nine months. No rush. Seeing the rabbit recovering in front of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, Jiang Hao started to read ¡¶Merge with Light and Blend with Dust¡·. He planned to read it through first and then comprehend it. ...... In the middle of the night. Jiang Hao closed the book, his brows slightly furrowed. He didn¡¯t understand it. The technique was abstruse and difficult to grasp; he could only vaguely understand what it was. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was indeed a movement technique, and it possessed extremely fast speed without being detected. However, one must blend their power and aura with the surroundings, keeping a low profile, restrained and peaceful. This technique requires a certain state of mind. ¡°Isn¡¯t this too difficult to learn?¡± Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but remark, as this technique seemed to be the most challenging one he had encountered so far. Although Heavenly Saber Seven Forms is difficult, one can comprehend it as long as they activate the divine ability Clear Heart and Pure Mind. However, to master the technique of blending in like light with dust, one not only needs to perceive it but also needs a compatible state of mind. If it weren¡¯t for the improvement in his state of mind during his recent travels, he wouldn¡¯t even be able to start. But the higher the threshold and the more difficult it is to cultivate, the more powerful the technique proves to be. He decided to spend the next few days trying to get a grasp of the basics. ¡°After reaching the Nascent Soul stage, I should be able to learn some of the techniques from the Primordial Heart Sutra, which will give me other means.¡± Under the moonlight, Jiang Hao saw a rabbit lying next to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, fast asleep. Its sleeping posture was quite poor, with a lot of drool. Fortunately, it had set up a light screen for itself; if the drool had gotten onto the flower... The next day, its friends in the road would have to send it off. Jiang Hao got up to inspect his wooden hut, realizing that indeed there was a place to bathe, as it was inevitable to get dirty during cultivation. The room, however, was not very large. He had once designed a natural water inlet system, but it had fallen into disuse. A wooden tub would suffice without it. After measuring, Jiang Hao found that the tub could fit, but it took up quite a bit of space. ¡°Should I expand it?¡± After considering how to expand it, Jiang Hao noticed the dawn breaking. ¡°Is it already morning?¡± With some time to spare, he tidied up the house to avoid discomfort during cultivation or talisman crafting. When the day fully broke, Jiang Hao took the rabbit and left the yard. ¡°Has anything happened in the Spiritual Medicine Garden recently?¡± ¡°Yes, something big happened,¡± the rabbit nodded as it followed, ¡°Someone has renovated the Spiritual Medicine Garden.¡± Renovated? Jiang Hao immediately thought of Senior Sister Miao Tinglian. She was the only one who would tell him daily what was unsuitable and what was wasteful. If she really had made changes, then it meant less work for him but also fewer spirit stones. He somewhat regretted bringing her into the sect. ¡°Anything else?¡± ¡°Lord Rabbit has been diligently fulfilling its duties, serving its master with all its heart.¡± ¡°Tell me something unrelated to you, like, has Xiao Li caused any trouble?¡± ¡°Some people from the canteen were looking for you.¡± This surprised Jiang Hao: ¡°Looking for me? Why?¡± ¡°They said Xiao Li often uses your name to eat a lot for free,¡± the rabbit said, shaking its collar. Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± He remembered Xiao Li would usually give the rabbit¡¯s name, so why was it his now? Glancing at the rabbit, Jiang Hao sighed. It seemed the rabbit was the troublemaker. If it continued to unlock its hidden talents, it would become even more formidable. His small courtyard couldn¡¯t contain it. Maybe he should find an excuse to set it free in a few years. Xiao Li was also a problem, akin to raising a dragon. ¡®I somewhat regret bringing it back. I thought all the trouble would be handled by my master, but it ended up with me.¡¯ ¡®In a few years, when she can fend for herself, I¡¯ll find an excuse to set her free too.¡¯ ¡®Maybe let them go together.¡¯ Thinking this, Jiang Hao felt he would no longer have any troubles approaching him. He would also need to visit the canteen. Upon arriving at the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao saw Cheng Chou talking to someone. At the ninth level of Qi Refining, the person was probably an outer disciple. When Jiang Hao approached, the person paid respects and retreated. ¡°Senior Brother Jiang, you¡¯re back?¡± Cheng Chou exclaimed excitedly upon seeing Jiang Hao. They had been looking forward to his return since he left. After the Spiritual Medicine Garden was taken over by other inner disciples, they all felt uneasy, fearing they would become targets. These past three months hadn¡¯t been easy for them, with the guards constantly changing. Senior Sister Miao Tinglian was quite good, but after she renovated the Spiritual Medicine Garden, she got busy with other things. The other inner disciples seemed unwilling to come, and if someone worked slowly, they would be targeted. No one dared to speak out. Jiang Hao entered the Spiritual Medicine Garden and noticed that many people looked uneasy and worried. If Golden Core disciples were to oversee the Spiritual Medicine Garden, it wouldn¡¯t be much of a problem. The fear was the Foundation Establishment inner disciples. In their eyes, these people were as good as dead. Forget the Demon Sect, even if such incidents occurred in a righteous sect, at most there would be a scolding and a couple of days of facing the wall, and then it would be forgotten. The rabbit was right; these people had it tough. Jiang Hao sighed inwardly, wasn¡¯t he himself struggling on the edge of life and death? ¡°Is there something wrong with the Spiritual Medicine Garden?¡± Jiang Hao asked as he walked through the spiritual field. The spiritual field had been modified, and some planting methods had been changed. He needed to familiarize himself with it. Since he hadn¡¯t been involved in the handling, there weren¡¯t many bubbles around. There were only a few sparse white bubbles. Better than nothing. Starting from tomorrow, he would be able to steadily accumulate bubbles. He could speed up his strength increase. ¡°It¡¯s still about the Candlelight Alchemy Court lineage,¡± Cheng Chou explained. ¡°Some pill refiners want to take back the spiritual medicines they¡¯ve placed with us. But they say they don¡¯t have spirit stones at the moment and will pay in full later.¡± ¡°Has this happened before?¡± Jiang Hao asked as he casually dealt with some spiritual medicines nearby. ¡°Yes, but it¡¯s particularly serious this year. They seem to be doing it on purpose, not paying back,¡± Cheng Chou said. ¡°Why not just deduct some spiritual medicines?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°This...¡± Cheng Chou said with some difficulty: ¡°The Candlelight Alchemy Court lineage is a whole. Offending some pill refiners might mean offending a group of them. Few people are willing to do that. If one person starts, the whole lineage could be targeted. We can¡¯t afford that.¡± Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Chapter 160 - Dealing with The Pill Refiners Chapter 160: Dealing with The Pill Refiners Hearing Cheng Chou¡¯s description, Jiang Hao could feel how much of a headache the Alchemy Court lineage had been. Pill refiners indeed held high status. Especially since they also knew how to unite and increase their advantage. Once targeted, it would be very uncomfortable. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Offending one or two of the twelve main lineages was no big deal for them. But for other lineages to offend the Alchemy Court lineage, that was a significant problem. No big issues, but there would always be inconveniences. That wasn¡¯t even the main problem; the key was who had provoked the Alchemy Court lineage. If today¡¯s Duanqing Cliff Spiritual Medicine Garden had offended someone from the Alchemy Court lineage, causing some pill refiners from the Alchemy Court lineage to target Duanqing Cliff, then those in charge of the Spiritual Medicine Garden would likely suffer. Jiang Hao still maintained his calm: ¡°What if they keep not handing over the spiritual medicines?¡± ¡°Then we occupy the space and still have to look after their spiritual medicines. They wouldn¡¯t forcefully take them, but we would continue to suffer losses. Because of the delay, they definitely won¡¯t pay spirit stones,¡± Cheng Chou explained. ¡°How was it resolved before?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°By using inferior quality pills to offset the debt,¡± Cheng Chou said thoughtfully. ¡°Almost all the cases I¡¯ve encountered were like this, but these inferior quality pills are hard to sell. The sect has no buyers, so we have to sell them outside. Generally, we won¡¯t lose money, but they are likely to get stuck in our hands.¡± Jiang Hao nodded slightly; that made sense. If the people from the Alchemy Court were to let the Spiritual Medicine Garden bear all the losses, there would be resistance. If they couldn¡¯t bear it themselves, they wouldn¡¯t care about offending others. Having inferior quality pills to offset the debt was troublesome, but it was at least a way to keep going. ¡°Since debts could be offset before, why is it not working now?¡± Jiang Hao voiced his confusion. ¡°The amount is quite large,¡± Cheng Chou said. ¡°How much?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Three thousand seven hundred spirit stones.¡± ¡°...¡± Three thousand seven hundred spirit stones? Jiang Hao was surprised internally; no wonder the two parties were at an impasse. What did nearly four thousand spirit stones represent? Jiang Hao remembered that he had to compensate Tianhuan Pavilion one thousand spirit stones. It took almost three months, and that was only possible because he earned them by making talismans. During that time, he even had to use the divine ability Clear Heart and Pure Mind. For others, even if they frequently did sect missions, it would be very difficult to accumulate four thousand spirit stones. Unless they were in the late or complete stage of Foundation Establishment, at which point they would start saving spirit stones for a Heaven Replenishing Pill. But no one would take such a big risk to exchange their savings for inferior quality pills. ¡°Why is it so expensive?¡± Jiang Hao asked. A Foundation Establishment pill refiner, no matter how you looked at it, couldn¡¯t pay it back unless they stopped alchemy. ¡°Actually, it¡¯s not one person, it¡¯s six,¡± Cheng Chou reminded him. ¡°Six?¡± Jiang Hao did some quick calculations. He realized that even if the six people shared the debt, it would still be over six hundred each. The amount was still considerable. If it were just one person with six hundred, it might be okay, but six people with six hundred each, they wouldn¡¯t want to use inferior quality pills to offset the debt. ¡°How much are their spiritual medicines worth in spirit stones?¡± Jiang Hao asked again. ¡°Fourteen thousand spirit stones,¡± Cheng Chou thought for a moment and added: ¡°These spiritual medicines require spiritual liquid to grow, and we provide the spiritual liquid. That¡¯s why the cost is as high as three thousand seven hundred.¡± ¡°So that¡¯s how it is,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. After some thought, he realized that being a pill refiner was indeed lucrative, albeit with high expenses. ¡°Now, the six of them seem to be out of spirit stones and have even called someone over today to ask for spiritual medicine. Continuing to drag this out is not to our advantage,¡± Cheng Chou said apologetically. ¡°That¡¯s why I was hoping Senior Brother could help.¡± Jiang Hao stood still, pondering the situation. This wasn¡¯t exactly his responsibility, but having the spiritual medicine lying around was still affecting him. He guessed that Cheng Chou sought him out hoping he would take on some of the inferior spiritual medicine. After all, everyone knew he made a decent amount selling talismans. ¡°Is it only our group encountering this issue?¡± Jiang Hao inquired. Cheng Chou had already looked into it and immediately replied, ¡°Other lineages are facing this too. Out of the eleven lineages, six are dealing with this. In fact, everyone wants to refuse, but no one wants to be the first to make a move.¡± No one wants to be the nail that sticks out, as it gets hammered down. This was a principle everyone understood, so they were all waiting for one sect to fall out with the pill refiners. That way, the pill refiners would only remember the leader of the revolt. Jiang Hao nodded and said, ¡°Gather some detailed information.¡± ¡°I already have it.¡± Cheng Chou produced a list. ¡°The situation for all six lineages is here. Since the pill refiners are quite united, those responsible for the orders are also banding together, hoping to find a solution.¡± This surprised Jiang Hao; it seemed that people from all places were not to be trifled with. If the other side was united, their side was not inferior. It¡¯s just that no one was willing to step forward. Everyone was afraid to take responsibility. ¡°Which lineages are not affected by this?¡± Jiang Hao asked. After a moment of thought, Cheng Chou explained methodically. ¡°The Baiyue Lake sect is not to be provoked, and the same goes for the Enforcement Peak sect. The pill refiners wouldn¡¯t dare to mess with them. If they were to be investigated because of this, the pill refiners wouldn¡¯t be able to escape the consequences. The Hundred Bones Forest sect doesn¡¯t rely much on the Candlelight Alchemy Court. The other two sects have their own reasons.¡± Taking the list from Cheng Chou, Jiang Hao saw that it involved forty people and a total of twenty-five thousand in funds. All things considered, the amount was neither too large nor too small for the pill refiners. ¡°I¡¯ll pay them a visit in a few days. For now, keep an eye on the spiritual medicine,¡± Jiang Hao decided internally. He wanted to handle the situation but didn¡¯t want to make a big fuss. If he really caused the pill refiners to target the Foundation Establishment cultivators of Duanqing Cliff, he would have to start alchemy himself. There was no need for that. It was too time-consuming, and he couldn¡¯t afford it at the moment. Mainly because the pills were almost useless to him. His advancement didn¡¯t rely on those; the only first-level pill he needed was the Snow God Pill, but such a pill, let alone being made, didn¡¯t even exist in the entire Tianyin Sect. Probably only sects like Haotian Sect or Mingyue Sect might have it. He could ask Liu Xingchen if he had the chance. As for dealing with the debt in a few days, it was because he wanted to comprehend ¡¶Merge with Light and Blend with Dust¡· in the next few days. Keeping himself in the best condition was the only way to feel secure. He also needed to take care of some matters in the next few days. Afterward, Jiang Hao inquired about Xiao Li¡¯s situation. ¡°Junior Sister Xiao Li loves to eat, and the cafeteria side hopes to communicate with Senior Brother.¡± Cheng Chou pondered before adding, ¡°Other than that, there shouldn¡¯t be any issues. Junior Sister Xiao Li is uncontrollable, and she spends her time playing with Lord Rabbit in the Spiritual Medicine Garden. The Senior Brothers and Sisters who taught cultivation have completely given up on her.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll stop by the cafeteria later,¡± Jiang Hao said. If it was just the cafeteria, the problem wasn¡¯t significant. As he finished speaking, an excited voice came from outside: ¡°Rabbit, rabbit, will you pick peaches for me from Senior Brother¡¯s tree today?¡± ¡°What did you say?¡± The rabbit replied righteously, ¡°It¡¯s because the peaches on the street gave face to Lord Rabbit and fell from the tree on their own.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Xiao Li, who had just run in, looked confused. She was about to say something else while pinching the rabbit¡¯s face but then saw the rabbit winking at her, which puzzled her even more. However, at that moment, she saw Jiang Hao approaching. Instinctively, she hid the rabbit behind her and stood obediently, her head bowed as if she had been caught doing something wrong. Chapter 161 - What Do You Get for Raising a Dragon? Chapter 161: What Do You Get for Raising a Dragon? In front of the spiritual field, Xiao Li stood quietly, her head down, looking at her toes, appearing very aggrieved. Cheng Chou, who had come with Jiang Hao, was extremely surprised. Junior Sister Xiao Li, who feared neither heaven nor earth, was only afraid of Senior Brother Jiang. Even when facing Senior Sister Miao Tinglian, she didn¡¯t care much. She wouldn¡¯t cause trouble, but she definitely wouldn¡¯t look like she does now. Cheng Chou had only seen Xiao Li act this way when she went home. She would be very well-behaved in front of her elders, not daring to eat too much for fear they would have nothing left. Jiang Hao looked at Xiao Li in front of him and calmly asked, ¡°Did you have a good breakfast?¡± ¡°I-I ate well,¡± Xiao Li nodded. ¡°Have you been neglecting your studies and cultivation these past few months?¡± Jiang Hao continued. Early cultivation involved reciting the Tianyin Hundred Revolutions. ¡°I-I did for a little while,¡± Xiao Li said, sounding guilty. ¡°Rabbit,¡± Jiang Hao called out. ¡°Master, I¡¯m here,¡± the rabbit reported, jumping onto Xiao Li¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I have a task for the two of you,¡± Jiang Hao said calmly. ¡°Our outer sect has a new disciple named Chu Chuan. Every week, you guys should go check on him to see how his cultivation is progressing.¡± ¡°How should we test him?¡± Xiao Li asked curiously. Jiang Hao replied calmly, ¡°With fists.¡± ¡°I¡¯m good at that.¡± Xiao Li was somewhat excited at the moment. The rabbit shook its neck collar and said, ¡°Is Master finally going to let people know how outstanding Lord Rabbit is?¡± Jiang Hao ignored them and asked Cheng Chou to follow them when the time came to prevent the two from going overboard. As the end of the year approached, Jiang Hao looked at Xiao Li and said, ¡°Remember to make a breakthrough in these two months. In a few months, I will have Cheng Chou send you back.¡± Hearing Jiang Hao¡¯s words, Xiao Li excitedly jumped up, grabbed the rabbit, and hopped around. After paying no more attention to these people, Jiang Hao began to take care of the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Except for the simple attic that remained unchanged, everything else had changed. He went to the area where the spiritual medicines from the Hundred Bones Forest were fostered and observed carefully. He noticed that the aura was a bit chaotic. It was because the spiritual energy was entangled with the surrounding spiritual energy and couldn¡¯t be released normally. ¡°It seems that Senior Sister Miao knows the art of sealing spirits. Even if she doesn¡¯t know it completely, she knows the gist of it. Is she helping me?¡± Jiang Hao pondered inwardly. To be precise, Miao Senior Sister had been quite good to him. After helping her reunite with Senior Brother Mu Qi, she always remembered this favor. Of course, that was all. Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t foolish; these things could already offset the small favor of bringing her into the sect. So, he shouldn¡¯t expect others to owe him anything. That would be disliked. Having lived in the Demon Sect for so long, what¡¯s valuable is self-awareness. ...... At noon, after familiarizing himself with the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao went to the outer sect dining hall. He came with Xiao Li because he wanted to see why the dining hall was dissatisfied. To Jiang Hao¡¯s surprise, the dining hall was already packed at this time. After Xiao Li entered, wails erupted instantly. ¡°She¡¯s here, she¡¯s here, hurry, eat quickly.¡± ¡°Grab it into your bowl, don¡¯t snatch from others¡¯ bowls, Junior Sister Li.¡± Jiang Hao watched from the side. He noticed that they ate as if they were going into battle as if facing a great enemy. Once Xiao Li entered the fray, it was like a whirlwind sweeping through, and the food that had been laid out didn¡¯t last long before it was all gone. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Junior Sister, this is what we paid for, you can¡¯t eat it!¡± ¡°Oh.¡± The newly arrived disciples were somewhat astonished. ¡°Eh, isn¡¯t it just mealtime, why is there no food left?¡± Sighing, Jiang Hao used a divine ability on Xiao Li. Identification. ¡¾Xiao Li: Dragon race, severely injured by the heavenly thunder, lost memory, lost power, outer disciple of Tianyin Sect. Currently growing, so her appetite is even greater than before.¡¿ A dragon in the midst of growing, indeed these things were not enough for her to eat. After calling Xiao Li back, Jiang Hao was also quite helpless. Dragons are not easy to raise. He then took people to the dining hall management. ¡°Senior Brother Jiang.¡± A young man greeted Jiang Hao respectfully. Feng Yang, an inner disciple of Duanqing Cliff, at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. He was in charge of the dining hall for the outer sect of Duanqing Cliff. Shopping, managing food, and so on. Xiao Li¡¯s appearance had been a headache for him, but since Xiao Li had mentioned Lord Rabbit¡¯s name, it indicated she was a disciple valued by Jiang Hao. So, it wasn¡¯t easy to say anything. He had tried to find Jiang Hao several times but discovered that the other party was not around. Recently, he heard that Jiang Hao had returned and was planning to visit him in a couple of days to resolve the issue with Xiao Li. But unexpectedly, Jiang Hao came directly. ¡°Junior Brother Feng.¡± Jiang Hao said politely. ¡°Junior Sister Xiao Li has caused you some trouble.¡± ¡°Senior Brother is too kind.¡± Feng Yang said with some difficulty, ¡°It¡¯s just that recently some Junior Brothers and Sisters have been complaining, and I¡¯m afraid it might reach the ears of some Senior Brothers and Sisters.¡± There weren¡¯t many people from the stewardship of Duanqing Cliff. Mostly, some true-transmission Senior Brothers or Senior Sisters were managing it. At the top was the master, Ku Wuchang. A lineage that had risen in a few decades indeed didn¡¯t have the same foundation as other large lineages. ¡°Junior Sister Xiao Li has been growing recently, so her appetite has increased.¡± Jiang Hao pondered for a moment and said. ¡°Could you prepare some food rich in vitality for her? I¡¯ve seen the situation in the dining hall, and I will strictly forbid her from snatching the meals of other Junior Brothers and Sisters.¡± ¡°Food rich in vitality? This...¡± Feng Yang furrowed his brows. Because such food was expensive, and it would significantly increase their expenses. ¡°This extra expense doesn¡¯t need to be borne by the dining hall.¡± Saying this, Jiang Hao took out thirty spirit stones. ¡°I¡¯ll have Xiao Li Junior Sister hand in the spirit stones once a month. Junior Brother, you can prepare with these stones. If there are one or two spirit stones left over, you can keep them for yourself,¡± he said. ¡°Thirty spirit stones a month?¡± Feng Yang looked at the spirit stones on the table in disbelief. You should know that he only receives twenty spirit stones a month. And this Senior Brother in front of him is spending thirty spirit stones a month just to ensure a single Junior Sister eats well? Unbelievable. He naturally wouldn¡¯t refuse; it was clear that the other party was giving him one or two extra spirit stones. With thirty spirit stones a month, the canteen issue would be settled, and from now on, Xiao Li could eat better too. However, Jiang Hao also forbade her from snatching food like that. Such behavior could cause trouble. Fortunately, the canteen staff were easy to talk to; otherwise, everything would be too late by the time he returned. After leaving the canteen with Xiao Li, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but sigh. He was raising rabbits, cultivating peach trees, and now he had to take care of a dragon. The pressure of providing enough spirit stones was somewhat high. Cultivating the peach trees to undergo nine nirvanas would be worth it, even if it produced nine purple bubbles; he would not be at a loss and would gain a divine peach tree. The rabbits were a bit more troublesome and could cause issues; once they were raised, he would prioritize releasing it to fulfill its dreams of becoming a great demon. As for Xiao Li, at the moment, he couldn¡¯t see any benefits. But every time he saw her causing trouble, he felt it was not right to ignore her. He could only do his best. After raising her, he would also prioritize setting her free. Dragons should not be confined within the sect gates. ¡°Are you that hungry?¡± Jiang Hao asked Xiao Li beside him. ¡°Eating more helps you grow taller,¡± Xiao Li whispered. ¡°My grandparents want to see what Xiao Li will look like when she¡¯s grown up.¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao paused, not asking further. The elderly couple didn¡¯t have many years left. Then, he asked Cheng Chou to take them to meet Chu Chuan. When he returned to the Spiritual Medicine Garden, he saw an outer disciple fuming. ¡°Those spiritual medicines were prepared by a Senior Brother for his attempt to break through to the Golden Core stage. You all better think carefully; don¡¯t let the disciples of Duanqing Cliff suffer because of you. Besides, your Spiritual Medicine Garden isn¡¯t short on money. What difference does it make if you owe a bit more or less?¡± Chapter 162 - The Master Smiles Secretly to Himself Chapter 162: The Master Smiles Secretly to Himself Jiang Hao looked at the other party, thinking that the person didn¡¯t seem to be in a hurry. If they were, they wouldn¡¯t have sent an outer sect disciple. When the Hundred Bones Forest caused trouble, at least it was a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator who came. The Candlelight Alchemy Court sent an outer sect disciple; how much were they looking down on them? He stepped forward with a calm expression. Seeing Jiang Hao approach, the outer disciple bowed his head, showing a hint of fear. ¡°If they¡¯re in a hurry, let them come over,¡± Jiang Hao said calmly. ¡°Yes, yes,¡± the outer disciple dared not act presumptuously. ¡°Go back,¡± Jiang Hao said, not wanting to make things difficult for him. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. An outer disciple was just following orders; there was no need to trouble him. However, if what the other party said about ten days was true, then he would need to visit these pill refiners within ten days to see what their intentions were. Afterward, he spent some time tending to the spiritual medicines in the Spiritual Medicine Garden. He had thought that the undercover agents would come to probe for information upon his return, but not a single one showed up. Everyone capable of being an undercover agent here without being detected was not ordinary. The most important thing was to have patience. In the evening, Jiang Hao returned to his residence and expanded the bathing area before taking out the¡¶Merge with Light and Blend with Dust¡·to begin comprehension. The days of accumulating cultivation were back. ...... The next day. ¡¾Cultivation +1¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy +1¡¿ ¡¾Strength +1¡¿ ... Then it was back to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. ¡¾Spirit +1¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation +1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit Sword +1¡¿ ¡¾Endurance +1¡¿ ... Seven days passed like this. In the courtyard, Jiang Hao awoke from his contemplation. He slowly closed the book. The first rays of the morning sun shone upon him. ¡°Rabbit,¡± he called out to the rabbit beside him. Hearing his call, the rabbit looked over, puzzled, and said, ¡°Did master call me?¡± The moment the rabbit¡¯s words fell, it saw its master suddenly disappear from the chair. The rabbit was greatly startled and rubbed its eyes, but still couldn¡¯t see its master. It looked around. ¡°Master, where did you go?¡± ¡°Over here.¡± Jiang Hao appeared beside it and said. Seeing the surprised rabbit, Jiang Hao felt somewhat satisfied. The technique ¡®Merge with Light and Blend with Dust¡¯ was much more powerful than he had anticipated. It was unbeatable for ambushes. To merge with light, to blend with dust. Jiang Hao felt a bit emotional, as he had thought it would take much longer to comprehend this technique. But the more he understood it, the clearer its true meaning became to him; state of mind was the best tool for comprehending this technique. When the mind is at peace, the power and divine light are inconspicuous. Today, he could go visit those pill refiners. ¡°Right, a week has passed. Remember to check on that disciple¡¯s progress.¡± Jiang Hao reminded as he watered the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. ¡°Oh, and pick the ripe peaches for Xiao Li,¡± he instructed. The rabbit quickly picked them. It was said that the peaches on the road gave the Lord Rabbit some face. Arriving at the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao let Cheng Chou take the rabbit and Xiao Li to attend to serious matters. Meanwhile, he himself was heading to the Candlelight Alchemy Court sect. For the past seven days, only some outer disciples had come to exert pressure, but no pill refiners had shown up. ¡°Rabbit, will you fight or should I?¡± On the way to find Chu Chuan, Xiao Li asked the rabbit. ¡°Of course, you fight. You just call me Elder Brother, and only if you can¡¯t beat him will Lord Rabbit step in,¡± the rabbit declared confidently from Xiao Li¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You just fight as you like. People on the road will give face to Lord Rabbit, and no one can be your opponent.¡± ¡°Then I won¡¯t hold back later,¡± Xiao Li said seriously, nodding. Cheng Chou followed behind, worried that Junior Sister Xiao Li might kill someone. You see, in the outer sect, regardless of cultivation level, no one below Foundation Establishment could handle Xiao Li. Only at Foundation Establishment could one manage a bit. And Lord Rabbit, being at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, was even more formidable. Shortly after, they found Chu Chuan, who was still practicing his exercises. ¡°Junior Brother Chu, do you remember us?¡± Cheng Chou asked warmly. Chu Chuan was dressed in the sect¡¯s attire, his skin still dark, but his complexion was very good. He had entered the first level of Qi Refining in the last two days. The Tianyin Sect was worlds apart from the outside; the spiritual energy here was extremely rich, incomparable to Tiantu City. Seeing Senior Brother Cheng Chou coming over, he respectfully said: ¡°I¡¯ve seen Senior Brother Cheng, of course I remember.¡± This was a strong practitioner at the ninth level of Qi Refining; he dared not show the slightest negligence. ¡°Today we¡¯ve come to test your progress, and your opponent will be Junior Sister Xiao Li,¡± Cheng Chou said with a smile. ¡°Junior Sister Xiao Li is also at the first level of Qi Refining, but she is quite strong, so be careful.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Chu Chuan said excitedly. After reaching the first level of Qi Refining, he gained some confidence in his strength and long wanted to spar with someone. However, since his opponent was a woman, he needed to be careful not to hurt her. ¡°Can we start now?¡± Xiao Li asked. ¡°Yes,¡± Chu Chuan nodded. He thought about testing the opponent¡¯s strength first. But as he was thinking about how to make a move. Boom! Chu Chuan¡¯s head went blank, then he felt the flesh on his face start to twist. Finally, with a thud, his face scraped across the ground for more than ten meters. This completely dumbfounded him. This was the first level of Qi Refining? After struggling for a long time, Chu Chuan barely managed to get up, fresh blood constantly spilling from the corner of his mouth. Looking at Xiao Li, he found it hard to believe; this punch had shattered all his confidence. But he was not willing to give up. He couldn¡¯t be that much worse. ¡°Xiao Li, you hit too hard. How can you test progress by knocking down such a rookie with one punch?¡± the rabbit said with an air of superiority. ¡°You still have a lot to learn, but since it¡¯s come to this, hit him two more punches and next time continue to use three punches to determine progress.¡± ¡°Oh,¡± Xiao Li walked over to Chu Chuan and swung her fist. Chu Chuan: ¡°...¡± Boom! Boom! Chu Chuan felt the world spinning, everything collapsing. Just before he passed out, he heard the rabbit¡¯s voice again: ¡°It looks like Lord Rabbit won¡¯t have a chance to make a move in the future. When will the name of the great demon Lord Rabbit spread across the land?¡± ¡°Senior Brother Jiang said no to raising a great demon,¡± Cheng Chou reminded. ¡°The master says one thing but means another. Don¡¯t look at what he says; he¡¯s secretly happy,¡± the rabbit boasted unabashedly. ¡°People on the road all know, from now on, I¡¯ll be the one covering for the master.¡± ¡°First, let¡¯s take Junior Brother Chu for treatment, and next week, go a bit easier on him, at least let him show some of his own strength.¡± Cheng Chou said. Chu Chuan felt embarrassed, too weak; he needed to become stronger. At this time, Jiang Hao was following the list to the Candlelight Alchemy Court sect. The first person on the list was called Ying Jie, with a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation. It seemed he was the one planning to advance to a Golden Core pill refiner. Being a Golden Core pill refiner does not require one to have Golden Core cultivation; rather, it means being able to refine pills for those at the Golden Core stage. If one cannot refine such pills, even if they are at the Nascent Soul stage, they are still considered a Foundation Establishment pill refiner. Their status is just that of a regular Nascent Soul disciple. According to what Senior Sister Leng Tian said, most people want to become Golden Core pill refiners before advancing to the Golden Core stage. They opt to advance to Golden Core first and then become Golden Corepill refiners because their talents are not quite sufficient. Which is easier? If one has the talent for pill refining, naturally it¡¯s easier to become a Golden Corepill refiner first. That¡¯s because becoming a Golden Core pill refiner brings in a lot of spirit stones, and one wouldn¡¯t lack anything for advancement. Arriving at a courtyard, Jiang Hao heard voices coming from inside. ¡°Some people are already unable to hold on, it looks like they will give in by tomorrow. Especially since Senior Brother Ying is about to become a Golden Corepill refiner, they are scared. Haha, I¡¯ve said it before, why give them spirit stones? Just give them the inferior pills we have on hand and let them figure out how to sell them.¡± ¡°Have you heard that the people from Duanqing Cliff are being tough? Should we show them a lesson?¡± ¡°Some say behind our backs, why don¡¯t we just rob them? I really want to tell them, robbing isn¡¯t as convenient as this. This is the way to make money. If they have the ability, they should try pill refining too.¡± ¡°If they had the talent for pill refining, would they be harvested by us?¡± Chapter 163 - Taking Action to Rob Chapter 163: Taking Action to Rob Listening to these words, Jiang Hao glanced at the people inside from the corner. There were seven in total, but he wasn¡¯t sure if they were the six who owed money. After listening for a while, Jiang Hao was certain that five of them were the ones he was looking for. With this, he left the spot. He had originally planned to visit and appraise them one by one, to see their character, their attitude, and to recognize their faces. Now it seemed unnecessary. Afterward, following the second list, he found another group of people. Once he confirmed their appearances, he went to the location on the third list. Coincidentally, the people from the fourth list were also there. ¡°I have spirit stones, but I just want to give out inferior pills, so those people will have to suffer, hahaha.¡± ¡°Will they not cooperate with us next time?¡± ¡°What¡¯s there to fear? Next time we¡¯ll just switch to another group, there are always easy targets among so many sects.¡± Jiang Hao silently noted these people¡¯s faces, then moved on to the next place. Once he had recognized most of the people on the list, Jiang Hao started visiting the management offices of the various Spiritual Medicine Gardens. Fortunately, among the six lineages, there was no Tianhuan Pavilion; otherwise, he would have had to give up on that lineage. He would never get involved with Tianhuan Pavilion. It was too dangerous. The Pavilion Master of Tianhuan Pavilion might make a move against him. After confirming the locations, Jiang Hao returned to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Luckily, these places were not near the Spiritual Medicine Gardens of the various sects and were not considered important locations. In the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao began to tend to the spiritual herbs. Cheng Chou then informed him about Chu Chuan¡¯s situation. It was normal for Xiao Li to injure him, and Jiang Hao did not stop it. Let¡¯s just see how it goes. With Chu Chuan¡¯s talent, he should become more courageous as he fights. Only then might he have a slim chance of surpassing his little maid; otherwise, the gap between them would be too great. In three months, with Chu Jie¡¯s talent, she might even advance to the second level of Qi Refining. She has talent, cultivation techniques, resources, and a famous teacher. Reaching Foundation Establishment in six or seven years should not be a problem. For Chu Chuan to achieve Foundation Establishment in six or seven years was almost impossible; it all depended on how much his heart of a dusty immortal could explode. After giving these instructions, Cheng Chou did not say anything else. ...... Evening. Jiang Hao returned to his residence. The rabbit was not there. He had sent the rabbit to give some spirit stones and pills to Chu Chuan. These were left to him by the Mingyue Sect; every time he advanced, Jiang Hao would give him a portion. Looking at the sky that had completely darkened, Jiang Hao stood up and disappeared from the spot. ...... Candlelight Alchemy Court. In the courtyard, eight people sat at a table discussing pill refining when a young man suddenly said, ¡°It seems the people opposite are starting to relent, we need to prepare the inferior pills.¡± ¡°Senior Brother always has a way, we don¡¯t even need to go there ourselves, and the problem gets solved,¡± a fairy-like woman answered with a smile. The others were about to agree when suddenly, with a ¡®pfft¡¯, a blood-stained knife pierced through the back of the fairy-like woman. The sudden change shocked everyone. The woman herself was terrified beyond measure. She never imagined that she would be stabbed in the back. The others instinctively activated their protective treasures. However, one after another, spirit swords appeared behind them, piercing through their bodies. Blood kept spilling out. Amidst the horror, someone pleaded. ¡°Senior, please show mercy, don¡¯t kill me.¡± sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A calm and indifferent voice came from behind him. ¡°I¡¯m here to collect some money.¡± Collecting money? People from the Spiritual Medicine Garden? Everyone was fearful, never having imagined that someone from the Spiritual Medicine Garden would dare to commit murder. Within the sect, murder was akin to seeking death. Did these people no longer value their lives? ¡°Senior, I haven¡¯t, I don¡¯t owe anyone money,¡± a young man immediately pleaded. At this point, they had completely lost the ability to resist. ¡°You, you¡¯re quite close to them,¡± the indifferent voice gave him his answer. ¡°No, I¡¯m not close to them, please don¡¯t, senior,¡± he said, trembling with fear. Given the chance, he would never again associate with these people. Boom! In an instant, a powerful force suppressed them, causing them to lose consciousness. Jiang Hao looked at these people, drew his spirit sword, and retrieved his weapon. Finally, he took their storage bags and turned to leave. He did not kill anyone. He avoided hitting any vital points. Killing over forty pill refiners in one go, the consequences were no less severe than killing a true disciple. Perhaps even worse. Yes, he was not targeting a few individuals but all those who planned not to repay their debts. This way, no one would know which lineage had taken action. For a time, Jiang Hao moved swiftly through the Alchemy Court lineage. His speed was very fast, his targets clear, and these people all gathered together. Otherwise, he would have been discovered quickly. However, he still underestimated the Alchemy Court lineage. When only two groups were left, the Alchemy Court lineage issued a warning and began to defend against the enemy. Jiang Hao sighed and had to retreat. But on his way back, he passed through various Spiritual Medicine Gardens, leaving behind the spirit stones he had prepared for a long time and a note. This way, the problem was solved, and no one noticed him. The journey back was relatively smooth. Upon returning, he transferred the rest of the stolen spirit stones to his own storage treasure, and all the other pills, spiritual medicines, and such were thrown into the rabbit¡¯s storage treasure. He casually destroyed the stolen storage treasures. With that, it was over. Jiang Hao sat in his room, somewhat worried. This time, the commotion had been quite big. ¡°The Candlelight Alchemy Court lineage, indeed, should not be underestimated.¡± ¡°I wonder what will happen after the Enforcement Peak gets involved.¡± The way to find out was to wait until tomorrow to see if he would encounter Liu Xingchen. Taking advantage of the free time, Jiang Hao checked the number of spirit stones. A total of eight thousand seven hundred spirit stones. ¡°A loss of over a thousand.¡± ¡°However, there are quite a few pills, spiritual medicines, talismans, and treasures, so overall, it¡¯s a big profit.¡± ¡°The problem lies in the action taken.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve just come back from outside, bringing back some spiritual medicines and pills; it shouldn¡¯t be considered excessive.¡± ...... The next day. Liu Xingchen did not appear. The Spiritual Medicine Garden received the spirit stones, finally resolving the issue. And the spiritual medicines were also sent back; the Spiritual Medicine Garden was unwilling to keep them for even one more day. All six lineages received the spirit stones, so no one knew which lineage had made the move. Even if the pill refiners were strong and united, they would not dare to target the people of all six lineages at once; that would be suicidal. They would only target the leading lineage, but they did not know who it was. ...... On the third day. Jiang Hao finally saw Liu Xingchen. Every time after taking action, Jiang Hao did not really want to see him. But to his surprise, Liu Xingchen¡¯s aura had changed again. Previously, there were dragon shadows flickering in and out of sight, but this time it was replaced by an inscrutable black aura. Had he been possessed by someone else again? Jiang Hao looked at him, feeling somewhat absurd. He didn¡¯t rush to appraise him. ¡°Junior Brother, long time no see,¡± Liu Xingchen said, wearing the sect¡¯s attire, with a smile that seemed sunny. ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s been a long time,¡± Jiang Hao replied politely. ¡°Junior Brother seems to have become more composed, with restrained strength and hidden sharpness,¡± Liu Xingchen made small talk before saying. ¡°People from the Alchemy Court lineage have been attacked, over fifty pill refiners severely injured. Have you heard about it, Junior Brother?¡± ¡°I have heard,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. But inside, he was puzzled; he had only injured a little over thirty. How did it become over fifty? Did an extra ten or twenty appear out of thin air? ¡°These pill refiners brought it upon themselves, not giving the six lineages of the Spiritual Medicine Garden spirit stones, and in the end, they were surrounded and beaten by two groups, severely injured and then robbed of all their possessions. Not only that, the spiritual medicines they had just collected were looted clean,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a laugh. He seemed to enjoy such events. Jiang Hao looked down, sighing in his heart. It turned out that he wasn¡¯t the only one who had taken action, which explained why they were discovered so quickly; probably the others were too crude in their methods. But what he didn¡¯t expect was that these people even looted the spiritual medicines. The defenses should have been very strict at that time; they were truly bold. ¡°Actually, after some investigation, it¡¯s very likely that there were four different groups involved,¡± Liu Xingchen said. Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Chapter 164 - Possessed Again Chapter 164: Possessed Again Four groups? This was unexpected for Jiang Hao. He was somewhat confused as to why those pill refiners would be targeted by four groups. Because of debt, or were others trying to double-cross them? It seemed that these people only wanted to take advantage of the situation, not really solve any problem. Jiang Hao mostly wanted to resolve the issue. But he also didn¡¯t want to let those people off easily, so he inflicted heavy losses on all of them. Even if they recovered the spiritual medicines, they would have to spend it all on themselves. Those who were with them also took action to prevent others from associating with these pill refiners. Pill refiners who were isolated posed no threat to other factions. Because pill refiners like them were a dime a dozen at the Candlelight Alchemy Court. As more disciples were recruited, their numbers only increased. Unless the Tianyin Sect faced a major crisis. Otherwise, the number of ordinary pill refiners would only continue to grow. ¡°Four groups targeted these pill refiners at the same time?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°It wasn¡¯t at the same time,¡± Liu Xingchen glanced at the courtyard and said. ¡°Shall we go inside to talk?¡± ¡°Senior Brother, after you,¡± Jiang Hao gestured politely. After entering, Liu Xingchen looked around and couldn¡¯t help but remark. ¡°Junior Brother, the flowers and plants you¡¯re cultivating are growing more abundant.¡± Jiang Hao just smiled slightly without responding. ¡°Actually, these four groups probably don¡¯t know each other,¡± Liu Xingchen explained while sitting on a wooden chair. ¡°The first two groups started it. The first group was decisive and swift, severely injuring thirty-eight pill refiners. The second group was also quick, but they made some noise, injuring a total of nineteen.¡± ¡°Comparatively, the first group took down anyone with a single move, while the second group wasn¡¯t as effective, their attacks were neither light nor heavy. They probably only had the cultivation of early Golden Core or peak Foundation Establishment. The people from the first group must have been far beyond the early or middle stages of Golden Core.¡± ¡°What about the other two groups?¡± Jiang Hao asked calmly. However, Liu Xingchen, despite evaluating two groups, hadn¡¯t mentioned who was discovered first. ¡°The other two were after the spiritual medicines. These two groups were bold enough to steal and run. Their strength must be stronger, and they were more swift,¡± Liu Xingchen said. ¡°Weren¡¯t they found out?¡± Jiang Hao questioned. ¡°On the contrary,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a smile. ¡°Except for the first group, the other three were all found out. I don¡¯t know the specifics. But I heard that most of them were from the Candlelight Alchemy Court. So the Enforcement Peak didn¡¯t intervene, letting them settle it among themselves.¡± ¡°There will be some punishment, but getting the spiritual medicines back is unlikely. After all, such incidents are somewhat common, personal grudges, quirky personalities, and so on, it¡¯s nothing new, it¡¯s just that this time it¡¯s a bit more serious.¡± So, it was an inside job? Jiang Hao thought pill refiners also liked to kick someone when they¡¯re down. However, he had seen resource snatching before, but most people didn¡¯t engage in such acts unless the person was ostracized by many. Like the inner disciple he once helped, who at forty had not reached Foundation Establishment. Now his whereabouts were unknown. The likelihood of him being alive was almost zero. ¡°So they just let the first group go?¡± Jiang Hao asked casually. ¡°It seems so,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a hint of regret. ¡°Since it was just an injury, the Enforcement Peak wouldn¡¯t normally get involved. But because dozens of pill refiners were severely injured this time, the matter was significant, so they stepped in to investigate and incidentally found out who was responsible. It was just a simple check, and it turned out those people were so easy to find.¡± S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Isn¡¯t it very dangerous for pill refiners to be robbed like this?¡± Jiang Hao asked with confusion. ¡°The first incident wasn¡¯t a big deal, and this time the main cause was those people, no one wanted to delve deeper. After all, digging deeper could lead to major conflicts between the six veins and the Candlelight Alchemy Court. The Enforcement Peak doesn¡¯t allow such incidents to happen.¡± ¡°Small frictions between the veins are normal, but the balance among the twelve main veins cannot be broken. Once broken, major conflicts will arise, and if the Enforcement Peak can¡¯t control it, then the Baiyue Lake vein will step in.¡± ¡°The Baiyue Lake vein will intervene?¡± Jiang Hao asked, puzzled. ¡°What do they plan to do?¡± Speaking of this, Liu Xingchen¡¯s eyes shone as he organized his words: ¡°Junior Brother, do you know that the sect¡¯s twelve veins were established gradually? In fact, during the establishment, there was a vein that secretly instigated conflicts between the other veins, eventually leading to strife. At that time, the Enforcement Peak failed to detect the problem in time, resulting in uncontrollable situations. Elder Bai Zhi then led her vein, along with other Protector Elders, to take action. And then...¡± Liu Xingchen looked at Jiang Hao and continued calmly: ¡°Then the vein that instigated the conflicts was completely wiped out and restarted. As for the other veins that caused trouble, they were either killed for participating in the resistance or they gave up resistance and waited for punishment. Now the lineages in the sect has become much more restrained; in the past, battles would result in rivers of blood.¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised; an entire lineage was exterminated. He was curious whether the Candlelight Alchemy Court would face the same fate if it caused trouble. After all, pill refiners are considered a treasure to many sects. ¡°As for the dangers faced by pill refiners, it¡¯s not trivial. Pill refiners are fundamental to the sect¡¯s foundation. If someone frequently interferes and hinders their growth, can you imagine how grave the crime would be?¡± Liu Xingchen said with a smile. ¡°I see.¡± Fortunately, Jiang Hao had no intention of continuing the conflict. Otherwise, it would have been a serious crime that shook the sect¡¯s foundation. ¡°By the way, there¡¯s something I need to tell Junior Brother. The person from Tianhuan Pavilion is ready for promotion, but he lacks a proper cauldron,¡± Liu Xingchen said earnestly. ¡°So he¡¯s been suppressing his own power. During this time, Junior Brother must avoid appearing before him. Otherwise, it would be dangerous.¡± Jiang Hao was alarmed and nodded in gratitude. Staying away from Tianhuan Pavilion was indeed the right decision. Liu Xingchen continued, ¡°Right now, the Enforcement Peak has issued a mission to search for a ¡®Charming Body.¡¯ If it¡¯s found, Junior Brother¡¯s great crisis will be averted. However, that person¡¯s resentment is a bit difficult to dispel.¡± ¡°What if it¡¯s not found?¡± Jiang Hao suddenly asked. ¡°It¡¯s hard to say,¡± Liu Xingchen pondered before speaking. ¡°Your master¡¯s attitude is very important. It depends on whether he¡¯s willing to protect you when the time comes. As long as he¡¯s willing, even if that person from Tianhuan Pavilion loses his mind and attacks, he could be stopped.¡± Jiang Hao realized he needed to become stronger as soon as possible. If Tianhuan Pavilion could wait, he thought about seeking them out in a few decades to resolve any grudges. ¡°Oh, and one more thing. Due to changes in the mine, there seems to be some trouble in the Demon Cavern. Every so often, each vein has to send some people in. Junior Brother should be prepared, as there aren¡¯t many idle disciples at Duanqing Cliff,¡± Liu Xingchen reminded. ¡°What kind of problems have arisen in the Demon Cavern?¡± Jiang Hao asked in surprise. ¡°It¡¯s difficult to say, but many demons have appeared from all different realms, far beyond the usual Foundation Establishment level,¡± Liu Xingchen said cautiously. Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t particularly worried, or rather, he was somewhat intrigued. Killing demons also yielded benefits. It was a good opportunity to grow stronger. He just needed to be careful of those targeting him, as well as traitors who had their eyes on him. Since people from all twelve veins were going in, it meant he could encounter anyone. After chatting for a while, Jiang Hao began to appraise Liu Xingchen to see what was going on with him. ¡¾Liu Xingchen: A true disciple of the Haotian Sect, born with the aura of Dragon Slaughter. He has been entangled by an Ancient Witch after entering the mine, and witchcraft is currently eroding him. Once fully eroded, he will be possessed by the witch. Undercover in the Tianyin Sect¡¯s Enforcement Peak, he befriends you to get closer to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and to watch the drama unfold. Currently taking a great interest in you.¡¿ Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Once again, a possession was taking place. Chapter 165 - Successful Nirvana Chapter 165: Successful Nirvana In the past, Jiang Hao would have been concerned. He might have even tried to warn this undercover Senior Brother. But times have changed. Although he couldn¡¯t determine Liu Xingchen¡¯s thoughts, he felt that Liu Xingchen was temporarily ignoring the witchcraft, waiting to be possessed later on. Looking at the divine feedback, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t believe how absurd some people were. However, one thing was certain: being born with the aura of Dragon Slaughter made one susceptible to possession. It also suggested that the mine was indeed unusual. Mu Qi had obtained an ancient inheritance inside, and Liu Xingchen had been entangled by an ancient witch, which likely meant there were treasures inside. ¡°During the time Junior Brother was away, people from Xuantian Sect and others took their people away without making any demands. This shouldn¡¯t affect Junior Brother. However, it seems many have remembered Junior Brother,¡± Liu Xingchen casually reminded, then chatted about some trivial matters, such as compensation for the failed mission. It seemed like he was hinting to Jiang Hao that he was here to collect debts. Especially after the debt debacle, Jiang Hao felt that if he didn¡¯t repay his debts, it would be quite miserable. Jiang Hao could only assure that he would repay the debts on time. Before long, Liu Xingchen got up to leave. Jiang Hao accompanied him part of the way, then headed alone to the Spiritual Medicine Garden, pondering along the way. ¡°So far, the biggest threat is Tianhuan Pavilion. As long as I avoid Tianhuan Pavilion, there should be no problem, at least for a few years.¡± ¡°After a few years, it¡¯s hard to say unless the ¡®Charming Body¡¯ is found.¡± ¡°The situation with the Demon Cavern doesn¡¯t seem to be a bad thing. It depends on when it¡¯s my turn. It¡¯s good to go in, but it would be even better to enter after advancing to Nascent Soul.¡± ¡°There¡¯s also the Hundred Bones Forest. After so much time, they should have some reaction.¡± After his contemplation, Jiang Hao arrived at the Spiritual Medicine Garden and began his daily routine. ...... Half a month passed. Jiang Hao gradually sold common spiritual herbs, magical treasures, and talismans, making a profit of four thousand three hundred. Subtracting the loss of one thousand three hundred, he still made a profit of three thousand. Now he had thirteen thousand spirit stones. In the early morning, Jiang Hao stood on the balcony, looking at the rabbit in the yard. ¡°It¡¯s been a month since I returned, and there have been no problems. It¡¯s time for the next step.¡± He then went to the yard, caught the rabbit, and sealed its cultivation with his power. Afterward, he hung it on a tree and suspended it in the air to prevent it from touching anything else. Just after hanging it up, the rabbit woke up. Seeing itself hung up by its owner, the rabbit wasn¡¯t panicked; it even felt a sense of familiarity, as if it had grown up this way. ¡°What is Master planning to do?¡± it asked curiously. Jiang Hao fell silent for a moment, then untied the rope from the tree and hung the rabbit from the house beam. Because he needed to help the peach tree go through its nirvana in the next few days, it was risky to leave the rabbit hanging there. It was better to hang it in its usual spot. ¡°From today onwards, you can¡¯t eat anything other than what I give you, to prevent you from losing control. You¡¯ll have to hang like this for these days,¡± Jiang Hao simply replied. The rabbit now had spiritual intelligence, which made it more troublesome than before. It might try every possible way to get down. Even if it ate just one leaf, Jiang Hao¡¯s spiritual stones would be wasted. A hundred a day, such a loss would make him want to stew the rabbit. So, there could be no accidents; relying on the rabbit¡¯s self-discipline was out of the question. ¡°What am I supposed to eat then?¡± the rabbit asked. Jiang Hao took out a hundred spiritual stones and said, ¡°Eat all of these.¡± The rabbit blinked and said, ¡°Master, all my friends on the road know I don¡¯t have a big appetite.¡± Jiang Hao ignored the rabbit and handed over the hundred spiritual stones: ¡°Eat.¡± At first, the rabbit ate quickly. After fifty stones, it started to feel pain. After ninety, it looked at Jiang Hao with difficulty and burped, ¡°Burp~ Master, Lord Rabbit can burst from this.¡± ¡°It¡¯s almost noon, consider it lunch,¡± Jiang Hao said calmly. In the end, the rabbit forcefully ate all hundred spiritual stones. Only then did Jiang Hao leave the yard and head towards the Spiritual Medicine Garden. ...... A month passed. The rabbit had gotten used to the life of having everything handed to it. ¡°Master, master, it¡¯s time to eat,¡± the rabbit called out, shaking its body. Jiang Hao checked and confirmed there were indeed only nineteen days left. There had been no problems in the meantime. Watching the rabbit eat another hundred spiritual stones, Jiang Hao then went to the peach tree. All the fruits had ripened, and aside from the necessary one, Jiang Hao picked the rest and gave them to Xiao Li. These days, Xiao Li hadn¡¯t caused any trouble either. Some time ago, he had given Xiao Li thirty spiritual stones to take to the canteen. Feng Yang was shocked by the monthly meal expenses, but they were indeed paid every month. However, the year was ending, and Xiao Li had advanced to the second layer of Qi Refining yesterday. In a few more days, she could be sent back. But they had to wait for the rabbit to come down, otherwise, there would be no one to test Chu Chuan¡¯s progress, which could affect his cultivation. ¡°I wonder how long the nirvana will take.¡± Jiang Hao took out spiritual stones and began to set up a spirit gathering array. These days he had spent a large number of spiritual stones, and the two thousand from the Enforcement Peak had all been repaid. The rabbit had consumed three thousand, and another one thousand nine hundred were needed. The peach tree required four thousand nine hundred. In total, twelve thousand. Fortunately, those pill refiners had caused trouble, allowing him to earn quite a bit. After setting up the spirit gathering array, Jiang Hao left the yard to collect spirit bubbles in the Spiritual Medicine Garden and organize the spiritual medicines. Thanks to Senior Sister Miao, everyone¡¯s workload had been greatly reduced. With Jiang Hao¡¯s participation, the others quickly took over the work, fearing they would have nothing to do and be sent away. In the two months that Jiang Hao was on duty, they had not suffered any harm. The newcomers from the past few months understood that with him in the Spiritual Medicine Garden, they were very safe. Moreover, hearing that people from other Spiritual Medicine Gardens were often in fear, they felt they couldn¡¯t leave this place. Watching these people work, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but sigh. Senior Sister Miao was really holding them back. He needed to find a way to introduce some difficult-to-grow spiritual medicines. ...... At night. Jiang Hao sat cross-legged at the door, looking down at the nameless secret manual. Not long ago, Jiang Hao had contemplated the ¡°Merge with Light and Blend with Dust,¡± and was currently stabilizing at the first realm, ¡°Merge with its Light, Blend with its Dust¡±. This realm would greatly increase speed and make it difficult to be detected. The second realm was ¡°Traveling Thousands of Li.¡± There would be a qualitative breakthrough in speed, but the specifics would have to wait until after contemplation. The third was ¡°Retreat and Hide from the World.¡± It seemed to be about moving undetected, but if related to the state of mind, it could mean blending into the crowd, merging with mountains and rivers, and traversing the earth. Unfortunately, Jiang Hao had not yet reached that level of understanding. ¡°Master, master, it¡¯s bright, it¡¯s bright,¡± the rabbit suddenly shouted. Jiang Hao looked up and saw that the peach tree had indeed started to glow. Under the effect of the spirit gathering array, the tree¡¯s power seemed to be mobilized, rapidly converging towards the last fruit. The leaves began to fall, and the branches started to wither. Even the fruits were rotting. This situation lasted until the morning. The once lush peach tree had turned into a withered trunk, leaving only a faintly glowing fruit core on the ground. ¡°It seems to have been a success.¡± Jiang Hao picked up the fruit core and began to identify it. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 166 - This Becomes the Female Demon’s Again Chapter 166: This Becomes the Female Demon¡¯s Again ¡¾Peach Tree Seed: A peach tree seed imbued with spiritual energy, birthed from the core of a fruit of the ancient divine Peach Tree, possessing a trace of the divine tree¡¯s characteristics. After rooting, sprouting, flowering, fruiting, and undergoing nirvana eight times, it will become a divine peach tree. Water it with clean water every day, and it will root and sprout in eight days.¡¿ ¡°Just a peach tree seed imbued with spiritual energy?¡± Looking at the appraisal result, Jiang Hao felt it was somewhat ordinary. However, the nine rebirths had changed to eight, and instead of sprouting after nine days, it would now be eight days. ¡°Will it be able to sprout the very next day on the final attempt?¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat looking forward to it. At this moment, the dead wood crumbled and fell, but Jiang Hao did not clean up these remnants. Instead, he mixed them into the soil to serve as fertilizer. After planting the seed, two blue bubbles appeared around it. ¡¾Cultivation+1¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy+1¡¿ ... ¡°What does this mean?¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat astonished. Does rebirth just give blue bubbles? After pondering for a moment, Jiang Hao somewhat understood that this rebirth did not directly result in improvement but turned into a seed instead. And when the seed took root and sprouted, corresponding bubbles would appear. The last time it was purple, so this time it should at least be purple as well. Thus, mere rebirth couldn¡¯t compare with unlocking a hidden bloodline like the rabbit did. One benefits the next generation, while the other benefits oneself. That¡¯s probably why. As for whether that¡¯s the case or not, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t know, and no one had informed him of the Central Plains principles. He just went with it. ...... Eight days later. Jiang Hao came to the yard and saw the peach tree had taken root and sprouted anew. Upon appraisal, he found that it still grew faster when kept with divine objects. Near the sapling were purple bubbles. ¡¾Divine Ability Fragment+1¡¿ He had gained another fragment, but unfortunately, he was still two short. Actually, Jiang Hao had hoped it would be gold this time, as the rabbit was about to complete its bloodline excavation. A gold bubble should appear. With two gold bubbles, he could obtain something new. Although he didn¡¯t know what it would be, it was bound to be something good. Eleven days later. Jiang Hao saw a golden bubble floating beside the rabbit. ¡¾Golden Legend+1¡¿ S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Appraisal.¡± After obtaining the Golden Legend, the first thing was to ascertain the rabbit¡¯s condition. At this moment, the rabbit was still sleeping, quite accustomed to its current life. Its spiritual intelligence had just begun to awaken; at one time, it had thought that being suspended was the normal way of life. Even after becoming smarter, it didn¡¯t have any aversion to it. ¡¾Mythical Beast Rabbit: Possesses sufficient spiritual intelligence, mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, and tremendous potential. It harbors a deep-seated mythical beast bloodline. Feed it one hundred spirit stones a day, and after eighty-one days, its hidden bloodline can be further unlocked. Feeding it spirit stones daily can increase its favorability; currently, it feels awe towards you.¡¿ ¡°There¡¯s more, but this time it¡¯s 8,100.¡± Thinking it over, 8,100 was still acceptable. If it were a thousand spirit stones a day, that would amount to tens of thousands of spirit stones, which he simply couldn¡¯t afford. However, this should be the last time. Now that it already has tremendous potential, no one can be sure just how powerful the Mythical Beast Rabbit will become once its profound bloodline is fully excavated. Who knows what trouble it might cause then. Thinking this, he proceeded to let the rabbit down. ¡°Huh?¡± The rabbit woke up, looking astonished. ¡°Master, why have you let me down?¡± Jiang Hao glanced at it, thinking the rabbit had become addicted to hanging. ¡°Go find Xiao Li and the others; they¡¯re going on a long trip in a few days,¡± Jiang Hao reminded. ...... Ten days later. ¡°Don¡¯t rush back; if you encounter any issues, follow the old rules and let Xiao Li take the lead. However, her judgment isn¡¯t enough; you¡¯ll need to help her. When you visit Xiao Li Junior Sister¡¯s home, remember to help purchase some things the elderly need and that are convenient.¡± Jiang Hao instructed Cheng Chou. Finally, he gave the other party a dozen or so spirit stones, along with some talismans, Hundred Thousand Swords Talisman, Healing Talisman, Swift Travel Talisman, and so on. He also gave some healing medicinal pills. After accepting the instructions, Cheng Chou left the sect with Xiao Li. Xiao Li said she would bring back something tasty for Jiang Hao. Hearing this, Jiang Hao smiled without a word. It was like listening to the Mythical Beast Rabbit declare it never lied. Very few things in Xiao Li¡¯s hands ever made it back. Afterward, Jiang Hao also reminded the rabbit not to forget to check on Chu Chuan¡¯s progress. If it advanced to the second level of Qi Refining, it should inform him. ...... Several days later. Jiang Hao felt he was not far from advancing. After collecting the bubbles from the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, he glanced at his panel. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 23¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Golden Core Perfection¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind, Hidden Spirit Manifestation¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 69/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 71/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 1/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡¾Golden Legend: 1/2 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ Jiang Hao focused his attention on his age; he was already twenty-three years old. Another new year had arrived. ¡°The January sky doesn¡¯t even feel cold.¡± He looked up at the sky and noticed that it hardly ever snowed here. It was somewhat regrettable. Then he turned his attention back to his cultivation and vital energy. Around seventy, which meant that in another three months, he could begin to advance to the Nascent Soul stage. He had done some research these days and found that advancing to Nascent Soul would cause a Nascent Soul phenomenon, which could easily be detected by others. Therefore, he needed a special array to conceal the phenomenon, one that didn¡¯t need to be set up around the yard but could be directly arranged in the room where he practiced. He had inquired about the price; the cost of materials plus labor was one thousand eight hundred, while a ready-made one was two thousand one hundred. He sincerely felt that array masters made good money. Only he, as a talisman master, earned his money through hard work. The original thirteen thousand spirit stones had dwindled to just one thousand after expenses at the Enforcement Peak, the rabbit, and the peach tree. Fortunately, he had sold quite a few talismans in the past two months. In total, he still had two thousand five hundred spirit stones left. After deducting one thousand eight hundred, he was left with seven hundred spirit stones. Finally, his spirit stone savings were back to three digits. He could only earn a little bit at a time by selling talismans; who knew how long it would take to save up another ten thousand. However, he hadn¡¯t sold all the items he had snatched last time; there were still some spiritual medicines and treasures. These items were identifiable and could only be sold away from the Tianyin Sect. Otherwise, they could have fetched a few thousand more spirit stones. Without dwelling on it further, Jiang Hao planned to prepare for his advancement to Nascent Soul in three months. ¡°Where¡¯s your peach tree?¡± A sudden voice interrupted Jiang Hao¡¯s thoughts. Turning his head, he saw a red figure standing by the peach tree. She seemed somewhat puzzled. Hong Yuye. Three months had passed, and she had appeared again. Fortunately, Jiang Hao had prepared everything that was needed. But he hadn¡¯t updated the tea leaves. Recent expenses had been so high that he had forgotten about it. ¡°Replying to senior, the peach tree has undergone nirvana,¡± Jiang Hao responded. ¡°Nirvana?¡± Hong Yuye turned to look at Jiang Hao and said, ¡°It seems this peach tree is quite interesting.¡± After saying that, she crouched down to take a closer look at the peach tree, now knee-high, then stood up after a moment of silence to face Jiang Hao. ¡°I¡¯ve taken a liking to this peach tree; from today onwards, it¡¯s mine. Do you agree or not?¡± What use is it if I don¡¯t agree? Jiang Hao sighed inwardly. Chapter 167 - Am I not reckless enough? Chapter 167: Am I not reckless enough? It was no surprise to Jiang Hao that Hong Yuye had taken an interest in the peach tree. He had even prepared for the possibility of her claiming it. In his sigh, he felt it wasn¡¯t such a big deal. Because he had realized something. If the peach tree underwent nirvana once a year, then in nine years, he would have a true divine peach tree. But even if everything went smoothly and he had a bubble of luck, his cultivation level in nine years would likely be at the peak of Nascent Soul or slightly higher. Could such a cultivation level protect a divine tree? The answer was no. Not to mention some of the seniors in the Tianyin Sect, even the tenth chief disciple was at least in the late stage of Nascent Soul. Not to mention the first. With virtue not matching position, his power simply couldn¡¯t sustain a divine tree of his own. Unless he delayed nirvana, that was the only way. Now that Hong Yuye said it was hers, he didn¡¯t have to worry too much and could just let it undergo nirvana. When the divine tree matured, she would likely intervene to cover it up. This would reduce the risk. ¡°Senior, when do you plan to take away the peach tree?¡± Jiang Hao wanted to clarify this. At that moment, Hong Yuye looked towards the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and said, ¡°Together with it.¡± Jiang Hao nodded; this gave him enough time. ¡°Last time you said the fruit was sweet, so do you think it will be sour or sweet this time?¡± Hong Yuye asked Jiang Hao on purpose. ¡°Sour,¡± Jiang Hao immediately answered. ¡°When it matures, I will come to find you again.¡± Hong Yuye said with a smile that wasn¡¯t quite a smile. She seemed to have already seen the answer. Afterward, Hong Yuye walked towards the house. Jiang Hao followed behind; whether the peach was sour or sweet, he hadn¡¯t really considered. Because by the time it was about to mature, he could just pick them early, and they would all be sour. ...... After a short while. Hong Yuye entered the room that Jiang Hao had expanded. The space was not small, with a wooden bath barrel placed in the center. The floor was made of smooth wooden planks, and the walls were tightly sealed. Although there were windows, simple screens stood firmly beside them. Looking at these things, Hong Yuye didn¡¯t speak but simply turned her head and left. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t know what she was thinking. Presumably, she was satisfied; otherwise, she would have already taken action. ¡°You don¡¯t seem to know much about spells,¡± Hong Yuye said, sitting in a high chair in the hall. Jiang Hao brewed her some Snow After Spring tea and replied, ¡°Still learning, but I¡¯m getting there.¡± He had the Primordial Heart Sutra, but he had to wait until he advanced to Nascent Soul. He basically knew all the simple spells, but he hadn¡¯t learned any powerful spells yet. ¡°If you make a name for yourself, your sect will give you lots of good things, right?¡± Hong Yuye said casually as she sipped her tea. ¡°Spells, magical treasures, elixirs, spirit stones, you won¡¯t lack any of them.¡± ¡°I¡¯m still used to how things are now, it¡¯s convenient for helping senior with planting flowers and herbs,¡± Jiang Hao answered. ¡°So, where do you plan to get magic, magical treasures, elixirs, and spirit stones?¡± Hong Yuye asked, looking down at the tea in her cup. Jiang Hao lowered his eyelids and pondered for a moment before responding. ¡°With spirit stones, the rest will follow, and the sect will also provide some powerful magical treasures.¡± ¡°Powerful magical treasures?¡± Hong Yuye looked at Jiang Hao with a slight smile and asked, ¡°And the spirit stones?¡± ¡°I can earn quite a bit.¡± Jiang Hao replied, as his income from making talismans was stable and certainly better than that of an early-stage pill refiner. ¡°You can earn quite a bit?¡± Hong Yuye took a sip of her tea and said with a smile. ¡°Then why does the tea you serve me keep getting worse? I thought you were running out of money, but it turns out you¡¯re just brushing me off.¡± As her words fell, a cold aura spread out. Jiang Hao felt a bone-chilling coldness attacking him as if his body was being frozen. ¡°Senior misunderstands,¡± Jiang Hao quickly said respectfully to Hong Yuye. ¡°I¡¯ve been saving up spirit stones to buy better tea than before.¡± The chill disappeared in an instant. Hong Yuye drank her tea and said calmly. ¡°Next time, if it¡¯s not good tea, I¡¯ll invite you to have tea at my place.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, senior,¡± Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief, having narrowly escaped a predicament. As for what kind of torture having tea at her place would be, he didn¡¯t want to think about it. Nor did he want to know. ¡°Is the Secret Whisper Slate usable now?¡± Hong Yuye asked again. Jiang Hao hadn¡¯t paid attention recently as he had been busy and hadn¡¯t kept an eye on the slate. ¡°It¡¯s still not usable,¡± he replied immediately. ¡°Not usable?¡± Hong Yuye looked at Jiang Hao teasingly, ¡°I¡¯ll give you another chance, do you want to change your answer?¡± ¡°No change,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. Changing it would mean admitting he hadn¡¯t been paying attention. Hearing this, Hong Yuye chuckled and said, ¡°Although you¡¯re full of lies, you¡¯re lucky.¡± Jiang Hao felt he had dodged another bullet by guessing correctly. ¡°The influence I have on the slate will disappear in a couple of days, you¡¯d better let the slate recognize a master,¡± Hong Yuye said as she put down her teacup. ¡°And remember, don¡¯t get caught while undercover.¡± ¡°What happens if I¡¯m discovered?¡± Jiang Hao asked curiously. The slate was in his possession, but he was hiding in the Tianyin Sect. Even if they found out he was an undercover agent, they couldn¡¯t do much to him. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hong Yuye looked at him with a smile and said, ¡°Why don¡¯t you try? However, I should remind you that saving you once isn¡¯t impossible, but I¡¯ll have to take something from you. Do you think you have too many hands or too many legs? Or perhaps you need to lose an eyeball?¡± Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± ¡°I tend to be careful in my actions and don¡¯t have much curiosity, so I won¡¯t try it.¡± ¡°How old are you this year?¡± Hong Yuye suddenly asked. ¡°23,¡± Jiang Hao answered truthfully. ¡°When I was your age, I often looked up at the sky and felt it was within reach,¡± Hong Yuye said with some confusion as she looked at Jiang Hao. ¡°But your mindset doesn¡¯t seem to fit your age.¡± ¡°Is there something wrong with my actions?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°It¡¯s not about your actions.¡± Hong Yuye hinted, ¡°You¡¯re missing something.¡± ¡°What am I missing?¡± Jiang Hao was puzzled. Hong Yuye slowly stood up, walked to the door, and then turned back to say, ¡°The recklessness of youth.¡± As soon as her words ended, her figure disappeared from the spot. ¡°Do your undercover work well. If there¡¯s no progress, I¡¯ll have you stay undercover in the Tianyin Sect.¡± It took a while for Jiang Hao to recover from her comment about the recklessness of youth. ¡°Am I not reckless enough?¡± He reflected on his actions and felt he had been reckless enough. Any more recklessness could endanger his life. But clearly, Hong Yuye wasn¡¯t talking about that; she was probably referring to a kind of conviction. However, he seemed to be twenty-three now, but including his previous life, hadn¡¯t he lived for half a century? Wasn¡¯t it understandable that he lacked the recklessness of youth? After finishing the remaining tea, Jiang Hao took out the Secret Whisper Slate to check it. He noticed that the previously lifeless slate seemed much brighter now. Although undercover work is risky, he is not worried; he just needs to speak less. Even though Hong Yuye said that failing undercover work is dangerous, she would still make a move once. But Jiang Hao does not wish for such a thing to happen. Afterward, he arrived at the Spiritual Medicine Garden, and as soon as he got there, someone informed him to meet with his master. This surprised Jiang Hao. Normally, his master would not seek him out. ¡°Senior Brother, there¡¯s an order here that needs your confirmation,¡± someone from the Spiritual Medicine Garden approached him and said. Because there is a certain difficulty in cultivation, the person managing the Spiritual Medicine Garden needs to confirm it. ¡°Let¡¯s look at it when I return.¡± Finally, he headed towards his master¡¯s residence. Chapter 168 - The Hope of Advancing to Nascent Soul Chapter 168: The Hope of Advancing to Nascent Soul ¡°Junior Brother, long time no see.¡± At Ku Wuchang¡¯s residence, Mu Qi greeted Jiang Hao, who had just come in. Gentle and elegant, with a touch of sincerity. ¡°Senior Brother Mu Qi,¡± Jiang Hao responded politely. Mu Qi and Miao Tinglian had indeed treated him well. Although he hadn¡¯t interacted much with them, because of Senior Sister Miao¡¯s initiation, their relationship was quite harmonious. Especially since there were no conflicts of interest. Jiang Hao was happy to keep it this way. It meant two less dangers to worry about. He didn¡¯t expect these people to help him; he was just grateful if they didn¡¯t kick him while he was down. ¡°You¡¯re here,¡± Ku Wuchang appeared in the courtyard at that moment. ¡°Today, I¡¯ve called you here regarding the Demon Cavern matter.¡± ¡°Demon Cavern?¡± Mu Qi was quite surprised, ¡°Didn¡¯t Senior Sister Ning Xuan just enter not long ago?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Ku Wuchang nodded, speaking seriously. ¡°However, the situation inside seems to have worsened, and each sect needs to send more people to maintain balance. This time, one Golden Core and one Foundation Establishment are to enter, you two will join others in going. Do you have any other matters recently?¡± ¡°No,¡± Mu Qi responded. Jiang Hao followed with his response: ¡°Disciple also has none.¡± During these days, he had many things to do, but fortunately, he had already completed what was needed. The rebirth of the peach tree, the rabbit¡¯s potential excavation, the comprehension of Merge With Light and Blend With Dust. The preparations for Hong Yuye¡¯s request were also basically ready. Currently, only the tea leaves and the stone slab were left, and these were not a problem. So, entering the Demon Cavern was something he had been waiting for a long time. But it would be best if he could wait another three months. ¡°Departure is in two months; use this time to prepare and then meet with people from other lineages to enter together. Do not underestimate the demons; this time the impact is significant, and there is a possibility that other entrances may appear. Be mentally prepared,¡± Ku Wuchang reminded. ¡°Other entrances, where might they be?¡± Mu Qi asked. Jiang Hao was also very concerned. ¡°I don¡¯t know, it could be within the sect or around it,¡± Ku Wuchang answered. This response made Jiang Hao¡¯s heart sink; now it was dangerous. If he hadn¡¯t just agreed, he might have considered using his advancement as an excuse to avoid this batch. ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much, the Law Enforcement Peak and Baiyue Lake¡¯s people will be monitoring the new entrance at all times. It won¡¯t be easy for others to enter,¡± Ku Wuchang reassured. ¡°What you need to do is deal with the demons inside. Oh, and remember to go to the Law Enforcement Peak to get the mission when you leave.¡± Afterward, Ku Wuchang gave a few more instructions before letting them leave. However, only Jiang Hao left; Mu Qi was kept behind. Although he didn¡¯t know what they were going to talk about, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t care. What he cared about was that the departure was in two months, which would clash with his time for advancement. Also, there was a possibility that other entrances might open. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A possibility meant it was certain, and if people from other sects infiltrated the Demon Cavern, the situation could become very bad. Jiang Hao felt that these people were most likely targeting him. ¡°It would be safer to enter as a Nascent Soul; I need to find a way to advance within these two months.¡± The only way now was to find a batch of expensive seeds to plant. This might make up for the one-month gap. The problem was, where to earn spirit stones? Even selling Azure Red Sky wouldn¡¯t be enough. Back at the Spiritual Medicine Garden, an outer disciple handed him the order to review. ¡°Because the planting requirements are quite high, it needs to be reviewed by Senior Brother.¡± Jiang Hao nodded and took the order. He frowned slightly after looking at it because it was an order to plant Black Lotus seeds. ¡°An order from Candlelight Alchemy Court?¡± He was somewhat surprised and looked closely at the requirements. They only needed help with growing the seeds into seedlings. It would take about two weeks for the seeds to germinate into seedlings, at which point the spiritual medicine would be stable and could be transplanted. ¡°What about the credibility?¡± Jiang Hao asked the key question. ¡°As long as Senior Brother agrees, they will pay enough spirit stones, but they hope the transplant can be done within two months,¡± the outer disciple said. ¡°Have the seeds been checked?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no problem, but the spirit stones provided by the other party are fixed, so if the spirit liquid is consumed along the way, they won¡¯t pay for it.¡± ¡°That means under normal cultivation conditions, it will take two months to reach a state suitable for transplantation.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°How many seeds are there?¡± ¡°Fifty.¡± That many? Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. When he had bought them, they were three hundred spirit stones each, making fifty seeds worth fifteen thousand. The total value after maturation was even more outrageous. But without spirit liquid, could they germinate in a month? Even with the favorable conditions of the Spiritual Medicine Garden, it seemed unlikely. Jiang Hao fell silent for a moment before saying: ¡°Accept it, I¡¯ll take care of these seeds myself, no need for others to get involved.¡± Not long after, Jiang Hao received the fifty Black Lotus seeds. Upon inspection, the seeds indeed had no issues. He found a relatively fertile spiritual field and began to plant the seeds one by one. Getting them to germinate wouldn¡¯t be easy because even with daily watering of spirit liquid, it would still take seven days. Without spirit liquid, a month might not even be enough. But this batch of Black Lotus was his reliance for entering the Nascent Soul stage in two months. He was willing to suffer a loss to cultivate them. Fifty seeds, even if only two produced a blue bubble, that would still be twenty-five bubbles. A one-time harvest of twenty-five. He had never encountered such a thing before. Over the next two days, he occasionally watered the Black Lotus with diluted spirit liquid, hoping they would grow faster. One bottle a day, thirty days would cost nine hundred spirit stones. He hoped everything would go smoothly. That day, he returned to the courtyard. Jiang Hao took out the Secret Whisper Slate. ...... Two days had passed. Finally, the item could be used. For safety, Jiang Hao initiated the identification process. ¡¾Secret Whisper Slate: Karmic treasure, a three-in-one, can be used after temporary ownership is established, and once owned, the true master will not detect nor can they pry into it. Finding another slate of the same type allows for another three-in-one combination, granting more permissions.¡¿ ¡°The description is really concise this time.¡± Jiang Hao looked at the feedback content without surprise. All normal messages. Another three-in-one would make it a nine-in-one. ¡°I wonder how many slates there are in total.¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t dwell on it any longer but went to the cultivation room to start refining the treasure. He used the method taught by Hong Yuye. First, he sensed the Secret Whisper Slate. At this moment, he could sense nine square blocks floating in the air inside the slate. After assembling them correctly, he gained control of the slate. Then he began the refinement process. Everything went smoothly. In no time, he had complete control over the slate, a feeling completely different from having just one piece. It seemed there was a larger space for manipulation. After gaining full control, Jiang Hao felt that stars appeared within the slate, countless stars forming different patterns. Then a vast constellation occupied the slate. Finally, it formed the character ¡°¾®¡± (Jing/Well). ¡°Jing?¡± (Well) Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. After the image disappeared, he saw messages constantly changing in the boundless void, but he couldn¡¯t see the source or the endpoint. At that moment, he saw a bright area in the distance and tried to approach it. But just as he entered, he suddenly heard a voice. A female voice. ¡°I heard that the Tiansheng Sect has been restless recently, planning to attack the Tianyin Sect. Who among you is near Youyun Prefecture? I¡¯ve heard that the Tianyin Sect has many treasures. Huh, who¡¯s there?¡± The moment Jiang Hao entered, he saw someone turn their head to look at him. ¡°...¡± Chapter 169 - Is This a Group Chat? Chapter 169: Is This a Group Chat? In the boundless void within the circle of light. Jiang Hao confirmed his own state, which was like a mist. At the same time, he realized that he wasn¡¯t the only one in a mist-like state; there were others. The voice of the other party was also clearly heard by him. In front of him were three people. Seeing these three, he immediately knew their names. The female who initially spoke was known as ¡°¹í¡± (Gui/Ghost). The remaining two, the slightly taller one on the left was ¡°Áø¡± (Liu/Willow), and the slender one on the right was ¡°ÐÇ¡± (Xing/Star). A public chat, is it really like this? Jiang Hao was inwardly astonished. But he didn¡¯t show it, maintaining a calm demeanor. Under the gaze of the three, he bowed slightly: ¡°I apologize for the disturbance.¡± ¡°Jing?¡± The tall ¡°Áø¡± (Liu/Willow) spoke with a deep voice. ¡°It seems we have a newcomer.¡± ¡°Surprisingly, a newcomer. Do you know the rules?¡± the tall man named ¡°ÐÇ¡± (Xing/Star) asked rather casually. Jiang Hao shook his head honestly in response. However, he understood one thing: ¡°Jing¡± was the name he would be known by here. Each stone slab seemed to have its own position or title. And the user would inherit this title. ¡°Tell us who you are and what area you¡¯re from. Our rule is to introduce yourself when you arrive,¡± said the only female present, ¡°¹í¡± (Gui/Ghost), her voice carrying a hint of amusement. Introduce himself? Jiang Hao didn¡¯t think that was a rule. Even if it were, he wouldn¡¯t follow it. All he needed to do was to avoid being discovered as an undercover agent; nothing else mattered. He had no intention of gaining any benefits from here, at least not for now. Of course, that didn¡¯t mean there were no benefits to be had. One such benefit was the piece of information he had just overheard: the Tiansheng Sect was planning to make a move against the Tianyin Sect. Whether it was true or not, he didn¡¯t know, but it was likely related to him, or rather, to the mine. ¡°I won¡¯t disturb the three of you any longer, farewell.¡± Jiang Hao had no intention of sticking around. These people wanted to pry into his background; he couldn¡¯t give them the chance. He would withdraw first and then make plans. As his words ended, he didn¡¯t give the three individuals a chance to respond and disappeared from the spot. ¡°Huh, he left just like that?¡± ¡°¹í¡± (Gui/Ghost), who had been waiting for the newcomer to fall into her trick, was somewhat taken aback. It was the first time she had seen a newcomer leave so decisively. ¡°It seems that Fairy Gui¡¯s plan to inquire about the newcomer¡¯s background has fallen through,¡± the man known as ¡°ÐÇ¡± (Xing/Star) said with a chuckle. ¡°¹í¡± (Gui/Ghost) replied with a hint of disdain, ¡°This person will come back. Once here, no one would give up the opportunity for collaboration.¡± ¡°True, let¡¯s just wait,¡± the tall man named ¡°Áø¡± (Liu/Willow) nodded in agreement. At this moment, Jiang Hao had stepped out. He was somewhat surprised by the function of the stone slab, which allowed him to enter and converse within it. He just didn¡¯t know if there were any restrictions. He looked at the stone slab again and noticed that there were conversation messages on it. Gui: Where were we before we got interrupted by that newcomer? Liu: We were talking about the Tiansheng Sect planning to attack the Tianyin Sect. Gui: Right, right. Some people in the Tiansheng Sect have gone mad, but never mind, I¡¯m busy now, gotta go, we¡¯ll talk next time. Jiang Hao watched as the messages stopped and then disappeared, admiring the owner of this Secret Whisper Slate. How did he manage to create such a treasure? But he also realized something: the slate allowed him to see their conversations, but to speak, he would have to enter it. And if he talked inside, others could see it too. However, one needed to pay constant attention to catch the conversation. Because by now, the text had completely vanished. ¡°Let¡¯s just wait and see.¡± Although surprised by the function of this magical item, he needed to understand the situation more clearly before acting. Moreover, there seemed to be an even stronger presence in this public area. As for the codenames that appeared on the slate, there were four so far. Jing (Well), Gui (Ghost), Liu (Willow), Xing (Star). Each corresponding to four people, with a few others still a mystery. It was certain that there were quite a few owners of the tri-merged Secret Whisper Slate. His undercover mission was to find the source of the Secret Whisper Slate, and if he could collect more of them, all the better. Afterward, Jiang Hao put away the Secret Whisper Slate and began crafting talismans. To make the Black Lotus seeds take root and sprout as soon as possible, he needed to earn more spirit stones and invest money in planting. He had to buy spirit liquid and also prepare good tea leaves in case Hong Yuye suddenly arrived. More than twenty days later. Jiang Hao assessed the Black Lotus seeds in the Spiritual Medicine Garden. The answer he got was that they would take root and sprout tomorrow. This suddenly excited him. Nearly a month had passed, and he was finally approaching the day. It was important to note that it wasn¡¯t just one seed but a full fifty. During this time, he had invested over a thousand spirit stones, putting in all the movable spirit stones he had. This was still the result of his hard work crafting talismans; otherwise, it wouldn¡¯t have been enough. He had almost run out of spirit stones to buy tea leaves. ¡°Fifty, huh? I wonder how many bubbles will appear tomorrow.¡± Standing by the edge of the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao began to calculate. If there was one bubble per seed, that would be twenty-five points each. That would be the best outcome. But from his experience as a demon slayer, blue bubbles didn¡¯t appear every time. ¡°Even if it¡¯s halved, that would be twenty-five points, which averages out to twelve or thirteen.¡± At that moment, Jiang Hao glanced at his panel¡¯s vital energy and cultivation. ¡¾Vital Energy: 78/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 80/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡°There¡¯s a little over a month left before heading to the Demon Cavern, more than enough for me to advance to Nascent Soul. Let¡¯s see what happens tomorrow.¡± Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Jiang Hao was looking forward to it. After calming his mind, he began to organize the spiritual medicines. After completing these tasks, he sat down in the simple wooden hut, observing his surroundings. Just by observing, he noticed a girl around fifteen or sixteen years old acting somewhat strangely. Seeing this, he walked over. ¡°Your movements are a bit erratic,¡± Jiang Hao said calmly, standing beside her. At that moment, the girl was startled and immediately knelt before Jiang Hao. ¡°I didn¡¯t damage the spiritual medicine.¡± ¡°Do you know how valuable this spiritual medicine is?¡± Jiang Hao asked coldly. ¡°Your breathing is unstable, and you¡¯re losing balance in your limbs. If you damaged the spiritual medicine, could you afford to compensate for it?¡± Seeing the girl panic, Jiang Hao performed a healing technique and said: ¡°Go back and rest. Come back tomorrow.¡± The girl was sick, probably with a high fever. How could she dare to enter the Spiritual Medicine Garden in such a state? He then instructed the guards that anyone who was sick or feeling unwell must not touch the spiritual medicine. If they damaged it, who would compensate? They should return only after recovering. ...... In the evening, Jiang Hao returned to his residence. He sat in the courtyard, finding it hard to calm his mind. Because he was somewhat looking forward to tomorrow. If the Black Lotus really sprouted and suddenly produced forty or fifty blue bubbles, that would be an unprecedented sight for him. As long as he earned enough spirit stones, the future looked promising. With spirit stones, one could really have anything. While waiting for dawn, Jiang Hao glanced at the stone slate; these days, he occasionally observed the Secret Whisper Slate. He noticed that the same three people were always communicating, leading him to suspect that there were only four of them in the public area. If there were others, it could only mean one thing: these three were particularly talkative and idle. As an undercover agent, he should blend in with them, but... He really didn¡¯t have that much free time. He could only continue to observe. After watching for half the night, he realized that their conversations were utterly unproductive. So, he stopped paying attention. In the early morning, After collecting two bubbles from the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, Jiang Hao woke up the rabbit. ¡°Let¡¯s go to the Spiritual Medicine Garden.¡± The rabbit rubbed its eyes and yawned. ¡°Master, why are you up so early? Are you going to find the mistress?¡± Chapter 170 - The Drama of Possession Chapter 170: The Drama of Possession Mistress? You won¡¯t have a mistress. Jiang Hao felt a bitter sweetness in his heart. With the Tianjue Gu poison in his body, he couldn¡¯t afford to have extra thoughts about women. Although he would subconsciously think of that red shadow, the main reason was that the Tianjue Gu poison was ineffective on her. However, he was not pessimistic, not just because the Tianjue Gu poison had its benefits for him. But also because the poison was not incurable. As long as one was strong enough. For others, becoming stronger might be too distant and difficult. But for him, it was just a matter of time. The key was to know how strong he needed to be so he could know how long it would take. ¡°Master, I only have a collar. Isn¡¯t that a bit shabby?¡± the rabbit said, flicking its neck collar. ¡°When will you get me one or two more magical treasures?¡± ¡°Maybe when there¡¯s a chance,¡± Jiang Hao replied calmly. Once he had enough spirit stones, he could buy the rabbit a Golden Core-level collar. That would be like having two magical treasures. ¡°Can I pick it out myself then? People on the road all know Lord Rabbit has a good eye for magical treasures,¡± the rabbit boasted. ¡°No,¡± Jiang Hao replied without hesitation. ¡°Master, you have to acknowledge Lord Rabbit¡¯s excellence,¡± the rabbit said. Jiang Hao chuckled. Shortly after, Jiang Hao arrived at the entrance of the Spiritual Medicine Garden. ¡°Oh, right, I have to find that outer disciple today,¡± the rabbit said excitedly as it ran outside. It seemed that going to beat someone up was very interesting for it. ¡°Little brat, Lord Rabbit is here again.¡± The rabbit was incredibly fast. Jiang Hao glanced at the rabbit¡¯s retreating figure and noticed that the rabbit was about to advance in level again. ¡°It¡¯s almost at the late stage of Foundation Establishment; the pace of updating the collar can¡¯t keep up with its promotion speed.¡± Jiang Hao frowned slightly. You see, a mid-stage Foundation Establishment collar had cost him nearly a thousand spirit stones. One for the late stage would cost fifteen hundred. ¡°It seems that every time the rabbit taps into its potential, its strength surges dramatically.¡± Normally, the rabbit¡¯s promotion speed wouldn¡¯t be so fast. But with continuous bloodline excavation, its strength would rapidly increase. Without further thought, he stepped into the Spiritual Medicine Garden. At this moment, only a few people were busy preparing in the Spiritual Medicine Garden. The sky was barely lit, and ordinary people had just gotten up and hadn¡¯t come to work yet. It wasn¡¯t a time of war, so they naturally had plenty of time to rest. But if war broke out like the last time, then finding time to rest would be difficult. If what the ¡°¹í¡± (Gui/Ghost)¡± said was true, then the Tianyin Sect should be expecting some trouble ahead. Both the Tiansheng Sect and the Tianyin Sect are Demon Sects, with not much difference in strength. The Tiansheng Sect coming over to wage war from another region would have no chance of victory. Normal people wouldn¡¯t do this, but the Tiansheng Sect is different. They have faith and are extremely fanatical, so they are capable of anything. Standing in front of the spiritual field, Jiang Hao looked towards the area he anticipated. Then he let out a deep sigh of relief, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised. It was a success. For a moment, he felt like laughing with joy, but he kept a calm expression. He did not let his emotions show on his face. This was to prevent others from seeing through his thoughts. Looking at the blue bubbles in the distance, he finally felt at ease. It was the first time he had harvested dozens of blue bubbles at once. The feeling must be very good. Now, all he had to do was walk over, and he could integrate dozens of bubbles into his body. Indeed, this was the fastest way to become stronger. It¡¯s a pity there weren¡¯t enough spirit stones or a large enough spiritual field. The most regrettable thing was that after reaching the Nascent Soul stage, the black lotus would probably no longer produce blue bubbles. Without dwelling on these thoughts, Jiang Hao quickly walked towards the mass of bubbles. As he approached, a large number of bubbles surged towards him. He had never experienced such a feeling before. Then the notification messages appeared. ¡¾Vital Energy+1¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation+1¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation+1¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy+1¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy Pill+1¡¿ ... Notifications popped up one after another. The values on the panel changed accordingly. ¡¾Vital Energy: 80/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 82/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 89/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 90/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ... ¡¾Vital Energy: 96/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 98/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ The final values settled at ninety-six and ninety-eight. In another week, he would be able to start advancing to the Nascent Soul stage. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. There was still a month left before entering the Demon Cavern. This allowed him much more ease; even if there were dangers inside, he would have some ability to resist. After calming his excitement, Jiang Hao began to count the bubbles he had obtained. ¡°Vital energy should have increased by seventeen and cultivation by sixteen, with one coming from another spiritual medicine. Does that mean fifty black lotuses produced thirty-three blue bubbles?¡± To ensure the accuracy of the data, he checked the black lotus seeds. He found that only forty-eight had bloomed. That meant thirty-three bubbles from forty-eight lotuses. Although it wasn¡¯t a hundred percent, the ratio was still very high. Especially since this time it cost over a thousand spirit stones. The people from Candlelight Alchemy Court made a profit and were able to bring the flowers back half a month in advance. Fortunately, he didn¡¯t lose out at all. Over the next two days, the remaining black lotuses also sprouted. One blue bubble appeared. ...... Another four days passed. Jiang Hao went to the courtyard and collected two bubbles next to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. At this point, both his cultivation and vital energy had reached one hundred. ¡¾Vital Energy: 100/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 100/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ He was ready to advance. However, he planned to wait until the evening, as the array was also ready. Today, he would continue to take care of the spiritual medicines. But just as he arrived at the Spiritual Medicine Garden, he saw Liu Xingchen waiting at the entrance. At this time, Liu Xingchen¡¯s aura had changed again, with most of the dark energy dissipated. It was as if the witchcraft had stopped. However, judging by Liu Xingchen¡¯s complexion, there seemed to be no problem. His face was ruddy, and his eyes were bright. His aura was much stronger than it had been a few months ago. Jiang Hao was somewhat speechless; why had Liu Xingchen grown stronger in just a few days? Driven by curiosity, he initiated the identification once more. ¡¾Liu Xingchen: A true disciple of the Haotian Sect, born with the aura of Dragon Slaughter. Because he is bored, he helped the Ancient Witch create an opportunity for possession, but unfortunately, the Ancient Witch discovered the True Dragon¡¯s remnant soul at the last moment and chose to act cautiously out of concern. This caution lasted a month, and to motivate the Ancient Witch, he swallowed most of the Ancient Witch¡¯s divine soul in one bite, deliberately pushing the Ancient Witch towards the location of the True Dragon¡¯s remnant soul, then pretended not to see it, waiting for the Ancient Witch to cooperate with the True Dragon and attempt to possess him together. Undercover at Tianyin Sect¡¯s Enforcement Peak, he befriends you to get closer to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and to watch the drama unfold. Currently taking the opportunity to see how things play out and taking a great interest in you.¡¿ Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± First, it was True Dragon, and then the Ancient Witch. I wonder what these two are feeling to be tormented by Liu Xingchen like this. For a moment, Jiang Hao was quite curious about how the plot would unfold during the next appraisal of Liu Xingchen. Do the Ancient Witch and True Dragon still have a chance to turn the tables? But beyond that, he was also very interested in the last sentence. The last appraisal was of great interest, and so is this one. Even though he has been quite peaceful recently, and nothing significant has happened in his sect. Why does Liu Xingchen¡¯s interest remain so high? Being targeted by such a person is actually quite troublesome. However, so far, the other party still seems to be harmless. He could even ask for his help. Chapter 171 - Divine Might Chapter 171: Divine Might ¡°Good morning, Junior Brother.¡± Liu Xingchen greeted with a smile on his face. ¡°Senior Brother, are you here for the spiritual medicine?¡± Jiang Hao asked with a hint of confusion. Under normal circumstances, Liu Xingchen would have gone to his own residence. It was very rare for him to be waiting directly at the entrance of the Spiritual Medicine Garden. ¡°Indeed, I am.¡± Liu Xingchen handed Jiang Hao the order. It listed the spiritual medicines he needed. ¡°So many?¡± Jiang Hao looked at the order in disbelief. It was a large-scale collection of spiritual medicines. Many were for healing injuries, as well as for enhancing strength. It wasn¡¯t for cultivation or breakthroughs; it seemed more like preparations for battle. At that moment, he thought of the Tiansheng Sect. ¡°Are we going to take action against another sect?¡± Jiang Hao ventured to ask. As the two walked towards the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao immediately instructed his people to prepare the spiritual medicines. Such matters could not be delayed. ¡°There are reasons related to the Demon Cavern, and also because some forces have appeared around our sect. We cannot rule out the possibility that someone is targeting us. So we need to be fully prepared. The previous attack on Tianqing Mountain drained a lot of our resources, and we have been recovering these years. We cannot afford too many surprises. Since we have noticed something unusual, we must be well-prepared,¡± Liu Xingchen explained. Jiang Hao nodded in agreement; the people from the Enforcement Peak were indeed cautious. But this was good; if the people from the Tiansheng Sect were to attack, it would be their own downfall. ¡°I heard that Junior Brother is going to enter the Demon Cavern?¡± Liu Xingchen inquired. ¡°I¡¯m going in next month,¡± Jiang Hao replied truthfully. ¡°I¡¯ve heard from some Senior Brothers about the situation in the Demon Cavern; it seems to change a lot. Many disciples enter, usually in rotations every six months. The top ten disciples, as well as many from the Hundred Bones Forest and Tianhuan Pavilion, are also inside. Since it¡¯s quite free once inside, the Enforcement Peak wouldn¡¯t investigate unless it¡¯s a major issue.¡± ¡°Apart from being cautious of others, Junior Brother, there¡¯s one thing you need to be particularly restrained about,¡± Liu Xingchen said seriously, looking at the puzzled Jiang Hao. ¡°With Junior Brother¡¯s constitution, it seems easy for you to achieve great deeds, so make sure not to do so. Unless there¡¯s a special reason, the Enforcement Peak doesn¡¯t want to remove you from the watchlist.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Jiang Hao asked. Previously, it was Liu Xingchen¡¯s help that kept him off the list. Plus, since he had no demands, the Enforcement Peak didn¡¯t pay much attention. Now, according to Liu Xingchen, the Enforcement Peak didn¡¯t seem to plan on removing him from the list either. ¡°Junior Brother has money and is likely to receive difficult tasks. The Enforcement Peak also wants to make money from Junior Brother,¡± Liu Xingchen stated bluntly. This reason left Jiang Hao momentarily unable to respond. The Demon Sect was indeed not quite normal. Everyone wanted to make money from him. After taking the spiritual medicines, Liu Xingchen left Duanqing Cliff. Jiang Hao continued to be busy with his own matters. If the Tiansheng Sect were to attack later, the Spiritual Medicine Garden would likely become busy. He needed to remind Cheng Chou to manage the workers properly when the time came. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. To avoid any chaos. However, Cheng Chou had not yet returned. ¡°It¡¯s been over a month, and he still hasn¡¯t come back.¡± Cheng Chou took Xiao Li back, and it had been over a month; surprisingly, they had not returned yet. It was taking even longer than the last time. ¡°I wonder what they have encountered this time.¡± ...... At night. Jiang Hao set up an array at his cultivation site and, after ensuring there were no issues, entered the array to begin his advancement. Due to his travels, he had made significant progress in strength, and this time he should be able to retain some vital energy and cultivation to help stabilize his realm. With everything ready, Jiang Hao extracted the vital energy and cultivation. The original count of one hundred began to decrease steadily. At this moment, Jiang Hao felt the powerful vital energy and spiritual energy. The Primordial Heart Sutra operated, and Purple Qi spread throughout his body. All the power was guided by the Purple Qi, nourishing the soul. Under the nourishment of this powerful force, Jiang Hao¡¯s Nascent Soul began to condense. With the Golden Core as the core, the Nascent Soul was gradually taking shape. To advance to Nascent Soul, one must condense the soul and spirit into form, so as to wield stronger power and touch upon deeper realms. Without condensing the Nascent Soul, excessively powerful forces could directly crush a person¡¯s consciousness. During the condensation of the Nascent Soul, everything was going smoothly, but midway, Jiang Hao felt another force within his body moving towards his Nascent Soul. It carried a cool and gentle quality. It did not disturb Jiang Hao¡¯s advancement. This also made him breathe a sigh of relief. If he were disturbed at this moment, he would be in danger. However, this sensation was somewhat familiar to him. After a moment, he remembered. ¡°The Snow God Pill? So I haven¡¯t completely digested the Snow God Pill?¡± ¡°But why is it emerging now?¡± At this point, Jiang Hao could only watch and dared not be distracted any further. Afterward, he discovered that the medicinal power of the Snow God Pill was continuously flowing towards the Nascent Soul¡¯s forehead, as if it was trying to carve out something there. The power was in constant motion. In the early hours of the morning, Jiang Hao finally saw that his vital energy and cultivation had stabilized at twenty-three and twenty-one, respectively. By this time, the Nascent Soul had also finished condensing. An anomaly appeared on the Nascent Soul¡¯s forehead at the last moment. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t rush to investigate but instead focused on calming the Nascent Soul and integrating the new power. ...... Dawn. Jiang Hao slowly opened his eyes. His advancement was complete, and he had gained an understanding of his body¡¯s condition. Nevertheless, he still glanced at his status panel. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 23¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Early Nascent Soul Stage¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind, Hidden Spirit Manifestation, Divine Might¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 23/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 21/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 1/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡¾Golden Legend: 1/2 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ He didn¡¯t dwell on the changes in his cultivation level. What Jiang Hao cared about were his divine abilities. There was an additional one called Divine Might. When he had just advanced, it felt as if an eye had opened at the Nascent Soul¡¯s forehead, although he hadn¡¯t seen it clearly. But Jiang Hao had that feeling. And this intangible eye was Divine Might, a new divine ability. ¡°The thing Hong Yuye fed me must have been the Snow God Pill. I thought it was just for restoring divine abilities, but I didn¡¯t expect it to actually unlock a new one.¡± He had several divine abilities, but this was the first time he had developed one on his own. No wonder this pill could no longer be produced; with his four divine abilities, he could unlock another one. For others, the success rate was almost one hundred percent. Even if one had the pill formula, the ingredients might not be available for crafting. Jiang Hao touched his forehead, and although it was within the Nascent Soul, he could still feel the presence of the divine ability. The function of Divine Might was clear: it was an intangible oppressive force. If used suddenly during a battle, it could have an unexpected effect. At a critical moment, it could be life-saving. It also served as a defense against spiritual attacks. Charm techniques and other negative mental influences couldn¡¯t affect him, but substantial spiritual attacks were different. Now with Divine Might, he was much safer. After feeling his own strength, he compared himself to Zuo Lan. Now, he should be able to kill Zuo Lan with a single Demon Sound Slash. But when facing a real Nascent Soul, he should still be cautious, not become arrogant, and not overconfident. Power can blind, and he needed to keep his eyes open. After getting up and checking the array, he found it dim and nearly ruined. It seemed that the advancement had a significant impact on the surroundings. After tidying up the array, he went to the courtyard, planning to collect some spirit bubbles and then let the rabbit go to the Spiritual Medicine Garden alone. But as soon as he came out, he saw Hong Yuye squatting by the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, while the rabbit was tied with a rope, hanging on the fence, fluttering in the wind. It seemed it wouldn¡¯t survive much longer. Chapter 172 - The Female Demon with Insightful Eyes Chapter 172: The Female Demon with Insightful Eyes Looking at the bruised rabbit, Jiang Hao thought it might be better to throw it on the ground rather than hang it up. The rabbit seemed to feel more at home hanging there, even thinking it could become stronger that way. ¡°Senior,¡± Jiang Hao greeted with a respectful bow. This time he was well-prepared, and there would be no issues. The tea leaves, the stone slab, everything was in order. ¡°What¡¯s your cultivation level now?¡± Hong Yuye asked casually, touching the five petals of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. ¡°Mid Foundation Establishment,¡± Jiang Hao replied. ¡°Mid Foundation Establishment?¡± Hong Yuye stood up and looked at the man in front of her, teasingly saying, ¡°I think it¡¯s Late Foundation Establishment. What do you think?¡± As her words fell, a vast aura surged, capable of turning everything around into dust at any moment. Feeling this terrifying power, Jiang Hao felt as if his body was about to fall apart and quickly lowered his head, saying. ¡°Senior has insightful eyes; indeed, I am at the Late Foundation Establishment stage.¡± Then he fixed his cultivation at the Late Foundation Establishment stage. Seeing that Jiang Hao was now listening, Hong Yuye didn¡¯t say more but instead asked about the stone slab. ¡°What have you learned from the stone slab?¡± ¡°So far, I only know that there are three people who often chat inside: Gui (Ghost), Liu (Willow), and Xing (Star). I am Jing (Well),¡± Jiang Hao replied. Hong Yuye stood silently for a moment and then asked, ¡°That¡¯s all?¡± ¡°That¡¯s all,¡± Jiang Hao said with trepidation. He might have been a bit passive in his attitude, but patience is key when undercover. Haste makes waste. This is true for Liu Xingchen and Ming Yi as well. Learning from them can at least ensure that one doesn¡¯t easily give themselves away. However, he suddenly remembered something ¨C now that he was at the early stage of Nascent Soul, he should be able to identify more information about Hong Yuye. But it was easy to be detected by the other party. He could only wait until Hong Yuye mentioned this divine ability before trying to identify it. He didn¡¯t believe that he could control it to the point where the other party wouldn¡¯t notice. ¡°How many words have you exchanged with them?¡± Hong Yuye suddenly asked. Jiang Hao lowered his head and replied softly, ¡°Quite a few.¡± ¡°More than three sentences?¡± Hong Yuye asked with a cold gaze. ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. Hong Yuye chuckled and said, ¡°Find the source of the stone tablet, and I won¡¯t let your help be in vain. When I run out of patience, you won¡¯t need to look anymore. At that time, take care of yourself.¡± As her voice faded, a ray of sunlight fell in the courtyard, and Hong Yuye disappeared within it. Her whereabouts unknown. Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. He had narrowly escaped a disaster, but to find the source from the stone tablet was as difficult as ascending to the heavens. He could only take it slow, first making his presence seem ancient, which would add a sense of mystery rather than suspicion of being an undercover agent. If new people joined during this time, it would be even better. Then, he would no longer be the newcomer, but an old senior who had been mingling in the group for a long time. As for the deadline of Hong Yuye¡¯s impatience, there was no way to think about that. But the divine tree and the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower were still there, so they probably still needed him to cultivate them. For now, there was no danger to his life. Just not as much freedom. While Jiang Hao was pondering, the rabbit began to wail. Jiang Hao untied the rope around its neck, letting it lie on the ground and wail. ¡°Master, have you offended someone recently? People on the road often remind me to be careful,¡± the rabbit asked after its wailing. ¡°Mhm,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. I¡¯ve provoked a female demon. ¡°Master, you have to work hard. The harder you work, the more friends Lord Rabbit will have,¡± the rabbit said. Jiang Hao chuckled. His efforts wouldn¡¯t really increase the rabbit¡¯s friends by much, because the formations wouldn¡¯t give him face. But the formations on the road that were friends with the rabbit would give it face. After letting the rabbit go to the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao began to think about what he needed to do next. ¡°After consolidating my cultivation, I need to update the divine ability Hidden Spirit Manifestation, as well as the two attacks on the bracers.¡± ¡°After that, start learning the techniques of the Primordial Heart Sutra.¡± ...... At noon. Jiang Hao absorbed the remaining twenty points of cultivation and consolidated his realm. He also updated the two attacks and the divine ability Hidden Spirit. After doing all this, he spent a good part of the afternoon recovering his strength. Then he went to the Spiritual Medicine Garden to collect bubbles. ¡°I also need to determine how many days it will take to obtain bubbles from the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower.¡± This was important as it related to the latest time he could advance. Returning from the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao would try to comprehend the Primordial techniques that he could learn. To this day, he still didn¡¯t know the name of the techniques he could learn. Even with his divine ability activated, it was difficult to comprehend. The difficulty of learning was incredibly high. Mainly because the form of existence was somewhat unique; otherwise, it shouldn¡¯t be so difficult. As long as he could see the content, no matter how difficult, he would at least know the name. ...... Days passed by. Three days later, as expected, there were no bubbles from the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. The fourth day, still none. On the fifth day, two bubbles appeared. ¡¾Cultivation+1¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy+1¡¿ Seeing this, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. Just two extra days meant that at the very least, he could advance in a year and a half, even if it was only seventy or so bubbles a year. But now his cultivation was pitifully low. ¡¾Vital Energy: 5/100 (cannot be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 4/100 (cannot be cultivated)¡¿ Two days later. Jiang Hao had the people from Candlelight Alchemy Court inspect the spiritual medicine Black Lotus. The inspector was a Senior Brother at the peak of the Golden Core stage. He looked astonished. ¡°So much earlier? Junior Brother, how did you do it?¡± Lian Daozhi stared at Jiang Hao. ¡°By luck,¡± Jiang Hao replied. Naturally, he wouldn¡¯t tell the other party that it took over a thousand spirit stones to speed up the process a bit. Whether they would guess that or not didn¡¯t matter. ¡°People with real strength always attribute it to luck,¡± Lian Daozhi said with a smile. ¡°I am Lian Daozhi, may I ask who you are, Junior Brother?¡± ¡°Jiang Hao,¡± Jiang Hao replied politely. ¡°Junior Brother Jiang, I have several dozen Black Lotus seeds here. I wonder if your Spiritual Medicine Garden would be interested?¡± Lian Daozhi inquired. ¡°No, thank you.¡± Jiang Hao shook his head apologetically. ¡°It¡¯s not possible to plant them within two months. This batch was just good luck, I hope Senior Brother can understand.¡± He wasn¡¯t interested at the moment; firstly, he didn¡¯t have the spirit stones, and secondly, he needed to enter the Demon Cavern. Taking on more would just be asking for trouble. ¡°Is that so?¡± Lian Daozhi pondered, then asked. ¡°Would Junior Brother be interested in taking on such orders in the future?¡± ¡°I might be, depending on the situation,¡± Jiang Hao nodded in agreement. Such challenging plants require confirmation from the Spiritual Medicine Garden before taking on the order. If someone managing orders accepted them without care and problems arose, they would be held responsible. No one dares to take full responsibility. Of course, it¡¯s best to maintain good relations with such people. The next batch of seeds they bring might be even better than the Black Lotus. In that case, even if he had to invest a thousand or two thousand more, Jiang Hao would want to cultivate them. The potential reward could be a blue bubble. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll have some Junior Brothers and Sisters bring the orders to you in the future,¡± Lian Daozhi was also very pleased. What if this Junior Brother had a talent for spiritual medicines cultivation? At the end, he added: ¡°There won¡¯t be any delay in the payment of spirit stones, Junior Brother can rest assured about that.¡± Ever since more than fifty pill refiners from the Alchemy Court lineage were robbed, the issue of owing money has almost become synonymous with them. Many people would ask when the spirit stones would be settled. They would even take the initiative to declare their creditworthiness. They don¡¯t care much about simple spiritual medicines that the Spiritual Medicine Garden may or may not accept, but they worry about the expensive ones being rejected by other gardens. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Because they are often urgent and the quantity must be sufficient. So some pill refiners also despise those who owe money, casually robbing them of their spiritual medicines. In any case, some people in the Alchemy Court lineage want to trade steadily, while others want to use their status to pressure others. It¡¯s an unavoidable situation. Golden Core pill refiners aren¡¯t short of spirit stones and want stable transactions. Foundation Establishment pill refiners are in dire need of spirit stones and want to reduce costs. Everyone has been through this. Chapter 173 - Universe in the Palm Chapter 173: Universe in the Palm Afterwards, Jiang Hao sent Lian Daozhi away. There should be many spiritual medicine seeds at the Candlelight Alchemy Court. It¡¯s important to maintain good relations with them to access more spiritual medicine seeds. Secondly, being unapproachable can easily offend people; it¡¯s important to leave room for maneuver in any situation. We¡¯ll deal with what comes next, later. ...... At noon. Cheng Chou returned to the Spiritual Medicine Garden with Xiao Li. Although Xiao Li looked a bit disheveled, she was unharmed. This contrasted sharply with Cheng Chou, who had many injuries. Jiang Hao gave Cheng Chou a vital energy pill and told him to meditate and rest. Xiao Li took out a packet of pastries from her belongings: ¡°Senior Brother Jiang, these were made by Grandma, she said they¡¯re for you.¡± Seeing Senior Brother accept the pastries, she withdrew her reluctant gaze, looked around, and asked: ¡°Where¡¯s the rabbit? There¡¯s some for it too.¡± ¡°It might have gone to find Chu Chuan, you can go look for it,¡± Jiang Hao casually dismissed Xiao Li. As for what they encountered, he planned to ask Cheng Chou. Xiao Li¡¯s gaze seemed to contain many things that didn¡¯t matter. However, before leaving, she glanced at Cheng Chou. ¡°He¡¯s fine, don¡¯t worry,¡± Jiang Hao reassured her. Upon hearing this, Xiao Li was no longer worried and disappeared at the end of the road with a whoosh. Her speed was faster than that of a normal Qi Refining fifth or sixth level. For a dragon, this was nothing. Jiang Hao sat down and looked at the slightly red pastries, thinking they must be red bean. After observing for a while, he activated his appraisal. ¡¾Red Bean Cake: Made personally for you by Miao Xiang, Xiao Li fought with a Poison Tiger while carrying it, and it has been contaminated with poison. It would taste better with tea.¡¿ ¡°It¡¯s poisoned.¡± Jiang Hao smiled and popped the cake into his mouth. After carefully chewing a few times, he felt that the texture was slightly worse than before. If it wasn¡¯t due to unstable cooking skills, then it meant the elderly lady¡¯s health was deteriorating. After finishing the cake, Cheng Chou also finished meditating. As for the poison, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t take it seriously. He knew he had to be careful with this mindset to prevent future arrogance. ¡°How are your injuries?¡± He approached Cheng Chou and asked gently. ¡°Much better,¡± Cheng Chou quickly stood up. ¡°Tell me about your trip,¡± Jiang Hao said calmly. They had been out for nearly two months, and he wanted to know if they had encountered trouble or if Xiao Li just didn¡¯t want to come back. Knowing this would help him plan for the future and prevent issues. ¡°We didn¡¯t have any accidents when we went,¡± Cheng Chou exhaled and said: ¡°After Junior Sister Xiao Li returned, the two elders were very happy. They took out everything they had saved up over the past few months for Junior Sister to eat. It seemed like they had been preparing for several months, just waiting for Junior Sister Xiao Li to return.¡± ¡°Xiao Li was also very happy, but unlike when she was at the sect, she didn¡¯t dare to eat things indiscriminately, fearing that the two elders wouldn¡¯t have enough to eat. Afterwards, she would help her grandma thread needles and sew clothes. She also gave her own damaged clothes to her grandma to mend. Whenever she had free time, she would go chop wood, fetch water, and take over her grandpa¡¯s chores. From time to time, she would say that Xiao Li had grown up and could now help with work. She would also mark her height on the wall, insisting that she had grown a lot, which made the two elders laugh continuously.¡± ¡°I asked around in the neighborhood and heard that the two elders often saved up food and would sit at the front gate as if they were waiting for someone from the family to return.¡± Upon hearing this, Jiang Hao lowered his eyes and said in a deep voice: ¡°Did Junior Sister Xiao Li bring anything back for them?¡± ¡°Yes, she brought back quite a few delicacies, but most of them the elders couldn¡¯t eat. However, they were very happy,¡± Cheng Chou explained, then continued. ¡°After the New Year, Xiao Li¡¯s grandpa fell ill, so we stayed for a long time until the old man recovered before we set off to return to the sect. During that time, I did as Senior Brother instructed, helping to buy some things, some medicine as well as food and firewood, and also helped to raise a few chickens and ducks. Even though they might not eat them, at least they wouldn¡¯t be too lonely. On the way back, we were attacked. Although Junior Sister Xiao Li can fight, there were too many of them, so we were a bit disheveled when we returned.¡± Jiang Hao nodded, took a careful look at Cheng Chou, and then continued: ¡°That¡¯s good, it was a trial for you, and your cultivation has become much more solid. You can try to advance to the next level this year or next year. I will give you the elixirs.¡± Upon hearing this, Cheng Chou was overjoyed. ¡°Thank you, Senior Brother.¡± After hesitating for a moment, he added: ¡°The health of Junior Sister Xiao Li¡¯s grandparents is declining day by day; they may not be able to accompany Junior Sister for many more years.¡± ¡°Mm,¡± Jiang Hao said softly. ¡°Let her go back for two months in the middle of the year.¡± Advancing twice a year means two visits back home. A total of four months, which is quite a lot. Enough for her to spend quality time with the elders. As for the final moments... being a dragon taken in by an ordinary family, this is something she must face, it¡¯s inevitable. ¡°In half a month, I will enter the Demon Cavern. After that, you¡¯ll need to be vigilant, as there might be busy times,¡± Jiang Hao reminded. ¡°Remember, don¡¯t let strangers come in to help.¡± The Tiansheng Sect has puppets, which can easily bring danger. It just so happens that he won¡¯t be around, and if something happens, it will be hard for these people to notice. Cheng Chou didn¡¯t dare to ask more and could only agree. However, with the rabbit around, he felt somewhat at ease. After all, the rabbit is really powerful and quick to spot problems. After that, besides making talismans, Jiang Hao was comprehending the techniques in the Primordial Heart Sutra. After spending seven days, he finally grasped the full scope of the technique. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Its name, Universe in the Palm. The first technique, Jiang Hao initially thought it was of the attacking type. But upon closer inspection, it felt more like a sealing type. Universe in the Palm, enveloping all things with Purple Qi, storing them within the palm. Similar to spatial techniques, yet akin to sealing techniques. Since he hadn¡¯t learned it yet, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t know the specifics. But related to space, is it really something a Nascent Soul can learn? The first one is this difficult to learn, so one can imagine the difficulty of subsequent techniques. If truly mastered, calling it a divine ability wouldn¡¯t be an overstatement. ¡°Only seven days left, I wonder how much I can grasp.¡± After that, Jiang Hao stopped pondering and started to comprehend with all his might. ...... On the day he set off for the Demon Cavern. Jiang Hao awoke from his comprehension. At this moment, he got up and went to the courtyard, where the sky was turning pale, but the sun had not yet risen. The rabbit was drooling next to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. The closer it got, the closer to death it would be. Turning his gaze away, Jiang Hao looked at the teaware on the table. He extended his hand and operated the Primordial Heart Sutra, covering it with Purple Qi. Then he gently grasped with a bit of force. Universe in the Palm. The Purple Qi surged, covering the entire teaware, and then returned to Jiang Hao¡¯s hand. At this point, the teaware had disappeared from the table. ¡°Quite useful.¡± He looked at the sphere of Purple Qi condensed in his palm, inside of which was the teaware that had vanished from the table. ¡°It¡¯s a pity it¡¯s not actually stored inside the palm, but just shrunk and sealed.¡± With a gentle wave of his hand, the teaware returned to the table. He then turned his gaze to the rabbit. The Purple Qi was mobilized again. Universe in the Palm. In an instant, the rabbit was covered by the Purple Qi and finally ended up in his palm. At this time, the rabbit was still drooling. ¡°If the strength is not enough, my technique, Universe in the Palm, cannot be broken.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a pity that I¡¯ve just learned it, the range is not large, and it cannot withstand things that are too powerful.¡± At that moment, a communication talisman flew in from outside. After throwing the rabbit down to the ground to restore it to its original form, he checked the talisman. It was an order to gather. It was finally time to enter the Demon Cavern. Now that he¡¯s at the early stage of Nascent Soul, with the Divine Might as his trump card, he can do some things with the Universe in the Palm. This time going in, it¡¯s just right for refining his cultivation. There will definitely be dangers, but they should rarely exceed the early stage of Nascent Soul. Hmm. Let¡¯s not get cocky. Chapter 174 - You Can Trust Lord Rabbit Chapter 174: You Can Trust Lord Rabbit ¡°Get up.¡± Jiang Hao gently kicked the rabbit. The drool it was leaving made him somewhat understand why Hong Yuye had taken action. The rabbit wasn¡¯t dealt a fatal blow; it must have great fortune. May its friends from the road bless it. ¡°Master?¡± The rabbit sat up and yawned, ¡°Why are you up so early lately?¡± ¡°Take these.¡± Jiang Hao handed some spirit stones and medicinal herbs to the rabbit, ¡°Once Chu Chuan reaches the second level of Qi Refining, give these to him. He should be able to advance within half a year.¡± ¡°Alrighty.¡± The rabbit took the items and responded. ¡°If Chu Chuan hasn¡¯t asked to stop testing his progress, you can¡¯t stop either, understand?¡± Jiang Hao instructed. ¡°Master, you can trust Lord Rabbit. My friends on the road all know I¡¯m reliable,¡± the rabbit said with full confidence. Jiang Hao raised an eyebrow. That statement made him a bit uneasy. It felt like a bluff. But so far, the rabbit hadn¡¯t really messed up. He didn¡¯t have time to verify and could only leave it to the rabbit. ¡°Are you going out again, Master?¡± the rabbit asked. ¡°Not really, still within the sect,¡± Jiang Hao replied casually. He looked around the courtyard and watered various medicinal herbs. All these days, except for the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, no other herbs had shown blue bubbles. He wondered if they would appear over time. Too bad he didn¡¯t have time to experiment. It¡¯s only been a month since his promotion. Not much time has passed. When Jiang Hao was about to go to the Law Enforcement Peak to gather, he was suddenly greeted by the long-absent Han Ming. ¡°Senior Brother, long time no see.¡± Han Ming, holding his long sword, was radiant. ¡°Junior Brother, you seem even more distinguished than before,¡± Jiang Hao sincerely complimented. This year Han Ming should be twenty-two. He entered the inner sect at eighteen, at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. Four years have passed, and he¡¯s about to reach the late stage of Foundation Establishment. His aura was far beyond an ordinary mid-stage Foundation Establishment. Indeed, he was favored by the Spirit of Mountains and Rivers and had a great inheritance. Hearing Jiang Hao¡¯s praise, Han Ming¡¯s smile grew wider, and in a deep voice, he said, ¡°I came today, actually, to challenge Senior Brother. I wonder if Senior Brother has the time?¡± ¡°I have to gather at the Law Enforcement Peak to head to the Demon Cavern, but there¡¯s still some time,¡± Jiang Hao accepted the challenge. If it were someone else, he might not have accepted. But Han Ming, Junior Brother, was worth sparring with. Back when he was nineteen and Han Ming was eighteen, they were both at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. Four years have flown by; he¡¯s now at the early stage of Nascent Soul, and Han Ming, Junior Brother, is about to break through to the late stage of Foundation Establishment. They are companions of youth. ¡°Right here?¡± Han Ming asked. ¡°Yes, right here,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. At that moment, Han Ming gripped his sword, and his aura surged. He didn¡¯t rush to attack but was brewing his strength. Whoosh~ A gust of wind blew, and at that moment, Han Ming struck like a flash of lightning. Clang! His long sword was drawn, transforming into a thunderous attack towards Jiang Hao. Clang! Boom! Jiang Hao¡¯s saber came down, slashing the ground behind Han Ming. With a clang, a long sword fell from mid-air, sticking into the earth. It was Han Ming¡¯s own sword. At that moment, Jiang Hao¡¯s saber was paused by Han Ming¡¯s ear. Had he slashed down, Han Ming would have been gravely injured. Cold sweat slid down his cheek. ¡°Junior Brother Han, I appreciate your forbearance,¡± Jiang Hao slowly sheathed his blade, speaking calmly and gently. ¡°Senior Brother¡¯s cultivation...¡± Han Ming was somewhat in disbelief. He had thought he would break through earlier, but each time he was overwhelmed by Jiang Hao. ¡°I¡¯ve reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment.¡± Jiang Hao said as if reminiscing, ¡°I went out once, encountered some opportunities, and recently advanced to the late stage of Foundation Establishment. It was a stroke of luck.¡± Han Ming picked up his sword from the ground, bowed to Jiang Hao, and left. He seemed somewhat unconvinced, feeling that he had only lost to someone of a higher realm. Once his level catches up, it¡¯s hard to say who will win or lose. If he wins, he¡¯ll call me ¡°Junior Brother Jiang Hao.¡± Seeing this, Jiang Hao shook his head slightly, not minding it at all. Han Ming is a rather peculiar person; you can¡¯t really say he¡¯s good because you don¡¯t see it, and you can¡¯t say he¡¯s bad because he doesn¡¯t seem to engage in any devious schemes. However, as long as he can continue to grow normally, he will definitely become a strong practitioner. He has high talent, plenty of opportunities, and is willing to work hard. The only shortcoming is that he lacks a bit of cunning, and it¡¯s uncertain whether he¡¯ll be outwitted by others. Without further delay, Jiang Hao arrived at the base of Enforcement Peak. This time he didn¡¯t see Liu Xingchen, nor did he see Senior Sister Ming Yi. As an undercover agent, Senior Sister Ming Yi really keeps a low profile. The other undercover agents are even more so; up to now, the third undercover agent hasn¡¯t appeared. ¡°Junior Brother, have you been promoted?¡± Mu Qi approached Jiang Hao in surprise. ¡°I had a bit of a fortuitous encounter while I was out, and after some polishing, I was lucky enough to be promoted,¡± Jiang Hao said calmly. He used the usual excuse, which, although rare, was not unheard of. ¡°Junior Brother sure has many adventures,¡± Mu Qi said with a smile, without delving deeper. ¡°The others will be here soon, and after we go in, you might be directed towards the Foundation Establishment area. You¡¯ll need to be careful then, Junior Brother.¡± ¡°Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother,¡± Jiang Hao nodded slightly. He understood that he was on the minds of quite a few people in the sect, and there would always be some danger. After waiting for a while, the number of people on the open ground kept increasing. Finally, members from all twelve veins had arrived. At this point, a fairy-like figure stepped to the forefront and addressed everyone. ¡°Fellow Junior Brothers and Sisters, now that everyone is here, let¡¯s set off. After entering, there will be people to guide you. Those at the Golden Core stage will go to the Golden Core area, and those at the Foundation Establishment stage will go to the Foundation Establishment area.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that you can¡¯t act alone, but if you don¡¯t have enough merit, you will face punishment.¡± S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Will it cost money? Jiang Hao realized. Normal sect missions don¡¯t involve compensating with spirit stones, but some special missions do have a compensation mechanism. However, the core of the mechanism is the desire of the person taking on the mission. For example, the tasks of Enforcement Peak are sought after by those who wish to go out. The Demon Cavern mission is the same; the compensation mechanism is triggered by those who want to act freely. After pondering for a moment, Jiang Hao decided not to act alone, at least not to appear too distinctive for the time being. Once the general situation was clear, everyone flew on their swords towards the Demon Cavern. On the way, Jiang Hao encountered some people he was fairly familiar with. Xin Yuyue from Leihuo Peak, Zheng Shijiu from Bingyue Valley, and Le You from Hengliu Waterfall. What a coincidence, it¡¯s these people again. Especially Senior Sister Xin and Senior Brother Zheng, they have collaborated quite a few times. ...... Demon Cavern. As soon as Jiang Hao and the others entered, they met the people who were there to receive them. One was at the Nascent Soul stage, and the other at the Golden Core stage. Jiang Hao had seen the Nascent Soul before; she was Ning Xuan, the true disciple of Duanqing Cliff. The Golden Core was a muscular man carrying a huge shield. It seemed that, like Senior Sister Le You, he was from Hengliu Waterfall. ¡°You can leave to act freely along the way, but for now, follow me,¡± Fairy Ning Xuan whispered a reminder before leading the group away. Jiang Hao also heard a similar voice on his side. Then everyone followed the Golden Core Senior Brother deeper inside. ¡°Junior Brother Jiang, we meet again,¡± Zheng Shijiu fell back to greet Jiang Hao. Xin Yuyue and Le You also came over. There were twelve people in total, and they were not familiar with the others. Instinctively, they gathered together. ¡°Senior Brother Zheng, Senior Sister Xin, Senior Sister Le,¡± Jiang Hao greeted politely. Zheng Shijiu was genuinely pleased this time; he had some understanding of Jiang Hao¡¯s prowess. And since the other party hadn¡¯t attacked them before, it meant there was no need to. With Jiang Hao here this time, it might be a bit safer. Chapter 175 - The Accident Comes Quickly Chapter 175: The Accident Comes Quickly ¡°Junior Brother Jiang is already at the late stage of Foundation Establishment?¡± Le You frowned slightly, showing a bit of surprise. Xin Yuyue didn¡¯t seem surprised, though she didn¡¯t understand why Jiang Hao had advanced so quickly. But after the last trip to the Demon Cavern, she knew that Jiang Hao¡¯s strength was not to be underestimated. He was not someone they could afford to provoke. ¡°I encountered a fortuitous event while I was out, and was lucky enough to advance, but I¡¯m still far from a true late-stage Foundation Establishment practitioner,¡± Jiang Hao said modestly. ¡°Hmm, advancing too quickly can lead to an unstable foundation. It would be best for Junior Brother to spend some time consolidating your cultivation during this period,¡± Le You, carrying a giant sword, kindly reminded. Jiang Hao nodded his thanks. At this moment, he also noticed that both Le You and Xin Yuyue were at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. Zheng Shijiu was at the peak of Foundation Establishment. Looking around, there were only two at the peak of Foundation Establishment. ¡°Speaking of which, how are the disciples you brought back doing?¡± Xin Yuyue sighed. ¡°The three I brought back are so-so, but luckily one of them is hardworking. Otherwise, I¡¯d be afraid of being reprimanded.¡± At this time, everyone was flying on their swords deeper inside, and Jiang Hao saw that there was no change below, indicating that there were no major external issues. ¡°The three I brought back are okay, but none of them are particularly outstanding,¡± Zheng Shijiu remarked. ¡°I found a black horse, maybe in a few years he could shine brightly in our lineage,¡± Le You said with some anticipation. Jiang Hao was quite curious if that black horse was the last one they had taken in. That person¡¯s talent was somewhat lacking, but his perseverance was astonishing. Given some opportunities, he might be able to leap forward. After some thought, he replied, ¡°I haven¡¯t paid much attention, but there was one who was quite troublesome.¡± ¡°Junior Brother Jiang is the least concerned, after all, you brought back a Golden Core.¡± Zheng Shijiu said with a hint of envy, and then added, ¡°I inquired after returning, and the Lin Mo we took in has entered the Enforcement Peak, and it¡¯s said that he might enter the Hall of Enforcement.¡± He turned to look at Jiang Hao and continued, ¡°I heard that Junior Brother Lin Mo has a friend at Junior Brother Jiang¡¯s place. It seems that due to the huge gap in strength, he was quite affected. Whenever they meet, it¡¯s like he¡¯s following them around, and many people criticize him for it. Now it seems they¡¯ve gradually become distant.¡± ¡°As expected,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°Indeed,¡± Le You seemed to recall something, a bit emotional. ¡°Having such friends can sometimes be a good thing, but other times it can be pressure. That Lin Zhi Junior Brother doesn¡¯t have enough strength, and if he forces himself to keep up, it¡¯s just asking for trouble.¡± ¡°I heard he knows how to avoid trouble, and it¡¯s always those two who seek him out,¡± Zheng Shijiu said with a smile. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s well-intentioned, thinking that even if they¡¯re more talented and have stronger cultivation, they still consider him a friend.¡± Jiang Hao looked at the passing forest below and did not speak. Lin Zhi¡¯s situation was already more difficult than others, whether in cultivation or circumstances. If it were just him alone, it wouldn¡¯t matter, but unfortunately, his two friends were too talented. It would bring him immense pressure. Whether they came to find him or ignored him, it was a psychological blow. He probably didn¡¯t even know what to do. In a few more years, perhaps these two friends would instinctively look down on him. Not intentionally, but out of instinct. The difference between the strong and the weak is not just in cultivation, but also in mentality. However, Lin Zhi must have some secrets. Jiang Hao hadn¡¯t specifically tried to appraised him. With no real interaction, he hadn¡¯t paid much attention, let alone kept an eye on him. ¡®Next time, see if I can meet him, and if possible, assess the situation.¡¯ ¡°We¡¯re almost there,¡± a voice came from ahead. Jiang Hao and the others stopped talking and looked into the distance. They could see a light screen covering the area inside, seemingly sealing off the entire region. In front of the light screen, there was a temporary defense line set up, with people patrolling around and some houses. It should be a place to stay. After landing, the Senior Brother leading the way said to the dozen or so people. ¡°You can stand by in this area. If you don¡¯t return immediately after the assembly order is issued, consider it as acting on your own. Check in here every day to confirm your whereabouts. Find your own lodging, and then take turns scouting the situation. You¡¯ll rest for three days. After three days, it will be your turn.¡± Afterward, Jiang Hao and the others began to look for a place to stay. Being cautious, Jiang Hao observed the surroundings to ensure there were no special powerful beings. He also wanted to understand the situation in the area. After observing for half a day, he found that there were three Golden Cores here, and the rest were at the Foundation Establishment stage. There was not a single Qi Refining practitioner. The Demon Cavern was indeed not suitable for the trials of those at the Qi Refining stage. However, he suddenly thought of something: if people like Lin Zhi gained some cultivation in the future, would they go out for experience? He worried about being held back. But since he was always on the Enforcement Peak roster, he couldn¡¯t leave. This reassured him. After finding a good location, Jiang Hao began to build a wooden hut for himself. He maintained the best condition to prevent any accidents. ...... The next day. Zheng Shijiu came looking for him. ¡°I heard it¡¯s easy to encounter demons when scouting inside, and their strength varies, which could be very dangerous. Some fellow disciples went in and never came out.¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao¡¯s brow furrowed slightly and he said. ¡°Does going in and disappearing count as acting on your own?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± This question caught Zheng Shijiu off guard, but then he shook his head and replied, ¡°No, it doesn¡¯t count as acting on your own. It would be considered a missing person.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. This would make it easier for him to leave the group if he wanted to. There was no need for him to leave unless necessary. Waiting for the next rotation was the best option. If he could find some spiritual herbs to cultivate, that would be even better. However, a peaceful half-year seemed unlikely; something was bound to happen later, especially since other entrances might also open. The peace wouldn¡¯t last long. ¡°Bingyue Valley¡¯s Zheng Shijiu, Duanqing Cliff¡¯s Jiang Hao, are you there?¡± Suddenly a voice came. Jiang Hao and Zheng Shijiu immediately looked towards the source of the voice. It was a Golden Core early-stage fairy. ¡°Here,¡± the two of them responded. ¡°Come with me, something has happened to the scouting team,¡± Ye Ji said in a low voice. Jiang Hao was surprised; he hadn¡¯t expected to go in so soon. But he followed immediately. At that moment, he noticed that Le You and Xin Yuyue were there. There was also a middle-aged man with a scar on his face. His cultivation was at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage. The group of six passed through the defensive barrier and flew on their swords towards the interior of the Demon Cavern. ¡°If we encounter any major discoveries, you can retreat first. I won¡¯t save you if it¡¯s too dangerous, so don¡¯t count on me,¡± Ye Ji said frankly as they traveled. Jiang Hao and the others said nothing. This was normal; expecting others to risk their lives for one¡¯s own sake was unrealistic. Especially without sufficient benefit. Zheng Shijiu and the others frowned with worry. The scouting team¡¯s troubles indicated the presence of a formidable enemy. Entering at this time meant taking great risks. But when it was their turn, they had no choice but to go in. Regardless of whether it was the Demon Sect, the sect¡¯s foundational mission had to be carried out. After a short time. Jiang Hao and the others saw signs of a fight in the forest ahead. ¡°Let¡¯s go down and take a look.¡± Fairy Ye Ji descended slowly. Jiang Hao followed all the way. But the moment he landed, he sensed an attack coming from ahead. Fortunately, Fairy Ye Ji also quickly noticed: ¡°Be careful.¡± She extended her hand, and a shield of magic appeared. Boom! A giant rock was blocked from hitting them. As the booming sound erupted, Jiang Hao immediately looked to the side. He frowned, noticing that there were so many demons that were so well hidden. The demons were very close before Ye Ji detected them. She quickly shouted: ¡°Be careful...¡± But by then, she was caught by a powerful force, and it was too late to escape. It was too close. Hearing the sound, Zheng Shijiu and the others knew something was wrong, but they couldn¡¯t detect it for a moment. Suddenly, they felt an attack coming from the side, extremely powerful. There wasn¡¯t enough time to counterattack. Just as they braced to withstand the blow, a ray of moonlight appeared. Jiang Hao drew his saber and swung down. Moon Slash. Boom! The moonlight saber light cut through the attack and shattered the demon¡¯s disguise. At that moment, a late-stage Foundation Establishment demon was revealed. Zheng Shijiu and the others were astonished because the demon was just two meters away from them. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And they had no clue before the demon¡¯s attack. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t stop; he used Demon Sound Thousand Li to reach the demon and slashed down. Pfft~ With the rolling demonic sound, the demon¡¯s head was separated from its body. Then, Jiang Hao retreated, placing his long saber at his side, and calmly said. ¡°Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, be careful, there might be more.¡± Chapter 176 - About to be counter-killed? Chapter 176: About to be counter-killed? Jiang Hao, who had returned, didn¡¯t pay attention to the astonishment of his Senior Brothers and Sisters. The strength he displayed was normal for the late stage of Foundation Establishment. The only difference was that he was a bit more sensitive. He was more concerned about the surrounding demons, which, although not much stronger than before, were surprisingly good at disguising themselves. It seemed they would be much harder to deal with than before. Zheng Shijiu and the others also recovered from their surprise and became aware of the demons lurking around. At this moment, Le You stomped heavily on the ground. Boom! The surrounding ground rippled due to the force of the impact. Zheng Shijiu waved his paper fan, casting spells, and soon snowflakes began to fall. The figures of the demons were shaken out by the undulating ground, and those who were off the ground were revealed by the snowflakes. Clang! Xin Yuyue attacked with her sword, each strike accompanied by thunder and fire. The scar-faced middle-aged man also leaped up at this time, tearing demons apart with his bare hands. Jiang Hao joined in as well. This time, he didn¡¯t kill with a single strike but attacked the weakest part of the demons¡¯ necks, little by little. He used a dagger as well. As the demons fell one by one, he noticed white bubbles appearing. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡¾Strength+1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit+1¡¿ In a short time, all the demons have been vanquished. Jiang Hao walked past each corpse, feeling a sense of melancholy. ¡°Not a single blue bubble.¡± ¡°But that was to be expected.¡± Ever since he entered the Nascent Soul stage, blue bubbles had become increasingly rare. Back when he was in the late Foundation Establishment stage, demons would drop many blue bubbles. Now, at the early stage of Nascent Soul, he should be targeting demons of the Nascent Soul level. At the very least, those at the peak of Golden Core. But could there be such powerful demons here? After all, this was a Foundation Establishment area. ¡°Make sure there are no survivors,¡± Zheng Shijiu spoke up. Jiang Hao joined the group, having made up his mind to stay put for now. Even without the bubbles, he could use this time to comprehend the Universe in the Palm and the Nameless Secret Manual. His strength wouldn¡¯t stagnate. ¡°Duanqing Cliff¡¯s Jiang Hao?¡± Ye Ji repeated the name, this time with a different tone. She had thought there would be many heavily injured, but Jiang Hao¡¯s sudden action turned the tide. She looked at him with new respect. ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao replied. ¡°Have you practiced any mental techniques?¡± Ye Ji asked further. ¡°I¡¯ve dabbled in such things,¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t specify. He hadn¡¯t practiced mental techniques, but he had greatly enhanced his mental strength. If one were to count, the Nameless Secret Manual could be considered a mental technique. But he couldn¡¯t disclose that; most secret manual could be shared, but the Nameless Secret Manual was an exception. This secret manual is too terrifying. At first, one might not realize its power, but the more one delved into it, the more fearsome it became. Ye Ji nodded, asking no more questions. ¡°Stay vigilant and see if the previous scouting team left anything behind.¡± The five of them complied and began their search. Zheng Shijiu and Xin Yuyue breathed a sigh of relief, feeling their guess was correct. With Jiang Hao there, they would be much safer. Le You looked at Jiang Hao with a slight frown. She pursued a solid foundation in her cultivation, so it was easy for her to notice certain things. Jiang Hao¡¯s strike that killed the demon was stable and solid in foundation. It seemed that even with fortuitous encounters, he cared a lot about his foundation. Recalling her earlier advice, she felt a burning embarrassment on her face. It was like making a fool of herself in front of a senior. Jiang Hao walked forward, looking towards the deepest part of the Demon Cavern. There, the sky still shone brightly, as if stars from the nine heavens were falling. All the dangers in the Demon Cavern originated from there. The core of the Demon Cavern. ¡°I wonder what¡¯s happening inside,¡± he pondered. With a sigh, he began to check the whereabouts of his sect members. Looking at the traces of battle, it seemed like they had been chased here. ¡°It¡¯s likely they discovered something.¡± ¡°A lot of trees have been destroyed; it feels like they were forced into a last stand.¡± Jiang Hao speculated. At that moment, Zheng Shijiu¡¯s voice came through: ¡°I¡¯ve found something.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a mark from Bingyue Valley,¡± Zheng Shijiu said, pointing to the traces on the ground. Nearby, Jiang Hao observed the water traces and indeed found faint spiritual energy swirling within them. ¡°Can you tell the direction?¡± Fairy Ye Ji asked. ¡°This way,¡± Zheng Shijiu pointed to the left without hesitation. ¡°Let¡¯s go have a look,¡± Fairy Ye Ji said. The group of six then headed in the direction of the mark. Jiang Hao walked at the rear, wary that it might be a trap. After some time, they arrived at the riverbank. ¡°The mark indicates it¡¯s under the water,¡± Zheng Shijiu reported truthfully. Ye Ji nodded slightly, seemingly contemplating something. Then she stepped forward and used her powerful strength to part the river waters. Whoosh! The river stopped flowing. At this moment, Jiang Hao saw a spell formation revealed in the water. Indeed, someone was hiding underneath. Zheng Shijiu and the scarred middle-aged man immediately went down to bring the people up. There were three of them: one man and two women. One of the women, a Foundation Establishment peak cultivator, had the lightest injuries, while the other two were more seriously wounded. ¡°Senior Sister Xia?¡± Zheng Shijiu recognized the cultivator. ¡°There¡¯s been a serious incident,¡± Senior Sister Xia said as soon as she saw Zheng Shijiu. ¡°A powerful demon has emerged among them, and they¡¯re trying to trap us inside. Now we either have to flee or call for reinforcements, otherwise our area is doomed.¡± This statement shocked Jiang Hao. He had just arrived and was already facing such a situation. ¡°Let¡¯s go back first,¡± said Ye Ji, as she started to lead everyone away from the area. On the way back, Jiang Hao looked behind him but didn¡¯t sense any terrifying power. Logically, they shouldn¡¯t be surrounded, but the capabilities of the demons were still unknown, so it was necessary to be cautious. ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry too much. Inside the Demon Cavern, there are senior sect members from our sect who are in charge. We are on the outer edge, so normally, no powerful demons should appear here,¡± Ye Ji reassured them. The others nodded without saying much more. They quickly returned to the defensive line. Ye Ji instructed them to take the injured to the disciples in charge of the medicinal herbs, while she went with Xia Xianzi to the location of the other Golden Core cultivators. They probably needed to confirm the accuracy of the information and make a decision. On the way to deliver the injured, Xin Yuyue asked curiously. ¡°Do you think what Senior Sister Xia said could be true?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no smoke without fire; there must be some danger,¡± said Le You, carrying his huge sword seriously. ¡°Prepare yourselves mentally.¡± ¡°When will the sect¡¯s reinforcements arrive if we get trapped in here?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°It¡¯s hard to say,¡± Zheng Shijiu replied with a frown. ¡°If we get trapped here, it might also mean that the Golden Core area is trapped. Moreover, the senior members inside must be in trouble too. So, the sect will prioritize supporting the most critical location first. If there are enough people, we will get support soon as well.¡± Enough people? Jiang Hao sighed inwardly. The Tianyin Sect was short-staffed recently. Firstly, there had been significant losses in the battle with Tianqing Mountain. Secondly, because of conflicts at the mines with sects like Xuantian Sect, the higher-ups had been depleted. It had been just over two years, and recovery was not easy. Moreover, the Tiansheng Sect was becoming restless, and the second entrance to the Demon Cavern could open at any time. Internal and external troubles. If they got trapped here, they could only rely on themselves for a while. The situation was not looking good. Chapter 177 - I Don’t Need Evidence to Kill You Chapter 177: I Don¡¯t Need Evidence to Kill You The next day. Jiang Hao had not received any clear information. Perhaps they were also uncertain, or they were waiting for reinforcements. It was definitely not okay to retreat rashly. Since there was no news, Jiang Hao could only look around himself. Every morning, he would observe the surroundings for a while. ...... Three days passed without any findings. It seemed that all he could do was wait quietly and consolidate his cultivation in the meantime. This time, he did not contemplate the Universe in the Palm but focused on Merge with Light and Blend with Dust and the third form of Heavenly Saber. He couldn¡¯t learn the fourth form yet, and the only fast attack he had was the third form of Heavenly Saber, Meteor. If the demons truly went from prey to hunters, then Meteor would be the most useful against them. However, one thing made him curious: where did the demons get the intelligence to trap them? So far, it seemed that most demons acted on instinct. Even the powerful ones couldn¡¯t trap them. ¡°Is someone helping them, or do they actually have enough intelligence?¡± Jiang Hao pondered for a moment and felt that the latter was more likely. The stronger they were, the more intelligence they had, which applied to many spiritual beasts. As for the specifics, he did not know. ...... Five days later. Boom! Suddenly, there was a conflict outside. Jiang Hao walked out of the house and saw two Foundation Establishment cultivators looking dissatisfied. ¡°What exactly is going on? Can you explain clearly? Why did I hear that we¡¯re about to be trapped here and become prey for the demons?¡± ¡°Yeah, if that¡¯s the case, it¡¯s better to let us leave now. Better to seek survival on our own.¡± The actions of the two made the other sect members puzzled. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Jiang Hao looked around and saw that everyone was unaware of the situation. It seemed that they were all hearing this news for the first time. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± someone suddenly asked. ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡± one of the two men, a tall one, said with a tremble in his voice. ¡°We¡¯ve heard that the demons seem to have a powerful method to trap us here to death.¡± ¡°Is that true?¡± the surrounding people were in an uproar. They were not aware of such a thing. Jiang Hao looked down, feeling that many people were getting stirred up. It seemed that continuing to stay here was not a wise decision. But this was a sect mission, and they couldn¡¯t just withdraw rashly. So everyone was waiting for the Golden Core cultivators to come out and clarify. The atmosphere was quite tense. ¡®How are they going to explain? Tell the truth?¡¯ Jiang Hao looked towards where the Golden Core cultivators were. He actually wanted to know the situation as well. He wasn¡¯t as impatient as the others, nor did he seek the limelight like they did. Staying here quietly and waiting was the best choice. He could find out the outcome without worrying about being targeted. ¡°Silence.¡± A commanding voice echoed from above. Ye Ji, from her high vantage point, looked down at everyone. Finally, her gaze settled on the two individuals at the forefront of the Foundation Establishment stage. One was tall and imposing, the other had a fierce appearance. Neither looked like easy opponents. Their strength was not bad either. ¡°Senior Sister Ye, everyone wants to know if we¡¯ll be trapped if we continue to stay here,¡± the imposing man asked. At that moment, Ye Ji slowly descended without answering the question. She stared at the two men and calmly said, ¡°Where did you hear about this?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just what people are saying,¡± the fierce-looking one replied. ¡°Who told you?¡± Ye Ji continued to inquire. ¡°We¡¯re too embarrassed to say. We just want to know if it¡¯s true,¡± the imposing cultivator retorted. Ye Ji¡¯s face remained calm as she softly spoke. ¡°Those who knew about this have been under our control for the past few days. Where did you hear such information? Unless you are traitors working with the demons?¡± The sudden accusation shocked both men. However, before they could say anything, Ye Ji made her move. Her Golden Core power erupted, and with a wave of her hand, she struck the fierce-looking one from afar. Pfft! Blood spurted out. His body twisted, and with a loud bang, he was dead on the spot. ¡°You...¡± The imposing cultivator was stunned, fearfully saying, ¡°Do you have any evidence that we are traitors? Aren¡¯t you afraid of being punished for killing a fellow sect member?¡± ¡°Evidence?¡± Ye Ji laughed and said. ¡°Where do you think you are? Or do you think I¡¯m from the Hall of Enforcement? Suspicion is enough for your death. What need is there for evidence?¡± As her words fell, she gathered a powerful force in her hand and threw it out. Boom! The remaining Foundation Establishment cultivator was instantly obliterated. The crowd was too frightened to make a sound. Jiang Hao was also somewhat surprised that she had killed them outright. But if no one had leaked the information, could these two actually be traitors? Otherwise, where did they get the courage to provoke a Golden Core? Relying on the number of people around, betting that they wouldn¡¯t dare to strike decisively? After hesitating, Jiang Hao decided to examine the bodies. The divine ability feedback came quickly. ¡¾Corpse of Gao Hu: Hengliu Waterfall inner disciple, Foundation Establishment late stage, attempted forced breakthroughs multiple times without adjusting his body, leaving many hidden injuries, each cultivation session was painful, seduced by demons to seek greater power, attempting to undermine the Tianyin Sect¡¯s defenses.¡¿ ¡°So they really were traitors.¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. For a moment, he was curious whether Senior Sister Ye Ji had made up a reason to kill or had actually noticed something. But the matter had indeed been exposed. ¡°Have you not already found out what you wanted to know? What they said was true. However, we have not received an order to evacuate. You can either evacuate on your own, choose to act freely, or stay quietly and wait for orders,¡± Senior Sister Ye Ji said before turning and leaving. The others were left in shock and bewilderment. Most people looked at each other and chose to stay put. The stigma of evacuation was too great; no one dared to take that risk. And to act freely, if one truly became trapped and prey, it would be like a lone target. It was better to continue waiting in place. Jiang Hao pondered for a moment, then returned to his dwelling to wait. After all, a conclusion had to be reached. In the following days, aside from patrols around, no one ventured into the interior. It seemed that being trapped here had become inevitable. At this time, the demons also did not launch any attacks. ¡°It¡¯s too quiet.¡± Jiang Hao stepped out of his house, feeling the pressure of the calm. Not just him, others felt the same. What was going to happen? They wished for a swift resolution. While others were slightly agitated, Jiang Hao was more than that. He was simply curious. Logically, those with Golden Cores would contact the sect, but so far, there had been no conclusion. The Demon Cavern was located within the sect, and sending an order wouldn¡¯t take much time. Yet, no orders came. Driven by curiosity, Jiang Hao took to his sword and flew outside. The defensive line where they were stationed was not far from the outside. In just a short time, Jiang Hao¡¯s brows furrowed slightly. A faint force was present in the space ahead. He quickened his pace. Finally, he came to a stop in front of the woods; although there was nothing in sight, a faint force was present. Jiang Hao raised his hand and gently touched the faint force. Whoosh! An invisible ripple blocked his hand. Only then did Jiang Hao lower his hand and let out a resigned sigh: ¡°It seems we¡¯ve lost contact with the outside, and the sect hasn¡¯t dealt with it immediately. It¡¯s likely that the situation elsewhere is not optimistic either.¡± As he turned to head back, he saw Ye Ji appearing in front of him. Chapter 178 - Kill If You Want to Kill Chapter 178: Kill If You Want to Kill Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t surprised by Ye Ji¡¯s appearance. He just seemed a bit taken aback. ¡°Senior Sister Ye,¡± he greeted her with a polite bow. Her cultivation was at the Golden Core stage, but compared to Golden Cores like Miao Tinglian, she seemed somewhat inferior. It was highly probable that she wasn¡¯t a true disciple. To become a true disciple, mere cultivation wasn¡¯t enough; one needed sufficient potential. Like Han Ming, although he had only established his Foundation Establishment not long ago, he was already a true disciple as an inner sect member. His talent and potential were much greater than those of ordinary people. The speed at which he had been advancing was enough to qualify him as a true disciple. There were two reasons why he hadn¡¯t become one: firstly, his talent might not be sufficient, and there was concern that his advancement was forced by some fortuitous encounter. Secondly, his association with traitors was unclear, and his name was still on the Hall of Enforcement¡¯s watchlist. Ye Ji approached Jiang Hao, her expression calm. ¡°Did you notice it?¡± ¡°When did it happen?¡± Jiang Hao asked, puzzled. He understood she was referring to them being trapped. At this moment, he was genuinely confused, as he hadn¡¯t noticed it for so long. ¡°It was probably the day you all arrived. When we went to rescue people, we tried to notify the sect immediately. Unfortunately, we can¡¯t get out.¡± Ye Ji stared at Jiang Hao and asked. ¡°Are you scared, Junior Brother Jiang?¡± ¡°A little,¡± Jiang Hao replied. ¡°I didn¡¯t see that,¡± Ye Ji said with a smile. ¡°How many Golden Cores do you think know about this, aside from the three of us?¡± ¡°I¡¯m probably not the first,¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t think others wouldn¡¯t have tried to go out and check. ¡°You¡¯re the seventh,¡± Ye Ji¡¯s expression turned cold. ¡°So, what do you think happened to the six before you?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. In truth, he knew they had returned to the defensive line. Although he hadn¡¯t done much these days, he had paid some attention to the people on the defensive line. Their number hadn¡¯t decreased by six. At most, some people had chosen to act on their own. Ye Ji, who had been watching Jiang Hao, was somewhat surprised by his calmness. Then, she landed on the ground and said. ¡°Junior Brother is very calm, which is admirable. But what do you think about our current situation?¡± ¡°Not very optimistic,¡± Jiang Hao landed on the ground as well. ¡°I¡¯m just curious, why hasn¡¯t the sect sent anyone?¡± ¡°There are several reasons,¡± Ye Ji walked towards the forest, saying helplessly. ¡°Mainly two. First, we only report to the sect once a month. The last report was right when you arrived. That means it¡¯s only been eleven days, so the sect doesn¡¯t know we¡¯ve lost contact.¡± ¡°Second, we¡¯ve studied the barrier and found that it¡¯s emitted from the core of the Demon Cavern. Solving the core issue would make the barrier disappear. Otherwise, there will be a continuous supply of power supporting the barrier, making it hard to break. So...¡± Ye Ji turned to look at Jiang Hao and said, ¡°Even if the sect knew, their first action would be to enter the core to solve the problem, especially since the path to the core is clear. As for us, we have to fend for ourselves.¡± ¡°Do you need my help, Senior Sister?¡± Jiang Hao asked straightforwardly. If not, there was no need for her to say so much. ¡°Indeed, I need Junior Brother¡¯s help,¡± Ye Ji looked at Jiang Hao seriously. ¡°If it were normal times, we could just continue to wait, as the defensive line offers some safety. But our magical artifact for detecting demons has issued a warning; a large number of demons are approaching. It might not be long before they attack the defensive line again. Before, we could request support at any time, but now it¡¯s different; we¡¯re like fish in a barrel.¡± Ye Ji paused, looking intently at Jiang Hao, trying to read something from his eyes. Unfortunately, there wasn¡¯t much to see. No excitement, no fear, only some astonishment. This made her feel that the person in front of her was not too bad. Most others would panic upon hearing this. At this moment, Jiang Hao was indeed astonished; the demons really wanted to hunt them. And their situation was not optimistic at all. To say it was a fight of trapped beasts would not be an exaggeration. ¡°We still have some choices,¡± Ye Ji turned back and continued walking into the forest. ¡°There are roughly two options. Option one is to stay here. The enemy will target the core area¡¯s seniors, as well as Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters from other regions. So, it¡¯s highly unlikely that a powerful demon will come here. After all, we¡¯re already trapped, so there¡¯s not much danger or value. Our only hope then would be to wait for the sect to notice and rescue us.¡± ¡°And the second option?¡± Jiang Hao asked. Staying here isn¡¯t the best choice unless the sect can reinforce the core position with a thunderous force. Besides that, we need to kill the powerful demons. If that were possible, we wouldn¡¯t be in this situation now. ¡°The second option is to take the initiative to attack,¡± Ye Ji said seriously. ¡°We have a defensive line, and the enemy must have a similar camp. Ordinary demons are like beasts, most without intelligence, and if we can cut off the source giving orders to the demons, the ones here will become disorganized. The weak aren¡¯t our match, and the strong will be dealt with by others in the sect, making this place much safer. We¡¯ll have enough time to wait for rescue.¡± ¡°What if we fail?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°If that happens...¡± Ye Ji turned to Jiang Hao with a smile, ¡°The areas should be interconnected, and as a Golden Core, I would go alone to the Golden Core region. Perhaps there¡¯s a slim chance of survival.¡± Jiang Hao lowered his gaze, noting that she spoke frankly about escaping alone in case of failure. It¡¯s quite forthright for someone from the Demon Sect; suggesting to die together isn¡¯t very realistic. However, escaping alone might be putting it nicely; it¡¯s probably about sending others to their deaths to clear a path for her survival. On the surface, she would have done her best, and any punishment from the sect wouldn¡¯t be too severe. The only good thing about the Demon Sect is that you can assume the worst in people and not worry about misunderstandings. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Do you want me to come with you?¡± he asked directly. ¡°Yes,¡± Ye Ji nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve noticed you¡¯re quite strong and extremely sharp. That would be a great help to me. Since there are two options, there will definitely be different opinions. So, when the time comes, we¡¯ll split up.¡± ¡°One group will resist the enemy, and the other will secretly look for the demon camp and launch a surprise attack. The decision now is for one Golden Core to lead the defense, and the rest, including me and another Golden Core, will go deep into the Demon Cavern. Those who go must be strong or capable enough.¡± ¡°Do we need to decide now?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Within five days, because it¡¯s highly likely that the demons will attack within seven days,¡± Ye Ji pondered before adding. ¡°You don¡¯t have to rush to give me an answer; you can tell me in a few days.¡± Jiang Hao nodded, then suddenly said, ¡°I have a small question for Senior Sister.¡± ¡°Ask,¡± Ye Ji said casually. ¡°Were the two Senior Brothers really traitors, or did Senior Sister find some clues?¡± Jiang Hao voiced his doubt. Hearing this, Ye Ji played with a lock of hair at her chest nonchalantly and said. ¡°What if I told you that I just made up a reason to kill them, would you believe me?¡± Jiang Hao lowered his gaze, his voice steady. ¡°Senior Sister must have her reasons.¡± Ye Ji¡¯s lips curved slightly, but she said nothing. Chapter 179 - I’ve Become a Tool Chapter 179: I¡¯ve Become a Tool Returning to the defensive line, Ye Ji walked ahead, suddenly turning back with a smile that could bloom flowers. ¡°Junior Brother can come to me anytime.¡± Jiang Hao nodded in response and activated his appraisal skill. He wanted to see the specifics of this Senior Sister. ¡¾Ye Ji: Inner disciple of Yanyun Peak, early Golden Core cultivation, has used charm techniques on you eighteen times along the way, intending to invisibly capture your heart, making you fascinated by her beauty and personality, and then willingly follow her into the Demon Cavern to shield her from danger, even to the point of dying for her. A tool that cannot be used by her is not a good tool, and she wants to destroy it.¡¿ ¡°Tomorrow there should be a result, but my intention is still to take the risk and go with you,¡± Jiang Hao said truthfully. He really did want to go in. Once inside, he could disappear and face the dangers here alone. Without others around, it would be easy to stay alive and wait for the sect¡¯s support. Plus, he could occasionally look for Nascent Soul or Golden Core demons to collect some bubbles. It was all beneficial and harmless. T he only thing to be careful of was not to be discovered. ¡°Good, I¡¯ll wait for Junior Brother¡¯s message tomorrow,¡± Ye Ji said calmly. After seeing off Ye Ji, Jiang Hao went back alone. As for the appraisal result, it was surprisingly normal. Yes, normal. It¡¯s normal for a Demon Sect disciple to have such thoughts. Use what can be used, and what can¡¯t be used has no value. And something without value can be destroyed without any concern. The only thing that puzzled Jiang Hao was the eighteen charm techniques... He hadn¡¯t felt them at all. ¡°It seems I need to look into books on charm techniques, to understand the casting methods and the form of power circulation. Then, combined with the nameless secret manual, I can know who is using charm techniques on me. Sometimes it¡¯s also good to turn the tables.¡± ¡°Charm technique manuals, last time I grabbed so many from the pill refiners, there seemed to be a few.¡± Back at his place, Jiang Hao checked his storage treasure and indeed found three books on charm techniques. He was about to open them and take a look when he noticed a faint reaction from the stone tablet. He took out the tablet and began to observe it. In the scene, people were still chatting. It was the same few as before. However, at this moment, the Secret Whisper Slate showed a faint response. Jiang Hao sensed it and discovered that someone was inviting him to enter the public area tonight at midnight. ¡°It seems to be that higher existence Hong Yuye mentioned, probably someone with authority over the Slate that exceeds the ¡®three-in-one¡¯.¡± After hesitating for a moment, he decided to go and take a look tonight. He had to get involved; otherwise, he couldn¡¯t go undercover. He then watched the conversation between two individuals for a while. It was ¡°Gui¡± and ¡°Xing¡±. Gui: The giant python I¡¯ve been chasing got away, damn it, I was about to catch it. But it won¡¯t be able to escape far; it¡¯s been cursed by me. Its strength will only weaken over time. When I find it, I¡¯ll skin it alive. How dare this beast eat my stuff. Xing: What good is weakening if you can¡¯t find it? Didn¡¯t you say it has the innate ability to conceal its fate? Gui: Yeah, I¡¯ll pull some strings and see if I can crush it with one slap. Jiang Hao watched their conversation, which revolved around a giant python. It seemed that ¡°Gui¡± had something important eaten by the python and was now searching for it across the world. To make matters worse, the python possessed divine powers that made it elusive. ¡°Divine powers that conceal fate?¡± Jiang Hao felt a tinge of envy for a moment. After the python, they started discussing the events of the night. Gui: Senior Dan Yuan will come tonight; I wonder how many people will be free. Xing: As long as they¡¯re not truly busy, quite a few should show up. Gui: That newcomer is definitely watching our chat; I wonder if he¡¯ll come tonight. Xing: He probably will, otherwise what¡¯s the point of him holding the Slate? Jiang Hao watched a bit longer, then put away the Slate. Indeed, holding the Slate didn¡¯t serve much purpose for him at the moment, except for going undercover. To find out the person behind the Slate. However, to expand the use of the Slate, he needed to integrate himself into their circle. Even if it meant accelerating his undercover progress, he couldn¡¯t just observe from the sidelines. ¡°Dan Yuan? I wonder if that¡¯s a name or a code name.¡± Jiang Hao pondered for a moment but couldn¡¯t conclude. He would find out when he met them. The code names would reveal themselves. For now, he decided to study charm techniques until midnight and be a good undercover agent. ...... At the defensive line. In the Golden Core residence. Three people were sitting cross-legged. Fairy Ye Ji sat on the left, and on the right was a man with a somber face. In the middle was a burly man with a giant shield beside him. ¡°Inviting someone in the late stage of Foundation Establishment?¡± Lan Feng, the man with the somber face, said disdainfully. ¡°Isn¡¯t that person just cannon fodder? What use is there in adding him?¡± ¡°What if he can sacrifice his life for me?¡± Fairy Ye Ji said with a smile. ¡°He¡¯s sharp enough; perhaps he¡¯ll be the first to die for me when danger comes.¡± ¡°Duanqing Cliff¡¯s Jiang Hao?¡± Jin Long in the middle reminded. ¡°His name is still listed in the Hall of Enforcement. You¡¯d better be careful.¡± ¡°We¡¯re not going to lay a hand on him,¡± Fairy Ye Ji said with a laugh. ¡°Duanqing Cliff¡¯s Jiang Hao, that name does sound familiar,¡± Lan Feng also chuckled. Jin Long didn¡¯t continue talking about Jiang Hao but said. ¡°The demons have many treasures, but this area might not have them. I won¡¯t stop you if you want them. But if you want me to let people go freely, you¡¯d better try your hardest to destroy the things.¡± ¡°Of course, succeeding would be a great achievement. Anyway, I¡¯m sure to be the last one standing,¡± Fairy Ye Ji said. Lan Feng didn¡¯t argue, just sneered. ¡°Is that funny?¡± Fairy Ye Ji asked. ¡°Not funny,¡± Lan Feng replied softly: ¡°I don¡¯t mean to look down on the people you¡¯ve pulled in, but take this Jiang Hao, for instance. What can a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator do?¡± ¡°I know a bit about him; he advanced in cultivation due to chance encounters, has been hiding in the Spiritual Medicine Garden, and hasn¡¯t seen much of the world.¡± ¡°However, he might have special treasures or techniques on him, given his many adventures.¡± Seeing Fairy Ye Ji silent, Lan Feng continued, ¡°If he dies, who gets his storage treasures?¡± ¡°Seven for me, three for you,¡± Fairy Ye Ji replied. ¡°Six for me, four for you,¡± Lan Feng said with an imposing aura. ¡°Then let¡¯s see who¡¯s more capable,¡± Fairy Ye Ji was not to be outdone. ¡°Fine by me,¡± Lan Feng was fearless. Jin Long didn¡¯t join in; he was different from the others. He was there to take advantage of the defensive formations. For him, this was the safest and most likely way to survive. With so many people gathered, he could drag it out to the end. Everyone there was the same; trapped in this place, they would do everything possible to survive. Before midnight. Jiang Hao closed the book on charm techniques; he hadn¡¯t learned much. For now, it seemed that charm techniques were activated through body movements, eye contact, and speech. Also, the assistance of power can subconsciously make one notice the beauty of another, thus becoming deeply infatuated. It¡¯s like magnifying their strengths infinitely. If one is naturally charming, then they are seductively alluring by nature, and even casual words and gestures can easily make others fall for them. Beauty, or sometimes, is it just a simple phrase, a turn of the head, or a smile. If a turn of the head is combined with a smile and followed by a phrase, it could form an immense destructive power. It could make someone fall deeply in love. A glance back and a smile can bring forth a myriad of charms. The colors of the world become like dust. ¡°No wonder so many people like and want to avenge Senior Sister Yun Ruo, even willing to give up a bright future to come and go undercover just to kill me.¡± It turns out I shattered their most beautiful dream. Some overreaction is inevitable. But it¡¯s been so long and still, some people can¡¯t let go. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Now, Ye Ji Senior Sister also wants me to become one of those people, too bad, charm techniques are useless against me with the Tianjue Gu poison.¡± I¡¯m not sure if I should be happy or sad about that. At this moment, the stone slab showed a slight reaction. It was midnight. Chapter 180 - The First Gathering Chapter 180: The First Gathering When the time came, Jiang Hao no longer hesitated, and part of his consciousness began to enter the stone slab. It was like a Nascent Soul sending out a part of itself to explore the interior. If something happened on the outside, he could immediately retract this part of his consciousness and react. Soon, the public area appeared before his eyes. After entering, it was different from the previous void. This time, the boundless starlight underfoot was like a brilliant river, with the sun and moon revolving around in their celestial orbits. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was an extraordinary spectacle. At this moment, Jiang Hao stood upon a patch of starlight, unable to walk around freely. To his left was no one, and to his right was a female, the ¡°Gui¡± he had seen before. To the right of ¡°Gui¡± was the tall ¡°Liu,¡± and next to ¡°Liu¡± was ¡°Xing,¡± who looked like a graceful young master. ¡°Still four people?¡± Jiang Hao wondered to himself. They were not in a straight line; ¡°Xing¡± was at the forefront, followed by ¡°Gui,¡± with ¡°Liu¡± being the furthest back of the four. And at the very front... Jiang Hao looked up to see a man sitting cross-legged in a superior position. The moment he saw him, he knew his name, Dan Yuan. It seemed Dan Yuan was also a code name. ¡°Senior Dan Yuan,¡± the other three greeted with a bow. Jiang Hao followed suit, not daring to offend. Not just because he needed to stay undercover here, but more so because he didn¡¯t want to offend powerful people. He had provoked too many people lately, and going out had become a life-threatening affair. The current situation could be resolved over time, but if he kept angering others, the safe time to go out would be delayed longer and longer, which would not be wise. ¡°It¡¯s been a while, it seems the others are busy,¡± Dan Yuan said with a gentle and smiling voice, then looked at Jiang Hao. ¡°Is this your first time here, Friend Jing?¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve just made contact,¡± Jiang Hao replied truthfully. ¡°Now that you¡¯re here, we¡¯re all friends. In which area do you usually operate?¡± Dan Yuan asked casually. ¡°I¡¯ve just arrived at Youyun Prefecture, and I¡¯ll be here for a while,¡± Jiang Hao answered. This made it clear that he was not from Youyun Prefecture. ¡°Youyun Prefecture? That¡¯s close to me,¡± Fairy Gui next to him smiled. ¡°I¡¯ve been in Tiannan Prefecture recently.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been at sea,¡± Liu said with a smile. ¡°I¡¯m in the east, in Tiansheng State Prefecture,¡± Xing followed. Hearing this, Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. After he gave a rough idea of his location, the other three also revealed their own. One might be a coincidence, but three meant it was a rule. So the first rule of fitting in was to disclose one¡¯s general area of activity, perhaps for the sake of cooperation? Jiang Hao speculated. ¡°Youyun Prefecture? It seems I can ask you for help if there¡¯s an issue there,¡± Dan Yuan said with a smile. Jiang Hao nodded, agreeing. Since he was here to go undercover, he couldn¡¯t let these people know his movements were limited. If he couldn¡¯t help these people, he would be of no value. Who would cooperate with someone of no value? ¡°Do you have any doubts about your cultivation?¡± Dan Yuan asked the four. ¡°Senior, I would like to ask if the Great Thousand Spirit Technique can be cultivated by someone who is not from the Great Thousand Divine Sect?¡± Fairy Gui asked. ¡°Great Thousand Spirit Technique?¡± Dan Yuan smiled. ¡°Is it for the Great Thousand Spiritual Clone? If so, I don¡¯t recommend cultivating it. If not, there¡¯s no problem.¡± ¡°Why can¡¯t it be cultivated?¡± Fairy Gui asked, puzzled. ¡°Because the Great Thousand Spiritual Clone has a fatal flaw that only those who practice the Great Thousand Divine Sect¡¯s methods can compensate for. Others who learn it will perish. As a normal spiritual technique, it¡¯s fine, but without the spiritual clone, there¡¯s no need to learn the Great Thousand Spirit Technique,¡± Dan Yuan answered. ¡°I see,¡± Fairy Gui nodded. Afterward, ¡°Liu¡± and ¡°Xing¡± also asked their own questions. They were about techniques. But the information was too fragmented for Jiang Hao to judge their situations. However, he had a rough understanding of ¡°Gui.¡± She was in Tiannan Prefecture, knew curses, was pursuing a giant python, and was female. After Dan Yuan answered the three¡¯s questions, his gaze fell on Jiang Hao. Others also looked over, naturally curious about the newcomer. ¡°Since we¡¯ve met here, it¡¯s fate. Young friend, there¡¯s no need to worry too much, nor do you need to offer anything in return,¡± Dan Yuan explained simply. Jiang Hao pondered for a moment, unsure of what to ask. His cultivation was fine, and it was not appropriate to discuss his techniques or spells. So what else was there to ask? Yet not asking seemed like he was unwilling to integrate. After hesitating for a while, he spoke up: ¡°I would like to inquire about the whereabouts of the Snow God Pill.¡± He had wanted to ask about charm techniques, but in the end, he felt too embarrassed to voice the question. In his subconscious, it felt somewhat insulting for a male to cultivate charm techniques. Even the thought of being misunderstood made him uncomfortable. But there was nothing else he could ask about; Heavenly Saber Seven Forms, Merge with Light and Blend with Dust, Universe in the Palm, the nameless scripture, and the many divine abilities, none could be casually disclosed. ¡°Snow God Pill?¡± Dan Yuan was quite surprised, replying with a smile. ¡°That¡¯s not a matter of cultivation level, but since it¡¯s your first visit, I can help you with an answer. Whether openly or secretly, Snow God Pills are extremely rare. Publicly, among the eighteen states in the southern region, only the Luoxia Sect possesses one, and no other sects have any. The strongest sects do have them, such as the Haotian Sect and Mingyue Sect, with inventories ranging from one to three pills. The Haotian Sect even has the pill formula, but unfortunately, it¡¯s hard to produce one in a hundred years due to material constraints.¡± ¡°The best time to consume a Snow God Pill is before advancing to the Nascent Soul stage. There¡¯s a certain chance of manifesting a Nascent Soul divine ability, and if it appears, the Nascent Soul will be exceptionally strong, greatly accelerating the cultivation speed. The benefits are numerous. As for how to obtain it, there is actually a most direct method.¡± ¡°That is to find a child with exceptional talent and send them to the Haotian Sect. As for what constitutes exceptional talent... that¡¯s somewhat amusing.¡± Jiang Hao understood that it all depended on the Haotian Sect¡¯s judgment. However, he hadn¡¯t expected that not only had he consumed a Snow God Pill before reaching the Nascent Soul stage, but he had also manifested a Nascent Soul divine ability. He wondered if Hong Yuye had done it on purpose. Given her strength, it was possible that she had casually set things in motion, not particularly concerned with the outcome. ¡°Thank you, senior, for clearing my doubts,¡± Jiang Hao expressed his gratitude. Now, he had a better understanding of the Snow God Pill. However, the fact that the Luoxia Sect had one was quite surprising. ¡°Senior, do you have any tasks recently?¡± Fairy Gui asked. ¡°There is one,¡± Dan Yuan said calmly. ¡°I¡¯d like you to help me look up something, just the information will suffice.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± the one closest to the front, Xing, asked. ¡°The Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower,¡± Dan Yuan replied evenly. ¡°All information about this divine object. Including its appearance, fragrance, cultivation methods, blooming conditions, and so on. If the information is sufficient, you can exchange it for a favor from me or for certain techniques, knowledge, and other things.¡± ¡°Just the information?¡± Jiang Hao suddenly asked. ¡°The Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower? I¡¯m hearing about it for the first time,¡± Fairy Gui said. ¡°A divine object, said to be a relic from the beginning of heaven and earth, that¡¯s all I know,¡± Xing spoke up. ¡°Information is enough, but if you know where it is, that would be even better,¡± Dan Yuan said with a smile. Jiang Hao nodded, choosing not to speak further. Naturally, he wouldn¡¯t tell the others that the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower was in his possession. However, he could somewhat be sure that this senior was not from the southern region. Otherwise, how could he not know where the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower was? The Tiansheng Sect, Xuantian Sect, and Tianqing Mountain all knew the flower was with the Tianyin Sect. The former two even had people who knew it was in his courtyard. The Luoxia Sect might not know. Their spy died early. So, should he reveal a bit about its appearance, style, and cultivation methods? Hmm? Cultivation methods? He suddenly thought of a possibility. Chapter 181 - Jiang Haotian Found Chapter 181: Jiang Haotian Found Baihua Lake. A fine misty rain began to fall from the sky. Droplets of rain fell from the pavilion, landing on the soil around it. At one corner of the pavilion, a teacup was placed, seemingly enduring the endless rain. Inside the pavilion, Hong Yuye sat by a stone table, gazing out at the fine rain in a trance. ¡°Sect Master.¡± A white figure descended, bowing respectfully outside. The rain fell on her without causing any change. ¡°Recently, the Tianyin Sect has been somewhat restless,¡± Hong Yuye¡¯s gaze shifted from outside to Bai Zhi, her expression calm, revealing no emotion. ¡°It¡¯s my fault for not handling things properly,¡± Bai Zhi knelt on one knee, her voice filled with anxiety. Indeed, there had been too many issues in the Tianyin Sect recently. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Hong Yuye asked smoothly. ¡°The Demon Cavern is shaking, and demons are swarming out. They have already entered our trap. Once their racial treasure appears, we can take action. The process may encounter many problems, but everything is under control. Is this time to completely eradicate them, or just to teach them a lesson and let them go?¡± Bai Zhi asked. ¡°That¡¯s your business,¡± Hong Yuye replied indifferently. ¡°Anything else?¡± ¡°People from Tiansheng Sect have been very active lately, it seems they are targeting Jiang Hao, convinced that he knows the secrets of the mine.¡± ¡°They likely have moles within our sect. We are still investigating. Tianqing Mountain is also under our observation; they seem to have given up on the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. Other forces are making moves too, but they¡¯re minor,¡± Bai Zhi reported. As for how to deal with Tiansheng Sect, she didn¡¯t say. That was her business. As long as Tiansheng Sect doesn¡¯t affect the stability of the sect, it¡¯s fine. But now they come, probably aware of the issue with the Demon Cavern, and taking the opportunity to act. ¡°What¡¯s your impression of Tiansheng Sect?¡± Hong Yuye suddenly asked. ¡°Paranoid and crazy,¡± Bai Zhi answered. ¡°What if they are deliberately showing this to you? Or using their nature to cover their real purpose?¡± Hong Yuye looked at Bai Zhi and asked. For a moment, Bai Zhi broke out in a cold sweat. What if Tiansheng Sect had other motives? But what could their motives be? ¡°Let¡¯s talk about something else,¡± Hong Yuye said, not wanting to dwell on the topic. ¡°The Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower is growing steadily. Jiang Hao was away for three months last year, and his whereabouts could not be confirmed.¡± ¡°Although it¡¯s difficult to determine if he¡¯s a traitor, he must be hiding secrets. On this trip, he brought back a young man named Chu Chuan. To clarify Jiang Hao¡¯s whereabouts during those three months, I looked into this Chu Chuan. I found out that he¡¯s a down-and-out young master, related to a designated disciple of Mingyue Sect. But after falling from grace, their whereabouts became erratic and untraceable.¡± ¡°Then I had people investigate where Mingyue Sect disciples had appeared. They were traced to several towns, and although Chu Chuan was not identified due to possible changes in appearance from living conditions, I unexpectedly found someone named Jiang Haotian.¡± ¡°Jiang Haotian?¡± Hong Yuye said calmly. ¡°Is he related to Jiang Hao?¡± ¡°Possibly,¡± Bai Zhi continued. ¡°People from Mingyue Sect and he were in the same place, and Mingyue Sect took their disciple away. It makes sense for Chu Chuan to be taken from there. Especially since that Jiang Haotian also took someone away, although that person wasn¡¯t called Chu Chuan, their ages were similar, so it¡¯s possible a false name was used.¡± ¡°Continue,¡± Hong Yuye said. ¡°At first, I thought Jiang Haotian might be Jiang Hao, but after several confirmations, it didn¡¯t seem right,¡± Bai Zhi pondered for a moment. ¡°The appearance is too different, the disparity in strength is great, and the behavior is arrogant, almost perverse. So I suspect he¡¯s a relative related to Jiang Hao. I checked his relatives. Then I found out that his relatives moved away many years ago, and after following faint clues to nearby towns, I still found nothing.¡± ¡°To clarify, I expanded the search area. Still, no luck. That means he might not have any living relatives. In the end, I could only guess that there was someone behind him, and this person appeared out of nowhere. Every time Jiang Hao goes out, this person would provide him with opportunities. I don¡¯t know what the ultimate goal is.¡± Actually, she had suspected it was one person, but there was no issue with Jiang Hao¡¯s age. In his early twenties, no matter how strong, there¡¯s a limit. Even the most exceptional genius would at most be at the early stage of Golden Core. She had never even heard of such a person. ¡°Anything else?¡± Hong Yuye asked, emotionless. ¡°There¡¯s a little girl, a disciple previously taken in by Jiang Hao, named Xiao Li,¡± Bai Zhi recalled carefully. ¡°This little girl is well cared for by Jiang Hao, which is normal. But this little girl is not normal; before she even started Qi Refining, no one could handle her. After a few days of cultivation, she reached the first level of Qi Refining, and after half a year, the second level. Just this alone is enough to prove she¡¯s a genius, but that¡¯s secondary. After observing a few times, her appetite is surprisingly large, I suspect she either has a special constitution or a special origin.¡± Hong Yuye asked casually, ¡°Did you check?¡± ¡°I did, and Ku Wuchang probably did too. This little girl was picked up by an old couple from the riverside. That¡¯s all we have for now. If nothing unexpected happens, Ku Wuchang will take her as a direct disciple after her Foundation Establishment.¡± ¡°If her background is normal, there¡¯s no need to worry,¡± Hong Yuye said. ¡°Yes,¡± Bai Zhi responded, then continued, ¡°Based on this investigation, we can somewhat confirm one thing: the person behind Jiang Hao might be near or within the sect. Based on the difficulty of tracking his outings, we can guess that this person helps him with some issues while remaining undetected. But these are all speculations.¡± ¡°Then keep investigating,¡± Hong Yuye said. ¡°Yes,¡± Bai Zhi nodded. ¡°What about the traitors other than Jiang Hao?¡± Hong Yuye looked at Bai Zhi. Bai Zhi became anxious and quickly said, ¡°There¡¯s been some progress, perhaps among the elders.¡± ¡°Find out,¡± Hong Yuye said coldly. ¡°Then check who Tianqing Mountain has been in contact with recently.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Bai Zhi acknowledged the order. ¡°This,¡± Hong Yuye tossed over a transparent box containing a ring. ¡°Contributions should not be erased.¡± Bai Zhi took the box, thinking to herself that this was already the third one. She could never quite figure out the sect leader. She didn¡¯t understand what the sect leader¡¯s attitude towards Jiang Hao really was. On one hand, she was tasked with investigating him, and on the other, she was rewarding him. Was it because she was worried there might be an issue yet wanted him to continue being a useful pawn? However, there didn¡¯t seem to be any major issues with Jiang Hao, so she didn¡¯t need to pay too much attention. After several checks, there was no direct evidence to suggest he was a traitor. And they still needed to use him to root out other traitors. So, putting pressure on him was not an option. First, they had to resolve other issues, then spend a few years recuperating and enhancing the sect¡¯s overall strength. As more people learned about the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, it would become a great test for her. ...... Defensive Line Jiang Hao opened his eyes. The gathering wasn¡¯t long, but there were some surprises. Indeed, there was much to gain from being inside. However, stabilizing his position was also a hassle. Unable to leave, if the other party requested cooperation, it was fine to refuse once or twice. But over time, he would lose his value. Another concern was the cultivation method of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, which reminded him of Xuanyuan Tai. Xuanyuan Tai knew he was cultivating the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and recognized his value, wanting his help with the cultivation. Initially, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t understand, but after discussing the cultivation methods inside, he had an epiphany. Perhaps few people knew how to grow the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, and he had managed to do so by chance. Aside from delivering rewards, Elder Bai Zhi had not made any other demands. It seemed that all they needed from him was to cultivate the flowers properly. ¡°So, to the Tianyin Sect, I¡¯m actually quite valuable?¡± Knowing this, Jiang Hao felt somewhat relieved. But he couldn¡¯t be sure. He had just refrained from asking directly, worried about arousing their suspicions. ¡°Next time I see Hong Yuye, I can try asking her.¡± Then, he suddenly remembered that Hong Yuye had also asked about the cultivation, which meant she might not know either. Jiang Hao was stunned; Xuanyuan Tai¡¯s desire to take him away was not incomprehensible. ¡°However, was it by chance that I was tasked with cultivating the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, or did Elder Bai Zhi do it intentionally?¡± Jiang Hao thought about it; at that time, he was entangled with a traitor, and then the sect began to hunt for traitors. The seeds of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower were sent over, perhaps just as a fishing expedition. And then the unexpected happened; he managed to grow them. The more Jiang Hao thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. So now, was Elder Bai Zhi sitting high and fishing, waiting to catch more fish? Wouldn¡¯t she reel in until all the fish were hooked? Jiang Hao could only hope it would be later rather than sooner; the stronger he became, the more composed he could be when facing the situation. After pondering these things, he began to study the nameless secret manual. ...... Dawn. He left his residence to find Ye Ji. ¡°Junior Brother, have you decided?¡± Ye Ji asked gently. ¡°I¡¯ve made up my mind; I want to go in with Senior Sister,¡± Jiang Hao replied. ¡°Good,¡± Ye Ji approached Jiang Hao and smiled. ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to seeing Junior Brother¡¯s performance; I believe it will be quite unexpected.¡± S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 182 - Am I Being Hunted? Chapter 182: Am I Being Hunted? ¡°Does Junior Brother need anything?¡± Ye Ji sat down, her voice gentle. ¡°There will certainly be dangers inside; if you need anything, just ask.¡± Jiang Hao looked at her, trying to detect any traces of charm in her actions. But he dared not look too long and could only lower his head and say, ¡°If there¡¯s a need, I¡¯ll come to Senior Sister.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Ye Ji nodded and smiled. ¡°Junior Brother, take good care of yourself these next few days. We will enter behind the demons when they draw near. Junior Brother has a high level of alertness. We will rely on Junior Brother at that time.¡± Faced with Ye Ji¡¯s generous praise, Jiang Hao felt a sense of being valued. No one had ever valued him like this before. Was this also a charm technique? He subconsciously questioned in his mind. As for her words, he didn¡¯t care. Even without considering charm techniques and identification, based on his own understanding, he would find such a statement too naive. It was just a matter of being used. ¡°Okay,¡± he responded with a bow. After asking about some details of the operation, Jiang Hao turned and left. There were about thirteen people going out this time. Besides him, there were ten at the full Foundation Establishment stage and two at the early Golden Core stage. ¡°It seems I¡¯m the weakest in terms of cultivation.¡± Leaving Ye Ji¡¯s residence, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but feel emotional. As the weakest disciple, his situation was worrying. Fortunately, he only wanted to use this opportunity to act freely. He planned to create a diversion later, allowing the others to escape first. They would be pleased that a late-stage Foundation Establishment disciple was of considerable value, and he would be happy to get away from the crowd. It was a win-win situation. Everyone would be delighted. Returning to his dwelling, Jiang Hao continued to study the books, pondering the secrets of the nameless secret manual. Although the art of charm was something to be mindful of, it wasn¡¯t essential at the moment. To confront the demons, he needed sufficient strength. First, to control his power, and second, to unleash stronger attacks. Two days later, Jiang Hao heard faint roars coming from inside his house. He stepped outside to observe and saw that many people had already taken their positions on the defensive line. Out of curiosity, he leaped to the defense line but saw no sign of any demons. On his way down, he took the opportunity to observe the people on the edge; each one had a serious expression, worried but not overly fearful. Having spent a long time in the Demon Sect, everyone had developed a certain ferocity. Of course, there were many who feared death, but most would not show it. Those who couldn¡¯t hide their fear didn¡¯t fare well in the Demon Sect unless they had exceptional talent. In Jiang Hao¡¯s view, one should never underestimate anyone. The most inconspicuous person could be the one to deliver a fatal blow. On the third day, a rumbling sound came from afar. Everyone felt that the demon army was approaching. At this time, Jiang Hao noticed that everyone was busy setting things up. Formations, restrictions, various traps. They were preparing to hold off the demon attack here. Many knew there was no way back and no reinforcements; they needed to buy time and wait for the sect to come to their rescue. Those who were previously moving freely also joined the defensive line, waiting for the demons to arrive. They too hoped the enemy would come later rather than sooner, increasing the chances of support arriving. For a while, the atmosphere on the defensive line became much heavier. That night, Zheng Shijiu, Xin Yuyue, and others came to find Jiang Hao. ¡°I heard Junior Brother wants to enter the inner part of the Demon Cavern?¡± Zheng Shijiu spoke frankly, ¡°Junior Brother might not be very familiar with Senior Sister Ye Ji and Senior Brother Lan Feng. They are powerful, but few who get close to them come back in one piece.¡± Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Right, it¡¯s better to follow Senior Brother Jin Long; there¡¯s at least a slim chance of survival,¡± Le You also kindly reminded. Xin Yuyue added, ¡°Those who dare to enter are all extraordinary. For someone at the late stage of Foundation Establishment like Junior Brother, it won¡¯t be easy.¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised by their visit. What were they thinking? It seemed like they had good intentions. He expressed his thanks and accepted their kindness. ¡°I¡¯d rather try my luck inside.¡± To this, Zheng Shijiu and the others didn¡¯t know what else to say. In fact, having Jiang Hao with them, they felt more secure. ¡°How long do Senior Brother and Senior Sister think we can hold out here against the massive demon attack?¡± Jiang Hao asked curiously. ¡°It¡¯s hard to say, but if we¡¯re well-prepared, ordinary demons won¡¯t be able to break through our defenses. As long as we don¡¯t face three Golden Cores at once, we should be able to hold out for quite some time. One month shouldn¡¯t be a problem,¡± Le You analyzed, as she knew a bit more because Jin Long was her Senior Brother. Jiang Hao nodded. It had been over half a month already; if they could hold out for another month, they might wait for the sect¡¯s reinforcements. Staying here was indeed the best option. Plus, they could kill demons. However, the demons here were too weak; killing them yielded either no bubbles or only white bubbles. And it would offend Ye Ji. It was freer to go inside. Even if powerful beings arrived later, he would have more options. Afterward, Jiang Hao saw off the three visitors. The next day, the fifth day, in the early morning, Ye Ji found Jiang Hao. ¡°Junior Brother, we can set off now.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Jiang Hao stepped out and saw that the other twelve people had already gathered. He was the last one. After a quick observation, he noted that indeed ten of them were at the peak of Foundation Establishment. Seven men and three women. Their glances towards him were filled with disdain and contempt. Jiang Hao was unfazed by the situation. However, the gaze of the Golden Core cultivator seemed somewhat strange. During the greeting ceremony, he paid extra attention to the other person. The individual was thin and had a somber complexion. There was a hint of amusement in their eyes as if they were looking at prey. ¡®Strange, I don¡¯t know him, why is he targeting me?¡¯ ¡®It doesn¡¯t seem like there¡¯s any enmity.¡¯ ¡°Let¡¯s set off,¡± Lan Feng said with a smile as he passed by Jiang Hao: ¡°Junior Brother, your cultivation is weak, you must be careful once we¡¯re inside.¡± ¡°Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother.¡± After that, Jiang Hao followed along. Watching the group leave, Zheng Shijiu and others felt quite emotional. ¡°It seems that Junior Brother Jiang is more likely to face misfortune than fortune,¡± Le You sighed. ¡°Not necessarily,¡± Zheng Shijiu hesitated before saying. ¡°I actually think that with Junior Brother Jiang there, they might really succeed in turning the demons into a disorganized mess.¡± ¡°Even if they can¡¯t, he might not be in danger,¡± Xin Yuyue added. Le You looked at the two, puzzled, and asked for the reason. ¡°It¡¯s just a hunch,¡± Zheng Shijiu replied with a smile. The others on the defensive line also watched them enter, but they remained silent. They understood that the demons were coming. In the forest, thirteen figures moved swiftly and silently, each one¡¯s movements not too conspicuous. After entering the interior, Jiang Hao kept following the twelve people in front. His cultivation was the weakest, so he managed to keep up, just barely. ¡°Are we taking these remote routes to avoid the demons?¡± Jiang Hao looked around and felt that if someone was commanding the demons from behind, they wouldn¡¯t leave such secluded places unguarded. However, by nightfall, he hadn¡¯t spotted any demons. At this time, they were in a vast forest. Occasionally, they could hear the sound of rolling boulders, most likely related to the demons. Ye Ji and Lan Feng stopped and whispered. ¡°There should be quite a few demons ahead, let¡¯s hide and wait until daylight to move.¡± Jiang Hao stayed at the edge, understanding why they had stopped moving. Because the demons had strong concealment abilities, their perception at night was limited, and an ambush would spell disaster. Chapter 183 - The Female Demon Discovers Me Studying the Charm Technique Chapter 183: The Female Demon Discovers Me Studying the Charm Technique ¡°I heard Junior Brother is very vigilant, can you act as a lookout for a while?¡± Lan Feng said to Jiang Hao. ¡°Okay,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°Thank you, Junior Brother. If you discover anything, remember to retreat immediately,¡± Ye Ji reminded. Jiang Hao acknowledged. Then he moved forward, and after reaching a sufficient distance, he settled on a tree branch to conceal himself. From this position, he could see the people resting in the original spot. He noticed that some people were scattered around, seemingly also on guard. ...... Midnight. Jiang Hao carefully observed the surroundings of the forest and found nothing. He then glanced back at some of the people. They seemed to be discussing something. Seeing this, Jiang Hao hid behind a tree and sat on a branch, taking out a book on charm techniques. He took the opportunity to understand and contemplate it. It wasn¡¯t quiet enough to study the nameless secret manual or the third form of the Heavenly Saber. He could only use this to pass the time. The more he read, the more interesting he found it. The charm technique was much more powerful than he had anticipated. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If it weren¡¯t for the Tianjue Gu poison, he might have been at a disadvantage here. Breath, movements, speech, every glance and smile hid a lethal intent. It could captivate the heart and break one¡¯s mental state. ¡°Truly surprising,¡± he murmured softly. ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s quite surprising that you would study such a technique,¡± a sudden voice rang out next to Jiang Hao¡¯s ear. The situation changed so quickly that Jiang Hao¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and he retreated some distance. Only then did he see Hong Yuye, who had somehow been sitting on a branch next to him for who knows how long. ¡°How long has senior been here?¡± Jiang Hao, regaining his composure, quickly put away the book. ¡°Since you turned to page six, I¡¯ve been here.¡± Hong Yuye said with a smile that seemed to mock the fact that he was studying charm techniques. Jiang Hao felt somewhat embarrassed. For a moment, he felt the woman before him was incredibly powerful, not having emitted even the slightest trace of her presence for so long. ¡°Who are you studying charm techniques to deal with?¡± Hong Yuye¡¯s voice rang out again. ¡°Senior misunderstands,¡± Jiang Hao said truthfully. ¡°I¡¯m worried that someone might use charm techniques on me to bewitch me into doing their bidding. Since it¡¯s hard to detect, it¡¯s difficult to turn their schemes against them. That¡¯s why I want to understand the form and operation of charm techniques.¡± These explanations made Hong Yuye frown. It seemed she was not used to Jiang Hao telling the truth. She moved slightly, descending from the tree to the ground. Jiang Hao followed immediately. ¡°How have my flowers been doing lately? Have you been taking care of them?¡± Hong Yuye asked. ¡°I¡¯ve been worried about them day and night, but I¡¯ve been powerless to do anything,¡± Jiang Hao replied respectfully. Hong Yuye nodded, more accustomed to Jiang Hao lying. Then she looked up towards the place where the starlight was falling and said, ¡°What brings you here?¡± ¡°I¡¯m here on a sect mission; I had no choice but to come,¡± Jiang Hao answered. ¡°Do you know what this place is?¡± Hong Yuye stepped forward gently, her gaze fixed on the core light of the Demon Cavern. ¡°A dwelling place for demons?¡± Jiang Hao ventured. ¡°Demon people do dwell there, but that¡¯s just a part of it,¡± Hong Yuye said unhurriedly. ¡°Do you remember the mine?¡± ¡°I do,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°It¡¯s at the center of a battlefield, containing a precious treasure. Is it related to this place?¡± Thinking about it, there indeed seemed to be a connection, probably as Liu Xingchen had told him. The changes in the mine had led to changes in the Demon Cavern. ¡°It¡¯s said to be a place where the stars fall and converge, a battleground for living powers, or a place of inheritance,¡± Hong Yuye spoke evenly. ¡°Inheritance?¡± Jiang Hao looked at the skyward light with a hint of surprise. ¡°Then why hasn¡¯t the Tianyin Sect tried to enter and claim it?¡± Hong Yuye glanced back at Jiang Hao and said, ¡°Why don¡¯t you go and ask them?¡± Not daring to provoke trouble, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t want to ask. He pondered for a moment before saying, ¡°What about you, senior?¡± With such an inheritance available, why didn¡¯t Hong Yuye want it? Was it beneath her? Without speaking, she just glanced at the man before her. This time, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t see disdain in her eyes, but neither was there anything else¡ªjust pure calmness. Neither looking down nor up. Was that indifference? Jiang Hao sighed helplessly, wondering why such a person would take an interest in him. He was curious whether a hundred years of mining could compete with her. ¡°Are you interested in the inheritance?¡± Hong Yuye suddenly asked. ¡°No,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s too dangerous. I¡¯d rather continue to tend to your flowers, senior. Having an inheritance makes one a target.¡± Hong Yuye smiled, not saying much more. ¡°By the way, there¡¯s something I¡¯d like to ask you, senior,¡± Jiang Hao hesitated for a moment before asking. ¡°The flower in my yard, is it difficult to cultivate?¡± This question did not elicit a verbal response from Hong Yuye, but it did draw her gaze. Being stared at, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t know what to say and simply bowed his head. At that moment, the sky brightened with starlight. Jiang Hao looked up to see the core emitting an even stronger glow. ¡°It seems this place isn¡¯t peaceful either,¡± Hong Yuye commented casually after a glance. Then she returned her attention to Jiang Hao, ¡°Any progress with the stone tablet?¡± ¡°I attended a gathering hosted by a man known as Dan Yuan,¡± Jiang Hao informed her of the other participants¡¯ positions. These were all preliminary findings, with no substantial gains. The stone tablet remained elusive, far from understanding its source. In the end, he mentioned that Dan Yuan wanted to know about the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. Hong Yuye smiled without speaking, seemingly uninterested. Jiang Hao felt she didn¡¯t care much about those people knowing this information, but he did. So, for now, he wouldn¡¯t reveal a thing. ¡°How long do you plan to stay here?¡± Hong Yuye asked. ¡°That...¡± Jiang Hao pondered, ¡°I can¡¯t be certain.¡± Bang! As he spoke, Jiang Hao suddenly found himself crashing into a tree. The leaves shook. ¡°I¡¯ll return as soon as possible,¡± Jiang Hao stood up and replied. Though not painful, the speed was so fast he couldn¡¯t react in time. ¡°You should be clear that your main job is to tend to the flowers.¡± With that, Hong Yuye transformed into a red shadow and disappeared from the spot. Seeing her gone, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. But how soon was ¡®as soon as possible¡¯? Let¡¯s take it one step at a time. ...... Early morning. A rumbling noise erupted. Jiang Hao stood on a tree branch, gazing into the distance. Demon figures flickered in and out of sight, densely packed, several thousand strong. Leading them were two gigantic demons. Around the mid-stage of the Golden Core. Behind them, many demons dragged huge rocks, like weapons in their hands. The rumbling noise originated from there. ¡°It looks like they¡¯re preparing for a major attack. The defense line only has a little over five hundred people; facing five or six thousand demons, there¡¯s no chance of victory.¡± ¡°But there are formations over there, plus various preparations. Indeed, they could hold out for a while if they defend.¡± ¡°The most critical factor is whether Senior Brother Jin Long can withstand the two Golden Core demons.¡± ¡°Hm? Some demons are actually heading this way.¡± While Jiang Hao was analyzing the situation, he suddenly noticed a group of demons, well-hidden, approaching their position without a clear purpose, likely on patrol. Although there wasn¡¯t any immediate danger, spotting these demons was no easy feat. ¡°First, I¡¯ll warn the others, then observe the situation. If it¡¯s suitable, I¡¯ll look for an opportunity to break away from the group.¡± Chapter 184 - It was you who insisted on using your death to verify the truth of this matter Chapter 184: It was you who insisted on using your death to verify the truth of this matter Jiang Hao returned to where Ye Ji and the others were. By then, they had finished discussing. What exactly they had discussed, he did not know. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But he didn¡¯t dwell on it. ¡°Junior Brother, have you discovered something? Otherwise, you shouldn¡¯t have hastily retreated from the outpost,¡± Lan Feng said with a smile. Targeted, Jiang Hao was puzzled but didn¡¯t care. ¡°The demons have already begun their assault.¡± ¡°Everyone knows this. Junior Brother, aren¡¯t you a bit slow to react?¡± At this moment, Sheng Ru, the fairy-like figure, suddenly realized. ¡°Oh, I forgot. Junior Brother is at the late stage of Foundation Establishment; it¡¯s understandable if you¡¯re a bit slower to notice.¡± Many people laughed along. Only a few remained calm. Jiang Hao could feel that some people were upset about a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator like him joining them. Why should someone at the Foundation Establishment stage be here? That was the general sentiment. But he didn¡¯t care. There was no need to argue with these people. With such a temperament, in this situation, it was hard to say how long one could survive. ¡°Junior Brother, do you have any other discoveries?¡± Fairy Ye Ji asked calmly. Her tone was the most pleasant. ¡°There might be demons heading this way.¡± Jiang Hao stated directly, ¡°We shouldn¡¯t stay here long.¡± His words made everyone else pause. Although Lan Feng was somewhat skeptical, he still cast a spell to recall those who were scouting the surroundings. Soon, four people returned one after another. ¡°Did you find anything?¡± Lan Feng asked. ¡°The demons are heading towards the defense line, a large number, with at least two above the Foundation Establishment level,¡± one of the male cultivators reported. ¡°Anything else?¡± Ye Ji also inquired. All four shook their heads. ¡°Did you notice any demons approaching from the outside?¡± Lan Feng asked bluntly. The four looked at each other and ultimately gave a negative answer. Now Lan Feng looked towards Jiang Hao. The others also watched Jiang Hao, seemingly waiting for an explanation. ¡°Then, I might have been mistaken,¡± Jiang Hao said, with no intention of explaining. He had already notified them; whether they believed it or not was not his concern. He would find an opportunity to leave the group later. ¡°Mistaken?¡± The two Golden Core cultivators didn¡¯t speak, but the others showed displeasure. To dismiss such a matter with a simple ¡®mistaken¡¯? How could he be so careless? Not just the ones at the peak of Foundation Establishment, even the two Golden Core cultivators were somewhat angry. Fairy Ye Ji¡¯s brows also furrowed. ¡°Do you realize this is a matter of life and death? Is this something you joke about?¡± Sheng Ru took a step forward, grabbed Jiang Hao¡¯s collar, and slammed him against a tree. ¡°You¡¯re just at the late stage of Foundation Establishment and you came with us, and now you dare to trip us up? Do you have any complaints?¡± ¡°Senior Sister, the one with complaints is you, right?¡± Jiang Hao let her grab his collar and said softly. ¡°Actually, I wasn¡¯t joking.¡± ¡°Not joking? What do you mean?¡± Sheng Ru asked coldly. ¡°You¡¯ll know soon enough.¡± As his words fell, he shook off her hand. He leaped back from the tree¡¯s edge as if avoiding something. Meanwhile, Ye Ji and Lan Feng, standing at a distance, were stunned, then shouted loudly, ¡°Retreat quickly.¡± They were about to take action but suddenly looked to the side and had to deal with the immediate threat first. Sheng Ru, still somewhat bewildered, hadn¡¯t had time to react. A hand pierced through her body with a ¡®puff¡¯. Then, a gigantic hand landed on her head. She was sent flying instantly, her mind felt like it was about to explode. Her heart was ripped out, vitality dissipated, consciousness became blurred. As she fell to the ground, by sheer coincidence, she rolled over to Jiang Hao¡¯s side. In her dying moments, she heard the person beside her say: ¡°I know this matter concerns life and death, but you wouldn¡¯t believe me even if I told you. It was you who insisted on using your death to verify the truth of this matter.¡± Sheng Ru couldn¡¯t believe it; she wanted to lift her head to see if Jiang Hao was mocking her. But in the end, she couldn¡¯t lift her head. Jiang Hao looked down at his Senior Sister with some sympathy. He worried that one day in the future, it would be himself lying at someone else¡¯s feet. Because of ignorance, because of weakness, because of prejudice. So he had to try his best to stay rational and vigilant. Most importantly, to become stronger as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the others had already been attacked by demons, but fortunately, with the presence of Golden Cores, there were no casualties. At this moment, everyone felt a mix of shock, regret, and anger. They pushed back the demons bit by bit, but could never detect where the demons were. Now their gaze turned to Jiang Hao, and their regret and anger began to show. He had sensed something but hadn¡¯t explained in detail. How could a single sentence make anyone believe? Ye Ji was quite irritated; she hadn¡¯t expected Jiang Hao to act as if he had seen wrong after others denied it. But her judgment wasn¡¯t wrong; Jiang Hao was indeed sharp, very sharp. Just as she was about to speak up for him, Jiang Hao, who was in the distance, suddenly said, ¡°Senior Brothers and Sisters should leave quickly.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Everyone was taken aback. What did he mean? Although many were dissatisfied, no one showed it at this moment. Sheng Ru, who had just taken action, had already become a corpse, and they didn¡¯t want to stick their necks out now. ¡°The demons are gathering more and more around us; if the Senior Brothers and Sisters don¡¯t leave, it will attract a large number of demons. It will be difficult to leave when that happens.¡± Jiang Hao said to Senior Sister Ye Ji. ¡°Senior Sister should go first; I¡¯ll stay behind to cover. They can¡¯t do anything to me. Once I lead these demons away, I¡¯ll catch up.¡± The others looked at each other, and for a moment, they were all tempted. Boom! Jiang Hao leaped to the front of the group and cut down a demon with a single strike. He stood in front of the demons and said, ¡°Go quickly.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Senior Sister Ye Ji didn¡¯t hesitate any longer and earnestly said: ¡°Junior Brother, remember to follow up. I have something important to tell Junior Brother.¡± Jiang Hao nodded. Lan Feng¡¯s gaze flickered, but in the end, he gritted his teeth and led the people away. Jiang Hao then took action to prevent the demons from following. Although he had no obligation to protect these people, he still needed them to end this crisis. He also needed to finish his mission quickly and return to avoid any trouble. Watching them leave, Jiang Hao made an assessment of Lan Feng. The other party had been staring at him, so it was better to understand for safety. Soon, his divine ability provided feedback. Cultivation level, identity, nothing out of the ordinary, the only thing to be mindful of was... He was eyeing his storage treasure. ¡°Seeing my many adventures, he thinks I have good things?¡± ¡°So that¡¯s it.¡± He didn¡¯t feel too strongly about it; it made sense. He was also eyeing the other¡¯s storage treasure. Just not sure if there would be a chance to get it. Afterward, he looked at the surrounding demons, took a step forward, and swung his Half-Moon blade. His figure, like a glimmer of light, moved through the woods. In the span of a breath, he arrived beside Sheng Ru and slowly unsheathed his saber. Clang! The moment the sword returned to its scabbard, the blade¡¯s light ravaged the surroundings. A large number of demons fell to the ground. All dead. He bent down to pick up the storage bag of Senior Sister Sheng Ru, then turned and left. Before leaving, he threw dozens of Hundred Thousand Swords Talismans, destroying everything. To prevent others from noticing and to prevent these people from getting up again. Then it was time to check on the progress of Ye Ji and the others and to see where the Nascent Soul demons were. Chapter 185 - Did I Find the Wrong Place? Chapter 185: Did I Find the Wrong Place? Demon Cavern, in a swamp. Two men slowly emerged from beneath the swamp. They looked at each other and smiled. ¡°We¡¯re in. Although it¡¯s troublesome to enter through the second entrance, it¡¯s much easier with someone covering for us.¡± Both of these people were elders. One with white hair, the other with a small goatee. The two were quite pleased with themselves. ¡°The manpower of the Tianyin Sect really seems insufficient; our forces found a gap as soon as we attacked. Speaking of which, it¡¯s not just us who have entered, right? Where would those people go first?¡± the white-haired elder asked. ¡°They¡¯re probably heading towards the core area; everyone wants to make a contribution, find the demon treasures, and awaken the Saint Lord. We should do the opposite,¡± the elder with the goat beard said: ¡°I heard that Jiang Hao, who possesses the secret of the mine, has also entered the Demon Cavern. But he¡¯s in the Foundation Establishment area; we should slip past and take him away. Wouldn¡¯t that be a great achievement?¡± ¡°That makes sense, but it¡¯s a bit far to go, and it won¡¯t be easy to find him,¡± the white-haired elder expressed his concern. ¡°It might be a waste of time. But if we succeed, it will all be worth it. When the time comes, we just need to ask each person we see. That area is just the Foundation Establishment region, at most there might be Golden Core presences. Both of us are at the Nascent Soul stage; are we still worried about accidents? It¡¯s difficult to find people, but it¡¯s much easier to retreat,¡± the elder with the goat beard confidently said. ¡°That¡¯s a good point. Once we find Jiang Hao, I¡¯ve already thought of how to get the mine secret from him,¡± the white-haired elder laughed. The elder with the goat beard felt the same. The two disappeared quickly amidst laughter, heading towards the Foundation Establishment area. ...... At this moment, under the sunlight. Jiang Hao stood on a tree branch, watching the demon army advance non-stop. ¡°The second batch, although there are no Golden Cores this time, there are three to four thousand Foundation Establishment demons. Where did so many Foundation Establishment demons come from?¡± ¡°Are they planning to come out in full force?¡± Watching the demons disappear from his sight, he couldn¡¯t help but look towards the core location of the Demon Cavern, wondering just how large it was to be able to send out so many demons. Unfortunately, he had no intention of going in. The core area was not a place he could approach with his current cultivation level; he was aware of his limitations. Afterward, Jiang Hao quickly moved further inside, but not in the same direction as Ye Ji and the others; instead, he headed toward the direction of the demon army¡¯s march. Ordinary demons were meaningless to him. He wanted to find Golden Core or Nascent Soul demons. In the past, such demons would not appear. But now, there should be many. Otherwise, why bother establishing a Golden Core defense line? In the forest, Jiang Hao moved swiftly forward like a gentle breeze, hardly noticeable. At this time, he used the technique Merge with Light and Blend with Dust, moving leisurely rather than hurriedly. Now he took out the storage treasure he had found to examine it carefully. He found that this Foundation Establishment complete Senior Sister was not wealthy, but not poor either. She had eight hundred spirit stones. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With these, Jiang Hao¡¯s spirit stones finally reached a thousand again. The other miscellaneous items were not worth much money. After sorting these out, he didn¡¯t dwell on it and started moving quickly further inside. Two days later, he encountered ten hidden demons led by a mid-stage Golden Core. They seemed to be patrolling. After confirming the safety of the surroundings, Jiang Hao made his move on these ten demons. After an encounter, the ten patrolling demons lay at his feet in the forest. He waited a while, but no bubbles appeared. ¡°Not even a white one?¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat helpless. He found that killing too low-level beasts resulted in very random bubble appearances. After that, he continued to search for solitary demons to eliminate. If he saw demons heading to the defense line, he could also lend a hand to clear them out; being far enough away, it wouldn¡¯t be noticed by others. Five days later, ¡¾Cultivation+1¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy+1¡¿ Looking at the two Nascent Soul demons dead at his feet, he felt quite surprised. The deeper he went, the stronger the demons he encountered. But Nascent Soul demons were actually the same as Foundation Establishment demons; they didn¡¯t have much spiritual intelligence. Most acted on instinct. This made him somewhat worried. Who was controlling these demons, a strong being or someone else? Another point was that the core light beam looked the same as it did a few days ago; it didn¡¯t seem to have gotten much closer. This indicated a great distance, which was the main reason he dared to keep going deeper. If it got too close and the danger level was too high, he would move in other directions. ¡°Is this still the Foundation Establishment area?¡± Jiang Hao had no concept of this, but he became even more cautious in his actions. ...... Half a day after he left, a group of three people arrived at the scene of the demon corpses. Leading the group was a beautiful woman who, looking at the corpse of the demon, slightly furrowed her brows and said: ¡°This path should have been taken by no one but us.¡± ¡°Perhaps a Senior Brother or Senior Sister took a wrong turn,¡± Mu Qi speculated. ¡°There¡¯s no obvious trace of aura left behind; it¡¯s likely not someone from another team,¡± another man commented. ¡°Let¡¯s catch up and see if we can find the other party,¡± Fairy Ning Xuan said, her beautiful eyes stirring as she quickened her pace. Mu Qi and the others also sped up. They were also searching for the person behind the scenes. Led by a Nascent Soul, they split into three teams and headed in three different directions. On the way, if they encountered a Nascent Soul-level demon, they would directly ambush and kill it; others were not a concern. At first, there were no issues, but as they followed the trail here, they found that someone had already taken the lead. After discovering someone else was ahead, they chased for two more days, but the more they chased, the more alarmed they became. Because every time they found only corpses. Whether Golden Core level or Nascent Soul level, all were killed with the force of thunder. No dragging, no delays. For a time, they were all curious about who this person was, possessing such strength. ¡°Something¡¯s not quite right,¡± Fairy Ning Xuan said, looking at the corpse under her feet. ¡°At first, we were only half a day behind him, now it¡¯s almost a full day. His speed is much faster than ours. Is there such a person in the two regions we came from? Or is there some special person?¡± A special person? Mu Qi was taken aback, with the image of Jiang Hao flashing through his mind. It wasn¡¯t that Jiang Hao was particularly strong, but those who offended him indeed never ended well. Either he was a born calamity star, or someone was protecting him. Perhaps the one protecting him was up to something. But was it possible? It seemed unlikely. He didn¡¯t voice these speculations; he had only mentioned them to Miao Tinglian before. ¡°Let¡¯s keep chasing,¡± Ning Xuan said. ...... Meanwhile, Jiang Hao stood in front of a camp surrounded by trees. Inside were Golden Core and Nascent Soul demons. As he approached, he felt faint fluctuations of power emanating. They quickly disappeared into the sky. This might be the source of the orders that Senior Sister Ye Ji had mentioned. ¡°Actually, there are quite a few Nascent Soul experts. Even if they find it, they wouldn¡¯t have any way to deal with it, or did I make a mistake and find the command source for the Golden Core area instead?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go in and have a look.¡± Afterward, he concealed himself. Entering from the blind spot of the enemy. Although the demons were strong, they had many weaknesses. Perception was one of them. After entering, Jiang Hao saw a house, the source of all the power fluctuations. Many demons were guarding around the house. After entering, he saw a demon sitting in front of a wooden table, and on the table was an irregular stone. Inside it, stars twinkled. The source of power was this stone. And the demon in front of the wooden table lifted its head to look at him. Chapter 186 - Are You Just a Puppet? Chapter 186: Are You Just a Puppet? On the defensive line, a multitude of demons wreaked havoc. Boulders fell from the sky, and the roar was incessant. Zheng Shijiu led people to stop the demons. One by one, the demons fell around them, but it was of little use, like trying to stop a flood by removing the water with a water cup. There were too many demons. The formation was under great strain, they fought until they were exhausted, and their spiritual energy was depleted. Yet there were still so many demons. Seemingly endless. Bang! Zheng Shijiu severely injured a Foundation Establishment completion demon but was also repelled. He leaned against a broken tree, exhaustion overwhelming him. For more than ten days, he had been holding on by sheer will. Le You and Xin Yuyue also retreated, bearing many wounds. Their complexions were pale. ¡°The defense line is broken; we can¡¯t hold on much longer. Senior Brother Jin Long is also more likely dead than alive,¡± Le You coughed out blood and said. In the distance, Jin Long wielded a large shield, single-handedly confronting three Golden Core demons. Even with his strong defense, he couldn¡¯t face three demons stronger than him. He had a deep understanding of the strength of Golden Core demons. At first, with only two Golden Core opponents, he could fight back, even killing one. But then two more came. He didn¡¯t even have time to rest. When his power was exhausted, it would be the end of everything. Jin Long also wanted to retreat, but there was nowhere to retreat to.The strength of the demon was far beyond his ability to resist. If things continued this way, he was certain to die. For a moment, he felt desperate, even hoping that Ye Ji and the others would succeed. Bang! Jin Long was knocked back, exhausted and his spiritual energy nearly depleted. There was no chance for rest. The demon would attack in turns. He looked back towards his sect, wishing they could provide support at this moment. But, he saw no one coming to aid. The demon¡¯s attacks grew fiercer, and Jin Long was forced to retreat step by step. At this time, Zheng Shijiu¡¯s fan was already broken beyond repair. Watching the demon¡¯s assault, he gave a bitter smile and said. ¡°Junior Sister Le, what kind of person do you think Jiang Junior Brother is?¡± ¡°What kind of person?¡± Le You, holding her giant sword, pondered for a moment and said. ¡°He has a good reputation, known to be upright. He never strikes ordinary people, and even goes out of his way to look after them.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good news,¡± Zheng Shijiu said with a smile. ¡°Just hold on a little longer, we might still have hope.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Le You didn¡¯t understand. ¡°Perhaps the demons¡¯ rear could indeed be broken,¡± Xin Yuyue said. ¡°Why?¡± Le You was still confused. ¡°Because of what you just said,¡± Zheng Shijiu replied as he faced the demon ahead. Le You was even more puzzled now. But she had no time to think it through, as she was retreating and fighting simultaneously. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The defensive line had been breached, and if they couldn¡¯t plug the gap, everyone was doomed. Even as they fought back desperately, the difference in numbers was too great to overcome. After half a day, Zheng Shijiu could no longer withstand the onslaught. With a bang, his hand bones were broken by the demon. He fell back, Xin Yuyue was severely injured in the thigh, Le You¡¯s giant sword was broken, and the bones in her palm were exposed. All three of them were no longer able to resist the demons. Despair mixed with unwillingness. Not just them, everyone on the front lines felt the same. This defensive line wouldn¡¯t hold for much longer. Jin Long knew that they were now completely on the defensive. Without reinforcements, they would all perish. For a moment, he thought if those two Golden Cores hadn¡¯t left, they wouldn¡¯t be so passive. He could have rested, even counterattacked. But there were no ifs. Jin Long was unwilling; he had to survive. At that moment, the demon¡¯s attack came, and with a boom, he was knocked back. The three Golden Cores combined forces, and Jin Long was powerless to defend himself. However, as the attack from the opposite side came again, Jin Long thought of fleeing. If he could block this attack, he would escape from here. Even if death was inevitable, he wanted to die later. With a boom, Jin Long was knocked back again. But he wasn¡¯t scared into fleeing. In fact, he felt something was off. In the distance, Zheng Shijiu, who had nearly been killed, unexpectedly dodged an attack. He felt something strange. ¡°Get up,¡± he urged Xin Yuyue and the others beside him. ¡°The demons are acting differently.¡± ¡°Differently?¡± Xin Yuyue struggled to her feet, having already resigned herself to her fate. Le You tried attacking once. She found the demons to be slower than before. ¡°Yes, they are different,¡± she said, somewhat in disbelief. In that instant, everyone noticed that the demons no longer had their previous sharpness, although they were still strong. They were acting on instinct. They had lost their previous edge. And they were no longer united. ¡°It¡¯s really like that,¡± Zheng Shijiu laughed, feeling that his guess was right. ¡°He might be terrifying, but as long as he¡¯s not an enemy, it¡¯s our luck,¡± Xin Yuyue also laughed inexplicably. Le You was astonished; according to these people, was Jiang Hao the one who saved them? How could that be? ¡°Don¡¯t let your guard down, defend with all your might, and drive the demons out of the defensive line,¡± Jin Long shouted loudly. Now, the credit for holding the defensive line was his. Even if it wasn¡¯t the greatest achievement, it was enough. ...... Inside the Demon Cavern. In the wooden hut. Jiang Hao¡¯s knife pierced into the stone, splitting it in two. Yet, the demon in front of him still stared at him and did not make a move. After the stone was shattered, the demons outside began to stir, no longer guarding this place. ¡°Indeed, the seal has been broken.¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised; the ideas of Ye Ji and the others were correct. There really was a source of command. But the direction they went seemed a bit different from his. He didn¡¯t know whether he had found the right direction or the wrong one. This place seemed more like the command source of the Golden Core area. ¡°Foundation Establishment demon?¡± Jiang Hao, holding his knife, looked at the demon in front of him and finally said. ¡°You are too weak. Leave now, and I won¡¯t kill you.¡± However, the other party still stared at him. Jiang Hao sighed and with a slash of his knife, the Foundation Establishment demon fell to the ground, dead. Yet Jiang Hao did not sheathe his knife or leave. He turned to look at an empty corner and said: ¡°Don¡¯t look at me with that kind of gaze. There¡¯s indeed no need for me to kill a Foundation Establishment demon, but I already spare this demon once.¡± ¡°How did you find me?¡± A voice came from the corner. A short figure appeared in front of Jiang Hao. His eyes were red, somewhat similar to those of a demon. He had fangs at the corners of his mouth, scales on his arms, and his hair was messy and puffed up. ¡°Are you also a demon?¡± Jiang Hao asked curiously. As for how he discovered him... Hiding in front of him was not easy. Spiritual awareness, the nameless secret manual, Nascent Soul divine abilities, and so on, all provided enhancements. So, discovering someone in hiding was not a matter of why for him; it was just casually noticed. The short demon stared at Jiang Hao angrily and said, ¡°Are we wrong? We just don¡¯t want to live in a dark and narrow place; we want to go out. Where is the mistake in that? Why must you relentlessly pursue and exterminate us? Don¡¯t we have the right to seek freedom?¡± ¡°You are not wrong,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head and then said softly. ¡°But standing opposite you is my sect, which has ordered that you cannot leave. I am acting on orders; am I wrong?¡± ¡°Do you know what righteousness is?¡± The short demon said mockingly. ¡°Are you just a puppet that follows orders?¡± Chapter 187 - Nascent Soul? Chapter 187: Nascent Soul? Hearing the other party¡¯s question, Jiang Hao was silent for a moment, then said, ¡°You tell me, what is righteousness?¡± ¡°Righteousness is for the world, for the common people...¡± The short demon intended to continue speaking. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The moonlight shone, and the long knife severed its neck. Pfft! Jiang Hao had already reached the short demon. However, no blood appeared. What was severed was just an afterimage. ¡°So fast.¡± Jiang Hao was quite shocked. This short demon had the strength of an early Nascent Soul and possessed a strange power that flickered in and out of visibility. Its ability to hide was extremely strong. Worried that the demon¡¯s ability to escape was equally formidable, Jiang Hao engaged in conversation. He wanted to lure the demon into a trap for a sneak attack. Unexpectedly, the demon had the same idea. At the moment Jiang Hao made his move, the demon escaped. Both had acted almost simultaneously. Indeed, one should not underestimate the enemy; it¡¯s easy to suffer a loss. Having confirmed the direction in which the demon fled, Jiang Hao disappeared from the spot. With his ability to Merge with Light and Blend with Dust, he could keep up. As for the Golden Core demons and Nascent Soul demons outside, there was no time to deal with them. He had to give up on them for now and focus on killing this short demon. Giving up was not a big deal. Blue bubbles, though rare, were not non-existent. There was no need to dwell on them too much. ...... In the woods, Jiang Hao moved through the light, difficult to detect. At this moment, in front of him, there was also a hard-to-detect figure moving quickly. Both were moving at speeds far exceeding that of a normal early Nascent Soul. ¡°He has a special power that accelerates him, which is somewhat troublesome.¡± While the other¡¯s speed was still stable, Jiang Hao used the divine ability Appraisal. Within a breath, the divine ability provided feedback. ¡¾Demon Return to River: A wise demon of the Nascent Soul early stage, possessing special demonic powers, demonic heavenly laws, used for hiding and speed enhancement. Feeling that you are too dangerous, it wants to lead you into the Demon Cavern ruins to trap and kill you with the power of the ruins.¡¿ ¡°Demon Cavern ruins?¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised, thinking there were ruins here. He had never heard of them before. Since the other party thought the ruins could kill him, the danger was inevitable. For safety, Jiang Hao employed the divine ability Hidden Spirit Manifestation to catch up with the other party in one go and then kill it. However, as soon as he used his divine ability, the short demon in front also frantically spurred the Demon Heavenly Law. This speed... If it weren¡¯t for having learned Merge with Light and Blend with Dust, he wouldn¡¯t have been able to catch up at all. Fortunately, overall, he was still a notch above. It wouldn¡¯t be long before he could catch up with the other party. After a short time, the short demon stopped fleeing, as he had been caught up with, and continuing to escape was pointless. ¡°You, you can¡¯t kill me,¡± he shouted at Jiang Hao who was in pursuit. ¡°I have talents other demons don¡¯t possess, I can do many things for you. I will tell you everything you want to know. I can also lead you to the core of the Demon Cavern. Spare me!¡± Whoosh! Moonlight streaked across. Jiang Hao was about to kill him to avoid any further complications. He was indeed curious about the secrets of the Demon Cavern, but it would be better to ask Hong Yuye than this demon, who was certainly no easy target. The first strike failed to finish the demon, and there was a possibility that subsequent ones might as well. The blade light arrived in an instant, and the short demon seemed to have already known the outcome. He was planning to resist in his own way. However, the moment he made his move, he suddenly felt an immense oppressive force bearing down on him. Divine Might. Jiang Hao activated his Nascent Soul divine ability, Divine Might. A tremendous pressure fell, causing a moment of panic in the short demon. It was at that moment that Jiang Hao¡¯s blade severed the demon¡¯s lifeline. Only then did the short demon clutch his neck, falling with a sense of unwillingness. He stared at Jiang Hao and questioned, ¡°I just wanted to lead my people to a broader world, is that wrong?¡± ¡°You¡¯re not wrong. It¡¯s just that your enemies are stronger than you,¡± Jiang Hao replied calmly. The short demon lay on the ground, his blood staining the earth, feeling a sense of desolation. ¡°Can you not... not be so ruthless?¡± Whether to be utterly ruthless or not was a matter for the higher-ups of the Tianyin Sect. As an inner disciple, he had no say in the matter. ¡°I¡¯m not reconciled, why are we the ones trapped here?¡± the short demon said weakly. Jiang Hao did not respond, merely standing quietly beside him. ¡°Who doesn¡¯t want to venture into a broader world? We are not inferior to anyone,¡± the short demon¡¯s voice gradually faded. Before long, he lost his voice completely. Only then did Jiang Hao deliver two more blows to ensure the demon was truly dead. With this, the source of the command was ended. As for whether it was from the Foundation Establishment or the Golden Core area, he did not know. The words of the short demon had not made much of an impact on him. Everyone lives for themselves; there¡¯s no absolute right or wrong. Given another chance to choose, he would still kill. He would not be soft-hearted. Boom! Suddenly, a loud rumbling sound came. Jiang Hao immediately turned to look. From the direction of the core of the Demon Cavern, a brilliant light shone. The sound of explosions was incessant. The force of the explosion took up half the sky, apocalyptic in its destruction. Witnessing this terrifying scene, Jiang Hao felt even more insignificant. He was still too weak. It turned out there were such powerful beings among the demons. Without hesitation, Jiang Hao began to move away from the core area. However, his current direction seemed to be towards the ruins. After a brief silence, he decided to go and take a look. Now that the short demon was gone, it might be somewhat safer for him to go there and perhaps not as dangerous. The affairs of the Demon Cavern would not be concluded until the core area settled down. He still had plenty of time. ...... In the evening, Jiang Hao saw a strange structure. It looked like a great hall with an entrance leading underground in the middle. It seemed that most of the ruins were underground. As he was about to enter and investigate, suddenly someone rushed out, landing not far in front of Jiang Hao. On closer inspection, it was a man at the early stage of Golden Core, with some injuries on his body and blood at the corner of his mouth. He seemed to have fled for his life. However, Jiang Hao recognized this person¡ªit was Senior Brother Lan Feng. What a coincidence. Lan Feng also noticed Jiang Hao. At first, he was somewhat cautious, but after confirming that it was Jiang Hao in the late Foundation Establishment stage, he suddenly smiled. ¡°Junior Brother is actually still alive. Are you alone?¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± Jiang Hao simply nodded. He glanced behind Lan Feng, curious to see if anyone else had emerged. ¡°Looking for Junior Sister Ye Ji? She¡¯s already died inside. It seems that only the two of us have come out alive,¡± Lan Feng said with a smile after regulating his breath: ¡°I remember Junior Brother is at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, right? Did you get injured this time?¡± ¡°Just some minor wounds, nothing serious,¡± Jiang Hao replied. ¡°I see.¡± Lan Feng stared at Jiang Hao¡¯s storage treasure and said. ¡°Junior Brother has had quite the adventure; you must have some remarkable treasures.¡± ¡°What do you mean, Senior Brother?¡± Jiang Hao asked, his expression unchanging. ¡°A man is not guilty for carrying jade; the guilt lies in the jade itself. You understand this principle, don¡¯t you?¡± Lan Feng said coldly, extending his hand. ¡°Sometimes, giving up treasures can save your life.¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao smiled slightly and said, ¡°Senior Brother is welcome to try and take them.¡± ¡°You¡¯re seeking death,¡± Lan Feng burst out with his Golden Core aura, attacking Jiang Hao at an extremely fast speed. Facing the attack of an early-stage Golden Core, Jiang Hao remained unmoved. Only when the attack was about to hit did he slightly raise his eyebrows and release his Nascent Soul aura. This aura swept through like a storm. Lan Feng, who had felt confident of his victory, suddenly found the other party giving him a look, followed by a terrifying aura rushing towards him. It was beyond Golden Core; he had only felt this from Nascent Soul Senior Brothers. For a moment, he froze. His heart clenched with fear spreading throughout his body with each heartbeat, looking at the person before him in disbelief: ¡°H-how is this possible? A Nascent Soul?¡± ¡°Senior Brother, any last words?¡± Jiang Hao¡¯s voice came through. ¡°No, there is a misunderstanding...¡± Lan Feng tried to explain. But the blade light was already upon him. For a moment, he felt his vision blur, and his consciousness began to fade. At this time, Jiang Hao looked at Lan Feng, who had already lost his vitality on the ground, and looked around, noticing there was no storage treasure. What a loss. Afterward, he turned his attention to the ruins. There should still be people inside. Chapter 188 - A Step Ahead, Incomprehensible Chapter 188: A Step Ahead, Incomprehensible Knowing there were people inside the ruins, Jiang Hao was in no rush to enter. The ruins were not safe, and he needed to recover to his peak condition before venturing in. He also waited to see if anyone else would escape. Logically, if Lan Feng at the early stage of Golden Core could come out, others at the Golden Core level might also have a chance. And if Golden Core cultivators could come out, it would be even safer for him as a Nascent Soul to go in. But he couldn¡¯t be too confident; he needed to give it his all. Retreating a distance, Jiang Hao began to restore his divine ability, Hidden Spirit Manifestation. Once he reached his peak strength, he would go in to investigate. If it was too dangerous, he would exit immediately. There was no need to take risks. ...... Inside the ruins. The sky was vast, surrounded by endless abysses. Above the abyss floated many stone platforms and pathways. At the core, two elders stood, smiling as they looked ahead. ¡°People from the Tianyin Sect have some skills. One escaped, and another hid inside,¡± the white-haired elder said with a smile. They had entered from the outside, intending to find Jiang Hao, but accidentally came here. Feeling that this place hid treasures, they decided to explore. After entering, they found that someone had beaten them to it, so they followed behind like a mantis stalking a cicada. But the person in front was moving too slowly, and by the time they caught up, they wanted to control those people to continue helping them explore. Unfortunately, these people were rebellious by nature. They didn¡¯t listen to orders. One escaped using a formation, another hid in the mist. The remaining two or three were used by the two people and all died. This made the two from the Tiansheng Sect quite sentimental. ¡°This place is very sealed off; it feels quite complex. We should be careful. After getting the items, we still need to find people,¡± the goatee-bearded elder said. Then the two moved forward. They had already passed many checkpoints and should be close to where the treasures were placed. ¡°This abyss is strange. I wonder what would happen if we fell down,¡± the white-haired elder said, looking down at the abyss with some trepidation. ¡°We need to be careful, but with the Tianyin Sect person running away, will they call for strong reinforcements?¡± ¡°This is the Foundation Establishment area. What kind of strong reinforcements can he call for? Even if it¡¯s a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, the two of us together have nothing to fear. If we can¡¯t handle it, we still have ways to escape,¡± the goatee-bearded elder said with a laugh, full of confidence. The white-haired elder nodded, and the two quickened their pace. They wanted to catch the early-stage Golden Core inside and then have her explore the way. ...... At this moment, on the floating path inside, Fairy Ye Ji clutched her wounded arm as she proceeded further in. ¡°Damn it, two Nascent Souls actually showed up.¡± She had no power to resist against Nascent Souls. Had she not taken the chance to flee, she would now be like a fish on the chopping block. ¡°It¡¯s a pity everyone¡¯s dead. If there was someone still alive, I could have continued to use them.¡± ¡°This place needs someone sharp. If Jiang Hao hadn¡¯t died, he would have been the best person to use. With him around, he could definitely have taken a lot of hits for me. Facing two Nascent Souls, I could have found a good situation to let him shine one last time and help me escape from here.¡± Lan Feng had escaped, and she envied his luck. Sometimes, knowing enough about formations can indeed secure a lifeline for oneself. Now she had no choice but to continue inward, hoping to find a chance to survive. ...... At night. Ning Xuan and the others reached an area surrounded by trees. They sensed the presence of demons. ¡°Many Golden Core and Nascent Soul demons, does that mean this is the place we¡¯re looking for?¡± Mu Qi spoke up. Fairy Ning Xuan nodded, but with some confusion: ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with the demons here, which means the person who was ahead of us didn¡¯t come here.¡± ¡°Maybe he went in the wrong direction?¡± another man tentatively suggested. ¡°It¡¯s hard to say. For now, let¡¯s lure out the demons and kill them one by one,¡± said Fairy Ning Xuan. With a plan in mind, they began to draw out the demons. After a long battle, the three of them finally killed all the demons. Although it was difficult, it was still a success. At that moment, they saw a wooden hut. If their guess was correct, this place was an important site for the demons. Aside from the core of the Demon Cavern, it should be the most important location. The three of them cautiously entered the hut. However, upon entering, they all frowned slightly. Inside the hut, there was only one demon lying on the ground, and on the table, there was a piece of stone that had been cut. This stone seemed to have a special power that was faintly discernible. Although there was nothing else, they were not fools. Everything indicated that the person who had been ahead of them had already dealt with everything. He had even bypassed the outer defenses and come straight into the hut. ¡°Who on earth could it be?¡± Ning Xuan picked up the stone from the table, certain that it was what they were looking for. But it had been tampered with. This person came and went without a trace, and their strength far exceeded theirs. Mu Qi and the others shook their heads, clueless. ¡°Let¡¯s go back. This stone is our achievement. Since that person didn¡¯t want it, it¡¯s ours,¡± Fairy Ning Xuan said without pretense. She directly claimed the other¡¯s achievement. Mu Qi and the other person were also pleased; with this achievement, they could obtain many good things. However, the appearance of the mysterious person was of some concern to them. What exactly was their motive? ...... Outside the ruins. Jiang Hao opened his eyes, now back in peak condition. No one had come out of the ruins during this time. He landed at the entrance, making sure the Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman was working properly before stepping inside. If he encountered an insurmountable danger, he would use the Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman to escape. Just to be safe. The entrance was a staircase leading downward into darkness. After descending six hundred and sixty-six steps, Jiang Hao finally reached the bottom. This showed how deep the ruins were. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. There was light at the bottom, the space was vast, with specks of starlight above, no boundaries to the left or right, and an endless abyss below. Ahead was a suspended path, along with some floating stone platforms. Each stone platform bore traces of formations. Even the path itself had formations, which could be unpredictable if touched. In addition to these, there were also various restrictions and traps. Some had been triggered, but most were hidden in the shadows. ¡°It seems someone has cleared the way.¡± Jiang Hao stepped forward, walking along the safe line. He noticed that the path seemed to keep going downward. After descending another level, he saw a corpse. It was a man. Jiang Hao had seen him before; he was one of the Foundation Establishment cultivators who had come out with them. He had died in one of the restrictions. Shaking his head, Jiang Hao moved forward again. This time, instead of going down, he passed through a huge passage and saw a similar scene: floating paths and formations. Occasionally, he would see some corpses. After safely passing several checkpoints, Jiang Hao arrived at a place shrouded in mist. It was so thick that he couldn¡¯t see his own hand in front of him, and there were many dangers around. Slowing down and taking some time, he passed through the mist. He arrived at a huge floating platform. ¡°Still haven¡¯t seen anyone? Just how deep is this ruin?¡± So far, he hadn¡¯t seen any treasures, and the deeper he went, the more he felt an invisible force pressing down from above. It was as if something was being suppressed here. Chapter 189 - Isn’t it possible that I have some special trump card? Chapter 189: Isn¡¯t it possible that I have some special trump card? Inside the ruins, Jiang Hao looked up at the sky. He couldn¡¯t see the stone walls nor anything else besides the stars. Even when he extended his spiritual sense upward, he found nothing. Is this still underground? He couldn¡¯t help but wonder. There was also a sense of suppression that he could feel when he paid close attention, yet it seemed absent. It was as if it was all in his head. Especially since there was no one else around, aside from the sound of his own footsteps, there was silence. It was an inexplicable heaviness. After passing through this area, Jiang Hao stood on a straight path. This time there were no floating objects, just a road leading forward. But he couldn¡¯t see the end of it. Walking on the road gave one a strange feeling as if it might collapse at any moment. Doubtful, Jiang Hao placed his hand on the edge of the abyss and felt an inexplicable suction force, as if staying outside the path for too long would easily lead to falling into the endless abyss. What lay beneath the abyss was a mystery. In any case, Jiang Hao did not want to go down. After walking for a long time, laughter could be heard. ¡°Haha, running away? Where can you run to?¡± Immediately after, Jiang Hao saw an old man flying over his head and landing behind him. Early Nascent Soul stage. Knowing the strength of the other party, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. Early stage was still manageable. The white-haired old man was somewhat surprised to see Jiang Hao. ¡°It¡¯s really true that sometimes you can find what you¡¯re not looking for without even trying.¡± At the same time, a woman stumbled and ran towards them from the front. When she saw Jiang Hao, she was also startled. But upon seeing the white-haired old man, she almost despaired. She had tried everything to escape, but in the end, she couldn¡¯t get away. Soon she came to Jiang Hao¡¯s side and said seriously. ¡°Junior Brother, has the sect sent reinforcements?¡± Jiang Hao naturally recognized the woman; she was Senior Sister Ye Ji. She had some injuries on her body, her cultivation was unstable, and she seemed to be in bad shape. To be alive after being targeted by two Nascent Souls, she either had something unique about her or the Nascent Souls had no intention of killing. He had a rough understanding of the situation here. The two Nascent Souls were also seen by him, both were elderly and also at the early stage of Nascent Soul. This was his first time facing normal Nascent Soul early stage cultivators. For a moment, he didn¡¯t know what their actual combat abilities were. However, he understood what Senior Sister Ye Ji meant. He nodded slightly and said calmly: ¡°The sect reinforcements are on their way, the demons have been controlled, and the sect¡¯s Elders are clearing them out everywhere.¡± ¡°Boy, who are you trying to fool?¡± The old man with a goat beard stepped forward and said. ¡°Do you really think the demons are so weak? Even if the demons are weak, our Tiansheng Sect is not a pushover.¡± People from Tiansheng Sect? Jiang Hao was surprised, thinking that he had become a lamb delivered to their door. ¡°Duanqing Cliff¡¯s Jiang Hao, right?¡± The white-haired old man stared at Jiang Hao and asked. ¡°What did Yan Hua tell you? What is the secret of the mine?¡± Ye Ji was somewhat surprised; she didn¡¯t expect the people from Tiansheng Sect to know Jiang Hao, and they seemed to value him highly. Thinking of this, she felt a surge of joy as their attention shifted away from her. She would have a chance to escape. ¡°Why do you insist on thinking that Yan Hua gave the secret to me?¡± Jiang Hao asked curiously. ¡°Before Yan Hua disappeared, she only saw you. If she didn¡¯t give the secret to you, would she give it to me?¡± The white-haired old man asked. ¡°Is it possible that she did this deliberately? To lead you to me? Maybe she gave the secret to someone else.¡± Jiang Hao countered. ¡°Possible, but can you tell me, who else can we look for?¡± The white-haired old man asked in return. Jiang Hao had nothing to say in response. Thinking about it, besides himself, Yan Hua hadn¡¯t seen anyone else. Who else could they look for? Even without suspicion, they had to catch him first to talk. ¡°But I really don¡¯t have the secret of the mine,¡± Jiang Hao said truthfully. ¡°Whether the secret of the mine is with you or not, that¡¯s not urgent. Let¡¯s keep walking inside,¡± the old man with the goat beard came to the white-haired old man¡¯s side, then said to Jiang Hao. ¡°Please, you must be curious about the treasures that are often found here too.¡± Jiang Hao was silent for a moment, then stepped forward and walked on. Ye Ji didn¡¯t speak, following beside Jiang Hao, acting as if he was the leader. She was lowering her presence, looking for a chance to escape. As for Jiang Hao, if he could contribute to her survival, he would surely be pleased. Unaware of Ye Ji¡¯s thoughts, Jiang Hao was indeed curious about the treasures here. He also wanted to ask what was going on with Tiansheng Sect. ¡°I heard that your Tiansheng Sect is going to attack our sect? What is the reason for that?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± The old man with the goat beard looked surprised. ¡°Did I say that Tiansheng Sect is going to attack your sect? So, why do you think that is?¡± On the surface, he was chatting with Jiang Hao, but in reality, he kept a close watch on him. To prevent him from escaping, although he was only at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, Yan Hua chose him for a reason. He shouldn¡¯t be underestimated. ¡°Because of me?¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t beat around the bush. ¡°Partly,¡± the bearded elder chuckled. ¡°Although many people insist on capturing you, actively attacking Tianyin Sect is not a wise move. We can¡¯t just throw our lives away in vain for the Saint Lord.¡± ¡°Saint Lord?¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t know who the Saint Lord of Tiansheng Sect was. However, he thought of the Saintesses of Tiansheng Sect and curiously asked. ¡°Are the Saintesses of Tiansheng Sect were prepared for the Saint Lord?¡± ¡°Heh, you sure ask a lot of questions,¡± the white-haired elder interrupted the topic. Jiang Hao kept walking forward, holding a saber in his hand, also wary of the two people behind him. ¡°Do you see any difference between me and a dead man? There¡¯s no need to be so guarded against me.¡± ¡°You do have a point,¡± the white-haired elder sneered. ¡°But as for our Saint Lord and the Saintess, it¡¯s better for you not to know.¡± ¡°Actually, it wouldn¡¯t be hard to find out,¡± the bearded elder said with a smile. ¡°All you have to do is grit your teeth and say you don¡¯t know what Yan Hua told you, and we¡¯ll take you back to the sect. Then you¡¯ll get to see for yourself, but you¡¯ll have to endure torture worse than death. We¡¯ve already thought about how to interrogate you. I hope you can hold on for a while.¡± ¡°Have you not noticed how calm I actually am? Isn¡¯t it possible that I have some special trump card?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Hahaha!¡± This comment provoked hearty laughter from the other party, and the white-haired elder stared at Jiang Hao: ¡°I look forward to your trump card, and you¡¯ll see that everything is a paper tiger in the face of absolute power.¡± Such arrogance, Jiang Hao thought to himself as a warning. Strength blinds people, and arrogance can also lead to death. He must not become complacent. After a while, Jiang Hao arrived at a crossroads. Straight ahead, or to the left or right. ¡°Left,¡± the white-haired elder said. Jiang Hao turned left. Although he didn¡¯t understand why they were so certain about the left, there was no danger at the moment. He just needed to keep moving forward. After an unknown amount of time, Jiang Hao saw a huge door. When he saw this door, he frowned. There was a strange force here, trying to overflow, but it was suppressed by an invisible force around it. He had arrived to the very center of this relic. ¡°Enter,¡± the white-haired elder immediately said. They were all somewhat excited. The door was open, and the inside was undetectable; surely it was where the treasures were stored. Jiang Hao held the knife and stepped inside. He carefully observed that there was a protruding stone on the door, possibly a switch. Ye Ji deliberately slowed down and also noticed the switch. Her beautiful eyes moved, seemingly thinking of how to escape. Jiang Hao caught a glimpse of her eyes and thought, is she planning to use me and then trap people inside? As soon as he entered the stone gate, Jiang Hao felt a red light shining over him. This light made him instinctively operate the Primordial Heart Sutra to resist; the things inside were extraordinary. When the red light dissipated, what he saw was a vast cave with floating stone steps in the middle. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Like a pyramid, the stones were laid out in descending order, all highlighting a central and topmost red bead. This bead emitted a faint red light, with strange forces drifting from all directions, all resonating with the red light, inscrutable. Seeing this, Jiang Hao felt a great crisis. If he got too close to these things, there would be very bad consequences. Without hesitation, he chose to activate his divine ability. Appraisal. Chapter 190 - Senior Sister Hong Chapter 190: Senior Sister Hong Daily Appraisal activated. Before the others came in, Jiang Hao received feedback from his divine ability. For a moment, he was somewhat frightened. ¡¾Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead: A fortune-based artifact. In ancient times, someone gathered all the calamitous treasures and calamity-prone constitutions of the era and refined them for nine hundred and eighty-one years, converging all misfortunes into a bead during a year of catastrophic disasters. Staying close to it for an extended period will lead to a life entangled with misfortune, physical contact will drive the calamity deep into the bones, and any slight carelessness can lead to the destruction of both body and spirit. Intentional use of it will involve one in the bead¡¯s karma and suffer its backlash. To control its influence, one needs to possess great fortune, suppress it with the Star River Formation and the grand momentum of mountains and rivers, or seal it with Primordial Purple Qi.¡¿ This description made Jiang Hao hesitate to approach. No wonder the Primordial Heart Sutra was instinctively operating. It was resisting the surrounding misfortune; once misfortune entangled him, it would greatly affect his cultivation. And this relic might be the gathering of the Star River Formation and the power of mountains and rivers, all to suppress this Calamity Bead. This thing, whether others dared to touch it he didn¡¯t know, but he dared not. Even taking it out would be troublesome. But the last sentence made him somewhat tempted. Perhaps he could take it out. The power of this thing is just too great; once it overflows, no one knows what might happen. But it¡¯s also a deterrent. For a moment, he was slightly curious if Hong Yuye could withstand the influence of the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead. He thought about giving it to her as a gift. For now, it¡¯s just a thought; whether to take the bead with him is something that needs consideration. At least he would have to wait until tomorrow. By then, he could seal the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead and then appraise it to check if it¡¯s safe. If it can be taken away, there¡¯s no need to abandon it. If it¡¯s dangerous, there¡¯s no need to take the risk. By this time, the others had already come in. Fairy Ye Ji stood next to Jiang Hao, positioned in a corner. The white-haired elder and the goat-bearded elder walked in from another side. Although they were surprised by the faint glow of the crimson bead, they still turned to look at Fairy Ye Ji. ¡°Little girl, I advise you to refrain from any tricks. I¡¯ll be watching you. Don¡¯t think about escaping.¡± Fairy Ye Ji didn¡¯t speak, just stood with her head bowed. At this moment, the two Nascent Souls looked at the bead in amazement; they didn¡¯t know what it was but had a faint sense that it was extraordinary. There were many formations around the stone platform. ¡°The formation is about to fail. It will take some time to break through,¡± the goat-bearded elder approached the formation and provided an answer. Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t in a hurry; he would wait for them to break the formation before doing anything else. ¡°You guys come and break this formation,¡± the goat-bearded elder said after investigating and finding a simple defensive formation. It was most suitable for Jiang Hao and the others to break. Utilizing waste. They weren¡¯t ready to kill the two yet. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t speak; it was about the mine, and Fairy Ye Ji still had her uses. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Whether or not the crimson bead could be taken down, someone had to try. Perhaps something terrible would happen upon taking the bead; for safety¡¯s sake, it was still necessary to have someone lead the way. The number of people was just right now. Jiang Hao and Fairy Ye Ji didn¡¯t say anything and went to the left side of the formation to start breaking it. ¡°Junior Brother, did you get hurt on your way here?¡± Fairy Ye Ji asked softly while breaking the formation, her expression casual as if making small talk. ¡°Just a minor injury,¡± Jiang Hao replied. ¡°Junior Brother, did you avoid the demons on your way here?¡± she asked again. Jiang Hao could detect demons in advance, which was known to everyone. So his journey here should have been the easiest. ¡°Mhm,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. Most of the time, he indeed avoided the demons. He only took action when encountering Golden Core and Nascent Soul. After killing the short demon, he continued to avoid them. ¡°What mental cultivation technique does Junior Brother practice that makes you so powerful?¡± Fairy Ye Ji asked softly, then sighed. ¡°We don¡¯t know if we can still get out alive.¡± Do you want my mental cultivation technique? Jiang Hao instantly sensed her intentions and whispered, ¡°It was given to me by a Senior Sister, but it can only be passed on verbally.¡± ¡°Which Senior Sister?¡± Fairy Ye Ji asked with a seductive look in her eyes and a hint of confusion, making one unable to resist answering her question. ¡°Senior Sister Hong,¡± Jiang Hao replied. After noting the name, Fairy Ye Ji didn¡¯t speak further but continued to work on breaking the formation. She occasionally glanced at the elders on the other side but did not speak, just quietly waited, waiting for them to fall into a predicament. Unbeknownst to them, she had already retreated to an edge position. When the formation on the elder¡¯s side began to tremble, she said to Jiang Hao, ¡°Junior Brother, come and take a look at this formation.¡± Upon hearing this, Jiang Hao walked over. ¡°Is something wrong?¡± He touched the formation; it was just an ordinary defensive formation. ¡°Junior Brother, if you move a bit forward, you can see it clearly,¡± Fairy Ye Ji said gently. At this moment, they were on the stone platform, with the endless abyss at the edge. Jiang Hao took a step forward. Fairy Ye Ji stood behind Jiang Hao and slid her ring. In an instant, countless mists appeared, enveloping the surroundings. Without hesitation, she struck a palm towards Jiang Hao. As long as Jiang Hao was sent flying and let out a scream, it would attract the attention of the two Nascent Souls. And she was now near the doorway; in the moment they were distracted, she could escape through that door. Then press that switch. If she was lucky, she could successfully escape from here. If not... It was still better than waiting to die. She had considered many problems, such as the two not being delayed by the formation and not immediately saving Jiang Hao but instead blocking her. In any case, she had considered all possible issues and had some preparations. However, she never considered that the person in front of her would be the problem. Just when she thought her palm strike would be successful, she was shocked to find that she had hit nothing. And the person in front of her had already vanished without a trace. ¡°How could this be?¡± She could hardly contain her surprise, knowing that she had used her Golden Core power to suppress Jiang Hao, just in case something unexpected happened. Even the sharpest senses were of no use. ¡°I¡¯ll also give you a push, it¡¯s only fair.¡± An indifferent voice sounded behind Ye Ji. At that moment, she felt a huge force pushing her from behind. Suddenly, she was sent flying forward. Then she found herself suspended over an abyss, feeling a tremendous suction force. And then she began to fall. As she turned her body around, she looked towards Jiang Hao on the stone platform, unable to accept what was happening. Why? What exactly was going on? She couldn¡¯t understand why Jiang Hao could dodge her attack, nor could she fathom why he would push her down. Had he not been affected by her charm at all? Reluctantly, she tried her best to control her body to prevent herself from falling. ¡°Junior Brother, aren¡¯t you afraid of being investigated by the Hall of Enforcement for killing a fellow disciple?¡± ¡°Senior Sister, that¡¯s not quite right. You pushed me, and I pushed you back. How does that equate to killing a fellow disciple?¡± Jiang Hao¡¯s voice was calm. ¡°Putting aside the cause, isn¡¯t the end result that Junior Brother pushed me into this endless abyss? If I fall, it would be entirely your doing. What¡¯s wrong with saying you killed a fellow disciple?¡± Fairy Ye Ji was somewhat panicked, realizing that no matter how she used her cultivation, she couldn¡¯t escape the pull from below. Now, she could only hope that Jiang Hao would be fooled by her and save her. Thud! A long spear flew towards her. It pierced through her body, destroying her internal organs. ¡°What Senior Sister said just now was incorrect, but now it¡¯s correct.¡± Jiang Hao let go of the hand that had thrown the spear. Ye Ji looked at the indifferent Jiang Hao in disbelief. And then she fell into endless darkness. Chapter 191 - Surprised? Chapter 191: Surprised? Ye Ji fell into the endless abyss. Jiang Hao watched her fall, lost in thought. He hadn¡¯t managed to get the storage treasure. The mist had not yet cleared, and the white-haired elder had already arrived beside him. ¡°You pushed your Senior Sister down?¡± There was a hint of astonishment in his voice. Jiang Hao turned to look at the white-haired elder, briefly considering whether to push him down too. But he quickly abandoned the thought. It wasn¡¯t the right time. He had to wait for these two to break the formation. Without knowledge of formations, if brute force couldn¡¯t break through, he would have to give up on the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead. It wasn¡¯t that he was unwilling; it was just a pity. ¡°It was just self-defense,¡± he said softly. ¡°It¡¯s surprising that you could put a Golden Core at a disadvantage. Although she was seriously injured, she shouldn¡¯t have fallen to you,¡± the white-haired elder said, puzzled. Only then did the mist finally disperse. The fog could obstruct both senses and vision, likely a special treasure. Although it wasn¡¯t serious, the white-haired elder hadn¡¯t seen the specifics of what happened between Jiang Hao and Ye Ji. He had thought Jiang Hao might be in danger and came to rescue him. Who would have thought that Jiang Hao was fine and the one who disappeared was the Golden Core at the early stage? ¡°Senior, don¡¯t you think I might have some special trump card?¡± Jiang Hao asked, staring at him. ¡°I have that feeling, so I won¡¯t underestimate you. You¡¯d better be careful. But later, you¡¯ll have to go up and get the item. Of course, before you go, we need to know what Yan Hua told you,¡± the white-haired elder said with a cold smile. ¡°You¡¯re on your own.¡± Jiang Hao nodded, remaining silent. Only then did the white-haired elder return to the other side to continue breaking the formation. This time he was indeed more cautious. He then sent a message to his companion: ¡°We need to be careful with this Jiang Hao. He definitely has secrets.¡± A Nascent Soul being wary of a Foundation Establishment late-stage? The bearded elder laughed. ¡°You are at the early stage of Nascent Soul, and he¡¯s just at the late stage of Foundation Establishment. Even if he has secrets, are they worth your solemn attention? If you¡¯re really worried, go now and cripple him; there¡¯s no need to be so cautious.¡± The white-haired elder still communicated through a message. ¡°No rush. Let¡¯s wait until he thinks we¡¯ll act at the last moment and not give him time to react. A crippling blow will prevent a long night full of dreams.¡± sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The bearded elder was astonished. Was it really necessary to be so cautious? Not only messaging in secret but also planning a sneak attack. And to attack when the other party was off guard, had their Nascent Soul early-stage cultivation gone to the dogs? For a mere Foundation Establishment late-stage, was such caution warranted? But he didn¡¯t argue and simply nodded: ¡°Whatever you say, I don¡¯t mind.¡± It really doesn¡¯t matter, since action is required anyway, any method of action will do. Since we need to be so careful, then let¡¯s be careful. It¡¯s not much of a hassle. Jiang Hao continued to break the formation, using brute force here would suffice. But he wanted to know, did he really have to break all of it to go up? At this moment, he looked around and saw that the formations were linked together, one after another; the earlier ones were harder to break, but it became much easier later on. The formations were strong when there were many of them. With fewer, the overall effect was weak. Upon closer inspection, he realized that most of the formations were there to prevent the power of the crimson bead from spilling out. They were not meant to defend against outsiders like them. ¡®So it seems, when breaking the formation, will there be a clash of misfortune?¡¯ ¡®I wonder if the Primordial Heart Sutra can fully withstand it.¡¯ Being plagued by misfortune is a terrifying thing; if something feels off, he must leave immediately. As for whether the two from Tiansheng Sect noticed anything, he didn¡¯t care. After all, between the two parties, only one could leave. After a long time, Jiang Hao felt that the longer he stayed, the greater the influence of the red light. Fortunately, he had the Primordial Purple Qi to protect his body, otherwise he would definitely be affected by the misfortune beads. As for the two from Tiansheng Sect, they had already been affected, but they were completely unaware. If they were outside, they might have noticed something, but breaking the formation was like slowly inhaling toxins with each breath. Because the toxins were too subtle, they were hard to detect. Jiang Hao fell silent for a moment, thinking about when would be the best time to launch a surprise attack. ¡®If they are on guard against me, would they try to ambush me? If so, when would be the best time? When the formation is about to end?¡¯ ¡®Impossible, by then they will know that danger is imminent, so...¡¯ Now is the best time... Thinking of this, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t hesitate to activate the Primordial Heart Sutra. He raised his hand, and the Primordial Heavenly Saber appeared, operating Merge with Light and Blend with Dust. In the blink of an eye, Jiang Hao appeared behind the white-haired elder, and the Heavenly Saber slashed down. Moon Slash. Although it was unlikely for a Nascent Soul to ambush a Foundation Establishment like him, what if? It¡¯s always better to take the initiative to ambush than to be ambushed. At this moment, the white-haired elder, who had intended to make a move, was shocked by Jiang Hao¡¯s sudden attack. This powerful force... was definitely much stronger than his. A Nascent Soul expert? No wonder he was so confident. Although he didn¡¯t understand why, the white-haired elder immediately brought out a magic treasure, a Vajra Pestle, to counter Jiang Hao¡¯s sudden strike. Clang! The Primordial Heavenly Saber struck the Vajra Pestle, not evenly matched. With a crack, the Vajra Pestle broke. Moon Slash fell, striking the white-haired elder. ¡°Ha!¡± With a roar, the white-haired elder burst out with strong power. However, the sharp saber intent cut through everything, leaving a deep slash on the elder¡¯s body. With a ¡°bang,¡± the white-haired elder was sent flying. At this moment, the goat-bearded elder, still in shock, reacted and intervened as Jiang Hao was about to pursue. Glancing at him, Jiang Hao kicked out with his foot. Purple Qi manifested on his foot. Bang! The kick landed heavily on the elder¡¯s chest, sending him stumbling back a dozen steps. Without lingering, Jiang Hao used Merge with Light and Blend with Dust again, chasing after the white-haired elder. This person would ambush; he must be killed first. ¡°Want to kill me? Is it that easy?¡± The white-haired elder steadied himself, roared angrily, and his body was covered with countless forces, his eyes filled with madness. He decisively burned his life force, sacrificing all his life, not wanting to be killed by Jiang Hao in the shortest time. Boom! The white-haired elder¡¯s body erupted with violent power, forming a giant beast that launched a reckless charge. Heading straight for Jiang Hao. ¡°Die!¡± The old voice was filled with madness. Faced with such an attack, Jiang Hao did not hesitate. Hidden Spirit Manifestation was activated. He raised the Heavenly Saber, and a great momentum surged. The second form of the Heavenly Saber, Mountain Suppressor. The force of a myriad of mountains manifested, an invisible blade edge suppressing everything, colliding with the beast. Boom! The saber light shattered everything, and under Mountain Suppressor, all beasts were but fish on the chopping board. Rumble! The giant beast disintegrated at a visible speed. Finally, the white-haired elder¡¯s figure emerged, and Mountain Suppressor pressed down upon him. Bang! The saber slashed through. The white-haired elder¡¯s life force shattered, his body gradually disintegrating. Jiang Hao did not hesitate, moving again, ready to strike another blow to eliminate any future trouble. The bearded old man charged over, and Jiang Hao had no choice but to use the remaining Moon Slash from his left wrist to force him back. Only then was he able to approach the white-haired elder and send him on his way with the Heavenly Saber. Pfft! The blade pierced through the elder¡¯s body. ¡°You...¡± The white-haired elder looked at Jiang Hao, losing life signs in reluctance before falling into the endless abyss. Jiang Hao glanced at the abyss, retreated back to the stone platform, and asked the trembling bearded old man. ¡°Surprised?¡± Chapter 192 - Almost Died of Anger Chapter 192: Almost Died of Anger The bearded old man, clutching his arm, stood on the stone, looking coldly at Jiang Hao. His arm was severely injured. The opponent casually used a finger as a blade, shattering all his attacks, and his defensive treasures crumbled like foam. The strength displayed was so formidable that he thought he was facing a much more powerful expert than a Nascent Soul early-stage practitioner. But the realm Jiang Hao was showing was indeed that of the early Nascent Soul stage. He had been seriously injured by a peer with a casual strike, and his companion had burned all his life as a price, only to be defeated in one blow. Surprised? Indeed, very surprised. ¡°You¡¯re not Jiang Hao?¡± ¡°It¡¯s me,¡± Jiang Hao replied calmly. ¡°In our investigation, Jiang Hao is at most just 23 years old. Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re 23,¡± the bearded old man didn¡¯t believe it. A 23-year-old at the early stage of Nascent Soul was impossible. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t answer any more questions but instead asked: ¡°Can you tell me what exactly you came here for?¡± People from Tiansheng Sect were troublesome, and understanding more could be very helpful later on. ¡°We¡¯re looking for you,¡± the bearded old man sneered. ¡°So did Yan Hua tell you the secret of the mine?¡± ¡°No,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head indifferently. ¡°How many undercover agents from Tiansheng Sect are there in Tianyin Sect?¡± ¡°I know of three,¡± the bearded old man continued to probe. ¡°What did Yan Hua tell you?¡± ¡°She didn¡¯t tell me anything, she just thought I was interesting and came to kill me,¡± Jiang Hao gently placed his saber aside and then asked. ¡°What¡¯s the deal with Tiansheng Sect¡¯s reserve saintess?¡± ¡°Yan Hua went to kill you?¡± The bearded old man was stunned, then said weakly: ¡°So you killed Yan Hua? You¡¯ve been playing Tiansheng Sect¡¯s people for fools?¡± He then said, ¡°The reserve saintess is chosen by many elders, it¡¯s a special status, and even these elders and the saintesses don¡¯t know who the other chosen reserve saintesses are.¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± The bearded old man sneered: ¡°Why should I tell you?¡± ¡°Is that so? Then, do you want to continue breaking the formation?¡± Jiang Hao was indifferent. ¡°Breaking the formation?¡± The bearded old man laughed. ¡°So you didn¡¯t act against us at the beginning just to have us help you break the formation? It¡¯s truly a case of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. We intended to use you, but it turns out everyone was your tool.¡± Jiang Hao looked at him calmly, without speaking. After all, what was said was not wrong. As for the Tiansheng Sect¡¯s reserve saintess, he was somewhat surprised. It turned out that the reserve saintesses really didn¡¯t know each other. He just wondered if Senior Sister Ming Yi and Senior Sister Miao Tinglian had guessed about each other. ¡°You killed my brother, and you expect me to help you? Do you think that¡¯s possible?¡± The bearded old man¡¯s eyes flashed with a fierce light, and then he threw out a spherical treasure. This response somewhat surprised Jiang Hao. Could people from Tiansheng Sect also value their companions so much? At least he hadn¡¯t seen it in Tianyin Sect. The spherical treasure was powerful, but Jiang Hao lightly moved the Heavenly Saber and easily split it in two. However, by that time, the bearded old man had already jumped into the abyss. He bared his teeth and laughed maniacally: ¡°You know how dangerous the abyss is, right? Now I¡¯m going down, do you dare to follow? As long as you don¡¯t see me die with your own eyes, there¡¯s a chance I could survive. As long as I live, I will seek revenge on you. No one knows what¡¯s below, so why can¡¯t it be the place that makes me stronger? I want you to live in the shadow, guessing whether I can come back for revenge. I¡¯m no match for you, but it¡¯s not so easy for you to kill me now. As long as I have a breath, I will bite you from the shadows. Hahaha! Do you dare to come down?¡± By this time, the bearded old man had fallen to a deeper position. Even if Jiang Hao could kill him with one strike, he couldn¡¯t verify the death or deliver a finishing blow. Watching the man¡¯s arrogant demeanor, Jiang Hao¡¯s expression remained unchanged. He put away the Heavenly Saber and casually raised his left hand. A calm voice came from his mouth, ¡°Universe in the Palm.¡± As the words fell, Purple Qi emerged from his hand, and in an instant, the Purple Qi appeared around the bearded old man and then enveloped him completely. ¡°What is this?¡± The bearded old man tried to resist, but injured as he was and affected by the abyss, he found it difficult to fight back. After struggling for a few moments, he was completely covered by the Purple Qi. Thus, Jiang Hao retracted the Purple Qi, and at that moment, the old man with the goat beard appeared in his palm. Inside the sphere wrapped in Purple Qi, the old man looked at Jiang Hao in astonishment, finding it hard to believe. ¡°Are you surprised?¡± Jiang Hao asked again. However, what responded to him was the old man with the goat beard furiously attacking the Purple Qi, seemingly trying to escape from within. But his strength was insufficient, and it was difficult for him to break free. Observing the old man, Jiang Hao did not delay any further. Jiang Hao executed the first form of the Heavenly Saber, with saber intent appearing at his fingertips. Immediately after, the saber intent from his fingers surged towards the old man, aiming to kill him in his palm. For a moment, saber light rampaged within the palm-sized universe, and the old man was severely wounded by the Moon Slash¡¯s saber intent. When he was at his last breath, Jiang Hao casually tossed him out. Finally, the old man fell from the palm-sized universe and landed on the ground. ¡°It¡¯s a pity, but you can¡¯t fall alive into the abyss,¡± Jiang Hao said coldly. ¡°You... you...¡± The old man with the goat beard was so angry he couldn¡¯t speak. He was filled with rage and unwillingness, as well as shock and fear. ¡°In your next life, remember not to be my enemy. It¡¯s better for everyone,¡± Jiang Hao kindly advised. As his words fell, he appeared beside the old man and used the Heavenly Saber to end his life. After waiting a while post-death, he struck two more times to be sure. Only then did he feel at ease. After taking the man¡¯s storage treasure, he threw the body into the abyss. Watching as the body was completely devoured by the abyss, Jiang Hao then turned his attention to the Calamity Bead. ¡°It looks like I¡¯ll have to break the formation myself; I wonder how much time it will take.¡± The great battle outside had begun, and it should be completely over in not too many days. This place might be discovered by others, so the sooner he could leave, the better, to avoid any unexpected encounters. Before taking action, Jiang Hao checked the Nascent Soul¡¯s storage treasure. He wasn¡¯t too concerned about the other items, but he was most interested in the spirit stones. He was quite surprised. ¡°So many?¡± There were a total of twelve thousand spirit stones. But then he thought about it ¨C is that all a Nascent Soul has? A Nascent Soul is not a Golden Core; they should be quite wealthy by comparison. But then Jiang Hao thought of himself ¨C he only had a thousand spirit stones, most of which he had just robbed. Compared to the other, his own assets were sometimes not even as much as a Foundation Establishment¡¯s. Although others don¡¯t need to nourish a divine tree or rabbits, they need to cultivate. His only advantage is that he doesn¡¯t need to spend spirit stones to cultivate. ¡°It seems that wealth cannot be completely measured by one¡¯s cultivation level.¡± As for not having robbed the other Nascent Soul¡¯s storage treasure, there was no need to worry about that. When killing an enemy, one must give their full attention, undistracted. If one focuses on the opponent¡¯s storage treasure, they might make a mistake in their attack. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The storage treasure is minor; the main thing is to kill the enemy. Chapter 193 - Is Jiang Hao Dead? Chapter 193: Is Jiang Hao Dead? He briefly looked at the other items in the storage treasure. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t find any particularly valuable items. It seemed as if all the good things had been used up. Aside from some healing pills, there were no cultivation pills at all. ¡°Is it because they felt there was no hope of advancement? Or did they just happen to use them all up?¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t know. However, he found a book, a cultivation method called ¡¶Heavenly Saint Life Technique¡·. ¡°A Tiansheng Sect¡¯s cultivation method?¡± Out of curiosity, Jiang Hao briefly looked through it and indeed found it to be a Tiansheng Sect¡¯s cultivation method. It contained normal cultivation methods as well as mental techniques. ¡°Is it a Heavenly Saint mental technique? I wonder how it compares to the Great Thousand Spirit Technique in terms of power.¡± ¡°According to the description of the technique, it seems to focus somewhat on external appearances, and overall, it seems to be not much different from the Tianyin Hundred Revolutions. But with the addition of the mental technique, it should be slightly stronger.¡± After a rough understanding, Jiang Hao put the items away. Naturally, he would not cultivate this technique; it was meaningless to him. The same went for the mental technique, which he would see if he could sell later. It should fetch a good number of spirit stones. After putting the items away, Jiang Hao decided to forcefully break the formation, starting with the defensive formation. Holding the Heavenly Saber, he began attacking the formation while the divine powers were still present. ...... The next day, around noon, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. The formation was finally almost broken, which was more difficult than he had anticipated. If those two early-stage Nascent Souls had tried to break it, they could have completely succeeded last night. Now he arrived at the highest point, where there was one last defense. Once broken, he could reach the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead. But once broken, misfortune would surge out, and it was uncertain how much it would affect. After a moment of silence, Jiang Hao let Purple Qi envelop his entire body, and only after confirming there was no danger did he deliver the final strike. Crack! The Heavenly Saber came down as if shattering something. In the next instant, the Calamity Bead emitted a bright red light, and an aura of misfortune swept the surroundings. However, in front of the Heavenly Saber, all misfortune was cleaved apart like waves. The Heavenly Saber feared no misfortune. Seeing this, Jiang Hao stimulated the power of the Heavenly Saber with Purple Qi, suppressing the erupting aura of misfortune. The moment the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead was suppressed, he used a spell, Universe in the Palm. In an instant, Purple Qi burst forth, and this time Jiang Hao used all his strength to seal the Bead before him. Fortunately, the Calamity Bead was ownerless and did not resist. The Purple Qi blew and sealed the entire Calamity Bead. After completing the seal, it automatically flew into Jiang Hao¡¯s palm, but it was just hovering over it. Jiang Hao dared not touch it, and not only did he not dare, but he also immediately let it go, allowing it to fall back to its original position without undoing the seal. After making sure he was fine, he then observed his surroundings. The Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead was sealed, and the surrounding misfortune power did not disappear but was no longer active. It seemed that with the source gone, it lost its vitality. ¡°It seems the sealing effect is not bad.¡± Afterward, Jiang Hao turned his attention to the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead, which now looked like a purple-red bead, though a closer inspection would reveal the red within. ¡°Appraisal.¡± Regardless of whether it seemed well-sealed, it needed to be identified to prevent any hidden dangers. ¡¾Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead: A fortune-based artifact, sealed by the Universe in the Palm, will automatically break free from the seal in fifteen days. If no one suppresses it, the aura of misfortune will gradually spread, bringing calamity to all living beings and leaving corpses everywhere. Under this seal, the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead can suppress curses.¡¿ ¡°Fifteen days?¡± Jiang Hao fell silent for a moment, then sat cross-legged to recover his cultivation. He was not in a hurry to leave but needed to be sure of one thing. At night, he recovered to his peak but did not open his eyes, continuing to cultivate. ...... The next morning. Jiang Hao opened his eyes, activated Hidden Spirit Manifestation, and then once again used the Universe in the Palm. Purple Qi covered the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead, and after a moment, it was sealed again. ¡°Appraisal.¡± Jiang Hao dispelled the Hidden Spirit Manifestation and performed the identification. He needed to know if the sealing effect could be stacked. If it could, he would take it with him; if not, he would abandon it. Fifteen days was not short, but if he fell into a coma or was cultivating, fifteen days was too brief. Once the seal was broken, no one knew what could happen. He himself might not escape death. ¡¾Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead: A fortune-based artifact, sealed by the Universe in the Palm, will automatically break free from the seal in twenty-nine days. If no one suppresses it, the aura of misfortune will gradually spread, bringing calamity to all living beings and leaving corpses everywhere. Under this seal, the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead can suppress curses.¡¿ ¡°It seems it can be stacked, but I don¡¯t know what the limit is.¡± This time, Jiang Hao did not continue to wait but got up and left. He could not continue to experiment; it was time to go back. If it could be stacked, there was nothing to fear. He would just seal it once a day. If one day he really needed to use it, he would unseal it. But the Calamity Bead was too deadly; he dared not use it unless absolutely necessary. He was actually curious about what the person who originally made the Calamity Bead was thinking. It was as if it was made to annihilate all living beings. ¡°However, in this state, it can suppress curses, which is somewhat useful.¡± Without further thought, Jiang Hao sped up his departure from the ruins. It took a lot of time to enter, but it felt particularly quick to leave. ...... After a short while, Jiang Hao stood outside the ruins and took a deep breath. That heavy feeling was gone. The sensation below the ruins was indeed due to the mountain and river¡¯s power suppressing the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead. ¡°I need to make sure if the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead behaves the same outside as it did inside the ruins. Perhaps outside, it will be more active, and there is a possibility that the time to break through the seal could be shortened.¡± With this concern, Jiang Hao started heading towards the defensive line. Before leaving, he glanced at the core area. Although there was still some power shining there, it was much weaker than before. It seemed to be coming to an end. Now that he was returning, what awaited him was probably just the final cleanup. At most, it would delay him for another month or two. ...... Defensive Line Zheng Shijiu sat by a tree, covered in many wounds. Fortunately, he had time to rest. After several days of effort, the defensive line had returned to normal. All that was left was to wait for their rest to end, then go in and clean up the demons. Moreover, the blockade here seemed to have disappeared, meaning they were in an invincible position. There will be support coming at least. ¡°It seems that the matters here will be over in a month or two.¡± ¡°So many days have passed, if Senior Sister Ye Ji and the others were successful, shouldn¡¯t they be back by now?¡± Le You¡¯s hands were nearly ruined, but fortunately, there were medicinal pills, and the healing power of the Hengliu Waterfall was quite strong, so there was no immediate worry. ¡°It should still take a few more days,¡± Xin Yuyue said, her injuries severe, not even knowing where to rest. She could only stay with Zheng Shijiu and the others, where it was somewhat safer. ¡°According to what you¡¯ve said, if someone comes back, Jiang Hao Junior Brother must be among them, right?¡± Le You asked. Zheng Shijiu and Xin Yuyue fell silent for a moment before nodding slightly. ¡°Why?¡± Le You was puzzled. ¡°Just a hunch,¡± said Zheng Shijiu. They waited for three more days. Sure enough, they saw people returning, but it wasn¡¯t Jiang Hao; it was two other Foundation Establishment cultivators at the peak of their stage, a man and a woman. Both were seriously injured, having narrowly escaped death. Seeing the grateful looks from others, they felt for a moment that they had achieved a great feat, constantly talking about how they risked their lives to cover for Senior Sister Ye Ji and the others. After listening for a while, Zheng Shijiu, who was puzzled, asked about Jiang Hao. However, the answer he received was that Jiang Hao had died early on. Being the weakest in the late Foundation Establishment stage, he was the first to fall behind. His death was quite normal. Dead? Zheng Shijiu found it hard to believe. Le You also sighed; Jiang Hao was a good person, and they had cooperated a few times. His death was somewhat regrettable. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 194 - Wasn’t he said to be dead? Chapter 194: Wasn¡¯t he said to be dead? Zheng Shijiu still couldn¡¯t quite believe it. Moreover, Senior Sister Ye Ji had not returned, so nothing was certain. Two more days passed. Still, no one returned. Not Jiang Hao, not even Senior Sister Ye Ji or Senior Brother Lan Feng. This was strange. Was there a delay, or had an accident occurred? Because no one had returned for a long time, the two who had initially survived felt a sense of superiority. Sometimes, they would even mock others for not being as fearless as them, and by the way, they would indirectly trample on Jiang Hao, saying he failed to detect the demons¡¯ movements in time, leading to their encounter with danger and ultimately, this crisis cost him his life. Listening to what the others were trying to express, both openly and covertly, Zheng Shijiu always felt it was unlikely. However, those two were also worried about others returning and didn¡¯t dare to speak directly, instead intentionally revealing bits of information for others to guess. ...... Three more days passed. Still, no one returned, which was even more puzzling. The crisis had been resolved, and those who had made great contributions should have returned by now. The delay shouldn¡¯t have been this long. On that day, Jin Long gathered everyone and said: ¡°Those who have mostly recovered from their injuries, follow me to clear out the demons. Since Junior Sister Ye Ji and the others have not returned for a long time, they might be trapped inside. We¡¯ll fight our way in to support them.¡± No one refused, nor could they refuse. However, those with severe injuries did not need to go. Xin Yuyue and Le You had recovered quite a bit, so they also planned to go in. Clearing out demons also earned merits. It would be good to mix in and get some spirit stones, and they could just hang back when the time came. Zheng Shijiu was already planning to go in, so there was no need for further thought. ...... Two days later. They encountered a large number of demons and began to fight. Fortunately, these were demons acting on instinct. They had taken over this place and saw it as their territory, so they would attack proactively. Zheng Shijiu swung his paper fan, his attacks sharp and fierce. This time, since there was no rush, he fought at a steady pace, slowly retreating while fighting. Le You and Xin Yuyue did the same, dragging out the fight with one demon while the main force dealt with the others. Soon, the three of them retreated to a less crowded area and exchanged glances. ¡°...¡± Everyone felt a bit awkward after knowing each other¡¯s intentions. ¡°Haha, the two Junior Sisters have worked hard. These demons are really tough,¡± Zheng Shijiu said with a laugh. ¡°Senior Brother makes a good point,¡± Xin Yuyue replied with an awkward smile. Le You remained calm, simply nodding. Then the three of them went back into the fray, but it wasn¡¯t long before they retreated again. Zheng Shijiu was somewhat speechless; why couldn¡¯t these people find a different place to retreat to? Xin Yuyue and Le You did this, and so did Jiang Hao. Huh? Jiang Hao? Zheng Shijiu looked at Jiang Hao on the edge, dodging the demons¡¯ attacks, and was astonished. Xin Yuyue and Le You also saw him. How was Jiang Hao here? Wasn¡¯t he said to be dead? At that moment, Jiang Hao was also quite helpless. He had deliberately delayed for a few days before finally catching up, only to find that they had already started clearing out the demons, so he joined in. This time he had no intention of killing demons and could only waste time with one on the edge. Stepping aside, he noticed that many people shared his thoughts. The Demon Sect truly lived up to its name, somewhat lacking in collective consciousness. To avoid drawing attention, he changed locations to pass the time and then ran into Senior Brother Zheng and others. He realized that such people existed everywhere. After killing a demon, Jiang Hao greeted them. It had been many days since they last met, so he casually inquired about the current situation. At this moment, Le You and Xin Yuyue were also surprised; this was really Jiang Hao. But why was he here? It wasn¡¯t a big deal, but why was he, like them, engaged in combat with demons? Could it be that he had been among the crowd for a long time? ¡°When did Junior Brother Jiang return?¡± Zheng Shijiu was the first to speak upon seeing Jiang Hao approach. ¡°I just got back just now and joined in the fight against the demons when I saw everyone else doing so,¡± Jiang Hao replied. The three of them were silent... Although it made sense, something still felt odd. When the two Foundation Establishment completions returned earlier, there was a big celebration with cheers from everyone. But when Jiang Hao returned, not only did no one know, but he also inexplicably blended in with them. After hesitating for a moment, Zheng Shijiu briefed him on the events of the past few days. This included the matter of the two Foundation Establishment completions. I died? Jiang Hao was puzzled but found it plausible. Indeed, it would have been difficult for him to survive when he was covering the rear. ¡°I hid at that time and was lucky to survive. I¡¯ve been healing up until now, and after much hesitation, I felt my strength was limited, so I didn¡¯t follow Senior Sister Ye Ji and the others but instead came back,¡± Jiang Hao roughly explained. Zheng Shijiu nodded. He didn¡¯t delve into the details. He wasn¡¯t sure whether Senior Sister Ye Ji and the others got along well with Jiang Hao. But he knew a bit about those two; the fate of those who cooperated with them wasn¡¯t usually good. If they had targeted Jiang Hao, he had reason to suspect that none of those people would return. ¡°Is it just cleanup work left now? It seems to be the merit of Senior Sister Ye Ji and the others,¡± Jiang Hao said calmly. Hearing this, Zheng Shijiu and Xin Yuyue felt quite strange. It was like the first time they came to the Demon Cavern, mentioning the people from Tianhuan Pavilion at the last moment. Le You didn¡¯t speak; she naturally remembered what Zheng Shijiu and the others had said. But it didn¡¯t seem quite right. The Junior Brother in front of them indeed had a late Foundation Establishment cultivation. But after all, late Foundation Establishment was just that, how could he turn the tide? Afterward, the group didn¡¯t say much more and continued to clear out the demons. They were of one mind, so they cooperated in fighting the enemy. This time, they advanced without retreating, led by Jin Long, pushing forward all the way. Some also followed the path taken by Ye Ji and the others. Half a month later, they found the bodies of two Foundation Establishment completions. Everyone felt a bit regretful. ...... However, they did not stop their advance. Another half month passed, and they cleared many demons and found another body. Out of the original thirteen, only three returned alive, with three bodies found. Now, the fate of seven was still unknown. Another half month of pushing forward, they found another body. Six remained. Of course, most people didn¡¯t know that Jiang Hao had returned alive. In their minds, Jiang Hao was also considered dead, so there were still only six whose fates were uncertain. Another half month passed, and they discovered a ruin and found the shattered body of Lan Feng. A Golden Core had died. This weighed heavily on the others; previously, they feared nothing when only Foundation Establishment cultivators died. But now, even a Golden Core had not survived, and no one knew why. Perhaps there was a powerful enemy lurking in the shadows? Faced with the ruins, many were eager to explore. Jin Long was also very tempted. Most people thought this was the place Senior Sister Ye Ji and the others had mentioned. Perhaps there was no longer any danger inside. ¡°Does Junior Brother Jiang want to go in and take a look?¡± Zheng Shijiu asked Jiang Hao. They had been fishing in troubled waters for two months, so their injuries had almost healed. Le You even shouldered her giant sword again. ¡°No,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. ¡°Such places are usually quite dangerous.¡± He truly did not want to go in; the presence of a great force inside made him uncomfortable. And with treasures already in his storage magic item, there was no need to enter. So far, the Calamity Bead could still be sealed normally. He sealed it once every day. Now, more than two years remained before the Calamity Bead¡¯s seal would break. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Two months had passed without any sound from the core, indicating that everything had ended. The demon clearing was almost over, and reaching this point also meant that the cleanup was nearing its end. Chapter 195 - Causing a Big Stir Again Chapter 195: Causing a Big Stir Again The group waited outside the ruins for most of the day. In the end, Jiang Hao saw Jin Long leading people inside while another Foundation Establishment completion Senior Brother temporarily took charge outside. However, among the hundreds of people, there were quite a few at the completion level of the Foundation Establishment, and it was difficult for the other party to command respect. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t care much about it. They were still far from the hiding place of the short demon, so there shouldn¡¯t be any Golden Core level demons around. Otherwise, he would be in trouble. If he couldn¡¯t handle the situation with force, escaping would also make him an easy target. Over these days, he had realized one thing: the source of the orders was what he had shattered. It seemed that even if Senior Sister Ye Ji and the others found the source, entering it would be a death sentence. Not to mention the Nascent Soul level guards, just the short demon alone were of Nascent Soul cultivation. Therefore, to stop them, Nascent Soul cultivators would need to go. ¡°Senior Brother, have you heard of this place?¡± Xin Yuyue asked Zheng Shijiu. ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of it,¡± Zheng Shijiu shook his head. ¡°I¡¯ve read many records about the Demon Cavern, and none mentioned any strange structures. But many records do say that the Demon Cavern holds many opportunities, and anything could be encountered.¡± It was well known that the Demon Cavern offered opportunities, and many present had gained something from it, more or less. Spiritual herbs and treasures could almost always be found. Jiang Hao had also come across some spiritual herbs in these days. Although they weren¡¯t very good, all of them could still sell for over a thousand spirit stones once they matured. However, maturation required a lot of time, and transplantation often led to death. In the end, he gave up. His only regret was that in the two months of clearing out demons, he had only gathered some white bubbles, occasionally picking up one or two blue bubbles along the way. Everything seemed to have returned to the time when he had just started cultivating, accumulating cultivation and vital energy all down to luck. ¡°I wonder what¡¯s inside,¡± Le You said, looking at the ruins with great curiosity. ¡°It¡¯s probably not very safe,¡± Jiang Hao commented indifferently. However, before they could discuss for long, Jiang Hao suddenly looked to the side. ¡°Someone is coming,¡± he warned. Many already knew about his keen senses, so there was no need to hide it. As long as he didn¡¯t show off too much, it was fine. Sure enough, a group of people was heading their way. The one leading them was Ning Xuan, Senior Sister from their Duanqing Cliff, at the early stage of Nascent Soul. Their arrival indicated that the two parties were in communication. The others also realized this and became somewhat nervous. Ning Xuan announced her name and released her pressure before saying, ¡°Who is in charge? Come out and explain the situation.¡± At this point, the previous Foundation Establishment completion stepped forward while trembling. ¡°Things are getting lively now, but also safer,¡± Zheng Shijiu commented with a bit of schadenfreude. The arrival of the strong also meant increased safety for them. ¡°Did they go in?¡± Ning Xuan frowned and then ordered several Golden Core cultivators to surround the ruins. Just when others thought they were going to enter, they heard an unbelievable command. ¡°If anyone comes out with something red, don¡¯t hesitate and kill them on the spot. Make sure to kill them before they fully emerge. If any red light appears, do not hold back.¡± Zheng Shijiu and the others were shocked, having no idea why the other party would issue such an order. Jiang Hao¡¯s brow furrowed slightly; Senior Sister Ning Xuan actually knew what was inside. But he was puzzled. If the existence of the ruins was known, why wasn¡¯t this area under control? Soon he noticed that Senior Sister Ning Xuan was sending a message back, seemingly surprised by the appearance of the ruins. ¡®Could it be that the ruins have just surfaced?¡¯ Jiang Hao thought it highly likely. Otherwise, why would it be so easy to enter? As for why they surfaced, it was naturally the work of those demons. And it was possible that the ruins were also something that the sect¡¯s seniors had suppressed along with the core. If this speculation held true, then there might be more ruins in the Demon Cavern. At this moment, Golden Core Senior Brothers and Sisters began to disperse the crowd. Many noticed that Senior Sister Ning Xuan was treating the entrance to the ruins as if facing a formidable enemy. ¡°What exactly is inside? What makes Senior Sister Ning Xuan so nervous? I remember she is a Nascent Soul stage powerhouse,¡± Zheng Shijiu was puzzled. Jiang Hao shook his head; he knew but couldn¡¯t speak out. After all, the thing that Senior Sister Ning Xuan was guarding against was on him. If discovered, he didn¡¯t know what he would face. At night, under the starlight, everyone was watching the entrance to the ruins. Thump. Thump. Footsteps emerged from the entrance. The number of people was not small. Everyone tensed up at once, and Ning Xuan, with a movement of her beautiful eyes, said coldly, sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Everyone inside, stop where you are. The first one, walk out towards us and stand at the entrance without moving, or you will be killed on the spot.¡± ¡°Have you all gone mad? It¡¯s me, Jin Long,¡± Jin Long shouted loudly, seemingly angry and quickening his pace instead of slowing down. ¡°I said stop,¡± Fairy Ning Xuan¡¯s voice was ice cold, like a blizzard. Boom! In an instant, the power of an early-stage Nascent Soul swept across in all directions. Bang! The formidable force severely injured everyone inside. Cries of pain and terror echoed out. ¡°Crawl out one by one, submit to interrogation and inspection. Anyone who doesn¡¯t cooperate will be treated as a traitor and killed on the spot,¡± Ning Xuan¡¯s voice was deep and serious. In a moment, Jin Long, who was injured inside, was scared witless and quickly agreed to comply. He was the first to crawl to the entrance, only to be stunned as he found himself surrounded by dozens of Golden Core cultivators. This left him somewhat bewildered. ¡°What did you find inside? What did you see?¡± Fairy Ning Xuan asked directly. ¡°We only saw a floating stone platform and pathways, along with a few corpses. We didn¡¯t see anything else, nor did we obtain anything,¡± Jin Long replied. ¡°Did you see any red light?¡± Fairy Ning Xuan inquired. ¡°No,¡± Jin Long quickly shook his head. Indeed, he had not seen any red light. ¡°Did you explore every place?¡± Fairy Ning Xuan continued. ¡°We should have, but we don¡¯t know if there are any hidden areas,¡± Jin Long answered truthfully. He had indeed traversed all known areas, but he had not found Ye Ji nor any treasures. ¡°Empty your storage bag, leave nothing behind,¡± Fairy Ning Xuan commanded. Although Jin Long was reluctant, he had to obey; he realized that if he dared to refuse, he would die right there. He regretted entering this place¡ªwhat was the point? Soon, everyone was inspected, and no red light or related items were found. Ning Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. Actually, killing all these people inside would have been the most suitable action. But even if they were killed, it was necessary to ensure that nothing had been taken out, so killing them was not very meaningful unless something was indeed found. Then, everything would be irreparable, and the only option would be to kill and then wait for the sect to handle it. In truth, she didn¡¯t know what was inside. She was just following orders, orders that no one could defy. However, it was good that nothing was found; if there had been, whether she could survive was another matter. According to the map, this place should have been a lawn, not a building. The order she received was to check the situation here; it was best not to see any buildings, but if one was found, she had to guard it and wait for further instructions, forbidding anyone from entering. If someone did enter, she had to thoroughly investigate. The warning in the order was clear: if the red light appeared outside the building, no one would survive. So when she arrived and saw a group of people gathered here, she knew something was wrong. Fortunately, there was no immediate danger. ¡°Take them into custody and wait for the Hall of Enforcement to interrogate them,¡± Fairy Ning Xuan instructed. She couldn¡¯t make decisions about this matter, so she could only temporarily control the situation. Watching all this, Jiang Hao sighed inwardly. The impact was indeed significant. Fortunately, no one was planning to go in and investigate further. This way, they were uncertain whether anything had been taken away. He wondered if the people from the Hall of Enforcement would go mad and check everyone¡¯s storage treasures. Logically, they shouldn¡¯t; even when he was captured, Liu Xingchen didn¡¯t have the authority to inspect them¡ªonly the person in charge could. But if the higher-ups in the sect knew about the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead, who knew if they would really check. After all, if the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead appeared within the sect, the entire Tianyin Sect would be doomed. Jiang Hao remained calm, waiting for the Hall of Enforcement to arrive. Chapter 196 - The People from the Hall of Enforcement Have Arrived Chapter 196: The People from the Hall of Enforcement Have Arrived At a distance far from the ruins, Jiang Hao and the others rested on the spot, surrounded by Golden Core cultivators. It seemed they were also on guard against them. ¡®Just now, looking at their storage treasures, although there aren¡¯t as many Foundation Establishment cultivators, they are indeed much stronger than those outside. Jin Long is particularly wealthy, with over ten thousand spirit stones.¡¯ ¡®Now that I think about it, Senior Sister Ye Ji¡¯s storage treasure must also have had quite a few spirit stones. What a pity.¡¯ ¡°The people from the Hall of Enforcement have arrived; it seems the matter here is quite serious,¡± Zheng Shijiu looked around and said. ¡°It seems we are also considered suspects.¡± ¡°Mhm,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. They were indeed treated as suspects, but logically, they shouldn¡¯t have any problems. As long as they hadn¡¯t done anything to defy the sect, they could wait peacefully to be dismissed. But Jiang Hao still had the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead hidden on him, which wouldn¡¯t withstand a thorough investigation. ...... Two days later. Jiang Hao and the others received news that over ninety percent of the demons in the Demon Cavern had been cleared. They could dismantle the defenses and return to report. After that, as long as the demons did not venture to the outskirts, there was no need to pay them any mind. Stars continued to fall within the core beam, which also became stable. The Tianyin Sect emerged victorious, with minor losses on the outside, the internal situation remained unknown. Since Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t get close, he also lacked the qualifications to know. However, the Tianyin Sect didn¡¯t completely annihilate the demons, which could be seen as giving them a chance. After waiting another two days, Jiang Hao saw the surrounded structure begin to move. ¡°The ruins is descending,¡± said Zheng Shijiu. Le You and Xin Yuyue also looked on in astonishment. The guarded individuals, like Jin Long, turned pale; if they didn¡¯t come out now, they probably never would. They would surely die inside. It wasn¡¯t just Jin Long; Jiang Hao also felt a chill of fear. Had he not noticed the disappearance of the ruins¡¯s entrance, he would have been trapped inside. Perhaps he could only have escaped by relying on the Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman, and if that failed, he would likely spend his days hoping for Hong Yuye to come find him. The ruins slowly sank into the ground under everyone¡¯s gaze, and after a long while, no structures remained. All that was left was a grassland. Many were shocked. Jiang Hao stared at the normal ground, unable to detect anything unusual. If he couldn¡¯t sense it, it would be even harder for others. For a moment, he looked towards the core of the Demon Cavern, wondering what secrets it held that could make the outside so magical. According to Hong Yuye, there might be ancient powerhouses still alive inside, but it felt unreal. If not living powerhouses, then was it their inheritance? What kind of inheritance could cause such phenomena? Jiang Hao shook his head, giving up on trying to figure it out; it was irrelevant to him for the time being. He took a deep breath, sat down on the ground, and closed his eyes to rest. The next day, a commotion arose as people from the Hall of Enforcement arrived. ¡°Senior Sister Ning Xuan has worked hard; we¡¯ll take these people off your hands.¡± A familiar voice came through. ¡®Liu Xingchen?¡¯ Jiang Hao raised an eyebrow and looked over. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Indeed, standing before Senior Sister Ning Xuan was a man of extraordinary bearing. It was Liu Xingchen from the Hall of Enforcement. In Jiang Hao¡¯s eyes, Liu Xingchen¡¯s aura hadn¡¯t changed much from before. This meant that the two who had taken over his body had not made a move yet. A detailed assessment was needed. Soon, Liu Xingchen began to investigate Jin Long and the others, not by questioning but by using a magical treasure. It was a mirror that covered Jin Long and the others, seemingly binding their souls and tracing their past actions. Tianyuan Shaping Divine Mirror? Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised as he watched the mirror. He had heard Liu Xingchen mention this treasure before, but it didn¡¯t seem like something an ordinary cultivator could use. Liu Xingchen shouldn¡¯t have the qualifications to use it. To confirm, he assessed the mirror. ¡¾Fake Tianyuan Shaping Divine Mirror: A treasure crafted to imitate the Tianyuan Shaping Divine Mirror, tainted with a hint of its essence, capable of simple causal tracing. Often used by the Tianyin Sect¡¯s Hall of Enforcement for investigations.¡¿ Relieved by the feedback, Jiang Hao was glad it wasn¡¯t the Tianyuan Shaping Divine Mirror. Normal investigative methods wouldn¡¯t reveal his secrets; the Hall of Enforcement¡¯s failure to find evidence several times proved that. So far, only the Tianyuan Shaping Divine Mirror posed a threat to him. ¡°There¡¯s no problem,¡± Liu Xingchen concluded. Jin Long and the others sighed in relief, as did Fairy Ning Xuan. ¡°But...¡± Liu Xingchen spoke again. The few who had relaxed tensed up once more. ¡°However, this is not enough; we need to understand more, so...¡± Liu Xingchen looked at Jin Long and said. ¡°Junior Brother Jin and the other Junior Brothers and Sisters who entered must come back with us for further investigation. As for the others, a simple investigation is needed.¡± Then, others from the Hall of Enforcement took out a bowl of water, and countless droplets flew up with the surge of a spell. ¡°Everyone, catch the water in your hands.¡± Upon hearing this, Jiang Hao and the others extended their hands to catch the droplets. The moment he caught it, Jiang Hao understood this was a test for the aura of misfortune. He had no issues. However, someone nearby, upon catching a water droplet, suddenly emitted a black light. This frightened everyone, including the people from the Hall of Enforcement and Fairy Ning Xuan. Jiang Hao could only sympathize with the unfortunate individual; he might have such a constitution or just happened to possess a similar magical treasure. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s just a trace of black light. It might just be a coincidence. We¡¯ll take him back for investigation first,¡± Liu Xingchen said calmly. After that, there were no more issues. Once the people from the Hall of Enforcement left, Jiang Hao and the others received orders from the sect. The mission was over and they could return. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief; it had been over three months. Many were curious about where Senior Sister Ye Ji, who had made significant contributions, had gone. Perhaps she stayed inside the ruins? Because Jin Long was captured and the Hall of Enforcement intervened, people didn¡¯t pay much attention. ...... A few days later, Jiang Hao and the others left the Demon Cavern. ¡°Then let¡¯s part ways here, and I hope to encounter you all again on the next mission,¡± Zheng Shijiu sincerely said at the entrance of the Demon Cavern. Xin Yuyue felt the same way. So did Jiang Hao. These people were very safe to be around and wouldn¡¯t hinder him. Le You simply nodded in response as a polite gesture. She had cooperated the least, and she also had her doubts. Watching them leave, Le You made her way back to Hengliu Waterfall. This mission had been extremely perilous, and she had nearly been left behind. Fortunately, someone had disrupted the source of the demon¡¯s command, and Zheng Shijiu and the others said it had something to do with Jiang Hao. But everyone in their defense line thought it was Senior Sister Ye Ji. ¡°Junior Sister, you¡¯re back?¡± A fairy in a blue celestial dress greeted her with a smile. ¡°Senior Sister Cheng,¡± Le You quickly greeted her with the proper respects. Cheng Ran, a fairy, was on the verge of advancing from a complete Golden Core to a Nascent Soul and was a true disciple of Hengliu Waterfall. She was the true disciple Le You was most familiar with. ¡°I heard that you all came back safely, all thanks to the efforts of Duanqing Cliff,¡± Fairy Cheng Ran said. ¡°Duanqing Cliff?¡± Le You subconsciously thought of Jiang Hao, whom Zheng Shijiu and the others had mentioned. She wondered, did Senior Sister also think this way? She soon realized she was on the wrong track. ¡°This time there was a commander behind the demon, and in the end, the credit went to Senior Sister Ning Xuan of Duanqing Cliff,¡± Fairy Cheng Ran said, then seemed puzzled. ¡°However, I heard that Ning Xuan just happened to pick up the credit, and the real end to the source of the command was someone else.¡± Chapter 197 - Too Inferior to Lift One’s Head Chapter 197: Too Inferior to Lift One¡¯s Head ¡°Someone else?¡± Le You was surprised. And wasn¡¯t this credit supposed to go to Senior Sister Ye Ji? ¡°Ye Ji? With her initial Golden Core stage, she¡¯s not qualified to resolve this matter,¡± Fairy Cheng Ran explained. ¡°The command source was guarded by many, the weakest being around the middle Golden Core stage, and there were even quite a few at the initial Nascent Soul stage. What could someone at the initial Golden Core stage do to resolve this?¡± ¡°If it wasn¡¯t Senior Sister Ning Xuan, and it wasn¡¯t Senior Sister Ye Ji, then who was it?¡± Le You was puzzled. After a long hum, Fairy Cheng Ran finally spoke: ¡°It¡¯s hard to say, it¡¯s rumored that someone had entered that place beforehand and struck down the demon laying out the commands with the force of thunder, and Senior Sister Ning Xuan and the others were almost a day late.¡± Fairy Cheng Ran shrugged and smiled slightly, ¡°But after all, it¡¯s just hearsay, hard to tell if it¡¯s true or not. But with Nascent Soul guards inside, aside from Senior Sister Ning Xuan, no one else really has the strength to resolve this issue. Unless some chief disciples happened to pass by and helped out. But I haven¡¯t heard of anyone claiming the credit. Anyway, it¡¯s hard to say for sure since we didn¡¯t see the situation with our own eyes. It¡¯s also possible that someone is dissatisfied with Senior Sister Ning Xuan and deliberately spread the rumor. The Hall of Merits hasn¡¯t said anything, so it seems the credit is legit. There couldn¡¯t possibly be a mysterious good Samaritan who seeks neither fame nor profit, right?¡± Fairy Cheng Ran laughed as she said the last sentence. A mysterious good Samaritan? After Fairy Cheng Ran left, this phrase still echoed in Le You¡¯s mind. But remembering that it required a Nascent Soul to accomplish, she shook her head. She thought she was being influenced by Senior Brother Zheng and the others. Yet, the remarks of Zheng Shijiu and his group had planted an indelible seed in her heart. ...... After leaving the Demon Cavern, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t rush back. Instead, he went to the Enforcement Peak to turn in the mission. He received a hundred spirit stones and a piece of magical clothing. Ordinary and cheap magical clothing. Valued at two hundred and eighty-nine spirit stones. It was already very good; this time he had earned a total of four hundred spirit stones. ¡°That¡¯s quite a lot this time.¡± ¡°If it was a Golden Core, there would be several thousand spirit stones, right?¡± He still remembered the reward given to Senior Brother Mu Qi at the mine, valued at over three thousand. But Senior Brother Mu Qi was at the late Golden Core stage at the time, which was naturally different from his own Foundation Establishment stage. After putting away the spirit stones, Jiang Hao planned to buy a collar for the rabbit at the initial Golden Core stage. Taking advantage of the fact that the collar hadn¡¯t broken yet and that he still had spirit stones, he could preemptively shut the rabbit up about wanting a new collar. ...... At the market. ¡°Three thousand?¡± Hearing the price, Jiang Hao was slightly surprised. Three thousand spirit stones for the initial Golden Core stage made him wince a bit. He had finally accumulated thirteen thousand. A collar costing three thousand and hanging up the rabbit costing eight thousand one hundred would instantly suck him dry. (TLN: 100 Spirit stones eighty-one days.) The rabbit would silently consume a significant portion of his spirit stones. Moreover, in a few months, the peach tree would also undergo nirvana, possibly requiring another ten thousand. For a moment, he thought again of the now-deceased Senior Sister Ye Ji. In the end, the collar was bought for two thousand eight hundred and fifty. He saved a hundred and fifty. Afterward, he bought some rune materials to go back and make talismans to earn money. He needed to save up another ten thousand spirit stones by the end of the year, just in case. If the peach tree¡¯s nirvana required more than ten thousand spirit stones, he would have to give up. The rabbit¡¯s collar had to be a priority because it would produce another golden bubble. Now he was only one golden bubble short. ¡°I wonder what I¡¯ll get this time.¡± With a hint of anticipation, Jiang Hao headed towards Duanqing Cliff. Halfway through his journey, he suddenly heard some noisy commotion. It seemed to be the sound of a group of people fighting and cursing. He hadn¡¯t intended to pay any attention, but then he heard a familiar voice. ¡°No, it wasn¡¯t me, I didn¡¯t steal your things.¡± Jiang Hao approached and saw several outer disciples beating up a young man. Before long, the youth was pinned to the ground. Lin Zhi, Jiang Hao remembered him. Senior Brother Zheng and others had mentioned him in the Demon Cavern; he was one of the three people Jiang Hao had brought back. Because his two fellow villagers had exceptional talents, many people were paying attention to them. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°You still say it wasn¡¯t you? You think just because you know two talented fellow villagers, you can steal our things? You¡¯ve got some nerve.¡± The speaker was an adult male at the third level of Qi Refining, who kicked Lin Zhi in the head and said, ¡°You¡¯re going to compensate us with spirit stones, no matter what. You need to cough up at least five spirit stones.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t steal anything,¡± Lin Zhi replied, holding his head. ¡°You still dare to deny it,¡± the others said as they continued to beat him. ¡°You think you¡¯re something special just because you know two talented people? Don¡¯t even mention that their cultivation hasn¡¯t improved yet. Even if it does, you can¡¯t rely on them, after all, why would the strong care about the weak? Who would want to associate with someone who hasn¡¯t made any progress in over a year of cultivation? To say they know you is an insult to them. You¡¯re not even worthy of reaching for the higher branches.¡± ¡°Why talk so much? He stole our things, let him pay with spirit stones first,¡± another person said. The others immediately began searching Lin Zhi. Soon they found six spirit stones. ¡°Quite wealthy, aren¡¯t you?¡± said the third-level Qi Refining adult with a smile. At that moment, he took a small pouch from Lin Zhi¡¯s chest, which had the characters for ¡®Æ½°² (safety)¡¯ on it. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± he asked curiously. ¡°Give it back, that¡¯s the safety charm my mother got for me,¡± Lin Zhi reached out to snatch it back. ¡°What rubbish charm,¡± the man said as he threw it forcefully into the forest. ¡°Please, don¡¯t, I beg you,¡± Lin Zhi pleaded. But the safety charm was still thrown away, only to change direction mid-air and end up in Jiang Hao¡¯s hands. Jiang Hao, who had been watching for a long time, hadn¡¯t intervened, only casually catching the safety charm at this moment. Now, he turned his gaze to the outer disciples. Jiang Hao¡¯s clothing was different from theirs, signifying he was from the inner sect. For a moment, the group was panic-stricken. ¡°We¡¯ve seen Senior Brother.¡± ¡°Disperse,¡± Jiang Hao said indifferently. The group, as if granted amnesty, immediately left the area. Jiang Hao sighed inwardly. Six spirit stones. That must have been Lin Zhi¡¯s savings for the year. Outer disciples in the first few levels only receive one spirit stone per month. Six was a considerable sum. He had been through the same, but he was different from Lin Zhi. He wouldn¡¯t save his spirit stones; instead, he would use them all to improve his cultivation as quickly as possible. Only with improved cultivation would he not be targeted, and even if he was, he had no spirit stones to take. As long as he hadn¡¯t offended anyone, at worst, he would just get beaten up. Of course, back then, his cultivation improved quickly, and he lived with Qi Yang, who had great talent, so no one dared to bully them. Lin Zhi¡¯s situation was more complicated, making him an easy target. Observing Lin Zhi for a while, Jiang Hao noticed something strange about him. Logically, having six spirit stones meant at least six months at the Qi Refining first level, but why did his strength seem like he had just advanced? And there was something different about his body. ¡°How long have you been at the Qi Refining first level?¡± Jiang Hao walked over to Lin Zhi and returned the safety charm to him. ¡°E-eight months,¡± Lin Zhi said, somewhat self-consciously, as he took back the charm. That long? Jiang Hao felt it was strange; he had thought Lin Zhi was odd, which was why he had brought him back. Since it was rare, he hadn¡¯t had the chance to appraise it. Thinking this, he quietly activated his appraisal ability. Chapter 198 - Finding a Scapegoat Chapter 198: Finding a Scapegoat The surrounding grass and trees gently swayed. Lin Zhi struggled to his feet, trembling slightly from pain, his hair disheveled and a bruise visible on his mouth, with many footprints on his clothes. He hung his head low, not daring to look around, fearing it would attract unwanted attention. Currently, only Jiang Hao was looking at him, with a flash of divine light in his eyes. The Daily Appraisal provided feedback. ¡¾Lin Zhi: Qi Refining first level, ordinary cultivation talent, Tianyin Sect outer disciple. As a child, he encountered a dying ancient sage, Gu Ming, who was touched by a simple act of kindness involving a simple cake. Gu Ming let go of his regrets about his impending death, perhaps out of gratitude or because he felt a destined connection, and thus he bestowed the Mingyue Sect¡¯s treasured Starry Moon Pearl into Lin Zhi¡¯s soul. His cultivation has been stagnant because the Starry Moon Pearl absorbs spiritual energy, which, once sufficient, can nourish him in return, helping him leap into the Foundation Establishment stage. Suitable for practicing the Stellar Sun and Moon Technique.¡¿ ¡°So that¡¯s how it is.¡± Jiang Hao understood and felt a sense of fate; his connection with the Mingyue Sect was indeed profound. Chu Chuan was related to the Mingyue Sect, and so was Lin Zhi, surprisingly. What would others do if they discovered this secret? The question surfaced in Jiang Hao¡¯s mind. And the answer he arrived at was that they would kill him, attempting to seize the treasure. Jiang Hao had no interest in this treasure; even if he did, he wouldn¡¯t resort to violence. He had treasures of his own; one more wouldn¡¯t make a difference, nor would one less. There¡¯s no need for any physical intervention. ¡°Feeling unwilling to accept it?¡± Jiang Hao asked. Lin Zhi lowered his head and did not respond for a moment. After a pause, he finally said, ¡°I-I didn¡¯t steal anything.¡± Jiang Hao smiled slightly and said, ¡°I know, and so do the people who hit you. They were just looking for an excuse to snatch the spirit stones from you. Such things are not uncommon in the sect, and they have always been there.¡± Lin Zhi¡¯s fists clenched subconsciously, then relaxed weakly, as if resigning to his fate. Jiang Hao saw all of this and spoke with a calm tone. ¡°Having two friends with exceptional talent is something you can¡¯t choose. But how you act and face the situation is your choice. Just remember, whatever choice you make, you need to understand where you stand.¡± Lin Zhi looked at Jiang Hao with a hint of confusion, not understanding the meaning of his words. With a light chuckle, Jiang Hao, walking ahead, said, ¡°Whether you like it or not, this is the Demon Sect, feared by outsiders. Most of your fellow disciples are covetous, and what you need to do is not to save spirit stones or think about how to face the two friends from your hometown. Instead, use the spirit stones in your hand to cultivate as quickly as possible. However, your path is indeed more difficult than many others.¡± Bearing a treasure also means bearing the series of consequences that come with it. In the early stages, it¡¯s hard to make progress in cultivation, and you have to endure the strange looks from your fellow disciples, experience the warmth and coldness of human relationships, not only face them but also withstand the pain. The mental pressure far exceeds the physical pressure. If you succeed, you may rise rapidly. If you fail, you¡¯ll be like dust in the soil, living in a daze. On the way back, Jiang Hao did not say much else but asked, ¡°Are you having any difficulties with your cultivation?¡± ¡°I¡¯m accumulating spiritual energy, but there¡¯s some difficulty when I try to cultivate.¡± Lin Zhi replied, knowing that his Senior Brother was going to guide him in cultivation and not daring to hesitate. ¡°The cultivation technique of Tianyin Hundred Revolutions is related to sonic vibrations. When it¡¯s operated, the meridians will vibrate slightly. Try to feel it and resonate with it. It can help you cultivate a bit faster,¡± Jiang Hao began to explain. He talked a lot along the way, but only to help explain. He didn¡¯t do anything more. Whether it was about the situation with the Starry Moon Pearl or whether to change the cultivation technique, he didn¡¯t mention it. After talking all the way, he was somewhat puzzled as to why the ancient sage, Gu Ming, would take an interest in Lin Zhi. ¡°Average talent, average temperament, average perseverance, average in other aspects as well. How could such a person be suitable for possessing a treasure? Isn¡¯t this harming him?¡± Watching Lin Zhi return to his place, Jiang Hao was baffled. He hid himself and stood at a distance. No matter how average Lin Zhi was, he was ultimately the owner of a treasure. His future had already been affected, but such a person would find it very difficult to get out of his current predicament. The subsequent encounters with fellow disciples and friends from his hometown could deal him endless and fatal blows. He would become increasingly embarrassed, and the psychological pressure would be like an immovable mountain weighing on his heart. Hesitating for a moment, Jiang Hao walked to the window and looked inside. This glance surprised him. In the corner of the room, Lin Zhi was sitting on the ground, continuously wiping away tears. The large teardrops were like a flood that couldn¡¯t be stopped. Jiang Hao then remembered that the other person was just a child in his teens. Being beaten, robbed, and wrongfully accused of stealing, how could he not be sad and upset? Watching him trying hard to control himself, preventing himself from crying out loud, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but sigh. After observing for a while, Lin Zhi finally dried his tears. He took a small box out of the drawer and carefully placed the amulet inside. Looking at the amulet, he touched it gently, his eyes filled with reluctance and becoming slightly red again. Before the tears could fall, he closed the box. Then, he left the room and went to the back of the house to dig a hole. Finally, he buried the box in the ground. From now on, he had nothing left. And nothing to fear. Watching all this, Jiang Hao did not make a sound, nor was he discovered. ¡°I may have misjudged,¡± he said with a light chuckle, then turned and left. This one was stronger than he thought. But still not enough. This was just the beginning. Jiang Hao knew Lin Zhi¡¯s situation and had a suitable cultivation technique for him. But he did not step in to help him, at least not now. He needed to observe for a while longer. ...... On the way back, Jiang Hao saw someone else being beaten. Bang! A girl punched a boy into a mound of dirt. Blood stained the surroundings. ¡°It seems you¡¯ve killed him, too bad Lord Rabbit doesn¡¯t eat common folk,¡± a rabbit said regretfully as it hopped onto the girl¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Junior Sister Xiao Li, why did you suddenly strike with such force?¡± Cheng Chou asked in surprise. ¡°He asked me to be serious, he said he had advanced to the same realm as me,¡± Xiao Li said innocently. ¡°The same realm?¡± Cheng Chou sighed internally. Didn¡¯t Junior Brother Chu Chuan have any sense at all? At this moment, Chu Chuan had already passed out, his life hanging by a thread. He never imagined that despite getting stronger, the beatings he received were getting worse. Jiang Hao looked at the severely injured Chu Chuan and realized he had reached the second level of Qi Refining. ¡°Second level of Qi Refining in one year? That¡¯s fast progress.¡± Especially compared to Lin Zhi. Lin Zhi had started training earlier than Chu Chuan. But compared to Lin Zhi, Chu Chuan was quite lucky. Jiang Hao walked over. Meanwhile, the rabbit on Xiao Li¡¯s shoulder was boasting: ¡°It¡¯s almost lunchtime, let¡¯s catch a tender and rich fairy to eat. Friends on the road will give Lord Rabbit some face and won¡¯t interfere. It¡¯s decided, today we won¡¯t eat anything else, we¡¯ll eat... we¡¯ll eat carrots! Nothing tastes better than carrots!¡± As Xiao Li and Cheng Chou looked on puzzled, the rabbit addressed the approaching Jiang Hao: ¡°You agree, right, Master?¡± Curious, Xiao Li turned her head to look. Indeed, it was Jiang Hao coming over. She instinctively looked at the half-dead Chu Chuan, then grabbed the rabbit and hugged it tightly in front of her. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was as if she had done something wrong and was caught red-handed, needing a scapegoat. Chapter 199 - Meeting the Female Demon Upon Return Chapter 199: Meeting the Female Demon Upon Return Looking at the captured rabbit, Jiang Hao was curious as to why it always managed to detect his arrival immediately. ¡°Jiang Senior Brother?¡± Cheng Chou had just finished examining Chu Chuan¡¯s injuries. Jiang Hao nodded at him, then asked the rabbit. ¡°Did you give the item to Chu Chuan?¡± ¡°I did,¡± the rabbit said while munching on a carrot. ¡°Have you taken good care of the spiritual herbs in the yard?¡± Jiang Hao continued. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Master. Friends on the road all know Lord Rabbit is a future great demon, every flower and tree will give Lord Rabbit some face...¡± ¡°Speak like a human.¡± ¡°Everything¡¯s fine.¡± Jiang Hao nodded, then took a closer look at the rabbit and noticed it was already in the late stages of Foundation Establishment. Its advancement was indeed fast. ¡°Master, look at this,¡± the rabbit said, taking out a collar and pointing to a spot on it. ¡°It¡¯s cracked, almost unusable. When can we buy a new one?¡± Jiang Hao looked at it expressionlessly, then took out an early-stage Golden Core collar and tossed it over, saying: ¡°This one?¡± The rabbit¡¯s eyes lit up as it caught the collar, leaped onto Xiao Li¡¯s head, showed off the collar, and then replaced the old one around its neck: ¡°Master, do I look like a great demon?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t raise great demons, do you think you look like one?¡± Jiang Hao retorted. ¡°Not at all, friends on the road all know Lord Rabbit is just a simple rabbit,¡± the rabbit said earnestly. Ignoring the rabbit, Jiang Hao turned to Xiao Li. Xiao Li, somewhat afraid, pulled the rabbit down to cover her face and said: ¡°Junior Brother Chu asked me to do it.¡± ¡°What¡¯s your cultivation level now?¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t care much about Chu Chuan being seriously injured. ¡°Second level of Qi Refining,¡± Xiao Li replied. ¡°Still causing trouble in the cafeteria?¡± Jiang Hao asked again. ¡°No,¡± Xiao Li quickly put down the rabbit and answered. Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°Improve your cultivation these next few days, I¡¯ll have Cheng Chou take you back.¡± Hearing this, Xiao Li excitedly jumped up, grabbing the rabbit and spinning around. Then she looked at Jiang Hao somewhat awkwardly and stammered: ¡°Senior Brother, can I... can I have one of these?¡± She pointed at the rabbit¡¯s collar. Jiang Hao looked at her and finally said, ¡°No.¡± You¡¯re a fine dragon, why would you want a pet collar? Aren¡¯t you afraid of losing face? Xiao Li hung her head, looking disappointed. Seeing her like this, Jiang Hao sighed internally and said: ¡°I¡¯ll give you something else next time.¡± At this, the disappointed Xiao Li jumped up again. The rabbit was also excited; everyone was getting something, so they were all happy. Looking at the two, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but reflect that one doesn¡¯t know the cost of household expenses until they manage a home. In fact, he also felt that he might have been meddling too much. If he had ignored everything from the start, perhaps it wouldn¡¯t be so troublesome. Now he just hoped to release this rabbit and dragon as soon as possible. Afterward, Jiang Hao caught up with Cheng Chou about recent events. According to Cheng Chou, the demand for spiritual herbs had indeed increased over the past three months. Other Spiritual Medicine Gardens have encountered some issues as well, but nothing significant. They are a bit tired over there, but they have been following Jiang Hao¡¯s instructions and haven¡¯t hired more people. Fortunately, the demand isn¡¯t too high, so they can handle the pressure. ¡°Busy as you are, did the other inner disciples agree not to hire more people?¡± Jiang Hao asked. The high demand for spiritual medicine is likely due to the Demon Cavern and the Tiansheng Sect. ¡°At that time, Senior Brother Han Ming was in charge of the Spiritual Medicine Garden. When I mentioned it was Senior Brother Jiang¡¯s instruction, Senior Brother Han Ming didn¡¯t say anything and even took the pressure off from others. In the end, I was credited with a small merit and was given some elixirs,¡± Cheng Chou reported truthfully. Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but laugh silently; Han Ming really was an odd character. As it stands, as long as he¡¯s kept in check, he won¡¯t stir up any trouble. But if he¡¯s not kept under control, there¡¯s no telling what he might do. He might continue to challenge others. ¡°Have you had some free time recently?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Cheng Chou nodded. Afterward, Jiang Hao asked Cheng Chou to send Chu Chuan back. Xiao Li, excited, went off to eat and asked Jiang Hao if he wanted to join. Jiang Hao declined as he wanted to go back to his courtyard to check on things. The rabbit followed him home. ...... A short while later. Standing at the entrance of the courtyard, Jiang Hao saw two blue bubbles next to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. It had been a long time. ¡¾Cultivation+1¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy+1¡¿ After pondering for a moment, he was certain there was nothing urgent at the sect that required his attention in the near future. He should be able to enjoy some peace for a while. He could use this time to focus on improving his strength. He walked towards the peach tree, glancing at his status panel on the way. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 23¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Early Nascent Soul¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind, Hidden Spirit Manifestation, Divine Might¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 10/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 9/100 (cannot be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 1/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡¾Golden Legend: 1/2 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ In over three months, there had been almost no progress in vital energy or cultivation. After returning, he could steadily improve. One point every five days, at least six points a month. In a little over a year, he could advance, which was quite fast. A year or so was not a long time in the world of cultivators. ¡°Currently, my cultivation is on par with Liu Xingchen. I wonder who will advance first.¡± If it were anyone else, Jiang Hao would be confident it would be him. But Liu Xingchen was not normal; not only was he a genius, but his physical condition was also extraordinary. Who else could devour the souls of such powerful beings? True Dragon remnants and Ancient Witch were just his casual pastimes because he was bored. As soon as he returned to the courtyard, the rabbit climbed up to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. It almost embraced it but just as it was about to retract its paw, it blacked out and lost consciousness. While Jiang Hao was still inspecting the peach tree, he suddenly heard a noise behind him and turned around to see a white figure falling. It was the rabbit, bruised and swollen, hanging from a tree branch, its life or death unknown. Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± This familiar scene could only mean one thing. Hong Yuye had arrived. Indeed, a light fragrance wafted over. A familiar scent. He hears her before he sees her. ¡°How is your practice of the charm technique coming along?¡± The voice was crisp and pleasant, like the song of birds in the forest, refreshing to the soul. But the voice carried a hint of laughter, tinged with mockery. Jiang Hao turned to see the visitor dressed in a red and white fairy gown, her skin pure and lustrous like jade, her aura and divine light enhancing her mocking eyes and brows. Upon closer inspection, she was stunningly beautiful. At this moment, her aura and divine light were restrained, and Jiang Hao suddenly came back to his senses: ¡°Greetings, senior.¡± He didn¡¯t mention anything about the charm technique. Since being caught by Hong Yuye last time, he hadn¡¯t opened such books again. Hong Yuye sat on a wooden chair with a light smile. ¡°I remember you have Azure Red Sky.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao acknowledged and began to prepare tea. As the fragrance of the tea leaves spread, Hong Yuye waited calmly. Once Jiang Hao had prepared the tea and poured her a cup, she finally spoke: ¡°What did you bring out from the Demon Cavern?¡± ¡°Why would senior say such a thing?¡± Jiang Hao also poured himself a cup of tea and respectfully replied: ¡°I haven¡¯t brought anything out.¡± Hong Yuye reached out to pick up the teacup, took a small sip, and then raised her eyebrows, glancing at the person in front of her with a hint of confusion in her eyes. ¡°Do you think it¡¯s your rabbit that resembles you, or is it you who resemble your rabbit?¡± Jiang Hao remained silent. Chapter 200 - Hope that by then, you can still be as confident as you are now Chapter 200: Hope that by then, you can still be as confident as you are now Inside the Demon Cavern, Jiang Hao had taken something with him. That was the extremely dangerous Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead. But nobody should know that the Bead was taken out, let alone that it was he who took it. He suspected that Hong Yuye was trying to fish for information from him. Whether she was or wasn¡¯t, he decided to deny it first. Without evidence, she surely wouldn¡¯t resort to a physical search. She probably wouldn¡¯t stoop to such despicable behavior. Uh... Suddenly, Jiang Hao remembered that the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower had been snatched by her, the Peach Tree was also taken by her, and even the saber in the corner had been swiped. Upon reflection, such a powerful being could also be somewhat despicable. So, searching his storage magical item might not be out of the question. His thoughts twisted and turned, but Jiang Hao still didn¡¯t plan to reveal anything. Perhaps he could bluff his way through. Hong Yuye sipped her tea, her tone calm. ¡°Would you like to come over for tea at my place?¡± ¡°This junior is flattered,¡± Jiang Hao replied, bowing his head cautiously. ¡°Take it out,¡± Hong Yuye said, setting down her teacup. ¡°I really don¡¯t have it,¡± Jiang Hao said softly. As he spoke, he even poured a cup of tea for the lady in front of him. ¡°How can you say such a thing when you¡¯re radiating red light?¡± Hong Yuye asked with a smile that wasn¡¯t quite a smile. This sudden statement took Jiang Hao by surprise. Before he could speak, Hong Yuye continued, ¡°Any treasure, even if sealed, will leave traces around it if it can exert influence before the seal is applied. These traces will dissipate on their own after some time, but the longer you are in contact with it, the more traces there will be. The most obvious traces are on magical items related to fate and cause and effect.¡± After a pause, Hong Yuye stared at the person in front of her and said flatly. ¡°Are you saying I¡¯m blind?¡± ¡°What if, by chance, I just happened to have come into contact with it?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°You said it¡¯s just a ¡®what if,¡¯¡± Hong Yuye said with a cold laugh. Standing to the side, Jiang Hao felt he was still being led into a trap. After hesitating, he decided to take it out. The Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead, wrapped in Purple Qi, was gently placed on the table by him. Seeing this, Hong Yuye reached out to take it, examining it for a moment before she couldn¡¯t help but say. ¡°To dare carry such an ominous thing on you.¡± ¡°I thought you were quick to cultivate but timid. Now it seems you are extraordinarily bold.¡± Jiang Hao did not respond; this thing might have a miraculous use in the future. But using it just once could easily taint one with karma and lead to backlash. A thing that harms the enemy a thousand and self eight hundred, he wouldn¡¯t use it unless absolutely necessary. ¡°What is your intention in bringing this out?¡± Hong Yuye¡¯s eyes and brows moved slightly as she looked at Jiang Hao and smiled. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t be planning to use it against me, would you?¡± ¡°Senior misunderstands,¡± Jiang Hao¡¯s heart skipped a beat as he quickly replied. He had indeed had that thought at the time. But he truly wouldn¡¯t go that far. ¡°Hehe,¡± Hong Yuye said with a smile that wasn¡¯t quite a smile. ¡°Then I¡¯ll take it as a misunderstanding.¡± Jiang Hao bowed his head, no longer speaking. In front of her, it was best to speak less. After placing the Bead on the table, Hong Yuye sipped her tea and said, ¡°Do you know what kind of item this is?¡± ¡°Please enlighten me, senior,¡± Jiang Hao replied humbly. After giving Jiang Hao a quick glance, Hong Yuye finally spoke. ¡°You¡¯re such a cautious person, would you risk taking it out without knowing a little about this Bead?¡± Jiang Hao gave an awkward smile and said: ¡°Senior sees clearly.¡± He continued, ¡°To my knowledge, this is the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead.¡± ¡°Since you know, then you also understand that once the seal on this Bead is broken, not just your location but even your sect could become the center of a misfortune tide.¡± ¡°In the end, many people will die, those who escape will have misfortune embedded in their bones, beginning to spread, and all living beings will become part of the Calamity Bead.¡± Hong Yuye held her teacup and smiled. ¡°So, you want to destroy the Tianyin Sect and flee this dangerous place? I advise you to remember to take my flower and my tree with you, otherwise...¡± ¡°You can¡¯t afford the loss.¡± ¡°Senior is joking, this junior would never go to such lengths,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head in response. He had never had such thoughts, using the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead on the Tianyin Sect was definitely not his choice. Firstly, it hadn¡¯t come to that, and secondly, using the Calamity Bead would taint him with too much karma, and he would have to endure the backlash of misfortune. ¡°There¡¯s something I must remind you of,¡± Hong Yuye said, looking at the Bead on the table. ¡°Although the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead is ominous, many people want to get their hands on it. Now that it has appeared in the world, it¡¯s quite possible that it¡¯s already known.¡± She didn¡¯t continue, but Jiang Hao could guess the rest. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He might have caused trouble for himself. It¡¯s just a question of how much trouble. No matter what, he couldn¡¯t manage to give the bead away, nor could he return it to its original place. As someone in the early stages of Nascent Soul, it was also difficult for him to keep it safe. Could obtaining a treasure really be this troublesome? ¡°Senior, will those who sense the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead know its location?¡± Jiang Hao asked. After pondering for a moment, Hong Yuye spoke softly. ¡°In theory, they shouldn¡¯t be able to. Probing into the secrets of heaven also leaves one¡¯s own aura behind. To use divination on an unused Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead is to mingle one¡¯s aura with it, which could mean instant death upon speaking.¡± ¡°Then, senior, are you interested in this bead?¡± Jiang Hao was keen on giving it away. Upon hearing this, Hong Yuye replied coldly. ¡°Why would I want to carry such an ominous thing on me?¡± It was then that Jiang Hao realized that everything Hong Yuye wanted was divine in nature. The Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and the Divine Peach Tree¡ªthese were all positive things. The Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead, on the other hand, was tainted not only with misfortune but also with the blood of countless beings. Desiring such an item was like searching for treasures in a grave, which came with a sense of bad luck. Therefore, it was understandable that Hong Yuye didn¡¯t want it. Jiang Hao said no more, keeping it was also good; at least it had the effect of suppressing curses. It was worth a try when the opportunity arose. ¡°How is the progress with the Secret Whisper Slate?¡± Hong Yuye changed the subject. Without any hesitation, Jiang Hao spoke softly. ¡°Everything is moving in a positive direction. I have infiltrated their ranks, and there will be discoveries in due course.¡± In fact, over these three months, he had only occasionally looked at the slate. Fairy Gui was still pursuing River Dragon, Xing and Liu often chatted idly, occasionally discussing the situation at sea. They mentioned that the Great Thousand Divine Sect had become much more active recently. There was also the Mingyue Sect, which had taken in a disciple with exceptional talent. Beyond that, Jiang Hao had not seen much else. As for the whereabouts of the slate or the person behind the scenes, not even a shadow was found. ¡°Nothing but lies,¡± Hong Yuye stood up, walked over to the Divine Peach Tree, and with a gentle wave, the bothersome rabbit was sent flying into the river, drifting away. ¡°Should it bear fruit in a few more months? I remember you said it would be sour.¡± Finally, Hong Yuye continued, looking around. ¡°If it turns out sweet, you¡¯d better be mentally prepared.¡± ¡°Please rest assured, senior, it will definitely be sour,¡± Jiang Hao said confidently. ¡°So confident?¡± Looking at Jiang Hao¡¯s resolute face, Hong Yuye was quite surprised. At this moment, her figure began to fade, but her voice did not stop, only it took on a mocking tone. ¡°I¡¯ll come back after some time. I hope that by then, you can still be as confident as you are now.¡± Chapter 201 - Is the Master Not Strong? Chapter 201: Is the Master Not Strong? Southern Region. Tiannan Prefecture. On the surging river surface, a girl in yellow angrily threw a power sphere into the water. Boom! Boom! Loud explosions echoed from the river, causing the water to surge like a bursting flood. It took a while for the girl to calm down. She looked at the river surface with a cold gaze and said in a low voice: ¡°Escaped again. What other tricks does this River Dragon have? Its power has already declined to such an extent, yet it still managed to escape from my grasp. I have no idea where it will flee to this time, and how much time it will take to find it.¡± Thinking about how it would take years to retrieve her belongings, the girl, irritated, threw another power sphere into the river. Afterward, she headed toward the riverbank. She was dressed in a light yellow fairy dress, with a faint glow of pearls and jewels, delicate facial features, and long black hair. Every frown and smile carried an unusual beauty. ¡°Did Fairy fail again?¡± a middle-aged man asked with a light chuckle. He was dressed in a Taoist robe, with white at his temples, yet his face bore no traces of age. His deep eyes shone with the brilliance of stars. ¡°Calculate for me where this River Dragon will go next,¡± the girl in yellow said as she tossed a bottle to him. Taking the green bottle, the middle-aged man smiled slightly and produced a compass in his hand. Immediately, the surrounding light dimmed, and many stars appeared out of the void. The girl in yellow instinctively stepped back a bit. ¡°I always feel there¡¯s something wrong with these stars,¡± she thought to herself with caution. After a moment, the extraordinary phenomena around the middle-aged man began to fade, and the compass also disappeared from his hand. ¡°How is it?¡± the girl in yellow asked. ¡°Youyun Prefecture,¡± the middle-aged man said calmly. ¡°This time it¡¯s heading to somewhere in Youyun Prefecture, but I can¡¯t determine the exact location. To know more, it will take quite some time. Shall I continue?¡± ¡°Youyun Prefecture?¡± The girl in yellow pondered for a moment and then shook her head. ¡°No need for now. I¡¯ll find you when I need it.¡± ¡°Then we shall meet again later,¡± the middle-aged man said, not saying much more before turning to leave. The girl in yellow flew away into the sky. After a long time, she landed in front of a large town and went straight to a small courtyard. Only after setting up a formation did she sit at the table and take out a stone tablet. ¡°Youyun Prefecture, it seems that Jing is in Youyun Prefecture. It¡¯s just right to test him.¡± ¡°His strength or location, plus whether he has the freedom to act... let¡¯s see if he has the intention to integrate with us.¡± The girl in yellow smiled and then entered the stone tablet. At this moment, anyone who saw her would know her code name here¡ªGui (Ghost). ...... Tianyin Sect. Jiang Hao looked at the peach tree in front of him, where a delicate figure had just stood, but now it was empty. After a deep sigh, he sat down to drink tea. He made up his mind that when the peach tree bloomed and bore fruit, he would guard it every day. He would pick the ripe fruits and leave the unripe ones for Hong Yuye. Sour and sweet, nothing was uncontrollable. It¡¯s just that the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead seemed to be more troublesome than expected. Fortunately, as long as it was sealed well, no one would notice that the bead was with him. It was best to keep it unused. Just as he finished a cup of tea, a wailing sound came from outside. ¡°My face!¡± Moments later, a rabbit ran in. It looked at Jiang Hao and asked, ¡°Master, why is it that whenever you come back, friends on the road remind me by hitting my face?¡± ¡°Maybe you were too close to that flower,¡± Jiang Hao kindly suggested. One day, if the rabbit really licked the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, even if it survived, its tongue would be gone. ¡°Master, you must work hard,¡± the rabbit said earnestly. ¡°Some friends on the road give face to Lord Rabbit because of the master¡¯s strength. This friend on the road, nine out of ten, looks down on the master.¡± Jiang Hao was momentarily at a loss for words, thinking to himself that the rabbit was quite right. Hong Yuye indeed looked down on him. The gap between their strengths was as vast as the difference between heaven and earth, insurmountable. To get closer, who knows how many days and months it would take. After remaining silent, he continued to drink his tea. This time it was the second brew of Azure Red Sky tea, the richest and sweetest of which had been drunk by Hong Yuye. He had only one cup, but fortunately, the second brew was not bad either. The rabbit also helped itself to a tea cup and poured some tea. After drinking, it exclaimed, ¡°Master, this tea really gives face to Lord Rabbit, it¡¯s also a friend of Lord Rabbit on the road.¡± ¡°Has anyone approached the courtyard in the past few months?¡± Jiang Hao asked casually. ¡°Yes, a woman I don¡¯t recognize. She seemed to be looking at the black lotus,¡± the rabbit said offhandedly. ¡°Black lotus?¡± Jiang Hao looked over. The purpose of the black lotus was to resist Bai Ye¡¯s spirit-sealing technique. It seems that his cultivation progress, instead of declining, was noticed by the other party, so they came to check. There should be other actions to follow. He had not seen any follow-up actions from the other party before and thought Bai Ye had let him go. If there really were follow-up actions this time, he would also need to take some action. It¡¯s just a gap in strength, but I don¡¯t know how wide it is. Yet even if our cultivation levels were the same, one should not underestimate the opponent. The emergence of the Sealing Spirit Technique made him suspect that he would be poisoned if he entered Bai Ye¡¯s residence. ¡®I still have to see if he will leave the sect for a short while; otherwise, I can¡¯t kill him.¡¯ After several attempts, the Hall of Enforcement came up empty-handed. If he kills another true disciple this time, he¡¯s worried that the Hall of Enforcement will bring out the Tianyuan Shaping Divine Mirror. Once discovered, it¡¯s all over. However, before taking action, he needs to figure out Bai Ye¡¯s residence and cultivation level and make full preparations. ¡°Has anyone else come to visit?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°There was another, she called out twice outside, and after Lord Rabbit told her the master was not in, she left,¡± said the rabbit. ¡°Did she say what she wanted?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°No,¡± the rabbit shook its head, then said. ¡°When will you find me a mistress, master? Or are all these your future mistresses?¡± ¡°Neither,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. ¡°Strong male rabbits have many female rabbits. Is the master not strong?¡± The rabbit patted its chest confidently, then looked at Jiang Hao full of puzzlement. Jiang Hao, who had been drinking tea, paused, then picked up the teapot and walked inside. ...... In the following days, Jiang Hao began to take over the Spiritual Medicine Garden. He observed the ordinary workers and a few outer disciples. Indeed, there were no issues. The next day, he joined in, tending to the spiritual medicines and waiting for the bubbles to form. ...... Seven days later. Xiao Li came over excitedly; she had successfully reached the third level of Qi Refining. This scared Cheng Chou on the side. He was terrified to discover that Junior Sister Xiao Li had exceptional talent. Far more exaggerated than the geniuses rumored outside. She advanced every few days, and the total cultivation time added up to just over ten days. Third level of Qi Refining in just over ten days... It was simply inconceivable. ¡°I won¡¯t say much more, just be careful,¡± Jiang Hao said softly. He took out some pills, ten spirit stones, and some talismans. Since they encountered danger every time, he gave more than before. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Cheng Chou was a decent person and could help him with many things. ¡°Rest assured, Senior Brother,¡± Cheng Chou nodded in agreement. ¡°This time I¡¯ll ask Grandma to make some delicious food for Senior Brother,¡± Xiao Li said excitedly. Looking at Xiao Li, Jiang Hao suddenly asked, ¡°Did you bring anything back with you?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Xiao Li replied, taking out some non-perishable food from her bosom. ¡°Put it in your storage treasure,¡± Jiang Hao said seriously. He suddenly remembered the pastries Xiao Li had brought back, which were poisonous for some reason. He didn¡¯t care, but it would be fatal if the old people ate them. Xiao Li didn¡¯t understand but still did as told. Afterward, Jiang Hao watched them leave. Waiting for their return would take two months, so the plan to hang the rabbit had to be postponed by two months. During this period, he needed to send the rabbit to test Chu Chuan¡¯s progress. Well, these two months would be good to pay attention to Lin Zhi. ¡°Master, there¡¯s a new female outside looking for you,¡± the rabbit reminded. Jiang Hao was slightly puzzled, a new female? When he went outside, he found it was Senior Sister Zhou Chan. She had come to deliver a reward. Finally, she had come again. Chapter 202 - Too Bitter Chapter 202: Too Bitter Senior Sister Zhou Chan had not come over for the first time; she usually had only one thing to do when she came. That was to deliver rewards on behalf of Elder Bai Zhi. Perhaps Senior Sister Zhou Chan was puzzled by the rewards, but Jiang Hao knew. This was for planting the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. The previous two times were both Nine Heavens sets; if it was the Nine Heavens set again, his armor defense would jump to Nascent Soul level, and he would get additional bonuses. Having one more piece of this set was a surprise. It even made one somewhat expectant. Without the third piece of the Nine Heavens series, the effect on him would not be significant. The armor was only at the Golden Core level, and the wrist guard could barely record up to the early Nascent Soul stage, with some parts even being missed. Getting the third piece would allow for a comprehensive improvement. At this moment, Senior Sister Zhou Chan, dressed in white, stood outside the Spiritual Medicine Garden, her delicate face carrying a touch of casualness. She was a Senior Sister without schemes and somewhat familiar. ¡°Junior Brother Jiang,¡± Zhou Chan greeted with a smile upon seeing Jiang Hao. ¡°Senior Sister Zhou,¡± Jiang Hao responded politely. ¡°Master asked me to give this to you,¡± Zhou Chan said, handing over a transparent box. A ring? Jiang Hao¡¯s eyebrows furrowed as he took the box. What kind of treasure was this? He was somewhat curious. ¡°Junior Brother also knows that I don¡¯t know what this is,¡± Zhou Chan said with a smile, then looked around and whispered. ¡°Did Junior Brother bring back a disciple named Lin Zhi before?¡± ¡°Senior Sister knows him?¡± Jiang Hao was quite surprised. Then he realized that Zhao Qingxue, who is also one of Lin Zhi¡¯s fellow townspeople and good friends, had been accepted into Baiyue Lake. Senior Sister Zhou Chan, being in the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, is considered the weakest. Therefore, it¡¯s understandable that she is accompanying the new disciples. Although Zhao Qingxue is still an outer sect disciple, Baiyue Lake only has one outer disciple, so there¡¯s not much difference from the inner sect. Among the three, Zhao Qingxue¡¯s status should be the highest. Next is Lin Mo, who has been accepted into the Enforcement Peak. If he¡¯s lucky enough to enter the Hall of Enforcement, his future will be bright. Only Lin Zhi is left, with average talent and treatment, and is bullied by others. The difference is like night and day. ¡°It¡¯s not that I know him, but my Junior Sister does. I wanted to ask if he¡¯s doing well here,¡± Zhou Chan said somewhat embarrassedly. ¡°Why doesn¡¯t Senior Sister ask him herself?¡± Jiang Hao inquired. ¡°My Junior Sister said she has asked him, and that Junior Brother Lin said he is doing very well.¡± Zhou Chan sighed and continued, ¡°But my Junior Sister heard from outside that her friend was being bullied, so she asked me to come and inquire.¡± After hesitating for a moment, Jiang Hao shook his head and said indifferently. ¡°I can¡¯t help Senior Sister with this. I seldom go out and rarely have the chance to see Junior Brother Lin. But since he says he¡¯s fine, he probably is.¡± ¡°Can I go see him then?¡± Zhou Chan asked. ¡°Of course,¡± Jiang Hao readily agreed. After giving her the general location, Zhou Chan left on her own. Returning to the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao took out the ring and put it on his index finger. Instantly, he felt the ring resonating with the other two pieces of the Nine Heavens set, a sign of activation. The process would take several days. Only after appraisal could the full effects be seen. The next day, Jiang Hao, along with his rabbit, went early to Lin Zhi¡¯s residence. He stood at a distance, wanting to see if there were any changes. As dawn broke, Lin Zhi got up and headed to the forest; as an outer disciple, he had things to do. Only someone like Xiao Li, who no one could deal with, didn¡¯t have to work or attend classes. After a glance, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t notice anything and went to the Spiritual Medicine Garden to process the spiritual medicines. In the evening, when Jiang Hao returned, he took a detour past Lin Zhi¡¯s residence again. This time, Lin Zhi came back limping, his clothes marked with footprints. Jiang Hao glanced at him and then turned to leave. After that, he passed by every day, sometimes seeing Lin Zhi, sometimes not. At times he saw him cultivating, at other times being beaten. He always endured silently, without resistance or blaming heaven and others, still striving hard in his cultivation. Seven days later, Jiang Hao appraised the ring while passing by. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The set effect had been activated. Exploring it, he discovered it was a storage ring. To understand more, he needed to appraise it. ¡¾One of the Nine Heavens Battle Armor Rings: When combined as the a pieces of armor, abilities are enhanced, reaching the Nascent Soul realm in all aspects. With Nascent Soul communication, the armor can be transferred onto the Nascent Soul at will. The ring can store various spiritual items and a large number of goods, and has a spirit-nourishing effect.¡¿ ¡°It can also be transferred to the Nascent Soul? That¡¯s extraordinary.¡± Looking at the feedback results, Jiang Hao was extremely surprised; this could become Nascent Soul armor. The Nine Heavens Battle Armor was quite remarkable. Afterwards, he communicated with the ring using his Nascent Soul, and indeed, with just a thought, the ring on his hand disappeared. Seeing this, Jiang Hao¡¯s lips curved slightly upward. With this, he wouldn¡¯t need to hide things inside the rabbit anymore. But... Elder Bai Zhi knew the use of the ring, and it would be troublesome if she started investigating. ¡°No, that¡¯s not right. If I have enough value, the risk will be low.¡± ¡°Theoretically, it should be safer than hiding things with the rabbit.¡± With this thought, he felt more at ease ¡°picking up¡± things. He then transferred various items into the ring: the Secret Whisper Slate, Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead, Six-Sided Dice, ¡¶Heavenly Saber Seven Forms¡·, ¡¶Merge with Light and Blend with Dust¡·, an unnamed secret manual, as well as some spiritual medicines, pills, a large number of spiritual swords, and other goods, all into the ring. As for the storage treasure, only spirit stones and some ordinary items were left. After pondering, he also put the items from Mingyue Sect into the ring. He transferred ten thousand spirit stones into it, leaving a few hundred as a facade. ¡°These are normal for the later stages of Foundation Establishment, although there are still a bit too many miscellaneous items.¡± As long as they weren¡¯t obviously stolen goods, he would keep them. When he visited Lin Zhi again, Jiang Hao saw him cultivating, but the bruise on his mouth was much worse than before. ¡°He¡¯s been beaten a lot lately, is it the master who ordered it?¡± the rabbit asked curiously. ¡°No, it¡¯s probably because of his friend,¡± Jiang Hao said calmly. Because of Zhou Chan¡¯s visit, something was discovered. Then Zhao Qingxue, with good intentions, probably didn¡¯t know the severity and instead angered some people, leading to a serious situation. As for the fear of offending Zhao Qingxue, that¡¯s nonsense. Not to mention that she¡¯s only at the third level of Qi Refining, even if she remembers this incident six or seven years later, she would need to know who did it. Others wouldn¡¯t show their faces every time they took action. Even geniuses need to know the severity of their actions, especially when it concerns an outer disciple whose cultivation cannot advance. ¡°He really is pitiful. I¡¯ve never seen anyone more miserable than him, surrounded and bullied by a group. A friend from the road told me he hid and cried three times with tears streaming down his face,¡± the rabbit shook its head and sighed. ¡°The meat of such a person must taste terrible, too bitter.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Jiang Hao said, stepping away. His arrival had gone unnoticed. And Lin Zhi¡¯s recent suffering was all because of his good friend. Genius... Even someone as strong as Han Ming had to respectfully address others as Senior Brother when he hadn¡¯t surpassed the inner sect, despite being a true disciple. Could Zhao Qingxue compare to Han Ming? Not even close, even if she tried to flatter her way up. In the following days, Jiang Hao was busy collecting bubbles. Most nights were spent crafting talismans. He once attempted to make a Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman, but since there were signs of damage to his spiritual powers, he gave up on making it. He could only continue to wait. Without activating his divine ability, he couldn¡¯t make the Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman. Chapter 203 - What Did I Do Wrong Chapter 203: What Did I Do Wrong Unable to make the Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman, Jiang Hao kept crafting Healing Talismans and Hundred Thousand Swords Talismans. He needed to earn enough spirit stones in the coming months for the nirvana of the peach tree. But looking at the pitiful number of spirit stones in his storage treasure, he felt the journey was long and arduous. Nirvana had a purple bubble; otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t be in such a hurry. Recently, with no place to pick up purple bubbles, he could only rely on nirvana. Having one more divine ability would greatly enhance his strength. For the next month, Jiang Hao encountered no troubles; no one sought him out, nor did any incidents occur. Such peaceful days were a delight. That month, he earned over a thousand spirit stones, especially from the Healing Talismans, which sold well and at a premium. It seemed to be the influence of the Demon Cavern and Tiansheng Sect. The demand for talismans had increased significantly; normally, no matter how many he had, they were difficult to sell. Now he had over twelve thousand spirit stones, the rabbit required eight thousand one hundred, leaving him with four thousand. He was still short by over five thousand for nirvana. Time might not be enough, and he might have to sell some items when the time came. Fortunately, there were some items in the Nascent Soul storage treasure he had obtained that could be sold; he should be able to catch up. Afterward, he continued to live a simple and peaceful life. Hundred Bones Forest sent a message wanting to continue cooperation. Their spiritual medicines would be delivered again in a month. Jiang Hao knew Bai Ye was going to make a move again. He wondered what method he would use this time. He could only wait and see after a month. ...... The next morning. Jiang Hao once again went near Lin Zhi¡¯s residence. At this time, Lin Zhi¡¯s body was not as frail, but his cultivation was as weak as ever. During this period, Jiang Hao saw him often beaten, silently enduring it. He would occasionally cry when he returned, but the frequency was gradually decreasing. He didn¡¯t talk to anyone, just did his own thing. When someone greeted him kindly, he would lower his head and quickly leave. He received spirit stones again, but this time he didn¡¯t save them up; instead, he bought medicinal pills to temper his body. They were the most common and cheapest spiritual medicines. But for him, they were very effective; it meant that being beaten wasn¡¯t as painful anymore. ¡°He still hasn¡¯t collapsed, and he continues to cultivate day after day. Lord Rabbit¡¯s friends on the road all think he¡¯s gone mad, clearly cultivating without any progress,¡± the rabbit shook its head and sighed. When on missions, he was mocked by others, despised when in a crowd, and beaten when alone. They would pull his hair and bully him, seemingly trying to break him mentally. Even if his mind became twisted, he would still face beatings, and provoking the ruthless ones meant he might never return from an outing. Jiang Hao saw all this, yet the other party¡¯s spirit was surprisingly resilient. Although he cried, there were no signs of a breakdown so far. It seemed like something was supporting him inside. Curious, he looked towards the back of the house, where there was a Safety charm Lin Zhi¡¯s mother had prayed for; perhaps that was what was supporting him. It was the Safety charm, as well as his mother¡¯s worries. ...... In the evening. Near Lin Zhi¡¯s house. Three outer disciples came to the area and started looking around. One was slightly taller, the other two somewhat skinny. ¡°Recently, I don¡¯t know what¡¯s gotten into Lin Zhi. He doesn¡¯t fight back or say a word when scolded, and acts like nothing¡¯s wrong every day. It¡¯s starting to annoy me.¡± ¡°Me too, he used to argue back and deny accusations. Now, when I pull his hair and step on his face to insult him, he just takes it. We need to find his weak spot.¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t he have a charm? I don¡¯t know where he put it, let¡¯s find it.¡± The three of them started searching, talking amongst themselves. They searched openly, not worried about Lin Zhi discovering them. But they searched inside and out, finding nothing of value. More than just Lin Zhi lived here, but no matter how they searched, there were no valuable items. ¡°Let¡¯s check outside.¡± A tall man suggested. Going to the yard, he began to use a technique to inspect the ground. It was the most basic technique, which could simply detect objects. If one had enough spiritual power, using spiritual sense to probe would be more effective than this technique. The group circled the house, inside and out, and finally found something behind the house. ¡°Here it is,¡± one of the skinny outer disciples exclaimed excitedly. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Afterward, they began to dig and, sure enough, they unearthed a box. When opened, the first thing they saw was the Safety charm. ¡°Haha, let¡¯s see if he doesn¡¯t kneel and beg for mercy this time,¡± the three of them became excited. However, before their joy could fully blossom, a cold voice came from behind. ¡°Where does an outer disciple get the audacity to steal from my Duanqing Cliff?¡± The trio was startled and turned around to find an inner disciple standing behind them at some unknown point. At this moment, Jiang Hao was looking at the three with a cold gaze. He seemed to have seen them before; over a month ago, they had robbed Lin Zhi of his spirit stones. ¡°W-we¡¯ve met Senior Brother,¡± the three stammered in fear. But since Jiang Hao had not troubled them last time, they thought he would not this time either. Just as this thought arose, a powerful aura suddenly swept over them. Bang! The three were suppressed to the ground by the late Foundation Establishment stage aura, their vital energy in turmoil. ¡°Normally, I wouldn¡¯t lay a hand on an outer disciple, but are you disregarding my Duanqing Cliff by coming here to steal?¡± Jiang Hao said indifferently. ¡°It¡¯s a misunderstanding, Senior Brother, please spare our lives,¡± the three were terrified. Disregarding Duanqing Cliff was a serious accusation. Inner disciples rarely appeared in the outer sect area, and even if there were outer disciples, they couldn¡¯t possibly know what they were up to. What was this inner sect Senior Brother up to? ¡°Put the item back and bury it,¡± Jiang Hao¡¯s voice was devoid of any emotion. The three hurriedly put the box back and covered it with soil, quickly leveling the ground. ¡°Go to the outer sect to receive your punishment, a deduction of one year¡¯s cultivation resources. I hear the mines have started, go work in the mines for three years,¡± Jiang Hao stared at them, his tone cold. ¡°Any objections?¡± ¡°N-none,¡± the three dared not say anything. Afterward, Jiang Hao let them leave. As for whether they would go to receive their punishment, he was not worried; if someone had their back, then in a couple of days, those behind them would come looking. If they had no backing and insufficient talent, this punishment was enough for them, and the outer sect management would give him face. Of course, dealing with these three had no real effect. There were more than these who bullied Lin Zhi. ...... At night. Lin Zhi dragged his ragged body to the back of his house. Hearing that someone was coming for his safety chatrm, he ran back immediately. When he saw that the ground had been dug up, he knelt down helplessly. Large tears kept falling. He didn¡¯t know what he had done wrong; people always targeted him. He had done nothing, said nothing, touched no one. He just did his own thing, diligently cultivating. Yet he was still targeted. If even this was wrong, he truly didn¡¯t know how to continue living. Now even the safety charm his mother had given him was about to be lost. With tears, he slowly began to dig up the overturned soil, but soon he unearthed the box and opened it. Seeing the safety charm still there, he was stunned, and his tears flowed even faster. He even cried out loud. ¡°You¡¯re so pathetic,¡± a sudden voice came from behind Lin Zhi. He was startled and immediately turned around, wiping away his tears before he saw a strange rabbit standing in the moonlight. It stood like a human, with long ears and a large head, its fluffy white fur seeming to glow. Lin Zhi instinctively protected the box in his hands. ¡°Who are you?¡± he asked. ¡°Lord Rabbit, just call me Lord Rabbit,¡± the rabbit declared with two fingers raised, unabashedly. ¡°Lord Rabbit has three hobbies: saving people from danger, making friends in the world, and eating humans.¡± Chapter 204 - Beginning Guidance Chapter 204: Beginning Guidance The appearance of the rabbit left Lin Zhi somewhat at a loss. Especially since it also ate humans. ¡°D-do you need something from me?¡± ¡°Of course, but you don¡¯t have to be afraid. Lord Rabbit likes to eat sweet meat, and your flesh is too bitter,¡± the rabbit said seriously under the moonlight. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°People on the road all give Lord Rabbit some face, so would you like to take advantage of Lord Rabbit¡¯s influence?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Lin Zhi asked, wiping away the remaining tears. The rabbit pointed at the box he was protecting. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for Lord Rabbit, your box would have been gone by now. It¡¯s only because people on the road are willing to show respect to Lord Rabbit that you¡¯re not looking at an empty hole. So, do you want to take advantage of Lord Rabbit¡¯s influence? Hand over this item to Lord Rabbit, and when you¡¯re strong enough, you can find me and take it back.¡± Lin Zhi looked bewildered, then lowered his head to look at the box in his hands. For a moment, he gripped the box tightly, then his grip loosened in defeat. His eyes moistened again. ¡°This charm was sought by my mother who walked thirty miles on foot, offering the only food our family had to get it, saying it was very effective and could protect me in her place.¡± Lin Zhi¡¯s lips trembled, his voice choked. ¡°My mother is ill. She said she would wait at home for me, wait for the day when I make something of myself, and she would cook me delicious food. She would always wait for me to return. But... but her illness, the doctor said... said she won¡¯t last much longer. I thought that if I became an immortal, I could cure my mother¡¯s illness... but, but I can¡¯t become an immortal.¡± As he spoke, large tears fell once again. It seemed to touch the deepest, most vulnerable part of his heart. After crying for a long time, Lin Zhi finally wiped the dirt off the box and handed it over. ¡°You are the most hardworking person I¡¯ve ever seen. Even if Lord Rabbit starves to death, I wouldn¡¯t want to eat you,¡± the rabbit said as it took the box and continued. ¡°Although you¡¯re not tasty, you¡¯ll be grateful for today¡¯s decision. Perhaps you don¡¯t understand now, but in the future, you¡¯ll realize that you¡¯re conversing with a great demon of heaven and earth.¡± A great demon of heaven and earth? Lin Zhi was puzzled but didn¡¯t think too much about it: ¡°How do I find you when I became stronger?¡± ¡°Lord Rabbit will come to find you. Go back now,¡± the rabbit said, floating above him with an air of superiority. After Lin Zhi left, the rabbit hopped behind a large tree. It handed over the box, seeking praise. ¡°Master, didn¡¯t I perform perfectly? Friends on the road would surely compliment me.¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t pay attention to the rabbit but simply took the box and slowly opened it. Inside lay an ordinary-looking safety charm. If what Lin Zhi said was true, this might be a legacy of his mother. Walking thirty li with an illness, carrying only the food they had... This person must have known that her life was not long for this world. With an inward sigh, Jiang Hao touched the Safety charm. Then, a force covered the charm, preserving its integrity. ¡°Perhaps it really is effective.¡± He murmured softly, then closed the box and put it away, saying, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°Master, was it just for this that we came?¡± the rabbit asked, puzzled. ¡°Of course not,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head and smiled. ¡°Do you know why Lin Zhi gave the box to you?¡± ¡°Because friends on the road all give Lord Rabbit some face,¡± the rabbit said matter-of-factly. ¡°I think it¡¯s because he knows you¡¯re not ordinary, and if you wanted to rob him, he couldn¡¯t stop you,¡± Jiang Hao replied. ¡°Then will the master look after him in the future?¡± the rabbit asked. Jiang Hao shook his head. ¡°He must walk his own path in the end. To stand out in the world of cultivation, one cannot rely on others. At most, I can only show him the way.¡± ...... Two days later. A Foundation Establishment pill refiner from the Candlelight Alchemy Court found Jiang Hao. ¡°Greetings, Senior Brother,¡± Fairy Xin Fei said politely. ¡°Junior Sister is?¡± Jiang Hao asked, puzzled. This Junior Sister was young, with a somewhat immature face, looking just over twenty years old, wearing an alchemy robe as if to announce her identity. Early Foundation Establishment cultivation. ¡°Senior Brother can just call me Xin Fei. I¡¯ve come about the incident two days ago,¡± Fairy Xin Fei said apologetically. ¡°Three Junior Brothers ignorantly offended Senior Brother and have now been sent to the mines. I¡¯ve come on their behalf to apologize.¡± As she spoke, she took out thirty spirit stones and continued. ¡°It¡¯s like this, they had made contributions to our Candlelight Alchemy Court, and some Senior Brothers were very angry when they learned of their mistake. Before coming here, I had already reprimanded them. ¡°However, they are still needed for some tasks, so I wanted to ask Senior Brother if it would be possible to reduce their mining sentence to three months.¡± She then handed the spirit stones to Jiang Hao. Finally, she added, ¡°Their resources for the year will naturally be reduced, otherwise, they won¡¯t learn their lesson.¡± Taking the spirit stones, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but be impressed by the generosity of offering thirty spirit stones. Moreover, mentioning other Senior Brothers, was she implying she had backers? But it didn¡¯t matter. Since she was sincere, there was no need for him to be overly aggressive. ¡°I hope that after three months, they won¡¯t come to Duanqing Cliff to steal again,¡± Jiang Hao replied. ¡°Of course,¡± Fairy Xin Fei sighed with relief. After sending the Junior Sister off, Jiang Hao gave the thirty spirit stones to Feng Yang in the cafeteria as Xiao Li¡¯s meal expenses for the next month. They had been gone for over a month and would be returning soon. In the following half-month, Jiang Hao still passed by Lin Zhi¡¯s residence every day, and his situation had improved somewhat. One day, Zhao Qingxue and Lin Mo came to find him. Jiang Hao watched from a distance. The three of them, Lin Mo with his head held high and an air of distinction, Zhao Qingxue standing gracefully and elegantly. Lin Zhi followed behind them, sticking out like a sore thumb. Like a servant following two young masters and a young lady. Although he tried to maintain a normal appearance, without strength, there was no confidence. His demeanor and clothing made him quite embarrassed. ¡°Master, why do you think he¡¯s suffering so much?¡± the rabbit asked curiously. Lately, it had occasionally gone to see Lin Zhi, wanting to understand why such a pitiful person hadn¡¯t collapsed. Jiang Hao smiled slightly. ¡°Speaking of which, I¡¯ve observed enough for a long time.¡± ...... At night. Jiang Hao left the courtyard and walked by the river. He didn¡¯t let the rabbit follow. Under the moonlight, he read a book, walking slowly. The book in his hand was the ¡°Star Moon Qi Refinement Technique¡± given to him by the Mingyue Sect. He had been studying this Qi refining method for a while, and although it only went up to Foundation Establishment, it was indeed profound. ¡°I¡¯ve almost grasped it.¡± With his Nascent Soul early-stage cultivation, understanding a Qi Refining method wasn¡¯t difficult, especially since he could also activate Clear Heart and Pure Mind. After a while, he heard the sound of fists hitting tree trunks in the woods. It was Lin Zhi practicing there. ¡°Your body has gotten a lot stronger,¡± Jiang Hao said. Focused on his practice, Lin Zhi was startled and quickly turned to look. Upon seeing Jiang Hao, he breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly paid his respects. ¡°Gr-greetings, Senior Brother.¡± ¡°Any progress with the Tianyin Hundred Revolutions?¡± Jiang Hao asked. Hearing this, Lin Zhi lowered his head even further. There had been no progress. Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t surprised by this and instead suggested. ¡°Then let¡¯s switch to a different technique.¡± ¡°Switch to a different one?¡± Lin Zhi looked up in surprise. At that moment, a book was tossed in front of him. He took a closer look and recognized a few of the characters on it, ¡°Star Moon Qi Refinement Technique?¡± Chapter 205 - Some Things Can Never Return Chapter 205: Some Things Can Never Return ¡°From now on, practice this, preferably at night,¡± Jiang Hao explained. ¡°The Star Moon Technique is different from the Tianyin Hundred Revolutions. Its later stages don¡¯t have any requirements regarding realm. As long as you can skillfully circulate the power of the sun, moon, and stars, you can expand the range of your circulation and increase the absorption speed. However, it mostly involves active movements. Each move can bring you significant improvement.¡± ¡°But this doesn¡¯t seem to be a technique from our sect,¡± Lin Zhi said, somewhat confused. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Jiang Hao said calmly. ¡°The sect doesn¡¯t care about this, and you don¡¯t need to explain it to anyone. Just focus on your cultivation.¡± With that reassurance, Lin Zhi felt at ease. Afterward, Jiang Hao explained the basics of the technique to him. With the foundation he already had, it was much easier to practice the Star Moon Qi Refinement Technique. Deep into the night, Lin Zhi felt the power of the stars in the forest. Each move was unfamiliar, yet it felt incredibly smooth. It was like finding a piece of clothing that fit perfectly. Without the previous resistance, everything fell into place naturally. His body seemed to leap for joy. He then immersed himself completely in his cultivation. When he finished practicing, he realized that dawn was breaking, and Jiang Hao was nowhere to be seen. Looking at his hands, although he didn¡¯t notice any increase in strength, the feeling was different. Despite his joy, he knew his talent was average and that he needed to persevere. ...... In the early morning, Jiang Hao sat under a peach tree and noticed that the tree had blossomed. He could only do so much for Lin Zhi; he had taught the basics, but he didn¡¯t plan to guide him personally afterward. It would be enough to have the rabbit instruct him. Helping others was just a moment of kindness for Jiang Hao; he didn¡¯t want to get too involved. Otherwise, it could bring trouble. The rabbit and Xiao Li were cases in point. Although they hadn¡¯t caused him any significant trouble yet, he had a feeling that as they grew stronger, they would inevitably attract trouble. He needed to send them down the mountain before that happened. Then there was Chu Chuan, who fortunately thrived under pressure. The path of cultivation was fraught with conflict, and once he had learned enough, he would naturally venture out. As for Lin Zhi... recent events had shown that he would continue to face many troubles. It would be best to reduce contact. If he needed to give Lin Zhi something, he could have the rabbit help. If it weren¡¯t for the fact that the rabbit was inadequate for guiding the basics, he might not have gone himself. Lin Zhi had a long and difficult path ahead. If he could continue to advance smoothly, Jiang Hao would protect him for a while. When the time came, all Lin Zhi had to do was come for his charm, and he could successfully retrieve it. As long as the charm remained intact, he should be able to persevere. With a sigh, Jiang Hao got up and headed to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. The people from the Hundred Bones Forest were coming soon, and he needed to see if Bai Ye would show up. ...... Seven days later. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t wait for the people from the Hundred Bones Forest; instead, Cheng Chou and Xiao Li arrived first. ¡°Senior Brother, here you go,¡± Xiao Li said, handing over some pastries with a disheveled look. Cheng Chou had been injured again. ¡°What happened this time?¡± Jiang Hao asked as he took the pastries and casually healed Cheng Chou¡¯s injuries. ¡°This time we encountered disciples from Tianqing Mountain,¡± Cheng Chou said with a wry smile. Each time they went out, they encountered danger, but fortunately, they had always managed to escape unscathed. His combat skills had also improved a lot, and every time he could see how formidable Junior Sister Xiao Li was. Not to mention Qi Refining, even those in the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment couldn¡¯t handle her. She could charge through and seriously injure the enemy. After healing Cheng Chou, Jiang Hao asked Xiao Li. ¡°Was your family happy when you went back?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Xiao Li nodded vigorously. ¡°Grandma was overjoyed, she cooked chicken for me every day. Grandpa bought a lot of cured meat, just waiting for me to come back and eat. They also ate the things I brought, and they all said it was delicious. Next time I have to bring more back. But grandma¡¯s eyesight isn¡¯t good, so I was the one who killed the chickens, and I also took care of the firewood.¡± ¡°Grandma even complimented me,¡± Xiao Li said with a giggly smile. She was very happy to be able to go back home. Afterward, Xiao Li talked a lot more, while Jiang Hao just nodded, listening quietly. Hearing about family matters helped him feel calm and at peace. Sometimes he felt a bit envious and would reminisce about the past. While listening, he took out some pastries to inspect again. This time, they were not poisoned. After eating one, he felt it tasted better than the last time. It seemed that the cooking was inconsistent. Or perhaps their health had improved significantly. Once Cheng Chou had recovered quite a bit, Jiang Hao let Xiao Li go off to play with the rabbit on her own. ¡°How are things going?¡± Jiang Hao asked. He was naturally inquiring about the well-being of Xiao Li¡¯s elderly parents. ¡°Not so good.¡± Cheng Chou sighed, ¡°Their health isn¡¯t great, and the environment around them is pretty average. The two old folks are hardworking and refuse to rest properly. They were very reluctant to let Xiao Li go, as if they were afraid they wouldn¡¯t live to see her return. I¡¯ve secretly set up a formation to improve their surroundings and prepared everything they need. I¡¯ve also left them some medicinal herbs, in case they suddenly fall ill.¡± ¡°Mm,¡± Jiang Hao nodded, without saying much else. ¡°Senior Brother, are you worried that Junior Sister Xiao Li won¡¯t be able to handle it?¡± Cheng Chou asked curiously. Jiang Hao¡¯s expression was calm, his voice low. ¡°Some things are bound to happen, but some can be returned to, while others can never be returned to. While the elders are alive, Xiao Li has a home. Without them, she¡¯ll be without a home.¡± Jiang Hao seemed to think of himself, his voice tinged with a hint of helplessness. ¡°Even if one returns, it¡¯s only to the old land.¡± Cheng Chou bowed his head; he hadn¡¯t understood before because he had no family. But seeing Junior Sister Xiao Li return, he began to understand a little. ¡°By the way, there¡¯s something I need you to do for me,¡± Jiang Hao said. After hearing Jiang Hao¡¯s instructions, Cheng Chou left the sect. It would take about a week for him to return. Before he left, Jiang Hao gave him some talismans. ¡°You haven¡¯t reached Foundation Establishment yet, so the journey will waste quite a bit of time,¡± Jiang Hao thought as he watched Cheng Chou leave, planning to give him a push. Otherwise, it would take some more time. But now that Xiao Li and the others had returned, it was time to schedule the hanging of the rabbit. Now he had thirteen thousand spirit stones; he planned to sell some items in the next few days to see how much he could gather. Before the rabbit was taken down, it would also be the day of the Phoenix Nirvana for the peach tree. After these two events, he would be penniless again. ...... In the evening. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Looking at the peach tree that had started to bear fruit, Jiang Hao felt a sense of urgency. He thought he needed to watch over this tree carefully to prevent the fruits from ripening. Then he took a rope and tied it to the beam of the room, calling out: ¡°Rabbit, come here.¡± ¡°Master, I¡¯m here,¡± the rabbit immediately hopped to Jiang Hao¡¯s side, not panicking at the sight of the rope, even feeling somewhat familiar. It was this time last year that it was hung up, and it instinctively felt it should be an annual event. ¡°Get on.¡± At Jiang Hao¡¯s call, the rabbit jumped onto his hand and then waited calmly to be tied up. ¡°Master, how much will I eat this time? I won¡¯t agree if it¡¯s too little,¡± the rabbit prepared itself mentally. Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Unfortunately, it could only be a hundred. ¡°We¡¯ll start eating tomorrow.¡± After sealing the rabbit¡¯s abilities, Jiang Hao went to the courtyard to study the nameless secret manual. The more he understood the nameless secret manual, the better to deal with Bai Ye. ...... The next day. The rabbit began to consume spirit stones. The first time was slow, and it finished only by noon. ¡°Continue tomorrow.¡± ¡°Burp~ Master, can I have some sugar with it?¡± ¡°No.¡± Chapter 206 - More Tragic Than Expected Chapter 206: More Tragic Than Expected The rabbit needed to be hung up for eighty-one days. Every day it would consume a hundred spirit stones, totaling eight thousand one hundred in all. Jiang Hao checked his storage treasure to make sure there were enough spirit stones, then headed to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. ¡°Remember not to move around,¡± he casually reminded. The rabbit readily agreed: ¡°Master, you can completely trust Lord Rabbit.¡± Of course, Jiang Hao wouldn¡¯t trust it, and naturally, he wouldn¡¯t let the rabbit be on its own; he made sufficient preparations to prevent any accidents. If the rabbit consumed something else, the loss wouldn¡¯t just be time, but a significant amount of spirit stones. With his current financial situation, he couldn¡¯t afford such a loss. ...... Six days passed. That day, Jiang Hao saw Cheng Chou return to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. ¡°How¡¯s it going?¡± ¡°Not good news,¡± Cheng Chou sighed. Hearing this, Jiang Hao let out a soft sigh in his heart. Although he had already guessed it, he still felt it was a pity. He had previously asked Cheng Chou to inquire about someone, Lin Zhi¡¯s mother. According to Lin Zhi, his mother was seriously ill and had no money for treatment. But that was before. Now, although Lin Zhi¡¯s talent was lacking, the fact that he had joined the Tianyin Sect was undeniable. Therefore, the people from his hometown would only know that Lin Zhi had become an immortal, and his mother should be able to rely on Lin Zhi, like a big tree, to receive aid and assistance from the local gentry. Perhaps her condition could take a turn for the better. The hope was slim, but there was still a chance. ¡°Go on,¡± Jiang Hao said. ¡°Lin Junior Brother¡¯s family is ordinary; they rely solely on his mother doing odd jobs to get by. However, she still did her utmost to send him to private school to recognize a few characters.¡± ¡°But later, when his mother began to fall ill, he had to leave the private school to help at home. He always worked hard to earn money for his family without complaints, just hoping to cure his mother¡¯s illness. But no matter what medicine she took, there was no improvement. Later, when our sect was recruiting disciples, they gathered a group of people, and Lin Zhi was among those sent to the sect,¡± Cheng Chou continued, seeing that Jiang Hao had no questions. ¡°Just after Lin Zhi was sent away, his mother began to tidy up the house. Some people said they saw her looking well and thought her illness had improved a lot. They would occasionally greet her, saying that if Lin Zhi became an immortal, she would enjoy good fortune. And Lin¡¯s mother would just smile in response, saying that being an immortal was not important, but growing up safely was.¡± ¡°Later on, Lin¡¯s mother would do some small jobs to exchange for some grain, and she would also save some grain. At first, no one paid much attention to Lin¡¯s mother, until a month later, when the group that went to Tianyin Sect returned. Only then did people learn that one of the three who became immortals was Lin¡¯s mother¡¯s child.¡± ¡°Someone informed Lin¡¯s mother right away, and she smiled and shared some grain with them, saying that now she could rest easy. The messenger didn¡¯t think much of it. The next day, many people came to visit, and some even knew about Lin¡¯s mother¡¯s illness and brought famous doctors from the city. However...¡± Cheng Chou paused for a moment before continuing, ¡°When they entered, they found that Lin¡¯s mother, who had been smiling and welcoming people just the day before, had already passed away on her clay bed. According to the examination by the doctors present, they learned that Lin¡¯s mother had long been suffering from a serious illness. She had held on until now by sheer willpower, and only after knowing her child had become an immortal did she finally let go.¡± Jiang Hao stood in place, silent and contemplative. After a while, he asked, ¡°What about his father?¡± ¡°Lin Junior Brother¡¯s father went hunting in the forest shortly after he was born and never returned. Lin Junior Brother was raised single-handedly by his mother, which I heard was extremely difficult,¡± Cheng Chou said with emotion. After hesitating, he tentatively asked, ¡°Senior Brother, should we inform Lin Junior Brother about his mother¡¯s situation?¡± Jiang Hao shook his head gently, his tone steady. ¡°No need, let him find out on his own when he returns.¡± It had been over a year, and telling him now would do no good; it would only disturb his mind. Besides, he probably had some suspicions already; better to let him focus on his cultivation. When the day comes for his Foundation Establishment, he can go back with something to show for it. He then gave Cheng Chou some Qi Refining ninth level pills. ¡°Consolidate your cultivation well; you can choose to undergo Foundation Establishment after some time.¡± Cheng Chou was overjoyed at the news. ¡°I have already prepared the Foundation Establishment pill. I will give it to you when it¡¯s suitable,¡± Jiang Hao said. A high success rate for Foundation Establishment required a Foundation Establishment pill, and fortunately, he had one. Having ¡°picked up¡± so many storage treasures, he certainly had a Foundation Establishment pill. However, it had a special mark on it, so he dared not sell it. Instead, he could give it to Cheng Chou, as long as he didn¡¯t let him see the mark. With Lin Zhi¡¯s matter settled, Jiang Hao waited for Bai Ye¡¯s appearance. ...... Three days later, people from the Hundred Bones Forest came again. The person handling the transfer with the Spiritual Medicine Garden was still Fairy Lian Qin. ¡°I heard that the Spiritual Medicine Garden recently changed its standards. If there¡¯s anything Junior Brother would like us to know in advance, please tell us. Of course, if there are any changes needed later on, you can inform us one by one. We will definitely cooperate. And don¡¯t worry about the spirit stones; we¡¯re not like some people from a certain lineage who like to play little tricks,¡± Lian Qin said with a smile. After the incident with the Candlelight Alchemy Court lineage, everyone liked to bring it up. Now their people also didn¡¯t dare to mess around, or else the consequences would be unpredictable. If someone leads a robbery, there will be a second time after the first. No one dares to be the first to act in the short term, but over time they will forget this threat. ¡°Where did Lian Junior Sister get that idea? How has our Candlelight Alchemy Court lineage played any tricks?¡± At this moment, Lian Daozhi, who had just come over for business, heard Lian Qin¡¯s words and was quite dissatisfied. ¡°Heh,¡± Lian Qin sneered. ¡°I didn¡¯t say it was the Candlelight Alchemy Court lineage.¡± S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lian Daozhi snorted coldly and turned to Jiang Hao in a friendly manner. ¡°Jiang Junior Brother, do you have any free time recently? We have a batch of spiritual herbs that we would like to plant in the Duanqing Cliff Spiritual Medicine Garden.¡± ¡°I was here first,¡± Lian Qin said coldly. Jiang Hao apologized and then discussed the general arrangements with Lian Qin. It was just a normal arrangement because he knew Bai Ye¡¯s methods and didn¡¯t plan to use his own knowledge to shake the various techniques of the other party. After confirming the planting location for the Hundred Bones Forest¡¯s spiritual herbs, Jiang Hao approached Lian Daozhi and said. ¡°Sorry to have kept Senior Brother waiting.¡± Lian Daozhi, Golden Core complete. The last time it was the black lotus that was planted, and it was brought by him. This time, it was unclear what he would bring. ¡°I have a batch of spiritual herbs that I would like to plant here for three months,¡± Lian Daozhi pondered. ¡°But it¡¯s quite difficult, so I want to ask if Junior Brother is up to the task.¡± ¡°What kind of spiritual herbs?¡± Jiang Hao was quite curious. If they were expensive enough, they could occasionally produce blue bubbles. His yard had some before, but now they no longer appeared. That particular spiritual herb was strange; its real selling price was outrageous, but once it split, no one wanted it. Yes, it was the snow lotus. A high-grade healing spiritual herb, split seeds would grow into split herbs, which couldn¡¯t be sold. And he was tricked, but instead, he got a good deal. However, he couldn¡¯t sell it because they felt that split snow lotuses were bad for one¡¯s luck. I don¡¯t know how the rumor started. It¡¯s said that those who have used the split snow lotus flower haven¡¯t lived long. I bought it for fifty spirit stones back then, and others made a killing. After all, not many people can grow it. ¡°It¡¯s called the Mingye Autumn Flower. It requires a high-quality spiritual field for planting, and daily watering with spirit liquid. It must be tended by a Foundation Establishment cultivator to deal with the golden leaf bugs on it.¡± Lian Daozhi said with a hint of helplessness, ¡°Recently, our Spiritual Medicine Garden has encountered some minor issues, which prevent us from planting, so we need to find another Spiritual Medicine Garden. Other Spiritual Medicine Gardens have taken some, but the quantity is quite large, and they can¡¯t accommodate all of it.¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t dealt with it before, but if Senior Brother is willing, you can bring one plant over first,¡± Jiang Hao did not refuse. He found it hard to refuse and was also curious to see if this Mingye Autumn Flower was as precious as it seemed. Chapter 207 - A Warning from the Female Demon Chapter 207: A Warning from the Female Demon Jiang Hao¡¯s request was granted. ¡°The transplant will take three to five days. Junior Brother, please take care of it for a week before we decide,¡± Lian Daozhi said with a smile. After this matter was settled, Jiang Hao saw the visitor off. Then he went to observe the spiritual medicines in the Hundred Bones Forest. He had been pondering how to inquire about Bai Ye¡¯s whereabouts from the other party. Too abrupt and he feared startling the snake, but without asking, it was hard to know Bai Ye¡¯s situation. ¡®Could it be that I can only sneak into the Hundred Bones Forest later to investigate?¡¯ ¡®It¡¯s somewhat risky.¡¯ The Hundred Bones Forest is no ordinary place; it¡¯s not realistic for a Nascent Soul to wander freely. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Most areas of the sect¡¯s twelve veins are accessible to disciples, but some places can easily alert others if entered unintentionally, and that would be dangerous. After the planting of the spiritual medicines in the Hundred Bones Forest was finished, Jiang Hao still hadn¡¯t found a suitable opportunity to ask about Bai Ye. This time, they only planted spiritual medicines in the Spiritual Medicine Garden and didn¡¯t involve the outside. ¡°Junior Brother, do you see any problems?¡± Fairy Lian Qin asked. The other party¡¯s attitude was surprisingly good, and Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t find any fault. In the end, he could only shake his head. Thus, the group from the Hundred Bones Forest bid farewell and left. With a sigh, Jiang Hao could only wait for Bai Ye¡¯s methods to appear. But five days passed, and he didn¡¯t feel the slightest discomfort. One day, the Mingye Autumn Flower was delivered by Lian Daozhi. It was an autumn-colored spiritual medicine, half a person tall, with rather thick branches and leaves, occasionally flashing with gold. It would be good to get rid of it. After Jiang Hao¡¯s appraisal, he found it to be a high-grade spiritual medicine, useful for refining the body. The selling price was also extremely high. ¡°Are all high-grade spiritual medicines expensive?¡± Jiang Hao inquired. ¡°Of course, but Junior Brother, there aren¡¯t many high-grade spiritual medicines here, so it¡¯s normal for you to ask. Not all high-grade spiritual medicines are expensive; it depends on their use, but most are quite pricey,¡± Lian Daozhi replied. Jiang Hao nodded and said no more. Afterward, he said he would try it for a few days. For seven days, he was the only one taking care of the Mingye Autumn Flower. During this time, green bubbles appeared twice. The intervals between them were different. It seemed to be random. But it might be worth planting more to see if blue bubbles are more likely to appear during this time. The Spiritual Medicine Garden was producing fewer blue bubbles, as most spiritual medicines didn¡¯t require care. After agreeing to plant the Mingye Autumn Flowers, everything returned to calm. The rabbit had also been hung up for half a month. During this period, Jiang Hao sold some items, and his spirit stones increased from thirteen thousand to fifteen thousand. With just over a thousand more, he could keep ten thousand for his Nirvana, ensuring nothing would go wrong. And there were about two months left until the peach tree was fully mature. Everything was on schedule. ...... Half a month later. Jiang Hao still hadn¡¯t felt Bai Ye¡¯s methods, which puzzled him. However, on this day, a peach was finally about to mature, and he plucked it without hesitation. There wouldn¡¯t be a ripe peach this year. He naturally didn¡¯t want to eat a sour one himself, so he took them all to the Spiritual Medicine Garden for Xiao Li, who came to play. ¡°Not sweet,¡± Xiao Li said after eating. With that, Jiang Hao felt reassured. That¡¯s what he wanted ¨C not sweet. After that, Jiang Hao picked one or two peaches every day for a month to give to Xiao Li. After eating them for a month, Xiao Li finally asked, ¡°Senior Brother, why are this year¡¯s peaches a bit sour?¡± ¡°If they were sweet, I wouldn¡¯t personally bring them to you,¡± Jiang Hao looked at Xiao Li calmly and said. ¡°Perhaps they¡¯re sweet one year and sour the next.¡± Xiao Li believed him and said. ¡°Then let¡¯s finish them quickly, and continue to bear fruit next year.¡± Good child, Jiang Hao nodded. But... as the days passed, the peach tree had been prematurely picked by him almost completely. Yet Hong Yuye never came again. How long had it been since Hong Yuye¡¯s last visit? Over four months. Looking at the peach tree with only a few fruits left, Jiang Hao appraised it. Nirvana could indeed proceed, the same as before, requiring one fruit. The difference was that the number of spirit stones required had increased. This time it was nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine. Just one short of a full ten thousand. After checking his storage treasure, Jiang Hao found he was short by a few hundred. Fortunately, he can sell some talismans, which should be enough. ...... Half a month later. Only five days remained before the rabbit was due to come down. And finally, all the fruits had been picked, leaving just one last piece. It was on this day that Jiang Hao was greeted by a graceful figure. The moment he saw her, his heart sank. She had arrived just when he was about to help the peach tree undergo its rebirth. Jiang Hao stepped out, and the graceful figure turned her head to look at him, a hint of a smile between her brows. ¡°You seem to be waiting for me.¡± Jiang Hao¡¯s expression darkened, knowing that she had deliberately chosen this moment. ¡°Senior¡¯s arrival naturally brings me joy,¡± he said respectfully, bowing his head. ¡°Do you remember what you said last year?¡± Hong Yuye spoke to Jiang Hao with a smile that was not quite a smile. ¡°You said that this year¡¯s peaches would be sour. Now tell me, do you still think they are sour?¡± Jiang Hao sighed inwardly and replied: ¡°They might also be sweet.¡± Hong Yuye smiled slightly and asked. ¡°Last time you were so confident, why aren¡¯t you confident this time?¡± If it weren¡¯t for a purple bubble, Jiang Hao would have stubbornly picked the fruit. But when he looked up at the ripe fruit, he completely gave up. The result would be the same. He bowed his head and said no more. But then he saw Hong Yuye approaching, carrying an inexplicable aura that shook heaven and earth. Next came her cold voice. ¡°Remember what I said? If it¡¯s not sour, then you¡¯re lying to me.¡± As her words fell, Jiang Hao felt an overwhelming power that seemed capable of crushing him to dust in an instant. By the time he came to his senses, he had already hit the wall. His back was somewhat sore. Incredibly, under that terrifying aura, he was only a bit sore. Once he stood up straight, Hong Yuye was looking at the rabbit hanging in the air. ¡°Do you have this kind of hobby?¡± Jiang Hao hurriedly began to explain: ¡°I¡¯m helping it activate its latent bloodline.¡± ¡°You seem to take good care of your rabbit. What about my tree?¡± Hong Yuye turned back to look at Jiang Hao. ¡°It can undergo rebirth today,¡± Jiang Hao replied. He had intended to do the rebirth today anyway, and as long as it was successful, he wouldn¡¯t have to worry about whether the fruit was sour or sweet. Who knew Hong Yuye would choose this day to come. ¡°It seems you have been taking care of my flowers and trees,¡± Hong Yuye nodded, then suddenly asked. ¡°How long has it been since you last slept?¡± This question took Jiang Hao by surprise, and after pondering for a moment, he answered. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time.¡± At this point, Hong Yuye was staring at Jiang Hao, making him feel uncomfortable. He could only bow his head in silence. But soon, Jiang Hao felt confused again, not understanding why she was staring at him. With a slight movement, Hong Yuye walked over to the wooden table and placed a box on it. ¡°I¡¯m not letting you help for nothing; this is for you. Also, go get some sleep tonight. Don¡¯t be unaware that you¡¯re suffering from a severe poison.¡± With those words, Hong Yuye disappeared from the spot. This left Jiang Hao somewhat incredulous. Was he poisoned? He closed his eyes to sense his condition for a moment but detected no discomfort. But did Hong Yuye have any reason to lie to him? ¡°How did I get poisoned?¡± Suddenly, he thought of something. ¡°Bai Ye.¡± Chapter 208 - Once Again Obtaining the Golden Legend Chapter 208: Once Again Obtaining the Golden Legend In the courtyard. The leaves of the peach tree rustled, Jiang Hao¡¯s clothes fluttered uncontrollably, and his hair tips swayed gently. At this moment, he slowly walked to the table and sat down on the wooden chair. ¡°How did Bai Ye do it?¡± After much thought, Jiang Hao still couldn¡¯t find any clues. He had identified the spiritual medicines from the Hundred Bones Forest a long time ago, and any effects should have been detectable. Moreover, he assessed his physical condition every seven or eight days. So far, there were no problems. Without symptoms, it was impossible to detect anything. Therefore, he paid more attention to the spiritual medicines. If the medicines showed effects, he would be able to tell if they were Bai Ye¡¯s proud creations. But no matter where he looked, he found no trace. Cultivation, divine powers, techniques¡ªhe had tried them all. Everything was smooth and unobstructed. He had thought that the symptoms had not yet appeared and needed more time. However, Hong Yuye¡¯s words shocked him; he was suffering from a severe poison without knowing it. ¡°Severe poison, huh.¡± Jiang Hao sensed his condition once again, but still, there were no problems. ¡°Could it be an effect that just appeared today?¡± After pondering for a moment, he performed an appraisal on himself again. But the result was the same as usual, he was still afflicted with the Tianjue Gu poison. ¡°It seems that something else is needed to trigger it.¡± ¡°It should be time to sleep.¡± ¡°So, should I go to sleep now?¡± Jiang Hao looked at the rabbit, with only five days left. Hesitating for a moment, he opened the box left by Hong Yuye. Inside lay a medicinal pill. The pill had red and white patterns, its faint fragrance was refreshing and invigorating, and just a whiff of it made every inch of skin tingle with excitement. ¡°A holy medicine for healing wounds? Is it for detoxifying me?¡± Jiang Hao speculated. But he didn¡¯t plan to use it now, at least not until he knew what was going on. He decided to wait another five days, then take a sleep and see what poison he was afflicted with. Having the medicinal pill for detoxification made things much safer; even if it only treated the symptoms, it would buy enough time to react. ...... The next day. Jiang Hao appraised the spiritual medicines of the Hundred Bones Forest again. Due to the large variety and quantity, it would take several days to complete the appraisal. However, there was still no discovery. Over four days, he appraised four types of spiritual medicines. None showed to be the proud creation of Bai Ye. If there was no problem with the spiritual medicines, then where was the issue? On the fifth day, he looked at the Mingye Autumn Flowers, which had also been sent over suddenly. Could it be a tactic of Bai Ye? ¡°Appraisal.¡± Jiang Hao quietly waited for the feedback. The conclusion was the same as what Lian Daozhi had said; there had been a small accident in their Spiritual Medicine Garden, so they were stored here. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even if there were doubts, there was no way to investigate. ...... In the evening, Jiang Hao sat in the courtyard. Without a single clue, he looked at the fruits that were about to ripen and suddenly realized he had forgotten to perform nirvana on the peach tree. He sighed and stopped overthinking. Instead, he used spirit stones to set up a spirit gathering formation to let the peach tree undergo nirvana. Tomorrow would be the last day of hanging the rabbit. After obtaining the Golden Legend, he could go to sleep. By then, he would know the status, and he needed to save the appraisal for tomorrow. Just in case. ...... The next morning. ¡°Master, look, the peach tree exploded again.¡± The rabbit swung itself like a swing, looking completely at ease. ¡°Mm.¡± Jiang Hao sat quietly watching. At that moment, a golden bubble appeared next to the rabbit. Jiang Hao felt quite emotional. He had finally waited until this moment. ¡¾Golden Legend +1¡¿ Jiang Hao stood up and untied the rabbit, saying, ¡°Alright, you can go out now.¡± ¡°How about hanging for two more days?¡± the rabbit said reluctantly, touching its ears. Jiang Hao looked at the rabbit calmly and finally refused: ¡°No.¡± The rabbit didn¡¯t mind and ran to the side of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower first. Normally, he would appraise the rabbit¡¯s condition, but now he needed to save his divine power for the sleep later. After collecting the successfully nirvana-ed the peach tree, Jiang Hao casually collected two blue bubbles. ¡¾Cultivation +1¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy +1¡¿ The seeds needed to be appraised before planting to ensure the correct planting method. Now, he had to open the Golden Legend first. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 23¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Nascent Soul Early Stage¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind, Hidden Spirit Manifestation, Divine Might¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 37/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 37/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 1/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡¾Golden Legend: 2/2 (can be acquired)¡¿ Looking at the panel, Jiang Hao chose to obtain the Golden Legend. In a hazy state, he saw himself standing on an endless land. Above in the sky were nine golden rings, which seemed to encompass the land. Then the rings came towards him, and as each one landed in his hand, the surrounding environment began to change. Mountains, seas, jungles, clouds... and so on flashed by, until the ninth golden ring landed in his hand, Jiang Hao found himself back at his residence. Now he had a golden ring in his hand. Holding the ring, he felt the other eight sub-rings inside it. ¡°It feels like something extraordinary, but unfortunately, there¡¯s no time to study it.¡± After putting away the golden ring, Jiang Hao went upstairs. Now he was going to take a sleep and see what poison he had been afflicted with. Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Jiang Hao took out the medicinal pill. The fragrance of the pill helped to alleviate the burden on his body. Should any problems arise, it would offer a chance for a turnaround. He then closed his eyes slightly and began to rest. He dared not lie down to sleep, to prevent being unable to react in time. With his eyes closed, Jiang Hao felt his consciousness grow heavy, but the surrounding spiritual energy and scents kept stimulating him, making it hard for him to fall asleep. The more this happened, the more he felt the need to sleep. To see what kind of poison it was. After a while, he fell into a deep sleep. In the midst of it, he felt something rapidly invading his Nascent Soul. He woke up in an instant. To his surprise, what he saw was not his own room. Instead, it was a tranquil lake, and in the lake, a long-haired woman with her back to him was washing her shoulders with water. Her fair back was fully exposed. Seeing all this, Jiang Hao subconsciously thought of Hong Yuye and worried that the woman before him might be her. After a short time, the woman in the lake slowly stood up, her long hair moving from the front to her back. She was about to turn around. If she turned, Jiang Hao would see her front. At this thought, he felt a sense of panic and wanted to dodge. But as he tried to move aside, what surrounded him was not vegetation but endless bones and rivers of blood. This sudden change startled Jiang Hao, but he still managed to remain calm. A divine power flickered between his eyebrows. Not only that, but the ring on his finger was also bolstering him. ¡°Nascent Soul, huh?¡± Jiang Hao realized. This is the poison? Without hesitation, he used a divine power on himself. This situation was very different from before, especially in the Nascent Soul state, and he wasn¡¯t sure if he could successfully appraise himself. Soon the divine power gave feedback. ¡°It seems to be possible.¡± Chapter 209 - The Nine Rings of Heaven and Earth Chapter 209: The Nine Rings of Heaven and Earth ¡¾Current Status: Afflicted with the Tianjuee Gu poison and Bai Ye¡¯s Heart Demon Technique. The Heart Demon Technique, created by Bai Ye, uses the minute toxins of the autumn flower golden leaf bug, the extreme bliss toxins of Duanqing Grass, the humidity of stream water, the scent of vegetation, combined with the properties and fragrance of snow lotus and black lotus, which may be mixed with blue lotus to form the Heart Demon poison. Those who encounter it in sleep or during ascension are likely to suffer an outbreak, forming a Heart Demon. The scent of red lotus can be used to counteract the poison of the golden leaf bug¡¯s scent.¡¿ Looking at the feedback from the divine power, Jiang Hao was stunned. The threat of Bai Ye was far beyond his imagination. Such a person was terrifying. It turned out that the real impact was not from the spiritual medicine of the Hundred Bones Forest, nor the autumn flowers, but the golden leaf bugs on the autumn flowers. And his work these past days had been to clear out the golden leaf bugs. ¡°I¡¯ve been guarding the wrong place, and Bai Ye even used my residence and the spiritual medicine I planted against me.¡± ¡°I need to find out more about his situation.¡± But to find out more, he could only ask Liu Xingchen. He needed a good excuse. ¡°Are you spying on me?¡± Suddenly, a voice came from the side. Jiang Hao then remembered the woman in the lake. Turning his head, he saw that she had hidden herself in the water, only her head visible, looking panicked and pitiable. The moment he saw her face, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn¡¯t Hong Yuye. It was Senior Sister Yun Ruo. Why it was Yun Ruo, he did not know, but it didn¡¯t matter. ¡°Are you the Heart Demon?¡± Jiang Hao asked coldly. ¡°I¡¯m not, I¡¯m just...¡± Before Yun Ruo in the water could finish, a flash of blade light followed. Pfft! Blood spilled everywhere, and Yun Ruo fell into the lake. Staring at the water¡¯s surface, Jiang Hao said calmly. ¡°How could a Heart Demon admit to being a Heart Demon?¡± ¡°You¡¯re so cruel.¡± At that moment, Senior Sister Yun Ruo in the water recovered again, but this time her face was twisted, and her body was covered by a sea of blood. She stared at Jiang Hao, stirring the surrounding dry bones and corpses. For a moment, countless skeletons slowly stood up, all staring at Jiang Hao, their mouths moving slightly, all saying: ¡°You¡¯re so cruel, why did you kill me.¡± ¡°Just a Heart Demon.¡± Jiang Hao looked coldly at the ¡°Senior Sister Yun Ruo¡± before him as his Divine Might activated, and a golden light shone brightly. Clang! The sound of a saber rang out, and the Primordial Heavenly Saber was in hand. Purple Qi spread out. A powerful aura suppressed everything around, and the Heart Demons inexplicably felt fear. Some even began to flee. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Jiang Hao just calmly watched them, and then he slashed down with his saber. ¡°In your next life, don¡¯t come to be my Heart Demon.¡± Boom! With one slash, he broke open the heavens and the earth, the skeletons shattered to dust, and the sea of blood evaporated and disappeared. Finally, a light pierced through the heavy darkness. Jiang Hao¡¯s eyes opened accordingly. This time he saw his own room, and the fragrance of the medicinal pill was still effective. The pill made him feel much more comfortable, and even his Nascent Soul was nourished. ¡°This pill is extraordinary.¡± Thinking this, he closed the lid. The pill wasn¡¯t needed for the heart demon poison this time; it could be saved for later use. Afterward, he carefully sensed his body. Aside from some consumption of his Nascent Soul, there were no significant issues. ¡°Sleeping is fine, but encountering a heart demon during advancement could be extremely dangerous.¡± Jiang Hao felt a lingering fear. A failed advancement could mean not just a waste of cultivation and vital energy, which was the lesser concern, but also significant harm to oneself. ¡°I need to buy some Red Lotus seeds, or perhaps a Red Lotus flower directly. I wonder how many spirit stones that will cost.¡± He had only five hundred spirit stones left. Selling some talismans should get him around seven hundred. ...... Leaving his residence, Jiang Hao headed to the Xuelian Pavilion. ¡°A Red Lotus flower?¡± The guiding fairy politely brought out the seed: ¡°Red Lotus flowers are quite rare. Senior Brother is quite lucky; this is the last one we have. The price is five hundred.¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t quite believe what she said, as he often felt overcharged on his visits. But five hundred seemed to be the normal price, not too much more than expected. Still, it was expensive, and that was without considering high-grade spiritual medicines. After purchasing the seed, he sold some talismans and casually bought seven bottles of spiritual liquid. This time, without needing an appraisal, the guiding fairy informed him that watering with the spiritual liquid for seven days would suffice. This was the fastest way to cultivate it. And so, Jiang Hao did just that. ....... The next day. He took out the golden ring he had obtained from the Golden Legend. It looked like a bracelet and, once successfully refined, could be controlled to change size at will. ¡°Appraisal.¡± ¡¾Nine Rings of Heaven and Earth: A spatial treasure. Borrow the laws of Heaven and Earth, the positions of heaven and earth. The main ring and the sub-rings can be used to reach the location of the sub-rings, even if they are worlds apart. Each sub-ring can only be used to borrow position once a day.¡¿ ¡°Is that how it works?¡± Jiang Hao was quite surprised. Does that mean he could go anywhere as long as he had planted a sub-ring? He had a rough idea that it was a spatial treasure when he was refining it, but he didn¡¯t expect it to be used like this. It was somewhat incredible. After wearing the main ring on his wrist, Jiang Hao spread out his hand, and eight golden rings floated up. Upon closer inspection, he found that these eight rings could be used for both offense and defense, not just for borrowing positions from heaven and earth. However, to borrow a position, he would need to open that door. Then, he threw one of the rings onto the ground, and it expanded, imprinting onto the ground like a formation. Afterward, he went outside the courtyard and set the second ring in the air to open. Having done all this, he connected with the main ring and then linked it to the sub-ring in the room. Three breaths later, he disappeared from the spot, reappearing above the ring in the room. ¡°It¡¯s an instantaneous teleportation.¡± He remarked and then vanished again, this time stepping out from the ring in the courtyard. It was still instantaneous. ¡°This is quite useful.¡± As long as he kept one golden ring in the room, he could return at any moment, no matter where he was. The only question was whether it could withstand spatial lockdown. Also, to connect successfully, it required about three breaths¡¯ time. In urgent situations, it might not be effective. But this was enough; as long as there was a three-breath window of safety, he could use the position-borrowing ability. After placing a ring in the room, Jiang Hao collected the ring from the courtyard. So, what to do with the remaining seven rings? For a moment, he didn¡¯t know how to use them. However, like the Heavenly Saber, the main ring could be stored inside his body, and its specific uses could be considered later. He still had to appraise the rabbit, the pills, and the seeds. Because of Bai Ye, he had delayed many things. ...... The next day, Jiang Hao appraised the peach tree seed. It was not much different from before; everything was just reduced a bit. Germination was one day faster, and there was one less Nirvana. After planting the seed, Jiang Hao waited calmly for seven days to harvest a purple bubble. ....... The next day, he appraised the rabbit. The results were surprising; the rabbit still had potential. But this time it wasn¡¯t one hundred, but four hundred and ninety, lasting forty-nine days. The rabbit was not simple; its potential was too profound. Jiang Hao vaguely remembered that when he first caught it, it didn¡¯t even have spiritual intelligence. It was just an ordinary spiritual beast. That day, Jiang Hao in the Spiritual Medicine Garden welcomed Xiao Li. ¡°Senior Brother, last time you said you would give this to me.¡± She casually grabbed the rabbit and pointed at the collar. After a moment of silence, Jiang Hao finally spoke. ¡°Does this have any use?¡± ¡°The rabbit says it¡¯s so powerful because of this,¡± Xiao Li answered truthfully. Jiang Hao sighed. How could one believe what a rabbit says? At that moment, he suddenly felt a slight fluctuation from the stone slab. The second gathering was about to begin. Chapter 210 - Divine Pill Chapter 210: Divine Pill A slight vibration from the Secret Whisper Slate indicated that the Senior Dan Yuan was once again convening a gathering. It should also be an advance notice. The specific time needed to be checked. Recently, he hasn¡¯t stopped checking the Secret Whisper Slate, but it¡¯s always the same three people chatting idly. The others haven¡¯t shown up yet; according to Fairy Gui and the others, they¡¯re either in seclusion or busy with certain tasks. As for specific information about those people, Jiang Hao doesn¡¯t know much. Especially their identities, he knows very little, only some characteristics. For example, Gui is currently tracking River Dragon. In a few days, she¡¯ll probably curse a couple of times. Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t in a hurry to observe the Secret Whisper Slate; instead, he turned his attention to Xiao Li. He definitely wouldn¡¯t give her a collar; he hadn¡¯t agreed to it last time either. As for why she thought he would give it to her, that was a mystery. Still, he decided to give her something to keep her settled down. After a moment of hesitation, he reached out and took out the second ring and tossed it to Xiao Li. ¡°Refine it a bit, and it can serve as both an offensive and defensive magical treasure.¡± Xiao Li caught the golden ring, her face lit up with excitement. After refining it for half a day, she wore it around her neck and ran over to show Jiang Hao. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Take it off.¡± Jiang Hao sighed, ¡°Wear it on your wrist.¡± Reluctantly, Xiao Li took it off and wore it on her wrist. The rabbit eyed Xiao Li¡¯s bracelet and then said to Jiang Hao: ¡°Master, give me one too.¡± ¡°Next time,¡± Jiang Hao replied calmly. There were only eight rings in total. One had to be kept in the courtyard just in case, and one was given to Xiao Li, which would likely never be used. Now there were only six left. Giving one to the rabbit would mean only five were usable. The rings were needed to activate the door that would allow him to pass through, a function he hadn¡¯t yet revealed to Xiao Li. Explaining too much would not be conducive to releasing them later. After tending to the Mingye Autumn Flowers again, Jiang Hao returned. These flowers often produced green bubbles, which were mostly less useful than white bubbles. After all, some spirit swords were of no use. Not only did they take up space, but selling them was too conspicuous. He could only wait for an opportunity to go out and sell them in large quantities. Back in the courtyard, Jiang Hao looked at the planted peach trees, considering that matter settled, as well as the red lotus flowers once they bloomed. Now there were only two urgent tasks to attend to: identifying the pills given by Hong Yuye and inquiring about Bai Ye from Liu Xingchen. After sitting down, he checked the Secret Whisper Slate and learned that a gathering would be held in seven days at midnight. ¡°The interval is a bit long this time, but that¡¯s fine,¡± he thought. ¡°I need to do something for the second time. Since I rarely participate, if I don¡¯t make myself useful, I¡¯ll be easily marginalized.¡± After much deliberation, he decided to see whether he should reveal some information about the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, depending on the situation. He needed to gain their approval first; otherwise, he couldn¡¯t continue to stay undercover. The next day, Jiang Hao took out the detoxification pill to identify it. ¡¾Red Feather Divine Pill: A holy medicine for healing, capable of regenerating flesh from bones and nourishing the Nascent Soul, dispelling evil, removing curses, and eliminating inner demons. As long as there¡¯s a breath of life or a wisp of soul, there¡¯s a chance of being saved. This medicine is almost ineffective for those with dragon bloodline.¡¿ ¡°What level of pill is this?¡± Jiang Hao felt shocked as he read the description. Does Hong Yuye have anything ordinary? So far, everything she¡¯s given him can¡¯t be bought with spirit stones. Whether it¡¯s ¡¶Heavenly Saber Seven Forms¡·, ¡¶Merge with Light and Blend with Dust¡·, or the nameless secret manual, none of them are available on the market, especially the last one, which might be the only copy in the entire cultivation world in his possession. The Snow God Pill and this Red Feather Divine Pill are no less extraordinary. ¡°Is she richer than the entire Tianyin Sect combined? Who exactly is she?¡± Soon, Jiang Hao¡¯s thoughts turned to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and the peach tree. In the future, these two items might also belong to her. Does this mean all her good items are stolen? What kind of power allows someone to steal so much without any consequences? For a moment, Jiang Hao felt his chances of escaping her clutches were growing more elusive. ¡°No, I must become stronger as soon as possible. Whether I can escape or not is one thing, but I must have control over my own life and death.¡± He thought about going to the mines to dig, as the place was gradually recovering. If he made a mistake, there was a chance he¡¯d be punished by being sent there. He didn¡¯t dare to go there on his own initiative, as it wouldn¡¯t be easy to return once he went. If Hong Yuye found out, it could spell trouble. Putting away the Red Feather Divine Pill, he decided to find time to check the Scripture Pavilion to gauge the rarity of this pill. Perhaps he could sell it in the future if he became desperate. What surprised him, however, was that the pill was ineffective for those with dragon bloodlines. He wondered why. ...... Three days later, the red lotus sprouted, and Jiang Hao didn¡¯t feel much. However, after sleeping nearby, the poison of the inner demons disappeared. It seemed that the sprouting was effective. Two more days passed, and the peach tree sprouted. Purple bubbles appeared. ¡¾Divine Ability Fragment+1¡¿ Now with two Divine Ability Fragments, if things went well next year, he could gain another divine ability. If all nine nirvanas produced purple bubbles, that would mean three divine abilities. But he feared that the bubbles might turn gold later on. ....... Before midnight, Jiang Hao stood on the balcony looking at the yard, where a rabbit was lying on the ground, gazing at the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. Every night it kept watch, eager to devour it. ¡°I wonder if it will really take a bite one day,¡± Jiang Hao mused, shaking his head. If it bit the flower, the flower might be fine, but the rabbit... could end up as fertilizer. Returning to his room, he took out the Secret Whisper Slate; it was almost midnight. Moments later, Jiang Hao entered the public area of the slate. It was the same spot as before, with the same five people. Sitting high in front was Senior Dan Yuan, with ¡°Gui¡± (Ghost), ¡°Liu¡± (Willow), and ¡°Xing¡± (Star) at his sides. ¡°Greetings, senior,¡± the four said respectfully. ¡°It¡¯s been a while.¡± Dan Yuan said with a smile, looking at the four. ¡°It seems it¡¯s you four again. Any cultivation issues lately?¡± ¡°I¡¯d like to ask senior if the Tiansheng Sect¡¯s mental cultivation method is suitable for practice?¡± Fairy Gui was the first to speak. ¡°Tiansheng mental cultivation method?¡± Dan Yuan replied softly, ¡°It depends on your purpose. The Tiansheng method doesn¡¯t have anything beyond mental refinement¡ªno spiritual clones like the Great Thousand Spirit Technique, nor the visions of the Sun and Moon mental method. So, if you¡¯re looking for something else, it¡¯s not suitable. But for mental refinement, it¡¯s a viable choice. The Tiansheng method isn¡¯t top-tier, but it¡¯s decent in the southern region, especially since it¡¯s highly compatible with other methods, allowing for easy transition and even concurrent cultivation with certain other methods.¡± Gui Xianzi nodded her thanks, and Liu and Xing also asked some questions. Jiang Hao hesitated for a moment but chose to shake his head. He had nothing to ask. He didn¡¯t practice mental cultivation methods, his technique was the Primordial Heart Sutra, and he had never encountered a bottleneck. As for spells... they were all unconventional. Asking would only complicate things. He could have asked about elixirs last time since it was his first participation and exceptions could be made, but not this time. It would break the rules. The others didn¡¯t say anything about it; not everyone encounters problems with their cultivation. ¡°Let¡¯s discuss the matter we mentioned last time.¡± Dan Yuan said, looking at everyone. ¡°Do any of you have information related to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower?¡± Liu mentioned some rumors, but nothing substantial. Xing remained silent. Fairy Gui glanced at Jiang Hao and finally said, ¡°Although I don¡¯t know the specifics about the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, I do know where one can be found.¡± Jiang Hao was puzzled. If she knew, why look at him? Chapter 211 - Probing at the Gathering Chapter 211: Probing at the Gathering Above the boundless starry sky, Jiang Hao sat cross-legged, his breath steady and his demeanor calm. Gui had just glanced at him and mentioned knowing the whereabouts of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, which made him subconsciously worry that she knew his identity, causing a moment of alarm. But on second thought, that was impossible. The only people who knew he was undercover here were himself and Hong Yuye. No one else could be aware. As Fairy Gui finished speaking, everyone looked over, seemingly surprised. Senior Dan Yuan also showed keen interest. ¡°Oh?¡± ¡°I wonder if Daoist Jing might have heard anything?¡± Fairy Gui asked Jiang Hao softly. ¡°Why do you ask this, Fairy Gui?¡± Jiang Hao countered. The others were also somewhat surprised. Fairy Gui candidly said, ¡°Because in the southern region, if one has some means, they can usually find out a thing or two.¡± She looked at Dan Yuan and continued, ¡°I contacted some friends and learned from certain sects that there is a Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower in the south, and I have deduced its location.¡± At the end, she asked the person sitting at the top. ¡°Senior, may I speak openly?¡± ¡°If you¡¯re not worried about them hearing, then by all means,¡± Dan Yuan said with a smile, not minding if others learned the location. The others listened quietly; this was potentially valuable information for them. ¡°Tianyin Sect,¡± Fairy Gui stated seriously. ¡°After much investigation, I¡¯ve concluded that there¡¯s a ninety percent chance the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower is in the Tianyin Sect. It seems there¡¯s a related treasure that can reveal its exact location within the sect.¡± Jiang Hao understood. Being in the same southern region, knowing about the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower or not indicated whether one¡¯s influence was significant enough. It seemed he might have been underestimated. But indeed... he didn¡¯t have much sway. The southern region was vast, with various powerful sects. Nascent Soul realm cultivators were numerous, and he had neither connections nor background. The only Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower he knew of was closely related to him, and it wasn¡¯t wise to speak openly about it. ¡®It seems I need to elevate their perception of me. Otherwise, everyone will underestimate me.¡¯ ¡°Tianyin Sect?¡± Dan Yuan asked with slight confusion. ¡°Many years ago, I passed through Youyun Prefecture in the south, and wasn¡¯t Tianyin Sect just a small faction?¡± ¡°It was indeed a small faction in the past, but it has risen rapidly in recent decades. By scale, it barely qualifies as a large sect, but it lacks deep roots. It¡¯s said that the rise of the Tianyin Sect is due to their sect leader, Tianyin Demon. This person is said to be powerful, sweeping through the sects around Youyun Prefecture. The more she fights, the stronger she gets, with a hint of mystery,¡± Fairy Gui explained. ¡°Aren¡¯t there many sects in the south? Those closer to Youyun Prefecture include Tianqing Mountain, Luoxia Sect, Xuantian Sect, and so on. Don¡¯t they compete for it?¡± Xing asked. Fairy Jing shrugged, indicating she didn¡¯t know. ¡°Daoist Jing, do you have any insight into that area?¡± Dan Yuan asked Jiang Hao. Jiang Hao shook his head. Since he hadn¡¯t claimed to know before, there was no need to pretend now. It could backfire. Dan Yuan fell silent for a moment before addressing Fairy Gui: ¡°In due time, someone will go to the Tianyin Sect to verify this matter. If it turns out to be true, you can mention what you want. If there are only some clues, you can still make a request. If there¡¯s no clue at all, you¡¯ll have to wait until next time.¡± Fairy Gui nodded, indicating her understanding. ¡°I have nothing else for now,¡± Dan Yuan said, looking at the four people. The subsequent conversation was among the others. Fairy Gui was the first to speak up again: ¡°Does anyone have the Heavenly Saint Mental Technique?¡± Liu immediately responded: ¡°Give me some time, and I should be able to get it. If someone else can get it faster, I don¡¯t mind.¡± Fairy Gui turned to look at the other two. Xing shook his head, while Jiang Hao calmly stated. ¡°I have it.¡± Since he needed to go undercover, he had to trade with the others. However, what concerned him more was what Dan Yuan had said¡ªsomeone would come to confirm whether the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower was in the Tianyin Sect. From the tone of the conversation, it seemed they didn¡¯t regard the Tianyin Sect highly, implying they would take the flower away if confirmed. This was a major crisis for him. ¡°What do you want?¡± Fairy Gui asked directly. ¡°The Star Moon Qi Refinement Technique,¡± Jiang Hao slowly said. ¡°The Star Moon Qi Refinement Technique?¡± Fairy Gui frowned, looking at Xing. ¡°I have it, but the Star Moon Qi Refinement Technique is hard to come by after reaching the Golden Core stage. I can only provide up to the Golden Core,¡± Xing stated. As the words settled, both Fairy Gui and Xing looked at Jiang Hao. ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. In truth, he didn¡¯t know what he needed, but he happened to lack the continuation of the Star Moon Qi Refinement Technique, so he asked for it. The version he had given to Lin Zhi was only sufficient for Qi Refining and barely enough for Foundation Establishment, with nothing beyond that. Having the technique up to the Golden Core stage would be much more convenient. He would have to see about the rest himself. ¡°Then I want the Great Thousand Spirit Technique,¡± Xing said to Fairy Gui. ¡°Deal,¡± Fairy Gui nodded. As Jiang Hao wondered how to give them the techniques, Dan Yuan waved his hand, and a stone tablet appeared in front of each person. ¡°Imprint the content on it. If you forget, you can trade next time,¡± a reminder came from above. Jiang Hao nodded, touched the stone tablet, and then recalled the content of the Heavenly Saint Mental Technique. After a moment, he withdrew his hand, grateful that his memory of such things was clearer after reaching the Nascent Soul stage. Especially after having evolved it once. When Jiang Hao finished, the tablet flew to Fairy Gui, hers flew to Xing, and Xing¡¯s came to him. He touched the tablet again. In an instant, he saw the technique evolve, and the words flew towards him. In just a moment, he understood more about the Star Moon Qi Refinement Technique, and after comparing, he confirmed the Qi Refining stage was genuine. The results of the subsequent evolution were also correct. The stone tablet was a treasure. After the trade, Fairy Gui said to Jiang Hao: ¡°Fellow Daoist Jing, there¡¯s another matter I¡¯d like to ask for your help with. I¡¯ve been hunting a River Dragon recently, and it may have fled to Youyun Prefecture. I¡¯m not in a position to go there. Could I ask you to help? I¡¯ll provide the location, and you just need to make a move. We can discuss the reward later.¡± sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Sure,¡± Jiang Hao replied indifferently, immediately agreeing. What a load of crap... I¡¯m not in any position to take action. Jiang Hao understood that the other party was testing him, but he couldn¡¯t refuse. A refusal would not only reveal his position, but also show that he couldn¡¯t help with even a small matter, which could likely lead to his exclusion. They had no need for a member without utility. Likewise, he couldn¡¯t hesitate when agreeing, as that would reveal his true situation. Only by agreeing outright could he prevent these people from knowing his actual circumstances. After all, not asking about the River Dragon¡¯s strength or background was a display of his own power. As for how he would take action later... He would leave it to fate. Surviving moment by moment was better than being underestimated or kicked out now. If his undercover mission failed, he didn¡¯t know how Hong Yuye would deal with him. ¡°There¡¯s something I need to remind you all,¡± Liu suddenly spoke up after being silent. ¡°I recently heard something overseas. It¡¯s said that the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead has appeared, but its exact location is still unknown.¡± ¡°Now that you mention it, I also recall that some sects became suddenly anxious a while ago, mentioning a possible calamity about to happen. They must have been talking about the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead,¡± Xing added. ¡°Is the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead really that fearsome?¡± Fairy Gui asked with some confusion. Everyone looked up towards the top. Jiang Hao followed suit to blend in. Chapter 212 - Feeling Happy to See the Female Demon Chapter 212: Feeling Happy to See the Female Demon Looking at the senior Dan Yuan in front of him, Jiang Hao felt the man¡¯s composure and strength. It seemed as though nothing could trouble him. For a moment, Jiang Hao was curious about how strong this person was. Compared to Hong Yuye, he probably wasn¡¯t a match. There¡¯s no particular reason, just an intuitive feeling that Hong Yuye seems stronger. After a moment of silence, Dan Yuan finally spoke: ¡°The Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead is a malevolent object. Its appearance in the world heralds a great crisis. Its origin dates back to ancient times, and its formation caused the earth to shatter and split apart. It¡¯s not just a small area that¡¯s affected; even a sect like Haotian Sect might not be able to withstand the influence of the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead. The best course of action is to prepare a seal in advance, to possibly escape the disaster. However, there are those who wish to use the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead for their own purposes, and they want to track its whereabouts through us. But it¡¯s better for us not to get involved. To even sense the bead, let alone touch it, would be to fall under its influence. A single encounter could ruin one¡¯s cultivation. If you come across it, it¡¯s best to quickly distance yourself and inform others, so that a sect of Haotian¡¯s caliber can suppress and seal it. It¡¯s better for us to stay away.¡± Jiang Hao was quite surprised to find that in the face of such a crisis, Dan Yuan¡¯s first thought was to let the major sects handle it while they hid away. It felt as if they were letting the immortal sects solve the problem while they reaped the benefits. But indeed, it was safer that way. ¡°Alright, if there¡¯s nothing else, we¡¯ll meet again next time,¡± said Dan Yuan to everyone. After seeing off Senior Dan Yuan, Jiang Hao also left. Before he did, the Fairy Gui mentioned she would contact him in a few days. He nodded to indicate that would be fine, but inside, he was distressed because he couldn¡¯t leave the sect. Stepping off the stone slab, Jiang Hao looked out from the balcony. The starry sky was bright, and the silver moonlight draped over the earth like a gauzy fabric. ¡°I hope Fairy Gui can delay for a while,¡± Jiang Hao sighed inwardly. He recalled the recent gathering and the information he had gathered. ¡°Liu¡± (Willow) had reliable overseas information, while the others did not. ¡°Xing¡± (Star) was in the east and might have some connection with Mingyue Sect. ¡°Gui¡± (Ghost) was the same as last time, capable of curse spell, located in the neighboring Tiannan Prefecture, and possibly related to Xuantian Sect, Luoxia Sect, and Tian Sheng Sect. However, since she didn¡¯t possess the Tiansheng spiritual method, she was likely related to Xuantian Sect and Luoxia Sect. After all, among the known forces, only they were aware of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower in Tianyin Sect. Besides that, there was the probing by the Fairy Gui. ¡°She probably isn¡¯t unable to come to Youyun Prefecture, but rather she wants to force my hand to learn of my whereabouts and strength. For now, there¡¯s no way to overcome this.¡± Although he now possessed the Nine Rings of Heaven and Earth, which allowed him to borrow the power of heaven and earth, who would deliver the rings for him? Xiao Li? The rabbit? They were both too weak. Not to mention their slow speed, if the location changed, he wouldn¡¯t be able to inform them to switch places. Moreover, some people were still calculating his whereabouts, and if he went out, he would be discovered. It¡¯s hard to say whether he would be attacked or not. Lying in bed, Jiang Hao looked at the ceiling with a slight frown: ¡°There¡¯s also the most important point. Dan Yuan said that someone would come to verify in a while. This is an impending crisis.¡± Although the gathering was probed by the Fairy Gui, he also learned that someone would come to Tianyin Sect. If this person was a powerful being, they would directly discover the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. At that time, as the one who planted the flower, he might also become a target. He needed to inform Hong Yuye. After all, she claimed the flower was hers, and Dan Yuan¡¯s tone made it clear that the visitor would not consider Tianyin Sect. Jiang Hao sat up, facing a dilemma. ¡°How do I inform Hong Yuye?¡± All this time, it had always been Hong Yuye who came to him; he had never called her. With a sigh, Jiang Hao felt he had to leave it to fate. However, since the Secret Whisper Slate had just ended the gathering, Hong Yuye might sense something and come to inquire. It wasn¡¯t impossible. After pondering for a moment, he couldn¡¯t think of anything else and got up to make talismans. Now penniless, he needed to continue accumulating spirit stones. The Red Lotus Flower cost seven hundred in total, and no blue bubbles appeared. It was still unknown what level of spiritual medicine seed would produce bubbles. High-grade spiritual medicine cultivation wasn¡¯t going well either; he could only start with seeds. ....... In the early morning. Jiang Hao stopped writing; another Hundred Thousand Swords Talisman appeared. Lately, he planned to continue learning new talismans. With the cultivation level he had shown, it was normal for him to occasionally produce one or two better talismans. He had already locked onto the advanced talisman of the Hundred Thousand Swords Talisman, the Ten Thousand Divine Sword Talisman. ¡°Speaking of which, I haven¡¯t seen Senior Sister Leng Tian for a long time. Last time the rabbit mentioned someone had come, it must have been her.¡± The women who would look for him were limited to Senior Sister Zhou Chan, who delivered rewards, Senior Sister Ming Yi, who was an undercover agent, and Senior Sister Leng Tian, who often bought talismans from him. Senior Sister Zhou Chan could be ruled out, and the rabbit recognized Senior Sister Ming Yi. That left Senior Sister Leng Tian. He just didn¡¯t know why she would come. Stepping out of his room, Jiang Hao saw the rabbit still staring at the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, its tongue almost touching the leaves. He stepped forward, intending to kick the rabbit away to prevent any accidents. Just as he was about to move his foot, he suddenly noticed the rabbit disappeared from its spot. Then, a white shadow fell from in front of him. It was the rabbit, bruised and battered, hanging on the wall, swaying in the wind. Jiang Hao was astonished; this was absurdly fast. ¡°Is it possible that today it¡¯s your rabbit hanging there, and tomorrow it could be you?¡± A calm voice came from behind. Jiang Hao quickly turned around and saw a graceful figure standing upright. Today, Hong Yuye was dressed in a red and white fairy dress, with her slender waist and hair neatly arranged, and her eyebrows curved like the delicate wings of a moth. ¡°Greetings to you, senior,¡± Jiang Hao said, a hint of joy in his heart. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As expected, she had come. As for whether the rabbit¡¯s fate today could be his tomorrow, that was something he couldn¡¯t answer. Affirming it might make the other party really do it. If he denied it, then Hong Yuye would certainly take action. ¡°It¡¯s the first time I see you looking pleased to see me,¡± Hong Yuye said with interest. Jiang Hao maintained his composure, not wanting her to read his expression again. Eventually, he got straight to the point: ¡°I attended the Secret Whisper Slate gathering, and they already know about the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower being in Tianyin Sect. According to Dan Yuan, someone will come to investigate soon. In their eyes, Tianyin Sect is just a minor sect. So, they are coming not just to confirm its existence but to take the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower away.¡± ¡°Soon?¡± Hong Yuye sat down calmly and asked, ¡°What are you worried about?¡± ¡°The other party is powerful. Tianyin Sect might not be able to protect it,¡± Jiang Hao expressed his concern. ¡°Then will you protect it?¡± Hong Yuye asked with a half-smile. Jiang Hao¡¯s mouth twitched. ¡°Senior is joking. I¡¯m only at the late stage of Foundation Establishment. I have the will but not the power.¡± He obviously couldn¡¯t defend it; he simply didn¡¯t have the strength. ¡°Do you mean to ask me to take action?¡± Hong Yuye inquired. ¡°After all, it¡¯s your flower,¡± Jiang Hao nodded slightly. ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± Hong Yuye looked at the man before her and asked with a smile. ¡°Are you worried about your flower being taken away, or you being taken away?¡± ¡°Of course, the former,¡± Jiang Hao said, half against his conscience. The Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower was important to him, but if there was no other way and it was taken, then so be it. He couldn¡¯t afford to be taken away by unknown entities, as that would likely bode ill. ¡°Your lie is too clumsy,¡± Hong Yuye said as she took out a teacup and waited for Jiang Hao to brew tea. Chapter 213 - The Female Demon: How Will You Thank Me? Chapter 213: The Female Demon: How Will You Thank Me? After a while, Hong Yuye picked up the teacup and smelled it. ¡°Flower Thousand-Snow, it¡¯s somewhat better than Snow After Spring and Red Sleeve Fragrance.¡± Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. Flower Thousand-Snow, two hundred spirit stones per mace, and he had prepared five maces in advance. Only now was it being used. Fortunately, there is no complaint. At that moment, he heard Hong Yuye¡¯s voice, ¡°Besides someone trying to take my flower, is there anything else?¡± Hesitating, Jiang Hao still decided not to inform her of the Fairy Gui¡¯s probing. Such matters were a test for him, and Hong Yuye would not offer help. He needed to find his own way to infiltrate the gathering, to blend in. Being solitary, powerful, and mysterious was his current strategy. As long as he could make them perceive him this way, things would go much smoother later on. However, he couldn¡¯t overshadow Dan Yuan and steal the limelight, as that would be extremely dangerous. ¡°There are no other important messages, but I have some speculations about the origins of a few individuals,¡± Jiang Hao said vaguely. Hong Yuye was not interested. After finishing her tea, she walked to the bathroom, glanced at the wooden tub for a moment, and then returned to the second-floor balcony. Jiang Hao stood behind, not intending to go over, to prevent being pushed down. ¡°Is your poison cured?¡± Hong Yuye suddenly asked. ¡°Yes, thank you for the reminder, senior,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. If he had discovered it only during his advancement, he wouldn¡¯t have been so composed. ¡°So...¡± Hong Yuye turned to look at Jiang Hao and smiled. ¡°How will you thank me?¡± This caught Jiang Hao off guard. He hadn¡¯t thought about such matters and was momentarily at a loss for words. ¡°In a while, I¡¯ll come to bathe. Prepare the flower petals; I want Silver Moon petals.¡± Hong Yuye told Jiang Hao. ¡°Any problem with that?¡± ¡°Uh...¡± Jiang Hao was a bit worried for a moment. He didn¡¯t know how many spirit stones the Silver Moon petals would cost. But as soon as he hesitated, an overwhelming aura pressed down on him. ¡°No problem,¡± he quickly replied. ¡°Good,¡± Hong Yuye smiled and disappeared in a red blur. ¡°If you¡¯re not prepared, I¡¯ll help you peel off a layer of skin.¡± Watching her disappear, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. But upon reflection, he realized he indeed hadn¡¯t thought about a thank-you gift. Hong Yuye¡¯s dominance and indifference made him take things lightly as well. With a sigh, he decided to inquire about the price of Silver Moon petals, hoping it wouldn¡¯t be too outrageous. ....... Xuelian Pavilion. ¡°Ten spirit stones?¡± Hearing the price, Jiang Hao was quite surprised; it was so cheap. But soon, he realized he had misunderstood. The guiding fairy kindly reminded him, ¡°It¡¯s per petal. We usually sell them in sets of ninety-nine.¡± That would be nine hundred and ninety spirit stones. ¡°May I take a look at the petals?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± The petals were snow-white, but not very large. Jiang Hao gestured with his hand; it would take about nine petals to cover his palm. To cover a wooden tub sparsely, it would take thirty to forty hands. That is to say, it would require three thousand spirit stones. Three thousand spirit stones compared to the poison warning seemed quite cheap. But... He had no spirit stones now. After leaving Xuelian Pavilion, Jiang Hao planned to sell the talismans he had recently made. Starting tomorrow, he would make more powerful talismans, which should bring in more profit. He would first buy ninety-nine petals. To prevent being caught off guard by the sudden appearance of Hong Yuye without any petals. While setting up his stall, a Golden Core early-stage cultivator stood in front of Jiang Hao¡¯s stall and carefully examined the talismans, asking: ¡°Do you have Hundred Thousand Divine Sword Talismans?¡± ¡°Not at the moment,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head in response. ¡°If you don¡¯t have it, you don¡¯t have it. Why say ¡®not at the moment¡¯?¡± Duan Guan looked at Jiang Hao with an indifferent expression and said, ¡°Late Foundation Establishment? No offense, but can you even draw a Hundred Thousand Divine Sword Talisman? Does ¡®not at the moment¡¯ mean you will have it later? When doing business, you should stick to the facts. Don¡¯t aim too high and be full of yourself. Do you really think a Hundred Thousand Divine Sword Talisman is something a Late Foundation Establishment cultivator can make?¡± Looking at the other person, Jiang Hao felt confused. Was this intentional, or had he offended him? Someone from Tianhuan Pavilion? ¡°I¡¯ll take ten Healing Talismans and ten Hundred Thousand Swords Talismans,¡± Duan Guan said, throwing down six hundred spirit stones, picking up the talismans, and turning to leave. He didn¡¯t want to stay with Jiang Hao any longer. Seeing the other person leave, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but lament that this was a big customer. It seemed there was no enmity between them. In the end, he took out six Healing Talismans and six Hundred Thousand Swords Talismans and continued to set up his stall. He still had about ten talismans left, but they were not easy to sell, so he displayed them little by little. After a long time, he only sold five talismans. He collected a total of seven hundred and fifty spirit stones. He was two hundred short of buying the petals. One more day like this would be enough. On the way back, Jiang Hao happened to meet Liu Xingchen. ¡°Junior Brother, long time no see.¡± The other party took the initiative to greet him. ¡°It¡¯s been a while since I saw Senior Brother,¡± Jiang Hao replied politely. ¡°I¡¯ve been busy recently because of the Tiansheng Sect. Fortunately, the Tiansheng Sect has been killing and capturing traitors who leaked information. The Hall of Merits has also calculated the top ten contributors this time, and here I must congratulate Junior Brother for not making it into the top ten again,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a smile. Jiang Hao replied awkwardly: ¡°Senior Brother is joking; last time was an accident.¡± ¡°However, Junior Brother¡¯s contribution is not small, venturing into the Demon Cavern¡¯s interior, even without success, you still earned quite a few merits. You should be able to exchange them for some spirit stones. But this time, I did notice someone in the top ten who I had been paying attention to,¡± Liu Xingchen said slowly as he walked. ¡°Do you remember Bai Ye, Junior Brother?¡± ¡°I remember,¡± Jiang Hao replied calmly, his expression unchanged. ¡°Bai Ye was very low-key before, but he became active during the Tiansheng Sect¡¯s attack, and his contribution soared into the top five. And I¡¯ve also found out his cultivation level, Late Nascent Soul. Looking at his momentum, he seems to be chasing the position of the chief tenth disciple,¡± Liu Xingchen said admiringly. Late Nascent Soul, two realms away, Jiang Hao lowered his eyes, thinking that he would have to wait a while longer. That¡¯s fine. Now that the other party is in the top five in contributions, even just seriously injuring him would be troublesome. Wait a few years, after the contributions have passed, then make a move on him. By then, he should also be at Late Nascent Soul. Having merits is troublesome; back when he was in the top ten, even the Hall of Enforcement had to face immense pressure to investigate him. Now with Bai Ye in the top five, the consequences of making a move against him are unimaginable. For a moment, Jiang Hao realized that the rules of the Tianyin Sect could protect him but also restrict his actions against others. However, one thing must be kept in mind: he must not let Bai Ye become one of the chief ten disciples. Otherwise, he would be even harder to deal with. ¡°Late Nascent Soul is enough to chase the position of the chief tenth disciple?¡± Jiang Hao asked curiously. He remembered that the tenth should be Man Long. This was the only chief ten disciple he knew; he didn¡¯t know any of the others. He had even rarely heard of them. ¡°In theory, it¡¯s enough, but in reality, it¡¯s not,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a sigh. ¡°The chief tenth disciple, Man Long, is now at Nascent Soul completion. It was Junior Brother who helped him, allowing him to capture Xuanyuan Tai. With enough merits, he got what he needed and reached Nascent Soul completion in one fell swoop. So now, to chase the position of the chief tenth disciple, one needs Nascent Soul completion. Although merits add points, strength is the most important. Bai Ye is probably older than Man Long, so he is at a disadvantage. However, I heard he is also close to his promotion time, and once he reaches Nascent Soul completion, then he will have a chance.¡± ¡°The tenth disciple has reached the late Nascent Soul stage? What about the first disciple?¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. The top ten disciples were incredibly strong. ¡°The first one is said to be a Senior Sister from Baiyue Lake, and she should no longer be in the Spirit Refining stage,¡± Liu Xingchen remarked with a sigh. Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t believe it. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°The gap between the top ten disciples is that big?¡± Liu Xingchen smiled and said, ¡°Sometimes the first one is far ahead. It¡¯s a pity my strength isn¡¯t enough, otherwise, I¡¯d also like to chase after the position of the top ten disciples. It¡¯s said that there are many privileges. You might even get personal guidance from the sect leader.¡± Being one of the top ten disciples is quite eye-catching, but if you can get there normally, there won¡¯t be too much trouble in the sect. Jiang Hao pondered for a moment and felt it was somewhat difficult. Chapter 214 - One Force Breaks All Spells Chapter 214: One Force Breaks All Spells Being one of the top ten disciples is a good umbrella. Jiang Hao had some ideas. If he could normally increase his cultivation to that level, he wouldn¡¯t refuse. But with his current cultivation at the late Foundation Establishment stage, he was far from the Nascent Soul stage. Becoming one of the top ten disciples would be fraught with difficulties. But once you become the top disciple, your status in the sect is exalted, and you¡¯ll have much less trouble. Even the Pavilion Master of Tianhuan Pavilion wouldn¡¯t dare to go too far. The only trouble is that by blocking others¡¯ paths, some people will have their eyes on you. But that shouldn¡¯t be a problem, after all, his true cultivation is far beyond what he shows. Staying in eighth or ninth place won¡¯t cause too much trouble. Actually, it¡¯s quite good. In the Demon Sect, if your status isn¡¯t high enough, you want to keep a low profile but others will still come to trouble you. Like the Spiritual Medicine Garden, there are always some people who want to bully you. It¡¯s been quiet these past few years, but in a few years, a new batch will come. But if he¡¯s one of the top ten disciples, would anyone dare to cause trouble in the Spiritual Medicine Garden he¡¯s guarding? Would Bai Ye have the guts to openly use various techniques against him? Unless he doesn¡¯t want to live. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Is it possible for Bai Ye to succeed?¡± Jiang Hao suddenly asked. Currently, he was no match for Bai Ye, and if Bai Ye were to make a move now, it would be hard to stop him. Bai Ye¡¯s techniques were too powerful, always giving the impression that Man Long might not be an opponent. ¡°Bai Ye rarely goes out, so I don¡¯t know much about him. However, as to whether he can succeed, I do know a bit,¡± Liu Xingchen said casually: ¡°Based on speculation, it¡¯s unlikely for Bai Ye to succeed. I encountered Man Long when I was investigating a traitor, and we chatted for a bit. He said Bai Ye is not easy to deal with; despite his average cultivation, if you enter his home turf, even someone stronger would be at a disadvantage. But Bai Ye is also easy to deal with, which is to get him out of his home turf.¡± ¡°Man Long¡¯s general idea is that, in Bai Ye¡¯s home turf, he would need to fight desperately to win, and the chances of success are three to seven, with him at three and Bai Ye at seven. But in any unfamiliar environment, he could kill Bai Ye with his bare hands.¡± ¡°And when challenging for the position of top disciple, the challenger chooses the location, meaning that even if Man Long loses this time, next year he could defeat Bai Ye and reclaim the position of top ten disciples. So Bai Ye won¡¯t act rashly; he can¡¯t afford to lose.¡± Jiang Hao nodded, this also served as a warning to him. Even if he knew where Bai Ye was, he couldn¡¯t rush in recklessly. He had already fallen for Bai Ye¡¯s techniques at Duanqing Cliff; if he entered his home turf, any kind of technique could appear. That would be troublesome. However, Bai Ye¡¯s talent for cultivation didn¡¯t seem very high, and Jiang Hao suddenly remembered the nutrient beads from before. They were used by Bai Ye for promotion, and he was using other methods to advance. ¡®If he continues to research like this, how terrifying will he become in the future?¡¯ Jiang Hao was astonished; in his view, Bai Ye was a greater threat than Man Long. Because as of now, Man Long is just fast in cultivation and strong. While he himself, will cultivate even faster and become stronger. But he knew nothing about the various techniques that come from mixing spiritual medicines. That¡¯s where the sense of threat came from. And the most important point was that Man Long hadn¡¯t made a move against him, while Bai Ye had. ¡°Do you have to be a true disciple to become one of the top ten disciples?¡± Jiang Hao suddenly asked. ¡°Not necessarily,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a smile. ¡°Inner sect disciples can also do it, as long as their strength is sufficient and they don¡¯t exceed the age limit.¡± ¡°But becoming the top disciple is not easy; even if you win against the tenth disciple, you still have to pass the assessment of the top three in the same realm.¡± ¡°This is to prevent someone from taking advantage of the situation if no one reaches that realm. The top ten disciples are about quality, not just filling the spots.¡± Jiang Hao understood the gist; the top ten disciples, not to mention other aspects, definitely had strong combat power. In the future, it could be a goal. But it wasn¡¯t time yet. With the speed of his cultivation progress that he showed, plus having Han Ming as a comparison, becoming one of the top ten disciples was within reach. It was always good to stay one step ahead of Junior Brother Han. ¡°Junior Brother, do you plan to go out recently? The Mission Hall of the Enforcement Peak asked me to inquire,¡± Liu Xingchen suddenly changed the topic. ¡°I don¡¯t have such plans,¡± Jiang Hao said, somewhat surprised. ¡°Why would you suddenly ask that?¡± ¡°They want to make money off Junior Brother. You¡¯ve been performing well recently, and they¡¯re worried they won¡¯t be able to make money off you once you¡¯re off the list.¡± ¡°After all, based on the last mission, the Enforcement Peak made a killing. Although it was only a few thousand, the value lies in the quick return,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a laugh. Jiang Hao was at a loss for words for a moment. However, he was indeed behaving himself now. If it weren¡¯t for Liu Xingchen, even the list of people to watch wouldn¡¯t be a comfortable place to be. Especially since he occasionally made some notable achievements. ¡®I need to find an opportunity to look for traitors and have a talk with them about our relationship.¡¯ After that, Liu Xingchen greeted him and left. Jiang Hao also changed direction. ¡°The matter with Bai Ye needs careful planning, but we must pay attention to whether he challenges Man Long. There¡¯s a seventy percent chance of winning, but if Bai Ye has a trick up his sleeve, Man Long might not be able to reclaim the position of the tenth chief disciple next year.¡± ¡°Moreover, even if he can reclaim it, nobody knows how many benefits he will gain in the meantime.¡± ¡°Bai Ye¡¯s methods usually involve influencing others through the properties of spiritual medicines and the environment¡¯s scent. If one were to block their senses, would they be safe?¡± All the way, Jiang Hao was thinking of ways to deal with Bai Ye. But in the end, he came to only one conclusion: overwhelming force breaks all methods. In the face of absolute strength, all tricks are ineffective. Ultimately, it boils down to being too weak. He could only endure Bai Ye¡¯s attacks, unable to retaliate. With a sigh, Jiang Hao thought of Liu Xingchen again. Liu Xingchen was not far from the middle stage of Nascent Soul, and he would likely reach the peak of Nascent Soul soon. By then, he might become one of the top ten chief disciples out of boredom. Looking at the current situation, this might actually be a good thing. The stronger Liu Xingchen is, the more likely he can help him. The only thing to be wary of is to prevent the other party from pulling him into their group. ....... Duanqing Cliff Spiritual Medicine Garden. As soon as Jiang Hao returned, he saw two Golden Core cultivators standing at the entrance. One was drinking with a hint of drunkenness, and the other had somewhat dark skin. The former was a male cultivator, and the latter was a fairy. Jiang Hao had seen these two a few times before; the drinker was named Jiu Wu, and the dark-skinned one was named Fei Zhu, both true disciples of Duanqing Cliff. ¡°Greetings to Senior Brother and Senior Sister,¡± Jiang Hao said politely. Some Senior Brothers and Sisters would occasionally come here, but the reason wasn¡¯t important. Nor did it concern him. The two nodded slightly but did not speak. Jiang Hao took a detour inside. Watching him enter, Jiu Wu squinted his eyes and said. ¡°Is that Jiang Hao? The one who was in the top ten for contributions last time?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s him. He¡¯s been staying in the Spiritual Medicine Garden for years and has had good opportunities. He¡¯s already at the late stage of Foundation Establishment.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a pity he has no great ambitions and only wishes to stay in the Spiritual Medicine Garden. It¡¯s hard to say what achievements he¡¯ll have in the future,¡± said Fairy Fei Zhu with a hint of regret. ¡°Perhaps he knows that everything he has is due to chance, and his own abilities and understanding are not enough. Hiding here might be safer for him,¡± Jiu Wu said calmly. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve heard that he is quite upright and somewhat naive; staying here is indeed better for him,¡± Fairy Fei Zhu nodded. Then the two stopped talking, as an inner disciple who wasn¡¯t too special was only worth a brief mention. There was no need to say more; after all, in a few days, this person might no longer exist. The path of cultivation is like this; people you used to see suddenly disappear without a trace. Chapter 215 - The Female Demon Snaps Her Fingers to Kill the Enemy Chapter 215: The Female Demon Snaps Her Fingers to Kill the Enemy As for the comments of others, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t care. If he always worried about what others thought, whether in a righteous sect or a Demon Sect, he wouldn¡¯t be able to cultivate in peace. The sect was so large, and the majority of people who knew him didn¡¯t like him. Their words were mostly subjective and rarely pleasant. It was best to ignore them. He had been doing this for many years. It was best to let others disregard him. Entering the Spiritual Medicine Garden, he saw Senior Sister Ning Xuan, who was talking with another Nascent Soul early-stage Senior Brother, probably introducing the Spiritual Medicine Garden. When he met them face to face, Jiang Hao stepped aside to greet them. Since they were in conversation, there was no need to greet them verbally. It would interrupt their conversation. Watching them leave, Jiang Hao was somewhat concerned. Judging by their demeanor, it seemed they were planning to do something to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. ¡°I hope it doesn¡¯t bring me any trouble.¡± After pondering for a moment, he began to tend to the spiritual medicines. Halfway through, Cheng Chou suddenly ran over to Jiang Hao and said, ¡°Senior Brother, one of the spiritual medicines is not in good condition.¡± Jiang Hao was not surprised; such accidents were not uncommon in the Spiritual Medicine Garden. After checking, he found that it was a newly transplanted spiritual medicine that was not adapting well due to the soil and spiritual energy. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± After identifying the problem, he began to deal with it. During the process, he suddenly remembered something and asked softly, ¡°Is it the end of the year?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s December,¡± Cheng Chou nodded. ¡°Notify Junior Sister Xiao Li that she can be promoted. We¡¯ll leave in half a month,¡± Jiang Hao said calmly. It seemed that in his eyes, whenever Xiao Li wanted to advance to the fourth level of Qi Refining, she could. Cheng Chou maintained his questions but still nodded in agreement. After the spiritual medicines were taken care of, Jiang Hao looked at Cheng Chou for a moment and said: ¡°It¡¯s a bit rushed, but it should be enough. I¡¯ll help you advance before we leave.¡± Hearing this, Cheng Chou¡¯s pupils shrank, and he bowed gratefully to Jiang Hao. ¡°Thank you, Senior Brother.¡± With a soft ¡°hmm,¡± Jiang Hao chose not to say anything more. At first, he had never intended to guide Cheng Chou, until later when he bought a storage magical treasure for the rabbit. At that time, he was taken away by the people from the Hall of Enforcement. The rabbit found him imprisoned with the storage magical treasure, and because of this, he was rescued. It was from that moment that he began to guide Cheng Chou, considering it a way to repay the unintentional favor. Later, he felt that Cheng Chou was quite suitable, and since sending Xiao Li out was not without danger and inconvenience, helping Cheng Chou advance to Foundation Establishment was justified. ...... After receiving Jiang Hao¡¯s promise, Cheng Chou finished his work with a nervous heart. On his way back, he even doubted whether he was hallucinating. At the same time, he felt that Senior Brother Jiang was probably just saying things casually, as such occurrences were not uncommon in the Demon Sect. When the time came, there would always be some excuse to back out. But even though he thought this way, his hopes couldn¡¯t help but grow. He was looking forward to becoming a Foundation Establishment cultivator. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The joy of that prospect nearly made him lose his composure. Fortunately, having spent a lot of time with Jiang Hao, he managed to suppress that feeling and not make it too obvious. ¡°Senior Brother Cheng, what¡¯s making you so happy?¡± asked Lin Shan, a Qi Refining eighth level fairy, with a smile as she looked at Cheng Chou. Hearing this, Cheng Chou immediately touched his face and hurriedly said ¡°No, nothing.¡± ¡°Nothing? You¡¯re about to laugh out loud, it¡¯s clearly something very joyful,¡± Lin Shan said with a covered mouth and a laugh. Cheng Chou felt somewhat embarrassed and then changed the subject. ¡°Where¡¯s Junior Sister Xiao Li?¡± ¡°She just came out of the canteen, probably off to scrounge up something again,¡± Lin Shan said with a sigh. ¡°Junior Sister Xiao Li really treats this place like her own backyard, without any concerns. The rest of us can only dream of doing so.¡± Cheng Chou nodded, indeed it was so. Junior Sister Xiao Li had been like this from the beginning, and although she later listened to Senior Brother Jiang Hao, he didn¡¯t really control her. Other inner sect members rarely came to their area, so no one paid much attention. Thus, Xiao Li hadn¡¯t caused any trouble. At the Qi Refining fourth level, he was curious whether Junior Sister Xiao Li would also advance successfully this time. If she did... Junior Sister Xiao Li would most likely become a true disciple. Thinking of Xiao Li¡¯s formidable abilities, Cheng Chou suppressed the joy in his heart about Foundation Establishment. He needed to act normal, as becoming a Foundation Establishment could make him behave oddly. He had to maintain his composure to avoid trouble. After saying goodbye to Junior Sister Lin Shan, he went to look for Xiao Li. Lin Shan didn¡¯t pay much attention to it. ....... Meanwhile, in a distant forest, Jiang Hao stood on a tree branch, looking at Cheng Chou¡¯s retreating figure. ¡°What is Master looking at?¡± the rabbit asked, playing with its collar. ¡°Observing someone¡¯s character,¡± Jiang Hao replied. ¡°Is that good or bad?¡± the rabbit asked casually. ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± Jiang Hao said as he turned to leave, with the rabbit quickly following. ¡°Master, what do you think of my character?¡± Jiang Hao glanced at the rabbit, chuckled, and said nothing. In the following days, Jiang Hao occasionally observed his surroundings and sometimes asked Cheng Chou about the outside situation, but he didn¡¯t find anything. ...... Until the seventh day, after watering the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, he suddenly felt a great disaster looming. He became uneasy, as if an existence far beyond his strength had locked onto his location. ¡°It¡¯s here.¡± Jiang Hao suppressed his fear and quickly left the courtyard to head towards his master¡¯s residence. Only there would he have a better chance of survival. But no matter how he retreated, the inexplicable feeling always surrounded him. What level of existence was this? It felt like it could crush him with just its aura. The Primordial Heart Sutra was running wildly, but he couldn¡¯t escape or even sense the direction of the other party. ¡°Where is he?¡± Jiang Hao looked around, but still found nothing. For a moment, he felt that the person spying on the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower was not an existence he could face directly. ...... At the same time, at Baihua Lake. ¡°Sect Leader.¡± Bai Zhi knelt on one knee in front of Hong Yuye, seemingly waiting for her command. Since the enemy had attacked, as a Protector Elder, she would not back down. ¡°He¡¯s very strong,¡± Hong Yuye said calmly, sitting in the pavilion. ¡°The protective sect formation has been notified to activate. The rest is waiting for the Sect Leader¡¯s orders,¡± Bai Zhi said, bowing her head. ¡°This person comes from the north, but it¡¯s unknown which power he belongs to,¡± Hong Yuye said as she poured herself a cup of tea and then gently stirred it with her slender, fair index finger. She then flicked the tea out of the cup, splitting it into seven droplets in mid-air. ¡°Turn off the protective sect formation,¡± Hong Yuye said indifferently. Then she flicked her finger, and the first droplet flew towards the sky. Boom! Above the clouds, thunder roared. At first, Bai Zhi did not understand the Sect Leader¡¯s intention, but soon she realized that a collision of forces had occurred in the sky. The enemy seemed somewhat taken aback. At that moment, she saw the second water droplet fly towards the sky. Boom! The enemy appeared surprised. The third droplet followed. Another thunderous roar, there is a tinge of anger on the enemy face. The fourth water droplet whistled away. The enemy now harbored a killing intent. The fifth droplet. The enemy turned furious. The sixth droplet. The sky roared with thunder, and lightning rampaged; Bai Zhi could feel the enemy¡¯s reluctance. The seventh droplet. The power dissipated, and the enemy was left with despair and helplessness. The sound of pouring tea brought Bai Zhi back to her senses. Looking at the Sect Leader again, she felt an indescribable fear. Effortlessly killing the enemy while leisurely enjoying tea. The Sect Leader had once again surpassed her understanding. ¡°Capture them and lock them in the Lawless Tower,¡± Hong Yuye said calmly as she sipped her tea. ¡°Yes,¡± Bai Zhi replied, not daring to show any disrespect. After Bai Zhi left, Hong Yuye finally set down her teacup. She gazed at the calm lake surface, then brought the back of her hand to her red lips and coughed lightly twice. Chapter 216 - The Rabbit is Gone Again Chapter 216: The Rabbit is Gone Again Duanqing Cliff. Jiang Hao stopped by a large tree. It was not far from his master¡¯s residence, but as soon as he arrived, the sensation of being targeted had vanished. When he looked up, he saw flashes of lightning in the sky. If his guess was correct, someone must have engaged in combat with the attacker. Soon after, the lightning in the sky began to dissipate. And the targeting sensation did not reappear. ¡°Is it over? Did we win?¡± Jiang Hao found it hard to believe. To others, it might have just been lightning in the sky. But he knew that the attacker must have been very strong, especially since they had locked onto him from the start. The terrifying presence they emitted made him feel that even if he were to advance another major realm from his Nascent Soul stage, it wouldn¡¯t make a difference. ¡°The gap is too big; I need to find a way to get stronger quickly.¡± For the sake of safety. He stayed in the same spot for half a day before heading to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. ...... Three days later. Jiang Hao had not sensed any danger nor heard any rumors. Not only in the Tianyin Sect but even the Secret Whisper Slate had no related messages. For a moment, he felt as if everything that had happened that day was just an illusion. Now he was back to normal. If the attacker had indeed been killed, there would certainly be some repercussions. Either from the Tianyin Sect or from Dan Yuan¡¯s side. He decided to wait quietly for the Tianyin Sect to release news or for the slate meeting to begin. ...... That day, Jiang Hao found Cheng Chou. ¡°Senior Brother Jiang?¡± Cheng Chou was somewhat excited. But he comforted himself, thinking it might not be about that matter. As long as he was mentally prepared, even if he was disappointed, it wouldn¡¯t be too hard to bear. ¡°Come to your residence. I will help you advance to Foundation Establishment,¡± Jiang Hao said calmly. Now at the early stage of Nascent Soul, it was not difficult for him to help someone at the ninth level of Qi Refining to reach Foundation Establishment. Cheng Chou suppressed his elation and nodded in agreement. In an ordinary courtyard, Cheng Chou sat cross-legged, practicing the Tianyin Hundred Revolutions. Jiang Hao watched him, occasionally offering guidance. ¡°Your heart is a bit restless, causing the hundred sounds within you to not resonate.¡± After speaking, Jiang Hao was not in a hurry but waited for Cheng Chou to calm his mind. After a long time, Jiang Hao saw that Cheng Chou¡¯s breath had stabilized, his power was balanced, and the resonance of the hundred sounds had reached the most harmonious state. ¡°Not bad.¡± Given Cheng Chou¡¯s talent, achieving such balanced resonance of the hundred sounds was indeed commendable. After waiting a little while, Jiang Hao no longer hesitated: ¡°Open your mouth.¡± Whoosh! A pill flew into Cheng Chou¡¯s mouth, and the medicinal power immediately disrupted the balance of power. ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much, maintain the previous balance of power, just feel the changes in your body, there¡¯s no need to be concerned.¡± The powerful force caused Cheng Chou pain, but he gritted his teeth and continued to maintain the previous circulation of power. In his view, his advancement was different from others. At least he had a Senior Brother by his side to guide him, an advantage others did not have. This also meant his chances of success were higher than others. But the immense pain almost overwhelmed his mind, and for the first time, he directly felt how difficult it was to advance to Foundation Establishment. After an unknown amount of time, he felt the pain begin to fade. A surge of newfound strength welled up in his body, so immense that it was beyond his imagination. He never dreamed that he would possess such a level of power. His Foundation Establishment was successful. When he awoke, he found that night had already fallen. And Jiang Hao was no longer by his side. His gratitude was too profound for words. As he stepped outside, he saw two people standing at the doorway. It was Senior Brother Mu Qi and Senior Sister Miao Tinglian, whom he occasionally encountered in the Spiritual Medicine Garden. ¡°Senior Brother, Senior Sister,¡± he quickly bowed respectfully. ¡°I told you he had completed his Foundation Establishment,¡± Miao Tinglian said with a smile. ¡°Indeed, he has completed Foundation Establishment,¡± Mu Qi added with a smile. ¡°You¡¯re Cheng Junior Brother, right? The one who works in the Spiritual Medicine Garden.¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s me,¡± Cheng Chou replied, bowing his head. ¡°We happened to pass by and noticed you were undergoing Foundation Establishment. Would you like to come with us to see our master?¡± Mu Qi asked. Since he had completed Foundation Establishment, he would become an inner disciple. At Ku Wuchang¡¯s residence. ¡°You mean you want to stay and work in the Spiritual Medicine Garden just like before?¡± Ku Wuchang asked Cheng Chou, who was still kneeling on the ground. ¡°Yes,¡± Cheng Chou replied. ¡°What Junior Brother Cheng means is that he wants to continue the work he did as an outer sect member without affecting Jiang Junior Brother¡¯s duties as a guardian,¡± Mu Qi explained on the side. Many people at Duanqing Cliff knew that Jiang Hao liked to stay in the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Although others were not familiar with Jiang Hao, no one competed with him. However, the Spiritual Medicine Garden only needed one inner sect disciple to watch over it long-term, so having an additional one required consent. Ku Wuchang looked at him, his expression unchanged. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Do you often take care of Xiao Li?¡± ¡°Yes, yes.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s keep it that way.¡± Upon hearing this, Mu Qi respectfully said. ¡°Then I will take Junior Brother Cheng to find a new residence.¡± As for Xiao Li, he had occasionally heard Miao Tinglian mention her. She was likely to be the next true disciple. After confirming that Cheng Chou could successfully advance. ...... Jiang Hao went to the market to sell talismans and encountered that big customer again at his stall. The customer said, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you temporarily didn¡¯t have a Hundred Thousand Divine Sword Talisman? So many days have passed, and you still don¡¯t have them? Remember not to boast next time.¡± In the end, the customer bought all the talismans. Jiang Hao thus had enough spirit stones to buy a second Silver Moon Flower petal. It was barely enough. ...... The next day. Cheng Chou said he could continue to stay in the Spiritual Medicine Garden. He also mentioned that the master had brought up Xiao Li. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t think much of it; after so many years, it was inevitable that Xiao Li¡¯s uniqueness would be discovered. Since master had no intention of intervening, it was best to leave things as they were. However, Cheng Chou¡¯s decision to continue staying in the Spiritual Medicine Garden was quite a surprise to him. Although having this assistant would make his life much easier, people should aim higher, and there was no need to limit someone else¡¯s development. That would only backfire. So, helping Cheng Chou with his Foundation Establishment meant that he was expected to leave the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Being able to send Xiao Li back was enough. Now that he could continue to stay was a good thing. After pondering for a moment, Jiang Hao suddenly felt that with Cheng Chou around, he might one day be sent to the mines. That... would be more than welcome. ...... Three days later. Xiao Li appeared before Jiang Hao, her face full of excitement. She had now reached the fourth level of Qi Refining. This meant she had been at Tianyin Sect for over two years. What troubled Jiang Hao, though, was that she was wearing the Ring of Heaven and Earth around her neck again. Fortunately, the ring was quite large and could be considered looking good. ¡°Are you ready?¡± Jiang Hao asked her. ¡°Yep, I¡¯ve prepared everything that grandma and grandpa like to eat and put it in the storage treasure,¡± Xiao Li replied. Jiang Hao nodded, gave Cheng Chou some spirit stones and talismans. Even though he had completed Foundation Establishment, these items were still very useful. After sending them off, Jiang Hao sighed softly. Every visit meant that Xiao Li¡¯s grandparents aged a bit more, and the final farewell was getting closer. Or perhaps, it would be the last time. Sometimes, without realizing it, you¡¯ve seen someone important for the last time. When he returned to the courtyard, Jiang Hao saw a figure in red and white crouching in front of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. He instinctively looked at the rabbit beside him. Sure enough, at some point, the rabbit had been thrown into the river and was drifting downstream. ¡°Greetings, senior,¡± Jiang Hao said respectfully. ¡°Have you prepared the Silver Moon Flower petals?¡± Hong Yuye stood up and asked Jiang Hao. Chapter 217 - The Female Demon Loses Her Breath Chapter 217: The Female Demon Loses Her Breath Under the setting sun, Hong Yuye stood gracefully, her silhouette seemingly merging with the sunset, like a dreamy apparition. ¡°They¡¯re ready,¡± Jiang Hao recovered and replied with his head bowed. Because the Tianjue Gu poison was ineffective against the person before him, resisting her beauty relied on his own willpower. Moreover, due to long-term suppression, the backlash of such emotions often feels very intense. A slight misstep can easily lead to embarrassment. ¡°Prepare some hot water, I want to take a bath,¡± Hong Yuye said as she walked inside. Getting hot water wasn¡¯t difficult; it could be done with a spell. Moments later, Jiang Hao stood in front of the wooden tub as the clear river water slowly began to steam. He tested the water with his hand; the temperature was a bit high. But this was actually for the best ¨C it wouldn¡¯t be too hot when getting in, and it wouldn¡¯t be too cold when getting out. After confirming the water temperature, he scattered two handfuls of petals into the water. It was a bit sparse, but it would suffice. ¡°Senior, it¡¯s ready,¡± Jiang Hao said as he stepped out to inform the lady in the hall. Upon hearing this, Hong Yuye got up and slowly walked into the room. ¡°Stand guard outside.¡± Hearing that he was to stay outside, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. Not being inside meant he wouldn¡¯t have to listen to the sound of water and imagine Hong Yuye¡¯s movements, which would have been a torment for him. He would have had the urge to turn his head and check on her. This way, he could avoid such an awkward situation. Afterward, he stood by the door waiting and took the opportunity to examine a set of premium six-character talismans. He wanted to learn the Hundred Thousand Divine Sword Talisman; having been humiliated several times for not having this talisman, it was time to produce one. There was a valid reason for it. However, the materials for the last three talismans of the premium set were quite expensive. A stack cost a hundred spirit stones, with a selling price of around sixty. The first three talismans were the Healing Talisman, Hundred Thousand Swords Talisman, and Earthquake Talisman. The Earthquake Talisman could make the surrounding land tremble, but it wasn¡¯t very effective, and he had hardly ever made it. The last three were the Hundred Thousand Divine Sword Talisman, the Earth Breaking Talisman, and the Force Repelling Talisman. The Hundred Thousand Divine Sword Talisman was an advanced version of the Hundred Thousand Swords Talisman, the Earth Breaking Talisman was an advanced version of the Earthquake Talisman ¨C not just causing tremors but also making the ground collapse and break apart. The Force Repelling Talisman was a defensive talisman, especially good at dissipating physical impacts. In Jiang Hao¡¯s opinion, the Hundred Thousand Swords Talisman was the easiest to sell, while the latter two were more niche. Therefore, he decided to learn the Hundred Thousand Divine Sword Talisman first and study the other two later to see if they would sell well. With his decision made, Jiang Hao sat down cross-legged and began to meditate with a clear heart and pure mind. He became so engrossed that he lost track of time until he came to his senses in the middle of the night, having finished his meditation. He looked outside and realized it might be past midnight. ¡°The rabbit hasn¡¯t come back today?¡± Jiang Hao was surprised. But as he got up, he unexpectedly found himself in front of the bathroom. It was then that he realized Hong Yuye had come to take a bath. But... It was so late, and she still hadn¡¯t finished? Puzzled, he knocked on the door. ¡°Senior?¡± There was no response. He knocked again, this time much harder. ¡°Senior, are you in there?¡± Still no response. Hesitating, he spoke up again. ¡°Senior, I¡¯m coming in.¡± Creak! Jiang Hao slowly opened the door, then peeked inside, and was immediately startled. There was indeed a woman in the tub, but no one had answered the door. ¡°Senior?¡± he called out again. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing no reaction, he stepped inside. Hong Yuye¡¯s strength was such that he couldn¡¯t discern her aura. But this time was different; looking at her now, she appeared to have no aura at all, as if completely silent. Taking a deep breath, Jiang Hao approached. Only Hong Yuye¡¯s shoulders were above the water, the rest covered by petals. The silver moon petals were different from before, blooming like flowers over the surface of the water. But Jiang Hao only dared to glance briefly, not daring to observe further. ¡°Senior?¡± As he got closer, he noticed Hong Yuye¡¯s eyes were closed, and he couldn¡¯t sense any breath from her. Surprised, he moved to the edge of the tub, reaching out towards the woman¡¯s neck in front of him, intending to check if her carotid artery was still pulsing. Just as his hand was about to touch her, Hong Yuye suddenly turned her head to face him, her eyes slowly opening. Their eyes met. ¡°Senior, I can explain,¡± Jiang Hao said with a bitter tone. Bang! As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Hao was sent flying like a gust of wind, slamming into the wall. A burning pain spread from his back throughout his body. For a moment, Jiang Hao lay on the ground, feeling an intense pain. This was real pain, worse than anything he had experienced in the past four years combined. ¡°Close the door, turn your back to me, and use your magic to heat the tub,¡± came Hong Yuye¡¯s calm voice. Jiang Hao dared not refuse and could only rise with difficulty. After closing the door, he sat cross-legged, extending the power of his technique from the ground to the wooden barrel behind him. Only then did Hong Yuye continue to speak. ¡°You really are bold.¡± ¡°Senior, this is truly a misunderstanding.¡± Jiang Hao said, enduring the pain. ¡°What kind of misunderstanding?¡± Hong Yuye¡¯s voice was calm. At that moment, Jiang Hao heard the sound of water. He thought again of the image of Hong Yuye dousing her body with water. After steadying his mind, he explained: ¡°Senior hadn¡¯t come out for a long time, and I was worried, so I came in to check. I called out to senior several times without getting a response, so...¡± ¡°So you thought I was dead?¡± Hong Yuye asked. ¡°I had no such intention,¡± Jiang Hao said awkwardly. At that time, he indeed had such thoughts; according to the breath, it did seem likely. However, he could never see through Hong Yuye¡¯s breath, and the reason he thought so was that Hong Yuye had not reacted when he entered, which was unusual. ¡°A few days ago, someone locked onto the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and then disappeared. Was it you, senior, who took action?¡± Jiang Hao began to change the subject. ¡°That¡¯s something you¡¯ll have to ask your sect about,¡± Hong Yuye replied casually. Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t inquire further, but he also didn¡¯t know how strong the twelve meridian Master were. The sound of water came again. ¡°Next time, one portion of the silver moon petals will suffice; two is too much,¡± Hong Yuye instructed. ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao replied. He was unaware that silver moon petals could bloom. At first, he thought it wasn¡¯t enough, only to realize later that he had wasted a portion. The sound of water came again, signaling the end of a bath. Sure enough, Jiang Hao heard the sound of bare feet stepping on the ground. ¡°What are you listening to?¡± Hong Yuye¡¯s crisp questioning voice startled Jiang Hao. ¡°Nothing,¡± Jiang Hao steadied his mind and said. At that moment, Hong Yuye walked past him, already dressed in a red fairy dress, barefoot. As she passed, Jiang Hao could smell her unique, subtle fragrance. He exhaled and calmed down before following her out. ¡°Do you still remember what you just saw?¡± Hong Yuye asked as they left. ¡°I didn¡¯t see anything, senior,¡± Jiang Hao replied. With too many silver moon petals, indeed, he saw nothing. ¡°What if you did see? Do you think I should gouge out your eyes?¡± Hong Yuye turned and asked with a smile. Before Jiang Hao could reply, Hong Yuye scoffed ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t. It would be different, but you would certainly wish I had.¡± Jiang Hao bowed his head, not daring to speak. Chapter 218 - What Happens If You See the Female Demon Chapter 218: What Happens If You See the Female Demon Silver sand was scattered in the courtyard. Jiang Hao stood by the peach tree and saw Hong Yuye sitting on a wooden chair, so he gently activated some formations in the courtyard, causing light to shine upward from the ground. The light was soft and faint, just enough to make out the surroundings. The room also had similar formations, differing only in location, so there was no sense of darkness. But Jiang Hao didn¡¯t want his courtyard to be too bright in the darkness. It could attract the attention of those with ill intentions. ¡°Are the formations hidden beneath the grass and trees?¡± Hong Yuye asked calmly. ¡°Are you worried the light is too obvious?¡± ¡°There are senior¡¯s flowers in the courtyard; it¡¯s always right to be cautious,¡± Jiang Hao replied while preparing tea for Hong Yuye. Once the tea was ready, Hong Yuye picked up the cup and took a gentle sip. ¡°Have you planted any other strange things recently?¡± ¡°No,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. Even if he had, he wouldn¡¯t say it, as it could be a matter of keeping them safe or not. After a long time, Hong Yuye finished her tea and slowly said. ¡°Your ability to hide treasures is worse than I thought.¡± As she spoke, she glanced at the room, looking exactly where Jiang Hao had hidden the Heaven and Earth sub-ring. Jiang Hao did not respond, acting as if the treasure did not exist. ¡°Take good care of my flowers; it¡¯s been four years, and I see no progress.¡± Hong Yuye stood up, transforming into a red shadow and disappearing from the spot. After Hong Yuye left, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. Somehow, he remembered the image of Hong Yuye bathing. For a moment, he was curious: what if there hadn¡¯t been enough silver moon petals and he had happened to see something? Would he have been treated inhumanely? Or would it be the same as now, just a bump? Unfortunately, there was no answer to such questions unless he experienced it again. As for Hong Yuye¡¯s appearance of being asleep, he didn¡¯t know whether it was intentional or not. But it didn¡¯t matter much because he would never dare to do anything. Let¡¯s talk about surpassing her strength later. Right now, I need to focus on Bai Ye and find out the specific conditions for becoming the chief disciple. That¡¯s something I can pursue later. By then, I should be able to stay peacefully in the Tianyin Sect. Other external threats will naturally be handled by the sect. It¡¯s good to just ride on the coattails of the big tree. However, because of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, more and more people will set their sights on me. Strong figures from outside the south will start to take notice and will eventually send people. If they¡¯re too aggressive, there will definitely be spies following. I hope a few more like Liu Xingchen will come. But hopefully, they won¡¯t be as formidable as him. After this attacker, Jiang Hao realized that trying to forcefully take the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower could lead to trouble. ¡°I wonder if these people count as fish. If they are, then Elder Bai Zhi is truly fearsome.¡± After musing for a moment, Jiang Hao returned to his room to start making talismans. ....... It wasn¡¯t until the early morning that he heard the rabbit hurrying back. It said that a friend on the road had invited it to stay overnight. Jiang Hao smiled knowingly, aware that the rabbit probably only woke up in the middle of the night and likely didn¡¯t find its way back clearly. After all, this small river has many branches, and once you go down, it converges with other rivers. So if the rabbit isn¡¯t familiar with the area, it would have to look for the location of Duanqing Cliff first. The danger Dan Yuan mentioned has disappeared, so Jiang Hao can only wait for the next gathering. And see when the Fairy Gui will come looking for him. If they make no noise, that would be best. He can continue to take care of the Spiritual Medicine Garden and accumulate cultivation. And make talismans to earn spirit stones on the side. Two peaceful months passed, and Jiang Hao stood in the courtyard, noticing that the peach tree had grown another half a person tall. It¡¯s been growing faster lately. It¡¯s a pity that there hasn¡¯t been much progress with the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. He has appraised it, and it¡¯s just a matter of continuing to water it. It seems the growth rate of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower is slow. Before going to the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao checked his status panel. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 24¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Early Nascent Soul¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind, Hidden Spirit Manifestation, Divine Might¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 63/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 62/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 2/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡°Twenty-four years old.¡± Looking at his age, Jiang Hao felt quite sentimental. He vaguely remembered being nineteen years old when he reached Foundation Establishment. Five years have passed, and now he¡¯s in the early Nascent Soul stage. If this year goes well, he should be able to advance to the middle Nascent Soul stage. Thinking of this, he suddenly remembered his Junior Brother Han Ming. ¡°I wonder how Junior Brother Han is doing. He¡¯s twenty-three now and probably still some time away from the late Foundation Establishment stage. I wonder when he will come to challenge me again.¡± Sometimes Han Ming¡¯s challenges are quite interesting. Next time he comes, if he¡¯s in the late Foundation Establishment stage, I¡¯ll take him down in three moves. It¡¯s always been one or two strikes, which can affect his enthusiasm. With a slight smile, Jiang Hao left the courtyard and headed towards the Spiritual Medicine Garden. On the way, Jiang Hao asked about Lin Zhi¡¯s situation. ¡°It¡¯s not good,¡± the rabbit sighed. ¡°Lord Rabbit occasionally goes to find him, initially teaching him martial arts. Later, realizing he could only take hits, we started teaching him body refining techniques. After half a month, we found he also had no talent for it.¡± ¡°And then?¡± Jiang Hao asked. He only occasionally paid attention, leaving the specific guidance to the rabbit. When he had time, he would go to check the rabbit¡¯s progress, which so far had been satisfactory. It¡¯s just that Lin Zhi was so easily deceived he didn¡¯t know up from down. Fortunately, it didn¡¯t affect his cultivation. ¡°Then Lord Rabbit consulted friends from the road and decided to teach him how to take a beating,¡± the rabbit continued, shaking its collar. ¡°And recently, when he takes a beating, he doesn¡¯t get hit in vital spots.¡± Jiang Hao nodded without saying much; the rabbit had many friends from the road. All sorts of types. However, learning how to take a beating really suits Lin Zhi, who is still at the first layer of Qi Refining. And he often gets bullied. But he has advanced to the second stage of the Star Moon Qi Refinement Technique, and by the ninth stage, he should be a Foundation Establishment. He has given the subsequent techniques to the rabbit, and when the time comes, the rabbit will teach him. Compared to Lin Zhi, Chu Chuan is getting braver with each fight, now nearly reaching the third layer of Qi Refining. His advancement is also swift. It¡¯s only been a year and a half since he started cultivating. Walking on the road, Jiang Hao suddenly felt a faint aura from the stone slabs. ¡°It seems it¡¯s time for the third gathering.¡± Jiang Hao had been waiting for quite a while. This gathering is much earlier than usual, probably because of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ...... Evening. Upon returning to his residence, Jiang Hao took out the stone slab to inspect it. The gathering was set to begin at midnight tonight. ¡°I need to prepare to handle their questions.¡± He wanted to give off an aura of mystery, power, and reclusiveness. Thus, he had to roughly prepare his background, location, and purpose to avoid being caught off guard by their questions. Midnight. Jiang Hao entered the Secret Whisper Slate. He was somewhat looking forward to the reaction of senior Dan Yuan, and also to confirm whether the person in question was dead, had escaped, or had been captured alive. Tianyin Sect had a habit of capturing people alive. In their view, captives were valuable. Not only could they be locked in the Lawless Tower, but their forces could also pay a ransom for their release. Without a ransom, they could be thrown into the mines as free labor. In short, Tianyin Sect liked to squeeze every last bit of value out of people. Chapter 219 - The Persona Is Collapsing Chapter 219: The Persona Is Collapsing Upon entering the public area, Jiang Hao saw the familiar senior Dan Yuan and three others. For now, it was just the few of them. According to the occasional messages he received from the stone slab, there should be at least two more people. But they had yet to show up. ¡°Senior Dan Yuan,¡± everyone greeted respectfully. ¡°Do you have any questions about cultivation?¡± Dan Yuan asked. It seemed that this was indeed a free benefit, Jiang Hao concluded. Three times in a row, before anything else started, senior Dan Yuan would ask this question. And as long as the questions were related to cultivation, they would be answered. This alone was a significant benefit for many. Unfortunately, Jiang Hao hadn¡¯t encountered any problems yet. But he would eventually. Fairy Gui shook her head, and the other two did the same. Jiang Hao did as well. After all, cultivation couldn¡¯t be rushed in such a short interval. ¡°Since there are no questions, let¡¯s move on to other matters,¡± Dan Yuan said, looking at Fairy Gui with a light smile. ¡°Fairy Gui, you can consider your request now. Whether you want items or something else, feel free to mention it.¡± As the words fell, Fairy Gui was delighted. The others understood what it meant; the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower was indeed with Tianyin Sect. ¡°Since it¡¯s with Tianyin Sect, has the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower been taken away?¡± Xing pondered aloud. However, Dan Yuan shook his head. ¡°On the contrary, he hasn¡¯t returned. So, this is the task I¡¯m giving today: to find out the whereabouts of this person, the specific location. As for the reward, it can be exchanged for a piece of information.¡± Upon hearing this, everyone was somewhat surprised. First, it meant that the person had failed, indicating that Tianyin Sect was not as simple as they thought. Second, the reward could be significant or minor; a piece of information could reveal a top-secret matter or just be something ordinary. Jiang Hao wondered if he could use this to exchange for news about Hong Yuye? But it felt too risky, and the other party might not know everything. What other information did he want to know? There was some, but very little. ¡°Can it be accumulated?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Of course,¡± Dan Yuan nodded. Jiang Hao was somewhat tempted, but he didn¡¯t know where that person had gone. He had hoped to learn from senior Dan Yuan, but it seemed he could only go back and continue to wait. But he had a small question: why did they have to inquire themselves? The person¡¯s backing could have sent someone directly to Tianyin Sect to ask, openly or covertly. ¡°Senior, why doesn¡¯t the person behind him directly send someone to Tianyin Sect to inquire? Either openly or in secret,¡± Fairy Gui suddenly asked. Sure enough, the others had thought of this too, and Jiang Hao quietly awaited the answer. ¡°Perhaps they have already gone,¡± Dan Yuan said with a smile. He didn¡¯t seem too concerned about it. Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t sure about senior Dan Yuan¡¯s attitude, but this statement was noteworthy. It meant that someone might have already arrived at Tianyin Sect; two months had passed, enough time for them to infiltrate. And he might also be targeted. ¡®Just right, find out what kind of person it is, and if suitable, kill them. That way, I¡¯ll be connected to the undercover agents again and securely on the watchlist.¡¯ After this matter was discussed, Dan Yuan didn¡¯t say much else. Fairy Gui looked at Jiang Hao and said, ¡°Give me a little more time, and the location of the River Dragon will be confirmed soon. I should contact you before the next gathering.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Jiang Hao replied, succinct and casual. ¡°Mingyue Sect will open the Dao Discussion Conference in a few years, and many sects have been invited. Perform well, and you might even enter the Immortal Mansion¡¯s secret realm,¡± Xing reminded. ¡°There¡¯s a group overseas that seems to be looking for the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead, but so far, there¡¯s no trace. According to some, it¡¯s best if it¡¯s not found. This item should not appear; otherwise, it would be a disaster for everyone,¡± Liu also mentioned something he heard from overseas. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Jiang Hao was just listening on the side, as these people neither asked him questions nor paid much attention to him. After some time, Fairy Gui suddenly turned to Jiang Hao and asked, ¡°How much longer does Daoist Jiang plan to stay in Youyun Prefecture?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll leave after I¡¯ve done what I came to do,¡± Jiang Hao replied calmly. This was something he had decided on long ago; he was here to take care of business, and what that business was, nobody else would ask. If they were to guess, there was a chance they might think it had to do with the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. But none of that mattered since he was making it up anyway. Maintaining an air of mystery was all that was important. The gathering ended quickly. Since there wasn¡¯t much time between this and the last meeting, nobody had much news or anything they wanted to do. Sitting in his room, Jiang Hao began to reflect on the gathering. From Senior Dan Yuan¡¯s demeanor, he could guess that the task he had issued was probably a trade with someone else. At the very least, that would be the case with the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. Furthermore, it seemed that the Tianyin Sect might have sent a new undercover agent. As for the Dao Discussion Conference of the Mingyue Sect, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t care. Chu Chuan, on the other hand, needed to go, but he didn¡¯t plan to attend. There were no current issues with the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead; others couldn¡¯t find it nor dared to probe. He had been reinforcing its seal daily, adding over a hundred layers over several years. However, the matter of Fairy Gui was drawing closer, and if it wasn¡¯t handled well, it would have a significant impact on him. During the gathering, he didn¡¯t engage in conversation with the others, nor did he demonstrate his value. If this continued, they might not include him in future gatherings. That could lead to... a failed undercover mission. ¡°I need to think of a way to solidify my position. Perhaps I could inquire about the condition of the last attackers to strengthen my standing in the gathering. But if Fairy Gui matter fails, the impression of being powerful and mysterious will be lost.¡± After pondering for a long time, dawn was breaking. It would have to wait until later. ...... In the early morning, after collecting the energy bubbles in the yard, Jiang Hao went to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Xiao Li and the others, who hadn¡¯t returned for two months, finally came back today. If they had been any later, Jiang Hao would have started to worry that something had happened to them. ¡°Senior Brother, this is for you,¡± Xiao Li quickly ran over and handed over some pastries. Then she gave a portion to the rabbit behind him: ¡°This is for the rabbit.¡± ¡°From now on, call me Elder Brother, and Lord Rabbit will take care of you,¡± the rabbit said, proudly accepting the pastries. ¡°Rabbit, can we share it half and half?¡± Xiao Li asked, holding the rabbit. ¡°That would be disrespectful to Lord Rabbit,¡± the rabbit said solemnly. ¡°Everyone on the street knows that Lord Rabbit doesn¡¯t share gifts from friends.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take the left half, and you take the right,¡± Xiao Li said, holding the rabbit with one hand and starting to divide the pastry with the other. The rabbit talked a big game but didn¡¯t stop him. Seeing this, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t interfere. He just observed Cheng Chou, who had minor injuries. Compared to previous times, they were negligible. ¡°What happened?¡± Jiang Hao asked, walking deeper into the Spiritual Medicine Garden. He always inquired after Xiao Li returned from visiting relatives. ¡°It¡¯s not good,¡± Cheng Chou said, glancing at Xiao Li to make sure he wasn¡¯t paying attention before continuing. ¡°The health of the two elders is very poor, and they¡¯ve fallen ill again, which is like adding frost to snow. When they returned, their eyes were filled with reluctance, as if they were afraid they might never see Xiao Li again.¡± Jiang Hao sighed inwardly As Jiang Hao walked through the spiritual field, some energy bubbles quickly flew towards him and merged into his body. ¡¾Strength+1¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation+1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit+1¡¿ ... With these prompts, Jiang Hao took out the pastries and examined them for a moment before activating his divine power to appraise them. ¡¾Red Bean Cake: Miao Xiang tried her best to make this pastry for you. Because Xiao Li placed poisonous herbs nearby, it has been contaminated with hallucinogenic poison.¡¿ He put the pastry in his mouth, chewed it lightly a couple of times, and found that the taste was far from what it used to be. Was it beyond her ability now? ¡°Is there anything else?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°They want to see Senior Brother.¡± Cheng Chou said. Chapter 220 - A Slap in the Face Chapter 220: A Slap in the Face ¡°See me?¡± In the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao stopped, quite surprised. He hadn¡¯t done anything noteworthy while at the Tianyin Sect, so why would those two request to meet him? However, this also indicated something to him: their days were numbered. Just over two years... That was too short. They had only started to live a somewhat easier life because of Xiao Li. But it only lasted two or three years. ¡°Yes, they want to see Senior Brother. In their eyes, Senior Brother is the senior of Junior Sister Xiao Li in the sect.¡± Cheng Chou said after a moment¡¯s thought, ¡°When Xiao Li Junior Sister went back, she often talked about Senior Brother during conversations. For example, how you would scold her, buy her food, and keep her from causing trouble. She also boasted about the gold ring gift, and although she would occasionally complain, she mostly spoke highly of Senior Brother. The two elders have always been listening, and they probably know that it¡¯s thanks to Senior Brother that Junior Sister Xiao Li could return. So, they wanted to meet, but I didn¡¯t bring it up earlier, perhaps because there were still some days left. But now, I¡¯m afraid... There isn¡¯t much time left.¡± It turns out Xiao Li often talked about me. Jiang Hao started moving again, walking towards the small house inside. ¡°I¡¯ll consider it.¡± Such matters could only be considered; currently, he couldn¡¯t leave his sect. Stepping out could expose him to various dangers. Some people were always spying on his fate, and once he left, he might be detected. Without Hong Yuye¡¯s help, he would quickly be found. Once found, he would face attack. Even if he could return quickly, it wouldn¡¯t be advisable. Because as soon as he appeared near Xiao Li... Xiao Li, Cheng Chou, and Xiao Li¡¯s grandparents would all suffer. Not only that, his ability to traverse space would certainly become known. He would be targeted next time. So without a way to evade fate, he wouldn¡¯t leave the sect. Upon reflection, those who could keep an eye on him were likely from the Luoxia Sect and Tiansheng Sect, who would probably underestimate his strength, allowing for a possible counterattack. But if Tianhuan Pavilion did the same, he would face the Tianhuan Pavilion Master. If discovered and attacked, he might not even have three breaths¡¯ worth of time to escape. Still too weak. Facing these people was already so difficult, not to mention the challenge of escaping from Hong Yuye¡¯s clutches. ¡°Senior Brother, why won¡¯t Junior Sister Xiao Li grow up?¡± Cheng Chou hesitated before asking. It had been two years, and every time he returned, Xiao Li would compare her height. But there were no signs of growth. Although she would often stand on tiptoes and tell her visually impaired grandmother that she had grown taller, the elderly weren¡¯t fooled. Hearing this, Jiang Hao looked at the person beside him, puzzled as to why he suddenly cared about Xiao Li¡¯s height. ¡°That¡¯s the thing,¡± Cheng Chou hurriedly explained. ¡°The elders want to see Xiao Li Junior Sister grow up, but she hasn¡¯t grown at all in the past two years. She should be growing at her age; it shouldn¡¯t be like this.¡± ¡°Because of her special constitution, she grows slowly, very slowly,¡± Jiang Hao replied. Cheng Chou then talked about the elders¡¯ situation and signs of their deteriorating health. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They were losing focus, and occasionally they would get dizzy and fall. After understanding the situation, Cheng Chou left to get busy. Jiang Hao sighed and continued processing spiritual herbs. The Mingye Autumn Flowers that had just reached maturity had been transplanted back, and he became more vigilant about them. He still hadn¡¯t discovered whether Bai Ye had any follow-up schemes. At one point, he even examined the Red Lotus to see if the item he used to break the heart demon poison would turn into a new poison. The result showed it was just an ordinary Red Lotus. Therefore, he could only delve deeper into the nameless secret manual, hoping to observe something. ...... At noon. Jiang Hao went to the market to set up his stall. In two months, he had bought a Silver Moon Flower petal, saved up fifteen hundred spirit stones, and still had plenty of talismans left. He had been waiting for that big customer, but unfortunately, he never showed up. This time, while Jiang Hao was at his stall, he suddenly heard a voice. ¡°Hehe, months have passed, and you said you temporarily didn¡¯t have it. I think you won¡¯t have it even after a few years, still owing Ten Thousand Divine Sword Talismans. Today¡¯s youth just don¡¯t know the value of hard work.¡± Jiang Hao looked up and saw it was that early-stage Golden Core Senior Brother. Seeing this, he silently took out a Ten Thousand Divine Sword Talisman and said, ¡°Is this what Senior Brother wanted?¡± Duan Guan had intended to continue disparaging the talismans of the Junior Brother in front of him. But he hadn¡¯t expected the other party to actually produce a ten thousand Divine Sword Talisman. He quickly scoffed,.¡±Just one? To buy one for show?¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao silently took out ten Ten Thousand Divine Sword Talismans and said, ¡°How many does Senior Brother want?¡± Duan Guan¡¯s mouth twitched, and he continued, ¡°Since you can make Ten Thousand Divine Sword Talismans, that means you can also make Earth Breaking Talismans, right?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao pulled out a Earth Breaking Talisman. ¡°What about the Force Repelling Talisman?¡± Duan Guan asked with an ugly expression, grinding his teeth. ¡°Not yet,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. In fact, he did have them, but seeing that the other party was getting carried away, it was better to leave some face. He was there to earn spirit stones, not to make enemies. A little provocation was enough. ¡°Hmph!¡± Duan Guan said coldly. ¡°What¡¯s so great about knowing two more talismans? You don¡¯t even know how to make a Force Repelling Talisman.¡± With that, he left behind one thousand two hundred and sixty spirit stones. He took all of Jiang Hao¡¯s talismans with him. Suddenly, Jiang Hao felt like he had earned half a month¡¯s worth of money in one day and could close up shop. Including today, he had over two thousand seven hundred spirit stones. However, he was quite surprised; this Senior Brother in front of him really was wealthy. ¡°Junior Brother Jiang, long time no see,¡± Fairy Leng Tian approached as Jiang Hao was about to leave. ¡°Senior Sister Lemg, long time no see,¡± Jiang Hao nodded in greeting. Senior Sister Leng Tian¡¯s cultivation was at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, and it seemed she had made significant progress, just a bit away from perfection. She was faster than most people in the sect, which didn¡¯t seem to be due to talent; she must have encountered some opportunity while outside. ¡°Junior Brother, are you closing up? Do you have any more talismans?¡± Leng Tian asked softly. ¡°Senior Sister, what kind of spirit talismans do you need?¡± Jiang Hao still had some on him. ¡°Hundred Thousand Swords Talisman, Healing Talisman, five of each,¡± Leng Tian said. Jiang Hao nodded. He had just the right amount. He thus collected another two hundred and ninety spirit stones, making a total of three thousand spirit stones. ¡°Junior Brother, are you planning to go back now?¡± Leng Tian asked. ¡°I heard from the rabbit that someone was looking for me before, was it Senior Sister?¡± Jiang Hao suddenly remembered and asked. ¡°Yes, there¡¯s something I wanted to ask Junior Brother about, related to the previous talisman sale,¡± Leng Tian said straightforwardly. The more casual you are on the streets, the less people care. Selling talismans? Inheritance talismans? ¡°I was just about to head back. If it¡¯s convenient for Senior Sister, you could come to my place to talk,¡± Jiang Hao said, his mind clear but his words casual. Senior Sister Leng Tian readily agreed. ...... A short while later. At Jiang Hao¡¯s residence. When Leng Tian entered, she felt as if she had stepped into a cave dwelling; the spiritual energy here was even more concentrated, calming the mind and steadying the breath. Cultivating here would surely yield twice the result with half the effort. A normal inner disciple wouldn¡¯t have such a dwelling; it must have been nurtured over time. She didn¡¯t probe further or ask questions. It was better to pretend she didn¡¯t know. ¡°Senior Sister, are you interested in the talisman stones from before?¡± Jiang Hao asked as they entered the hall. ¡°No,¡± Leng Tian, the fairy-like figure, said while sitting at the table. ¡°That belongs to Junior Brother, and we¡¯ll all act as if we never knew about it. I came to ask if Junior Brother is still interested in those kinds of talismans.¡± ¡°Hm?¡± Jiang Hao was quite surprised and said. ¡°Senior Sister, you have more?¡± Such talisman inheritances were treasures, and it was fortunate to receive them once, but to have a second chance? Chapter 221 - Interrogation Concluded Chapter 221: Interrogation Concluded Fairy Leng Tian carefully took out a box from her storage treasure. She then gently placed it on the table and pushed it towards Jiang Hao. ¡°Junior Brother, take a look.¡± Jiang Hao pulled the box closer and observed it. It was the same wooden box as last time. When he opened it, what he saw inside was also the same: a stone tablet the size of a talisman paper, with only half of it present. The only difference was that the patterns on it were different, representing two completely distinct talismans. ¡®Indeed, it¡¯s the same kind of inheritance talisman as last time.¡¯ Without hesitation, he activated his appraisal ability. ¡¾Heavenly Secret Concealment Talisman Inheritance: Dip a brush in water at midnight when the mind is clear, and begin to trace the upper half of the talisman to receive the inheritance and comprehend the Heavenly Secret Concealment Talisman. This item is a treasure obtained by Leng Tian and her Senior Brother and Sister after surviving life-and-death situations.¡¿ ¡®Heavenly Secret Concealment Talisman?¡¯ Jiang Hao was inwardly astonished, but he didn¡¯t show it. Apart from the name, everything else was nearly identical to the last appraisal. Both were inheritances, both were obtained by Leng Tian and her Senior Brothers and Sisters after surviving life-and-death situations. They really had great luck. This was already the second life-and-death experience. However, the fact that such inheritances kept appearing one after another suggested they were all found in the same place. It seemed that Leng Tian and her Senior Brothers and Sisters had discovered a secret realm or cave dwelling unknown to others. Jiang Hao decided not to inquire further. This was a basic principle of their transactions. ¡°Junior Brother, what do you think?¡± Fairy Leng Tian asked tentatively. This item was difficult to sell because its purpose was unknown. Jiang Hao had previously taken one, so they thought of him first. However, more than half a year ago, they couldn¡¯t find him here, and they had just returned from another trip, so this item had been in their possession for almost a year. They also didn¡¯t dare to casually find other buyers and could only hold onto it. This item could easily bring disaster if not handled carefully. ¡°Senior Sister, what price are you asking?¡± Jiang Hao asked calmly. He indeed wanted this item. ¡°Junior Brother is interested?¡± Fairy Leng Tian was delighted, then after some consideration, she said, ¡°Could you add a bit more to the previous price?¡± ¡°Three thousand?¡± Jiang Hao asked tentatively. He could actually offer a higher price, but for now, three thousand was his limit, and he didn¡¯t dare to raise it too much. ¡°Deal,¡± Fairy Leng Tian said joyfully. ¡°Can I use talismans to cover some of the cost?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Yes,¡± Leng Tian agreed readily. ¡°How about ten Hundred Thousand Divine Swords Talismans to cover four hundred?¡± Jiang Hao asked as he took out the talismans. ¡°Hundred Thousand Divine Swords Talisman?¡± Fairy Leng Tian was surprised when she saw the talismans. ¡°Junior Brother can already make these talismans? Do you have Earth Breaking Talismans and Force Repelling Talismans?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao said, taking out three of each. These were just the products of his practice. ¡°Then I¡¯ll take three Force Repelling Talismans, three Earth Breaking Talismans, and four Hundred Thousand Divine Swords Talismans,¡± Fairy Leng Tian said as she collected the talismans. Jiang Hao nodded and also paid two thousand six hundred spirit stones. With the transaction complete, Fairy Leng Tian did not stay any longer. She didn¡¯t even ask about the use of the half talisman stone tablet. After Fairy Leng Tian left, Jiang Hao carefully examined the inheritance talisman again. ¡°Heavenly Secret Concealment Talisman? I wonder if it¡¯s what I think it is. If so, it would be very convenient.¡± Right now, his biggest vulnerability was that someone was always spying on his location. If he could conceal his fate, no one would be able to spy on his whereabouts. It would be much safer to go out. As for the value, it was naturally far more than three thousand. He was willing to pay a higher price, but he still had to be cautious of the people from the Demon Sect. ....... At night, Jiang Hao stood in front of the table, took a deep breath to calm his mind, and waited for midnight. As soon as it arrived, he picked up the brush, dipped it in water, and activated his divine ability Clear Heart and Pure Mind. Then he started tracing the patterns on the talisman smoothly, like clouds flowing through the sky. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In just a moment, the last stroke was completed. Light emerged from the stone tablet, touching the brush and entering Jiang Hao¡¯s body. Then, a vast golden light appeared in his mind, outlining the inheritance talisman. Jiang Hao watched everything and tried to memorize the strokes. After a long time, he had memorized the entire talisman. When he opened his eyes, the stone tablet on the table also shattered. ¡°I¡¯ll have to buy materials tomorrow and give it a try.¡± The materials for the Heavenly Secret Concealment Talisman were the same as those for the Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman. Although expensive, they were not rare, and the remaining spirit stones were enough to buy a stack. ....... The next day, Jiang Hao bought the materials and began making the talisman at midnight. Like the Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman, the process was very long and consumed a lot of spiritual energy. However, it wasn¡¯t as extreme, so it didn¡¯t damage his divine abilities. Crack. Just as Jiang Hao was about to make his mark, the talisman paper shattered. ¡°Failed.¡± ...... The second night, he continued to craft. Failure was normal for someone of his strength when making this kind of talisman. Crack! The talisman paper shattered again. ...... For seven consecutive days, Jiang Hao faced nothing but failure. ¡°Why does it always fail on the last stroke?¡± He couldn¡¯t find the reason for a while. On the tenth day, he still failed. Jiang Hao could only gather some spirit stones over a few days to continue buying materials. A stack of materials cost four hundred; he needed to gather the amount. With spirit stones in hand, he continued for over thirty days. All attempts failed. This... Isn¡¯t it too difficult? With no other choice, he could only outline the runes in his mind and ponder over them. Looking at the last few strokes, he felt something was off as if they were superfluous, and his failures occurred at that final moment. ¡°Could it be that I remembered it wrong, that those strokes aren¡¯t needed?¡± ¡°That¡¯s impossible, I remember correctly. Could the inheritance be wrong?¡± With this thought, Jiang Hao decided to try one more time. When he reached the last few strokes, he stopped and did not continue. Instead, he lifted his brush. However, at that moment, he saw the rune light up, and a sense of enlightenment emerged in his mind, indicating that one more stroke was needed to determine the timing. In the end, he chose to lightly sketch one more stroke. The rune quickly brightened. The talisman was complete. ¡°So that¡¯s it, the extra strokes at the end were for setting the time.¡± ¡°Appraisal.¡± After examining it for a moment, Jiang Hao began to check the details. ¡¾Heavenly Secret Concealment Talisman: Can conceal one¡¯s fate from the heavens for one day. As a downside, one cannot use the same method to conceal their fate for one day. A strand of spiritual energy or some blood can directly activate it.¡¿ It could indeed conceal fate, but this downside caught Jiang Hao¡¯s attention. ...... The next evening. He started making the talisman again, this time leaving two strokes at the end. The talisman was complete. Upon appraisal again. ¡¾Heavenly Secret Concealment Talisman: Can conceal one¡¯s fate from the heavens for two days. As a downside, one cannot use the same method to conceal their fate for two days. A strand of spiritual energy or some blood can directly activate it.¡¿ ¡°The number of days it¡¯s effective corresponds to the duration of the side effects?¡± ¡°It seems it can only be used in urgent situations.¡± Despite the significant downside, it could conceal fate for a while. This allowed for the possibility of temporary outings. ¡°However, if I really want to go out, I should ask Liu Xingchen if the Hall of Enforcement is monitoring people¡¯s fate.¡± If not, it¡¯s fine, but if they are, leaving without permission could lead to problems. ...... Baihua Lake. Among the myriad flowers, a figure in white and red moved with elegance and dignity, her beauty making the flowers pale in comparison. ¡°Sect Master,¡± Bai Zhi landed behind her respectfully. ¡°The interrogation has come to an end.¡± Hong Yuye walked away from the flowers and sat down on a stone chair in the pavilion, speaking calmly. ¡°Tell me the results.¡± Chapter 222 - Assigning Tasks to the Flower Gardener Chapter 222: Assigning Tasks to the Flower Gardener In front of the pavilion, Bai Zhi stood with her head bowed, her clothes gently swaying, and her long hair by her ears slightly moving. Facing the woman in the pavilion, she spoke respectfully. ¡°This man appears middle-aged and seems to be from the Corpse God Sect in the north, practicing the Nine Extremes Corpse Resolution Technique. Most of his cultivation has been absorbed by the Lawless Tower, but he still possesses the power of a Nascent Soul.¡± ¡°From what he revealed, he came for the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, but the source of the information is unclear. He¡¯s unwilling to speak further, claiming he will continue once he sees the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower.¡± ¡°Through certain methods, we can roughly confirm that his actions are not related to the Corpse God Sect. That¡¯s all we have for now. Although he is severely injured, his overall strength has not weakened, so obtaining information from him is somewhat difficult.¡± ¡°Corpse God Sect? What¡¯s his status?¡± Hong Yuye asked softly. ¡°Judging from the identity token in his storage treasure, he is a Teaching Elder,¡± Bai Zhi replied. The fact that a Teaching Elder was powerful enough to require their Sect Master¡¯s intervention worried Bai Zhi. If a confrontation occurred, it would be extremely disadvantageous for them. However, the north is too far from the south; to launch an attack, a significant amount of manpower and resources would be needed. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Unless someone capable of suppressing their Sect Master came. If that were to happen, the Tianyin Sect would surely be no match. But these were only her concerns, which she didn¡¯t need to express to the Sect Master. There was no need. If the Sect Master cared, she wouldn¡¯t have directly inflicted such heavy damage on the opponent. ¡°Any other gains?¡± Hong Yuye asked. ¡°We broke into his storage treasure and obtained some techniques, several magical treasures, many medicinal pills, and a box of strange seeds,¡± Bai Zhi continued with her head bowed. ¡°Overall, we¡¯ve made a considerable gain. It also contains the first part of the ¡®Nine Extremes Corpse Resolution Technique¡¯.¡± ¡°Where are the seeds?¡± Hong Yuye asked. Bai Zhi extended her hand, causing all the items to float in front of her. A small box of seeds was sent out. Taking the box, Hong Yuye slowly opened it to reveal twelve neatly arranged white seeds. They resembled pebbles and carried a hint of vitality, yet they seemed to also bear an aura of death. ¡°Do you know how to plant them?¡± Hong Yuye asked as she closed the box. ¡°Not at the moment,¡± Bai Zhi shook her head. She had asked around, but no one recognized them. She could only report back for now. The other items had been identified, and it seemed this powerful individual was quite wealthy. ¡°Take them and distribute them,¡± Hong Yuye casually tossed the box out. ¡°One seed for each of the twelve meridians; let their Spiritual Medicine Gardens handle the planting. Whichever meridian succeeds first will receive the ¡®Nine Extremes Corpse Resolution Technique.¡¯ The person responsible for the successful cultivation will get the benefits of this plant for free.¡± ¡°Do the Sect Master know what this is?¡± Bai Zhi asked, puzzled as she caught the box. Glancing through the ¡°Nine Extremes Corpse Resolution Technique,¡± Hong Yuye said nonchalantly: ¡°Just plant them first.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Bai Zhi nodded. ¡°Continue the interrogation. If he truly won¡¯t speak, it doesn¡¯t matter. He wanted to meet the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, right?¡± Hong Yuye¡¯s expression remained unchanged as she continued. ¡°Bring the one who cultivates the flowers to see him and see what he has to say.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Bai Zhi nodded in agreement, then remembered something else and continued. ¡°Recently, I¡¯ve noticed that Jiang Hao¡¯s spiritual pet is training an outer disciple, teaching the ¡®Star Moon Qi Cultivation Method¡¯ from the Mingyue Sect. This confirms that the person who had contact with the Mingyue Sect is almost certainly someone behind Jiang Hao.¡± It was speculation before, but now there¡¯s concrete evidence. However, this isn¡¯t enough to label him a traitor; at most, he¡¯s a suspect. But he¡¯s been suspect from the start, so the investigation has reached this point. ¡°By the way, that outer disciple has been stuck at the Qi Refining first level for over two years. If this continues, there¡¯s a chance he might be expelled from the sect. Should we keep him to continue the investigation?¡± Bai Zhi asked. With Lin Zhi around, they could easily learn more. ¡°Let them handle the Duanqing Cliff matter themselves,¡± Hong Yuye said offhandedly. Bai Zhi nodded, understanding. After delegating a few more tasks, she left. What followed was how to arrange for Jiang Hao to meet with the Corpse God Sect. ....... For seven consecutive days. Jiang Hao crafted three Heavenly Secret Concealment Talismans, each with a duration of three days. It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t want to make them stronger, but his current strength only allowed for three days. Moreover, he estimated that the maximum duration might be thirty days. ¡°What¡¯s the use of this?¡± Jiang Hao looked at the talisman and sighed. To be able to go out for three days? It wasn¡¯t very useful, even for the matter of the Fairy Gui. If the location was close, he could send the rabbit or Xiao Li, but what if it was far? They couldn¡¯t reach it in ten days or half a month, and if the location changed, they wouldn¡¯t be able to inform him. Having something as extraordinary as the Nine Rings of Heaven and Earth in his possession, yet it was of no use. After tidying up, Jiang Hao went to the courtyard and sat on a wooden chair, casually playing with the other rings. With the Nine Rings of Heaven and Earth and the Heavenly Secret Concealment Talismans, he could seriously consider the request from Xiao Li¡¯s grandparents. To go or not to go. He didn¡¯t want to go by nature. For Xiao Li, he initially just wanted to look after her because he brought her in. To prevent any trouble from falling on his head. And bringing her back was just because she was a dragon and her family couldn¡¯t afford to keep her. It was out of a bit of kindness. Sending her back was the same. But now it was different; the elders¡¯ attitude was clear¡ªthey wanted to entrust her to him. This would make Xiao Li¡¯s relationship with him much closer, which was quite troublesome. It wasn¡¯t that he was worried about anything else; he just feared that if Xiao Li got into trouble, she would mention his name. This wouldn¡¯t be conducive to releasing her in the future. So, not go? Jiang Hao fell into deep thought. ¡°Master?¡± The rabbit stood on the wooden chair, not knowing when it had arrived, and stared at the golden ring in Jiang Hao¡¯s hand. ¡°Do you have so many of these? Give me one. All my friends on the road know that Lord Rabbit suits this better than anyone else.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you have a collar?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°A collar is a collar, a golden ring is a golden ring, they¡¯re different,¡± the rabbit said. ¡°What¡¯s the difference?¡± Jiang Hao asked casually. ¡°With a collar, others know I¡¯m a rabbit raised by the master. With a golden ring, others know I¡¯ve received the master¡¯s affection. So it¡¯s different. Master, give me one,¡± the rabbit said with a hopeful face. Jiang Hao glanced at the rabbit and hesitated for a moment but still threw out a golden ring. Never mind, it might be useful in the future. The rabbit caught the golden ring and became excited, playing with it before exclaiming. ¡°Master, do I look like a great demon?¡± I think you¡¯re close to the day of your release, Jiang Hao thought as he collected the bubble and stood up to leave, ignoring the rabbit beside him. Whether to go to Xiao Li¡¯s place still requires some consideration. It¡¯s highly likely that he will go. As long as the Heavenly Secret Concealment Talisman can really block others from prying. ....... In a short while, Jiang Hao arrived at the Spiritual Medicine Garden and found many unfamiliar cultivators gathered here. Not only Golden Core cultivators but there were also several Nascent Soul ones. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Jiang Hao looked bewildered. It didn¡¯t seem to be bad news; judging from the atmosphere, everyone appeared eager to try something. Moreover, these people were all disciples of Duanqing Cliff. Either from the inner sect or true disciples. It¡¯s a pity that the rabbit didn¡¯t come with him because it needed to refine the golden ring; otherwise, he could have had the rabbit recognize these people. ¡°Senior Brother Jiang.¡± Cheng Chou came over. ¡°Why are there so many inner sect and true disciples here?¡± Jiang Hao asked calmly. Chapter 223 - Introducing a Dao Companion Chapter 223: Introducing a Dao Companion ¡°I heard it¡¯s a mission issued by the sect involving an unparalleled cultivation technique,¡± Cheng Chou said uncertainly. ¡°It seems that all twelve main veins received it, and there will be rewards for completion, not just from the sect but also from each vein. What the specific rewards are remains unknown. But with so many Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters coming over, it must be something extraordinary.¡± Cheng Chou had just been promoted to the inner sect and didn¡¯t know many people, and others didn¡¯t know him either. So, it was somewhat difficult for him to gather information from them. Jiang Hao was in a similar situation, just knowing a few more people. ¡°Do you know what the mission is?¡± ¡°I heard it¡¯s a seed,¡± Cheng Chou replied. ¡°A seed?¡± Jiang Hao was quite surprised. Isn¡¯t this his area of expertise? Cheng Chou nodded and said softly, ¡°Yes, it seems to be a very strange seed. No one knows the species yet nor how to cultivate it. The standard for completing the mission is to make the seed germinate. All twelve main veins are competing simultaneously to see who can grow it first. Whoever does is the winner.¡± It really is my area of expertise, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but feel that the sect was handing out rewards for him. However, with so many true disciples, as well as strong Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, they would definitely all give it a try. By the time it¡¯s his turn, others might have already succeeded in growing it, and it¡¯s possible that another vein might succeed before his own. It¡¯s highly probable that they won¡¯t need him. With a sigh, he decided not to pay too much attention to it. ¡°It won¡¯t affect the normal operation of the Spiritual Medicine Garden, will it?¡± ¡°No, it won¡¯t. It seems that a rather remote area has been specially designated,¡± Cheng Chou nodded in response. ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± Jiang Hao went in intending to collect some spirit bubbles. Throughout the day, various Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters were discussing at the edge of the garden. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It seemed that the Nascent Soul-level Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters were the first to start planting. No one above the Nascent Soul level appeared, which was odd as there should be cultivators of that level, but they probably chose not to participate. However, for Jiang Hao, the Nascent Soul-level Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters of Duanqing Cliff were unattainable beings. Even if they didn¡¯t care about the Spiritual Medicine Garden, their presence alone was enough to deter others. Cheng Chou was tense all day, and not just him; the rabbit and Xiao Li ran off as soon as they arrived. The rabbit¡¯s connections on the road didn¡¯t work here. As for the outer disciples and ordinary people who came to help, they didn¡¯t even dare to breathe too loudly. They were afraid of provoking those people. Jiang Hao, on the other hand, was fine, just focusing on his own work. As long as he didn¡¯t offend those people, it was all good. ¡°Junior Brother Jiang, long time no see,¡± Miao Tinglian came over to greet him. ¡°Senior Sister Miao,¡± Jiang Hao stood up and replied politely. Looking around, he didn¡¯t see Senior Brother Mu Qi. ¡°He¡¯s still inside studying the seed. I couldn¡¯t make anything out of it, so I came out,¡± Miao Tinglian said with a smile. Jiang Hao nodded; since Senior Sister Miao, who was also strong in the field of spiritual medicine, couldn¡¯t figure it out, it must indeed be an obscure spiritual medicine. ¡°By the way, I heard you¡¯ve been taking good care of Junior Sister Xiao Li from the outer sect. Do you have any other intentions?¡± Miao Tinglian asked with a light laugh. She had noticed this before when she was in the Spiritual Medicine Garden and later heard that he even started to take care of her meals. Jiang Hao looked at her, puzzled. Miao Tinglian: ¡°???¡± Jiang Hao: ¡°???¡± ¡°You seem so uninteresting. Surely no fairy would like you,¡± Miao Tinglian sighed. ¡°Do you want me to introduce you to someone?¡± Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± ¡°Do you want me to?¡± Miao Tinglian asked again. Jiang Hao sighed. ¡°Senior Sister, I am still young and do not wish to have any burdens.¡± ¡°How old are you?¡± Miao Tinglian asked again. ¡°Twenty-four,¡± Jiang Hao replied. This was no secret. Han Ming knew on his first day that he was a nineteen-year-old Foundation Establishment cultivator, which is why he initiated the challenge. ¡°Foundation Establishment late stage at twenty-four years old?¡± Miao Tinglian was somewhat incredulous. ¡°Even with that, you haven¡¯t become a true disciple? You cultivated faster than I did when I was younger.¡± Miao Tinglian had exceptional talent, and if it weren¡¯t for her problematic background, she could have become a true disciple. She had already passed a one-year probation period and successfully restored her cultivation to become an inner disciple. Jiang Hao could only politely explain that it was due to opportunities and his own talent was just above average. ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about your cultivation level anymore, just remember to tell me if you take a fancy to someone. I¡¯ll teach you, and I guarantee you¡¯ll be successful in pursuing them¡ªif soft approaches don¡¯t work, we¡¯ll go hard,¡± Miao Tinglian said with a smile. That would be deadly, Jiang Hao sighed inwardly, Senior Sister Miao was indeed a member of the Demon Sect. ¡°Don¡¯t listen to her nonsense,¡± Mu Qi walked over at this time and glared at Miao Tinglian. Miao Tinglian looked up and glared back. ¡°Senior Brother Mu,¡± Jiang Hao said politely, pretending not to have seen anything. ¡°Junior Brother, aren¡¯t you going to try?¡± Mu Qi pointed to a spot on the edge and asked. Jiang Hao shook his head. He didn¡¯t want to get involved for the time being; he would wait until everyone calmed down and started to give up before going. Of course, that was provided no one had succeeded in planting the seed. Even if someone did, it wouldn¡¯t bother him; he had no interest in stealing the limelight. Out of curiosity, he inquired about the seed. ¡°Master said that this task was issued by Elder Bai and it¡¯s related to an extremely valuable cultivation technique. Only the elders like Master know the specific name. In any case, if we help Master obtain it, not to mention other benefits, we¡¯ll definitely have made a great contribution within our lineage,¡± Mu Qi explained. ¡°I see,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. He remembered the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower in the courtyard and thought that Elder Bai seemed quite fond of having people plant things. After chatting for a bit more, Mu Qi and Miao Tinglian left. For seven consecutive days, the number of people in the Spiritual Medicine Garden didn¡¯t decrease much, morning and evening alike. And naturally, no one had succeeded in planting the seed. Jiang Hao continued to wait, planning to go over it when there were fewer people so as not to stand out. Another seven days passed, and instead of the crowd in the Spiritual Medicine Garden diminishing, another matter arose. The outer sect had opened up a piece of land to build a Spiritual Medicine Garden, and each lineage had to send people to help. The first person in charge from Duanqing Cliff was Senior Sister Ning Xuan. But since everyone was preoccupied with the seed, the task fell to Jiang Hao, who was ¡°idle.¡± ¡°The outer sect Spiritual Medicine Garden is opening, and the Candlelight Alchemy Court lineage is leading the project. We¡¯re only responsible for a small part,¡± Fairy Ning Xuan instructed Jiang Hao. ¡°Junior Brother, go and see what needs to be done, and just mention my name if there¡¯s any issue.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. He remembered seeing Senior Sister Ning Xuan introducing a Golden Core to the surroundings in the Spiritual Medicine Garden last time, which seemed to be a scouting visit. So, he was from the Alchemy Court lineage? People from the Candlelight Alchemy Court were not to be trifled with. He hoped to encounter someone amiable. It was also fine to meet someone haughty as long as there was no interference. The trouble was meeting someone who wasn¡¯t very capable but liked to flaunt their special status. ...... The next day. Jiang Hao went alone to the outer sect Spiritual Medicine Garden. But just as he arrived and before he could grasp the situation, he was scolded by someone wearing a pill refiner¡¯s robe. ¡°Junior Brother, didn¡¯t you see a group of people waiting for you? Do you think you¡¯re someone special who has to make a grand entrance? Or do you think you¡¯re more noble than the eleven of us combined? If that¡¯s what you think, please ask your lineage to send someone else. We don¡¯t appreciate someone like you.¡± Jiang Hao was taken aback, somewhat puzzled. He remembered that he should have arrived a bit early. However, seeing that people from all eleven lineages had indeed arrived, he didn¡¯t say much. He simply apologized. First, he needed to understand the situation. Chapter 224 - Another Undercover Encounter Chapter 224: Another Undercover Encounter With a sour face, the Foundation Establishment late-stage disciple in the pill refiner¡¯s robe led the way to the new Spiritual Medicine Garden. Jiang Hao followed calmly behind. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He carefully observed the ten people ahead. ¡®The one wearing the pill refiner¡¯s robe should be from the Candlelight Alchemy Court lineage, the main person in charge this time, with a Foundation Establishment late-stage cultivation level. The others...¡¯ He confirmed that they were all at the Foundation Establishment mid-stage. However, one person was strange, with much stronger physical strength than the others and a faint aura of death about him. It was unclear whether this was due to his cultivation technique or some other reason. He walked in a middle position, chatting happily with the others. He looked to be about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, but his actual age was probably not small. After some hesitation, Jiang Hao decided to appraise him. ¡¾Divine Corpse Du Yong: Originally an inner disciple of Tianyin Sect with a Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivation level. He was possessed by Qu Zhong of the Corpse God Sect, becoming one of his three Divine Corpse avatars. His purpose is to find the location of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. Currently, he only knows the general direction. He is planning to make contact with you, a disciple of Duanqing Cliff.¡¿ ¡®What a coincidence, I¡¯ve encountered an undercover agent.¡¯ ¡®But what is the Corpse God Sect? I¡¯ve never heard of it, nor of Divine Corpse avatars.¡¯ ¡®According to the information, this Qu Zhong should have three avatars, plus one main body.¡¯ ¡®Let¡¯s not discuss the cultivation level of the main body for now. Whether their memories are shared is more important.¡¯ Jiang Hao walked behind, pondering whether to take action. There was some entanglement with the other party, and the Hall of Enforcement, once they took note of his name, would not let him go. However, the origins of the Corpse God Sect needed to be clarified. For now, he would wait. When the other party made a move, there would be sufficient reason to act. Because he had committed multiple crimes without being caught and had even killed a true disciple, the Hall of Enforcement has been keeping a close eye on him. If anything similar happens again, they might resort to using the Tianyuan Shaping Divine Mirror. Therefore, any act of murder must ensure that he does not implicate himself. It was only then that he began to observe his surroundings, which was a planned field. Calling it a Spiritual Medicine Garden would be a stretch; it was more like newly cultivated land. Apart from the spiritual energy, nothing else here was suitable for growing spiritual herbs. In other words, the soil needed to be enriched first. This was a major project, no wonder it required the involvement of Nascent Soul-level individuals. Unfortunately, just as the sect issued tasks, these individuals delegated the work to some peripheral disciples. After all, the outer sect Spiritual Medicine Garden was a long-term project, while the sect tasks were urgent. Listening to the people in front explaining, Jiang Hao understood the general task. Each of the twelve meridians had their own area to cultivate the soil. Whichever meridian¡¯s soil became more fertile would abandon the methods of the other meridians, and the best one would lead in establishing the spiritual field. Jiang Hao glanced subconsciously at a Junior Sister representing the Hundred Bones Forest. With Bai Ye there, the Hundred Bones Forest should win easily. Whether it was the Candlelight Alchemy Court or Baiyue Lake... Suddenly, Jiang Hao looked again at the group of eleven people gathered together and indeed did not see anyone from Baiyue Lake. Logically, the person who should have come was Senior Sister Zhou Chan. But upon closer observation, no one seemed particularly talented. They were all ordinary inner disciples. ¡®It must be that people from other meridians are helping out.¡¯ Jiang Hao didn¡¯t care much, as long as Bai Ye was involved, it was highly likely that no one could compete. After all, the other party had done extensive research in this area, unless there were similar individuals in other meridians. After the Candlelight Alchemy Court¡¯s people divided the areas, Jiang Hao was assigned to the most barren spot. ¡°This place is handed over to you, Duanqing Cliff. Do well and don¡¯t embarrass us,¡± Xia Cheng said with a smug look. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t say anything but instead started pondering over the area belonging to Duanqing Cliff. After observing for a moment, he saw that his area was of average size but had the least spiritual energy and very few weeds. It was clear that he had been targeted. However, as long as he cultivated it well later on, everyone would not interfere with each other. If others gave up on their seeds later on and he could take over here, that would be even better. He would then be able to return to guarding the Duanqing Cliff Spiritual Medicine Garden. ¡°Senior Brother,¡± a young man approached Jiang Hao politely. ¡°I am Du Yong from Fenglei Sect, and I would like to discuss with Senior Brother how to enrich the spiritual field.¡± (TLN: Fenglei Sect might be a mistake in the original raw here, not sure.) ¡°Duanqing Cliff¡¯s Jiang Hao.¡± Jiang Hao gave his name and then said, ¡°I know very little about this, I need to go back and look up the information. Do you have any leads, Junior Brother Du?¡± ¡°Not at the moment, but I heard that the sect will provide some resources, which can be collected from the Wanling Tower,¡± Du Yong said. After chatting for a bit more, Du Yong left, saying he would think of other methods. If he had some ideas, he hoped to hear Jiang Hao¡¯s opinion. ¡°This undercover agent is also very cautious; he probably doesn¡¯t know about the flower at my place. If he knew, he would have more ideas,¡± Jiang Hao speculated as he watched the other¡¯s retreating figure. If the other party could take action secretly, that would be best. He could deal with it directly. After so many years, no one had tried to steal the flower, which surprised Jiang Hao. It seemed easy to succeed, as he was often not in the courtyard. However, there must be people who had left countermeasures, Elder Bai was one, and Hong Yuye should be another. After all, they both considered the flower theirs. Having determined his next task, Jiang Hao planned to leave and, on the way, asked Senior Sister Miao how to enrich the soil. ¡°Senior Brother Xia is an excellent disciple of the Candlelight Alchemy Court. This time the soil cultivation will surely be the most successful.¡± ¡°How could Senior Brother Xia not be excellent if he was appointed to handle everything?¡± ¡°Haha, you flatter me, it¡¯s just that Senior Brother thinks highly of me, I¡¯m not that excellent,¡± Xia Cheng said with a laugh, happy yet feigning modesty. Such things were common, and Jiang Hao knew he couldn¡¯t blend in. So it was best to leave quietly and not disturb their enjoyment. In the following days of soil cultivation, he would bring people over, but he couldn¡¯t do it all himself. Seven days later, Jiang Hao had Cheng Chou bring some people to renew the soil. Then he got the simplest cultivation method from Senior Sister Miao. That was to set up a spirit gathering array and then transplant some Blue Lotus flowers over to allow the soil to absorb spiritual energy. These were still not enough; it also required some spiritual beast flesh and blood. This was the simplest method, with average effectiveness and progress. But more difficult methods would be too costly, and the sect would not agree. Miao Tinglian said that was all she could do because her research was on spiritual herbs, and she hadn¡¯t studied how to enrich the soil much. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t press further; his intention this time was to participate, as he had reported to Senior Sister Ning Xuan before, and she just nodded without saying much. So it was all up to Jiang Hao. He aimed to keep a low profile, not to grab the spotlight but also not to ignore the sect¡¯s orders. However, the number of people in the Duanqing Cliff Spiritual Medicine Garden remained high, and they had yet to grow anything. Jiang Hao was quite curious about what kind of seeds had stumped the entire sect. He was handling spiritual herbs in the Spiritual Medicine Garden and was thinking about whether he could find a gap to go in and appraise them. ...... At this moment, in the outer sect Spiritual Medicine Garden, Cheng Chou led the outer disciples and some ordinary people in planting blue lotus flowers while also renovating the land. They cleared out various weeds and rocks. However, when they were nearly done, the weeds and broken stones from the surrounding spiritual fields were thrown into their area. Cheng Chou frowned deeply and politely approached the few outer disciples who were working, saying, ¡°Junior Brothers, this is our spiritual field¡¯s boundary; have you perhaps disposed of things in the wrong place?¡± ¡°No, our Senior Brother told us to just deal with it nearby,¡± replied a man at the ninth level of Qi Refining, shrugging his shoulders. This response irritated Cheng Chou. After checking and seeing Xia Cheng ahead, he hesitated before approaching and respectfully said, ¡°Senior Brother Xia, the weeds and such from your side, have they been disposed of in the wrong place?¡± ¡°Is that so? Show me,¡± Xia Cheng feigned surprise. After following Cheng Chou back, he realized and said, ¡°No mistake here. Aren¡¯t you also transporting weeds? Since you¡¯re closer to the outside, it¡¯s convenient to take them out together. What¡¯s wrong with that?¡± Chapter 225 - Drawing the Sword Chapter 225: Drawing the Sword Jiang Hao waited a whole day before finally finding an opportunity. He followed Senior Brother Mu Qi inside and then saw the seeds he hadn¡¯t seen for half a month. They were translucent, pure white, and resembled pebbles. On them, there was a trace of vitality and a hint of death aura. What kind of seeds were these? Jiang Hao had never seen them before. Without hesitation, he activated his divine ability to identify them. ¡¾Corpse Realm Flower Seed: When one flower sprouts, seeds within hundreds of miles, if in a state of planting, will sprout together. If twelve Corpse Realm Flowers bear fruit at the same time, the Door of Death will open, leading to a special realm. Use the corpses of xiezhi (mythological creature), ox, bat, rat, swallow, pig, and yu (mythological creature), burying one in the soil each day, and after seven days, they can take root and sprout.¡¿ After completing the identification, Jiang Hao quietly left. He was somewhat surprised. It was actually a key to open a certain realm. Twelve were needed to open it, and the sect had just distributed twelve seeds. ¡°The Door of Death, a special realm. I wonder what it will be like?¡± ¡°However, this planting method is really unique. It would be almost impossible for someone unaware to grow them, but it¡¯s not difficult if one can find the information.¡± Jiang Hao returned to the spiritual field to start processing spiritual herbs. ¡°Corpse Realm Flower.... I wonder how obscure this spiritual herb is.¡± Jiang Hao shook his head, unconcerned. He would wait for these people to give up before deciding whether to get involved. He wondered if the sect was aware of the Door of Death opening. If it brought danger to the sect at the end, compensating with spiritual stones would be a loss. But if he received the reward, he should be able to get quite a few spiritual stones. Now he was short on spiritual stones, and this year he still needed to prepare a large sum for the nirvana of the peach tree, so the rabbit project would have to be put on hold for now. ...... Three days later. Jiang Hao looked at the panel to the west. ¡¾Vital Energy: 78/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 79/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡°Still short by about twenty points.¡± ¡°In three months, I¡¯ll be able to advance to the mid-stage of Nascent Soul. In another two months, it will be Xiao Li¡¯s day to return. If I really need to go, I can do so after reaching the mid-stage of Nascent Soul.¡± Jiang Hao left the courtyard and headed towards the Spiritual Medicine Garden. After collecting the bubbles, he felt a slight improvement in spirit and strength. Although it wasn¡¯t too obvious now, after decades or centuries, his strength and spirit would be extremely formidable. Without lingering, he walked straight out of the Spiritual Medicine Garden towards the outer sect¡¯s Spiritual Medicine Garden. He hadn¡¯t gone out to check in these three days, nor had he seen Cheng Chou in the Spiritual Medicine Garden. It seemed there was some trouble outside. It was normal for Cheng Chou, with his insufficient strength, to be unable to handle it. Shortly after, he arrived at the outer sect¡¯s Spiritual Medicine Garden. He discovered that the spiritual field belonging to Duanqing Cliff was filled with many weeds and broken stones. Even some materials had been taken away. From a distance, Jiang Hao saw Cheng Chou delivering spiritual stones to people from the Candlelight Alchemy Court lineage. Even after the delivery, it only slightly reduced the accumulation of weeds. It was clear that not enough had been given. After observing carefully, Jiang Hao noticed that it wasn¡¯t just the Candlelight Alchemy Court lineage bullying Duanqing Cliff; there were three or four other lineages as well. It could be opportunistic bullying or perhaps a desire for some spiritual stones. Ignoring these, Jiang Hao approached Xia Cheng. ¡°S-Senior Brother,¡± Cheng Chou said with his head lowered, somewhat ashamed. Under his leadership, their people couldn¡¯t hold their heads high. ¡°Go on with your work,¡± Jiang Hao said calmly. ¡°Yes,¡± Cheng Chou replied and withdrew. Jiang Hao looked around at the other areas; they were all watching this side. Both openly and secretly, they wanted to see what he would do to decide their subsequent attitude. Withdrawing his gaze, he looked at Xia Cheng, who was wearing a trace of arrogance. With a light sigh, Jiang Hao said, ¡°Senior Brother, don¡¯t you think you¡¯re making things difficult for others?¡± ¡°Making things difficult for whom?¡± Xia Cheng pretended to be confused. Jiang Hao pointed at the pile of weeds. ¡°This... I¡¯ve also spoken to the other Junior Brothers, but as you know, not everyone will comply. If I don¡¯t pay attention, they¡¯ll start causing trouble.¡± ¡°I¡¯m also quite troubled,¡± Xia Cheng feigned a sigh and then made a suggestion. ¡°How about Junior Brother goes to find out who did this, and I¡¯ll teach them a lesson? Or we could just replace the person. What do you think? But managing people is indeed not easy, you understand that.¡± Jiang Hao lowered his gaze; he wouldn¡¯t go looking for an outer disciple. It was meaningless. And from the other party¡¯s tone, it seemed like they were after spirit stones. ¡°Senior Brother, may I have a word with you in private?¡± Jiang Hao asked softly. ¡°Sure,¡± Xia Cheng replied with a smile, thinking to himself. ¡®Here it comes. Should I ask for five hundred spirit stones or eight hundred?¡¯ As the person in charge here and a pill refiner of the Candlelight Alchemy Court, no one dared to disrespect him. Otherwise, they would be punished when they returned. There was no benefit in opposing him. Jiang Hao walked ahead, heading outside the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Xia Cheng followed, with the others secretly watching the two of them. Cheng Chou was somewhat worried and also felt a bit stifled. ...... After a short while. ¡°Alright, this place will do,¡± Xia Cheng stopped in the woods and said. Jiang Hao halted, turned to look at the other party, and said with an expressionless face, ¡°Could you please keep your people in check, Senior Brother?¡± ¡°That¡¯s a bit difficult, as you know, we are known as the Demon Sect, and everyone is unruly. There¡¯s no way to...¡± Xia Cheng was about to continue when he suddenly caught a glimpse of moonlight flashing from the corner of his eye. Immediately after, he felt a sharp pain in his neck. Spurt! Blood began to gush out. The scene was unbelievable, and his thoughts were even somewhat sluggish. The person he had never taken seriously was standing in front of him, holding a long saber and looking at him with cold eyes. ¡°What... what are you doing?¡± he finally managed to ask in horror, clutching his neck. The sudden attack was something he had never expected. How dare he? Jiang Hao, holding the Half-Moon saber, spoke in a cold tone, ¡°Could you please keep your people in check, Senior Brother?¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid of being caught by the Hall of Enforcement for killing a fellow sect member?¡± Xia Cheng asked loudly. However, what faced him was still a flash of moonlight. A slash cut through the other half of his neck. In an instant, Xia Cheng felt he was going to die there, and the fear in his heart spread to every part of his body with his breath, leaving him powerless and kneeling on the ground. Jiang Hao stood in front of him, as indifferent as ever, ¡°Could you please keep your people in check, Senior Brother?¡± ¡°Yes, yes, I can,¡± Xia Cheng gasped, trembling with fear. ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. Then he took out a Healing Talisman and waved it lightly, stopping much of the bleeding. However, the effect was limited; Xia Cheng needed to heal himself more. ¡°How old are you this year, Senior Brother?¡± Jiang Hao suddenly asked. Kneeling on the ground, Xia Cheng looked at the person in front of him, who was gently sheathing his knife, devoid of any emotion. It was as if he would draw his blade and behead him in the next moment. He didn¡¯t know if the other party feared the Hall of Enforcement, but he couldn¡¯t take that bet. ¡°I¡¯ve... I¡¯ve passed fifty.¡± ¡°Is that so? I¡¯m younger than Senior Brother; I¡¯m twenty-four this year.¡± In an instant, Xia Cheng¡¯s pupils shrank, filled with immense fear. A twenty-four-year-old at the late stage of Foundation Establishment? He remembered that the most talented disciple of their lineage hadn¡¯t reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment at twenty-four. How could this be? After making the other party aware of their difference, Jiang Hao continued. ¡°Junior Brother Cheng has just joined the inner sect of Duanqing Cliff, and he¡¯s a bit strapped for cash. I hope Senior Brother can look after him a bit. No problem, right?¡± ¡°No, no problem,¡± Xia Cheng immediately answered. ¡°Thank you, Senior Brother,¡± Jiang Hao said as he put away his saber and left the place. He wasn¡¯t worried about anything. Living in the Demon Sect, one cannot expect peace by always being submissive. Only by being underestimated by those above and recognized for potential by those below can one have peaceful days. ...... At this moment, in the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Cheng Chou and the others were looking outside, unsure when the two would return. The others felt the same. Once they returned, everyone would know how to treat Duanqing Cliff. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Being able to dump things at Duanqing Cliff¡¯s spot would also show their superiority. Soon they saw someone coming in, but it was just one person. It was Xia Cheng. Upon seeing him clearly, everyone was shocked. Xia Cheng, at this moment, had lost his previous vigor. He was covered in blood, one hand still clutching his neck, his eyes filled with palpitations. Ignoring everyone¡¯s shocked gazes, he came to the Duanqing Cliff area. Then, under Cheng Chou¡¯s astonished eyes, he handed over some spirit stones: ¡°I was the one who offended Junior Brother before.¡± Finally, he arrived at the edge of the weeds and began to clear them himself. The outer disciple from the Candlelight Alchemy Court was stunned, then took the weeds from Xia Cheng¡¯s hands in a panic: ¡°S-Senior Brother, let us do it, we¡¯ll take care of it.¡± The others from the Spiritual Medicine Garden quickly made their way to the Duanqing Cliff area to retrieve their own discarded items. Chapter 226 - Entering the Lawless Tower Chapter 226: Entering the Lawless Tower The affairs of the outer sect¡¯s Spiritual Medicine Garden were not significant. Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t worried about what Xia Cheng would do or say; it had no impact on him. Moreover, from the recent situation, it was apparent that the other party was someone who cherished his life. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. There was no need to take risks in dealing with him. The reason for his difficulty with others was partly due to his personality, but more so because he had suddenly risen to a high position. He had become the acting head of the outer sect¡¯s Spiritual Medicine Garden, and no one had a higher cultivation level than him, coupled with a group of people flattering him. This had caused him to become somewhat arrogant. Power can dazzle people, even the slightest bit of it. If one cannot control it, they will be manipulated by power and do things they wouldn¡¯t dare to think of normally. Therefore, sufficient self-awareness and a stable temperament are especially important. Jiang Hao faced such troubles every time he advanced in rank; the allure of power could easily lead to arrogance. Fortunately, he had the Tianjue Gu poison, which helped him remain calm. Since being poisoned, he had relied on the sage state induced by the poison for many matters. But this was not a long-term solution; he needed to use the poison to thoroughly improve his temperament. In the future, even without the poison, he wouldn¡¯t fall into hardship. ¡°Now, there¡¯s no need to frequently visit the outer sect¡¯s Spiritual Medicine Garden; Cheng Chou can stabilize it.¡± ¡°Once no one targets him, that undercover should start contacting Cheng Chou, then take the opportunity to come to Duanqing Cliff, thereby discovering the location of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and further learn that the flower is at my residence.¡± ¡°That¡¯s when he should come looking for me.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just uncertain whether he will choose to win me over or make a move.¡± There are generally three types of people targeting the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. The first type, and the most foolish, is to directly steal the flower. No one has done this yet; it¡¯s unknown if the person from the Corpse God Sect will be that foolish. The second type is like Liu Xingchen and Senior Sister Ming Yi, who try to win him over through contact. Some do it for the flower, some to watch the drama, and of course, some to make a move on him, but essentially it¡¯s still for the flower. The third type is like the Xuantian Sect¡¯s Hua Le, who observe from a distance. This name was identified by Xuanyuan Tai initially, and so far, he had not met anyone named Hua Le. They were very well hidden. After some hesitation, Jiang Hao went to the Scripture Pavilion. Because there were too many books, he approached the elder guarding the second floor and handed over a spirit stone. ¡°I remember you, what would you like to ask this time?¡± The elder discreetly pocketed the spirit stone. ¡°The junior would like to know which books have the most comprehensive records of the sects,¡± Jiang Hao politely said. ¡°The most comprehensive records of the sects?¡± The elder pondered for a moment and then said. ¡°Go upstairs and find a book called ¡®Records of Mountains and Seas¡¯; it probably has what you want to know. Recently, many people have been looking for books for their sect missions.¡± The elder had a cheerful expression, seemingly having earned quite a bit lately. Being familiar with this place is beneficial. Everyone has a spirit stone to give, and the elder isn¡¯t greedy, forming a good unspoken rule. If someone greedy were guarding this place, it might lead to a change of personnel. Those with some power in the Demon Sect don¡¯t like to be exploited and always think of ways to resist. Jiang Hao went up to the third floor and found many people reading. According to the elder, they were all researching the origins of seeds. After a short while. Jiang Hao found the ¡®Records of Mountains and Seas¡¯ and briefly looked through it. It was a travelogue, so it recorded many sects. After flipping through for a long time, he finally saw the Corpse God Sect. ¡°A major sect in the north, its sect techniques are strange, possessing multiple avatars.¡± Reading the records, Jiang Hao¡¯s brows slightly furrowed. Is that all? However, one thing surprised him: how did people in the north know that the Tianyin Sect had the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower? ¡°Is the Corpse God Sect related to the Corpse Realm Flower?¡± Jiang Hao suddenly thought. Assuming there¡¯s a connection, why would people from the Corpse God Sect and the Corpse Realm Flower appear in the Tianyin Sect? The only thing Jiang Hao could think of was the previous attack by a powerful being. ¡°Now I can¡¯t ask the people in the Secret Whisper Slate.¡± He had planned to ask Fairy Gui and others how to make the spiritual field fertile or to inquire about the Corpse God Sect¡¯s intelligence. But now it wasn¡¯t good to ask openly; there was a chance that Dan Yuan would notice. If Dan Yuan was closely connected with the Corpse God Sect, he could learn about the general situation of the Tianyin Sect. Of course, merely asking about fertile land wasn¡¯t risky; the main danger lay in using the information obtained. ¡°It seems the Corpse God Sect is not small, and their techniques also need to be watched.¡± Techniques involving avatars are always troublesome, like the Great Thousand Spirit Avatar. The main body is hard to catch, and killing avatars doesn¡¯t mean much. Afterward, Jiang Hao looked up the Red Feather Divine Pill, which was only mentioned occasionally in one book, with no details on its effects. So he gave another spirit stone to the elder. But it was refused. ¡°Cough cough.¡± The elder coughed dryly, glanced at Jiang Hao with a smile, and said. ¡°I¡¯m not someone who doesn¡¯t know what¡¯s good for me. If you have any questions today, feel free to ask.¡± Huh? Jiang Hao was somewhat shocked. There was a reason why this person had been able to work here for so long and why many people were willing to give spirit stones. ¡°The junior saw a pill called the Red Feather Divine Pill in the books, may I ask what kind of pill this is?¡± Jiang Hao inquired. ¡°Red Feather Divine Pill?¡± The elder pondered with lowered brows for a long time before saying. ¡°It should be a kind of healing pill, rumored to be made from a divine bird as the main ingredient. None of the surrounding factions have this kind of divine bird, not to mention our sect, even the entire southern region might not have this elixir. Therefore, there¡¯s even less information about it.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Jiang Hao nodded in thanks. Then he turned and left. He had wanted to ask about the price, but since it wasn¡¯t available in the southern region, he didn¡¯t dare to inquire further. However, considering the profound foundations of various sects, perhaps they might have it. Just after leaving the Scripture Pavilion, Jiang Hao saw a communication talisman flying towards him. After catching it, he heard Elder Bai Zhi¡¯s voice: ¡°Go to Lawless Tower, someone wants to see you.¡± Lawless Tower? Jiang Hao thought for a long time but couldn¡¯t figure out who would want to see him, especially since it was an order personally issued by Elder Bai Zhi. ...... After a short while, he arrived near the Lawless Tower again. This time, he didn¡¯t go to the prison but to the front of the tower. The towering structure stood at the mountain¡¯s peak, with thirteen levels, majestic and spectacular, exuding a mysterious power. This was the Lawless Tower. It was hard to imagine that not only did this tower lack opportunities, but it could also strip away everything from a person. At the front of the tower, Jiang Hao saw the familiar figure of Senior Sister Zhou Chan. ¡°Junior Brother arrived quickly.¡± Zhou Chan, dressed in white with a simple hair bun, walked over. ¡°Senior Sister was waiting for me?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°This is something Master asked me to give to you; it¡¯s for your mission this time,¡± Zhou Chan said as she handed over an envelope. After examining it for a moment, Jiang Hao noticed a faint power on the envelope, meant to prevent others from opening it. ¡°Junior Brother can use your identity token to open it,¡± Zhou Chan reminded him before saying goodbye and leaving, seemingly busy with other matters. After saying farewell to Senior Sister Zhou, Jiang Hao finally opened the envelope. ¡°Go to the fifth floor of Lawless Tower, enter special prison cell number one, and meet someone who wants the flower from your courtyard. Without revealing too much information, find out their origin, purpose, and source of information.¡± Jiang Hao continued reading and found the name of the flower from his courtyard, along with basic information about the imprisoned person. Corpse God Sect. Seeing these three words, Jiang Hao sighed. ¡°Indeed, the recent undercover and seed missions all originated from the Corpse God Sect.¡± Chapter 227 - Keep Him Guessing Chapter 227: Keep Him Guessing Inside the envelope was a jade piece, a treasure that could isolate the effects of Lawless Tower. It could last for one day. Holding the jade, Jiang Hao passed the guards and entered Lawless Tower. Upon entering, he saw a spacious hall with redwood construction. In the center, several people were trapped inside, most with Qi Refining cultivation. Occasionally, some were being taken away. The majority of the people here would be sent to the mines. There was no opportunity other than mining until death. The mine workers wouldn¡¯t stop them from cultivating, but once they reached Foundation Establishment, they still had to come to Lawless Tower. The Tianyin Sect didn¡¯t regard them as human beings. They were mere tools. Among these people were cultivators from immortal sects and Demon Sects. For instance, many of those from the recent Tianqing Mountain battle and the Tiansheng Sect battle were sent here. Withdrawing his gaze, Jiang Hao quickly made his way to the fifth floor, where, aside from some people trapped in the center, there were special rooms. These rooms were located in the corners. Still made of redwood, these ¡®rooms¡¯ were actually cages covered in dense runes, the functions of which Jiang Hao could not even begin to discern. Through the wooden bars, he saw a middle-aged man sitting inside. His hair was disheveled, his head lowered, his body covered in bloodstains, and his limbs locked in wooden shackles. The seemingly simple imprisonment could lock any strong person in here. ¡®He appears to have Nascent Soul cultivation, which is continuously leaking. Although he¡¯s resisting, it¡¯s not much use.¡¯ Noticing this, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but grip the jade in his hand tighter. If he let go, he might also start to lose his cultivation. At the moment, he felt nothing, as if he had entered an ordinary tower. ¡°They sent a little guy to interrogate today?¡± The middle-aged man lifted his head to look at Jiang Hao, his twisted face smiling as he said. ¡°I¡¯ve said it: if I can¡¯t see the flower, I won¡¯t say anything.¡± Jiang Hao confirmed the floor and the room number. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After making sure, he then asked, ¡°Are you from the Corpse God Sect?¡± ¡°Haven¡¯t you asked that many times already?¡± The middle-aged man leaned his head back and said in a deep voice. ¡°Always asking the same question, is it interesting? I want to see the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower.¡± Appraisal. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t hesitate any longer and activated his divine ability. If the person in front of him was indeed the strong attacker from some time ago, then Jiang Hao would have completed the task assigned by Dan Yuan. Originally, he had hoped to learn about it through the sect¡¯s announcement so he could fish in troubled waters and appear somewhat useful at the gathering. But now, he was directly involved. Not only that, but Elder Bai Zhi¡¯s task also mentioned the source of the information, something he was aware of. Yet, he still couldn¡¯t say anything. Being a part of both organizations, Jiang Hao felt that the slightest carelessness could bring disaster upon him. One must grasp the measure, neither overreaching for credit nor appearing worthless. At this moment, there was feedback from the divine power. ¡¾Zhuang Yuzhen: Teaching Elder of the Corpse God Sect, his cultivation was dissolved and absorbed by the Lawless Tower, leaving only the power of the late Nascent Soul stage. He came for the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, but for safety, he left a contingency plan, entrusting the most important Corpse Heart to his disciple Qu Zhong. As long as it is buried in the land not far from the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, it would allow him to cling to life until the complete release of the Corpse Heart and a rebirth. He claimed to speak after he could see the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, but all was to buy time.¡¿ Reading the feedback, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but feel that the Tianyin Sect was indeed petty. He had just encountered a traitor who happened to be an important figure. Qu Zhong... that was the original body of the divine corpse Du Yong in the outer sect Spiritual Medicine Garden. What exactly was the Corpse Heart? Jiang Hao felt he knew too little, but one thing was certain. That was to keep an eye on the surroundings of the courtyard to prevent the other party from burying something. He had never thought of such a thing before, but now it seemed necessary to be vigilant. Having experienced Bai Ye and now the Corpse Heart of the Corpse God Sect, he realized that the methods of the cultivation world were not just about seizing things. They would use various situations to achieve their goals. Bai Ye suspected him and, for safety, employed the Spirit Sealing Technique and the Heart Demon Technique. As for the Corpse Heart, there was no need to obtain the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower; just burying something nearby would suffice to leech off the effect of the divine flower. ¡®It¡¯s a pity they chose the wrong approach. If they had infiltrated from the beginning, I might not have noticed at all.¡¯ Upon reflection, with the opponent¡¯s strength, infiltrating under a covert identity and then using the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower to liberate the Corpse Heart should have been feasible. The person tasked with uncovering traitors had far less cultivation than him, making it difficult to detect. Even if Jiang Hao himself discovered it, upon realizing the other party¡¯s strength, he would choose to turn a blind eye. Not daring to invite trouble. Unfortunately, there are no ¡®ifs.¡¯ ¡°Senior wishes to see the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower?¡± Jiang Hao stood in front of the cell, his expression calm. As he asked, he pondered what to do next but had no leads yet. Whether to reveal the other party¡¯s secret, he was also hesitant. ¡°Heh,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen sneered, ¡°Late Foundation Establishment? You can make decisions?¡± ¡°No,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. He indeed did not have such authority. ¡°Then get lost,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen said with disgust. ¡°But the flower is in my hands.¡± Jiang Hao added indifferently, then asked, ¡°Does Senior wish to talk to me now?¡± ¡°The flower is in your hands?¡± Zhuang Yuzhen found it somewhat unbelievable. ¡°Since you don¡¯t wish to, I¡¯ll come back in a few days.¡± After speaking, Jiang Hao turned and left. ¡°Stop,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen immediately said. However, Jiang Hao acted as if he hadn¡¯t heard and continued to walk away. As he left, he heard shouts from behind: ¡°You stop right there, don¡¯t expect to get any information from me if you leave!¡± Jiang Hao still ignored the other party; after all, he was just a prisoner. He didn¡¯t need to indulge him. Ah, but he couldn¡¯t get arrogant either; he still had to be cautious and prevent capsizing in a gutter. The real reason he left now was that he wasn¡¯t in a hurry. Now that he knew the opponent¡¯s leverage, he would first understand what this leverage was all about. Then he would look for Qu Zhong¡¯s original body. Finally, find a reasonable way to catch them all in one go. If it¡¯s not too obvious, he could complete the task assigned by Elder Bai and the mission issued by Dan Yuan. Only then could he stand firm. As for Zhuang Yuzhen, next time he would bring a gift, which should make him more inclined to chat. And if he wanted to chat, he would have to speak nicely. At the very least, he would have to lower his head. Leaving the Lawless Tower, the jade pendant dissipated. Hesitating for a moment, Jiang Hao headed straight for Baiyue Lake. He still had to report back. In front of Baiyue Lake, there were two people on guard, one was Senior Sister Zhou Chan, and the other was a Qi Refining fourth-level girl, Zhao Qingxue. Lin Zhi¡¯s fellow townsman and good friend, her family background should also be good. Seeing her dressed in fine silk, with rapidly advancing cultivation, Jiang Hao felt that Lin Zhi and they were no longer in the same world. He couldn¡¯t blend in. What they saw and heard were already different, and in a few years, they would enter the inner sect. As for Lin Zhi... it might take many more years. ¡°Senior Sister Zhou,¡± Jiang Hao approached Zhou Chan and spoke politely. ¡°Junior Brother Jiang, you¡¯re out so early?¡± Zhou Chan smiled and then pointed to the girl opposite, ¡°This is the Junior Sister Zhao I mentioned to you, the good friend of your lineage¡¯s Junior Brother Lin.¡± ¡°Senior Brother Jiang,¡± Zhao Qingxue greeted politely. Jiang Hao nodded in response and then explained his purpose. ¡°I¡¯ll take Junior Brother over; Master should still be there,¡± Zhou Chan said with a smile. Chapter 228 - After I say a name, you will fear me Chapter 228: After I say a name, you will fear me Passing by the Baiyue Lake Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao saw many people gathered there. Each person¡¯s cultivation was very high. They didn¡¯t have the numerical advantage of Duanqing Cliff, but the quality far surpassed it. Truly a lineage that only accepted geniuses. Individuals without exceptional talent cannot enter Baiyue Lake. Yet, those with exceptional talent sometimes knock on the door to the true teachings at Duanqing Cliff. It¡¯s hard to say whether Baiyue Lake¡¯s inner sect or Duanqing Cliff¡¯s true teachings are stronger. Logically, true teachings are considered superior to the inner sect, but Baiyue Lake holds a special status within the Tianyin Sect. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In terms of resources, true teachings are slightly more abundant. However, being a true disciple at Baiyue Lake is somewhat more prestigious than in other places. Well, the true disciples of Law Enforcement Peak are also quite remarkable. ¡°After the sect mission was assigned, Senior Brother and Senior Sister became obsessed with it, but they haven¡¯t made any progress,¡± Zhou Chan said helplessly. ¡°They don¡¯t even look at the door anymore, so we can only ask Junior Sister Zhao for help.¡± Jiang Hao nodded, indicating that the situation was similar on his end. However, since their area is large, they don¡¯t need to find someone to guard it. Only special places require guarding, such as the Spiritual Medicine Garden. After a short while, Jiang Hao arrived near Elder Bai Zhi¡¯s residence and saw a white figure standing by the lake. The calm waters reflected her graceful figure. ¡°Master, Junior Brother Jiang requests an audience,¡± Zhou Chan respectfully said as she approached. ¡°You go ahead with your tasks,¡± Bai Zhi replied softly, turning her head. Zhou Chan left, and Jiang Hao approached with respect: ¡°I have seen Elder Bai.¡± ¡°Did you find out anything?¡± Bai Zhi¡¯s calm eyes looked at the man before her. She could never fathom the Sect Master¡¯s thoughts, always investigating and nurturing him. She wondered why. ¡°No, I just spoke a few words with him.¡± Jiang Hao explained the general process. ¡°To pique his interest?¡± Bai Zhi smiled and said, ¡°He is no ordinary cultivator. Every word that comes from his mouth could be a lie intended to cover up his true intentions. Every seemingly sincere sentence is an undeniable lie designed to confuse the person in front of him. Are you sure you want to continue?¡± ¡°I want to try,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°Then go ahead and try,¡± Bai Zhi didn¡¯t stop him. It was a good opportunity to observe Jiang Hao and see if he could uncover more information. After receiving a jade token that allowed multiple entries, Jiang Hao left Baiyue Lake. He wasn¡¯t in a hurry to meet Zhuang Yuzhen; instead, he wanted to see if the undercover agent would take any action. If he could bury the Corpse Heart, that would be ideal. However, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t know if he could seal the Corpse Heart with his Nascent Soul early-stage cultivation, nor if carrying it would be affected by the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. These were all matters that required consideration. Of course, if all else failed, he could find an excuse to hand it over. Returning to Duanqing Cliff, Jiang Hao resumed his usual routine. ...... After half a month, the number of people in the Spiritual Medicine Garden had decreased, and many had chosen to give up. This was not only the case for their group but also for other branches. The Candlelight Alchemy Court had no clue, claiming that it wasn¡¯t a spiritual medicine at all. To grow it, one needed to first identify what it was. Then, a group of people searched through most of the sect¡¯s records, and finally, a fairy from Yanyun Peak suggested it might be a Corpse Realm Flower. She had found a similar record in a book she bought on the street. Unfortunately, it only described the appearance and nothing else. Then, others began to collect books in large numbers, and for a time, the business of selling books and documents on the streets was unprecedentedly good. When the Scripture Pavilion¡¯s books were not enough, they had to gather them from everywhere. Some even went to the vicinity of Shiqing Mountain, intending to infiltrate and check the books inside or to capture someone and force a purchase. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t pay much attention to this. When Cheng Chou came back, he would occasionally mention it. However, what was worth noting was that in the half-month period, the divine corpse Du Yong visited twice, claiming he wanted to see the Duanqing Cliff Spiritual Medicine Garden. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t stop him, being cautious while hoping the other party would make progress. ...... Another half month passed. Jiang Hao looked at the peach tree taller than him, wondering how many spirit stones he would need for this year¡¯s Nirvana. He had saved for a month and only had thirteen hundred spirit stones. He had not continued making the Heavenly Secret Concealment Talisman. There was no need. Although they were easy to make, their practicality was not high. Not to mention their low duration, they also could not be used consecutively. Afterward, he strolled around the area but still found nothing. In this half month, the divine corpse Du Yong had come three times, but he didn¡¯t stay long each time. Jiang Hao wondered what he was thinking. ¡°It seems I still have to wait here,¡± Jiang Hao sighed. The outer sect Spiritual Medicine Garden was still going smoothly, with the Candlelight Alchemy Court standing out. No one else had the intention to compete. Duanqing Cliff was just mediocre, without any constructive developments, always ranking at the bottom. But after all, this was a long-term project that would take at least a few years, and no one was sure how it would turn out in the future. Arriving at the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao saw even fewer people surrounding the Corpse Realm Flower. They had checked countless records and tried numerous methods, but they couldn¡¯t get it to take root and sprout. Not a single sign had appeared. The people of the Candlelight Alchemy Court concluded that this was no ordinary seed but an extraordinary treasure. Everyone else just felt they were stating the obvious. After collecting the bubbles, Jiang Hao left Duanqing Cliff and headed towards Lawless Tower. A month had passed; it was time to meet with Zhuang Yuzhen. His disciple¡¯s inaction was somewhat disappointing. However, it was understandable that the other party only dared to send an avatar, indicating caution. Without certainty of safety, they likely wouldn¡¯t act rashly. Especially when it came to sending the Corpse Heart. Jiang Hao guessed that the Corpse Heart was with the main body, which was near the Tianyin Sect. Since he couldn¡¯t leave, he had to make the other party feel completely safe and willingly send the Corpse Heart in. ...... A short while later. Jiang Hao arrived once again at the fifth floor of the Lawless Tower. It was still room number one. Still the same middle-aged man with a decadent look and a twisted face. ¡°We meet again,¡± Jiang Hao initiated the conversation. Zhuang Yuzhen slightly raised his eyebrows, glanced at Jiang Hao, and said weakly. ¡°You claim that the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower is in your possession? Why should I believe that?¡± ¡°Why?¡± Jiang Hao pondered and replied. ¡°No reason, believe it or not.¡± ¡°Heh,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen sneered. ¡°Then I don¡¯t believe you, get lost.¡± Listening to the other¡¯s cold words, Jiang Hao¡¯s expression remained unchanged, and he simply said, ¡°The Corpse Realm Flower is yours, right?¡± ¡°Heh,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen spat disdainfully. ¡°If you want to know more from me, let me see the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower.¡± ¡°It seems so,¡± Jiang Hao said to himself. ¡°Can you tell me how to plant this flower? I mean, how to make it take root and sprout.¡± Jiang Hao naturally knew this, but it would be better to get the information from the other party. ¡°Are you deaf?¡± Zhuang Yuzhen sneered. ¡°Get lost quickly, you¡¯re annoying to look at.¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t mind and took a step forward, gesturing to Zhuang Yuzhen. However, the other party was trapped and couldn¡¯t come over. Jiang Hao could only helplessly lower his hand and said: ¡°Now, I will say two words, and after I say them, your attitude towards me will change dramatically. You will have a very strong desire to talk.¡± ¡°Two words?¡± Zhuang Yuzhen continued to sneer. ¡°No matter how much you say, it¡¯s useless.¡± After the other party quieted down, Jiang Hao whispered softly. ¡°Qu Zhong.¡± The moment Zhuang Yuzhen heard the name, he froze on the spot. W-why would this person know that name? With so many disciples, why was it that one? Chapter 229 - Suppressing the Strong Opponent Chapter 229: Suppressing the Strong Opponent In cell number one. Zhuang Yuzhen stood frozen, staring intently at the person outside. The person being stared at, Jiang Hao, smiled slightly, took a step back, and said: ¡°Your attitude has indeed changed.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Zhuang Yuzhen said with a ferocious face. ¡°How is the Corpse Realm Flower planted?¡± Jiang Hao asked the question again. ¡°Pah! A mere Foundation Establishment late-stage,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen said harshly. ¡°Do you really think you can scare me?¡± ¡°See you next time,¡± Jiang Hao said as he turned to leave. ¡°Stop! You stop right there!¡± Zhuang Yuzhen shouted. Jiang Hao ignored him and walked away. Next time, he would give the other party a big surprise. But first, he had to see Qu Zhong¡¯s next move. If the other party didn¡¯t act, he would be somewhat passive. There was no point in killing an avatar and capturing it with Liu Xingchen would only alert the enemy. He would wait for the undercover to slowly emerge. If the other party¡¯s main body was too strong, then he could only continue to bide his time. ...... Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After Jiang Hao left, the fifth floor fell silent. Zhuang Yuzhen looked down, his expression growing more ferocious. He wanted to stay calm, but he still wanted to know more. After a long silence, his face became increasingly twisted. In just a few breaths, he seemed to think of something, and his body began to struggle frantically. Then, with a roar, he hysterically shouted to the outside. ¡°Let him come see me, let him come see me, I want to see that person.¡± But outside, there was only silence; no one appeared. ¡°Come out, come out, I want to see the person from just now, let me see him. Bring him to me. I¡¯ll say, I¡¯ll tell you how to plant the Corpse Realm Flower, I want to see him, let him come see me!¡± The sounds of banging echoed in the cell. They were the sounds of Zhuang Yuzhen¡¯s impacts. His voice finally drew some guards. She was a woman with a cold complexion, dressed in a black robe. ¡°I want to see him,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen said with a fierce expression and a deep voice. ¡°I want to see him.¡± ¡°Whom do you wish to see?¡± the woman in the black robe asked indifferently. ¡°The Foundation Establishment cultivator who was just here, I want to see him,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen stated. ¡°He is not under my control; I cannot summon him,¡± the woman in the black robe replied calmly. ¡°Then find someone who can summon him, I want to see him,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen roared. ¡°What about sincerity?¡± the woman in the black robe inquired. ¡°Xiezhi, ox, bat, rat, swallow, pig, and yu¡ªbury one every two days in the soil for the seeds to absorb, and they will take root and sprout within seven days...¡± ...... By the side of Baiyue Lake, Bai Zhi looked at the note with some disbelief. Not to mention whether what was written was true or not, the mere mention of it puzzled her. She knew how tight-lipped that person was. False information couldn¡¯t be extracted from him. Because once false information appeared, it would be even harder to deceive others with it afterward. ¡°That¡¯s what the other party said,¡± the woman in the black robe stated respectfully by her side. ¡°Why would he suddenly reveal this?¡± Bai Zhi wondered. ¡°Today, Duanqing Cliff¡¯s Jiang Hao made a trip to the Lawless Tower and spoke with prisoner number one about something. Not long after I saw Jiang Hao leave, prisoner number one started shouting madly,¡± the woman in the black robe answered. ¡°Oh?¡± Bai Zhi was surprised and looked at the person before her with a hint of interest. ¡°Do you know what they talked about?¡± The woman in the black robe shook her head: ¡°I was too far away to pay attention at that time.¡± There were many restrictions in the Lawless Tower, and many things would be dissolved inside. After a moment of silence, Bai Zhi softly called out to the outside, ¡°Zhou Chan, come see me.¡± Soon, the young girl who was guarding the gate flew over on her sword. ¡°Master,¡± Zhou Chan greeted respectfully. ¡°Take this and try it,¡± Bai Zhi handed a piece of paper to Zhou Chan, who looked confused, and then Bai Zhi asked her to leave. ¡°If it¡¯s true, do we need to send Jiang Hao to the Lawless Tower to meet him?¡± the woman in the black robe asked. ¡°Did you promise him?¡± Bai Zhi countered. ¡°No,¡± the woman in the black robe shook her head. ¡°Then there¡¯s no need to bother,¡± Bai Zhi replied. ¡°And if we had promised?¡± the woman in the black robe asked curiously. Bai Zhi smiled and said, ¡°Then we¡¯ll act as if we never promised. Since the other party is hooked, the initiative is in our hands. The longer we keep them on the hook, the more we gain.¡± ¡°Then...¡± the woman in the black robe hesitated for a moment before speaking, ¡°Should we keep this hook under our control?¡± Bai Zhi chuckled and said, ¡°The effect of him going there twice far exceeds your months of interrogation. Do you think that with the hook in your hands, you can make him bite?¡± The woman in the black robe bowed her head, not daring to speak. Indeed, if that were not the case, there would be no need for others to get involved. After sending everyone away, Bai Zhi began to ponder. She didn¡¯t care how Jiang Hao did it. After all, Jiang Hao¡¯s initial role was as bait to hook others. And incidentally, to investigate whether he had betrayed the sect. Without evidence, no matter how suspicious, they couldn¡¯t act. The Sect Leader had only asked her to investigate, not to do anything unnecessary. Even if evidence was found, she would have to consult the Sect Leader. When the task of planting flowers fell into his hands, she wondered whether it was a coincidence or inevitable. Later, she discovered that only Jiang Hao could plant the flowers. As for why, she did not know. Others might target Jiang Hao, but she could not. Because only she knew that the Sect Leader had instructed Jiang Hao to plant the flowers. ¡°Perhaps I should look into the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower to understand why only Jiang Hao can plant it.¡± ...... Walking down the mountain, Jiang Hao felt that everything was within his expectations. If Elder Bai Zhi asked, he also had a response ready. He would say that he happened to know the name of a disciple from the Corpse God Sect and used it along with some special words to whet the other party¡¯s appetite. If they really took the bait, it would be an unexpected gain. To medically treat a dead horse as a living horse. (TLN: To keep trying everything in a desperate situation; to resort to desperate measures in desperate times.) As for what followed, that would be difficult. He could only continue to wait. Remembering Zhuang Yuzhen¡¯s roar, Jiang Hao felt an inexplicable sense of achievement. But he quickly suppressed it. He was getting a little carried away. His mindset was not very stable. At this moment, he suddenly saw a middle-aged man approaching, dressed in a white and blue Daoist robe, with profound eyes that made it clear at a glance that the man had an extraordinary temperament. His steps were steady, and his figure stood tall and imposing like a mountain. Subconsciously, Jiang Hao stepped aside and respectfully saluted. However, as the middle-aged man approached him, he suddenly paused. Then, a powerful force pressed down upon him. Jiang Hao, standing there, began to sweat profusely, and his hands, which were in the middle of a salute, slowly lowered under the pressure as if the man did not accept this gesture. After a while, the pressure disappeared, and a breeze brushed his face. Jiang Hao suddenly realized that the middle-aged man had ascended the mountain without him noticing. He didn¡¯t dare to hesitate and quickly left. ¡°The Pavilion Master of Tianhuan Pavilion... why would he appear here?¡± Jiang Hao, who had just been feeling somewhat elated, suddenly felt a heaviness in his heart. Strength dazzles the eyes, achievements confuse the heart. Danger was always present, yet he had been complacent just moments ago. ¡°If he had attacked me just now, could I have escaped?¡± Jiang Hao imagined the scenario, and even if he exerted all his strength, there was no way out. ¡°But why would he go to the Lawless Tower?¡± Instantly, Jiang Hao remembered the reminder from Liu Xingchen before about someone from Tianhuan Pavilion about to be promoted. ¡°Is he trying to alleviate the pressure of promotion because he can¡¯t find a charming body?¡± ¡°No wonder he hates me so much.¡± Returning to his courtyard, Jiang Hao finally breathed a sigh of relief. He decided not to go to the Lawless Tower for a short while. Fortunately, he would also need to observe Qu Zhong¡¯s actions, so it wouldn¡¯t have too much impact. Chapter 230 - The Corpse Realm Flower Sprouts Chapter 230: The Corpse Realm Flower Sprouts At noon the next day, Cheng Chou finished dealing with the matters of the outer sect¡¯s Spiritual Medicine Garden and returned to the Spiritual Medicine Garden at Duanqing Cliff to see if his help was needed. Today, he was also planning to go with Lord Rabbit and Junior Sister Xiao Li to find Junior Brother Chu Chuan. They went every seven days, and each time, Junior Brother Chu Chuan would get thoroughly beaten up. But no matter how much he was beaten, it didn¡¯t discourage him; in fact, he seemed to wish it could happen every day. In less than two years since he started, he had reached the third level of Qi Refining and was even close to breaking through to the fourth level. His speed of promotion and the talent for cultivation he displayed were not in sync. ¡°The scenery of Duanqing Cliff is truly nice,¡± Du Yong said with a smile. He had followed Cheng Chou to Duanqing Cliff, planning to learn more. He had dealt with all the main veins and observed them. This time it was Duanqing Cliff¡¯s turn, so his visit was reasonable. Cheng Chou didn¡¯t think much of it; observing other people¡¯s Spiritual Medicine Gardens could promote his own progress. Everyone was doing it. He had also observed other places. But without any guidance from He Jin, he felt powerless seeing his progress at the bottom. Senior Brother Jiang didn¡¯t care about these things at all, so he had to figure it out on his own. Occasionally, he would ask Lord Rabbit and gain some insights. ¡°By the way, last time I followed the river inside, I found a courtyard. What place is that? Do other Senior Brothers live there?¡± Du Yong asked with feigned surprise. ¡°I thought no one would be there, but when I saw it, I immediately retreated. I was afraid of offending some Senior Brother or Senior Sister.¡± S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°That¡¯s Senior Brother Jiang¡¯s residence,¡± Cheng Chou explained. ¡°Senior Brother likes quiet places, so he lives where there are fewer people.¡± ¡°Senior Brother Jiang? You mean Jiang Hao Senior Brother?¡± Du Yong said, surprised. ¡°Mhm,¡± Cheng Chou nodded. ¡°Senior Brother Jiang seems very powerful,¡± Du Yong whispered, looking around. ¡°The incident last time really gave me a scare.¡± Cheng Chou nodded in agreement. He knew that the other party was referring to the incident with Senior Brother Xia Cheng, which had also frightened him. But after that, no one dared to trouble them anymore. Everyone was peacefully cultivating and completing their tasks. In the afternoon, after observing the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Du Yong bid farewell to Cheng Chou. As he left, his eyes were downcast, and his expression somber. ¡°So it¡¯s Jiang Hao, with only a Foundation Establishment late-stage cultivation. How could the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower be in the hands of someone at the Foundation Establishment late stage?¡± ¡°Such a divine object cannot be directly touched; it requires indirect methods. Moreover, my main goal is not to obtain the flower.¡± ¡°So, do I need to find a secluded place to complete the task, or should I use other means?¡± ¡°Leaving that object directly is too risky; if discovered, the consequences would be unimaginable. Furthermore, I have not heard about my master attacking the Tianyin Sect, which means the battle ended quickly, and they must be under close watch now. Hence, I cannot afford any accidents.¡± After walking a bit further, he suddenly stopped. ¡°Foundation Establishment late stage... What if I turn him into my puppet?¡± ¡°First, I¡¯ll befriend him, then lure him outside the sect, use a puppet to consume him and turn him into a new divine corpse puppet. Wouldn¡¯t that be more secure? The only concern is that I¡¯ll need to use my real body at that time, which carries risks.¡± After much hesitation, he decided to befriend Jiang Hao first. Since the Corpse Realm Flower had not yet been planted, it meant that the Tianyin Sect had not received any useful information from his master. This indicated he had plenty of time to plan. ...... Having encountered the Pavilion Master of Tianhuan Pavilion, Jiang Hao did not leave Duanqing Cliff in the following days. He also temporarily stopped selling talismans, although he had accumulated quite a few. He planned to sell them all together after some time. This routine continued for a month. Today, Xiao Li successfully entered the fifth level of Qi Refining. Cheng Chou had become numb to it; he even felt that promotions should naturally be this fast. ¡°Are you going, Senior Brother?¡± Cheng Chou asked. They were planning to set off for Xiao Li¡¯s home today. Xiao Li was eager to return, not because of her grandparents¡¯ health but simply because she wanted to go back. She had hidden away many treasures and was looking forward to bringing them back for her grandparents to enjoy. If they couldn¡¯t finish, she would help eat the rest. Faced with the question, Jiang Hao was silent for a moment before replying. ¡°When you see them, tell them that it will be a little later, and as for when I¡¯ll go, we¡¯ll have to see how things go.¡± Cheng Chou nodded, indicating that he understood. He also knew that it wasn¡¯t easy for Jiang Senior Brother to be away from the sect. Afterwards, Jiang Hao gave Cheng Chou some items¡ªspirit stones, medicinal pills, talismans, and so on¡ªto prevent any unforeseen incidents. There wasn¡¯t much else to instruct. This was his fifth time venturing out, not his first. Xiao Li, on the other hand, needed a couple of reminders. ¡°Did you put the food in the storage magic treasure?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Uh-huh, I did,¡± Xiao Li nodded in response. ¡°Don¡¯t place anything around it, especially not herbs,¡± Jiang Hao cautioned. Xiao Li acknowledged with an ¡®oh¡¯ and rearranged the storage magic treasure. Then she confirmed that it was properly arranged and that there were no herbs. ¡°The golden ring...¡± Jiang Hao had just started speaking when Xiao Li grabbed the golden ring around her neck and hastily said. ¡°It¡¯s mine.¡± After giving her a glance, Jiang Hao continued: ¡°I¡¯ll teach you a new way to use it. When you get back, place the golden ring in the courtyard or the hall, and then use this method.¡± ...... After a short while. Xiao Li nodded, indicating she had learned it. For safety¡¯s sake, Jiang Hao had her try it out once. As it turned out, Xiao Li, being of the dragon race, had an exceptional learning ability and encountered no problems. Now, as long as she remembered to use it upon returning, everything would be secure. This was something they had to rely on Cheng Chou for. After giving a few more instructions, Jiang Hao let them leave. ...... In the afternoon. After dealing with the spiritual herbs, Jiang Hao planned to go sell some talismans. A month had passed, and it was unlikely he would run into the Tianhuan Pavilion Master again. As for the corpse realm flower seeds, there were still many people interested. He had started his cultivation late and his level wasn¡¯t high. So, it had never been his turn to try planting them. Some Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters had found new methods and were going to try again. Jiang Hao thought this situation could last for a year or half, and although he wanted to join in, he didn¡¯t force his way in. Moreover, after being noticed by the Tianhuan Pavilion Master, he was even less keen on attracting attention. Those who hated him were suffering, and if he appeared too glorious, it was uncertain whether they could contain their resentment. At that moment, there was a commotion at the edge of the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Jiang Hao looked over and saw that people were retreating from that area. Everyone looked surprised. ¡°The seed is glowing.¡± ¡°Who did something just now? Why did it suddenly start glowing?¡± ¡°I watered it.¡± ¡°Look, the seed has cracked open, it¡¯s sprouting.¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao was quite astonished; had it been successfully cultivated? ¡°It¡¯s sprouted, it really has, whose achievement is this?¡± As more people gathered there, Jiang Hao, though curious, did not approach. It was a pity, but it wasn¡¯t a big deal. He was on the verge of advancing in his cultivation, and there was no need to draw attention. ...... The next day. Everyone knew that the corpse realm flower had been cultivated, but it wasn¡¯t just one lineage; all twelve lineages had bloomed. This puzzled others, but they knew it wasn¡¯t just a coincidence. Before long, the Enforcement Peak announced that when one flower blooms, a hundred flowers blossom. Meaning, in fact, only one lineage had caused the corpse realm flower to sprout, and the others had simply followed suit. Amidst the shock and confusion, everyone wondered who had managed to cultivate it. Chapter 231 - Should I Cultivate a Clone? Chapter 231: Should I Cultivate a Clone? Jiang Hao was also curious. But he was just quietly waiting for news. At noon, after selling some talismans, he returned to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Han Ming had been waiting for him. He was still at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, not far from the later stages. But crossing that threshold would also take some time. It was impressive, considering he had some good fortune; otherwise, how could someone with superior talent advance to the later stages of Foundation Establishment so quickly? ¡°Junior Brother Han, your cultivation has progressed even further,¡± Jiang Hao said with a smile. Hearing this, Han Ming was quite proud. ¡°I¡¯m different from Senior Brother; I temper myself through various experiences. Senior Brother stays in the Spiritual Medicine Garden every day; sooner or later, I will surpass you.¡± ¡°Considering Junior Brother¡¯s Han exceptional talent, surpassing me is only natural,¡± Jiang Hao replied politely. Han Ming intended to accept all these praises after defeating Jiang Hao, and then to teach him a lesson for not cultivating properly. He then explained the purpose of his visit: ¡°Master wants to see you; he asked me to fetch you.¡± ¡°Master wants to see me?¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. ¡°I don¡¯t know what it¡¯s about, but Senior Brother, please don¡¯t delay,¡± Han Ming said before turning to leave. ¡°Could it be about Xiao Li?¡± Jiang Hao guessed internally. Currently, other than sending Xiao Li away, there was nothing else going on. After a short while, he arrived at Ku Wuchang¡¯s courtyard. ¡°Did Master summon me?¡± Jiang Hao greeted his master with a bow. Looking at his disciple, Ku Wuchang¡¯s expression was somber, his voice slightly flat: ¡°The Corpse Realm Flower has bloomed, and the merit has fallen upon Duanqing Cliff. And the highest merit has landed on you.¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao was utterly bewildered, clueless as to why. ¡°This book is the main reward for this occasion; take it and study it for seven days. Then return it after seven days,¡± Ku Wuchang said as he handed a book to Jiang Hao. In astonishment, Jiang Hao took the book. It bore five large characters¡ª¡ª¡¶Nine Extremes Corpse Resolution Technique¡·. ¡®A technique from the Corpse God Sect?¡¯ ¡®But...¡¯ Hesitating, Jiang Hao carefully spoke up: ¡°Master, why has this merit fallen upon this disciple?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡± Ku Wuchang¡¯s stern face showed surprise. Jiang Hao shook his head. ¡°Elder Bai said you interrogated a prisoner, and the merit came from that,¡± Ku Wuchang briefly explained. Jiang Hao was stunned. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Had Zhuang Yuzhen confessed? He hadn¡¯t received any news and had recently been too apprehensive to visit, so he was unaware of the situation. But this merit falling on him was not good news. It would attract a lot of attention, even targeting. Regardless of whether Elder Bai had explained clearly or not, it wasn¡¯t particularly suitable for him. And with Zhuang Yuzhen involved in a significant matter, it was highly likely that Elder Bai wouldn¡¯t clarify, which would make his situation even worse. He had unwittingly brought trouble upon himself. Seeing that Jiang Hao was no longer so puzzled, Ku Wuchang continued: ¡°Do you need anything else?¡± It was a mundane question, and Jiang Hao felt somewhat awkward to voice his thoughts. After a little while, Jiang Hao left his master¡¯s courtyard with five thousand spirit stones in hand. Another windfall. With what he had saved over the past few months, he now had eight thousand spirit stones. After tending to the Spiritual Medicine Garden, he returned to his courtyard to start reading the ¡¶Nine Extremes Corpse Resolution Technique¡·. ¡°Master,¡± the rabbit hopped over to Jiang Hao and said, ¡°Chu Chuan has reached the fourth level of Qi Refining, should we give him something?¡± ¡°He¡¯s already at the fourth level?¡± Jiang Hao was slightly surprised. Although he felt it was about time, the actual advancement to the fourth level of Qi Refining was still a shock. He then gave the rabbit some items to pass on to Chu Chuan. ¡°How is Lin Zhi doing?¡± Jiang Hao casually inquired. ¡°Still at the first layer of Qi Refining,¡± the rabbit replied while collecting the items. ¡°Some friends on the road told me that if this continues, bitter gourd Lin Zhi will be expelled from the sect.¡± Jiang Hao was aware of this. If one remained at the first level of Qi Refining for three to five years, they would be expelled from the sect. The Tianyin Sect, even if it was a Demon Sect, wouldn¡¯t nurture such a waste. ¡°What about his situation?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°It¡¯s the same; he¡¯s ridiculed daily and occasionally beaten. Even the new outer disciples punch and kick him,¡± the rabbit said with a sigh. ¡°His flesh must be as bitter as juice.¡± To this, Jiang Hao simply nodded, not asking further. He flipped open the ¡¶Nine Extremes Corpse Resolution Technique¡· and began to read. To truly understand its essence, he also activated his Clear Heart and Pure Mind technique. ...... From night until dawn, Jiang Hao was engrossed in the book. It wasn¡¯t until the sun rose and the rabbit energetically performed a set of punches that Jiang Hao closed the book. ¡°So that¡¯s how it is.¡± He had roughly understood the situation with Zhuang Yuzhen and Qu Zhong. The cultivation method of the ¡¶Nine Extremes Corpse Resolution Technique¡· is related to the division of corpse avatars. Starting from Foundation Establishment, one could possess a divine corpse, which needed to be obtained through possession. It could be a living person or a dead one. It could also be a spirit beast. The divine corpse could cultivate, but it would also occupy the cultivation time of the original body. If the original body wasn¡¯t strong enough when advancing to Golden Core, one could perform a corpse fusion, which meant devouring the Divine Corpse avatar. After reaching Golden Core, one could have two divine corpses, and this time the corpse fusion would produce a Corpse Heart, the essence of the avatar. It could be considered a panacea for advancement. For Nascent Soul, it was three avatars. And so on. The original body and the avatar had one difference: the avatar had no heart. However, it was difficult for others to sense this, as there was a force circling where the heart should be. ¡°The complete text doesn¡¯t mention that the Corpse Heart can be reborn, nor does it mention liberating the Corpse Heart.¡± ¡°But what¡¯s certain is that Qu Zhong has three avatars, and at the very least, he¡¯s at the early stage of Nascent Soul, while Zhuang Yuzhen has already performed a corpse fusion, and his advancement is imminent. Taking the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower might be related to his advancement. We can¡¯t let him succeed; if he does, he might break through directly.¡± Jiang Hao closed the book and let out a sigh. ¡°This is a powerful cultivation method, especially since there¡¯s a possibility of being reborn in an avatar even after the original body dies. If he had a clone, he could hide his original body and let the clone handle his affairs. ¡°I wonder if the clone could also collect bubbles; if so, that would be perfect.¡± ¡°Unfortunately, ever since I started practicing the Primordial Heart Sutra, it¡¯s been impossible to cultivate a clone.¡± The way of the primordial focuses on the original body; a clone would just be a distraction. It might even damage the foundation of the original body. The loss would outweigh the gain. While clones are good, compared to the Primordial Heart Sutra, they are ultimately insignificant. There¡¯s no need to pay too much attention to them. ...... Seven days later. Jiang Hao returned the book to his master. Only then did his master inform him that according to the sect¡¯s rules, even if one practices this method, it cannot be used on fellow sect members. If discovered, it would be treated as a betrayal of the sect. Even if the corpse of a fellow sect member is found outside, it cannot be used for the corpse resolution technique. Anyone who practices this method must report it. ¡°Currently, only we know of this method, and you may not share it without my permission,¡± Ku Wuchang said gravely. ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao replied respectfully. Ku Wuchang also asked him if he wanted to practice it, but he shook his head and declined. This method was not suitable for him. Afterward, Jiang Hao returned to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. In the seven days, word had spread about his achievement in flower cultivation. As he had guessed, the Hall of Merits only announced the results without mentioning the process. People from other branches didn¡¯t say much, as few knew of him. They were just very curious about how he managed to cultivate the flowers, but such matters were definitely confidential, and no answers would be forthcoming. The people from the other branches didn¡¯t feel much, but those from Duanqing Cliff were completely baffled as to how the credit went to Jiang Hao. He hadn¡¯t even come over. Many heard of Jiang Hao for the first time. Some thought that Jiang Hao must have used some underhanded methods, but as members of the Demon Sect, such things were quite normal. So, apart from expressing disdain and looking down on his talent and cultivation level, they couldn¡¯t say much else. Since the Hall of Merits had announced it, the credit belonged to Jiang Hao, whether it was accidental or given by someone else; that was the fact. Faced with the strange looks from everyone, Jiang Hao could only remain silent. It was best to go out less for the time being. At that moment, he felt a reaction from the sub-ring. It seemed that Xiao Li had arrived home. Chapter 232 - The Enforcement Peak is Somewhat Unique Chapter 232: The Enforcement Peak is Somewhat Unique When the sub-ring reacted, it was either the rabbit or Xiao Li. But each sub-ring had its core, so Jiang Hao could instantly know which one it was. Moreover, the rabbit didn¡¯t know how to connect to the main ring and open that door. ¡°It seems I need to decide whether to go or not.¡± First, I should try using the Heavenly Mystery Concealment Charm. To see if there¡¯s any reaction in the vicinity. Having made a decision, he glanced at his panel. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 24¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Early Nascent Soul¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind, Hidden Spirit Manifestation, Divine Might¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 96/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 96/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 2/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡°Ninety-six points, just twenty days away.¡± ¡°If all goes well, a dozen days should suffice.¡± Actually, with the spirit stones he currently has, buying a few thousand-spirit-stone seeds could potentially be enough in a few days. But spirit stones are too hard to earn. Although he could sell them later, it would take a considerable amount of time, waiting for the right transplanting period. As for what follows, it should be either white or green. High-grade spiritual medicines no longer produce blue afterward, and it¡¯s even less likely for those below high grade. During the selling period, there¡¯s a risk; the spiritual medicines must remain unharmed. He doesn¡¯t have any theft-prevention formations here. Elder Bai Zhi isn¡¯t worried about the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower because she needs to fish. Hong Yuye isn¡¯t worried because she truly isn¡¯t concerned. So, Jiang Hao can¡¯t set up powerful formations either; that¡¯s one reason. The second reason is that they¡¯re too expensive. After all the calculations, he¡¯s still poor. But if he really wants to use spiritual medicine seeds to get bubbles, it¡¯s best to spend spirit stones to store them in the Spiritual Medicine Garden. And it also needs to be a popular spiritual medicine that¡¯s easy to sell. However, once planted in the Spiritual Medicine Garden, it would be like telling others about his wealth. Being so rich at the late Foundation Establishment stage could easily attract trouble. He needs to think long-term. ...... Two weeks later, Jiang Hao looked at his panel again. ¡¾Vital Energy: 99/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 99/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ Just one point shy of the maximum, the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower will produce two more bubbles in a few days. Then, the advancement can begin. Du Yong has visited a few times, but the conversations were brief. He doesn¡¯t seem to be in a hurry. If he¡¯s not in a rush, Jiang Hao naturally isn¡¯t either. However, every time he visits, he checks the surroundings to ensure no Corpse Hearts have been planted. Occasionally, for safety¡¯s sake, he also inspects Du Yong to see if anything related to Corpse Hearts appears. So far, everything has remained the same. In the past few days, Fairy Gu has started calling him. She says she¡¯s about to calculate the whereabouts of the Flood Dragon and wants to talk to him. Jiang Hao pretends not to see, fearing she might ask about his own whereabouts. He can only wait and see if he can go; if it¡¯s really not possible, he¡¯ll just have to say he¡¯s busy. He can¡¯t leave them with the impression of being mysterious and powerful. Instead, it would make them feel worthless. Being an undercover is not easy. As for Xiao Li, the sub-ring malfunctioned halfway through, probably because it was played with. Fortunately, it returned to normal the next day. ...... At night. Jiang Hao took out a Heavenly Secret Concealment Talisman. Then he activated it with a strand of spiritual energy. The power of the talisman enveloped him, and that was all. He felt nothing else. For a moment, he wasn¡¯t even sure if the Heavenly Secret was obscured. Hesitating, he began to wander inside and outside the courtyard. It wasn¡¯t until midnight that he noticed someone was watching him. Four gazes appeared one after another. ¡°It seems to be effective, which also means some people have been spying on my location.¡± Since it¡¯s effective, he decides to visit the Enforcement Peak to inquire with Liu Xingchen. ...... The next day, at the base of Enforcement Peak. ¡°Junior Brother is looking for me?¡± Liu Xingchen seemed somewhat surprised. Looking at him, Jiang Hao felt that Liu Xingchen was getting closer and closer to the mid-stage of Nascent Soul. So fast. So far, he hasn¡¯t seen anyone surpass Liu Xingchen. A true disciple of the Haotian Sect is indeed terrifying. Bai Ye is also strong, but in Jiang Hao¡¯s view, Bai Ye is not as good as Liu Xingchen. Because Bai Ye hides in the shadows while Liu Xingchen walks in the light, any threat seems insignificant to him. Especially since Jiang Hao has personally witnessed two instances of body possession, which is even more shocking. A normal person couldn¡¯t handle crises with such ease and indifference as Liu Xingchen does, watching everything unfold as if it were a play, completely unfathomable. ¡°I want to ask Senior Brother some questions,¡± Jiang Hao said politely. ¡°What is it?¡± Liu Xingchen had a ¡®ask away¡¯ demeanor. ¡°Do people from the Hall of Enforcement spy on others¡¯ Heavenly Secret? Like the people on the list,¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Not at all,¡± Liu Xingchen shook his head. ¡°Occasionally, we do confirm the whereabouts of the people on the list, but spying on Heavenly Secret is not easy, and the Hall of Enforcement doesn¡¯t have the manpower or resources for that. Some people do sneak out without being detected, and it¡¯s no big deal. But if they are caught, they¡¯re in trouble.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°Normally, we check once a month to see if the people on the list are still in the sect. This month, since Junior Brother has just arrived, I can confirm that for you,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a smile, making a note. He continued, ¡°If you¡¯re discovered outside by someone and they inform the Hall of Enforcement, that¡¯s unauthorized absence, and once verified, the problem is very serious. However, if you want to eliminate the risk of going out, you should take on a mission. I heard that because not many people are taking missions, the compensation has been reduced. They even asked me to inquire if Junior Brother would like to take one. It¡¯s a good way to get out and clear your mind.¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t know what to say for a moment. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The people of Enforcement Peak are truly unique in their pursuit of spirit stones. They don¡¯t care about reputation or face at all. After pondering for a moment, Jiang Hao decided to ask how much the compensation was. This outing would bring him into contact with two people from the Tianyin Sect, and Xiao Li was not very intelligent. If she slips up, it would be a fatal blow to Jiang Hao. Being kind-hearted often brings trouble upon oneself. After saying goodbye to Liu Xingchen, Jiang Hao went to the mission hall. ¡°This mission involves eliminating a traitor, Junior Brother, are you interested? It¡¯s a mid-stage Foundation Establishment traitor. He¡¯s been active in the distant Luoyan City, and the time limit is three months,¡± the mission hall¡¯s fairy asked with a smile. ¡°How much is the compensation?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°This time it¡¯s only a thousand,¡± the counter Senior Sister smiled and continued. ¡°And you just need to pay it back within a year. Junior Brother is now in the late stage of Foundation Establishment and gets forty spirit stones a month. By doing some tasks, he can definitely pay back what he owes.¡± Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± In the end, he accepted a mission, but as for the forty spirit stones a month, he currently has none. After killing Senior Sister Yun Ruo, his resources were suspended for five years. It seems to have been exactly five years since he was nineteen. He remembers it was around July or August back then. Now it¡¯s just past July. After calculating carefully, Jiang Hao was pleasantly surprised to discover that he could start receiving resources next month. Three days later. Jiang Hao collected two bubbles near the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. ¡¾Cultivation+1¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy+1¡¿ With that, he looked at his panel again. ¡¾Vital Energy: 100/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 100/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡°Tonight I can advance to the mid-stage of Nascent Soul, and after returning to my peak, I can consider going out.¡± Chapter 233 - The Returning Light Chapter 233: The Returning Light At night, Jiang Hao made sure everything was safe around him and began to extract cultivation and vital energy. After more than a year of accumulation, he finally reached completion. If all went well, he could advance to the mid-stage of Nascent Soul. He would temporarily be stronger than Liu Xingchen. However, the latter couldn¡¯t be measured by common sense and still required caution. Of course, the one he truly needed to guard against was Bai Ye. These past few days, he had assessed his own condition again, and not only that, he had tried operating all kinds of powers. There were no problems. Unfortunately, Hong Yuye hadn¡¯t appeared for seven months; otherwise, he could have had the final assurance. Clearing his mind, he began to focus on advancing. Blood qi and spiritual energy surged wildly within his body. The Primordial Heart Sutra operated, nourishing the body with blood qi, and spiritual energy traveled through the hundred meridians, then nourishing the Nascent Soul. The breakthrough came with some pain, but that was normal. Enduring for a moment, Jiang Hao felt a great door being blasted open, and new power began to condense. It was extremely strong and full of vitality. When the power settled down, Jiang Hao sensed his body. ¡°I¡¯ve reached the mid-stage of Nascent Soul, smoother than expected.¡± He felt the strength of the Nascent Soul, which made advancement easier. Often picking up spirit bubbles, coupled with possessing Nascent Soul divine abilities, made his situation far surpass other Nascent Souls. Liu Xingchen¡¯s rapid advancement might also be due to devouring remnants of souls, which just happened to nourish his Nascent Soul. Moreover, he likely possessed divine abilities as well. It was difficult to determine specifically. Jiang Hao¡¯s knowledge was also insufficient to guess. If he could obtain the cultivation methods practiced by a true disciple of the Haotian Sect, perhaps he could speculate. Afterward, he closed his eyes again to use the remaining cultivation to consolidate his gains. To prevent any accidents. ...... Early morning. Jiang Hao activated his divine ability, Manifestation, and then he activated Hidden Spirit to replace the previous power. After recovering his cultivation, he re-recorded the attack of his wrist guard. He also took out the Heavenly Saber to nurture. He didn¡¯t go to the Spiritual Medicine Garden all day. Only in the evening did he make a trip there to collect bubbles. He also checked the surroundings again. Assured there were no issues, he returned to his courtyard and then activated the Heavenly Secret Concealment Talisman to conceal his fate once more. Indeed, there were people observing in secret. From their gaze, their cultivation didn¡¯t seem strong. At least they hadn¡¯t reached Nascent Soul. However, to avoid startling them, he didn¡¯t probe these people. He felt that they all had protective treasures to conceal their presence. After a long while, these people gradually disappeared, probably feeling it was enough to know he was there. After informing the rabbit that he would go to the Spiritual Medicine Garden tomorrow, Jiang Hao entered his room. He carefully sensed Xiao Li¡¯s sub-ring, then sat cross-legged. At this moment, he was still nurturing the Heavenly Saber. Late at night, feeling it was about time, he disappeared from the spot. ...... Huangsha River. Yuxia Village. The bright moon hung high, and a silver gauze fell from the sky, covering the tranquil little village. Occasionally, a dog¡¯s bark could be heard. But more often, it was the fine chirping of insects. In a corner of the village, a small courtyard still had its lights on. ¡°Grandma, I¡¯m going to sleep. Tomorrow I¡¯ll go to the river and catch fish for you and grandpa,¡± a girl¡¯s voice came from a room in the courtyard. ¡°Alright, time to sleep, or you won¡¯t be able to get up tomorrow,¡± a slightly aged voice emanated from the room. After a moment of tranquility, the girl¡¯s voice was heard again. ¡°Grandma, tell me the story of the Sea God.¡± ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll tell you,¡± the voice replied with a hint of indulgence. A long while later. The story ended, and the girl did not speak again, seemingly having fallen asleep. Then the flames died down. At this time, a figure appeared in the courtyard. His arrival did not disturb anyone. ¡°Is this the place?¡± Jiang Hao glanced at the peaceful courtyard before turning to leave. He had no intention of disturbing them. Stepping out of the courtyard, he saw Cheng Chou not far away, digging around a tree. Although he did not understand why, he still did not interfere. Some time passed. Jiang Hao arrived at the distant back mountain and sat down cross-legged under a tree. Because he carried danger with him, he needed to make sure that the Heavenly Secret Concealment Talisman could truly evade the prying eyes of everyone. If it failed, someone might notice him. If they were quick enough, they might even come after him. At this moment, he was fully prepared for any strong enemy; if he could kill, he would kill. If the enemy was too strong, then he would delay them for three breaths¡¯ time. Then he would return to the Tianyin Sect. That way, he wouldn¡¯t implicate Xiao Li and the others. By dawn, Jiang Hao had not sensed any danger. It seemed temporarily safe. On his way to the village, he happened to see an old man with a bamboo basket leaving Xiao Li¡¯s house. This was an old man with a slightly bent back, dark skin, and a face filled with wrinkles. Looking at him, Jiang Hao¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. Then he walked over. His clear and natural footsteps drew the old man¡¯s sidelong glance. ¡°Y-young man, are you looking for directions?¡± the old man asked with some concern. Jiang Hao shook his head and spoke softly: ¡°Just passing by, I wanted to wander around. What are you planning to do, elder?¡± ¡°Digging some bamboo shoots,¡± the old man replied. ¡°Let¡¯s do it together; I¡¯d like to see how it¡¯s done,¡± Jiang Hao said warmly. Seeing that the other party was dignified and well-spoken, the old man knew that if Jiang Hao had any ill intentions, he wouldn¡¯t be able to escape anyway. ¡°Alright.¡± Then the two of them headed into the mountains. ¡°Elder, you must not be in good health, right? Why would you want to go into the mountains to dig bamboo shoots? What about your family?¡± Jiang Hao asked on the way. The old man chuckled. ¡°I¡¯ve been bedridden for half a month, and my granddaughter always says the bamboo shoots I pick are delicious. Today I felt much better and could walk, so I took this opportunity to go into the mountains to look for them.¡± ¡°You really love your granddaughter,¡± Jiang Hao echoed. ¡°She¡¯s a bit mischievous but truly well-behaved; she¡¯s our precious granddaughter,¡± the old man said with a tone of affection. ¡°What about your children?¡± Jiang Hao asked again. At this, the old man shook his head helplessly. ¡°Who knows? Maybe they don¡¯t want to care for us anymore, or maybe they died out there.¡± Listening, Jiang Hao felt that although the old man said this, his tone still held hope that his children were alive. ¡°This one looks good,¡± the old man stopped at a bamboo shoot, ready to start digging. ¡°Let me do it. I¡¯ve never done this before and have always wanted to try,¡± Jiang Hao said with a smile, taking the tool. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Then I¡¯ll trouble you, young man,¡± the old man said, somewhat embarrassed. ¡°Do you feel that you have any regrets after living for most of your life?¡± Jiang Hao asked while digging. ¡°Of course,¡± the old man replied with a smile. ¡°Who lives without regrets? I feel like I¡¯ve spent most of my life living with regret or remorse.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve had a hard life, haven¡¯t you?¡± Jiang Hao glanced at the old man¡¯s hands, full of calluses. Hearing this, the old man leaned against a tree and laughed. ¡°What¡¯s there to be bitter about? Everyone lives like this. I just occasionally wonder what life is like for the big lords in the city. What kind of hoes do they use for farming?¡± ¡°Hoes made of gold?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Haha,¡± the old man laughed loudly/ ¡°The big lords don¡¯t farm.¡± Jiang Hao smiled faintly and then dug out the bamboo shoot. ¡°Let¡¯s dig another one for my granddaughter to eat later,¡± the old man said. Jiang Hao took the bamboo basket and shouldered it, saying, ¡°Let¡¯s dig two more; I have plenty of time.¡± Watching the old man, whose vitality seemed to be burning for the last time, he couldn¡¯t help but sigh. Chapter 234 - True Dragon Chapter 234 True Dragon ¡°Is that enough?¡± After Jiang Hao dug out the third bamboo shoot, he asked the old man beside him. Although it was his idea to dig, Jiang Hao truly wanted to dig a bit more. ¡°Enough, enough, thank you, young man,¡± the old man¡¯s wrinkled face was full of smiles. Only then did Jiang Hao put away his tools, hoisted the bamboo basket onto his back, and started walking outside. After walking for a while, the old man began to rub his lower back. ¡°Let¡¯s rest for a bit,¡± Jiang Hao said, stopping by a stone near the stream. ¡°I¡¯m old, so old,¡± the old man sighed, shaking his head as he sat down. Jiang Hao also sat down beside him, the rustling of leaves and the occasional bird song filling the air. Serene and peaceful. It made one want to listen. ¡°You don¡¯t seem to venture into the mountains often,¡± the old man said, curious. ¡°I never had the time to experience the essence of the mountains before,¡± Jiang Hao replied. The two of them stopped resting and continued walking outside. ¡°Have you ever thought about going to find your children?¡± Jiang Hao suddenly asked. ¡°No,¡± the old man said with a smile. ¡°This is good, after all, we still have a granddaughter. That¡¯s enough.¡± Jiang Hao nodded. At that moment, he heard the sound of someone moving quickly. Looking up, he saw Cheng Chou hurrying in their direction. He was probably looking for the old man. After a short while, Cheng Chou appeared before them, and upon seeing the old man, he let out a sigh of relief. The old man said somewhat embarrassedly, ¡°Young man, I¡¯ve caused you trouble.¡± Cheng Chou was about to shake his head when he noticed Jiang Hao standing beside the old man. He quickly bowed his head and performed a greeting, respectfully saying, ¡°Senior Brother Jiang.¡± This sudden scene surprised the old man. Then, looking bewilderedly at Jiang Hao, he panicked and reached out to take the bamboo basket off Jiang Hao¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t know, I shouldn¡¯t have,¡± he stammered. Jiang Hao held the man¡¯s hand gently and said, ¡°It¡¯s alright, this is fine.¡± Then he said to Cheng Chou, ¡°Junior Brother, go back first, we¡¯ll catch up soon.¡± Cheng Chou nodded and quickly left. ¡°I really didn¡¯t know you were an immortal,¡± the old man said, bowing his head. ¡°Young man sounds better,¡± Jiang Hao said with a smile. ¡°You¡¯re different from the others,¡± the old man said sincerely, looking at Jiang Hao. ¡°The big masters in the city are so high and mighty, let alone immortals. But you don¡¯t put on airs.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a compliment,¡± Jiang Hao laughed. Cultivators have their own pride. Once they can soar through the skies and vanish from sight, they tend to look down on those who crawl on the ground. But Jiang Hao understood. Even if he could fly and vanish, in the eyes of some, he was no different from those crawling on the ground. Moreover, his heart was perhaps more at peace. Whether it was because of the Tianjue Gu poison or because of his stable state of mind, he still preferred the way things were now. Having normal conversations with ordinary people. After a long while, Jiang Hao arrived once again at Xiao Li¡¯s family courtyard. An old woman with a walking stick stood at the entrance. As Jiang Hao approached, she attempted to kneel and pay her respects. But before she could kneel, she was lifted by a gust of wind. ¡°What is this for?¡± Jiang Hao asked. The old woman, bent over with eyes squinted from not seeing clearly and hands covered with age spots, had a face that seemed to have witnessed the passage of time. ¡°To pay respects to the immortal,¡± the old woman said. ¡°I¡¯m just passing by; there¡¯s no need for this,¡± Jiang Hao said, shaking his head. Amid the old woman¡¯s astonishment, they walked inside. Upon entering, Jiang Hao searched the ground in the courtyard and collected the child¡¯s hoop. He then took a seat in the hall with ease. The two elders stood to the side, looking somewhat uneasy. Just as Jiang Hao was about to speak, the old woman suddenly remembered something and hurried to the kitchen. She brought out some pastries and brewed some tea. ¡°Please, take a seat,¡± Jiang Hao said. Only then did the two sit down, though they seemed on edge. ¡°Xiao Li has gone to catch fish; she should be back soon. She¡¯s quick at catching fish, but she¡¯ll play around on the way,¡± the old woman explained. While eating the pastries, Jiang Hao asked for their names. The old man¡¯s name was Miao Shi, and the old woman¡¯s name was Miao Xiang. They were both villagers and had never traveled far in their lives. The furthest they had been was to a town when they were young. Afterward, they lived in the village, had children, and made a living by fishing. My son left home for the city when he was nineteen, and my daughter got married at sixteen and went to the city as well. They would only come back once every three to five years, but now it¡¯s been several years since they¡¯ve returned. ¡°Xiao Li is the granddaughter we found many years ago. Her presence has given us unimaginable comfort,¡± Miao Xiang said with a smile. ¡°We wanted to watch her grow up, but it seems somewhat unlikely now.¡± At this moment, Jiang Hao walked over to the wall, where there was a pillar. It had some scratches on it, which seemed to be used for measuring height. The sunlight streamed in through the window at this time, and in the bright light, one could see many dust particles dancing. ¡°She will grow,¡± Jiang Hao said to the two elders in front of him. ¡°it¡¯s just that she¡¯s growing a bit slowly.¡± The two elders glanced at each other, seemingly hesitant about something. Suddenly, Jiang Hao felt a fluctuation of spiritual energy coming from upstream on the river. Although it was faint, it was somewhat unusual. ¡°Where does Xiao Li usually go to catch fish?¡± he suddenly asked. ¡°She often goes upstream. She says the fish there are tasty and big,¡± Miao Shi replied. ¡°I¡¯ll go have a look.¡± With those words, Jiang Hao disappeared into the light. It was a technique called Merge with Light and Blend with Dust. The elderly couple looked at each other, both feeling amazed. He truly was an immortal. ....... Upstream on the Huangsha River. Boom! Xiao Li emerged from the water, clutching a large fish. Behind her, the river churned as a giant creature surged out of the water. It was a black Flood Dragon, looking at Xiao Li with eyes filled with fear and excitement. ¡°Why are you trying to steal my fish?¡± Xiao Li held the big fish and glared at the Flood Dragon on the river surface. In front of the creature, she was nothing but a tiny ant, yet she showed no fear. ¡°A True Dragon?¡± The Flood Dragon circled in the air, its bright eyes fixed on Xiao Li below, excitedly saying, ¡°What kind of True Dragon are you? Why does your bloodline carry such a pure aura? I¡¯ve been observing you for seven days, and this aura has made me fearful for seven days, but what of it? You¡¯re still too weak. If I devour you, I can become a True Dragon in one leap.¡± Facing the greedy Flood Dragon, Xiao Li hid the big fish behind her and said seriously. ¡°This is for my grandparents. If you try to steal it again, I won¡¯t be polite.¡± ¡°Hahaha~¡± The Flood Dragon laughed loudly. ¡°So it¡¯s a foolish dragon with an incomplete mind. Heaven is helping me indeed.¡± Before its laughter faded, the Flood Dragon¡¯s body surged, and in an instant, it lunged at Xiao Li. ¡°This place shall be where I transform into a true dragon.¡± It reached Xiao Li and opened its dragon mouth to devour the girl. Xiao Li showed no fear, only being suppressed by the powerful force, unable to move much. Just as the Flood Dragon was about to devour Xiao Li, a golden ring appeared in front of her. Clang! A flash of golden light appears. The Flood Dragon collided with the golden ring and was forced to retreat. ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± The Flood Dragon immediately scanned its surroundings. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As it was about to speak again, a silver-white long saber appeared from behind it, piercing into its neck. The intense pain made the Flood Dragon roar and its body rolled, forcing Jiang Hao to withdraw his saber and retreat. At this moment, he stood in mid-air, his Heavenly Saber raised, activating Hidden Spirit Manifestation, and Purple Qi covered him. Heavenly Saber¡¯s first move: Moon Slash. Chapter 235 - Next time we gather, I can appear mysterious and powerful Chapter 235: Next time we gather, I can appear mysterious and powerful The sudden attack startled and enraged the Flood Dragon. It roared and was about to attack the human beside it. Did a mere Nascent Soul dare to be so presumptuous? With such cultivation, it couldn¡¯t even break its dragon scales. In an instant, its power surged, and its dragon scales filled with strength. Its defense greatly increased. Even though its cultivation had fallen to this level, it was not something a Nascent Soul could bully. A dragon¡¯s chant sounded as it began its counterattack. But in an instant, it felt a mountainous pressure in its spirit. Divine ability, Divine Might. The Flood Dragon snorted coldly. A mere Divine Might pressure dared to show off in front of it? Its dragon soul vibrated, instantly breaking through everything. At the same time, a moonlight appeared before its eyes, and a Heavenly Saber followed, slashing down. Boom! The Heavenly Saber collided with the dragon scales. Crack! To the Flood Dragon¡¯s astonishment, its scales shattered, and the saber penetrated three inches into its body. The moonlight blade continued its relentless arc, its formidable presence threatening to cleave its target in two. The Purple Qi surged, wreaking havoc on the body. In a state of panic, the Flood Dragon sensed the breath of death. It hesitated no longer, its dragon soul leaving its body. As the Moon Slash descended, Jiang Hao raised the Heavenly Saber once more, with the Mountain Suppressor manifesting in his wrist, intent on utterly annihilating the Flood Dragon. But before the blade could fall, a shadowy figure fled from the Flood Dragon¡¯s body¡ªthe dragon soul. Jiang Hao changed the direction of his blade, striking directly at the dragon soul. Clang! A barrier of light protected the dragon soul, while an attack approached from behind Jiang Hao. It was the dragon soul attempting to restrain his Mountain Suppressor. However, Jiang Hao ignored the attack behind him, gripping the Heavenly Saber tightly and slashing down once more. Boom! The barrier shattered, and the Mountain Suppressor swept over the dragon soul, inflicting severe damage. The attack from behind reached him in an instant, but the Nine Heavens Armor automatically protected its master. With a loud bang, a powerful force penetrated the armor and struck his back, fortunately with diminished strength. Without further contemplation, Jiang Hao extended his hand toward the fleeing dragon soul, activating a spell. Universe in the Palm. The Purple Qi roiled, swiftly trapping the severely wounded dragon soul within it before retracting it. Jiang Hao stood midair, a bead of Purple Qi resting in the palm of his hand, containing the remnant soul of the Flood Dragon. Its body, meanwhile, fell heavily onto the water¡¯s surface. As blood seeped out, to avoid arousing suspicion downstream, he once again used Universe in the Palm to seal the Flood Dragon¡¯s corpse. ¡°What kind of divine ability is this, human?¡± The remnant soul of the Flood Dragon asked with some trepidation. At this moment, Jiang Hao had already sheathed his saber, holding the remnant soul of the Flood Dragon in his left hand and the body in his right. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, he decided to appraise the remnant soul. ¡¾Flood Dragon Remnant Soul: The soul of the Flood Dragon that has just escaped its body, pursued by a formidable enemy, cursed, with only a tenth of its strength remaining. Now that you have killed it, it is like a candle flickering in the wind. Attracted by the dragon qi, it hid in the Huangsha River, hoping to seize an opportunity. Its location could be discovered at any time.¡¿ ¡°Hmm?¡± The appraisal result surprised Jiang Hao; it felt familiar. After a moment, he recalled the complaints of the Fairy Gui. She had always said that the Flood Dragon had escaped again. His gaze then settled on ¡°only a tenth of its strength remaining,¡± which meant that at its peak, the Flood Dragon¡¯s strength far surpassed that of a Nascent Soul. Even such a powerful Flood Dragon had no choice but to flee from Fairy Gui. This confirmed that the individuals on the stone tablet were no ordinary beings. ¡®Attracted by the dragon qi, it seems Xiao Li is not entirely useless.¡¯ No longer pondering, he stared at the remnant soul of the Flood Dragon and asked. ¡°Who is pursuing you?¡± ¡°What are you talking about?¡± The Flood Dragon feigned confusion. ¡°Cursed, pursued by a woman, you¡¯ve managed to escape several times by relying on your innate ability to hide from fate,¡± Jiang Hao said calmly and indifferently. ¡°Do you understand what I¡¯m talking about now?¡± Hearing Jiang Hao¡¯s words, the remnant soul of the Flood Dragon was shocked, unable to imagine how the other party knew all this. ¡°I don¡¯t know who she is. I just disturbed her by accident and was chased by her. At that time, she was in a secret realm, and she probably thought I had seen something valuable, so she pursued me relentlessly,¡± the Flood Dragon said with some indignation. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for her, I might have had the chance to transform into a true dragon.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Jiang Hao sighed as he looked at the Flood Dragon. ¡°Anything else you want to say?¡± ¡°I can take you to that place and acknowledge you as my master. I have the potential to transform into a true dragon and can do many things for you,¡± the Flood Dragon quickly said. ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. As the Flood Dragon rejoiced, the edge of the Moon Slash appeared between his fingers, moving to strike the remnant soul. In just a moment, the Moon Slash¡¯s blade light cleansed the Flood Dragon¡¯s remnant soul. With that, he clenched his fist, turning everything into ashes in his palm. ¡°What a pity you¡¯re too strong. With my cultivation level and knowledge, I can¡¯t control you. I have to wrong you,¡± he said. With the remnant soul of the Flood Dragon killed, what remained was its body. According to Fairy Gui, the Flood Dragon had swallowed something of hers. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This meant that there must be a treasure within the Flood Dragon¡¯s body. This was why Jiang Hao had decided to kill the Flood Dragon¡ªits words did not match those of Fairy Gui. Between the two, he chose to believe Fairy Gui. Not for any particular reason, but simply because he believed there was no danger in doing so. It was better to kill the Flood Dragon sooner rather than later. After a moment of hesitation, Jiang Hao strengthened the seal and then threw it towards the river surface. Thud! The seal plunged straight to the bottom of the river, burying itself ten meters deep. ¡°That should do it.¡± He dared not touch any of the items inside for fear of being detected by those who could peer into fate. Once detected, the trouble would be significant. Might as well give up like this. After finishing these tasks, Jiang Hao finally returned to shore. At this time, Xiao Li was still holding her big fish, casually wiping the gold ring she had. Seeing Jiang Hao approaching, she exclaimed with surprise. ¡°Senior Brother Jiang.¡± Seeing that she didn¡¯t seem to care about the Flood Dragon, Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised, but he didn¡¯t bring it up and simply said. ¡°Let¡¯s go to your house.¡± ¡°Great, I caught a fish, later Senior Brother can eat with grandma and the others.¡± Xiao Li said with a smile. ¡°Grandma have been asking about you recently, it seems they hope you will visit. Senior Brother Cheng said you were still on the way, and it turned out to be true.¡± Jiang Hao just nodded. ¡°Where¡¯s the rabbit? Why didn¡¯t the rabbit come?¡± Xiao Li looked around and asked. ¡°It¡¯s watching the house.¡± Jiang Hao answered succinctly. Xiao Li gave an ¡°oh¡± and led the way ahead, hopping and skipping happily. On the way, Jiang Hao took out the Secret Whisper Slate to check and found that Fairy Gui was still looking for him. It seemed that the location of the Flood Dragon was really about to be confirmed. With a slight smile, Jiang Hao put away the slate, not planning to inform her of the situation just yet. No rush, he would casually mention it at the next gathering to complete the task before she notified him. It would give a slight shock to those present. This would add a sense of mystery, and he had only struck the Flood Dragon corpse once. It wasn¡¯t anything spectacular, but she couldn¡¯t gauge his true strength. However, with Universe in the Palm to assist, he had a powerful aura. With this, he could secure his place at the gathering. The undercover work could proceed smoothly. Coming out this time was indeed the right choice. Although it was just a spontaneous act of kindness, the rewards were substantial. ...... ¡°Grandpa, Grandma, I¡¯m back, look who I brought with me.¡± As soon as they arrived at the courtyard, Xiao Li shouted inside. She was extremely happy. Seeing her smile, Jiang Hao sighed inwardly. Xiao Li seemed unaware of anything amiss; perhaps in her eyes, the days ahead would always be like this. Some time in the sect, then back to accompany her grandparents. Little did she know that these days were coming to an end. Chapter 236 - Eternal Separation Between Heaven and Man Chapter 236: Eternal Separation Between Heaven and Man At noon, Jiang Hao saw Cheng Chou helping to make a fire, while Miao Xiang cooked. The fish was killed by Xiao Li, and she seemed to know how. During the process, she chattered a lot, and Miao Xiang, busy with her work, would occasionally respond. But Xiao Li didn¡¯t mind and would still run over to act coquettishly. After preparing the fish, she would go and boast to her grandma. Then, receiving praise, she would laugh happily. The originally quiet courtyard became noisy with Xiao Li¡¯s presence. But it seemed to be infused with vitality. Bringing life to what was once desolate. Without children, the life of the two elderly would probably be an unchanging silence. A silence so deep that it offered no hope, a foreseeable end, waiting for nothing but death. But with a child, it¡¯s different. Perhaps noisier, perhaps still heading towards death. But with loved ones to care for and those who care for them. Their existence wasn¡¯t so meaningless, at least it brought joy to this little girl, for whom she strived. ...... Entering the hall. Jiang Hao saw Miao Shi sitting upright in a chair, watching Xiao Li bustling about inside and out. A trace of paleness was on his face. After a while, a table full of dishes was laid out before them. All prepared by Miao Xiang, with Cheng Chou and Xiao Li assisting her. Jiang Hao was invited to sit down, and he did so without pretense, allowing others to feel comfortable to start the meal. On the table, there were fish, bamboo shoots, and chicken. Jiang Hao moved his chopsticks, tasted the fish, picked up a piece of chicken, and then tried the bamboo shoots. ¡°The taste is good,¡± he said with a smile. It couldn¡¯t compare to what was served at the inn, but it was completely different. Hearing this, Miao Xiang smiled. Even a face full of wrinkles couldn¡¯t hide her joy. Miao Shi also started to pick up dishes with a smile. Before the two elders could pick anything, Xiao Li had already served them the tenderest fish and chewable vegetables. ¡°Grandpa, Grandma, eat this.¡± The two elders nodded with a smile. Cheng Chou was a bit reserved, but seeing everyone eating, he let go of his concerns. Jiang Hao watched them, occasionally moving his chopsticks, not bringing any additional pressure to them. After eating a bowl of rice and even asking for a second serving, it was Xiao Li who excitedly ran to get more for him. The happiest person during this meal was Xiao Li, and the elders also ate quite a bit. It seemed as if their appetites had suddenly improved a lot. After the meal, Jiang Hao simply watched as Xiao Li helped her grandpa chop wood and her grandma feed the chickens and ducks. It was very ordinary, yet it gave Jiang Hao a lot to reflect on. In the evening, they had dinner again. It was still Xiao Li¡¯s fish, Miao Shi¡¯s bamboo shoots, and Miao Xiang¡¯s pastries. Simple and ordinary. Only this time, Miao Xiang made a lot of pastries. A lot, a lot. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At night, Miao Shi sat next to Jiang Hao while Miao Xiang was putting Xiao Li to bed. Voices could often be heard from inside. ¡°Grandma, tell the story of the Sea God again today.¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll tell the story of the Sea God again.¡± ¡°Then tomorrow, tell the story of the little sea snail.¡± ¡°Okay, tomorrow I¡¯ll tell the story of the little sea snail.¡± Listening to the voices inside, Jiang Hao kept his gaze low without speaking. Miao Shi sat upright, apologizing to Jiang Hao. ¡°I¡¯ve caused you trouble.¡± ¡°Not at all,¡± Jiang Hao looked towards the east. ¡°The sun will rise again tomorrow. Go keep Xiao Li company.¡± Miao Shi nodded and then walked inside. Jiang Hao sat in the courtyard, resting with his eyes closed. He didn¡¯t do anything, just sat there until the first rays of sunlight came in, and then he got up and walked into the room. Upon entering, he saw Xiao Li sitting beside the elders, looking worried. ¡°Grandpa, Grandma, are you not feeling well?¡± Xiao Li helped the elders up and said: ¡°I¡¯ll go find a doctor for you, you¡¯ll get better soon. I can also help you take your medicine.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, Grandma is in good health,¡± Miao Xiang replied. Miao Shi just looked at Xiao Li, his eyes lacking strength, as if they could close at any moment. He hadn¡¯t slept all night because he knew that once he closed his eyes, they would never open again. ¡°I¡¯m not afraid if you¡¯re sick,¡± Xiao Li said confidently. ¡°If Grandpa and Grandma are sick, Xiao Li will take care of you, and you¡¯ll definitely get better. Xiao Li can catch fish, cook, and prepare medicine. I can take good care of Grandpa and Grandma. Leave it all to Xiao Li.¡± ¡°Xiao Li is getting more and more capable,¡± Miao Xiang said with a smile. When she saw Jiang Hao, she softly said to Xiao Li, ¡°There should be eggs today, Xiao Li, go see how many there are.¡± ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll go check right now,¡± Xiao Li said excitedly as she got up. ¡°If there are eggs, I¡¯ll cook them for Grandma.¡± With that, she ran out. Jiang Hao sat beside them, and Cheng Chou, who was outside, also walked in. He lowered his gaze, looking at the two elders with a hint of sadness in his eyes. Having spent over two years since the first time he met them, he naturally had many feelings. ¡°Can we entrust Xiao Li to you in the future?¡± Miao Xiang asked Jiang Hao. ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. In fact, Miao Xiang still had some time, but because of his arrival, she was willing to take her last breath. And Miao Shi was truly experiencing a final rally. If he had come too late, Miao Shi wouldn¡¯t have seen him. If he had come too early, Miao Xiang would have taken her last breath and couldn¡¯t stay with Xiao Li any longer. In the end, he didn¡¯t know if now was the best time. ¡°Actually, we have a secret,¡± Miao Shi said weakly. ¡°We originally planned to take this secret with us, but... we feel we need to tell you. When we found Xiao Li, it was in the river.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Jiang Hao nodded and said softly. ¡°Xiao Li is a True Dragon, so her growth is a bit slow. It¡¯s normal that you can¡¯t see her grow up. But in the future, I will help you watch over her achieve great things.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± the elders said, surprised but still smiling. Finally, they looked at Cheng Chou, seemingly grateful for his care over this period. With that, they had no more regrets. ...... As they closed their eyes, they seemed to hear the noise outside, looking towards the door to see Xiao Li running in with eggs in her hands, facing the sunlight. Then, a middle-aged man appeared anxiously at the door, followed by a woman. Behind them were some children. At the moment when the elderly couple closed their eyes, it seemed as if they could hear them calling out ¡°Dad, Mom.¡± ...... Soon, they heard Xiao Li¡¯s voice by their ears. ¡°Grandpa, Grandma, what are you doing? Are you tired? Look, Xiao Li found an egg.¡± ¡°Are you feeling unwell? Xiao Li will go find a doctor.¡± At this moment, Xiao Li¡¯s voice was tinged with sobs. Crack! It was the sound of the egg falling to the ground. ¡°Grandma, look how clumsy Xiao Li is, I broke the egg, see, it¡¯s shattered.¡± ¡°Grandpa, get up and scold Xiao Li, come on, get up.¡± ¡°Grandma, wake up, you promised to tell Xiao Li the story of the little sea snail tonight, I haven¡¯t heard it yet.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t bully Xiao Li anymore, I¡¯ll be good from now on, I won¡¯t eat meat, I¡¯ll just eat once a day, don¡¯t leave Xiao Li behind.¡± ¡°Also, Xiao Li is going to grow taller, get up and see, I really have grown a lot.¡± ¡°Look, wu wuu wuu~¡± Gradually, Xiao Li¡¯s voice became choked, and the crying grew louder. Jiang Hao stood by, watching as the elderly couple completely lost their breath, and then he reached out to pat Xiao Li¡¯s head. He said nothing. Chapter 237 - Asking the Female Demon for Help Chapter 237: Asking the Female Demon for Help After Xiao Li stopped crying, Jiang Hao left the courtyard. What followed was the funeral. He couldn¡¯t participate; he could only ask Cheng Chou to help handle it. There would likely be many villagers to help. That¡¯s how it is in the village, neighbors lending a hand. Because no one knows if they will end up dying alone. Jiang Hao left to guard against the Fairy Gui; because of the Flood Dragon matter, she would certainly come here, and it was not impossible for her to secretly investigate. If seen by the villagers, it would be easy to enter the Fairy Gui¡¯s field of vision. After leaving the courtyard, Jiang Hao made his way to the riverbank. When the elderly couple passed away, he had actually taken action. He let them see the image of their children rushing back; they said there was no need to search, probably because they feared bad news. In their last moments, they surely wanted their children around them. Thus, Jiang Hao let them see that. It was a way to resolve their final regret. But listening to Xiao Li¡¯s crying, he couldn¡¯t help but sigh. This was a big blow for Xiao Li. It also made Jiang Hao think of his stepmother from the past. Although his memories of her weren¡¯t that good, she had taken care of him since he was born. Seeing the elderly couple pass away, he naturally wanted to see his stepmother and the others. To resolve the thoughts in his heart, to leave no regrets. Unfortunately, he couldn¡¯t find them. By the river, Jiang Hao stood for a long time, during which he could faintly sense the villagers arranging something. A gentle breeze blew. The hem of his clothes fluttered irregularly, and the surrounding grass and trees swayed slightly. And with the wind came a faint fragrance. Suddenly, Jiang Hao looked to the side. Sure enough, there stood a striking figure in red to his right. Her long hair swayed at her waist, almost hiding her slender waist bound by a belt. At the moment, she was staring out over the river, only her profile visible. Hong Yuye. Why had she suddenly appeared? ¡°Greetings, senior,¡± Jiang Hao said respectfully. ¡°I see that there¡¯s a funeral in the village, does it concern you?¡± Hong Yuye turned to look at Jiang Hao. ¡°It¡¯s related to a junior sister of mine,¡± Jiang Hao replied truthfully. ¡°Her relatives lived here, and now she has seen them for the last time.¡± ¡°Do you find such matters disagreeable?¡± Hong Yuye turned to face Jiang Hao. Then she started walking upstream. Along the riverbank, admiring the scenery. ¡°It¡¯s not that I find it disagreeable, it¡¯s just that sometimes it feels... too short,¡± Jiang Hao said. ¡°Too short?¡± Hong Yuye turned back to look at him and asked, ¡°What are you referring to?¡± ¡°From the beginning, I knew that Junior Sister Xiao Li was destined to face a separation between heaven and man. The reason she entered the Tianyin Sect was actually because her family could no longer afford to keep her.¡± ¡°Now that Xiao Li has joined the Tianyin Sect, their lives have gotten back on track. The elders should have been able to enjoy their old age, but just two years later, everything ended,¡± Jiang Hao said softly, with a downcast gaze. ¡°It¡¯s a bit short.¡± ¡°Do you remember why you practice the saber?¡± Hong Yuye suddenly asked. ¡°I remember,¡± Jiang Hao nodded in response. ¡°Because the Immortal Sects usually cultivate the sword.¡± ¡°Do you think you resemble someone from the Demon Sect?¡± Hong Yuye said with a half-smile. Jiang Hao lowered his head and remained silent. Hong Yuye also said nothing more, just quietly walked along the riverbank. Jiang Hao followed her, walking aimlessly. It wasn¡¯t until evening that Hong Yuye finally stopped. It was then that she began to ask about other matters. ¡°Are my trees going to bear fruit soon?¡± ¡°Almost there,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°Will the fruit be sour or sweet this year?¡± Hong Yuye asked, looking at the setting sun. ¡°Sweet,¡± Jiang Hao replied. ¡°Sweet?¡± Hong Yuye withdrew her gaze, looking at Jiang Hao with a teasing tone. ¡°But I want to eat sour ones.¡± ¡°There should be some,¡± Jiang Hao answered, though somewhat reluctantly. The sour ones would only be the unripe ones. He wondered if Hong Yuye would find fault with that. After hesitating, he finally said: ¡°Could I ask senior for a favor?¡± ¡°A favor?¡± Hong Yuye spoke indifferently. ¡°I can, but I¡¯ll need to take something in return. We can settle the account later, all at once.¡± ¡°Could I ask senior to bring the rabbit over?¡± Jiang Hao said hesitantly, leaving the matter of what he would give in return for another time. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As soon as he finished speaking, Hong Yuye reached out and grabbed. Out of nowhere, a bruised and unconscious rabbit appeared in her hand. ¡°This?¡± Hong Yuye tossed the rabbit to Jiang Hao. Looking at the still-breathing rabbit, Jiang Hao was perplexed. He couldn¡¯t understand how Hong Yuye had done it. Such a method was beyond his comprehension. ¡°Thank you, senior.¡± ¡°No need for thanks, you won¡¯t be able to thank me next time.¡± Hong Yuye continued, staring at Jiang Hao. ¡°Tell me about your progress. It¡¯s been half a year. How is your undercover work going?¡± ¡°Not bad, but I still need to sort things out,¡± Jiang Hao said against his better judgment. Hong Yuye didn¡¯t speak, just calmly looked at Jiang Hao. Then, a force surged. Bang! Jiang Hao was sent flying from his spot. He crashed heavily against a boulder. ¡°I hope you can be just as confident next time.¡± The pain made Jiang Hao uncomfortable, and when he looked up, he found that Hong Yuye had already disappeared. It seemed she had left. With that, Jiang Hao finally breathed a sigh of relief, having managed to muddle through. The main issue was that being undercover at gatherings made it difficult to find out who was behind the Secret Whisper Slate. To get more slates, he needed to know the whereabouts of the Fairy Gui and others, which might be simpler; indirect probing could always draw them out. But to know the true mastermind behind the slates was as hard as ascending to heaven. Even Dan Yuan might not know. At that moment, he looked at the rabbit in his hand and then tossed it. He threw it towards where Cheng Chou was. He had to return, and Cheng Chou didn¡¯t seem like someone who would offer comfort. This could have a significant impact on Xiao Li. So the rabbit was the most suitable choice. As he threw it, Jiang Hao heard the rabbit¡¯s wail. It seemed to have woken up. With that, he communicated with his home¡¯s ring and disappeared from the spot in three breaths. This outing had informed him of one thing: hiding from the heavens was utterly useless against Hong Yuye. Perhaps only after the Tianjue Gu poison was resolved would there be a chance. But for now, there seemed to be no possibility of that happening. He could only focus on improving his cultivation. ...... Tianyin Sect. Du Yong looked at Jiang Hao¡¯s courtyard for a moment before turning to leave. ¡°We can¡¯t proceed with the original plan. It¡¯s too risky.¡± Initially, his idea was to befriend Jiang Hao, then lure him out of the sect for his real body to take over. But after investigating, he found that Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t easily leave the sect, although it was possible to avoid detection with some procedures. ¡°This sect has so many rules, many things are not allowed. But once you leave the sect, they don¡¯t care about anything, it¡¯s abnormal.¡± However, these were not the main concerns. What really made him change his mind was the Corpse Realm Flower. Under normal circumstances, the Corpse Realm Flower should not bloom; even he didn¡¯t know how to plant it, so there was no reason for Tianyin Sect to know. The only possibility was that something had happened to his master. And what could make his master reveal the secret of the Corpse Realm Flower? There was only one possibility: it was related to the Corpse Heart. Only then would he compromise. ¡°The Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower is in Jiang Hao¡¯s hands, and the credit for the Corpse Realm Flower blooming also goes to Jiang Hao.¡± ¡°He either has someone backing him, or he has some talent.¡± ¡°Based on my previous speculation, given his age and possession of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, the highest possibility is that he is the illegitimate son of a high-ranking member of Tianyin Sect.¡± ¡°Now it seems that ¡®high-ranking¡¯ might not be enough; he might be the illegitimate son of the sect leader.¡± ¡°Now that the Corpse Realm Flower has bloomed, it means there¡¯s a certain chance that the secret of the master¡¯s Corpse Heart is known, and there¡¯s a possibility that I¡¯m being watched.¡± ¡°Now, my only advantage is that my strength far surpasses Foundation Establishment.¡± ¡°My main body must not appear, but I must get the Corpse Heart close to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower.¡± ¡°How can I do this in the safest way?¡± Du Yong furrowed his brows, unable to think of a good solution for the moment. ¡°Jiang Hao can no longer be possessed, but we still need to start with him to find a breakthrough.¡± When leaving Duanqing Cliff, Du Yong suddenly thought of a possibility. ¡°If I dare not possess him, why not let Master possess him?¡± ¡°The Corpse Heart can blossom and directly possess someone, and it¡¯s difficult to detect.¡± ¡°As long as I lure him out, I can use my Nascent Soul avatar to approach him, replace his heart with the Corpse Heart, and since he is nurturing the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, it will naturally nourish the Corpse Heart.¡± ¡°If the compatibility is high, he won¡¯t notice anything unusual about himself.¡± ¡°Once the Corpse Heart is released, I can possess him in one fell swoop, and at that time, the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower will also be within reach.¡± If this plan succeeds, it would definitely be the best choice. But it needs further refinement, with the principle of not putting my main body at risk. Chapter 238 - A New Gathering Chapter 238: A New Gathering In the south. Tiannan Prefecture. Atop a high mountain. A woman in a light yellow dress descended from mid-air. An middle-aged man with graying temples at the edge of the peak smiled at the woman in yellow. ¡°Fairy Bi Zhu, you¡¯ve arrived quite early.¡± ¡°How is it?¡± Fairy Bi Zhu asked as she landed gently. The middle-aged man handed her a scroll. ¡°This is the area I¡¯ve mapped out; it¡¯s quite remote even for Youyun Prefecture.¡± Fairy Bi Zhu took the scroll and examined it closely, noting that the circled location had three rivers and countless mountains. There were still quite a few towns. ¡°This area is a bit too large,¡± she frowned. It was too large to be useful. ¡°It is a bit large,¡± the middle-aged man nodded. ¡°To pinpoint the exact location, we¡¯ll need another month. You don¡¯t plan to go personally, Fairy, and probably want someone else to do it. With a rough area, they won¡¯t be too late to reach the exact spot once it¡¯s obtained.¡± Fairy Bi Zhu nodded, seeing some reason in this. ¡°Let¡¯s settle the payment together next time. This time it¡¯s not me personally taking action, I don¡¯t believe it will be so vigilant.¡± After taking the map, Fairy Bi Zhu left on her sword. ¡°In a month, this old man will have a crane deliver the location to you, Fairy. Don¡¯t forget to pay the reward,¡± the middle-aged man reminded from behind. ¡°Of course,¡± Fairy Bi Zhu replied as she departed. Soon, she returned to her temporary residence. After activating the surrounding formations, she took out the Secret Whisper Slate. Seeing the text appear, her brows furrowed slightly. ¡°That ¡®Jing¡¯ has never chatted with us, except for the first time it accidentally entered, it only appears during gatherings.¡± ¡°Is it really that busy, or is it deliberately avoiding us?¡± Fairy Bi Zhu¡¯s brows were tightly knit; without contact, it was difficult to know the other party¡¯s details. Those who deliberately avoid contact are either truly busy or feigning mystery. The weak and unskilled in deception are very afraid to talk to others. Silence is their best choice. ¡°But it doesn¡¯t matter, it¡¯s been half a year, and the new round of gatherings should be starting soon. At that time, I can ask if he is willing to take action. Let¡¯s see how capable he is.¡± Afterward, Fairy Bi Zhu entered the slate. Her code name had never changed; it was still... Gui. ...... Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In the south. Youyun Prefecture. Tianyin Sect, Duanqing Cliff. In the courtyard. The rustling of leaves settled, and Jiang Hao¡¯s figure suddenly appeared in the main hall of the wooden house. Returning, he stepped out of the hall and stopped in front of the peach tree in the courtyard, letting the cool summer breeze caress his hair. After a moment of silence, he slowly sat down on a wooden chair and brewed himself some tea. He poured half a cup. Xiao Li being entrusted to him was expected. But he wouldn¡¯t always look after her. Once she had the ability to protect herself and discern right from wrong, it would be best to let her go. The rabbit should go with her. The two of them could look after each other to some extent. As long as they don¡¯t come back, that¡¯s fine; otherwise, they would surely bring him a lot of trouble. With their talents, one day in the future, their cultivation would surpass the realm he showed. If they caused trouble, others who dared not target them would certainly come after him, their master. Even if they didn¡¯t act, they would be passive-aggressive. A peaceful life would not only be disrupted but could also bring danger. In short, the more people closely associated with him, the more trouble would find him. His own yard was too small to accommodate a Great Demon and a True Dragon. Lifting the teacup, Jiang Hao took a few sips. Thus, until late at night, he went back to cultivate. It was time to prepare for the late stage of Nascent Soul. Once I reach the late stage of Nascent Soul, my cultivation will be on par with Bai Ye. Even if I can¡¯t kill him, I need to find him and inflict serious damage. I can¡¯t let him initiate the challenge of the chief disciple. Although there¡¯s only a 70% chance, and most likely he can only stay for one year, I cannot let him succeed to prevent him from growing stronger. If Bai Ye continues to grow stronger, it¡¯s hard to say what kind of techniques he might develop. Once they become difficult to decipher, it will bring unnecessary trouble for me. The only way is to suppress him. In the cultivation room, Jiang Hao confirmed his current state. ... ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 24¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Mid Nascent Soul¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind, Hidden Spirit Manifestation, Divine Might¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 3/100 (cannot be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 2/100 (cannot be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 2/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ... Looking at the pitiful single-digit numbers, he didn¡¯t know what to say for a moment. After Nascent Soul, obtaining blue bubbles becomes increasingly difficult. Had I known that the merit of the Corpse Realm Flowers would fall on me, I should have planted them myself; then at least I would have a purple bubble or even a gold one. What¡¯s more helpless is that the twelve Corpse Realm Flowers resonate with each other, absorbing the spiritual energy in the vicinity as nourishment. They don¡¯t require any care. Without offering help, no bubbles will appear. Just like the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, after I left, it was the rabbit that helped with watering and care. No bubbles appeared during that period. Otherwise, why would I bother personally tending to the Spiritual Medicine Garden¡¯s spiritual herbs? Mining, slaying demon beasts, I have to do it all myself. The rest is just a matter of luck and random drops. This reminds me of my days in the outer sect, where it took me years to accumulate a hundred points of cultivation during the Qi Refining stage. Entering the inner sect, my cultivation accumulation sped up a lot. Later, with the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, the speed increased by who knows how much. And the fastest was probably mining. It¡¯s because of this that I was able to leap from the early stage of Foundation Establishment to the mid-stage of Nascent Soul in just five short years. But now, progress has started to slow down. Although a hundred years might resolve most grudges, to overpower everyone would be more difficult. The most urgent task is still to strive to improve my cultivation. And also to accumulate the third purple bubble to gain a new divine ability. After returning, Jiang Hao stopped thinking about Xiao Li¡¯s family matters. What¡¯s done is done, and it¡¯s time to accept it and then move on. It¡¯s not easy for Xiao Li to move on; it¡¯s all up to the rabbit now. Jiang Hao is powerless. To Jiang Hao and the others, the elders are just other people. But for Xiao Li, they are her doting family, the place where she can act spoiled, the people waiting for her return, the home she looks forward to going back to every year. There, delicious food awaits her, someone to tell her stories of the Sea God, someone to dig bamboo shoots for her, to collect eggs for her. But now, all of that is gone. No place to act spoiled, no home to return to, no one to share the hidden treats with. Even a simple meeting is an unreachable wish. Closing his eyes, Jiang Hao entered a state of emptiness. His state of mind began to waver. Purple Qi swirled around him, and his cultivation was slowly refining. ....... Seven days later, Jiang Hao returned to his previous lifestyle. The Heavenly Secret Concealment Talisman had expired, and now he was unnoticed by anyone. He wasn¡¯t in a hurry to complete the tasks assigned by the Enforcement Peak; he¡¯d wait until the deadline passed and then make compensation. There were three months for that, but the peach tree might not have three months. By mid-July, the peach tree had already blossomed. Less than three months until fruiting. By then, the amount of spirit stones needed for Nirvana would be known. ...... Early in the morning, Jiang Hao felt a vibration from the Secret Whisper Slate. It was a summons from Senior Dan Yuan for a gathering. ¡°Finally, it has come.¡± Chapter 239 - Finally Chapter 239: Finally In the void, Jiang Hao once again arrived at the public area. The number of people was the same as last time; there were no changes. The four of them greeted him respectfully. Dan Yuan looked at the group with a smile and said, ¡°It¡¯s been half a year since we last met.¡± Once the four had seated themselves cross-legged, he spoke again: ¡°Are there any issues with your cultivation?¡± ¡°I met a fellow Daoist overseas who has hit a bottleneck in his cultivation but just can¡¯t break through,¡± said Liu, his voice slightly booming. ¡°Seeing his bottleneck, I feel I might encounter the same in the future. It might be because we are all on the wrong path, so I made a hypothesis. If I cultivated a separate incarnation and found the correct path, would there be a way to reverse the process later on?¡± ¡°It¡¯s unlikely,¡± Dan Yuan pondered for a while before answering. ¡°Reversal would place a far greater burden on the body than you might expect. If there were a pill that could regenerate the body¡¯s meridians, it might be worth a try. If not, I wouldn¡¯t recommend it.¡± ¡°The best method would be to cultivate an external body without the slightest hint of consciousness, one that only the original consciousness can inhabit.¡± ¡°Once the correct cultivation method is found, forcefully transfer the cultivation to that body. Then, the original body can be recultivated. This way, there is a safety net, and you can go further.¡± Liu nodded, asking no further questions. The others had no issues either. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about the last mission,¡± Dan Yuan said, looking at everyone: ¡°Have you heard anything about that person?¡± Fairy Gui shook her head. Liu and Xing naturally had no news either. Due to the great distance, they were willing but unable. Gui had inquired before; the Tianyin Sect had not experienced any major battles. Afterward, she was preoccupied with the Flood Dragon matter and did not continue her inquiries. At this point, Dan Yuan turned to Jiang Hao, ¡°Young friend Jing, you were also in that area, did you find anything?¡± Faced with the question, Jiang Hao had his answer ready. He had made many preparations for this meeting, carefully selecting information that could both speak for him and help him establish a foothold. ¡°I have some findings,¡± he said calmly. ¡°What are they?¡± Dan Yuan asked in a calm tone as if discussing something mundane. After a moment¡¯s thought, Jiang Hao softly said: ¡°Senior, have you heard of the Corpse Realm Flower?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard a little,¡± Dan Yuan nodded with a smile. ¡°Recently, I heard about it near the Tianyin Sect,¡± Jiang Hao replied. The others were surprised, and then what? Dan Yuan paused for a moment before saying: ¡°I see, is there anything else?¡± ¡°The flower has bloomed at the Tianyin Sect,¡± Jiang Hao added. In reality, he was taking a gamble, betting that this was something only a very few knew about and even fewer could cultivate. This would give him the ability to identify certain individuals. Otherwise, it would seem like he was being deliberately obscure. So he chose his words with extra caution. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Whether he could complete the mission depended entirely on luck. Fairy Gui was confused but did not ask any questions. It was still Dan Yuan¡¯s turn to inquire. After a while, Dan Yuan said with a smile. ¡°Young friend Jing, you can now ask for the information you want; this mission is over.¡± It¡¯s over? Fairy Gui and the others were quite puzzled. Seeing everyone¡¯s confusion, Dan Yuan explained with a smile, ¡°Young friend Jiang, please explain.¡± Afraid of explaining incorrectly, Jiang Hao felt somewhat helpless. Nevertheless, he had to organize his words and began to explain: ¡°Recently, the Tianyin Sect has been collecting various documents; they are investigating how to cultivate the Corpse Realm Flower.¡± ¡°Is there a problem?¡± Fairy Gui asked. She might have investigated too early and hadn¡¯t heard of this flower; if she had, she might have looked into it more deeply. Now, she could only ask. ¡°The Corpse Realm Flower is unique to the North and should be in the hands of very few people. Do you suspect that the Tianyin Sect has captured a powerful figure from the North?¡± Liu, who was slightly burly, asked. Jiang Hao nodded, explaining. ¡°But such speculation is not very meaningful. What is truly noteworthy is that the Corpse Realm Flower has bloomed.¡± Over to you, Jiang Hao looked at them. At this point, he dared not fabricate further, as it was easy to make a mistake. Only when Zhuang Yuzhen felt his Corpse Heart threatened would he reveal the cultivation method, which implies that the blooming of the Corpse Realm Flower equates to the other party¡¯s submission. But Jiang Hao could only confirm this much; he dared not speak carelessly about anything else. The others also came to a realization; the Corpse Realm Flower being taken might have been an accident, but its blooming meant a powerful figure had been captured? And it was a live capture. So, judging by Dan Yuan¡¯s attitude, the person collaborating with the senior was a powerful figure from the North. The blooming of the Corpse Realm Flower could also confirm their identity. Dan Yuan smiled at Jiang Hao and said: ¡°Young friend Jiang, have you decided what information you want?¡± ¡°I would like to ask a senior, what is the purpose of the Great Thousand Divine Sect sending people into Youyun Prefecture?¡± Jiang Hao had already thought of the compensation he would offer. His original intention was to find out news about Hong Yuye, but he couldn¡¯t inquire directly. That would bring him a lot of trouble. His Secret Whisper Slate originated from the Great Thousand Divine Sect. Hong Yuye was investigating the person behind the slate, and knowing the purpose of the Great Thousand Divine Sect might also help him find that person. At the same time, it would allow him to report back to Hong Yuye. It wasn¡¯t a perfect solution, but it was passable. ¡°Alright, I will give you an answer at the next gathering.¡± Dan Yuan nodded in agreement, then he turned to the others and said, ¡°There are no tasks this time, you can discuss amongst yourselves.¡± Hearing this, Fairy Gui immediately looked at Jiang Hao: ¡°Fellow Daoist Jing, I have recently obtained a rough location, I wonder if you are available to go?¡± The matter with the Corpse Realm Flower was indeed unexpected, but it was still worth using this method to test the waters. ¡°Huangsha River.¡± Jiang Hao said calmly to Fairy Gui, ¡°You could take a trip there.¡± Finally, the moment he had been waiting for had arrived. With the Corpse Realm Flower as a precedent, and now with the task from Gui, his persona here could start to take shape. All he needed to do was maintain it. Of course, if he mistakenly killed Flood Dragon, the consequences would be unimaginable. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Fairy Gui¡¯s eyebrows furrowed. She quickly realized that among the three rivers on the previous map, one of them was the Huangsha River. ¡°You could visit the middle and upper reaches of the Huangsha River, perhaps you will find what you are looking for.¡± Before Fairy Gui could speak, the young Star chuckled: ¡°Does Fellow Daoist Jing mean that he has already solved Fairy Gui¡¯s problem?¡± Jiang Hao smiled without saying a word. ¡°The middle and upper reaches of the Huangsha River, is it?¡± Fairy Gui made a mental note. She was somewhat incredulous. However, in some time, she would get the exact location. Then it would be clear whether Jing was just boasting. Liu and Star were also surprised. Jing had first completed Senior Dan Yuan¡¯s task and now casually dealt with Fairy Gui¡¯s matter. Although they had not been able to find him, the results came out faster than expected. After a moment of hesitation, Fairy Gui spoke. ¡°What do you want? If there really is something I want at the Huangsha River, I can prepare what you want.¡± ¡°Recently, I have taken an interest in curses,¡± Jiang Hao said. He didn¡¯t dare to ask these people for physical items, as it was clear from Flood Dragon that their strength far exceeded his. Any physical contact would bring huge trouble. Therefore, information or techniques were the most suitable to ask for. And his interest in curses was not a whim. He wanted to use it against Bai Ye. If the other party could use a spirit-sealing technique to suppress his cultivation, he could use a curse to affect the other party¡¯s advancement. Chapter 240 - The Autonomous Body Chapter 240: The Autonomous Body ¡°Curses?¡± Fairy Gui wasn¡¯t surprised, only asking, ¡°What type of curse do you want?¡± What type? Jiang Hao was puzzled. ¡°Curses are different, for example, a luck-type curse is a comprehensive curse. It makes everything go wrong for the person. But because it¡¯s not specific, it¡¯s not easy to succeed. To succeed, you must pay a significant price. Specific curses, on the other hand, can be immediate or delayed. For example, ¡®to die a terrible death¡¯ or ¡®to end one¡¯s lineage¡¯ can be effective immediately or gradually over decades. The curse I placed on Flood Dragon is of this kind, targeting its body with a ¡®decay¡¯ curse to dissolve its physique and cultivation,¡± explained Fairy Gui. ¡°Can¡¯t I have both?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°You can, but all curses have backlash, and I only provide one way to avoid the backlash. So do you want to avoid the backlash of a comprehensive curse or a specific one?¡± Fairy Gui asked. Jiang Hao understood that all curses have backlash, so when cursing others, one must pay a price. Fairy Gui didn¡¯t mind giving out the technique of cursing, but she cared about giving out the method to avoid it. That meant the avoidance method was the core of the curse. After hesitating for a while, Jiang Hao said, ¡°I¡¯ll take the specific type.¡± This type was simple and convenient with a high success rate. For a beginner, this naturally seemed like the better choice. However, he was unsure about the difficulty of learning curses and could only see when the time came. ¡°Alright.¡± Fairy Gui nodded, then continued, ¡°After confirming at the Huangsha River, I will give you the item at the next gathering.¡± Jiang Hao nodded, no longer speaking. After their conversation ended, Liu slowly spoke up: ¡°Do you have any good methods of creating a clone to recommend?¡± ¡°If it¡¯s for protection, you should choose some orthodox external bodies.¡± Star pondered for a moment and said, ¡°Haotian Sect has a secret method called Autonomous Body, which should be the most suitable.¡± ¡°Can you get it?¡± Liu asked. ¡°It will take some time.¡± Star nodded and continued, ¡°There¡¯s another option, the incarnation secret technique of the Mingyue Sect, the Myriad Beings Form. It allows you to use any sentient being as an avatar.¡± ¡°By sentient beings, I mean spiritual medicines, spiritual beasts, and spiritual plants. I can give this to you now.¡± ¡°What do you want in return?¡± Liu asked. ¡°Help me find someone. She will flee overseas soon, I will tell you the details later,¡± Xing said. ¡°Do you need her alive?¡± ¡°Either way is fine.¡± Jiang Hao was quite surprised listening to their transaction. The secret techniques of the Haotian Sect and the Mingyue Sect could be traded. What kind of identity did Xing have? However, he did not show his curiosity, as the three individuals present all had higher status, cultivation, and strength than him. Maintaining a mysterious and powerful persona was indeed challenging. Once the transaction was confirmed, Liu reminded them: ¡°I¡¯ve heard from some people overseas that someone has speculated that the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead is in the south. Some might have gone to look for it.¡± ¡°The south?¡± Fairy Gui exclaimed. ¡°Then I must leave quickly. If it really erupts, it will be too late to escape. Do you plan to leave, Fellow Jing?¡± Jiang Hao shook his head without explaining. He couldn¡¯t exactly say that wherever he went, the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead would be there, could he? But since people overseas had guessed its location, he needed to be cautious. At that moment, Dan Yuan suddenly spoke up: ¡°The Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead is of great importance. If people overseas are trying to seize it, it¡¯s best to notify some immortal sects discreetly so they can prepare.¡± ¡°What would happen if the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead erupted and no one stopped it?¡± Xing asked curiously. This was a question Jiang Hao was also curious about. He didn¡¯t know the specifics. ¡°If no one stops it, the entire land will become a living hell. According to the records, there was an unparalleled great war in ancient times, where countless powerful beings died, and the world collapsed, leading to the extinction of all creatures. The war ceased because the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead appeared. Everyone joined forces to seal the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead,¡± Dan Yuan explained. Jiang Hao listened with some trepidation. Was the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead really that terrifying? No wonder Dan Yuan said to notify the Haotian Sect immediately; any delay would make the situation uncontrollable. For a moment, Jiang Hao hesitated whether he should find time to go to the Demon Cavern and return the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead to its ruins. But keeping it with him could indeed deter others. The only prerequisite for a successful deterrence was that the other party knew the terror of the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead. Threatening Bai Ye with it might not be very effective. ¡°By the way,¡± Dan Yuan suddenly remembered something. ¡°The mission regarding the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower can continue. How to plant it, the appearance of the flower, and the blooming process.¡± The others nodded. But such information was almost impossible to find. It all depended on luck. Jiang Hao knew the process but couldn¡¯t reveal it. Speaking out would cause big problems. After listening to their discussion for a while longer, the gathering ended. Under the moonlight, Jiang Hao began to sort out what he had gained that day. ¡°Xing¡¯s identity is quite extraordinary, Liu¡¯s status overseas is not bad either, and there¡¯s no more news about the Fairy Gui.¡± sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°The people from the Great Thousand Divine Sect have obtained the Secret Whisper Slate, and I should be able to learn what it¡¯s for at the next gathering. I should also be able to obtain the curse technique next time.¡± ¡°Then there¡¯s the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead. It might not be long before trouble approaches the Tianyin Sect again.¡± He knew the origin of the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead, but not what had happened in that era. ¡°Dan Yuan mentioned the ancient war, and Hong Yuye did as well. It just so happens that the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead was sealed in the Demon Cavern.¡± ¡°It seems that the mine below is an ancient battlefield, and it¡¯s possible that ancient powers clashed within the Demon Cavern.¡± If all this was true, then the Tianyin Sect was truly beyond comprehension. Who would establish a sect here? Wasn¡¯t that asking for the sect to have a short lifespan? If it could be utilized well, it would be like having divine assistance, but as it stood, the Tianyin Sect did not have such strength. Thus, it was very dangerous, not from external threats, but internal ones. For example, the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead. If there were others, a slight misstep could destroy the entire sect. He didn¡¯t dwell on it further, as these matters were still far off. If something did happen, he would be powerless to stop it. ¡°Xing is looking for someone, and the location is overseas. It¡¯s a pity I can¡¯t make contact, or I could roughly understand Xing¡¯s background.¡± He needed to figure out the general identities of these people to prepare accordingly. But for now, the biggest gain was that he had demonstrated his value and secured his undercover position. Dan Yuan¡¯s side was fine, but the important thing was the Fairy Gui¡¯s side. Once she found Flood Dragon and confirmed the item, his mysterious and powerful image would begin to emerge. ¡°Now it¡¯s just a matter of waiting, waiting for the Fairy Gui to go to the Huangsha River and for the next gathering.¡± The gathering would have to wait, so he had to start dealing with the affairs within the sect. With Cheng Chou absent from the outer sect Spiritual Medicine Garden, he needed to keep an eye on it. It was also time to make a trip to Chu Chuan¡¯s side. Check on his progress while you¡¯re at it. In a few years, the Mingyue Sect is going to hold a Dao Discussion Conference. It would be best if Chu Chuan, who has reached the Foundation Establishment, could attend. Besides that, the most important thing is to accumulate Qi bubbles and then advance. Du Yong needs to be watched to see when he will hand over the Corpse Heart. A trip to the Lawless Tower is also necessary. It¡¯s just that the thought of the Tianhuan Pavilion¡¯s Pavilion Master possibly showing up makes him not want to go. Chapter 241 - Caught an Undercover Agent Chapter 241: Caught an Undercover Agent Noon. Duanqing Cliff outer sect. After Chu Chuan finished his own tasks, he began to practice the Tianyin Hundred Revolutions movement technique. The technique he was practicing now was a set of boxing moves. He practiced regularly, not daring to slack off in the slightest. His current goal was to land a punch on Lord Rabbit and Senior Sister Xiao Li. Over the past two years, he didn¡¯t know how he had managed to get by. In any case, he was always under their shadow. When he finished his practice, he discovered that someone had appeared behind him at some unknown time. It was Jiang Hao, who had come over after taking care of the Spiritual Medicine Garden. ¡°Senior Brother?¡± Chu Chuan said, surprised. He had hardly seen Jiang Hao in these two years. ¡°Rabbit and Xiao Li are out today, so I¡¯m here to check on your progress,¡± Jiang Hao said, breaking off a tree branch from the side. ¡°So that¡¯s why Lord Rabbit hasn¡¯t been here for so many days,¡± Chu Chuan said, nodding in realization. Chu Chuan, although still somewhat green, had grown quite a bit. With the cultivation of the fourth level of Qi Refining, he didn¡¯t look like a weak child at all. He was completely different from more than two years ago. Seeing this, Jiang Hao also felt quite emotional. Unknowingly, two whole years had passed. ¡°Senior Brother, shall I make a move?¡± Chu Chuan took a deep breath, ready to start. ¡°Mhm,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. As soon as the words fell, Chu Chuan stepped forward, and with a whoosh, he reached Jiang Hao in the blink of an eye and threw a punch. Facing such an attack, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t dodge but simply moved the tree branch. Whoosh! A crisp sound rang out as the tree branch struck Chu Chuan¡¯s fist, forcing it to change direction. Chu Chuan then took the opportunity to kick. However, he was met with the tree branch again. With a whoosh, Chu Chuan¡¯s kick was repelled, but he wasn¡¯t discouraged and continued to attack. His speed increased. Jiang Hao stood firm, simply using the tree branch to respond. From front to back, left to right, he didn¡¯t even turn his head. Chu Chuan became more and more vigorous as he fought, his strength increasing. After fists and feet came the use of various techniques, a full-scale attack. For the first time in over two years, he felt exhilaratingly unrestrained. It wasn¡¯t until Jiang Hao finished feeding him moves that he began to counterattack. The tree branch, like a stick, struck Chu Chuan¡¯s chest, forcing him to retreat: ¡°Your breath is unstable, and your technique circulation is poor.¡± Then he struck the sweeping kick that came at him, causing Chu Chuan to stand unsteadily in pain. ¡°Your moves are rigid, your posture is incorrect, and you¡¯re not releasing the power from your waist.¡± Then came a technique attack. It was instantly resolved. ¡°Your technique application is decent, but not proficient enough.¡± Back and forth, Jiang Hao struck Chu Chuan all over his body. He beat him until he crouched on the ground. Incidentally, he pointed out all his flaws. Finally, he put down the tree branch and said. ¡°Overall, you¡¯ve advanced too quickly, which has caused other areas to lag behind. Your foundation is not solid enough.¡± Chu Chuan sat on the ground, touching his injuries, and asked curiously. ¡°Senior Brother, am I considered strong?¡± ¡°It depends on who you compare yourself to,¡± Jiang Hao said calmly. ¡°Compared to an ordinary outer disciple, you¡¯re certainly better. Compared to your childhood friend, you¡¯re slightly inferior.¡± ¡°Only slightly?¡± Chu Chuan was quite surprised. ¡°Is that little?¡± Jiang Hao smiled and said. ¡°Perhaps that slight difference is something you¡¯ll never catch up to in your lifetime.¡± ¡°What is Xiao Jie¡¯s current level of cultivation?¡± Chu Chuan looked at Jiang Hao, full of expectation. After a moment of silence, Jiang Hao slowly spoke. ¡°If she focused solely on improving her cultivation, she should be at the sixth level of Qi Refining. If she is consolidating her realm, she should be at the fifth level.¡± Chu Chuan was at the fourth level of Qi Refining, and Zhao Qingxue was also at the fourth level. Chu Jie, with higher talent, being at the fifth level was not excessive. Moreover, Mingyue Sect was not weaker than Haotian Sect, with profound foundations, so adding another level was not too much. This was under the condition of full-force promotion. But he didn¡¯t think it would be the case, as the most important thing for a promising seedling was the foundation. There was no need to advance too quickly in the early stages. Chu Chuan was like this because of his temperament; it was better for him to advance. ¡°Is she that strong?¡± Chu Chuan said with a joyful face, the n asked, ¡°Senior Brother, when can I go see Xiao Jie?¡± ¡°In a few years, if you can advance to Foundation Establishment, that would be best,¡± Jiang Hao said indifferently. ¡°Will you go then, Senior Brother?¡± Chu Chuan asked again. He himself didn¡¯t dare to go. Jiang Hao shook his head and did not speak. In theory, he wouldn¡¯t go, but with the Nine Rings of Heaven and Earth and the Heavenly Secret Concealment Talisman, he would have a three-day safety period outside. Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t leave the sect without using the Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman and the Nine Rings of Heaven and Earth. Venturing out would likely attract unwanted attention, making it too risky. After checking on Chu Chuan¡¯s progress, Jiang Hao made his way to the outer sect¡¯s Spiritual Medicine Garden. Some representatives of the various factions had changed, but Xia Cheng was still there. The number of cultivators in the late Foundation Establishment stage had increased as well. Upon Jiang Hao¡¯s arrival, some people came over to greet him, though their manner was somewhat sarcastic, as if they didn¡¯t quite respect him. Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t sure if their lack of respect was directed at Xia Cheng¡¯s politeness or if they were begrudging the credit for the Corpse Realm Flower to him. Regardless, since they hadn¡¯t done anything yet, there was no need to pay them any mind. It was best to visit less often if there was no reason to come. When leaving, Jiang Hao headed straight for the Lawless Tower to see Zhuang Yuzhen, hoping to learn something more from him. It was important to visit occasionally, especially since Elder Bai Zhi was keeping an eye on him. Being proactive could save him a lot of trouble. On his way, he encountered Liu Xingchen. ¡°I was just about to look for Junior Brother; I didn¡¯t expect to run into you here.¡± ¡°Do you need something, Senior Brother?¡± Jiang Hao asked, knowing that Liu Xingchen usually approached him when there was a matter to discuss. ¡°Indeed, there is something,¡± Liu Xingchen nodded and continued. ¡°Remember the issue with your resources being seized? The five-year period is up next month.¡± ¡°Can I claim them now?¡± Jiang Hao inquired. Forty spirit stones were not a small number, and fifty were given for a complete Foundation Establishment. ¡°It would have been possible, but recently someone from Tianhuan Pavilion came looking for us,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a hint of helplessness. ¡°I¡¯m not clear on the specifics, but they arrived in a rather aggressive state. In the end, the Hall of Enforcement decided to punish you again by extending the deprivation of your cultivation resources for another three years.¡± Jiang Hao fell silent. His resources had been seized again. He could only accept it, fortunately, the impact wasn¡¯t significant. ¡°It seems Junior Brother doesn¡¯t care much. I advise you to act as if you do care, perhaps even go to your master and complain. The more you seem to care, the more satisfied they will feel,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a smile, offering his advice. Naturally, Jiang Hao had no intention of doing so, as he wasn¡¯t a true disciple. Making a fuss could easily lead to his master¡¯s displeasure, which would be counterproductive, especially since he had already received five thousand spirit stones last time. It was better to remain out of sight of the people from Tianhuan Pavilion for now. The seizure of his resources this time might have been related to his encounter with the Pavilion Master of Tianhuan Pavilion at the Lawless Tower, particularly since he had been in a joyful mood at the time. ¡°By the way, there¡¯s another interesting piece of news,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a smile. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Have you been missing recently? Someone approached your place late at night and was spotted by the Hall of Enforcement.¡± ¡°After an investigation, it turned out that the person was an undercover agent from the Luoxia Sect. He insisted that he was there to meet with you. Now, your suspicion has increased, and you may need to cooperate with our investigation soon. Of course, this won¡¯t affect your missions outside the sect. If you fail, you¡¯ll still have to pay the compensation.¡± ¡°What if they come looking for me and I¡¯ve just left the sect?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°If they can¡¯t find you, it could be a serious problem. You might face a hefty compensation,¡± Liu Xingchen replied. Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Chapter 242 - You Just Realized Tianyin Sect is a Demon Sect? Chapter 242: You Just Realized Tianyin Sect is a Demon Sect? The actions of the Enforcement Peak seemed to constantly remind Jiang Hao that he was in a Demon Sect. They could have taken what they wanted by force, but instead, they gave him a choice, hoping he would willingly pay the compensation. Fortunately, Jiang Hao had no intention of completing the mission, and his time outside the sect had already ended. Getting entangled with an undercover agent was an unexpected surprise. Trading a thousand spirit stones for this information was actually quite a good deal. With a sigh, he decided not to dwell on it any longer. He would stick to the original plan and drag things out. He now had over eight thousand spirit stones and needed to prepare for the nirvana of the peach tree. He didn¡¯t want to delay this time because he was only one purple bubble away from acquiring a new divine ability. Gaining another divine ability this year would strengthen him further, although he wasn¡¯t sure what it would be. ¡°I also heard something else these past few days,¡± Liu Xingchen said, somewhat surprised. ¡°Bai Ye has challenged Man Long.¡± ¡°A challenge?¡± Jiang Hao was startled, ¡°For the position of chief disciple?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Liu Xingchen nodded,. ¡°It happened a couple of days ago, and it probably won¡¯t be long before it¡¯s announced. Logically, his chances of success aren¡¯t high; I don¡¯t know why he¡¯s in such a hurry. If he advanced to a complete Nascent Soul, his chances would be much higher.¡± ¡°Even if he reached the late Nascent Soul stage, it¡¯s not certain he could fend off challenges in the second year. He probably wants to accomplish something this year.¡± The news took Jiang Hao by surprise; he hadn¡¯t expected Bai Ye to start pursuing the position of one of the top ten disciples so soon. He thought Bai Ye would, like him, first hide away to improve his cultivation before attempting to enter the ranks of the top disciples. Now, Bai Ye was moving too quickly, so fast that Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t ready yet. Whether it was his cultivation level or the curse, he couldn¡¯t catch up. ¡°When did it start?¡± Jiang Hao asked. Liu Xingchen explained, ¡°To challenge the top disciple, you have to issue the challenge a year in advance. So, the actual confrontation will take place at this time next year. The location is decided by the challenger, but it won¡¯t be announced until the day before the fight.¡± A year later? Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. In a year¡¯s time, although he might not catch up in terms of cultivation, he might be able to deal with the curse. He just hoped it would be effective. As for who would become the top disciple, he certainly didn¡¯t want it to be Bai Ye. ¡°Since Bai Ye decides the location, is it possible to prepare some formations?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°That¡¯s not allowed,¡± Liu Xingchen shook his head. ¡°Normal formations and restrictions can¡¯t be set up. Of course, it¡¯s fine if they¡¯re not discovered.¡± Jiang Hao nodded; it was relatively fair yet allowed some freedom. As long as you had the skill to cheat, you could cheat. After chatting a bit more, Liu Xingchen headed towards the mine: ¡°Since I don¡¯t need to look for Junior Brother anymore, I¡¯ll go and take care of business.¡± Jiang Hao bid him farewell with a cupped fist salute. As for Liu Xingchen¡¯s business, was he going to watch a drama? Or was he going to the minefield to find another remnant soul? Liu Xingchen was close to the middle stage of Nascent Soul, and Jiang Hao wondered if the two souls he wanted to possess had joined forces. Jiang Hao was curious to see how the plot would unfold, but he was supposed to meet Zhuang Yuzhen, which might require his discernment. Shortly after. ...... Lawless Tower, fifth floor, Room No. 1. Seeing Zhuang Yuzhen in a state of disarray inside, Jiang Hao gently knocked on the wooden pillar. ¡°Are you awake?¡± Only then did Zhuang Yuzhen slowly raise his head, and his eyes lit up when he confirmed who it was. It seemed he had been waiting for a long time. ¡°It looks like you really wanted to see me,¡± Jiang Hao said calmly. ¡°Didn¡¯t your sect inform you that I wanted to see you?¡± Zhuang Yuzhen stared at Jiang Hao. Jiang Hao shook his head: ¡°No.¡± He truly hadn¡¯t received such an order. It seemed Zhuang Yuzhen had been deceived, which was normal. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After all, the sect would exploit their own people, let alone a prisoner? ¡°Could it be that you are from the Demon Sect?¡± Zhuang Yuzhen asked. ¡°Huh?¡± Jiang Hao was quite surprised. ¡°Senior doesn¡¯t know we are the Demon Sect?¡± Zhuang Yuzhen sighed: ¡°When I came here, I only knew you were a third-rate sect.¡± Third-rate? Jiang Hao didn¡¯t agree. Although Tianyin Sect wasn¡¯t top-tier, it could barely be considered first-rate, at least in the south. Sects like Xuantian Sect and Luoxia Sect were first-rate. Tianqing Mountain used to be as well, but after being conquered by Tianyin Sect, it probably could only be considered second-rate. And since they had split up, they might even fall from second-rate status. As for Haotian Sect and Mingyue Sect, those could be called true immortal gates. To call them top-tier might even be an understatement, as they were much stronger than Tianyin Sect and Xuantian Sect. Liu Xingchen had once said that all combined, they wouldn¡¯t be enough to match one of their hands. This showed their strength. ¡°Senior wasn¡¯t cautious enough,¡± Jiang Hao said. Without being certain of the situation, he had rushed in and ended up trapped. ¡°Cautious?¡± Zhuang Yuzhen leaned back and scoffed. ¡°Would you be cautious when picking a flower from an ordinary household?¡± Jiang Hao was silent; indeed, he wouldn¡¯t be, which was a lesson to be learned. ¡°Senior, being from the north, how did you know about the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower in the south?¡± Jiang Hao knew it had to do with Dan Yuan, and this didn¡¯t really affect Tianyin Sect much. Some people in the south already knew about it, and with some inquiry, the location of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower could be found. However, Jiang Hao wanted to find out about Dan Yuan. Once he did, he would have a chance to take his stone tablet and even learn about the master behind the tablet. If he weren¡¯t worried about being detected by the real owner of the tablet, he would have tried to appraise Dan Yuan and the others at the gathering. Whether he could discern them was still unknown, but the main point was he didn¡¯t dare to act rashly. Because when he tried to discern the stone tablet before, he was warned that the master behind the scenes might notice something. Such a person would be troublesome even for Hong Yuye to deal with, so Jiang Hao didn¡¯t dare to take risks.?ree¦Øebnovel.?om Of course, only a strand of consciousness has entered the stone slab, and it¡¯s highly unlikely that it can activate any divine powers. ¡°Is it difficult? Just find a mysterious person,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen said. ¡°How do we get in touch with this mysterious person?¡± ¡°First, tell me why the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower is in your possession?¡± Zhuang Yuzhen stared at Jiang Hao. ¡°I don¡¯t know, you¡¯ll have to ask the higher-ups who are aware of this matter. I¡¯m simply following orders,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. This statement wasn¡¯t a lie. In his view, the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower being handed to him was merely for baiting. Whether it was real or fake, he had no way of knowing. As for its cultivation, perhaps it was just an accident. ¡°What else do you know?¡± Zhuang Yuzhen stared at Jiang Hao and asked. ¡°What are you referring to?¡± Jiang Hao countered. ¡°You know what I¡¯m referring to,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen said. ¡°Can you tell me what happens after the Corpse Realm Flower matures?¡± Jiang Hao changed the subject. ¡°Boy, you¡¯re just at the late stage of Foundation Establishment. You should know that at my peak, I could kill you with just a breath. Tell me what else you know,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen seemed unable to suppress the anger within. ¡°It seems you¡¯re not very keen on chatting with me,¡± Jiang Hao said. ¡°I¡¯ll chat with your grandma. Tell me exactly how much you know and where you learned that name from,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen glared at Jiang Hao with furious eyes. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t get angry but simply felt that Zhuang Yuzhen, being confined here, was somewhat mentally unstable. He stepped forward, gestured with his hand, and said softly, ¡°Come here, I¡¯ll tell you two more words. After I say them, you¡¯ll calm down.¡± Chapter 243 - Lin Zhi to be Expelled from the Sect Chapter 243: Lin Zhi to be Expelled from the Sect ¡°Ah...¡± ¡°Get back here, get back here!¡± ¡°Stop right there!¡± In the cell, Zhuang Yuzhen struggled frantically as if greatly agitated. After Jiang Hao said those two words, he saw the other party go crazy. So, he turned and left. Even if the other party calmed down, he would still have to leave. Because they couldn¡¯t chat too much. Chatting would lose the sense of mystery. The most difficult time for people to endure is the period of doubt. The unknown makes it hard for one to stay calm. Once the specifics are known, one tends to calm down. Just like Zhuang Yuzhen now, he didn¡¯t know how much he had exposed. Nor did he know how much Jiang Hao actually knew, so he would guess and worry.fr§×ewebno?¨¥l.com It was a painful time, with a stone hanging overhead that could never be put down. ¡°Bring him to me, I¡¯ll say it, I¡¯ll say everything, I want to see him!¡± At that moment, the woman in the black robe appeared again, saying the same thing as before: ¡°Where¡¯s your sincerity?¡± ¡°I won¡¯t say anything unless I see him. Let him come, I¡¯ll tell everything,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen no longer trusted the other party. The woman in the black robe hesitated for a moment, then retreated. ¡°I¡¯m not in a hurry, I hope you¡¯re not either.¡± ¡°You wretched woman, I¡¯ll remember this!¡± Zhuang Yuzhen struggled furiously. He was going to be driven mad by these people. Snap! Suddenly, a whip struck his face. The blow stunned him in the midst of his frenzy. Then the whip came down again. Snap! Snap! ¡°Is that all the strength you have? If you dare, just kill me. Wretched woman!¡± The woman in the black robe, amidst Zhuang Yuzhen¡¯s curses, whipped him a hundred times. Then she retreated again. By this time, Zhuang Yuzhen¡¯s mouth was already a bloody mess. ¡°...¡± ...... Leaving the Lawless Tower, Jiang Hao felt he couldn¡¯t come here again. This time, telling Zhuang Yuzhen the words ¡®Corpse Heart¡¯ was already the last straw. Because what followed was out of his control. Seeing the other party again would mean he had no more leverage, nor could he intimidate him. It was better to keep him hanging. Unless he truly obtained the Corpse Heart, seeing him would only spoil things. However, what was unexpected was that Zhuang Yuzhen was surprised that the Tianyin Sect was a Demon Sect. As if it was a sect of immortals. The Corpse God Sect, not to mention other things, just with the practice of corpse disintegration and possession, could not possibly be a righteous sect. This would greatly limit the development of the sect. Even if a portion of the people were willing to abide by the sect¡¯s rules, many more would not want to be bound in such a way. After all, possession was extremely important to them. Once these people came together, the Corpse God Sect would split into righteous and evil factions. One conservative, the other corrupt. ¡°I feel that this possibility is not very high.¡± In the world of cultivation, it¡¯s not uncommon for people to die at the hands of their fellow sect members, whether it¡¯s in the Demon Sect or the Immortal Sects. The people of the Corpse God Sect wouldn¡¯t be so pedantic, so the restrictions on seizing bodies shouldn¡¯t be too severe. However, if they don¡¯t conflict with the Immortal Sects and don¡¯t target ordinary people, perhaps they could also be considered an Immortal Sect. The reason why the Tianyin Sect is known as a Demon Sect is firstly because they never care about ordinary people. If they kill, they kill; if they rob, they rob. Of course, this is also true when they face other cultivators. If they kill, they kill. Secondly, they are unscrupulous. In forging artifacts, making talismans, or concocting pills, they¡¯ll do anything to succeed, especially when they¡¯re poor. Once they¡¯re wealthy, such people become less common. However, it still happens occasionally, and robbing others occurs every year. Ninety percent of the ordinary people in the Spiritual Medicine Garden came from such circumstances. Returning to his courtyard, Jiang Hao began to comprehend the nameless secret manual. He had recently reached a bottleneck. He wanted to advance to the next level as soon as possible. In the following months, while earning spirit stones, he planned to figure out Bai Ye¡¯s residence. It would be convenient for casting curses. It was surprising that the other party had issued a challenge so quickly. No wonder he hadn¡¯t suffered any spells recently; it turned out the other party was too preoccupied. ...... Another seven days passed. Jiang Hao put down the nameless secret manual, finally feeling that he had reached a new level. His perception became more sensitive, and the world in his eyes also showed subtle changes. He could see more things, sense the flow of breath, the exhalation of the Nascent Soul. He could detect a thing or two. The more he understood, the more he felt like Hong Yuye was looking at him as if stripping off his clothes. But the more he comprehended, the deeper he hid himself. Suddenly, he thought of a possibility. ¡°If I learn the nameless secret manual to the end, can I even conceal my fate from the heavens?¡± Currently, his breath, spirit, and divine abilities could all be perceived and concealed. In the future, it might be possible to see and conceal even fate. He could only be sure of this after reaching that level of comprehension, unless he asked Hong Yuye. ¡°Speaking of which, it¡¯s been half a month. Haven¡¯t the rabbits and the others come back yet?¡± Without the rabbits and the others, many things had been put on hold, especially on Chu Chuan¡¯s side. Now, all he could do was continue to wait. ...... Baiyue Lake. Zhao Qingxue ran in from outside. She came to Zhou Chan and said somewhat nervously. ¡°Senior Sister, can I ask you something?¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Zhou Chan asked curiously. ¡°Does the sect have a rule that if an outer disciple stays at the Qi Refining first level for three years, they will be expelled from the sect?¡± Zhao Qingxue asked seriously. ¡°It seems there is such a rule, but there are very few such people. I¡¯m not too sure myself,¡± Zhou Chan said awkwardly. Not to mention Baiyue Lake, there are no such people in other places either. How could someone still be at the Qi Refining first level after three years? As long as one is accepted into the sect, even the least talented wouldn¡¯t be that bad. ¡°Lin Zhi is still at the Qi Refining first level,¡± Zhao Qingxue said. Ah... Zhou Chan said somewhat helplessly, ¡°In theory, it¡¯s unlikely, maybe he¡¯s really not suited for cultivation.¡± ¡°Senior Sister, is there a way you can help him stay?¡± Zhao Qingxue requested. ¡°I don¡¯t know about this, I don¡¯t even know who¡¯s in charge of this matter,¡± Zhou Chan said, a bit embarrassed, and then she added. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°I¡¯ll take you to ask Elder Qianxu.¡± ...... A short while later. In front of Elder Qianxu¡¯s courtyard, Zhou Chan inquired about the affairs of the outer sect. ¡°Staying at the Qi Refining first level for three years after joining? Isn¡¯t keeping such a disciple just asking for trouble?¡± Elder Qianxu exclaimed in surprise. Zhao Qingxue bowed her head, not daring to say more. ¡°Elder, please just tell us if there¡¯s a way,¡± Zhou Chan pleaded with her hands together. ¡°Go to Duanqing Cliff¡¯s outer sect and send a greeting, and they can allow him to stay for another year. If he advances to the Qi Refining second level within that year, that¡¯s good. If he still can¡¯t advance, then he¡¯ll have to go find the master of Duanqing Cliff. If he agrees, there will be no problem, and other branches won¡¯t interfere,¡± Elder Qianxu said. ¡°Should I go and help him stay for another year?¡± Zhou Chan tried to ask. ¡°Remember to give one or two spirit stones,¡± Elder Qianxu reminded. ¡°So that¡¯s how it is, thank you, Elder Qianxu,¡± Zhou Chan said with a smile, expressing her gratitude. Afterward, she left with Zhao Qingxue. Elder Qianxu just shook her head and didn¡¯t pay any further attention. After leaving, Zhao Qingxue gratefully said: ¡°Thank you, Senior Sister.¡± ¡°No worries, I¡¯ll talk to the people over there when the time comes. It¡¯s August now, so there should be half a year left.¡± Zhou Chan shook her head to indicate it was no big deal, and then after a moment of thought, she added, ¡°If he can¡¯t advance to the second level of Qi Refining in the fourth year, he¡¯ll be out of options. The master of Duanqing Cliff is one of the twelve main branch leaders, just like my master. Disciples like us can¡¯t even get an audience with him. Let alone ask for his help.¡± Zhao Qingxue nodded; after that, it was all up to Lin Zhi. Chapter 244 - How Could You Repay Kindness with Enmity Chapter 244: How Could You Repay Kindness with Enmity At Duanqing Cliff, as long as Jiang Hao didn¡¯t go out, he could mostly live a peaceful life. Since returning from Lawless Tower, he had been busy with his own affairs. He had tried to comprehend the fourth form of Heavenly Saber, but he just couldn¡¯t grasp it, seemingly because his Nascent Soul wasn¡¯t strong enough. This left him with no choice but to continue waiting. Maybe it would be possible in the later stages of Nascent Soul. Each of the Heavenly Saber Seven Forms is very powerful, with higher requirements for the later forms. But the first three forms were barely enough. Still, he hadn¡¯t mastered many techniques. The techniques in the Primordial Heart Sutra required even higher standards. After Universe in the Palm, he would have to wait until the next realm to possibly learn the second technique. However, each technique was complex, as could be seen from Universe in the Palm. Now, he could only rely on divine abilities. ...... Another half month passed. Now it was mid-August. Xiao Li and the others had been out for two months, and it was unclear why they hadn¡¯t returned yet. He wasn¡¯t worried about them encountering danger, but because of the two elders, he was concerned that Xiao Li wouldn¡¯t want to leave that place. After all, that was her grandparents¡¯ home, and without her, the home would be empty. It would really become nothing. During this time, he had visited Chu Chuan twice and Lin Zhi once. Chu Chuan had been very stable; after recognizing his weaknesses last time, he had made some improvements. But there were some he chose to give up, focusing instead on improving his cultivation. He wanted to enter Foundation Establishment to attend Mingyue Sect¡¯s event. Jiang Hao told him that even at Foundation Establishment, he probably couldn¡¯t compete with Xiao Jie for the time being. Chu Chuan didn¡¯t mind; once he reached Foundation Establishment, Xiao Jie wouldn¡¯t worry anymore. He could then focus on his cultivation. But in his heart, he was still wavering on whether to become a demon. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t say much about this. Whether to become one was Chu Chuan¡¯s own choice, as long as it didn¡¯t involve him. Compared to Chu Chuan, who had a goal, Lin Zhi was far behind. Now, he was really as the rabbit had said, very good at taking a beating. And he had practiced the Star Moon Qi Refinement Technique to the third stage, absorbing the power of the sun, moon, and stars a bit faster. (Check) But because of the Starry Moon Pearl, Lin Zhi couldn¡¯t advance until Foundation Establishment. So he would stay at the first level of Qi Refining for many years. These years were hard for him. Jiang Hao asked him a question: do you still want to stay here? Lin Zhi¡¯s answer was yes. So Jiang Hao gave him some guidance on cultivation. After that, he didn¡¯t pay much more attention. If you endure, there will be a sweet day. He didn¡¯t tell Lin Zhi this; instead, he asked the rabbit to convey it. After all, during this time, it was the rabbit guiding him. Actually, enduring until that day wasn¡¯t easy. Maybe it would take five years, or perhaps ten, or even twenty. So many years at the first level of Qi Refining wasn¡¯t easy in the sect. ...... Spiritual Medicine Garden. As soon as Jiang Hao entered the spiritual field, the surrounding bubbles began to merge into him. ¡¾Strength+1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit Sword+1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit+1¡¿ ¡¾Endurance+1¡¿ There were quite a few white and green ones. The only pity was that there wasn¡¯t a single blue one. Just as he entered, Jiang Hao saw a young girl running over in a panic. ¡°I-immortal master, something has happened.¡± The girl was about sixteen or seventeen years old, with a fairly delicate appearance. After pondering for a moment, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t remember when she had arrived. Perhaps her appearance had changed since she came. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± he asked calmly. ¡°Some spiritual herbs are withering,¡± the girl pointed out in the distance. Jiang Hao¡¯s brows furrowed slightly, and he hurried over to check the situation. In the spiritual field, a young man looked at Jiang Hao in terror, kneeling on the ground and trembling: ¡°I-I found it like this when I came here, I didn¡¯t do anything.¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright, step aside,¡± Jiang Hao said softly. If it was the young man¡¯s fault, punishment was inevitable. ¡°There¡¯s no need to feel troubled.¡± Hearing Jiang Hao¡¯s calm voice, the young man felt astonished. He had thought he was about to face a cruel punishment, but it was lightly glossed over. He had been transferred from another Spiritual Medicine Garden, where he had watched his fellow villagers being beaten to death. Jiang Hao observed the spiritual medicine in front of him. It was a detoxifying herb, now somewhat withered. But in a short time, he determined it was affected by an external aura. After turning over the soil, indeed some changes appeared. Looking around, he focused his gaze on the Corpse Realm Flower not far away. It seemed to be affected by the Corpse Realm Flower. ¡°You all go on with your work, stay away from this area for now,¡± Jiang Hao told the young men and young women nearby. ¡°Yes,¡± the two of them responded in unison. The man still couldn¡¯t believe it. Without even asking further, it was as if nothing had happened. At this moment, Jiang Hao used his spiritual energy to draw on the ground, isolating the spread of the soil¡¯s aura. This was to prevent the Corpse Realm Flower from continuing to affect the spiritual field. Approaching the Corpse Realm Flower, he performed an identification technique. ¡¾Corpse Realm Flower: A newly sprouted Corpse Realm Flower will extend its roots and have a significant impact on the surrounding spiritual beings. Transplanting it to an acre of barren land with no other plants will allow it to grow quickly. It is best to irrigate with beast blood during transplantation to prevent it from withering. After fruiting, it can open the Door of Death, leading to a special realm.¡¿ Looking at the somewhat dark flower leaves, Jiang Hao felt somewhat helpless. It had to be transplanted to a place with no other plants an acre in size. Jiang Hao looked around the Spiritual Medicine Garden and found no such place. It seemed he would have to look outside. He couldn¡¯t make this decision himself; he would have to consult other Senior Brothers and Sisters or ask his master. But if there was a problem here, other Spiritual Medicine Gardens must also have issues. ¡°Perhaps this could be an opportunity to enter the Hundred Bones Forest.¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t intend to help transplant the Corpse Realm Flower; instead, he wanted to check if there were any tasks related to the Hundred Bones Forest at the Enforcement Peak. He wanted to find Bai Ye or obtain something related to Bai Ye. To pave the way for the curse and to lay down markers for future actions. He could check it out when he had time and earn some spiritual stones on the side. ...... Afterward, he went to find his master. ¡°Transplant it to a safe place?¡± Ku Wuchang looked at Jiang Hao and pondered for a long time before saying. ¡°Transplant it outside Miao Tinglian¡¯s residence. She has no tasks at hand and happens to understand spiritual medicines well. As for how to transplant it, you can decide on your own.¡± Since Jiang Hao was the one who cultivated the Corpse Realm Flower, it was not unreasonable to trust him. ¡°Yes, then I will go find Senior Sister Miao,¡± Jiang Hao respectfully withdrew. In the courtyard, there were two true disciples Senior Brothers, seemingly teaching techniques. Jiang Hao had never studied here; his master would only demonstrate the techniques once using the method of transmission. This was the gap between the inner sect and the true disciple. ...... Shortly after. ¡°Junior Brother, I¡¯ve always treated you well, why do you harm me?¡± In the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Miao Tinglian expressed her dissatisfaction with Jiang Hao. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Mu Qi was somewhat curious. ¡°There is no barren land near Tinglian¡¯s residence, but there¡¯s plenty near mine.¡± Jiang Hao kept his head low and did not speak. The relationship between Mu Qi Senior Brother and Miao Tinglian Senior Sister was known to many. The master probably also tacitly approved of Senior Sister Miao living near Senior Brother Mu Qi. So the transplantation was to take place near Senior Brother Mu Qi¡¯s residence. Probably only these two were still decent to him; he indeed had no intention of making things difficult for them. It was just that the master had given the order. ¡°I¡¯ve already thought about where to transplant it, but how?¡± Miao Tinglian said seriously. ¡°I¡¯ve observed that the Corpse Realm Flower is prone to withering. Once transplanted, it might wither.¡± ¡°Beast blood,¡± Jiang Hao reminded. ¡°When transplanting, irrigate with beast blood, it should alleviate the withering.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Miao Tinglian was surprised. ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of that.¡± Chapter 245 - Would You Like a Twenty-Year-Old Junior Sister? Chapter 245: Would You Like a Twenty-Year-Old Junior Sister? ¡°It really works.¡± That afternoon, Miao Tinglian carried out the transplantation. Without beast blood, there were signs of withering, but with beast blood, the plant could be transplanted normally. ¡°This is the first time I¡¯ve seen such a spiritual medicine.¡± At that moment, they were in a pit on the mountain, a place where Mu Qi often tested his techniques. It was barren and close by. At the same time, it was out of sight of their residence. This way, even if a crowd gathered here, it wouldn¡¯t cause any disturbance. ¡°Now that it¡¯s settled, I won¡¯t disturb Senior Brother and Senior Sister any longer,¡± Jiang Hao said politely. He then planned to leave. ¡°Wait.¡± Miao Tinglian pointed at the Corpse Realm Flower and said, ¡°Other Spiritual Medicine Gardens will surely face the same problem as us, and they will come to inquire about the method of transplantation. Junior Brother, will you inform them of the method?¡± Jiang Hao did not hesitate for a moment. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Senior Sister is the guardian of the Corpse Realm Flower, and they will surely come to ask you. If Senior Sister wishes to tell them, she may; if not, she doesn¡¯t have to.¡± He had no intention of getting involved in such matters. It was best to avoid attention if possible. Aside from odd individuals like Bai Ye, as long as he didn¡¯t interact with the chief or true disciples, he wouldn¡¯t run into any serious trouble. Issues at the Foundation Establishment level were minor and easily handled. The real challenge was dealing with true disciples like Bai Ye. Encountering the more aggressive ones was even trickier; taking action could easily reveal oneself, while inaction might embolden the other party. After several instances where the Hall of Enforcement couldn¡¯t find any clues, if such an event occurred again, they might resort to using the Tianyuan Shaping Divine Mirror. He didn¡¯t believe he could evade detection. Once discovered, the first step would be confinement in the Lawless Tower. If his cultivation level was perceived, countless eyes would be upon him. What did it mean to be a Nascent Soul in one¡¯s mid-twenties? With superior talent, the favor of mountains and rivers, the inheritance of a great power, and the guidance of a wise master, Han Ming was only at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment at twenty-three. A twenty-four-year-old at the Nascent Soul stage would surely have a tremendous fortune and extraordinary opportunities. As a Demon Sect, would the Tianyin Sect choose to nurture or risk seizing such a person? Jiang Hao was not naive; he didn¡¯t want to entrust his life to others. And few could resist such a temptation. Some would risk everything for a few spirit stones, let alone such an exceptional opportunity. Before opportunities, there was never a shortage of madmen. This was also a major reason why he always wanted to escape from the clutches of Hong Yuye. He couldn¡¯t control his own life and death. Thus, becoming stronger and taking hold of his destiny was the only way to plan for more. For now, keeping a low profile is the best choice. The fewer the issues, the better to continue growing stronger. ¡°Then I¡¯ll make the decision myself,¡± Miao Tinglian said. Jiang Hao nodded and was about to leave. ¡°Wait, there¡¯s one more thing.¡± Facing the puzzled Junior Brother, Miao Tinglian smiled. ¡°Recently, a Junior Sister arrived at Duanqing Cliff, twenty years old and at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. Are you interested, Junior Brother? You¡¯re twenty-four, she¡¯s twenty; it¡¯s a good match. I¡¯ve seen her, and she¡¯s very pretty.¡± Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Even Mu Qi was stunned before pulling the person away. ¡°Junior Brother, go on with your business and don¡¯t mind her.¡± Jiang Hao nodded and took his leave. Senior Sister Miao¡¯s enthusiasm was somewhat helpless. A twenty-year-old at the early stage of Foundation Establishment indeed had good talent, and without considering her background, such individuals usually had their own pride. Why would she be interested in him, someone who had advanced to the later stage of Foundation Establishment through opportunities? Senior Sister Miao had introduced the wrong person. Of course, Jiang Hao had no intention of seeking a dao companion. Whether he had encountered Hong Yuye or not, it was the same. ,,,,,, Over the next seven days, Jiang Hao noticed that Du Yong was seeking him out more frequently. Today, he had come again. ¡°Senior Brother, haven¡¯t you been going to the outer sect much lately?¡± ¡°Um, I¡¯ve been busy with inner sect matters.¡± The spiritual medicines in the Duanqing Cliff Spiritual Medicine Garden were still recovering, and he needed to watch over them. And in the past few days, other Spiritual Medicine Gardens had also been trying to transplant the Corpse Realm Flower, but all attempts had failed. After learning of the successful transplant at Duanqing Cliff, people from the twelve veins came to visit Senior Sister Miao. Now things had quieted down, and it seemed they were all resolving their issues. ¡°I recently obtained a secret method for cultivating land, but I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s genuine. I¡¯d like Senior Brother to take a look,¡± Du Yong said in a low voice. ¡°A secret method?¡± Jiang Hao appeared somewhat puzzled. But inside, he was thinking, are they finally making a move? He had thought he would have to wait a while longer. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s just not easy to show. You¡¯d have to come over to my place to see it. When would Senior Brother be free?¡± Du Yong asked somewhat awkwardly. Going to the other person¡¯s residence was indeed a surprise to Jiang Hao. According to his understanding of the ¡¶Nine Extremes Corpse Resolution Technique¡·, Qu Zhong should currently be at the Nascent Soul cultivation level. The risk was extremely high. Without understanding what the other party was planning, he dared not venture into danger recklessly. His divine ability activated. ¡¾Divine Corpse Du Yong: Originally an inner disciple of Tianyin Sect with a Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivation level. He was possessed by Qu Zhong of the Corpse God Sect, becoming one of his three Divine Corpse avatars. He plans to lure you to a specific area to transfer you out using a secret method, then have another avatar knock you unconscious to replace your heart. For safety, he severed a part of his Nascent Soul to grant autonomy to the avatar, with the main body escaping first to avoid any unexpected entanglements.¡¿ Severing a part of the Nascent Soul? Seeing this, Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. Why would the other party go to such lengths? He didn¡¯t understand why, to deal with him at the later stage of Foundation Establishment, a Nascent Soul would be so cautious? In his expectation, it should be the main body taking action. As for replacing the heart, it was likely intended to implant a Corpse Heart in him. Even transferring the Corpse Heart to an avatar, what had frightened him? ¡®But granting autonomy to the avatar, does that mean the avatar and the main body cannot share memories quickly?¡¯ Some avatars require the main body¡¯s control, and the main body can use the avatar¡¯s senses to observe the surroundings. Corpse resolution avatars are somewhat like this, but granting autonomy to the avatar makes it not so easy for the main body to know what¡¯s happening around the avatar. ¡®Is he doing this because he¡¯s worried about the Hall of Enforcement¡¯s tracking methods?¡¯ Once there¡¯s a connection with the main body, it¡¯s indeed easy to track. ¡°When is Junior Brother available?¡± Jiang Hao decided to give it a try. Obtaining the Corpse Heart would enable him to control Zhuang Yuzhen, thereby increasing the probability of finding out who Dan Yuan is. He was just unsure how strong Qu Zhong¡¯s other avatars might be. If they were at the late or complete stage of Nascent Soul, he¡¯d have to consider whether to use the Nine Rings of Heaven and Earth to return. ¡°I¡¯m free anytime, it mainly depends on Senior Brother,¡± Du Yong said with a smile. ¡°Let¡¯s do tomorrow afternoon, I should be done with my busy schedule by then,¡± Jiang Hao replied. Tomorrow he could use the divine ability daily appraisal again. It would be convenient to ascertain the situation of the other avatar. ¡°Good, I¡¯ll come to find Senior Brother tomorrow, it just so happens that I¡¯m also preparing on my end,¡± Du Yong said with a nod and a smile. Then he turned and left. ...... The next day. After using the Heavenly Secret Concealment Talisman, Jiang Hao followed Du Yong to his residence. ¡°It¡¯s in the courtyard,¡± Du Yong led the way. Jiang Hao nodded, looking ahead at the courtyard that was faintly glowing with light. The surrounding area was the same. It was a formation. Arriving in the courtyard, he indeed saw fresh soil on the ground, as if someone was really researching how to make the soil fertile. But before he could take a closer look, he felt the formation activate. ¡°Senior Brother, wait a moment, I¡¯ll cast a spell so you can see, then you¡¯ll understand,¡± Du Yong said as he cast a spell on the soil. Jiang Hao watched, amused. Clearly, the intention was to use a secret technique in combination with the formation to transfer them both away. He watched without interference, but remained vigilant, ready to react to any attack after they emerged. The Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman was also secretly prepared; he would activate it immediately if danger arose. Chapter 246 - Not Leaving Me a Single Penny Chapter 246: Not Leaving Me a Single Penny Watching Du Yong cast the spell, Jiang Hao suddenly remembered something. If someone is taken out and killed, would the Hall of Enforcement investigate? If not, would they investigate if someone was lured out? It might be worth asking Liu Xingchen. At that moment, the surrounding formation activated, and Jiang Hao felt the familiar sensation of teleportation. This kind of teleportation was similar to the Thousand Li Movement, causing a dizzying sensation. If the opponent attacked from behind during this time, the success rate would be extremely high. So, the moment the teleportation ended, he suppressed the dizziness and leaped forward. Because only the front was within his field of vision. Sure enough, he felt an attack coming from behind. At least at the Nascent Soul level. Boom! The Nine Heavens Battle Armor protected him, blocking the residual waves from behind. Using the force, Jiang Hao leaped to the edge of a mountain peak. Now he turned around to look behind. Apart from the still-dizzy Du Yong, there was a young woman. She was dressed in a blue fairy dress with a white belt around her waist, her black hair simply tied up, her skin unusually fair. Her delicate face showed a hint of surprise. It was actually a woman, which somewhat surprised Jiang Hao. But he also confirmed that her cultivation was at the mid-stage of Nascent Soul, equal to his own realm. This suggested that Qu Zhong¡¯s main body was either at the late stage or the complete stage of Nascent Soul. And this place, with twin peaks side by side, must be the Shuangyun Peak, not too far from the Tianyin Sect. They were at the top of one of the peaks. ¡°You actually dodged it? And you have a Nascent Soul level treasure, there really is some problem,¡± the blue-dressed woman said with a crisp and pleasant voice. She held her chin, quite surprised. ¡°May I ask who you are?¡± Jiang Hao feigned concern. At this time, he activated his divine appraisal ability. He quickly received feedback. ¡¾Divine Corpse Liu Yun: Originally an inner disciple of Xueling Sect with a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivation. She was possessed by Qu Zhong of the Corpse God Sect, becoming one of his three Divine Corpse avatars. Possesses independence, acts separately from the main body, and is unable to share what she sees, hears, or knows with the main body. If she doesn¡¯t merge with the main body for a long time, she will gradually lose her memory and eventually develop an independent personality, but it¡¯s difficult for her to survive for long. Her task is to replace your heart with the Corpse Heart and then head to the Xuantian Sect. She is puzzled by your ability to dodge the attack and, out of caution, has already begun to use charm techniques on you.¡¿ Charm techniques. Jiang Hao felt a headache upon seeing this. Because he was caught by Hong Yuye last time, he hadn¡¯t flipped through it for a long time. Now, he couldn¡¯t detect how she was using the charm technique. Fortunately, he didn¡¯t need to cooperate. A Divine Corpse with independence was like another Qu Zhong; there was no need to worry about leaking information. This was similar to the Great Thousand Spirit Avatar. Now it was a matter of how much he could learn from her. ¡°My name is Liu Yun.¡± Liu Yun kicked Du Yong aside and flicked her hair lightly. At this point, Du Yong had lost his spirit, it seemed that all consciousness had transferred to Liu Yun. ¡°Fairy Liu, you¡¯re not a normal person, are you?¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t know if the charm technique was still ongoing. He could only ignore it. ¡°Am I not beautiful enough?¡± Liu Yun asked. She moved forward bit by bit. ¡°Not at all,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. ¡°Why do you seem to have no interest in me?¡± Liu Yun had already halved the distance. A little closer, and she could continue the attack, preventing him from jumping off the cliff and causing more trouble. ¡°Because I saw two characters.¡± ¡°Which two characters?¡± Seeing that the other party was absent-minded about the question, Jiang Hao smiled and said, ¡°Qu Zhong.¡± Suddenly, Liu Yun, who was originally striding forward, paused. She looked at Jiang Hao with a face full of astonishment, ¡°What did you say?¡± To this, Jiang Hao smiled slightly. ¡°I¡¯m calling your name.¡± ¡°You...¡± Liu Yun was shocked. At that moment, Jiang Hao made his move. Half-Moon was unsheathed, and Merge with Light and Blend with Dust was activated. Heavenly Saber¡¯s first move, Moon Slash. Simultaneously, Liu Yun also made her move. Ice spikes surged beneath her feet, heading straight for Jiang Hao. Both took advantage of the conversation to launch their attacks. Whoosh! After attacking, both began to dodge the other¡¯s assaults. Jiang Hao leaped up, and Merge with Light and Blend with Dust was activated once again. Purple Qi began to cover Half-Moon, and Heavenly Saber¡¯s second move, Mountain Suppressor, was unleashed. A force of a hundred thousand pounds manifested in an instant, pressing down. This was the Mountain Suppressor within the wrist. Around Liu Yun, cold ice appeared, enveloping her, and a portion began to attack. Boom! Crack! The overwhelming force crushed all the ice into shards. Both the offensive and defensive moves were shattered. Boom! The blade¡¯s edge cut through everything, striking Liu Yun and inflicting heavy damage. Biting her teeth, Liu Yun once again cast her spell. At this moment, moonlight shone in her eyes. Pfft! The moonlight circulated, and her arm soared into the sky. Purple Qi appeared before her eyes once again. Thump. A silver long saber pierced her body, and a strong, unique force began to wreak havoc. It dissolved the spiritual energy she had gathered. Liu Yun, with only one hand left, looked up at the man who had suddenly appeared before her. The man held the hilt of the saber, and the power from his hand took everything from her. She opened her mouth, struggling to say, ¡°My name is Liu Yun, not Qu Zhong.¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao was taken aback. At that moment, Liu Yun¡¯s power surged violently. Without any hesitation, Jiang Hao drew his saber and made another slash. The shadow of the saber was powerful, piercing through Liu Yun¡¯s body, and finally landed on a huge rock behind her, causing a loud rumble as countless fragments fell. This strike shattered the violent power and also extinguished her life. The shattered body of Liu Yun fell, devoid of any life force. ¡°Liu Yun, huh?¡± Jiang Hao had thought it was merely Qu Zhong, but it turned out to be Liu Yun. Could it be that having independence would lean towards the original character and memories of the body? Facing the now deceased Liu Yun, he could not know. His original intention was to inquire about Corpse Heart and Zhuang Yuzhen to understand more. But the other party did not give him any chance. Picking up the fallen storage treasure, Jiang Hao found only a box inside. ¡°Not even a single spirit stone for me?¡± He then picked up Du Yong¡¯s storage treasure. It was completely empty. This Qu Zhong is somewhat stingy. He gave two Divine Corpses a couple more slashes. Jiang Hao left a fire behind. After it burned out, he turned and left. He was not in a hurry to return but wanted to find a place to examine the Corpse Heart. Arriving at another mountain peak, he placed the box on the ground. He then retreated some distance and opened the box from afar. In an instant, a strong scent of blood extended from the box. Jiang Hao became alert, unsheathing Half-Moon to prevent any accidents. Following that, a vivid red heart appeared before his eyes. Although it had no body, it was still beating non-stop. Thump! Thump! Thump! Forceful and powerful, the sound was extraordinarily loud. It was like a living being, pulsating with life. After observing for a moment and deeming there was no significant danger, Jiang Hao stretched out his hand to cast a spell, Universe in the Palm. Purple Qi enveloped the heart in an instant, and then it transformed into a purple bead appearing in his palm. At that moment, the heartbeat and the blood qi both disappeared. ¡°I wonder if such a seal can prevent it from absorbing the aura of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower.¡± After putting away the bead, Jiang Hao casually destroyed the box. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The box had a special aura, and he was worried about being tracked. It was better to just destroy it. Having done all this, he connected with the golden ring in the courtyard and vanished from the spot. Back in the courtyard, he went to the Spiritual Medicine Garden to prepare for any questioning. If Du Yong¡¯s death were to be investigated by the Hall of Enforcement, he, as a person who had contact, would definitely be implicated. If people in the Spiritual Medicine Garden saw him, he could just pretend to be unaware later on. He also had to be cautious with the Corpse Heart to prevent inviting trouble into his home. Chapter 247 - Caught by the Female Demon Watching Charm Manuals Again Chapter 247: Caught by the Female Demon Watching Charm Manuals Again Candlelight Alchemy Court. In the alchemy room near the earth fire, Lian Daozhi walked out with some helplessness. He had failed again. He was attempting to become a Nascent Soul pill refiner, which proved to be more difficult than he had anticipated. However, he had absolute confidence that success was just a matter of time. Moreover, he had already found the pill that he was good at making; he just lacked the final spiritual medicine. It wasn¡¯t that it was extremely precious, just somewhat rare. At this time, a Foundation Establishment disciple who had been waiting for a long time approached him nervously and said, ¡°Senior Brother, the Bitter Fruit has been, has been intercepted.¡± The Bitter Fruit, with its bitter taste, could balance other scents and appropriately regulate spiritual energy. There were many spiritual medicines for regulating spiritual energy, but among those with lesser effects, only the Bitter Fruit was used. ¡°Intercepted?¡± Lian Daozhi¡¯s expression turned cold. ¡°You went with five late-stage Foundation Establishment disciples and two at the peak of Foundation Establishment. You couldn¡¯t protect a mere Bitter Fruit?¡± The Bitter Fruit was of low value and had a minor effect. Lian Daozhi wouldn¡¯t have used this fruit if he wasn¡¯t making a more obscure spiritual medicine. Why else would he go through such trouble if not for the need for fresh fruit? ¡°The enemy that suddenly appeared was too cunning,¡± the Foundation Establishment disciple explained with his head lowered. ¡°All of us together were played by it.¡± ¡°Not far from here, Tianqing Mountain wouldn¡¯t dare to come over, so does that mean it was someone from within our sect?¡± Lian Daozhi asked. Now was not the time for blame; he needed to get the fruit. It would all be useful within ten days. ¡°The one who acted was a rabbit, with the cultivation of the late stage of Foundation Establishment, but its movements were unpredictable. We couldn¡¯t find it, and even when we did, we couldn¡¯t keep up with its speed,¡± the Foundation Establishment disciple carefully chose his words and continued. ¡°However, we saw it wearing a collar, so it must belong to some Senior Brother or Senior Sister from a certain lineage.¡± ¡°A rabbit? Late-stage Foundation Establishment? Wearing a collar?¡± Lian Daozhi stared at the Junior Brother in front of him and asked: ¡°Did it call itself Lord Rabbit?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± the Foundation Establishment disciple quickly nodded. ¡°It said that friends on the road should give it face and call it Lord Rabbit.¡± Lian Daozhi sighed inwardly and said calmly: ¡°Tell me the process, and don¡¯t exaggerate.¡± He then learned the whole process. Their people had sealed off the area waiting for the Bitter Fruit to mature, but somehow the rabbit had entered the sealed area and picked the fruit in front of everyone. Several of them chased after it, only to be led around in circles. In the end, it left triumphantly. ¡°You are really useless,¡± Lian Daozhi said coldly. The Foundation Establishment disciple bowed his head and dared not speak. Regarding the rabbit, Lian Daozhi naturally thought of Duanqing Cliff¡¯s Jiang Hao. But it was not easy to deal with. If it were an ordinary disciple, he could simply intimidate or tempt them. Foundation Establishment meant nothing in front of him. But Jiang Hao was different, not to mention their cooperative relationship, but mainly because of his great achievements. The major achievements from a few years ago, plus the recent Corpse Realm Flower achievements. If he were to act and be discovered, Duanqing Cliff would definitely do something. After all, these achievements had brought many benefits to Duanqing Cliff. If the person who made the achievements was bullied by him, a Golden Core at full completion, where would Duanqing Cliff¡¯s face be? Bullying by someone of the same rank was not a big issue. That was one thing. The second was the Hall of Merits. Such someone with great achievements, being oppressed by someone ¡°nameless¡± like himself, would they, the Hall of Merits, not exist? It is not that the Hall of Merits wasn¡¯t kind-hearted, but because they could take the opportunity to snatch spirit stones. Even when the Hall of Enforcement arrested people, the Hall of Merits dared to demand spirit stones. ¡°It seems I need to make a trip.¡± S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ...... The next day. Jiang Hao appraised the Corpse Heart. ¡¾Corpse Heart: Zhuang Yuzhen¡¯s Corpse Heart, absorbing the aura of divine objects can sublimate it to the extreme, allowing Zhuang Yuzhen to be reborn. It is best to absorb the aura of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, to obtain a trace of special aura, possessing more possibilities. Now sealed by Universe in the Palm, it cannot resonate with divine objects.¡¿ ¡°It seems there is no problem.¡± Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. Then he just needed to continue the seal, adding a layer every day. After sealing the Corpse Heart, he began to seal the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead. Having done all this, he looked around left and right. After making sure no one was around, he took out the charm technique manual, intending to review its contents. At this moment, he was sitting under a peach tree, enjoying the cool summer breeze and flipping through the book. After a short while, he suddenly heard a light laughter coming from ahead. ¡°It seems you¡¯re quite interested in charm techniques.¡± Upon hearing this, Jiang Hao instinctively closed the book and looked up. At first, he saw nothing in front of him, but then a red figure slowly materialized. She appeared and sat down on a wooden chair, looking at Jiang Hao. It was the first time Jiang Hao had witnessed Hong Yuye¡¯s appearance process. ¡°Greetings, senior,¡± he said respectfully as he stood up. ¡°What¡¯s your cultivation level?¡± Hong Yuye asked casually as she picked up the book from the table. ¡°Late Foundation Establishment,¡± Jiang Hao replied, looking down. ¡°How old are you?¡± she continued. ¡°Twenty-four,¡± he answered. ¡°Twenty-four and only at the late stage of Foundation Establishment? That¡¯s a bit slow,¡± Hong Yuye commented nonchalantly as she flipped through the book. ¡°I¡¯m of limited talent,¡± Jiang Hao said. Hong Yuye glanced at the man before her and chuckled, ¡°Give you a pole and you really will climb it.¡± Jiang Hao remained silent, head bowed. ¡°How¡¯s your undercover work going?¡± Hong Yuye¡¯s gaze stayed on the book. ¡°I¡¯ve established a foothold in the gathering, and next time I should be able to find out why the Great Thousand Divine Sect has sent people to Youyun Prefecture. The ones who came to snatch the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower before could also be a breakthrough,¡± Jiang Hao said earnestly. This was the most progress he had made in two years, although he was still far from the mastermind behind the stone tablet. But at least he had taken a step forward. At this point, Hong Yuye stopped flipping through the book and looked up at Jiang Hao. It seemed she wasn¡¯t used to this. Was he not lying or giving perfunctory answers this time? ¡°Have you discovered anything else?¡± she asked. ¡°In the gathering, the identity and status of ¡®Xing¡¯ must be high, and it¡¯s very likely that he¡¯s from the Mingyue Sect. He has access to the Haotian Sect¡¯s secret technique of freedom, and he naturally possesses the Mingyue Sect¡¯s secret technique of myriad things,¡± Jiang Hao replied. Having an external incarnation was indeed enviable, but he had no intention of cultivating it at the moment. Having a clone to do things would be very convenient and much safer. Like Qu Zhong, although he lost two incarnations and the Corpse Heart, his original body got away unscathed. It was impossible to find him. He had planned his retreat from the start, a decisive person indeed. ¡°It seems all your thoughts are on this,¡± Hong Yuye said, her voice neutral as she stared at the man before her. ¡°I spare no effort in serving senior,¡± Jiang Hao said against his will. In fact, it was time to act, and he had no choice. He had always been worried that Gui would discover his inability, so he delayed as long as possible. Hong Yuye smiled faintly and lowered her head to continue reading the book. ¡°Make some tea.¡± Since Hong Yuye hadn¡¯t visited for a long time, there was still plenty of tea left. He didn¡¯t need to spend spirit stones to replenish it. ¡°Tell me about your experience at the gathering,¡± Hong Yuye said indifferently. After making the tea, Jiang Hao sat down and poured himself a cup as well. Then he began to talk about the gathering. He didn¡¯t hide much, as it didn¡¯t involve his own secrets. After discussing the situation with Liu, Hong Yuye shook her head and said. ¡°The ¡®Myriad Beings Form¡¯ and the ¡®Autonomous Body¡¯ are both just superficial methods.¡± ¡°Is there another method?¡± Jiang Hao asked curiously. ¡°The method is still the Mingyue Sect¡¯s technique, but it¡¯s not about re-cultivating. Instead, it¡¯s using another secret technique.¡± ¡°What secret technique are you referring to, senior?¡± Jiang Hao inquired. ¡°The Stellar Transformation,¡± Hong Yuye said. Chapter 248 - Is He Going to Make a Move on Me Tonight? Chapter 248: Is He Going to Make a Move on Me Tonight? ¡°Stellar Transformation?¡± This was the first time Jiang Hao had heard of this secret technique. It seemed to be part of the Mingyue Sect as well. However, Hong Yuye clearly had no intention of continuing the conversation, simply sipping her tea and reading her book. She then let Jiang Hao continue. He went on to talk about the Corpse Realm Flower. The purpose of the Great Thousand Divine Sect¡¯s visit to Youyun Prefecture was also brought up at this time. Afterwards, it was about the matters of Fairy Gui. When Jiang Hao finished speaking, Hong Yuye looked up at him and asked, ¡°Was your last trip to find your Junior Sister¡¯s family or to find that dragon?¡± ¡°It was both,¡± Jiang Hao said earnestly. ¡°Everything is under my control.¡± He wasn¡¯t just being thick-skinned by saying this; if he claimed it was a coincidence, wouldn¡¯t that mean he actually hadn¡¯t done anything? The reason for all this progress was purely luck. Upon hearing this, Hong Yuye let out a cold laugh. ¡°Continue.¡± Jiang Hao then recounted how the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead was discovered. The rest was of no importance. ¡°Will it really be that serious once the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead appears?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Whether it will be or not, if you open it now, you will surely die,¡± Hong Yuye said indifferently. ¡°Once the influence of the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead begins, it will be like a torrential flood. Your little bit of strength will not be able to seal it again.¡± Is it meant to be used in a mutual destruction scenario? Jiang Hao thought to himself. This thing has its pros and cons. The good thing is that it can threaten some powerful beings. The downside is that if it¡¯s accidentally broken open, he¡¯ll be the first to bear the brunt. ¡°Is it possible for it to resonate and break the seal?¡± Jiang Hao asked. Hong Yuye chuckled softly. ¡°You weren¡¯t worried about that when you brought it out, so there¡¯s no need to worry now. Because you¡¯re not going back. Without the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead, the great momentum there should dissipate, and the supreme fortune will return to the heavens and the earth. Keep it sealed, and you might receive an unexpected surprise in the future.¡± ¡°An unexpected surprise?¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat puzzled. Hong Yuye did not continue. She seemed to have lost interest. At this moment, she stopped asking questions and quietly drank her tea, flipping through a book. After a long while, she put the book away. She then stood up, walked over to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, and gently touched the sixth leaf that was about to emerge. ¡°How do you usually take care of it?¡± Upon hearing this, Jiang Hao, who had followed her, explained: ¡°I just water it with a bowl of water.¡± ¡°Did you water it today?¡± Hong Yuye asked. ¡°Not yet,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. Hong Yuye had arrived too early, and he usually watered it before going to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. ¡°Go get a bowl of water,¡± Hong Yuye said softly. After a short while, Jiang Hao handed a bowl of water to Hong Yuye. Since she was interested, he naturally wouldn¡¯t disturb her. After Hong Yuye finished watering, she handed the bowl back to Jiang Hao. Then her figure began to fade away. ¡°Remember, your primary duty is to take good care of my flower.¡± As her voice fell, Hong Yuye disappeared on the spot. Jiang Hao put the bowl aside, not surprised. After all, since her second visit, the flower had become hers. But... Could you put down my book? With a sigh, Jiang Hao tidied up the teapot and left the courtyard. ...... Enforcement Peak He went to see if there were any tasks related to the Hundred Bones Forest. But after looking for a long time, he didn¡¯t find any suitable tasks. Most people in the Hundred Bones Forest were looking for sparring partners. And those who took on such tasks were mostly from the Hengliu Waterfall. Both sides were known for their physical prowess. At this time, he went to check the sect missions. He hadn¡¯t received a mission in years, and perhaps it wouldn¡¯t be long before it was his turn. Looking at the list, he discovered that this time the sect mission was to cultivate spiritual medicine, at the border between the Hundred Bones Forest and the Candlelight Alchemy Court. ¡°Xiling Mountain? It seems to be the region with the most wild spiritual medicine. It might be worthwhile to go there, especially since Bai Ye is also studying spiritual medicine.¡± With this thought, Jiang Hao quickly checked the list. There was Duanqing Cliff, but unfortunately, it wasn¡¯t him but Han Ming. ¡°If it¡¯s Junior Brother Han, I could ask him.¡± If possible, he wanted to switch with him. Such a thing wasn¡¯t easy, but with his merits and reputation at Enforcement Peak, it should be possible. The reputation of someone who gives money... After selling some talismans, Jiang Hao returned to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Just as he entered the spiritual field, he saw a man sitting under the wooden hut. It was Lian Daozhi from the Candlelight Alchemy Court lineage. Why is he here? Jiang Hao wondered. But most likely, he had a planting task. If it was some expensive seeds, he could take it on. ¡°Junior Brother Jiang,¡± Lian Daozhi greeted with a smile as he saw Jiang Hao return. ¡°Senior Brother, do you have any spiritual medicine that needs to be stored here?¡± Jiang Hao asked. The other party was waiting for him. ¡°No, I came to see Junior Brother actually for a personal matter,¡± Lian Daozhi said with a smile. ¡°I wonder if Junior Brother Jiang has some free time?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Jiang Hao replied directly. Lian Daozhi was at the Golden Core completion stage; such a person asking if he had free time was just a courtesy. He couldn¡¯t say he was temporarily unavailable. That could easily offend someone. The two sat on the seats under the cabin, and it wasn¡¯t until then that Lian Daozhi spoke up. ¡°I remember Junior Brother had a spirit pet, why haven¡¯t I seen it recently?¡± Did the rabbit cause trouble? Jiang Hao¡¯s first thought was this, but then he said. ¡°It went out.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Lian Daozhi wasn¡¯t surprised and continued: ¡°Actually, during this time, I, as Senior Brother, have sent a few Junior Brothers to look for a spiritual medicine called Bitter Fruit. It was supposed to be harvested when ripe, but due to some mistakes, the rabbit got hold of it. In the wild, the capable claim the spiritual medicines, so there¡¯s no blame there. However, some Junior Brothers mentioned that the rabbit might be Jiang Junior Brother¡¯s spirit pet. That¡¯s why I¡¯ve come this time, to buy the Bitter Fruit from Junior Brother. The market price is thirty spirit stones each, but I¡¯m willing to pay thirty-five spirit stones, and I¡¯ll buy as many as you have.¡± After hearing the reason, Jiang Hao quickly stood up, apologizing: ¡°Senior Brother, you¡¯re too kind. If it really was the rabbit¡¯s doing, naturally he should return the fruits to Senior Brother. ¡°The rabbit is mischievous and has offended Senior Brother. I hope Senior Brother can be magnanimous.¡± The rabbit caused trouble as soon as it went out, clearly taking something important to the other party. Taking it wasn¡¯t the issue, the main problem was getting caught. The other party speaking so politely must be out of concern for something. Otherwise, why would a Golden Core complete stage be so courteous to someone in the later stages of Foundation Establishment? Especially to come in person. If I were to accept it casually, it would definitely cause dissatisfaction. Sooner or later, I would be entangled in these troubles. ¡°No, no, no, Junior Brother, please don¡¯t say that,¡± Lian Daozhi also stood up and said. ¡°Indeed, we were outplayed, and my visit this time is purely to make a purchase. There¡¯s no other intention.¡± Too polite, so polite that Jiang Hao suspected they might take action tonight. After several refusals, Lian Daozhi eventually agreed to buy at half the market price. The other party refused to budge any further. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Only then did Jiang Hao give up. ¡°Then I won¡¯t disturb Junior Brother any longer.¡± Lian Daozhi didn¡¯t stay any longer. ¡°Senior Brother, rest assured, as soon as I have news, I will personally deliver the spiritual medicine.¡± Jiang Hao said earnestly. After that, Lian Daozhi turned and left. After leaving the Spiritual Medicine Garden, he looked back and couldn¡¯t help but think. ¡°He knows the way of the world, it¡¯s more pleasant to converse with such a person.¡± The difference between thirty-five and fifteen didn¡¯t matter to him. The main thing was that it felt good to give. Without a doubt, this transaction was pleasant. Chapter 249 - Taking Your Surname Chapter 249: Taking Your Surname That afternoon, Cheng Chou and the others returned. ¡°Master, Lord Rabbit is back, and I¡¯ve brought you some gifts.¡± The rabbit hopped over to Jiang Hao and presented a bunch of fruits: ¡°Master, have one.¡± Looking at the dozen or so green fruits, Jiang Hao picked one up and started eating. It was surprisingly bitter. Fifteen spirit stones just eaten away. Xiao Li came to Jiang Hao with her head lowered, offering a bag of pastries. ¡°They¡¯re left by grandma, I didn¡¯t dare to eat them.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Jiang Hao took the pastries and asked. Xiao Li, clutching the corner of her clothes, said softly. ¡°Grandma always said she would make more after I finished them, I¡¯m afraid she won¡¯t make them anymore if I eat these.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Jiang Hao put them away and said, ¡°Then I¡¯ll eat them.¡± ¡°This is from Grandpa...¡± Xiao Li handed a bamboo shoot to Jiang Hao. ¡°Can Xiao Li plant it?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll help you plant it.¡± Jiang Hao remembered this bamboo shoot. It was dug under the guidance of Xiao Li¡¯s grandfather, said to be the tenderest. If Xiao Li couldn¡¯t plant it, he would do it. There were many things in his yard, one more bamboo shoot wouldn¡¯t make a difference. ¡°There¡¯s also...¡± Xiao Li hesitated for a while, then said, ¡°Grandma said that Senior Brother will be my family from now on. She told me to take Senior Brother¡¯s surname, to be called Jiang Xiaoli.¡± Jiang Hao was quite surprised, but still nodded: ¡°If you¡¯re willing, that¡¯s fine.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Xiao Li seemed excited: ¡°Then Senior Brother, just like Grandpa and Grandma said, you¡¯re my brother now.¡± With no choice, he could only nod. After sending off the rabbit and Xiao Li, Jiang Hao turned to Cheng Chou and said, ¡°Tell me about the journey back.¡± This time Cheng Chou came back a bit disheveled, but without any injuries. ¡°Senior Brother, after you left, Lord Rabbit suddenly arrived. With the help of the villagers, the funeral went smoothly, but throughout the process, Junior Sister Xiao Li kept saying, ¡®What if Grandpa and Grandma wake up in a few days?¡¯¡± ¡°She said her Grandpa loves to sleep. No one else had any idea what to do; if it weren¡¯t for Lord Rabbit, I wouldn¡¯t have known how to handle the situation. After the burial, Xiao Li stayed inside the house, refusing to come out, not speaking or laughing.¡± ¡°She was like a completely different person, but fortunately, Lord Rabbit stayed by her side. Later, she tearfully gave away the chickens and ducks that Grandpa and Grandma had raised. She also gave away the fishing boat and nets. She didn¡¯t give away the farm tools or furniture, saying that if Grandma and Grandpa came back, they would be sad without furniture. She said she accidentally broke Grandpa¡¯s vase once, and Grandpa was upset for many days.¡± S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Jiang Hao quietly listened while eating red bean cake. ¡°After that, we cleaned up, washed the bedding, closed the door, and left. Junior Sister Xiao Li kept looking back every ten steps, as if she was looking at Grandpa and Grandma who used to see her off. They wouldn¡¯t go back into the house until we reached the end of the road,¡± Cheng Chou sighed. ¡°I carried a tree back with me. That tree was one that Xiao Li¡¯s Grandpa asked me to transplant to where Xiao Li lived, It was a Jujube tree. He said they planted it together, and from then on, Xiao Li could eat from it every year. Having something to eat, they could rest easy.¡± ¡°What happened after that?¡± Jiang Hao asked. After leaving, it was supposed to be the rabbit¡¯s home turf. ¡°On the way back, everything went smoothly, but just before we arrived, Lord Rabbit, in an attempt to cheer up Junior Sister Xiao Li, went to pick some fruit. It was only when we returned that I learned it seemed to have gotten into a fight with someone. Fortunately, no one pursued us. Then, because it was too bitter, Junior Sister Xiao Li wouldn¡¯t eat it, so...¡± Cheng Chou was referring to the bitter fruit that Jiang Hao had just received. It turned out to be leftovers; I thought it was really picked for me, Jiang Hao thought with a sneer. Jiang Hao was now aware of the general situation. The rabbit wasn¡¯t too reckless, it had some sense of measure, it was just too weak, and someone recognized it. In the future, it would be better to release it further away. After that, he went to the Candlelight Alchemy Court sect, met with Lian Daozhi, and presented the bitter fruit. The other party gave him two hundred spirit stones. Then he spent two hundred spirit stones to buy their Foundation Establishment pills. After returning, he casually handed the pills to Cheng Chou. The two hundred spirit stones were supposed to be divided into three equal parts, one for each of them. But the rabbit and Xiao Li didn¡¯t need them. And Cheng Chou had indeed done well over the years. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t feel right selling these pills, so giving them to him was justified. Upon receiving the pills, Cheng Chou was overjoyed. He only got twenty spirit stones a month, and it would take a year of saving to buy so many pills. Saving spirit stones was not easy; every cultivator had many places to spend spirit stones. So the money for these pills might have taken him two years to dare to buy like this. After doing all this, Jiang Hao then found Han Ming and explained his intentions. Upon hearing this, Han Ming was overjoyed; he never liked the task of planting spiritual herbs, preferring to gain experience over farming. If he could have refused, he would have left long ago. Now that someone was willing to take over, he couldn¡¯t ask for more. Afterward, Jiang Hao went through the procedures, and everything went smoothly. In the evening, Jiang Hao successfully took over the sect mission. He would depart in the middle of next month. ...... Tiannan Prefecture. Bi Zhu sat in the hall. She was waiting for follow-up news. From the ¡°Jing (Well)¡±, she learned that the Flood Dragon was indeed in the Huangsha River. But upon closer observation, there was nothing outstanding about the Huangsha River. There was no reason for the Flood Dragon to go there. Fortunately, the specific address was about to arrive. Even if delayed, it wouldn¡¯t be by many days. ¡°I never believed he was so capable as to complete the task first.¡± Bi Zhu sat quietly. Because she wanted to confirm the truth, the wait made her somewhat anxious. At that moment, a crane¡¯s call came. Bi Zhu smiled. ¡°Finally, it has arrived.¡± She quickly walked out and indeed saw a crane landing in the courtyard. As she approached, the crane flapped its wings, dropping a parchment scroll to the ground. Picking up the item, Bi Zhu tossed a bottle onto the ground, then returned inside. The crane looked at the bottle on the ground: ¡°...¡± In the end, it obediently picked up the item and left. But as it left, it angrily called out toward the house. Boom! A bolt of lightning struck, plucking half of the crane¡¯s feathers. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for the sake of your master, you would be my dinner tonight.¡± Bi Zhu¡¯s voice came from inside. The crane cried out mournfully and quickly fled. At this moment, Bi Zhu sat at the table, opening the scroll. What caught her eye was a map of Youzhou Prefecture, with a circle at the top and a sentence next to it. ¡°The specific location of the Flood Dragon.¡± The circle indeed encloses a river. And this river, she had observed it several times before. The current location is in the middle to upper reaches. ¡°Middle to upper reaches of the Huangsha River?¡± Looking at the marked location on the map, Bi Zhu felt surprised. He had actually guessed it right. ¡°Does this mean that the thing I¡¯m looking for is here?¡± After hesitating for a moment, she decided to set off immediately to see if the thing she was looking for was indeed there. If it was... This ¡°Jing¡± is not simple. ...... Back at his residence, Jiang Hao took out a stone tablet to examine for a while. He found out that Fairy Gui had finally received the specific address. Gui: ¡°I¡¯ve received the address, Jing was right, now I¡¯m going to make a trip to the Huangsha River.¡± Liu: ¡°It¡¯s indeed quite impressive, I¡¯m still cultivating my clone, and it¡¯s not easy to start over. I¡¯m looking for a better way.¡± Watching them chat, Jiang Hao actually wanted to tell him that there indeed was a better way. But he couldn¡¯t explain it. Maybe next time. Chapter 250 - The Big Show Begins Chapter 250: The Big Show Begins Early September. There are still more than ten days left before the sect mission. Today, Jiang Hao stood in front of the peach tree, which was now full of peaches, but they were not yet ripe. He picked a fruit to taste, sour and sweet. ¡°The fruits that follow will be exceptionally sweet.¡± With each year¡¯s nirvana, the taste of the peaches improved. After a moment of contemplation, Jiang Hao activated his divine power. He wanted to see how many spirit stones were needed. ¡¾Peach Tree: Related to the ancient divine peach tree, it possesses a trace of the divine tree¡¯s characteristics, and its fruit is sweet. Leave one fruit on the tree, and arrange a spirit gathering formation with fourteen thousand seven hundred spirit stones around it to stimulate a trace of the divine tree¡¯s characteristics and initiate nirvana. After seven nirvanas, it will become a divine peach tree. Being near divine objects makes nirvana more likely to succeed.¡¿ ¡°Fourteen thousand seven hundred, that¡¯s quite a lot.¡± Jiang Hao frowned slightly. Although he had sold quite a few talismans, his current savings were only ten thousand three hundred. That¡¯s still around four thousand short. If he still owes Enforcement Peak one thousand, then it¡¯s 5,000 short. ¡°The sect mission this time is better, maybe 300, but that¡¯s still not enough.¡± The reward for a Foundation Establishment period sect mission is usually a few hundred spirit stones, and 300 is already not a small amount. Golden Core at least one thousand. Nascent Soul naturally even more. But he hasn¡¯t cooperated with Nascent Soul yet, so he¡¯s not very clear about it. So it¡¯s still better to earn spirit stones by recruiting disciples. Because at that time, his master gave him three thousand. That might be the standard for Nascent Soul. Later, when the Corpse Realm Flower bloomed, he was given five thousand. Unfortunately, it¡¯s still 4,000 short. He could only wait and see, if he really couldn¡¯t gather enough, he would have to wait until next year. Having made up his mind, he went to the corner to look at the bamboo shoots he had planted. Before planting, he had identified them as ordinary bamboo shoots, just plant them and that¡¯s it. Occasionally water them, nothing else needed. After all, this place is rich in spiritual energy, and there are not a few divine objects. It¡¯s enough for it to grow quickly. Ordinary bamboo is just ordinary bamboo, as long as there is enough time, he could also make this bamboo into a divine object, if he could live that long. ¡°Master, I¡¯ve discovered that the outside world is very vast, why don¡¯t you go out and explore?¡± the rabbit hopped over to Jiang Hao and asked. ¡°I¡¯ll send you to a more vast place in the future,¡± Jiang Hao said with a smile. ¡°Will Master go?¡± the rabbit asked. Jiang Hao smiled without answering. After watering the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, he went out. On the way, he said to the rabbit: ¡°In a little while, you¡¯ll be a Golden Core great demon.¡± The rabbit is now close to completing the Foundation Establishment and is nearing Golden Core. ¡°Master, don¡¯t joke with me, all friends on the road know I¡¯m just an ordinary rabbit,¡± the rabbit waved its hand and said. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t mind and continued towards the Spiritual Medicine Garden. On the way, he met Senior Sister Miao Tinglian. ¡°Junior Brother, you¡¯re here? I just happened to be looking for you,¡± Miao Tinglian said with a smile. ¡°Senior Sister, what do you need me for?¡± Jiang Hao asked, puzzled. The Corpse Realm Flower should be fine. ¡°Here, I¡¯m giving you something,¡± Miao Tinglian said, handing Jiang Hao two thousand spirit stones. ¡°What¡¯s this for?¡± Jiang Hao was astonished. Why suddenly give so many spirit stones? Two thousand is not a small amount. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It would take him a lot of time to earn them, if he only relied on the sect¡¯s monthly resources. That would take five years. ¡°Not just these, there¡¯s also this.¡± Miao Tinglian then gave Jiang Hao a bottle of elixir. After checking it, Jiang Hao exclaimed: ¡°Heaven Replenishing Pill?¡± ¡°Yes, I specifically asked Mu Qi to prepare it for you because I thought it might come in handy. Plus, having too many spirit stones is too dangerous; medicinal pills are safer,¡± Miao Tinglian said. Jiang Hao was puzzled. Where did these spirit stones come from? Sensing Jiang Hao¡¯s confusion, Miao Tinglian explained, ¡°Because of the Corpse Realm Flower, people from all sects didn¡¯t know how to transplant it and had to come to ask me, right? Did they think I would offer my advice for free? I charged them a hefty sum, so you, Junior Brother, have received your deserved share.¡± So that¡¯s how it was. Jiang Hao hesitated for a long time before asking, ¡°Can it be converted into spirit stones?¡± Miao Tinglian was speechless. Mu Qi had hit the nail on the head. ¡°The market price at the sect is four thousand; I¡¯ll give you five thousand,¡± she said. After a long hesitation, she kindly reminded him, ¡°Junior Brother, you mustn¡¯t tell anyone that you have so many spirit stones; it¡¯s very dangerous. A Foundation Establishment cultivator with over ten thousand spirit stones will attract a lot of unwanted attention. You should act as if you have spent a lot.¡± ¡°Thank you for the reminder, Senior Sister,¡± Jiang Hao nodded in thanks. He knew that having too many spirit stones at the late stage of Foundation Establishment was not safe. And that was if others didn¡¯t know about the five thousand from his master; otherwise... How many would be envious? Having received five thousand spirit stones, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief. Although the market price was cheaper then the one he sell, it was still a windfall. A total of seven thousand, after deducting the required four thousand, left him with three thousand. Subtracting another thousand for the Enforcement Peak, he could save two thousand. He would use those two thousand to buy more materials for talisman making. It would appear that he was spending a lot and producing few finished products. That would be somewhat safer. ...... In mid-September, Jiang Hao went to the Enforcement Peak. This time, he ran into Liu Xingchen again, who was different from before; his aura had changed. Not only did he have dragon qi, but also black qi. It was as if the remnants of a True Dragon¡¯s soul and the Ancient Witch¡¯s soul had joined forces. ¡°Did I hear that Junior Brother specifically requested a sect mission?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao nodded and simultaneously activated his appraisal skill. The feedback from his divine ability came quickly. ¡¾Liu Xingchen: A true disciple of the Haotian Sect, born with the aura of Dragon Slaughter. Undercover in the Tianyin Sect¡¯s Enforcement Peak. The remnants of a True Dragon¡¯s soul and an Ancient Witch¡¯s soul within him sense a fatal threat and are exerting influence, summoning other remnants to possess him, intending for the three parties to completely control the body together. Aware of these developments, he wanders around the Demon Cavern and the mines, hoping the next one will come quickly so he can witness the three forces vying for possession. He befriends you to get closer to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and to watch the drama unfold. He is increasingly interested in you, suspecting that you may be related to the deaths of Du Yong and an unknown Nascent Soul.¡¿ Ready to welcome a newcomer? Jiang Hao had no way of knowing Liu Xingchen¡¯s thoughts, but one thing was certain: the man was extremely confident. Wasn¡¯t he afraid of playing with fire? Perhaps this was the pride of a genius. If the remnants of the True Dragon¡¯s soul and the Ancient Witch¡¯s soul knew about this, who knows how they would feel? Probably quite desperate. However, Jiang Hao had no idea what the fatal threat they sensed was. The plot intrigued him, but the end made him somewhat nervous. Du Yong¡¯s death was indeed being investigated, but no one had come to question him. Was it because he died outside? ¡°I heard that next year we were supposed to have a new Junior Brother, or rather, recruit a new disciple, but now it seems someone else will take the place,¡± Liu Xingchen said with some regret. For a moment, Jiang Hao felt like he had lost three thousand spirit stones. ¡°By the way, Junior Brother, do you remember Du Yong?¡± Liu Xingchen suddenly asked. ¡°I remember him; he used to come to Duanqing Cliff often to observe the Spiritual Medicine Garden,¡± Jiang Hao replied without changing his expression. ¡°We checked, and he was an undercover agent, or rather, replaced by one, becoming an undercover agent for our sect. He was killed outside not long ago,¡± Liu Xingchen said with some helplessness. ¡°We wanted to find out who was behind it, but we haven¡¯t found his main body yet. We¡¯re still searching in secret. It¡¯s said that Junior Brother was quite close to him, so now it¡¯s impossible to even remove you on the watch list.¡± After a few more words, Liu Xingchen excused himself to go to the mines: ¡°I have to attend to important matters.¡± Important matters indeed¡ªwas he trying to attract something to possess him? Jiang Hao was both shocked and impressed. But Du Yong¡¯s case still concerned him. Chapter 251 - Have I Made You Wait? Chapter 251: Have I Made You Wait? The Hall of Enforcement was investigating Qu Zhong. In theory, they shouldn¡¯t be able to find anything, so Jiang Hao didn¡¯t need to worry. Otherwise, the suspicion on him would be even greater. But in the end, the Enforcement Peak couldn¡¯t find any evidence. Most likely, it would still end up on the watch list. Having one¡¯s freedom restricted was indeed troublesome, but to gain freedom, one would have to surpass that person from the Tianhuan Pavilion. Once he did, the grievances between the Tiansheng Sect and the Luoxia Sect could be easily resolved. And Zhuang Yuzhen couldn¡¯t be allowed to escape; otherwise, it could lead to enmity with the Corpse God Sect. That would be different from the Luoxia Sect. Even the Tianyin Sect might not be able to stop them. After a short while...Jiang Hao arrived at the assembly point for the mission. There were ten people assigned to this mission in total. They came from eight different lineages. Five men and five women. It was unclear whether it was a coincidence or intentional. By the time he arrived, four people were already present. Three men and one woman. The men were at the later stages of Foundation Establishment, and the woman was at the mid-stage. After exchanging greetings with them, Jiang Hao stood to one side. However, these people were somewhat cold towards him for reasons unknown. In secret, he observed their auras, spirits, and behaviors to ensure that none were concealing their true cultivation levels. Gradually, three more people arrived. The remaining two were still nowhere to be seen. Even when it was time to start, they had not arrived. ¡°Why haven¡¯t the two from Bingyue Valley come yet?¡± grumbled a rugged man from Hengliu Waterfall, frowning. ¡°Maybe something held them up. Let¡¯s wait a bit longer,¡± suggested a fairy-like woman from Yanyun Peak. The others remained silent, with no choice but to wait. After a short while, a frail man from Candlelight Alchemy Court said, Let¡¯s not wait any longer. Let¡¯s set off.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s wait a little longer, we still have time,¡± cooed a seductive fairy from Tianhuan Pavilion with a charming smile. Once again, the others fell silent. Jiang Hao never spoke up, just quietly observing. Most of these people were at the late stages of Foundation Establishment, with only one at the completion stage. That was Senior Brother Wen Qi from Hengliu Waterfall, the rugged man who had spoken first. Among the five men, none were at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, and among the women, only the one who arrived first was at the mid-stage, dressed in the attire of Candlelight Alchemy Court. It seemed she was also a pill refiner. Besides these observations, he noticed something else. These people¡¯s spiritual energy had a liveliness not found in other cultivators, and they were all quite young. He casually appraised one of them, and sure enough... All of these people were geniuses with either superior or excellent talents. This was a team of geniuses, and if his position hadn¡¯t been swapped, then he would be the genius Han Ming. ¡°No wonder they didn¡¯t seem to care for me when I arrived; it¡¯s a common trait among geniuses.¡± Jiang Hao found his answer. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After a short wait, the two fairies from Bingyue Valley finally arrived. They were dressed in white, with simple hair buns, chatting and laughing as they approached. Seeing the two¡¯s unhurried demeanor, Wen Qi from Hengliu Waterfall could hardly contain his anger. ¡°Do you realize you¡¯re late?¡± ¡°So what?¡± retorted the taller fairy, staring down Wen Qi. ¡°Will waiting a bit kill you? No one else is complaining, only you talk too much.¡± ¡°Exactly, did we ask you to wait? If you didn¡¯t want to wait, you could have left on your own,¡± said the other, more petite fairy from Bingyue Valley coldly. ¡°You...¡± Wen Qi from Hengliu Waterfall was furious, his aura of completion stage Foundation Establishment surging. ¡°What about it? Just Foundation Establishment completion stage, so what? Who isn¡¯t at that level?¡± The tall fairy from Bingyue Valley took a step forward, releasing her own aura of completion stage Foundation Establishment. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Wen Qi huffed and left on his flying sword. The others followed suit. Jiang Hao trailed behind at the end. He didn¡¯t care about these people, as he realized they wouldn¡¯t pay him any attention. His above-average talent wasn¡¯t worth their notice. They didn¡¯t even seem interested in mocking him either. Above-average talent and superior talent were worlds apart. However, the last two fairies seemed not to be trifled with. The tall one was named Ye Shan, and the petite one was Wan Xi. Both of their talents were probably superior or more, but they were both inner disciples and had not become true disciples. Thinking it over, there might only be one true disciple here, Han Ming. But from their auras and spirits, these people were indeed not on par with Han Ming. Despite Junior Brother Han¡¯s fondness for appearances, he had experienced life and death, blood and flesh, all firsthand. He had notable achievements in the attack on Tianqing Mountain. In his quest for strength, he never stopped honing himself through tears, sweat, perseverance, and determination, all of which he had experienced and understood. In the auras and spirits of these people, there was no such solemnity or resolve, and they truly did not compare. But their attitude was normal; Han Ming was just too driven. High talent, abundant opportunities, and still hardworking. ...... Shortly after, they arrived at Xiling Mountain. They were met by a Golden Core Senior Brother. He looked at everyone coldly, his eyes flickering with barely concealed killing intent. But he didn¡¯t say much else. He simply instructed the others to follow him. ¡®The reception is actually a Golden Core; this is a bit troublesome. Although it was the two Senior Sisters from Bingyue Valley who were late, here it¡¯s considered everyone¡¯s delay.¡¯ When they reached the top of the mountain, the Golden Core Senior Brother stood in front of a spiritual field and said, ¡°This field is planted with three types of spiritual herbs, divided into ten areas. What you need to do is to cultivate these herbs with all your might, to ensure their growth.¡± ¡°The assignment lasts for three months. Within these three months, you must show up every day. Otherwise, you¡¯ll have to go to the Enforcement Peak to submit your task and accept punishment. Now, come one by one and take a simple instruction from me.¡± Ye Shan from Bingyue Valley was the first to step forward and took a copy. Wen Qi was the second. The others followed suit and took their books. Jiang Hao was the last one. When he approached the Golden Core Senior Brother, he handed over a spirit stone beneath the book as he received it. ¡°Sorry to have kept Senior Brother waiting,¡± he said, his voice tinged with apology. Seeing this, the Golden Core Senior Brother was momentarily stunned but then discreetly accepted the spirit stone. A small booklet was also passed along beneath the book. After obtaining the booklet, Jiang Hao was overjoyed. He thanked the Senior Brother and then stepped back. ¡°Your task officially begins now.¡± The Golden Core Senior Brother reminded them coldly before departing on his sword. The group immediately began searching for their own spiritual fields. This place was actually divided into ten areas, each a spiritual field, and everyone¡¯s fields were adjacent to one another. Jiang Hao found his spot at the end, where there were nine spiritual medicines. Three were half a person¡¯s height, with lush branches and leaves. Three were coiled around the area, one to two meters long, making the spiritual field seem crowded. The last three were the most ordinary, just palm-sized white flowers. ¡°Never seen them before.¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t rush to start working or to look around for Bai Ye¡¯s traces. Instead, he took out the book to confirm his task. Only after completing the task would he consider doing anything else. Moments later, Jiang Hao learned the names of the three types of spiritual medicines from the book. But that was all there was¡ªjust the names. No other information was provided. While the others were still puzzled about how to plant, Jiang Hao opened the small booklet. In a short time, he understood the purpose of the task and some habits of the spiritual medicines. The task was to nurture the spiritual medicines with spiritual energy and breath, to determine how one¡¯s talent affects specific spiritual medicines, and to decide whether personally cultivating important spiritual medicines is better for oneself to increase the chances of successfully breaking through major realms. Looking at the small booklet, Jiang Hao felt as if it was filled with two words¡ªBai Ye. It had to be said that Bai Ye was truly a peerless genius in this regard. If he became the chief, not only would he be immovable, but the threat he posed would be terrifying. Chapter 252 - If He Can, Why Can’t You? Chapter 252: If He Can, Why Can¡¯t You? Such talent as Bai Ye¡¯s should be rare in the Hundred Bones Forest. However, within the lineage of the Candlelight Alchemy Court, it was possible to find similar talent. And this book, in all aspects, seemed to match Bai Ye¡¯s style. Unless Bai Ye¡¯s master was also such a powerful figure, after flipping through the book for a long time, he couldn¡¯t figure out who was leading this endeavor. If this project succeeded, it would bring many benefits to the sect, and at that time, considerable merit would be awarded. There should also be continuous benefits afterward. And Jiang Hao felt that he was now their test subject. But after all, it was a sect task, and he couldn¡¯t reject it. Nor was there any need to. He wasn¡¯t worried about others getting stronger; as long as they didn¡¯t provoke him, all would be well. If this project succeeded, the number of people paying attention to him would also drop instantly. Afterward, Jiang Hao confirmed the names and habits of the spiritual medicines. The half-person-tall ones were called Mingyang Grass. They needed to face the sun to grow well. Jiang Hao checked and found that the three Mingyang Grasses were not positioned correctly, so he moved them back a bit to face the sun. They would need to be repositioned twice a day, once in the morning and once at midday. The ones coiling on the ground were Bodhi Flowers, which could bear fruit and liked to wrap their roots around themselves. Jiang Hao arranged them in a circle, which was better and didn¡¯t take up much space. The last ones were the Bailing Flowers. They liked moist soil, so watering them was sufficient. After doing all this, Jiang Hao sat down to cultivate. Occasionally, he would apply spiritual energy to the soil. This way, the spiritual medicines could synchronize with his power. However, the purity of the spiritual energy would directly affect the quality of the fruits. Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t worried about his pure spiritual energy being discovered; he didn¡¯t need to be that discreet. Fearless of those below him and not a threat to those above, only a group in the middle might target him, but they were not enough to pose a threat. Occasionally, they could be a nuisance. If one had a significant background, it would be difficult to provoke them. Like this group of geniuses, there was no need to get into disputes with them if it wasn¡¯t necessary. He glanced at them and saw that they were not very skilled at planting spiritual medicines. However, two people from the Candlelight Alchemy Court were studying carefully. Jiang Hao no longer paid attention to them and focused on meditating. When the spiritual medicines matured, he could take three plants, one of each type. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After selling it, it might be worth several hundred. He¡¯s not sure if it¡¯s because of the genius task or the experiment. If the spiritual medicine isn¡¯t ripe in three months, it can¡¯t be taken away. That would mean the task failed. ...... In the afternoon. Jiang Hao, who was meditating, was awakened by a quarrel. ¡°What does your withered flower have to do with me?¡± The rough voice belonged to Hengliu Waterfall¡¯s Wen Qi. Looking over, he saw Bingyue Valley¡¯s Ye Shan facing off with Wen Qi. ¡°How is it not your fault? Didn¡¯t you see my flower needs sunlight, but your grass is blocking the sun, causing it to wilt?¡± Ye Shan rebuked loudly. ¡°My flower is wilting too, did I blame you?¡± Wen Qi retorted loudly. ¡°What a joke,¡± Ye Shan said coldly. ¡°What does your wilting flower have to do with me?¡± ¡°Then what does your wilting flower have to do with me?¡± Wen Qi shot back. ¡°Your grass is covering my flower, how can you say it doesn¡¯t matter?¡± ¡°So what if it¡¯s covered? That¡¯s how it was planted.¡± ¡°Heh, can¡¯t you just move it back a bit?¡± Ye Shan sneered. ¡°Move it and it¡¯ll be fine?¡± Wen Qi pointed to the spiritual field opposite Jiang Hao. ¡°See? That spiritual medicine over there was moved, but the flower is still wilting. It proves it has nothing to do with me.¡± ¡°That¡¯s really funny,¡± Ye Shan said disdainfully. ¡°If he can move his, why can¡¯t you move yours? Are you trying to be special?¡± ¡°You...¡± Wen Qi felt like he was choking on his anger. His aura surged violently as if he was about to start a fight. But Ye Shan was not to be outdone, emitting a strong presence as well. Jiang Hao, listening to their conversation, sighed inwardly. It seems that among these people, there are indeed some who love to cause trouble. ¡°That¡¯s right, if this Junior Brother can move his, why can¡¯t you? Our flowers aren¡¯t blocking yours,¡± said Wan Xi from Bingyue Valley, who was opposite Jiang Hao. For a moment, Wen Qi from Hengliu Waterfall furrowed his brows deeply. The others felt the same. Since Jiang Hao was in the same row as them, one person¡¯s retreat made the others feel like there was a traitor. Their looks towards Jiang Hao were somewhat hostile. Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± It¡¯s an unwarranted disaster. It clearly had nothing to do with him. But these people really do cause trouble. Especially the two fairies from Bingyue Valley. Their talent is wasted on them; it¡¯s simply squandering heaven¡¯s gifts. Their temperament, personality, and schemes are all somewhat lacking. However, since it hasn¡¯t affected him for the time being, he didn¡¯t say much. At night, Jiang Hao left Xiling Mountain and by the time he returned, it was late at night. At this time, he did nothing else but ponder over the nameless secret manual. Occasionally, he would also contemplate the third form of the Heavenly Saber, Meteor. He spent less time on Merge with Light and Blend with Dust, as witnessing Xiao Li¡¯s family leave had led to a breakthrough in his state of mind. Thus, Merge with Light and Blend with Dust became even more refined. There was no need to contemplate it for the time being. ...... In the following three days. Jiang Hao only saw them constantly arguing, while he quietly cultivated. On the seventh day, apart from Jiang Hao¡¯s area, the spiritual medicine of the others showed signs of wilting. Surprisingly, not a single person came to inquire. It seemed that deep down, they looked down on Jiang Hao, a disciple with above-average talent. Even if the task failed, they wouldn¡¯t lower themselves. Shaking his head, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t pay them any mind. ...... Until the tenth day, they finally had a breakthrough. That was to seek out the Golden Core Senior Brother from before. It¡¯s unknown what price they paid, but they got their hands on that small booklet. Jiang Hao occasionally heard Ye Shan curse. It seemed the price was quite high. Why did you do it in the first place if you knew this would happen? At that time, just one spiritual stone would have been enough. Not only were they late, but they didn¡¯t even apologize. Wasn¡¯t it obvious that the other party wouldn¡¯t show a good face? Especially at that moment, there was even a murderous intent in the other party¡¯s eyes. Such a serious matter, yet these people didn¡¯t take it to heart. A little thoughtfulness can sometimes make a person feel much better; it¡¯s not about the amount of spiritual stones. It¡¯s about having the right attitude. ¡°They don¡¯t think this is the Demon Sect, where being fierce is enough, do they?¡± If that¡¯s the case, then Jiang Hao truly felt sad for these people. Because of their high talent, were they too busy cultivating to understand the specifics? That¡¯s probably the only explanation. Or maybe it¡¯s just their nature. ...... Day fifteen. Wan Xi, who was across from Jiang Hao, was watering the Bailing flowers when some water spilled over to his side. ¡°Did it affect Junior Brother? But it¡¯s just a little bit, so it should be fine, right?¡± The person looked over, seemingly expressing an apology. Since it really wasn¡¯t a big deal, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t mind. ...... Day eighteen. The water spillage from the other side was getting worse. ¡°This spiritual medicine needs water, so I always water it a bit more.¡± Jiang Hao still didn¡¯t say anything. It still didn¡¯t affect him. But elsewhere, things were about to explode. Ye Shan pointed at Jiang Hao¡¯s spot and said to the others. ¡°If he can handle it, why can¡¯t you? Are you saying you¡¯re not even as good as a disciple with above-average talent? I¡¯ve inquired about it, and even the least talented among you is considered superior.¡± The others were furious, each wanting to take action but not knowing how to proceed. Jiang Hao glanced at them and closed his eyes to begin cultivating. Chapter 253 - Suppression Chapter 253: Suppression As time passed, the conflicts among the others kept escalating, as if they were on the verge of coming to blows. Jiang Hao sat in front of the spiritual field, quietly observing. But the Senior Sister opposite him seemed either did not take him seriously or disliked his calm demeanor; when the second month arrived, the water she used for the Bailing flowers finally neared his Mingyang grass. If it were further away, Jiang Hao naturally wouldn¡¯t care. But since Mingyang grass is of the fire attribute, the proximity of the Bailing Flower¡¯s water could greatly affect its maturation. ¡°Senior Sister, your water has crossed the boundary,¡± Jiang Hao reminded. ¡°It just touched a bit, it¡¯s fine. Mingyang grass isn¡¯t that delicate,¡± Wan Xi said casually. ¡°Senior Sister, it¡¯s more than just a bit,¡± Jiang Hao walked over to the Mingyang grass and pointed at the boundary line of the spiritual field. ¡°It¡¯s crossed over quite a bit, and that¡¯s after I¡¯ve already moved back some distance. Otherwise, the water you¡¯re pouring would have flooded my spiritual medicine.¡± Wan Xi walked over and said, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you could move back? There¡¯s so much space behind you, why not just move back a bit more?¡± ¡°Why should I be the one to move back instead of Senior Sister watering less?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Look, no one else has any objections, why do you have so many? Everyone else is fine, but you have issues with this and that,¡± Wan Xi pointed at the others and said. Then she pointed at the Bailing Flowers on Jiang Hao¡¯s side: ¡°You water as much as you want over here, don¡¯t you? I didn¡¯t stop you.¡± ¡°Senior Sister, you¡¯re affecting my Mingyang grass,¡± Jiang Hao said. ¡°Didn¡¯t I already be a bit more careful? What more do you want?¡± Wan Xi glared at Jiang Hao angrily. Jiang Hao calmly stared at the person in front of him, not understanding whether this was her true nature or if she was doing it on purpose. ¡°Senior Sister, may I have a word with you in private?¡± ¡°What¡¯s this about having a word in private? If you have something to say, say it here.¡± At this moment, Ye Shan also laughed and said, ¡°Yeah, just speak up, if you have spirit stones, just give them. What¡¯s with all the secrecy?¡± They had already figured out that the reason Jiang Hao was able to do it was probably because he had secretly given spirit stones the first time they met. Jiang Hao stood there, looking around at the people. Somehow, without having done anything, he had managed to offend everyone. Was it because he gave spirit stones the first time he came? Was it because he couldn¡¯t fit in? Or was it because his talent wasn¡¯t enough, and they didn¡¯t accept him? He didn¡¯t ponder too deeply but instead looked at Senior Sister Wan Xi in front of him and said calmly: ¡°I was hoping Senior Sister could water less and not overstep the boundary again.¡± ¡°Are you ever going to stop?¡± Wan Xi glared at Jiang Hao and continued, ¡°I already told you I...¡± Clang! While she was still speaking, a long knife was unsheathed and slashed through the air. Pfft~ Wan Xi didn¡¯t even know what happened when blood spurted from her neck, followed by intense pain. As she attempted to strike at Jiang Hao, a long spear came at her, piercing her stomach and sending her flying backward. Bang! With a powerful impact, she hit the ground. At that moment, Jiang Hao walked over and stepped on her chest, his gaze calm and his words cold. ¡°Senior Sister, could you water a little less?¡± Regaining her senses, Wan Xi clutched her neck and roared, ¡°Jiang Hao, are you trying to kill a fellow disciple? If you dare, then kill me.¡± Half-Moon was raised and aimed at Wan Xi¡¯s neck. Crack! Bang! Half-Moon swept down, but the person below had vanished. It¡¯s a life-saving treasure. The force just now made the person under him retreat. Looking up, he saw Wan Xi leaning against a tree, gasping for air. Her eyes were filled with shock and fear. Jiang Hao really wanted to kill her just now. If it weren¡¯t for the life-saving treasure, she would be dead. Why would there be such a madman under the watchful eyes of the sect? ¡°Senior Sister, save me.¡± Wan Xi shouted loudly. Only then did the others react. The previously silent Jiang Hao actually drew his sword to kill. This left everyone somewhat astonished, even shocked. Ye Shan was furious, ¡°How dare you attempt to kill a fellow disciple? I will definitely take you to the Hall of Enforcement.¡± Her Foundation Establishment complete aura surged wildly, and she charged at Jiang Hao. Facing the attack of a Foundation Establishment, Jiang Hao dodged and then appeared behind her. Thud~ A dagger appeared in his hand, and then, it plunged into Ye Shan¡¯s neck. Goodness, a Foundation Establishment complete Senior Sister, and she had no alertness at all. Does she even deserve to be called a genius? Then an elbow strike shattered her neck skull, and a foot stomped her head into the ground. After doing all this, he approached Wan Xi. Wan Xi, having witnessed the whole process, kept kicking back in fear, her terror spreading through her body like blood. Fear and despair. Jiang Hao approached her, the knife at her neck, and said indifferently: ¡°Senior Sister, could you water less?¡± ¡°I-I can,¡± Wan Xi nodded desperately. ¡°Can you not overstep your bounds?¡± ¡°I-I can do that too.¡± ¡°Others can do it, but if I can¡¯t, will it affect Senior Sister?¡± ¡°It won¡¯t affect me, others are others, Junior Brother is Junior Brother, it¡¯s different.¡± Jiang Hao put away the knife and said calmly. ¡°Then I¡¯ll trouble Senior Sister.¡± ¡°It¡¯s no trouble, no trouble at all,¡± Wan Xi said, covering her neck and stomach, shaking her head desperately. Afterward, Jiang Hao approached Ye Shan, turned her over, and looking at her frightened and fearful eyes, said coldly. ¡°Do you think what I did was reasonable, Senior Sister?¡± ¡°I-it was reasonable,¡± Ye Shan immediately replied. ¡°That¡¯s good,¡± Jiang Hao nodded, then returned to his spiritual field to continue cultivating. At that moment, everyone seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. In that instant, they felt an immense pressure. The person they had been looking down upon was like a mountain weighing on them. After a while, two Senior Sisters from Bingyue Valley were rescued. The others sat quietly in front of their spiritual fields, no longer daring to argue. Wen Qi from Hengliu Waterfall looked at Jiang Hao with complex eyes. She didn¡¯t understand why he could draw his sword so decisively. They were all of the same rank, and Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t back down. Otherwise, it would never end, and the strength he showed did not exceed the late Foundation Establishment stage. It was just that these two were really too weak. They had no combat experience at all. Especially Ye Shan, a Foundation Establishment complete was as good as nothing. However, this matter was bound to bring trouble. After all, she was a genius, and Bingyue Valley would probably come to seek justice. But since they were not killed by him, it wouldn¡¯t be enough to send him to the Lawless Tower. At most, they would deduct resources and fine spirit stones. He had never received resources, and he could afford to pay the spirit stones. The only thing he needed to worry about was the reaction of some people from Bingyue Valley, like after Senior Sister Yun Ruo¡¯s death, there were always people seeking revenge. ...... Three days later. Han Ming learned about Jiang Hao¡¯s situation from Mu Qi. ¡°Senior Brother Jiang at the late Foundation Establishment stage defeated a complete Foundation Establishment?¡± ¡°Yes, but it was only a complete Foundation Establishment that didn¡¯t know how to fight. The consequences weren¡¯t severe, but quite a few at the late Foundation Establishment stage from Bingyue Valley have sent challenge letters.¡± Saying this, Mu Qi took out some envelopes, looking rather helpless. After thinking for a while, Han Ming asked for the envelopes and the addresses of those two people. Then, when they left their residence, he blocked their way. At this moment, Wan Xi and Ye Shan, who had just recovered from their injuries, looked at Han Ming with some confusion. ¡°Han Ming from Duanqing Cliff, with a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation, wishes to challenge the late Foundation Establishment Senior Sister Wan Xi.¡± Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ...... A while later, Han Ming, looking at the Senior Sister on the ground in a sorry state, said politely. ¡°Senior Sister, concede.¡± He took out the envelope and looked at it, planning to accept the challenges one by one. He hasn¡¯t even defeated Senior Brother, and these people want to challenge him? Chapter 254 - A Battle for Fame Chapter 254: A Battle for Fame After the confrontation, Jiang Hao continued his routine of leaving early and returning late. He was waiting for the people from the Hall of Enforcement to come looking for him; it was surprising that they hadn¡¯t come in three days. No matter how lacking those two might be, their talent is evident. Having been severely injured by me, it¡¯s impossible for their lineage not to take some action. However, since that incident, everyone else has become completely quiet. They show respect, self-discipline, and avoid causing trouble for anyone else. Jiang Hao had some realization; these people had never really seen the world. They dare not fight each other and lack the ruthlessness in their character. Some are a disgrace to the Demon Sect. Jiang Hao always remembered how Wen Qi at Hengliu Waterfall was rendered speechless by Ye Shan. As equals in talent and realm, someone with the self-awareness of the Demon Sect should have taken action long ago. ¡°In a few more days, I¡¯ll have to return to help the peach tree undergo Nirvana.¡± Leaving the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao began to ponder the Nirvana process. This time was different from the others because he urgently needed the third purple bubble to gain new divine powers. Before he even left Duanqing Cliff, he saw Liu Xingchen. ¡°You¡¯ve finally arrived.¡± Jiang Hao was prepared in his mind, but he didn¡¯t know how many spirit stones he would need to compensate. If it exceeded two thousand, it would be difficult. If it exceeded three thousand, he would have to sell spirit talismans again in the next few days. Nirvana required fourteen thousand, and currently, he had seventeen thousand. If it exceeded three thousand, he wouldn¡¯t be able to undergo Nirvana. ¡°Junior Brother doesn¡¯t seem surprised to see me,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a smile as he approached. ¡°Senior Brother is joking,¡± Jiang Hao replied politely. ¡°It seems Junior Brother is well aware of the consequences of his actions,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a smile, then shook his head. ¡°But this time, Junior Brother seems to have guessed wrong.¡± ¡°Wrong?¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. Was it more serious than I expected? ¡°Does Junior Brother think it¡¯s serious or not?¡± Liu Xingchen teased. After pondering for a moment, Jiang Hao said, ¡°Since Senior Brother came alone, it should not be serious.¡± ¡°Haha,¡± Liu Xingchen laughed. ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s not serious, in fact, there¡¯s no issue at all.¡± ¡°No issue?¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. ¡°Yes, the people from Bingyue Valley indeed planned to teach Junior Brother a lesson and then have Junior Brother compensate with five hundred spirit stones. This is a matter between the two lineages, and the Hall of Enforcement was only involved as an observer. They had no intention of speaking up. So our people also thought you would be targeted and then compensate with five hundred spirit stones,¡± Liu Xingchen said, slightly surprised. ¡°But your master refused, simply sending back a message. ¡®Are the defeated at the same or even lower level even worthy of demanding compensation?¡¯ And then the talks broke down.¡± ¡°Talks broke down?¡± Jiang Hao was astonished. If talks broke down, it meant no more discussion, ready for a fight at any time. ¡°Yes, this time Duanqing Cliff is protecting you, but it¡¯s also deserved. With such high achievements, what are a few people from Bingyue Valley?¡± Liu Xingchen said with a light laugh, ¡°Moreover, you were already on the Hall of Enforcement¡¯s list, so our intervention would lead to the same outcome of being on the list. So this time, Junior Brother doesn¡¯t need to pay any price. The only trouble is, peers from Bingyue Valley are very likely to challenge you. For the sake of face and to please those two, someone will make a move.¡± Jiang Hao suddenly realized that achievements were indeed valuable; as long as he had achievements, many things would be much easier. Even if the other party was a genius, they wouldn¡¯t dare to go too far. Initially, when the Hall of Enforcement captured him, they had to process it beforehand, and without concrete evidence, they had to release him immediately. This time was similar; the achievement of the Corpse Realm Flower was on him. With his master being the biggest beneficiary, it would be unreasonable not to protect him. However, regarding challenges... ¡°I have never received a challenge,¡± Jiang Hao said, quite curious. ¡°That remains to be seen, but this matter itself is not big. Even if no one protected you, in the end, perhaps you would only need to compensate with one or two hundred spirit stones. Other consequences would happen whether you compensate or not. And Bingyue Valley doesn¡¯t have only two disciples, so it couldn¡¯t get too serious. I¡¯ve even investigated, and there are quite a few people who say Junior Brother did well,¡± Liu Xingchen said. Jiang Hao had some understanding of those two people¡¯s characters; it was normal for many to dislike them. That no one had taken action until now was surprising to him. Perhaps it was because of their good talent. People with such talent, as long as they don¡¯t die, will go far in the future. Many people are not confident, so they dare not act. Later, Liu Xingchen went to the mines again, tirelessly pursuing new remnant souls. Currently, he was in a state of two powers intertwining, waiting for the third power to emerge, which might signal the time for the decisive battle. It was uncertain who would be the final winner. After stabilizing for a while, Jiang Hao planned to look around to search for traces of Bai Ye. The main purpose this time was to find Bai Ye or something related to him. It would be best if he could meet him in person. Arriving at Xiling Mountain, he found that Ye Shan and her companion had already returned. Their injuries were completely healed, but Wan Xi was quite disheveled, having encountered something unknown. Both of them lowered their heads upon seeing Jiang Hao, not daring to make eye contact. Jiang Hao¡¯s ruthless decisiveness and strong power had thoroughly intimidated them. At first, they thought they had isolated Jiang Hao, but now they suddenly realized that it was Jiang Hao who looked down upon the nine of them. Now, whenever Jiang Hao speaks, they all listen carefully because they never know when Jiang Hao might draw his sword. The speed of his action makes everyone feel a faint pain in their necks. As soon as Wan Xi arrived, she transplanted the spiritual medicine to one side, not daring to water it even a bit more than necessary for fear of affecting Jiang Hao. Jiang Hao¡¯s attitude towards these people remained the same: calm and polite. However, it was also from this day that he began to wander around because the spiritual medicine was about to mature. He was much faster than others. As for whether anyone dared to tamper with his spiritual medicine while he was away, he didn¡¯t care at all. So far, no one dared to do so, but if someone did, that would be another matter. ...... Soon, the third month arrived. Jiang Hao¡¯s spiritual medicine had fully matured, and now he was just waiting for the mission deadline. During this time, he observed the surroundings for a long time and discovered many spiritual medicines, both from the Candlelight Alchemy Court lineage and the Hundred Bones Forest lineage. Jiang Hao would occasionally appraise the spiritual medicines of the Hundred Bones Forest lineage to see if they involved Bai Ye¡¯s techniques. Unfortunately, so far, he had not seen such spiritual medicines. It¡¯s worth mentioning that during this period, he heard some news. Han Ming had taken on many challenges for him. Most of the opponents were in the late stage of Foundation Establishment. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Being in the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, Han Ming couldn¡¯t gain any advantage in the fights and often faced severe injuries. However, he was able to unleash powerful strength each time, and in the previous seven battles, he had three wins and four losses. In the eighth battle, he achieved a breakthrough to the late stage of Foundation Establishment amidst severe injuries, and thereafter, he advanced triumphantly. He became famous in one battle. At this point, he stood out among the countless Foundation Establishment disciples. Even when occasionally meeting Senior Brother Mu Qi, he couldn¡¯t help but praise him, saying that Junior Brother Han had the makings of a chief. With talent like Ye Shan and others appearing weak as if they had only average talent, indeed, Han Ming was extraordinary; not just anyone with good talent could reach the late stage of Foundation Establishment at twenty-three. Putting these thoughts aside, Jiang Hao sat at the location of the spiritual field, contemplating when to help the Divine Peach Tree undergo nirvana. It was already mid-November. Nirvana could not be delayed. ¡°I¡¯ll go back early today and help it undergo nirvana.¡± Success in nirvana meant that in six days, he would witness new divine powers. Chapter 255 - The Female Demon Stays Overnight and Takes a Bath Chapter 255: The Female Demon Stays Overnight and Takes a Bath Youyun Prefecture, upstream of the Huangsha River. Bi Zhu stood above the river, looking down. ¡°It seems this is the place. I wonder if I can find what I¡¯m looking for.¡± The location she had researched was here, and Jing had also given her this spot. The time to verify everything had arrived. ¡°I want to see if this ¡®jING¡¯ is all talk and no action. If it¡¯s real, I want to see how it stores the Flood Dragon. The method shouldn¡¯t be too good.¡± One can tell a lot about a person¡¯s heritage from their methods. She wasn¡¯t in a hurry but followed the path downstream from the upper reaches. ¡°It should be around this area.¡± Bi Zhu, dressed in a green fairy dress, walked through the air. Her gaze was fixed on the river. As she moved downstream, the rapid river gradually slowed down until she stopped at a certain area. ¡°Hmm?¡± At that moment, her eyes narrowed in disbelief. ¡°Found it? How could it be so small?¡± In her expectation, the Flood Dragon was enormous and even if hidden, would be easy to find. But just now, she almost missed it. ¡°Can it be that only this little is left?¡± she wondered in confusion. As she slowly descended, the water automatically parted, revealing the riverbed and the silt dispersed. Finally, a purple bead appeared before her. A bead? With a gentle gesture, the bead came into her hand. She quickly left the river surface and ascended to the endless sky above, examining the bead in her hand. Now she could clearly see the Flood Dragon inside, and a faint breath was deliberately released. If not paying attention, one would miss it. But that wasn¡¯t important; what mattered was the method used. ¡°Spatial seal? But not quite. This method is unheard of, unseen before.¡± For a moment, she was shocked; the origins of ¡°Jing¡± seemed to surpass her expectations. This was not a technique that ordinary people could possess. Even she had no knowledge of it. ¡°It seems he¡¯s not just pretending to be mysterious. I need to be more cautious when dealing with him.¡± After securing the Flood Dragon, she looked towards a distant village, thinking of inquiring there to perhaps learn about the situation at that time. But there¡¯s no need. It might just backfire. She quickly left, as it was time to prepare for the next gathering to complete the transaction. ...... Tianyin Sect. Jiang Hao returned to the courtyard early. At that moment, the rabbit was still stealthily picking peaches with Xiao Li. ¡°We¡¯ve picked so many, will Senior Brother scold us?¡± Xiao Li was still a bit scared. ¡°No, the master will give Lord Rabbit some face,¡± the rabbit declared confidently. ¡°What if I get caught?¡± S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°When that happens, just mention Lord Rabbit¡¯s name and you¡¯ll be fine. Friends in the road all give Lord Rabbit some face.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Truly, when has Lord Rabbit ever deceived you?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t rabbits eat?¡± ¡°Lord Rabbit eat humans, later we¡¯ll go... go to the field and pull up carrots to eat.¡± Jiang Hao, standing at the entrance of the courtyard, was quite surprised; the rabbit was highly alert. Every time he approached, it noticed. Even when he didn¡¯t emit any aura. Indeed, it had the bearing of a great demon; it couldn¡¯t be kept around here. ¡°Master, you¡¯re back,¡± the rabbit called out loudly. The call startled the thieving Xiao Li, causing her hands to tremble and two peaches to fall to the ground. ¡°Se... Senior Brother.¡± She said, picking up the peaches and bowing her head in fear like a child caught doing something wrong. Observing that Xiao Li seemed much better, Jiang Hao asked, ¡°Are the peaches sweet?¡± ¡°Sweet,¡± Xiao Li nodded subconsciously. Indeed too sweet, and afterward, Jiang Hao let Xiao Li continue picking. This time she picked happily. When only three peaches were left, Jiang Hao told Xiao Li to go back. She bounded away, biting into a peach. After watching Xiao Li leave, Jiang Hao returned to the courtyard. But as soon as he turned around, he saw the rabbit hanging on the wall, bruised and battered, life and death unknown. ¡°What is the identity of your Junior Sister?¡± A crisp voice rang out from the side, pleasant to the ear. Though the tone was flat, it demanded full attention. Turning his head, he saw Hong Yuye dressed in a red and white fairy dress with a simple bun, her hair tips swaying gently at waist length. At that moment, she took a bite of a peach. Seeing Hong Yuye eating fruit, Jiang Hao felt as if his mind was struck. He actually found Hong Yuye especially pleasing at that moment. A charm technique? For a moment, Jiang Hao felt an inexplicable sense of crisis, because he could resist everyone¡¯s charm techniques, except for Hong Yuye¡¯s. The Tianjue Gu poison was ineffective against Hong Yuye. ¡°It¡¯s sweet,¡± Hong Yuye said, looking at Jiang Hao with a hint of pity. ¡°It seems you were wrong again.¡± Instantly, Jiang Hao steadied his mind and looked down, ¡°Maybe there was just one sweet one, and senior happened to eat it.¡± ¡°Tell me about your Junior Sister, do you know what she is?¡± Hong Yuye sat on a wooden chair, taking another light bite of the peach. ¡°Does senior know?¡± Jiang Hao countered. As his words fell, a tremendous force surged. With a bang, Jiang Hao was slammed against the wall. It was slightly painful. ¡°I¡¯m asking you, not the other way around,¡± Hong Yuye said flatly. Not in pain, Jiang Hao took a deep breath and stood up straight before speaking: ¡°Junior Sister Xiao Li is of the dragon race.¡± ¡°Do you know what kind of dragon she is?¡± Hong Yuye asked again. ¡°I do not know,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. ¡°Tell me how she joined your sect,¡± Hong Yuye continued to inquire. Jiang Hao could only explain how Xiao Li was initiated into the sect; there was nothing much to hide except for the matter of appraisal. ¡°So it was you who initiated her, no wonder...¡± Hong Yuye chuckled. ¡°This is a young dragon, she will be good to whoever is good to her. You gave her a meal, and she will always remember that.¡± ¡°Are dragons really that weak?¡± Jiang Hao asked. Hong Yuye gave Jiang Hao a meaningful look and then laughed. ¡°Didn¡¯t you see for yourself?¡± That was because Xiao Li had lost her memory and her strength, Jiang Hao felt somewhat helpless. He had hoped to learn something from Hong Yuye. ¡°Eat the last peach,¡± Hong Yuye pointed to the peach tree and continued: ¡°Can you undergo nirvana today?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. It just so happened that he was also planning to undergo nirvana today. After eating the peach, he began to arrange the spirit stones. Fourteen thousand seven hundred spirit stones, just like that, gone. Only less than three thousand remain. Afterward, Hong Yuye sat on a wooden chair, watching the last peach absorb all the nutrients and spiritual energy. After midnight, the peach tree withered. At dawn, the fruit fell to the ground. The entire tree turned to ashes, burying the fruit. ¡°Almost done,¡± Jiang Hao, who had waited all night, spoke up. He hadn¡¯t expected Hong Yuye to actually spend another night at his place. ¡°What¡¯s next?¡± Hong Yuye asked. Jiang Hao went over to retrieve the seed and planted it again: ¡°Plant it, water it, and after six days, it should sprout again, starting a new cycle.¡± ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± Hong Yuye asked. ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. Although it was just watering, indeed, that was all that was needed. Hong Yuye stood up and walked inside: ¡°Prepare hot water; I want to take a bath.¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao felt a twinge of pain in his back. But he dared not refuse. ¡°Oh, right,¡± Hong Yuye suddenly stopped and said. ¡°Use your divine ability again, the one from before.¡± Before? Daily Appraisal? Chapter 256 - Do You Think I Can’t Bathe by Myself? Chapter 256: Do You Think I Can¡¯t Bathe by Myself? Use Daily Appraisal again? Jiang Hao was puzzled by Hong Yuye¡¯s sudden request. However, since his promotion, he indeed hadn¡¯t appraised Hong Yuye. Because it was easy to be detected, he had been putting it off until now, not daring to use his divine ability. This time he could use it openly, which was an unexpected surprise. He immediately adjusted his breathing to cover the cost of the divine ability with his breath to deceive Hong Yuye. Daily Appraisal. The divine ability was cast in an instant. The feedback was as slow as ever. Not only because of his cultivation level but also because Hong Yuye herself was no simple matter. Treasures, divine abilities, cultivation level, these three factors combined made it difficult to appraise. Then the divine ability provided feedback. ¡¾Hong Yuye: Infected with the unique Tianjue Gu Yin Gu Poison, which pairs exclusively with your Yang Gu ... ... ...¡¿ Reading the text, Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised; finally, it wasn¡¯t just question marks. However, apart from one sentence, it was all ellipses. Although it was much more than before, he still couldn¡¯t get any useful information. He was already aware of the Tianjue Gu Poison. But indeed, with higher cultivation, he could appraise more things. Perhaps when he surpasses the Nascent Soul stage, he would be able to appraise even more. But he needed Hong Yuye to ask him to use his divine ability; otherwise, it could be dangerous. ¡°I¡¯ve already used it,¡± Jiang Hao replied. ¡°How far have you gotten with the Heavenly Saber Seven Forms?¡± Hong Yuye asked again. ¡°The third form,¡± Jiang Hao answered truthfully. He had no idea when he would be able to learn the fourth form. With that, Hong Yuye didn¡¯t say anything more and sat in the hall waiting for Jiang Hao to heat the water. After using his cultivation to heat the cold river water, Jiang Hao sprinkled silver moon petals on the surface. This time he only used one portion, unsure if it would cover the entire surface. Based on the last time, it should. Afterward, he notified Hong Yuye. Hong Yuye, who walked in, tested the water temperature with her hand and then turned to look at Jiang Hao. ¡°Do you think I can¡¯t bathe by myself?¡± The puzzled Jiang Hao instantly realized his mistake and immediately stepped back. ¡°This junior will leave now.¡± He thought Hong Yuye would check first and then let him leave if there was no problem. If she thought he wanted to watch, she would definitely strike again. After leaving, Jiang Hao stood at the door. At this time, he took out ¡¶Merge with Light and Blend with Dust¡·. This cultivation method was related to one¡¯s state of mind, reading it could calm the mind. Because his emotions had been suppressed for a long time, he felt somewhat distracted whenever Hong Yuye appeared. If it weren¡¯t for his recent improvement in mental state, he would have appeared very flustered. After reading for a while and feeling his mind was calm enough, the Secret Whisper Slate vibrated slightly. He took it out to check and found that senior Dan Yuan had set another meeting time. ...... One month later. It had been almost five months since the last gathering, and it was indeed time for another. But this time the notice was a bit early, having to wait a whole month. After checking the message, he casually looked at the chat. It was ¡°Liu¡± (Willow) and ¡°Xing¡± (Star) conversing. At this moment, ¡°Liu¡± (Willow) overseas had tracked down the person ¡°Xing¡± (Star) was looking for and was asking whether to capture them alive. Seeing their chat, Jiang Hao felt that ¡°Liu¡± (Willow) was very strong overseas. He also needed to prepare for the gathering in a month. ¡°I already completed a transaction with ¡°Gui (Ghost)¡±. If I can also complete one with the remaining two, then the mysterious and powerful image will be firmly established. Of course, everything depends on the premise that the tasks are completed beyond their expectations. However, such tasks, like those of the ¡°Ghost,¡± are rare and cannot be sought after at will.¡± ¡°Liu has nothing to do other than his repairs, and Xing has no urgent tasks either; even if there were any, they wouldn¡¯t be in Youyun Prefecture. Not to mention my current lack of ability, even if I had it, it wouldn¡¯t be appropriate to snatch tasks from others.¡± ¡°Everyone has their own territory. If someone capable of completing a task is suddenly intercepted, it would only breed resentment. That¡¯s not being mysterious and powerful; it¡¯s being too eager to show off. It can easily backfire. These things can¡¯t be rushed. There haven¡¯t been any doubts so far, and there¡¯s plenty of time. I should first get the curse technique to deal with Bai Ye.¡± Putting away the stone tablet, Jiang Hao turned to look at the door behind him. A long time had passed, and Hong Yuye still had not come out. ¡°I wonder if it will be the same as before.¡± He wanted to check but didn¡¯t dare to act rashly. He could only continue to wait. ¡°Come in,¡± a voice suddenly came from inside. Come in? Jiang Hao was startled. His mind uncontrollably recalled some images. Fortunately, he managed to regain his composure immediately. After notifying Hong Yuye, Jiang Hao opened the door and looked inside. What he saw was not a beauty in a wooden tub but a beautiful figure with long hair reaching her waist standing beside the tub. She was now dressed in a blue and white fairy dress, with a blue belt tied around her waist and her hair done up in a very simple bun. She bent down to stir the water and said, ¡°The tub is too small. Get a bigger one.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. He saw that the silver moon petals were still scattered all over. The room was large enough to accommodate a bigger tub without any problem. Upon hearing this, Hong Yuye turned around gently, facing Jiang Hao directly. ¡°Next time you come, if it¡¯s still this tub, I¡¯ll stuff you into it.¡± Jiang Hao promised to replace it immediately. Only then did Hong Yuye¡¯s figure begin to fade away. Just as he saw her disappear, Jiang Hao noticed that the red and white dress on the screen was still here. Just when he thought Hong Yuye would leave something behind for the first time, the dress disappeared as well. Afterward, he tidied up the wooden tub and went to the sect¡¯s market to buy a bathing stone made of giant rocks. It had a smooth surface with curved edges. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was four and a half feet wide, six feet two inches long, three and a half feet wide inside, five feet two inches long, and about as tall as a normal wooden tub. The stone contained many sunset red gradients. This should satisfy Hong Yuye. Fortunately, the price was not expensive, only one spirit stone. After placing the bathing stone, Jiang Hao began to busy himself with his own affairs. He had been to the Xiling Mountain for five consecutive days with no further gains. On the sixth day, Jiang Hao came to the courtyard and saw a rabbit drooling and a purple bubble next to the seedling. ¡¾Divine Ability Fragment+1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit1¡¿ ¡¾Strength+1¡¿ Occasionally, white bubbles would also appear in the yard. However, these were not worth paying attention to. Jiang Hao sat on the wooden chair and glanced at the panel. ¡¾Divine Abilities: 3/3(can be acquired)¡¿ Indeed, it was full. Without any hesitation, he chose to acquire it. He was also looking forward to what divine ability would appear this time. After acquiring it, the number instantly returned to zero. At this moment, he felt changes all over his body, from the skin to the flesh, to the meridians, and then to the bones. It was as if countless ants were crawling, making it somewhat uncomfortable for a while. But it quickly became comfortable again. Although he still didn¡¯t know what the divine ability was this time, judging from the reaction of his body, it should be a full-body divine ability. Indestructible body? Jiang Hao began to guess, but he didn¡¯t feel that way. Now he could only continue to feel it. After a while, he found that everything had calmed down. There were no substantial changes in his body, and the sensation of the divine ability was very weak. It felt like he couldn¡¯t activate it. ¡°This divine ability isn¡¯t strong,¡± he sighed and looked at the panel again to confirm the name of the divine ability. Chapter 257 - The Fifth Chief Chapter 257: The Fifth Chief ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 24¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Mid-Stage Nascent Soul¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (Unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind, Hidden Spirit Manifestation, Divine Might, Withered Tree Meets Spring¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 36/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 34/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡¾Divine Abilities: 0/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡°Withered Tree Meets Spring?¡± (Spring here means revival.) Upon seeing the divine ability, Jiang Hao was quite surprised. ¡°No wonder I felt like I couldn¡¯t activate it; it turns out it¡¯s not a conventional divine ability.¡± This kind of divine ability targets the whole body and is passive. Or perhaps it can only be activated after being injured. With this speculation, he used Half-Moon to cut the skin on his palm. Sure enough, Withered Tree Meets Spring automatically activated, and the wound healed at a speed visible to the naked eye. However... With his strength, even without activating a divine ability, such an injury could also recover very quickly. ¡°It seems I need to test the limits of this divine ability more.¡± Overall, the healing ability wasn¡¯t as exaggerated as he thought. ¡°In the long run, having this divine ability is a great thing, but for now, it seems somewhat superfluous.¡± But it did make him a bit safer. How much safer, depended on the limits of this divine ability. After confirming the divine ability, he checked his cultivation and vital energy on the panel and found they were both over thirty. By this time next year, he could advance to the late stage of Nascent Soul. He just feared that if he had to go out on a mission in the meantime, he wouldn¡¯t be able to get the bubbles from the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. Nowadays, most of the bubbles came from the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. ¡°Nowadays, ordinary spiritual medicines rarely produce bubbles; I wonder what the situation is with mining. Initially, I could get about twenty bubbles a day, but now getting two a day is considered very fast.¡± Unfortunately, even though the mines were open, he had no reason to go there. The downside of having merits was that he couldn¡¯t be punished by being sent to the mines. ...... Another seven days passed. Jiang Hao realized that there was only half a month left until the end of the planting mission. He hadn¡¯t had any harvest during this half month. During this period, he returned the thousand spirit stones he owed to the Enforcement Peak, and they expressed regret that he had gotten into a lot of trouble recently and couldn¡¯t take on missions for the time being. Being too involved with traitors, it seemed the people from Enforcement Peak were even more concerned about it than he was. Jiang Hao could only politely reply with ¡°Thank you, Senior Sister, for your concern¡± and then leave. Besides these events, he also tested the divine ability Withered Tree Meets Spring. Injuries from magical treasures, spell injuries, physical injuries, poison damage, and a languishing Nascent Soul¡ªall were within the healing range of Withered Tree Meets Spring. It seemed that as long as the body was injured, Withered Tree Meets Spring would trigger, but the speed of recovery varied. Some were very fast, while others took more time. Indeed, it was much stronger than his own healing ability. Not only that, but lately, he felt more and more vitality filling every corner of his body. Even his meditation and cultivation had improved. Withered Tree Meets Spring might be much more useful than he had anticipated. ...... December was approaching mid-month. The planting mission was in its last three days. By this time, most people¡¯s spiritual medicines had matured. Only Wan Xi¡¯s Bailing Flowers were unable to mature because she watered them too little, as her plot was too close to Jiang Hao¡¯s. Since Jiang Hao had intervened last time, there had been no further quarrels among them. On this day, everyone was chatting with a hint of joy in their words, seemingly happy that the mission was about to end. At this moment, Jiang Hao arrived at the location of the Hundred Bones Forest. Walking down the mountain path, he could see many spiritual medicines. If he didn¡¯t find anything in the next few days, he would have to return empty-handed. After walking for a while, he saw a young girl with a basket going up the mountain. She had her hair tied into twin braids and wore the common attire of a sect. The moment Jiang Hao saw her, his pupils contracted. Although the girl¡¯s displayed cultivation level was mid-stage Foundation Establishment, there was an indescribable power in her every move. Her strength exceeded that of Nascent Soul. ¡°Why is this Senior Brother staring at me?¡± the girl asked with a curious expression. With the help of the Tianjue Gu poison, Jiang Hao¡¯s expression remained unchanged, and his tone was calm, though with a hint of apology. ¡°I¡¯m just surprised to see someone here for the first time. I didn¡¯t mean to offend you, Junior Sister.¡± ¡°Is Senior Brother curious about the spiritual medicines here?¡± the girl asked with a smile. ¡°I work in the Spiritual Medicine Garden, so I want to familiarize myself with more spiritual medicines,¡± Jiang Hao replied softly. ¡°I see, but the spiritual medicines here can only be looked at, not touched. Most of them are favored by our Master. Unfortunately, we in the Hundred Bones Forest don¡¯t know much about spiritual medicines. The most knowledgeable among the younger generation is Senior Brother Bai Ye, but he insists on staying in his residence and refuses to come out. So it¡¯s up to a half-expert like me to take care of them,¡± the girl said with a shrug and a helpless expression. ¡°I understand,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°I heard that Senior Brother Bai Ye has challenged Senior Brother Man Long. If he succeeds, he¡¯ll become one of the chief disciple.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard about it too, but I feel that Senior Brother Bai Ye will fail. He¡¯s not good at fighting, and the chief disciple position requires absolute strength. If it were based on talent in a certain area, he would definitely succeed,¡± the girl pointed to a nearby spiritual medicine and said. ¡°I¡¯m going to check on the spiritual medicines. Do you want to come with me, Senior Brother?¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. As the girl moved ahead, Jiang Hao finally found an opportunity to activate his divine ability. Appraisal. ¡¾Ye Yaqing: The fifth-ranked chief disciple of the Tianyin Sect, a true disciple of the Hundred Bones Forest, in the late stage of Spirit Refining cultivation, finds Bai Ye¡¯s recklessness quite troublesome. She has a fondness for cultivating spiritual medicines, with a talent far surpassing ordinary people. Faced with the choice between becoming a powerful pill refiner and possessing absolute strength, she chose the latter, and despite appearing ordinary, she has always been in a position others look up to.¡¿ Jiang Hao was inwardly astonished to learn that she was the fifth-ranked chief disciple. Man Long was ranked tenth, with a complete Nascent Soul, while this Senior Sister Ye was in the late stage of Spirit Refining. The gap in strength was enormous. How powerful must the first-ranked be? He had always heard about the strength of the chief disciples but had never seen it with his own eyes. Now, seeing the fifth-ranked, he realized just how vast the difference was between them. However, he believed he could catch up, given time; the future held promise. Still, he was curious whether this Senior Sister knew about Bai Ye¡¯s talents, given her own aptitude for spiritual medicines. ¡°Why does Junior Sister think Senior Brother Bai Ye will fail? I feel he could succeed,¡± Jiang Hao said. ¡°Why do you think so?¡± Ye Yaqing crouched down to look at a white flower as if pondering. ¡°Because I¡¯ve heard it¡¯s not easy to become a chief disciple, and Senior Brother Bai Ye¡¯s strength is not yet sufficient.¡± Not yet sufficient? If someone in the middle stage of Foundation Establishment had said this, he wouldn¡¯t have believed it, but coming from someone in the late stage of Spirit Refining, it was more credible. However, he wouldn¡¯t give up on finding a way to deal with Bai Ye; only by taking action himself could he feel secure. ¡°Are there many people who want to see Senior Brother Bai Ye now?¡± Jiang Hao asked. He wanted to try to meet the other party or obtain something that belonged to him. ¡°Yes,¡± Ye Yaqing looked up and smiled: ¡°Many people want to see Senior Brother Bai Ye¡¯s strength and then place their bets. Whenever someone issues a challenge in the sect, this kind of thing happens. Recently, some people even specifically buy some of Senior Brother Bai Ye¡¯s pills. They¡¯re just waiting for Senior Brother Bai Ye to become a chief disciple, then sell them at a high price, especially since the pills refined by a chief disciple fetch a higher price. By the way, I have a bottle of pills refined by Senior Brother Bai Ye here, the market price is thirty-five spirit stones, I¡¯ll sell it to you for forty. If Senior Brother Bai Ye really gets promoted, you could sell it for fifty. Absolutely genuine.¡± Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Do you all know how to do business like this? Chapter 258 - So Even Chief Disciples Can Deceive People Chapter 258: So Even Chief Disciples Can Deceive People Taking the pills, Jiang Hao was somewhat emotional. Foundation Establishment pills were of no use to him, but he indeed needed to buy them. If they were truly refined by Bai Ye himself, then they could be used as a medium for a curse. It was just very difficult to succeed; he needed more items. ¡°Are they really personally refined by Senior Brother Bai Ye?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Of course, I guarantee it with my reputation,¡± Ye Yaqing nodded earnestly. ¡°Do you have more?¡± Jiang Hao asked again. ¡°Do you have that many spirit stones? You¡¯re only at the late stage of Foundation Establishment,¡± Ye Yaqing looked at him with wide eyes. ¡°Isn¡¯t Junior Sister¡¯s cultivation level not stronger than mine? If you can have pills, why can¡¯t I have spirit stones?¡± Jiang Hao retorted. For a moment, Ye Yaqing was stunned, then nodded. ¡°Senior Brother makes sense.¡± She then took out nine more bottles of pills, ¡°Ten bottles in total, four hundred spirit stones.¡± ¡°Do you have more?¡± Jiang Hao continued to ask. ¡°Don¡¯t you find it strange that a Foundation Establishment Senior Brother has so many spirit stones?¡± Ye Yaqing inquired. ¡°I¡¯ve been saving for many years,¡± Jiang Hao said. He sold spirit talismans, and many people knew about it. Otherwise, why would the enforcers of the sect keep an eye on him every day? It was all to make money from him. In the eyes of others, he had a certain talent for talisman making, and such people naturally found it easy to earn spirit stones. Talisman masters, pill refiners, forge masters, and array masters were all profitable professions. Some had high ceilings, others had high floors. Some had low barriers to entry, others had high barriers. But to truly stand out, one must possess the corresponding talent. Otherwise, something that everyone could do would not sell at all. For example, the initial Swift Travel Talisman was priced at five for one spirit stone. In reality, no one bought them. It wasn¡¯t even enough to cover the cost of materials. ¡°There are no more pills, but what about a damaged magical treasure? I was planning to get it repaired,¡± Ye Yaqing searched and took out a palm-sized shield, explaining. ¡°The Ruyi Mountain Shield can defend as you wish and also defend automatically. Automatic defense is severely limited, but there¡¯s no problem with intentional defense.¡± Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°It can withstand all Foundation Establishment attacks and even Golden Core attacks to some extent. The only pity is that it¡¯s broken. It would cost three thousand spirit stones to repair, and in its current damaged state, the market price is two thousand five hundred.¡± ¡°So you¡¯re saying to use it normally after buying it, it would cost five thousand five hundred?¡± Jiang Hao was shocked. ¡°Six thousand, actually, you have to pay a five hundred premium, otherwise what do I earn? But as long as Bai Ye becomes a chief disciple, you could sell it for six thousand six hundred,¡± Ye Yaqing reminded him. Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Where would he get so many spirit stones? But if this really belonged to Bai Ye, then it was likely his personal magical treasure. Such an item, used as a medium, would have a higher chance of success. However, the elixir cost four hundred, and the magical treasure cost six thousand, making the total six thousand four hundred. To curse Bai Ye, such a huge expense was actually incurred. And this is just the beginning; the materials needed for the curse haven¡¯t even been seen yet. It might as well be simpler to just draw a sword. But since both the elixir and the defensive magical treasure can be sold, in reality, it should only be a loss of the extra charged spirit stones. Additionally, the method of calculating costs is actually incorrect; he shouldn¡¯t need to use so many spirit stones. ¡°I¡¯ll take the elixir first; I need to think about the magical treasure,¡± Jiang Hao said as he handed over four hundred spirit stones and continued. ¡°Let¡¯s meet here tomorrow, and I can give you an answer.¡± ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll wait for you here tomorrow.¡± Ye Yaqing said with caution and joy as she accepted the spirit stones, then asked, ¡°Do you have six thousand spirit stones?¡± ¡°It¡¯s three thousand, and the other three thousand I might consider repairing depending on the situation,¡± Jiang Hao corrected. Buying things from this Senior Sister in front of him indeed only required three thousand spirit stones. The cost instantly plummeted. ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± Ye Yaqing nodded. Afterward, Jiang Hao returned to the location of the spiritual field, while Ye Yaqing continued to tend to the surrounding spiritual herbs. ...... The next day. Jiang Hao set up a stall in the market to sell spirit talismans. The reason he waited until today to decide whether to buy the magical treasure was to appraise it. Because it was quite expensive, he wanted to see if it was Bai Ye¡¯s. If it was, he would buy it. If not, he would give up. Of course, he needed to earn spirit stones today; if he couldn¡¯t gather enough, he would have to try to owe her first. Now he had one thousand three hundred spirit stones, still short of one thousand seven hundred. This time he laid out fifteen Healing Talismans, fifteen Hundred Thousand Divine Swords Talismans, and fifteen Earth Breaking Talismans. If all were sold out, he could gather enough. But the likelihood was very low. Unless... ¡°Do you have Force Repelling Talismans?¡± someone suddenly asked. Jiang Hao looked up and saw a familiar face. Recognizing the person in an instant, he shook his head slightly. ¡°No.¡± ¡°No?¡± Duan Guan said disdainfully, ¡°You can¡¯t even make such a simple talisman? Is your Foundation Establishment late-stage cultivation just for show? I¡¯ve never seen such a poor talisman maker. With a bit of talent, you don¡¯t even know to be diligent. You¡¯ll be eliminated sooner or later; I advise you to go back home and farm.¡± After he finished speaking, he directly swept away all the spirit talismans, leaving behind two thousand two hundred and fifty spirit stones. This left Jiang Hao dumbfounded. The other party was harsh in words, but even harsher in purchasing spirit talismans. Why can others have so many spirit stones? Actually, he set up the stall this time just to wait for this Senior Brother. He had quite a few Force Repelling Talismans, but he basically didn¡¯t sell them. It was to encounter the other party so that he could pick out faults. If he could find any, he might not buy. It would be a loss. The other party hadn¡¯t appeared for a long time, and he felt it was about time. Unexpectedly, he really did come. He hoped to encounter this Senior Brother again in a few months. Or Senior Sister Leng Tian would be fine too. ...... Afterward, he once again arrived at the border of the Hundred Bones Forest and met Senior Sister Ye Yaqing. ¡°Senior Brother really came, have you thought it over?¡± ¡°Can I inspect the goods first?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± After receiving the magical treasure, Jiang Hao performed a divine appraisal. ¡¾Damaged Ruyi Mountain Shield: After being consecrated, it can move as one desire, as stable as a mountain, with extremely strong defensive power. It was an important magical treasure for Bai Ye during his Golden Core stage, later damaged and picked up by Ye Yaqing. Even if repaired, it¡¯s far from its original state, waiting for a sucker to take over.¡¿ Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Initially, he was somewhat pleased to find that it was indeed Bai Ye¡¯s magical treasure, but he suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. Sucker... Not only did he have to be one, but he also had to be happy about it. ¡°I¡¯ll buy it.¡± He gritted his teeth and handed over three thousand spirit stones to her. After deducting three thousand, only five hundred spirit stones remained. Five hundred was actually a lot, but to him, it always seemed not enough. ¡°Are you sure?¡± Ye Yaqing was quite surprised. ¡°If it works out, I can still sell it for three thousand five hundred,¡± Jiang Hao said earnestly. ¡°You really like to gamble; well, good luck to you,¡± Ye Yaqing didn¡¯t say much else. Afterward, Jiang Hao bid her farewell. Throughout the entire process, neither of them revealed their identities; they simply made the transaction. This was better for everyone. ...... The next day. The last day of the planting task. Jiang Hao took some time to appraise the pills. The first bottle was a rip-off; it wasn¡¯t made by Bai Ye. ¡°I really didn¡¯t expect that even the chief disciple would deceive people.¡± He thought such a trivial matter was beneath the other party to lie about. It seems everyone is really short on spirit stones. ¡°Once I finish the sect mission today, I should wait for the gathering.¡± Chapter 259 - The End of All Things Chapter 259: The End of All Things On the last day, when Jiang Hao arrived at the foot of the Xiling Mountain, he found that the Golden Core Senior Brother was actually waiting for them. He hurried over to greet him and then waited on the side. He was neither the first nor the last to arrive. After a short while, the rest of the people arrived one after another. And at the last moment, Ye Shan and her companion finally made it. They were startled to see the Golden Core Senior Brother there, hurried over to greet him and apologize, explaining that they didn¡¯t know someone was waiting. This surprised the Golden Core Senior Brother somewhat. In just a few months, these people had changed a bit. ¡°Since everyone is here, let¡¯s go up and check your results.¡± The others nodded in agreement. A group of eleven then went up the Fine Spirit Mountain, and except for Wan Xi¡¯s White Spirit Flower which was not yet mature, the rest were all ripe. ¡°You can take one-third of the mature ones as your reward; I will collect the rest. You can choose which one to take,¡± the Golden Core Senior Brother reminded. Jiang Hao hesitated for a moment, then chose the best Mingyang Grass, a medium-grade Bodhi Flower, and a lower-grade White Spirit Flower. This way, he could find out which level of effect was better. After everyone made their choices, they were sent away from the Fine Spirit Mountain. Before leaving, Jiang Hao noticed that Ye Shan and the others all had a look of relief on their faces. These people were still too naive. But everyone has their own way of living; perhaps they would be happier and more content. However, Jiang Hao felt that they definitely wouldn¡¯t live as long as him. ....... After a short while. He received a reward of one hundred spirit stones from the Law Enforcement Peak mission. It was less than expected. On his way back to the Spiritual Medicine Garden, he saw someone being beaten in the woods. Upon closer inspection, it was Lin Zhi... ¡°You actually wasted spirit stones and pills again, what are you squandering for as a Qi Refining first level?¡± a Qi Refining fourth level fairy kicked Lin Zhi, who was lying on the ground. ¡°Yeah, in three more months he¡¯s supposed to be expelled from the sect.¡± ¡°Hard to say, I heard his two friends are looking for people to extend his time, it¡¯s good to have such friends. Too bad this trash can¡¯t be helped.¡± ¡°It¡¯s almost been three years, and he¡¯s still at Qi Refining first level, I¡¯ve never seen a disciple with such poor talent.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go, we¡¯ll come back next time, we can always rob some spirit stones.¡± Jiang Hao shook his head and then turned to leave. It was an unavoidable situation. He couldn¡¯t intervene, nor was there a need to. As a spiritual mentor, the rabbit would guide Lin Zhi on what to do. He couldn¡¯t show his face too much. Some things, even if done, don¡¯t need to be mentioned; he was happy to see others step forward and take the credit. ...... ¡°Senior Sister Zhou is too polite, staying for one more year is no trouble,¡± said a Foundation Establishment early stage who managed the outer disciples at Duanqing Cliff, smiling as he accepted two spirit stones. ¡°Then I¡¯ll trouble Junior Brother,¡± Zhou Chan said with gratitude as she and Zhao Qingxue turned to leave after thanking him. They came to ensure Lin Zhi could stay for another year. Another year and he should be able to reach Qi Refining second level. Zhao Qingxue also expressed her thanks before leaving: ¡°Thank you, Senior Brother.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a small effort,¡± the Foundation Establishment middle stage man said with a smile and a shake of his head. He was almost at his limit after Foundation Establishment and could only hold some positions in the outer sect, enjoying some benefits. After sending them off, he breathed a sigh of relief. Then he touched the two spirit stones and smiled. As for Lin Zhi¡¯s situation... It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t want to help, but that he couldn¡¯t. He took out the register and looked at the list of disciples staying. Lin Zhi¡¯s name had already been crossed out. That is to say, Lin Zhi had no time limit on him, but for some reason, these people were unaware. They even asked him to help Lin Zhi stay for another year. He felt a bit embarrassed not to accept the spirit stones that were offered to him. And indeed, he could stay for another year. However, why Lin Zhi could stay indefinitely, he did not know. He had just received an order one day. It was an order from the highest authority at Duanqing Cliff. ...... After spending some time in the Spiritual Medicine Garden and taking care of some spiritual medicines, Jiang Hao returned to his own courtyard. He placed the recently obtained items on the table. There were three spiritual medicines, with a total selling price of around seven hundred. Considering it as a mission reward, it was quite generous. Plus the one hundred he received, he had a total of eight hundred spirit stones. Jiang Hao had no immediate plans to sell these three spiritual medicines; he wanted to see if their effects were the same as other spiritual medicines. Besides these, there were ten bottles of Foundation Establishment pills and the magical treasure Ruyi Mountain Shield. The magical treasure had already been appraised, one bottle of spiritual medicine had been appraised, and it would take nine days to appraise the rest. At that time, he would use them all as a medium for a curse. The success rate should be a bit higher. He¡¯ll resell the leftovers after some time to recoup some of the costs. When the time comes, he¡¯ll also slap on the Bai Ye label and sell them for forty-one each. If they sell, great; if not, he¡¯ll let them go at a low price. Having packed up his things, he began to wait for the arrival of the midnight hour. Tonight is the night of the new gathering. For Jiang Hao, who is in the Tianyin Sect, the gathering is the only way he can learn about the outside world. Securing his seat, this gathering should be quite beneficial for him. For instance, he learned about Zhuang Yuzhen¡¯s arrival at one such gathering. ...... Midnight. Jiang Hao stepped onto the stone slab and landed in the common area. Today, besides Senior Dan Yuan, there were four others attending the gathering. Jiang Hao had always been curious about who the others were. But it was also good that they didn¡¯t come too often, as too many people would prevent him from leaving an impression of being mysterious, powerful, and solitary. After greeting Senior Dan Yuan, it was time to resolve any cultivation confusions. Only Xing raised doubts about a cultivation technique, which sounded like a very powerful attack method. It was called Vast Sun and Moon. And Senior Dan Yuan seemed to understand this technique very well, answering Xing¡¯s questions one by one. ¡°Now that there are no more questions, let¡¯s talk about the previous task.¡± Dan Yuan looked at everyone and asked, ¡°Did anyone have any success with the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower?¡± The others shook their heads, and so did Jiang Hao. ¡°There¡¯s no rush,¡± Dan Yuan said with a smile, looking at Jiang Hao. ¡°The information you wanted is ready. Would you like to know it alone, or should I just say it out loud?¡± ¡°Alone,¡± Jiang Hao said. Such matters might relate to him personally, so it was safer to keep it private. ¡°Alright,¡± Dan Yuan nodded, and then a stone slab appeared in front of Jiang Hao. ¡°Just place your hand on it.¡± As soon as Jiang Hao placed his hand on it, a message was transmitted to him. It roughly said: ¡°The Great Thousand Divine Sect is investigating the Tianyin Sect to find out about its past and present, as well as the history of its location. Important events, people, and items all need to be clarified.¡± ¡°The reason the Great Thousand Divine Sect is investigating the Tianyin Sect is that they are working for a mysterious person, who is likely searching for something.¡± ¡°As for this mysterious person, they could be someone related to End of All Things.¡± The end of all things? Jiang Hao was quite astonished to receive this message. It was impressive to receive such detailed information. No wonder Dan Yuan was in charge, and why everyone was eager to complete tasks. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The rewards offered were substantial. Jiang Hao withdrew his hand and calmly said. ¡°Thank you, senior Dan Yuan.¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s discuss another task.¡± Dan Yuan looked at everyone and spoke again, ¡°The Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead should be in the southern Youyun Prefecture. I will now transmit to you a sealing technique. If you have the chance to encounter it, you can attempt to seal it. If you have any information or succeed in sealing it, you can make a request of me. But it would be best to inform the immortal sect immediately to suppress it.¡± Chapter 260 - I Have a Better Way Chapter 260: I Have a Better Way The Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead has been discovered? Jiang Hao took extra note of this. The Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead was still in his possession, and naturally, he couldn¡¯t hand it over. Everyone said that this bead was extremely dangerous, and if it escaped its seal, it would be a catastrophe for heaven and earth. So he could only continue to keep it hidden, but now that others had a rough idea of its location, he worried that one day its exact location would be discovered. At that time, it would all depend on whether the Tianyin Sect could withstand it. As Dan Yuan finished speaking, stone slabs appeared in front of the four. Jiang Hao understood that they were about to learn the sealing technique. After placing his hand on it, Jiang Hao saw someone demonstrating a technique. This technique was called the Seven Stars Seal. Using seven stars as points, it connected to create a space, sealing the object within. The sealing was fast and effective. However, the duration was short. The Seven Stars Seal could only last for seven days. At most, it could be performed seven times, sealing for a total of forty-nine days. ¡°This sealing technique is my own creation, and so far, aside from us five, no one else knows it,¡± Dan Yuan said to everyone. ¡°It must not be shared for now.¡± Jiang Hao and the others nodded in agreement. This meant that in the future, if they saw this sealing technique, it would be one of the five. After memorizing the sealing technique, the gathering continued. Dan Yuan didn¡¯t mention any more tasks, and it was time for free trade. Fairy Gui looked at Jiang Hao: ¡°I¡¯ve confirmed the item, there are no issues, and my things have also returned to me intact. The curse technique has been prepared for you; do you want it now?¡± Hearing Gui¡¯s words, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief, having passed the test. At this moment, his expression was calm, ¡°Now.¡± Fairy Gui looked towards Dan Yuan. The stone slab then appeared in front of the two. After Fairy Gui finished recording, Jiang Hao began to examine it. He didn¡¯t try to understand the content but memorized it all, planning to write it down later and then delve into it. After checking again to ensure there were no issues, he withdrew his hand. With the matters concerning Gui resolved, Liu then asked Xing: ¡°There were three people who came, all of whom I¡¯ve seriously injured and detained. But according to them, there should be a fourth person who went somewhere else.¡± ¡°Alright, I will hire someone to take them away during this period. That way, our deal will be concluded,¡± Xing nodded and said. Liu nodded slightly, then glanced over everyone and continued: ¡°Actually, I¡¯ve been thinking if there¡¯s a better way than starting over from scratch. I hope you all can help me gather information about this, and as for the reward, spirit stones, techniques, intelligence, or anything related to overseas matters are all acceptable.¡± As the others nodded, Jiang Hao suddenly spoke up: ¡°A better way than starting over?¡± Seeing everyone¡¯s gaze turn towards him, he continued: ¡°I once read about a superior method in an ancient text. Coincidentally, this method also involves the use of the ¡®Myriad Beings Form¡¯.¡± ¡°The ¡®Myriad Beings Form¡¯?¡± Liu looked at Jiang Hao earnestly: ¡°Please, Daoist Jing, do tell.¡± The others were also curious. Gui had a strange feeling that what Jing was about to say might be true. Especially after seeing his method of sealing the Flood Dragon, which was astonishing at first glance and even more so after she broke through it. That was definitely not an ordinary inheritance. Seeing the anticipation in the others, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t keep them in suspense: ¡°Have you heard of a secret technique from the Mingyue Sect called ¡®Stellar Transformation¡¯?¡± ¡°Stellar Transformation?¡± Liu looked towards Xing. Xing pondered for a moment and nodded: ¡°Indeed, there is such a secret technique, but as far as I remember, it¡¯s only a temporary method to strengthen oneself.¡± ¡°This secret technique is to be used in conjunction with the ¡®Myriad Beings Form¡¯?¡± Fairy Gui was quite puzzled. Jiang Hao shook his head slightly: ¡°I¡¯ve only read about this in ancient texts, the understanding that follows...¡± He turned his head to look at the most senior, Dan Yuan. The others did the same. If everyone present couldn¡¯t understand, then it was up to Senior Dan Yuan to decide whether to speak. Senior Dan Yuan was silent for a moment before he finally spoke up: ¡°It¡¯s indeed possible. If not for Jing¡¯s reminder, this method would be rarely thought of by anyone.¡± Hearing this, Liu was overjoyed, but he kept his tone steady: ¡°Please, Senior, enlighten us, with the previous reward as compensation.¡± In gatherings like this, one must be conscious of the necessity for transactions. Jiang Hao understood as well, ordinary inquiries were one thing, but those concerning oneself were transactions. Such matters must be remembered, otherwise, it¡¯s easy to offend people. Dan Yuan nodded slightly before speaking: ¡°The premise of ¡®Stellar Transformation¡¯ is that one needs a clone that can be integrated into the body. It¡¯s best to use a part of the Nascent Soul as the foundation for the ¡®Myriad Beings Form¡¯, and once the clone is successfully condensed, begin the complete cultivation. Once the cultivation meridians are solidified, then overlay the clone with oneself and perform ¡®Stellar Transformation¡¯, transferring the correct cultivation methods. During this process, one¡¯s cultivation level will certainly fluctuate, and it¡¯s best to test several times to minimize self-harm. Since this method was not proposed by me, it only counts as half a reward. Now, I will give you an auxiliary formation to complete the other half. If there are any further questions, you can ask at any time. With this, the previous transaction is considered complete.¡± ¡°Thank you, Senior.¡± With the formation in hand, the transaction was concluded. Liu then turned to Xing again. ¡°¡®Stellar Transformation¡¯ isn¡¯t hard to obtain, but I need some time. As for the price, there¡¯s no rush. Perhaps in some time, more people will venture overseas,¡± Xing said. ¡°Okay,¡± Liu nodded in agreement, finally looking at Jiang Hao. ¡°What do you, Daoist Jing, require?¡± Jiang Hao just wanted to leave them with a mysterious impression; he had no intention of making a transaction. But he couldn¡¯t just say he needed nothing. That would break the rules here. After pondering for a moment, he finally spoke: ¡°I want some information on the ¡®End of All Things¡¯, anything will do. Whether it¡¯s about sects or some underlying significance.¡± S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°No problem,¡± Liu nodded. With the transaction segment over, the group began to discuss matters from various places. ¡°The Mingyue Sect has started sending out invitations, calling people from various sects to come and discuss the Dao. The outstanding ones will not only gain entry to the Immortal Mansion but also receive many treasures. It seems that the real genius of the Haotian Sect will also be coming.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard about it overseas as well; apparently, the Immortal Mansion may contain great opportunities. However, the overseas situation has been unstable lately, with the sea surging, leading some to believe that a secret realm may appear in the deep sea.¡± ¡°I think I¡¯ve encountered people from the Corpse God Sect. It seems that many have entered the southern region, most likely heading for the Tianyin Sect.¡± After the last gathering, everyone understood one thing. The powerful individuals who fell at the Tianyin Sect were likely people from the Corpse God Sect. Jiang Hao wanted to join the conversation, but he had no discoveries to share, which made him somewhat emotional. Having been at the Tianyin Sect all this time, he couldn¡¯t contribute anything to the discussion. It was probably better to say nothing at all than to be wrong, so he chose to remain silent. After three transactions, he had firmly established his position here. ...... Some time later, Dan Yuan announced the end of the gathering. Jiang Hao and the others then left the public area. Back in his room, Jiang Hao immediately took out a book and began to record. He wanted to document the curse technique he had just acquired. It wasn¡¯t just the curse technique; he also recorded the objectives of the Great Thousand Divine Sect and the final sealing method. Apart from the objectives of the Great Thousand Divine Sect, which required only a single sheet of paper, Jiang Hao used books for everything else. This made it easier to differentiate. After all, the two techniques were completely different and should not be mixed together. Chapter 261 - The Peerless Great Demon Chapter 261: The Peerless Great Demon Early in the morning. Jiang Hao looked at the two books and a piece of paper in front of him and let out a sigh of relief. After double-checking everything twice and confirming there were no issues, he put the items away. He planned to let Hong Yuye review the sealing technique before he began practicing it. Although he possessed the Universe in the Palm, it was difficult to seal anything more powerful than his cultivation level. Since he didn¡¯t know any other sealing techniques and now had access to a decent one, there was no reason not to learn it. He just needed to be careful when using it, as it could easily reveal his identity. However, sometimes it could also serve to assert his identity, especially if he encountered someone at a gathering who wanted to capture someone else, and he happened to seal them with the Seven Stars technique. It would easily establish a strong impression. As for the curse technique, he would wait until tonight to study it. He hadn¡¯t been to the Spiritual Medicine Garden for a long time, and today he would resume his previous tranquil routine. Upon arriving in the courtyard, he saw the rabbit sitting in front of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, deep in thought. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Jiang Hao asked as he watered the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. ¡°Master, friends of mine from the road told me that Lin Zhi is about to be expelled from the sect,¡± the rabbit said, turning its head and immediately hopping up when it saw Jiang Hao. ¡°And then?¡± Jiang Hao asked, putting away the bowl. ¡°Friends from the road have given Lord Rabbit face, and I¡¯ve decided to let Lin Zhi stay,¡± the rabbit declared confidently. ¡°How long can your friends on the road keep him here?¡± Jiang Hao asked in return. ¡°One year, and for the rest, Master will have to ask for favors,¡± the rabbit said, not feeling the least bit embarrassed. Jiang Hao chuckled. The rabbit indeed had some clout. As a spirit pet on the verge of completing Foundation Establishment, it had a certain reputation at Duanqing Cliff. So, it was no problem for the outer sect to give it face. Anything more would be troublesome. If it went unnoticed, there would be no issue, but if luck was bad and it was investigated, whoever kept the person would be in trouble. ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about this matter. Lin Zhi can stay as long as he wants, and no one will expel him from the Tianyin Sect,¡± Jiang Hao said casually as he left the courtyard. ¡°Did Master help out?¡± the rabbit followed, casually spinning its collar necklace. Jiang Hao did not answer. The last time he asked his master for five thousand spirit stones, he had used his merits to speak to his master about Lin Zhi¡¯s situation. For an outer sect at the first level of Qi Refining, his master agreed without even asking a question. It was a trivial matter for him. Normally, even though his master wouldn¡¯t ask questions, it was easy to become annoying. But with merits to his name, such a small matter wouldn¡¯t cause any problems. Likewise, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t see it as a big deal. He wouldn¡¯t tell Lin Zhi, nor did he want him to know. The more he intervened, the deeper the relationship would become, which could lead to trouble. The rabbit and Xiao Li were examples. In the past, he could simply release them and be done with it, but now he had to consider releasing them further away and ensuring they had the ability to protect themselves. Releasing them had become much more difficult. If they caused trouble outside, it could directly point back to him. It was increasingly troublesome. So, if someone else was willing to take credit for keeping Lin Zhi, he was more than happy to let them. ¡°How is Chu Chuan doing?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°He¡¯s making rapid progress. He now says he wants to surpass Xiao Li,¡± the rabbit said, enlarging the ring in its hand and slipping it over its neck, then spinning the two collars. Jiang Hao suddenly remembered that he needed to pay attention to Xiao Li¡¯s cultivation level, but there was no need to discuss this with the rabbit. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Xiao Li¡¯s progress needed to be monitored by Cheng Chou. The rabbit was likely to be a bad influence. Chu Chuan could handle the pressure, Lin Zhi needed a spiritual mentor, and Xiao Li didn¡¯t need anything, so the rabbit shouldn¡¯t be the one to teach her. Upon arriving at the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao asked Cheng Chou if he had any confusion about his cultivation. Cheng Chou brought up many questions as if he had been saving them up just waiting for Jiang Hao to ask. Jiang Hao was patient and explained everything in detail. If there was anything not understood, he would break it down further. It took the entire morning to explain everything to Cheng Chou. Due to the volume of information, Cheng Chou couldn¡¯t absorb it all at once, so he kept taking notes. ¡°In the future, I will explain things to you every one or two months. You can write down your questions,¡± Jiang Hao said. Cheng Chou was immensely grateful. He wasn¡¯t sure if it was just his impression, but he felt that Jiang Senior Brother¡¯s explanations were even more insightful than those of some Golden Core Senior Brothers. Meeting Jiang Hao was a great opportunity for him. ¡°By the way, how has Xiao Li been doing recently?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Xiao Li Junior Sister has been much more stable emotionally, although occasionally at night she remembers her grandparents and then sits under the Jujube tree. After I finish my cultivation, I take a walk around and make sure to check on Xiao Li Junior Sister. When I see her under the tree, I go over and ask. Several times I¡¯ve found her with red eyes,¡± Cheng Chou said. Jiang Hao looked down. Comforting others was not his forte. He was more inclined to feel, understand, and transform. Expecting him to console someone was simply not possible. It was better to rely on the rabbit and Cheng Chou. ¡°By the way, once Xiao Li breaks through to the sixth lavel of Qi Refining, let her advance once every nine months. After three years, she should enter Foundation Establishment,¡± Jiang Hao instructed. Although reaching Foundation Establishment in six years was fast, it was within the range of exceptional talent. ...... Nighttime. Lin Zhi stepped out of his residence and made his way to the forest, a place where he often practiced his cultivation. Upon arrival, he didn¡¯t rush to start his training. Instead, he looked around and whispered softly, ¡°Lord Rabbit?¡± ¡°Here.¡± The rabbit appeared atop a tree behind him, looking down at Lin Zhi and said, ¡°You know you¡¯re about to be expelled from the sect, right?¡± Hearing this, Lin Zhi nodded slightly, his expression somewhat desolate. He really wanted to advance in his cultivation, but he simply couldn¡¯t. Nowadays, many people said he could stay for another year. However, for some reason, he felt that he wouldn¡¯t be able to advance even after a year. Yet, he truly didn¡¯t want to leave, at least not until he had become an immortal and then returned. ¡°Friends on the road have given Lord Rabbit some face. From now on, you can stay in the sect for as long as you wish,¡± the rabbit said earnestly. ¡°Really?¡± Lin Zhi was somewhat incredulous. ¡°But Lin Mo and the others said I could only stay for one more year at most.¡± ¡°Do you know who you¡¯re talking to?¡± The rabbit stood in the air, its voice deep, ¡°Perhaps you don¡¯t realize it now, but in the future, you¡¯ll understand that you¡¯re speaking with a future peerless great demon. Friends on the road all recognize that Lord Rabbit has the makings of a great demon. Are your two friends peerless great powers? What they can do, Lord Rabbit can also do. What they can¡¯t do, Lord Rabbit can still accomplish. Have I ever deceived you? Friends on the road all know that Lord Rabbit is honest and trustworthy.¡± Upon hearing this, Lin Zhi believed it. Without Lord Rabbit, his path would indeed be many times more difficult. Moreover, there was no need for Lord Rabbit to deceive him. ¡°Should I tell Lin Mo and the others?¡± ¡°You must learn to observe the changes quietly, endure hardships, and bide your time. This is so that one day in the future, you can astonish everyone and soar to the heavens. Lord Rabbit will lead you to fly high into the nine skies and roam the world.¡± Jiang Hao, watching from a distance, was speechless. Last time it was a great demon of heaven and earth, and this time a peerless great demon. If the rabbit let Lin Zhi reveal the matter of being able to stay indefinitely, it could easily cause trouble for him. That¡¯s why he had followed along. Since it wasn¡¯t going to happen, there was no need to pay further attention. Lin Zhi¡¯s physical condition had indeed improved a lot. The Star Moon Qi Refinement Technique and the frequent beatings had helped him. Returning to the courtyard, Jiang Hao took out some books to examine. After learning the art of cursing, it would be time to deal with Bai Ye. If he could defeat him in one fell swoop, all the better. Chapter 262 - Turns Out Cursing Costs Money Chapter 262: Turns Out Cursing Costs Money The art of cursing is divided into two types: area curses and specific curses. Area curses affect the target¡¯s fortune, ranging from minor inconveniences to being struck down by thunder as if rejected by heaven and earth. Such curses are not easy to cast and carry a great risk of backlash. Some people in the world of cultivation curse others before they die, with a very high success rate. They do so at the cost of everything they have, returning to heaven and earth and becoming part of it with no further involvement in the cycle of reincarnation. Few living people cast such curses, as insufficient personal fortune could lead to a backlash greater than the curse itself. The art of cursing is difficult to master and not widespread, in part for this reason. Specific curses, on the other hand, target a particular aspect, body part, or event. They have less backlash, lower costs, and a higher success rate. Cursing is an art distinct from spells, characterized by its difficulty to eradicate and its persistence. Take, for example, a simple rotting curse. If the curse is not lifted, the rotting will continue indefinitely, even if the flesh heals. However, such simple curses are not much in the world of cultivation, as most people have the means to deal with them. After skimming through the books, Jiang Hao realized that cursing and the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead have something in common. ¡°No wonder the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead can suppress curses; it¡¯s essentially a massive curse itself.¡± ¡°But cursing someone is much more complicated than I thought.¡± Initially, Jiang Hao thought it only required simple materials and the correct incantations. That would be enough to cast a curse. But in reality, it¡¯s not that simple. The right timing, location, and people, along with formations, materials, and spirit stones, are all essential. It turns out that the art of cursing requires a large number of spirit stones to avoid backlash. The more spirit stones used, the lighter the backlash. Otherwise, one would suffer from an unknown curse, which often harms the body. If it¡¯s a curse on fortune, one would be plagued with bad luck. After much hesitation, Jiang Hao decided to try cursing first. If it didn¡¯t work, he would think of other methods. In any case, he couldn¡¯t let Bai Ye become the chief. For a moment, Jiang Hao pondered whether to curse Bai Ye¡¯s cultivation or his body. ¡°First, I need to prepare the materials.¡± Firstly, a curse requires waiting for an auspicious time; night is most suitable when all is quiet and there are fewer disturbances. Secondly, the location is important, as a good position increases the success rate. Furthermore, the spellcaster must align the curse formation with their birth time. Jiang Hao surveyed the courtyard and then identified the direction of the Hundred Bones Forest. He then began to draw the curse formation. The name of the formation was the Tri-Unity Formation. It was divided into two main parts: one for placing the cursed object and the other for the spellcaster¡¯s own formation. Around the spellcaster¡¯s formation was another part, which was for the substitute. After that, materials with considerable spiritual energy, such as beast blood, beast heads, and spiritual medicines, were required. The books noted that without these items, success would be difficult to achieve. Jiang Hao had no choice but to purchase these materials, eventually spending sixty spirit stones on some of them. Sixty wasn¡¯t too expensive, but to ensure success, it was best to continue the curse for over seven days... The consumption of materials was not insignificant. ...... At night. Once everything was ready, Jiang Hao intended to curse the other party¡¯s cultivation level. He didn¡¯t aim to reduce it, but at least to prevent any progress. At that moment, Jiang Hao placed the Ruyi Mountain Shield within the formation while he sat on the other side. He didn¡¯t use spirit stones; he wanted to endure the backlash himself to see. With the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead, some of the curse¡¯s backlash wouldn¡¯t harm him. He also wanted to understand the power of the curse to prevent others from cursing him. The curse began, and the formation started to emit a faint glow. Once Jiang Hao confirmed the curse, the beast blood in the formation began to burn, the beast heads gradually turned to ash, and the spiritual medicines withered at a visible rate. At this moment, the Ruyi Mountain Shield lit up, seemingly carrying out the curse. Jiang Hao felt enveloped by a dark aura, his flesh withering away bit by bit. It was the backlash of the curse. But as it withered, the divine ability Withered Tree Meets Spring automatically activated. The withering was directly replenished by the divine ability. Seeing this, Jiang Hao was quite pleased and increased the intensity. The light grew stronger, and his flesh withered faster, far exceeding the pace of divine ability repair and self-healing. Jiang Hao was unconcerned; if he could withstand the curse¡¯s backlash, then Bai Ye might also be able to withstand it. As long as he couldn¡¯t stop the backlash, the other party would definitely not be able to either. It really was a case of damaging oneself to harm the enemy. For a while, Jiang Hao continued to increase the intensity until the point when self-healing was almost ineffective, and then he stopped. The light from the Ruyi Mountain Shield carried a deep blackness. ¡°This should be effective now.¡± Breaking away from the curse, Jiang Hao immediately took out the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead. The continuous damage to his flesh abruptly ceased. Withered Tree Meets Spring and bodily healing had a noticeable effect. By noon, he had fully recovered, but the backlash of the curse was always there, merely suppressed. Fortunately, Jiang Hao felt that Withered Tree Meets Spring could dissolve the curse. Otherwise, he would have to think of another way. Afterward, Jiang Hao left the courtyard to go to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. After handling the spiritual medicines and buying materials, he returned to continue the curse. In this way, Jiang Hao cursed Bai Ye for a month. The reason he stopped was that the spirit stones he had earned that month, along with some leftovers, were all spent. He had to stop. At this time, Jiang Hao felt his body was full of curses, and even with his Nascent Soul cultivation, he couldn¡¯t last very long. However, with the Primordial Purple Qi, he could suppress it somewhat. But the effect was not as good as the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead. After all, one only needed to carry the bead. At this moment, Withered Tree Meets Spring was continuously dissolving the curse, and with the Primordial Heart Sutra, it wouldn¡¯t take long for the backlash from the curse to disappear. ¡°Since I can suppress the curse and have a divine ability to dissolve it, why not go for something bigger?¡± Jiang Hao thought about casting a wide-range curse to make everything go wrong for Bai Ye. But after looking at the materials, he gave up... It would cost at least three hundred spirit stones for one attempt. Continuing like this, he wouldn¡¯t be able to stop without several thousand. In short, he was somewhat poor. For a moment, he was curious about how many spirit stones ¡°Gui¡± had used to curse the Flood Dragon. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With a sigh, he looked at his status panel. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 25¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Mid-stage Nascent Soul¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind, Hidden Spirit Manifestation, Divine Might, Withered Tree Meets Spring¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 46/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 44/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 0/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡°Twenty-five years old? That¡¯s right, it¡¯s already mid-January.¡± ¡°So there¡¯s about six months left until Bai Ye challenges Man Long.¡± After hesitating for a moment, Jiang Hao felt that the intensity was still not enough; he must save some money and try again. It meant that the rebirth of the peach tree would have to wait until next year. This time, he would need at least twenty thousand spirit stones. He definitely couldn¡¯t save up that many. Another divine ability fragment wouldn¡¯t change anything; better to delay for a year. It¡¯s worth mentioning that of the ten bottles of Foundation Establishment stage pills he bought back, not a single one was genuine. He discovered that the chief was also quite poor. He was swindled out of fifty spirit stones. Chapter 263 - The Female Demon’s Expression Is Not Too Good Chapter 263: The Female Demon¡¯s Expression Is Not Too Good Mid-June. Baihua Lake. A graceful figure sat elegantly by the stone table in the pavilion. She gazed at the surrounding flowers, lost in thought. A light rain began to fall from the sky, and the flowers gently swayed as if welcoming the drizzle. At this moment, a white figure slowly descended beside the pavilion. ¡°Sect Master.¡± Bai Zhi said respectfully. ¡°Speak.¡± Hong Yuye did not turn around, her gaze fixed on something outside. It was unclear what she was looking at. ¡°People from the Corpse God Sect have come to Youyun Prefecture, and they¡¯ve made contact with us,¡± Bai Zhi reported. ¡°Are they here to save someone?¡± Hong Yuye casually asked as she picked up her teacup. ¡°Not exactly, they claim they¡¯ve come for the Corpse Realm Flower,¡± Bai Zhi didn¡¯t pause for long, quickly continuing. ¡°They say that when the Corpse Realm Flower opens, roughly forty-eight people can enter. They want to claim twenty-four spots. As for the price, they told us to name it. And they made it clear that they will not be our enemies nor will they take the Corpse Realm Flower. Also, regarding Zhuang Yuzhen¡¯s mistake, they are willing to take some responsibility. As for releasing him, it all depends on our wishes.¡± ¡°How credible is this?¡± Hong Yuye asked after sipping her tea. ¡°Very credible, but we must be cautious. Their sect is far stronger than ours, and although they didn¡¯t send many people, a battle would surely result in mutual destruction. Before coming here, they visited the nearby Xuantian Sect, Luoxia Sect, Fenglei Sect, and the closest, Tianqing Mountain. They didn¡¯t visit a single Demon Sect.¡± Bai Zhi hesitated, then continued, ¡°There¡¯s a possibility they want to ally with the locals to deal us a fatal blow. Or use this as a threat to force us to agree to their terms.¡± With a major sect like the Corpse God Sect taking the lead, it¡¯s hard to say whether others would be tempted. After all, they¡¯ve all suffered defeats at the hands of the Tianyin Sect. Especially Tianqing Mountain, which almost faced annihilation. However, sects like Xuantian Sect have their own affairs and can¡¯t spare much strength. Otherwise, they would have joined forces and attacked us already. If they united against Tianyin Sect, we would hardly be able to resist, which is why some people wanted to push Jiang Hao out earlier. Ending the conflict sooner would mean no problems for a while. ¡°Since the Corpse God Sect wants to come, let them come. Keep an eye on them, and if there¡¯s any movement, detain them all,¡± Hong Yuye said indifferently. ¡°Yes,¡± Bai Zhi replied excitedly. She felt that as long as the Sect Master sat there, the Tianyin Sect would never fall. This was also why she feared the Sect Master. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. No matter what, the Sect Master could use anything as bait. Fearless of all dangers. ¡°Anything else?¡± Hong Yuye asked. ¡°Zhuang Yuzhen has been acting like a madman recently; he must have been compromised by Jiang Hao. It could be someone behind Jiang Hao helping him. Using Jiang Hao as an excuse to meet Zhuang Yuzhen might make him reveal some things. But to know the real information, we still need Jiang Hao to inquire.¡± ¡°However, he hasn¡¯t gone for so long, I suspect he dares not go again. His leverage might not last. So Jiang Hao can only keep him hanging. Recently, he¡¯s had some dealings with a Divine Corpse. I suspect it¡¯s this Divine Corpse who approached Jiang Hao for the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, which could be a breakthrough. The Divine Corpse has been killed, and the Hall of Enforcement is pursuing its main body, but it¡¯s proving difficult.¡± ¡°Also, Jiang Hao has recently clashed with a highly talented disciple, and his strength doesn¡¯t seem artificially enhanced. With his talent and abilities, it¡¯s indeed possible that he¡¯s being cultivated by someone else. For now, there¡¯s no trace of the person behind him. We can only wait for anomalies to appear before continuing the investigation.¡± Bai Zhi didn¡¯t investigate too deeply; there was no need to watch so closely. The other party was cultivating the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, so it was enough to monitor his surroundings. After all, the initial goal was to lure out some traitors from the vicinity. ¡°We have found that Tianqing Mountain had contact with people from overseas, but the distance is too great, and it will take some time to get clear information,¡± Bai Zhi continued reporting: ¡°Based on recent information, a group of people has entered the south, possibly for the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead. This means that the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead is likely no longer in the Demon Cavern.¡± The Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead is a fierce object suppressed within the Demon Cavern. Few knew of this, but they were aware that if the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead left that place, the Tianyin Sect would be in danger. Now that the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead might not be suppressed in the Demon Cavern, she was somewhat worried. The last time the ruins appeared, an accident occurred. ¡°Let¡¯s assume the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead is still in the Demon Cavern,¡± Hong Yuye said. Let¡¯s assume... Bai Zhi instantly understood; everything was under the Sect Master¡¯s control. She would carry out her orders. ¡°Have the people from the Corpse God Sect bring the information on the Corpse Realm Flower, then send it down. Each branch can enter two people,¡± Hong Yuye instructed. Bai Zhi nodded in agreement. She had to carefully arrange everything. ...... Duanqing Cliff. In the courtyard, Jiang Hao stopped the curse once again. For half a year, he earned spirit stones for one month and cursed for another month. Now, his body suffered numerous backlashes. If not for the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead suppressing them, the effects would have been significant. He didn¡¯t believe that Bai Ye would be unscathed. The peaceful days also allowed him to accumulate a great deal of cultivation. ¡¾Vital Energy: 83/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 82/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ In at most another three months, he could enter the late Nascent Soul stage. During this period, everything was extremely calm. Bai Ye was preoccupied with preparing for battle and didn¡¯t bother him. The Pavilion Master of Tianhuan Pavilion had withheld three years¡¯ worth of resources from him, temporarily quieting down. The people of Tianhuan Pavilion were probably waiting for an opportunity. The members of Luoxia Sect couldn¡¯t enter Tianyin Sect. The people from Tiansheng Sect seemed to have evaporated. Even Senior Sister Ming Yi had not been seen for a long time. The only bit of trouble was from the outer sect¡¯s Spiritual Medicine Garden. Recently, Senior Sister Ning Xuan had come to him, asking him not to rank last. This would require some thought. Fortunately, there was still plenty of time. This allowed him to focus all his efforts on dealing with Bai Ye. ¡°Next month is the day of the challenge. Then we¡¯ll see the effect of the curse,¡± Jiang Hao sighed in relief. It was time to continue accumulating spirit stones. During this half-year, he had neither seen Senior Sister Leng Tian nor that Senior Brother who liked to use harsh words. He could only sell his talismans sporadically. If there was a big battle, he could sell them very quickly. Because he wanted to know Bai Ye¡¯s condition after the curse, he often went to find Liu Xingchen. Unfortunately, Liu Xingchen was busy searching for remnant souls everywhere and had no chance to talk. Considering Liu Xingchen¡¯s previous ability to attract remnant souls, it wasn¡¯t that the mines lacked them, but rather they dared not come. True Dragons and Ancient Witches were calling for their comrades. How could ordinary remnant souls dare to approach? Only heavyweights had the right to cooperate; the weak were merely nourishment. ...... In the evening. ¡°Master, I¡¯m going to find Lin Zhi. I feel like he has made great progress recently. When I hit him, he even dodges the vital points,¡± the rabbit said excitedly as it ran outside. Lin Zhi and Chu Chuan were almost entirely raised by it. Truly raised by its own hand. When they arrived, they were both young. Now, three years later, the one who had spent the most time with them was the rabbit. After Jiang Hao agreed, he returned to the courtyard. In a while, he would also check on their progress. He also needed to be wary of the rabbit leading them astray. As he walked into the courtyard, he saw a red figure. The moment the figure looked over, Jiang Hao felt her brow furrow. A dangerous aura approached. Chapter 264 - You’re only attentive to my bathing Chapter 264: You¡¯re only attentive to my bathing Sensing the terrifying aura, Jiang Hao knew he was in for trouble. He didn¡¯t even know why. Standing in the courtyard was naturally Hong Yuye. Her strength was terrifying, and her personality was hard to fathom. But with such a powerful being, no matter what their personality, he needed to be cautious. Offending her could lead to a devastating blow. ¡°You seem to like these ominous things,¡± Hong Yuye said with a cold look in her eyes and an indifferent voice. Ominous things? Jiang Hao immediately realized she was referring to the curse on him. Thinking about it, Hong Yuye indeed didn¡¯t like ominous things. Whether it was the Ancient Tomb or the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead. She didn¡¯t want them. Not because they were bad, but because they were ominous. ¡°Senior...¡± Jiang Hao wanted to explain, but the terrifying aura had already hit him. With a bang, a powerful impact forced him to uncontrollably fly backward off the ground. Just as Jiang Hao thought he was going to hit something, he suddenly remembered he was at the entrance of the courtyard, where there was nothing to stop his retreat. Sure enough, his body began to tilt backward. Thud! He fell into the river. The impact had dissipated, and Jiang Hao wanted to leave immediately, but he suddenly found he couldn¡¯t move. The river flowed, washing over him. Although the suffocation wasn¡¯t enough to threaten him, it was his first time experiencing it. After a short time, he regained control of his body. He leaped out of the river and landed on the shore. ¡°Huff...¡± After taking a deep breath, Jiang Hao used a spell to dry the water on his clothes. As he was about to enter the yard, he suddenly realized that his body felt much lighter. Upon closer examination, he was astonished to find that all the curses on him had vanished. ¡°Thank you, senior.¡± Upon reaching the yard, Jiang Hao respectfully addressed Hong Yuye who was sitting under a tree. ¡°Thank me?¡± Hong Yuye turned around, looked at Jiang Hao, and chuckled. ¡°Are you offering your arm as thanks, or perhaps your leg? Or should I just put it on your tab?¡± Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± It seemed better not to respond; he felt she might actually take him up on it. ¡°Next time I see such ominous things, do you prefer to lose an arm or a leg?¡± Hong Yuye asked again. ¡°It was just an accident this time,¡± Jiang Hao explained. Hearing this, Hong Yuye let out a chuckle. She sat on a wooden chair and instructed Jiang Hao to prepare some tea. ...... After a short while, Jiang Hao placed the tea in front of Hong Yuye, then sat down to start recounting the events of the last gathering. He began by explaining their cultivation question. Then he talked about the discovery of the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead and Senior Dan Yuan¡¯s Seven Stars Seal technique. After finishing, he handed the book to Hong Yuye. He had already appraised the book and couldn¡¯t identify its creator. However, he also didn¡¯t detect any other dangers. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After spending some time, Hong Yuye finished reading the Seven Stars Seal technique and then said indifferently. ¡°If he created it himself, he indeed has some skill. But as for the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead after it erupts, it¡¯s useless. If it¡¯s in the state like the one in your possession, it could be sealed for a few hours. But that¡¯s about it.¡± Jiang Hao nodded. The Seven Stars Seal technique was far inferior to Universe in the Palm, but a few hours could buy enough time for other powerhouses. Taking back the sealing technique, Jiang Hao planned to study it when he had time. ¡°Continue,¡± Hong Yuye said, picking up her tea. ¡°After that, Dan Yuan exchanged the rewards and told me why the Great Thousand Divine Sect came to Youyun Prefecture...¡± Jiang Hao passed over the piece of paper and also relayed its contents. Hong Yuye glanced at the paper on the table and listened as Jiang Hao finished speaking. ¡°The person behind this is End of All Things?¡± ¡°Yes, but I don¡¯t know what End of All Things is. I¡¯ve already asked the other members of the gathering to investigate.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Hong Yuye expressed some interest. ¡°You seem to have a talent for undercover work.¡± ¡°It¡¯s all thanks to senior¡¯s blessings,¡± Jiang Hao replied modestly. ¡°Go on,¡± Hong Yuye said. Then it was the matter of the normal trade. ¡°The curse technique was obtained from the trade. I used it out of curiosity,¡± Jiang Hao said. ¡°Out of curiosity?¡± Hong Yuye scoffed. ¡°Out of curiosity,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°Let¡¯s just call it curiosity then,¡± Hong Yuye put down her teacup. ¡°Continue.¡± Afterward, Jiang Hao talked about the Stellar Transformation and what Dan Yuan had explained. Hong Yuye didn¡¯t speak; she just listened as he also mentioned the changes overseas and the arrival of the Corpse God Sect in the south. Throughout, Hong Yuye simply listened. This left Jiang Hao feeling regretful; if he could have made a comment or two, he would have been taken more seriously at the gathering. But some things were not suitable to say, as they could easily overshadow Dan Yuan. However, there were no pressing questions this time, no need to stand out. Some distance was good. ¡°Have their identities been confirmed?¡± Hong Yuye asked. ¡°No,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. Their identities were impossible to confirm. He didn¡¯t know if Dan Yuan had contacted Zhuang Yuzhen; that would need to be asked later. Now that he had the Corpse Heart, maybe he could get the other party to talk. But he dared not show the Corpse Heart to him; sometimes, when people see no hope, they resort to extremes. To lure prey into a trap, you have to give them hope but also instill fear. For these people, a settled dust isn¡¯t always the scariest thing. The scariest part is during the process, being able to see hope and yet sense despair. As long as there¡¯s a glimmer of a chance, they will grasp at it. ¡°Did you say the Mingyue Sect has started sending out invitations?¡± Hong Yuye looked at Jiang Hao with a smile: ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to check it out?¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. He indeed had no plans to go; it was too dangerous. ¡°Do you plan to stay in the Tianyin Sect forever?¡± Hong Yuye asked. ¡°I can plant flowers for senior here,¡± Jiang Hao said, against his better judgment. ¡°You can take my flowers and trees with you,¡± Hong Yuye said flatly. Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Hong Yuye wasn¡¯t afraid, but he was. Not to mention whether it would be successful. Even if successful, he still couldn¡¯t leave to the Mingyue Sect. Because the powerhouses of the Tianyin Sect would surely be waiting outside, and moreover, the Tianyin Sect was not as powerful as the Mingyue Sect, meaning there would be far fewer powerhouses. Thus, more powerhouses would notice the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, meaning he would always have to be wary of those people. With more disciples of talent and background, it would also be easy to offend others. It might be better this way than it is now. He can steadily become stronger because the flower originally belongs to the Tianyin Sect, so there¡¯s no need to be overly cautious. If there¡¯s any issue, there¡¯s Elder Bai Zhi. Going to the Mingyue Sect would be completely different; all the pressure would fall on him. The stronger the sect, the more pressure it has to bear. Unless he doesn¡¯t bring the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, but... He can¡¯t avoid Hong Yuye. Of course, all this about the immortal sects is just his speculation; after all, apart from the Tianyin Sect, he hasn¡¯t been to any other sects. He doesn¡¯t know the specifics. Hong Yuye didn¡¯t say much more about these matters, mentioning them as if in passing. After finishing her tea, she walked inside. Entering the hall, she made her way to the bathing area. This time, instead of a wooden tub, she saw an exquisitely smooth bath. ¡°It seems you really know how to handle things.¡± Hong Yuye said, turning to look at Jiang Hao behind her. ¡°Senior flatters me,¡± Jiang Hao replied softly. ¡°What a pity, you¡¯re only attentive to my bathing, letting you infiltrate with a mouth full of lies, success left to chance.¡± Hong Yuye said with a smile that wasn¡¯t quite a smile. Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Chapter 265 - I Suspect the People of Duanqing Cliff Have Cursed Me Chapter 265: I Suspect the People of Duanqing Cliff Have Cursed Me Jiang Hao felt it wasn¡¯t as Hong Yuye thought. Although his gain after infiltrating was left to chance, he was very attentive; it¡¯s just that at the beginning, there was no other way. He could only delay, day by day. It wasn¡¯t until he encountered the Flood Dragon outside that the situation began to open up. Moreover, he had to take care of the troubles within the Tianyin Sect, so it was normal for his energy to be somewhat divided. But he didn¡¯t bother to explain. Explaining would mean admitting that he was indeed just delaying, day by day. Speaking insincerely didn¡¯t matter as long as it was consistent. Inconsistency could easily bring trouble upon oneself. ¡°Senior is joking,¡± Jiang Hao responded. Hong Yuye left the bathing area and went up to the second-floor balcony. ¡°How long have you had the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead with you?¡± Jiang Hao thought for a moment and replied, ¡°Two years.¡± ¡°Then it should be almost time,¡± Hong Yuye said, standing on the balcony with her clothes fluttering in the wind. She turned her gaze to Jiang Hao. ¡°During this time, it¡¯s best not to leave the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead elsewhere. And don¡¯t lose this bead. If someone else opens it, as the instigator, you will suffer the backlash.¡± As her voice faded, her figure began to disappear. ¡°Oh, right.¡± Before Hong Yuye left, she seemed to remember something and said with a smile, ¡°You could try spreading the news about the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead in the Tianyin Sect. That might scare off those targeting you, making them flee overnight.¡± But wouldn¡¯t that attract people seeking the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead, bringing trouble upon himself? Jiang Hao smiled bitterly. Those targeting him were at most of Golden Core cultivation and, at the most exaggerated, Nascent Soul. But those seeking the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead would surely be far beyond Nascent Soul. That was completely beyond his comprehension. He wouldn¡¯t have time to grow stronger. So he couldn¡¯t listen to Hong Yuye. ¡°Remember to take good care of my flower. If you flee to another place without taking my flower and tree, you know the consequences.¡± With that, Hong Yuye completely left. Standing there, Jiang Hao was greeted by a gentle breeze carrying a faint fragrance. It was Hong Yuye¡¯s scent, seemingly her natural body fragrance, the same scent he noticed the first time he met her. He wondered if it was because of some gu poison, but he always found her scent very comforting. Afterward, he checked himself, and indeed, the curse backlash had disappeared. ¡°Just a casual effort to lift the curse, it seems that if I wanted to curse a powerful being, just the backlash alone would be too much for me to bear.¡± The art of cursing is powerful, but the backlash is too severe. However, once cursed, it¡¯s very difficult to remove. If he continued to use it, he would be targeted by Hong Yuye. ¡°Using it once or twice should be fine, after all, Withered Tree Meets Spring will automatically dissolve the curse.¡± This time the curse was too much, and even Withered Tree Meets Spring would need a year or half to dissolve it. If it weren¡¯t for the suppression of the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead, it might take even longer, and he wouldn¡¯t be able to cultivate or comprehend spells. Even he, in the mid-stage of Nascent Soul and often in contact with divine objects, couldn¡¯t bear such a curse. This shows that Bai Ye, in the late stage of Nascent Soul, must be suffering. It seems likely that his challenge against Man Long will fail. As for the outcome, it would have to be seen in a month¡¯s time. ...... Hundred Bones Forest. ¡°Pfft...¡± A mouthful of fresh blood was spat out by a pale-faced man. He was sitting amidst countless spiritual herbs. Tall and slender, with sword-like eyebrows and eyes, even spitting blood did not diminish his extraordinary demeanor. Around him were numerous formations, talismans, and magical treasures. But each one was enveloped in black qi, nearly ruined. Not only that, but his late-stage Nascent Soul cultivation was on the verge of collapse. He might fall at any moment. ¡°Senior Brother, are you alright?¡± Lian Qin approached the edge of the formation and asked. ¡°No worries, it¡¯s just that my cultivation has been damaged.¡± The man raised his hand to stop the approaching person, his expression calm, as if he was already accustomed to it. ¡°Who exactly has cursed Senior Brother like this? It¡¯s been half a year already.¡± Fairy Lianqin was quite astonished. At first, they thought it was just a one-time curse that could be resisted with a magical treasure. But the successive curses were becoming hard to fend off. Not to mention improving his cultivation for battle, just not falling in cultivation level had already exhausted countless mental efforts. They tried purchasing various magical treasures to purify the curses, but they only worked temporarily. It seemed like the other party was determined to destroy both themselves and their target. ¡°Didn¡¯t this start when Senior Brother challenged Man Long? Could it be Man Long, seeking to solidify his position, had someone curse you?¡± Fairy Lianqin asked. ¡°Don¡¯t make wild guesses, it couldn¡¯t be him.¡± Bai Ye shook his head slightly. After pondering for a moment, he said, ¡°Have I offended anyone recently?¡± ¡°Not at all,¡± Fairy Lianqin shook her head. ¡°Have I given any spiritual medicine to anyone?¡± he asked again. ¡°Duanqing Cliff, Candlelight Alchemy Court, Hengliu Waterfall, involving five people,¡± Fairy Lianqin replied. ¡°Are they in the sect?¡± ¡°The person from Hengliu Waterfall is out, the two from Candlelight Alchemy Court are still continuing their alchemy. The one from Duanqing Cliff has always been there.¡± ¡°Who do you think is the most suspicious among them?¡± S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°How could it be, what cultivation do they have?¡± ¡°I think Duanqing Cliff is the most suspicious; he¡¯s now at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, yet my techniques have no effect on him. He has long seen through my techniques, even broken them. For various reasons, he¡¯s not my match, but it¡¯s not unreasonable for him to act against me to prevent me from becoming the chief.¡± Fairy Lianqin was somewhat puzzled. ¡°Why not the others, or someone else who doesn¡¯t want Senior Brother to become the chief?¡± Bai Ye shook his head slightly. ¡°Just intuition, no reason.¡± ¡°What do we do now?¡± Fairy Lianqin asked with some concern. ¡°Let¡¯s not worry about him for now, I need to become the chief first and get what I want,¡± Bai Ye said softly. ¡°But can Senior Brother really succeed in your current condition?¡± Fairy Lianqin asked. ¡°Senior Sister said I have no chance and that becoming the chief isn¡¯t as simple as I think, but I still want to try. As for the curse, I have a pill that can temporarily suppress the curse and stabilize my cultivation. After the challenge is over, I¡¯ll make a trip to Duanqing Cliff. I want to meet that person or at least visit his residence to confirm whether it was him.¡± ¡°The pill has serious side effects, right?¡± Fairy Lianqin asked. ¡°There¡¯s a certain possibility of falling back to the late stage of Nascent Soul, but it¡¯s a necessary risk; the curse continuing to torment me would also drop me to the mid-stage of Nascent Soul. But as long as I succeed, with the status of chief, these curses won¡¯t be a problem,¡± Bai Ye said indifferently. He seemed not to be very concerned about these matters. ...... A month later. Mid-July. Jiang Hao used the Seven Stars Seal technique on a rabbit in the courtyard. Then, no matter how the rabbit ran, it couldn¡¯t escape from a circle. It could even use the stars above for attacks. This sealing technique was indeed good. Different from Universe in the Palm, the Seven Stars Seal technique could be set up during combat, connecting the seven stars to unfold the seal. Indeed very practical, senior Dan Yuan¡¯s strength was formidable. Of course, compared to the nameless secret manual, it was still far behind. ¡°Is Senior Brother Jiang here? Junior Brother Han Ming has come to visit.¡± Suddenly, Han Ming¡¯s voice came from outside. This surprised Jiang Hao, as today was the day of the chief disciple challenge match, and everyone should have gone to watch. He had also planned to go. But he didn¡¯t expect Han Ming to come over. Chapter 266 - Cripple Him Chapter 266: Cripple Him Early morning. The sunlight was gentle, and Jiang Hao arrived at the entrance of the courtyard. A young man stood not far away, his calm eyes showing a steadiness not found in his peers. Thinking about it, Junior Brother Han Ming was already twenty-four, first met when he was just eighteen. More than five years had passed, not only had his cultivation increased rapidly, but even his personality had become much more stable. Such a young man at the late stage of Foundation Establishment had raised Duanqing Cliff¡¯s reputation considerably. Different from Jiang Hao¡¯s late stage of Foundation Establishment, Han Ming had fought his way up on his own. Such a battle made him famous. He was highly recognized in the sect. ¡°Junior Brother Han, long time no see, I was planning to visit and thank you in a few days,¡± Jiang Hao said with a smile. Previously, when someone challenged him, it was Han Ming who took on the challenge on his behalf, and he indeed needed to express his thanks. He had been putting it off until now, partly because he was busy with the curse and partly because Han Ming was in seclusion. Having just advanced to the late stage of Foundation Establishment, naturally, he needed quite some time to consolidate his cultivation. Now it seemed that his cultivation was very well consolidated. ¡°Senior Brother, I am now at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, the same realm as you,¡± Han Ming said respectfully with a fist salute. ¡°So today, I have come to challenge Senior Brother.¡± ¡°Challenge?¡± Jiang Hao was not surprised. ¡°Do you want to challenge now, Junior Brother, or set a date?¡± ¡°Are you free now, Senior Brother?¡± Han Ming was somewhat surprised. Actually, he wanted to pick an auspicious day, but if Jiang Hao said he was free now, it would be difficult for him to refuse. It would seem like he lacked confidence. ¡°I¡¯m free,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°Then, Senior Brother, are you prepared? Unlike you, I not only challenge others but also undergo various trials, gaining rich combat experience. You¡¯d best not take me lightly,¡± Han Ming said seriously. ¡°Junior Brother, with your exceptional talent, I naturally won¡¯t underestimate you,¡± Jiang Hao replied earnestly. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ...... After a short while. The two stood by the riverbank. One held a sword, the other gripped a saber. As they faced each other, their auras blocked the gentle breeze. At this moment, Jiang Hao could see that Han Ming¡¯s aura was stable, but beneath that calmness was a turbulent force ready to erupt. Indeed, the moment Han Ming moved, his aura surged with explosive power. His sword unsheathed like thunder, rushing forward. In response, Jiang Hao moved his saber. Clang! The Half-Moon was drawn. Out of respect, he directly used the first form of the Heavenly Saber, the Moon Slash. The first strike was evenly matched. The second, Han Ming was outmatched. The third, the long sword was sent flying, and the saber¡¯s force carved a deep groove in the ground. And the saber was already at Han Ming¡¯s neck. ¡°Junior Brother Han, thank you for the match,¡± Jiang Hao said politely as he sheathed his saber. Han Ming stared intently at Jiang Hao, then picked up his sword and said softly. ¡°I was just promoted a bit later than you, Senior Brother. Once I consolidate my cultivation, I will come to challenge you again.¡± After saying this, he turned and left. Jiang Hao smiled slightly. He thought that next time he might use five strikes to affirm Junior Brother Han¡¯s efforts. But for the next year or two, he could look for an opportunity to reach the peak of Foundation Establishment. Just outshining Junior Brother Han by a little wouldn¡¯t attract too much attention. After all, everyone knew he had opportunities. And with achievements to his name, a ¡®forced promotion¡¯ wasn¡¯t impossible. It would just ¡®hurt his potential¡¯. Afterward, Jiang Hao quickly headed to the chief challenge match. This place was none other than Bai Ye¡¯s residence, a valley. Arriving at the Hundred Bones Forest, one could see a large number of people converging here. The chief battle indeed attracted many people¡¯s attention. ¡°Junior Brother, long time no see,¡± Liu Xingchen greeted from a distance. ¡°Senior Brother Liu,¡± Jiang Hao responded politely. ¡°Are you here to watch the match too?¡± ¡°Of course, I want to see what level the chief¡¯s top ten disciples are at,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a smile. Jiang Hao nodded. At this moment, he noticed that Liu Xingchen, in addition to the True Dragon and Ancient Witch auras, also had a faint dark red aura. Had the third remnant soul appeared? He didn¡¯t rush to appraise it but decided to watch the match first. It wasn¡¯t surprising that Liu Xingchen had found a suitable remnant soul after so long. It might be hard to find elsewhere, but there should be plenty at the mines. After all, the ancient battlefield was right beneath. If there were treasures, there would certainly be remnant souls. The Demon Cavern should also have many, but one would need to get close to the core. Compared to the mines, the Demon Cavern was a more regulated place. With treasures suppressed, everything was concentrated at the core location. ...... After a short time, the two arrived outside the valley. No one went in because the arena was inside. Battles between those at the peak of Nascent Soul and late Nascent Soul stages could have a wide impact, so spectators needed to keep their distance. On the way, Jiang Hao recorded the surroundings in his mind. The biggest gain this time was knowing Bai Ye¡¯s residence. It would be convenient for next time. Because of Hong Yuye, he couldn¡¯t keep cursing, but it wasn¡¯t necessary anymore. In two more months, he might be able to advance to the late Nascent Soul stage. Then, he would come for Bai Ye. But once Bai Ye became the chief, it would be much more troublesome than now. ¡°When does the challenge match start?¡± ¡°It¡¯s hard to say, there¡¯s no set time. It will probably start whenever Man Long arrives today,¡± Liu Xingchen said. Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°By the way, I heard that people from the Corpse God Sect are coming to our sect. It seems they want to cooperate with us,¡± Liu Xingchen suddenly said. ¡°The Corpse God Sect wants to cooperate with us?¡± Jiang Hao was surprised. With a Teaching Elder like Zhuang Yuzhen still imprisoned in the Tianyin Sect, they actually ignored this and came to cooperate? Could it just be that interests are paramount? But what do they want? ¡°It¡¯s said to be related to the Corpse Realm Flower,¡± Liu Xingchen also found it unexpected. Jiang Hao nodded. That would make sense. The Corpse Realm Flower can open a special passage to an unknown realm. The people from the Corpse God Sect probably need to enter there, which is why they would come to cooperate. The Tianyin Sect can¡¯t refuse, given the other party¡¯s strength. A fight would benefit no one. In any case, as one of the interrogators of Zhuang Yuzhen, he should keep a low profile to avoid drawing their attention. After waiting for some time, more and more people gathered around. In some conspicuous places, he saw some acquaintances. For example, Senior Sister Ning Xuan. At this moment, a tall and composed man stood on a slightly elevated plain in the valley. Others saw him as a cultivator in the later stages of Nascent Soul. But to Jiang Hao, this cultivation level seemed forcibly enhanced and consolidated, likely through the consumption of some special elixirs. Not only that, this person had many curse marks on him, and his aura was unstable. Bai Ye, the moment Jiang Hao saw him, he knew his curse had been successful. The effect seemed quite good. Not only did the other party¡¯s cultivation not increase, but there were even signs of decline. This self-damaging curse that harms the enemy at one¡¯s own expense was indeed useful. If it weren¡¯t for Hong Yuye¡¯s intervention, he would still be suffering from the curse now. And Bai Ye, he would probably be tormented for a long time. Boom! Suddenly, a figure descended from the sky. Man Long¡¯s robust figure appeared in front of Bai Ye. The moment they recognized him, many people cheered. ¡°Senior Brother Man Long, cripple him!¡± ¡°No one of the same rank is a match for Senior Brother Man Long. I heard Senior Brother Bai Ye is capable of fighting across ranks, but he can¡¯t possibly win.¡± Jiang Hao observed Man Long. He noticed his vital energy was vast, and his powerful aura intertwined continuously, extremely dazzling. Compared to him, Bai Ye seemed somewhat insignificant. Chapter 267 - It Turns Out to Be This Result Chapter 267: It Turns Out to Be This Result In front of Man Long, Jiang Hao felt Bai Ye had no chance of winning. However, there were many plants and spiritual medicines around. This also meant that from this moment on, Man Long had entered Bai Ye¡¯s trap. As for what impact this would have, it was impossible to determine. ¡°Junior Brother, who do you think will win?¡± Liu Xingchen asked softly. ¡°It looks like Senior Brother Man Long, but didn¡¯t you say last time he only had a thirty percent chance of winning?¡± Jiang Hao feigned confusion. ¡°Right, it¡¯s said that Bai Ye is very good at using his home field advantage. Since some Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters who checked the field didn¡¯t find anything, it means Bai Ye¡¯s preparations have passed. Man Long is at a disadvantage,¡± Liu Xingchen said. ¡°Is it just some Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters who checked?¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised. Liu Xingchen nodded: ¡°Being able to deceive some Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters shows his strength, it counts.¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t speak; he wanted to see what the strength of the tenth chief disciple really was. ¡°Can we start now?¡± Man Long, with his robust figure, now showed a smile, seemingly ready to attack at any moment. Jiang Hao frowned slightly; he could feel that Man Long was filled with power. If he burst forth instantly, logically, Bai Ye would be unable to block it. ¡°Senior Brother, please,¡± Bai Ye said calmly. In terms of demeanor, he did not lose to Man Long. But in terms of strength, Jiang Hao could clearly feel that the two were not on the same level. ¡°Alright.¡± Man Long said boldly. Then he roared, and his powerful strength erupted, sweeping across the land like a hurricane. For a moment, sand and stones flew, and power converged. With a whoosh, he disappeared from his spot. Suddenly appearing in front of Bai Ye, he threw a punch. The powerful force even caused a tornado to rise around them. If it hit, the battle would be over. However, Bai Ye formed a hand seal, and countless plants surged from the ground to block in front of him. Boom! The fist collided with the plants, shattering them, but the force continued. However, Bai Ye was no longer behind the plants; he had retreated into the spiritual medicines. ¡°It¡¯s useless, these things can¡¯t stop me, and Junior Brother Bai¡¯s speed is far inferior to mine,¡± Man Long erupted again. His power was even more ferocious and stronger than before. His fist still aimed at Bai Ye, but just as he was about to strike Bai Ye, suddenly the spiritual energy faltered. It was this falter that allowed Bai Ye to counterattack. Countless vines surged from the ground like blades aiming for Man Long. Boom! Man Long was forced to retreat, and as he looked at the spiritual herbs brought out by the vines, his brows furrowed. Then, his vital energy surged around him like a tangible force, and a massive ferocious beast began to take shape around him. ¡°Bai Ye, I don¡¯t believe you can hold out until I¡¯m poisoned,¡± he declared. A wild power erupted, shattering the ground around him layer by layer. The vines disintegrated, and the spiritual herbs were destroyed. The wide-ranging attack seemed to clear all threats in the vicinity. However, at that moment, Bai Ye did not retreat but advanced instead. He wielded a long sword, his movements on the ground were fleeting and elusive. His speed and technique surprised Jiang Hao. Clang! The sword struck the beast, sending the spiritual sword flying, but the beast seemed to inflate like a balloon before bursting apart. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Man Long¡¯s brow furrowed as he struggled to control his spiritual energy. For a moment, he abandoned the beast and charged straight at Bai Ye, forcing his energy to circulate despite feeling blockages in his body. ¡°Just let me catch you, and it will all be over.¡± Pfft- Blood sprayed from Man Long¡¯s body, but it did not slow his pace. Facing the oncoming Man Long, Bai Ye remained calm and stood his ground. Just as Man Long reached out to grab him, he suddenly grabbed at the air beside him, puzzling everyone. ¡°Illusion technique,¡± Jiang Hao said instinctively. ¡°Junior Brother is knowledgeable indeed. It is an illusion technique; Man Long has entered an illusion. But he didn¡¯t notice when it happened,¡± exclaimed Liu Xingchen. Jiang Hao sensed danger. Man Long¡¯s strength was immense; every time he saw him act, he instinctively wanted to use the Mountain Suppressor to resist, though he doubted it would be enough. No wonder he was ranked tenth among the chief disciples; his strength was terrifying. And so was Bai Ye¡¯s. His strength was indeed far inferior to Man Long¡¯s, but he had the sealing technique, illusion technique, poison technique, and even curse technique. He might not have had time to cultivate in the past six months, but he had time to learn the curse technique and apply it. Although the effects were not significant, if used well, they could indeed produce unexpected results. Seeing Man Long¡¯s condition, Jiang Hao was somewhat worried for him. Poison, curse, sealing, illusion¡ªall sorts of conditions were afflicting him. Dragging this out was of no benefit to him. Boom! Power roared on the battlefield. Bai Ye sometimes attacked head-on, sometimes dodged. Man Long, despite destroying nearly all the spiritual herbs, was unable to alleviate his condition. There must be something else around. Bai Ye wouldn¡¯t foolishly rely on the spiritual herbs in the field as his trump card. But Man Long¡¯s strength was no illusion; even poisoned, he could still shake the world and overpower Bai Ye. All he lacked was an opportunity. And if Bai Ye made a single mistake, he would be defeated. But he never did. Everything seemed to be under his control. The battle shattered the surrounding plants and collapsed the earth. Bai Ye was injured by Man Long¡¯s power, and Man Long, in resisting various techniques, had shed much blood. His attacks were all forced out. By now, he was surrounded by a multitude of techniques. A normal Nascent Soul would have already fallen, but he was still full of fighting spirit. ¡°It feels like it¡¯s reaching a limit,¡± said Liu Xingchen. Jiang Hao nodded in agreement. Indeed, it was reaching a limit for both of them. Man Long was enduring powerful techniques, while Bai Ye was somewhat exhausted, not to mention that he was still suppressing a curse. At that moment, Man Long¡¯s body blazed like flames as he prepared for his final attack. Bai Ye stood in place, with arrays appearing around him, followed by the convergence of the aura of countless spiritual herbs. It seemed the more spiritual items there were, the stronger his array became. This peculiar scene astonished everyone. ¡°What a powerful array. If the surroundings were filled with divine items, then his power would increase rapidly,¡± Jiang Hao thought in amazement. However, he still favored Man Long; Bai Ye¡¯s current condition seemed to point to defeat. The next moment, both parties began their offensive. Neither held back any longer. Powerful forces began to howl. In the blink of an eye, their powers collided. With a loud boom, dust and stones surged around them. The array began to crumble under Man Long¡¯s fist. Just one more moment and Bai Ye would be defeated. Jiang Hao¡¯s eyes were fixed on Man Long, his power circulating, his aura spreading, his spirit extending¡ªeverything was fine. He could last two more moments. But Bai Ye¡¯s array was cut off from its source of power, and he was already suppressing the overflowing curse with his own strength. At most, he could only last one more moment. He had won. Just as Jiang Hao thought he could move against Bai Ye, suddenly Man Long¡¯s aura faltered. Then he spat out blood. As the blood was expelled, his power began to unravel, and the array counterattacked from its disadvantage, severely injuring Man Long. With a thud, Man Long was sent flying and then crashed heavily to the ground, unable to rise again. Jiang Hao was stunned, even somewhat in disbelief. Although it was very blurry, he should not have seen it wrong, just now... Man Long had intentionally let the attack pass through. He... threw the fight. He actually threw the fight. Jiang Hao never imagined such a thing could happen. Chapter 268 - The Final Outcome Chapter 268: The Final Outcome Man Long¡¯s actions surprised Jiang Hao. The position of chief disciple was, in theory, not something anyone would willingly give up, as the privileges of a chief disciple were definitely far superior to those of an ordinary successor. Otherwise, Bai Ye wouldn¡¯t have gone to such lengths to become the chief. Yet, even so, Man Long threw the fight. At first, it must have been real; if he lost, then he lost. But if he didn¡¯t lose, he intentionally threw the fight. It was very subtle, so subtle that he almost didn¡¯t notice. And Bai Ye¡¯s techniques were already hard to predict, making it nearly impossible for anyone to discern the truth from the facade. The question was whether any of the elders or the twelve main vein masters watching in secret would notice. And if they did, whether they would intervene. ¡®I calculated everything but misjudged Man Long.¡¯ Jiang Hao sighed. ¡°Did he win?¡± For a moment, everyone around was somewhat in disbelief. ¡°It seems like he won.¡± ¡°Did you see how he won?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t understand either, it just felt like Man Long Senior Brother kept getting hurt.¡± ¡°Are you ignorant? He can¡¯t get close; once he does, he might get poisond, or even injured, destabilizing his energy and sealing his cultivation. That¡¯s why Senior Brother Man Long had to trade injury for injury, and in the end, it was about who couldn¡¯t hold on.¡± ¡°Does this mean Bai Ye is going to become the chief?¡± ¡°Not yet, there¡¯s still one last hurdle.¡± Jiang Hao stood still, gazing into the distance. Now that Bai Ye had defeated Man Long, only the other chiefs¡¯ tests remained. As long as he passed the tests, he could become the chief. The difficulty of the tests was much less than defeating Man Long, so in theory, he shouldn¡¯t fail. ¡°Do you think Bai Ye will ultimately become the chief, Junior Brother?¡± Liu Xingchen asked. ¡°It looks like he will,¡± Jiang Hao said. Although he was reluctant to admit it, it seemed indeed likely. He needed to plan for the long term. It was a bit troublesome, but he was about to advance to the late Nascent Soul stage, and even if it was troublesome, he could try to take action. ¡°I wonder which chief will come,¡± Liu Xingchen said softly. At that moment, a figure descended from mid-air. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was a fairy dressed in a purple immortal dress, with long, fair legs, a clearly defined bust, a slender waist that could be encircled with a hand, and her hair tied up in a young girl¡¯s bun. She landed gently in front of Bai Ye, her expression calm. ¡°Congratulations to Junior Brother for defeating Man Long. Now, I will verify Junior Brother¡¯s qualifications. I will suppress my cultivation to the late Nascent Soul stage and only make one move. You may resist with all your might, and if you are still standing after one move, you will be considered qualified.¡± ¡°The sixth-ranked chief, Tianhuan Pavilion¡¯s Senior Sister Wei Si,¡± Liu Xingchen said with some surprise. ¡°It¡¯s actually the sixth-ranked when it should have been one of the top five in the past.¡± ¡°Does that mean it¡¯s easier to pass?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Not necessarily, for Bai Ye who is at the late Nascent Soul stage, there is no difference between the top five and the sixth,¡± Liu Xingchen said. Jiang Hao was not optimistic; it was just one move, and it was unlikely that it couldn¡¯t be blocked. ¡°Shall we begin then?¡± At that moment, Wei Si suppressed her cultivation to the late Nascent Soul stage. Bai Ye took a deep breath, mobilized all his power, and then said, ¡°Senior Sister, please make your move.¡± Wei Si looked at Bai Ye, and at that moment, a spiritual energy whirlwind began to appear around her. In an instant, she took a step. The surrounding spiritual energy surged with her movement as if she commanded everything around her. To everyone watching, it seemed as if Wei Si had moved yet hadn¡¯t moved. But her figure had already arrived in front of Bai Ye. At that moment, Bai Ye¡¯s pupils constricted. It was too late; there was no time to defend. In the gaze of all, Wei Si placed her hand on Bai Ye¡¯s chest. Pfft~ Immediately, Bai Ye¡¯s body spurted out a torrent of blood, and he was thrown backward off the ground. With a thud, he fell heavily to the ground. The blood stained the earth red. His life force was weak. Wei Si stood in place and waited for a moment, but Bai Ye couldn¡¯t get up. Afterward, Wei Si spoke calmly. ¡°Bai Ye, your promotion to chief has failed.¡± For a moment, the crowd was in an uproar, and Jiang Hao was also somewhat incredulous; he was still immersed in that palm strike. The surrounding spiritual energy and the essence of spiritual herbs, all of it was drawn by her, becoming part of the attack. What seemed like a calm palm strike was actually filled with a torrent of spiritual energy, attacking furiously. With this speed and strength, Jiang Hao felt that he couldn¡¯t handle it. This was with the opponent suppressing their cultivation level; if they hadn¡¯t, the prospect was too frightening to contemplate. Taking a deep breath, Jiang Hao stopped dwelling on these thoughts. No rush, he could catch up. As long as he could continue to cultivate steadily, the future was promising. However, Bai Ye¡¯s failure to advance was somewhat surreal to him. To think that he would lose at the last moment. It was one thing for Senior Sister Wei Si to be strong, but Bai Ye¡¯s inability to suppress his curse was another matter. In any case, the outcome was favorable. In two months, he could make his move with confidence. Murder was not an option, but... By then, he could pay a visit. ¡°So he failed just like that?¡± ¡°Senior Brother Bai Ye has failed, so does that mean Man Long Senior Brother remains the chief disciple?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that unfair? Senior Brother Bai Ye was clearly at the end of his rope; how could he withstand a full-force strike from the sixth chief?¡± ¡°What¡¯s fair or unfair? It¡¯s already quite fair. The challenger had the home ground advantage, and winning the last round against the top few contenders for chief is nothing unfair.¡± ¡°The challenger has the home ground advantage, so isn¡¯t that unfair to Senior Brother Man Long?¡± ¡°How is that unfair? Senior Brother Man Long has been the chief for many years, with countless resources aiding his cultivation. Isn¡¯t that even more unfair?¡± Jiang Hao, standing nearby, nodded slightly. This Senior Brother made sense. If a chief disciple, with all their privileges and resources, couldn¡¯t win even on the challenger¡¯s turf, they indeed didn¡¯t deserve to be chief. Man Long was qualified to be chief, but it was a pity he held back. It seemed Bai Ye had offered him an irresistible price. At this moment, Wei Si did not leave but turned to look at Man Long: ¡°Bai Ye¡¯s attempt to become chief has failed, and Man Long has been defeated in a cross-rank challenge, losing the chief¡¯s face. He is stripped of the right to contend for chief for ten years.¡± ¡°Ten years?¡± Man Long struggled to stand and said, ¡°Why?¡± Boom! An invisible hand descended from the sky, slapping Man Long into the ground. The sound of breaking bones was incessant. Man Long¡¯s face twisted in agony. ¡°If you¡¯re not satisfied with ten years, then let it be fifteen,¡± Wei Si said calmly as she withdrew her hand. After Man Long dared not object, Wei Si looked around at everyone. ¡°The battle for chief will commence in three years. For the first three years, the resources for the tenth chief position will be divided among the top nine. If no chief emerges in the second three years, the strongest in each realm will share them. Four from the Foundation Establishment, four from the Golden Core, and four from the Nascent Soul. This will continue until a tenth chief appears.¡± As Wei Si¡¯s voice faded, she soared into the sky and disappeared from sight. Jiang Hao felt somewhat astonished; the authority of a chief seemed quite high. And he also realized that as long as no tenth chief appeared, the top nine would share many resources. No wonder becoming a chief was so difficult; they didn¡¯t want too many contenders. Ye Yaqing had said it would be difficult for Bai Ye to succeed; it seemed there were reasons for that. And thus, Man Long was stripped of the right to become chief for fifteen years. For ordinary disciples, there was also a chance to share the chief¡¯s resources. That was to become the strongest in each realm. Jiang Hao felt he had a chance, but that would be too conspicuous. He just wanted to be in a middle position. First, he needed to find out what the resources were. And it would be three years before it came to the ordinary disciples of the sect. No rush. For now, he would focus on advancing to the late stage of Nascent Soul. Chapter 269 - You Should Call Me Senior Chapter 269: You Should Call Me Senior In the valley. Bai Ye lay on the ground, unable to control the curse on his body any longer. His cultivation was on the brink of collapse. Suddenly, a magical treasure flew towards him, transforming into a light that shielded his body. ¡°You failed, didn¡¯t you? I told you before becoming chief isn¡¯t that simple.¡± A young girl approached from a distance, the fifth chief disciple, Ye Yaqing. ¡°Strictly speaking, it was my turn to test the challenge, but to avoid bias, we let Junior Sister Wei Si, who is sixth, take action. She was quite lenient; if it had been one of the top five, your injuries would have been much worse.¡± Ye Yaqing helped Bai Ye up, then sighed: ¡°Let me take you to Master.¡± ¡°Thank you, Senior Sister, but I¡¯m not seriously hurt. I¡¯ve failed, and I can accept that. There¡¯s just something I need to verify,¡± Bai Ye said softly. ¡°What is it?¡± Ye Yaqing was curious. ¡°It¡¯s a personal matter,¡± Bai Ye replied evenly. It seemed that failure had become a familiar outcome for him. But he was curious whether the one who had cursed him was indeed a disciple from Duanqing Cliff. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about it after your injuries heal,¡± Ye Yaqing suggested. Bai Ye nodded. Indeed, now was not the time for him to act. In two or three months, perhaps his injuries would heal. If he was lucky, he¡¯d retain his cultivation level; if not, he¡¯d just have to cultivate again. ...... The challenge for the position of chief disciple ended in failure. Not only did no one become the new chief disciple, but the previous one lost his title as well. Without Man Long in the picture, others began to eagerly vie for the position. Becoming the chief disciple meant at least a decade of peaceful days ahead. Once Man Long regained his eligibility to challenge, it was certain he would do so. And at that time, no one would be a match for Man Long. From the incident involving Bai Ye and Man Long, Jiang Hao understood that even the position of chief disciple could be influenced by underhanded means; they too had their needs and desires. But such dealings seemed to be unfavorable for both parties. Bai Ye was defeated, and Man Long was punished. For a while, only the top nine disciples below the chief disciple emerged as the biggest winners. ¡°I remember the last time there was a battle among peers, Junior Brother ranked first, right?¡± Liu Xingchen suddenly asked on the way. ¡°At that time, each lineage only sent two people,¡± Jiang Hao explained briefly. He had indeed come first then, and by all accounts, he should again in three years. But in the past two years, he planned to advance his cultivation to the complete stage of Foundation Establishment. If he still came first after that, it would be somewhat exaggerated. However, he could decide based on the situation; if he needed to be first, he wouldn¡¯t change his cultivation level, but if not, he could. ¡°What about Senior Brother Liu?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°I should have a mission,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a smile and a shake of his head. Not bored enough, Jiang Hao speculated. ¡°Has it been five or six years since Junior Brother killed Junior Sister Yun Ruo?¡± Liu Xingchen suddenly asked. ¡°Yes,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°So many years have passed, and it seems the number of people who hold a grudge against Junior Brother has gradually decreased. Tianhuan Pavilion used to be hostile towards Junior Brother, but now it seems to have quieted down. However, that person from Tianhuan Pavilion still remembers Junior Brother. The Charming Body is harder to find than expected, and to this day, there is no accurate result,¡± Liu Xingchen said. That person from Tianhuan Pavilion. Jiang Hao remembered the person under Lawless Tower, feeling immense pressure from just one glance. But since that person had deprived him of resources for three years, as long as he didn¡¯t do too well during this time, he probably wouldn¡¯t be targeted. It was best not to leave the sect. After some more conversation, Jiang Hao planned to return. But before he left, he appraised Liu Xingchen. ¡¾Liu Xingchen: A true disciple of the Haotian Sect, born with the aura of Dragon Slaughter. Undercover in the Tianyin Sect¡¯s Enforcement Peak. He entered the blood pool in the mine and attracted the attention of the Blood Demon within, which now hides in his blood, attempting to consume and possess him. The remnants of a True Dragon and an Ancient Witch are secretly paving the way for the Blood Demon, allowing the Blood Demon to gather out information the enemy. He has been waiting for a long time to watch the Blood Demon¡¯s possession, but the progress is not fast enough, leaving him somewhat disappointed. After several exchanges, he increasingly finds you to be extraordinary and his interest in you grows, looking forward to the next time you stir up trouble.¡¿ Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± After saying goodbye to Liu Xingchen, he was speechless. Another one, this time a demon. True Dragon, Ancient Witch, Blood Demon. On the surface, these seemed to be three ancient powerhouses. But the previous two didn¡¯t gain any advantage, and it was likely the same for this Blood Demon. Once he also took a bite, it would be the day when the three giants met, and that would be the time for them to join forces in resistance. But another bite, and Liu Xingchen would enter the middle stage of Nascent Soul. His enemy would become even stronger. Who would win or lose in the end was unpredictable. But with such a dangerous possession at hand, was Liu Xingchen truly not worried at all? Jiang Hao imagined that if it were him, he would spare no effort to crush these remnants to ensure his own safety. Jiang Hao was quite curious about Liu Xingchen¡¯s level within the Haotian Sect. But being called the strongest immortal gate, the quality of its disciples must also be the highest. If there was also a chief disciple, he wondered how much stronger they would be compared to the Tianyin Sect. Returning to the Spiritual Medicine Garden, bubbles surged towards him. ¡¾Strength+1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit+1¡¿ ¡¾Spirit Sword+1¡¿ As the bubbles merged with him, he could still feel his spirit and strength being enhanced. But just as he arrived, he saw Senior Sister Miao Tinglian come in with two people. A man and a woman, both dressed in black, with exceptionally strong auras. The man was a bald brute in the mid-stage of Nascent Soul. The woman was cold and proud, like an ice flower, in the early stage of Nascent Soul. He had seen similar auras on the people from Zhuang Yuzhen¡¯s Corpse Heart. ¡®People from the Corpse God Sect?¡¯ Jiang Hao immediately recalled Liu Xingchen¡¯s words that the people from the Corpse God Sect wanted to cooperate with us. It seemed to be true. However, these two only showed the cultivation level of the mid-stage Golden Core. ¡°Junior Brother,¡± Miao Tinglian approached and introduced: ¡°These two are disciples from a major northern sect, and they want to see our Spiritual Medicine Garden and the place where the Corpse God Flowers are cultivated. Since all the Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters are busy, Master said you should introduce them. I have to discuss the Corpse God Flowers with some people, so I¡¯ll be leaving you to it.¡± As she finished speaking, Jiang Hao saw Senior Sister Miao leave. Jiang Hao was somewhat taken aback; a late-stage Foundation Establishment disciple leading two Nascent Souls? Even if they were truly Golden Core, this seemed somewhat discourteous. ¡°Greetings to the two seniors,¡± Jiang Hao said politely, ¡°Junior Jiang Hao, if you have any requests, please feel free to speak.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need for such formality, senior. We fellow Daoists should just address each other as such. My name is Gu Cheng, and this is my Junior Sister, Fang Jin,¡± the bald man Gu Cheng slowly spoke. ¡°Then I¡¯ll take the liberty to call you Daoist Gu and Fairy Fang,¡± Jiang Hao said modestly. ¡°A Foundation Establishment cultivator guarding the Spiritual Medicine Garden? Do you know much about spiritual medicines?¡± Fang Jin asked coldly. ¡°Just a little,¡± Jiang Hao replied softly. Afterward, Jiang Hao showed them around the Spiritual Medicine Garden. They looked around various places. Along the way, Jiang Hao occasionally glanced at them and, unsurprisingly, saw a hint of disdain in their eyes. To them, this place seemed like nothing more than a rural wasteland. ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± Fang Jin asked. Jiang Hao smiled slightly and said: sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Yes, Fairy Fang.¡± ¡°You should call me senior,¡± Fang Jin said indifferently. Chapter 270 - Senior, be more careful in your next life, the night roads are unsafe Chapter 270: Senior, be more careful in your next life, the night roads are unsafe Hearing her words, Jiang Hao was slightly taken aback. It seemed they not only looked down on him but also looked down on the Tianyin Sect as well. That made sense. To them, the Tianyin Sect was just a small, remote sect in the south. It was inevitable they would feel superior. Jiang Hao accepted their sense of superiority calmly. But at that moment, Gu Cheng shouted angrily: ¡°Nonsense, Daoist Jiang is the manager of the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Although his cultivation may be lacking, that doesn¡¯t mean anything. Don¡¯t you understand the principle of ¡®When in the countryside, do as the countryside people do,¡¯ Junior Sister?¡± He then turned to Jiang Hao with a smile: ¡°Daoist Jiang, please excuse her. My Junior Sister hasn¡¯t been out much and is inexperienced.¡± Jiang Hao shook his head gently. ¡°It is our hospitality that is lacking.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s just go see the Corpse Realm Flower; there¡¯s nothing much to see here,¡± Fang Jin commanded coldly. ¡°Lead the way.¡± Jiang Hao nodded calmly and then led the way. ¡°Please follow me; it might be a bit far.¡± ...... After a short while, Jiang Hao brought them to where the Corpse Realm Flower was located. There was no one guarding it; the only person who was supposed to be there was busy with other matters. As they approached, Jiang Hao felt his blood qi become somewhat unstable, and a dark red hue appeared on the petals of the flower. It seemed to have a certain craving. ¡°You just leave the Corpse Realm Flower like this?¡± Fang Jin looked at Jiang Hao with a cold gaze. ¡°Do you even know how to handle things?¡± ¡°I am not in charge of the Corpse Realm Flower,¡± Jiang Hao explained softly. Her tone was as if the flower belonged to her, and she could blame others for not taking good care of it. In their eyes, the Tianyin Sect was just a backyard. The northern sects indeed had a confidence that others did not possess. If it were the Xuantian Sect, Luoxia Sect, or Fenglei Sect, they wouldn¡¯t have the courage. Even when they came to demand people in the past, they only stayed outside the sect gates, and it wasn¡¯t even a disciple who came. ¡°Now the Corpse Realm Flower is somewhat lacking in fresh blood,¡± Gu Cheng reminded. ¡°Fresh blood?¡± Jiang Hao nodded and said respectfully. ¡°I¡¯ll go and have someone prepare some beast blood right away.¡± ¡°Beast blood?¡± Fang Jin said indifferently. ¡°Human blood is best, especially the blood of someone with cultivation.¡± Jiang Hao frowned slightly and said in a flat tone: ¡°I will need to consult with my Senior Brother and Senior Sister about this.¡± ¡°Just use yours; there¡¯s no need to ask for permission. It¡¯s not like anyone will die. Once a day, for fourteen days should suffice. At most, your vital essence will be damaged, and your cultivation will be difficult to advance for a few years. You¡¯ll have earned the merit of finding a way to feed the Corpse Realm Flower since feeding it blood also requires a special method,¡± Fang Jin continued, looking at Jiang Hao. ¡°If you really don¡¯t have the courage, I can make your master agree. In the end, it has to be you.¡± Jiang Hao bowed his head and finally smiled. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then naturally I agree. But I still need to consult first. My Senior Brother and Senior Sister should be free tomorrow; you can inform me of the method then.¡± Fang Jin¡¯s eyes were cold. ¡°Enough,¡± Gu Cheng, who had been silent, finally scolded. ¡°Junior Sister, this is the Tianyin Sect, not our sect.¡± Afterward, the two observed for a while longer and then left, saying they would come back tomorrow. They hoped Jiang Hao would continue to help guide them. Jiang Hao nodded in agreement. Afterward, he took some time to tend to the spiritual medicines and then returned to his courtyard. ...... At night, Fang Jin separated from the other Senior Brothers and began to observe the Tianyin Sect. In her eyes, the Tianyin Sect was nothing more than a remote little sect. It wasn¡¯t just her; others felt the same way. What on earth is here that warrants such caution from the elders? Not to mention the instructors, even the disciples¡¯ level here is surprisingly weak, which clearly shows that the sect is still feeble. There¡¯s really nothing to worry about. There¡¯s absolutely no need to cooperate; just take back the Corpse Realm Flower directly. Swoosh- Suddenly, the sound of something tearing through the air approached. Fang Jin immediately turned around, her many magical treasures lighting up as she began to defend herself. Bang! A long spear was thus blocked by her. Her cold eyes flickered. ¡°Who... are...y...¡± Before she could finish her sentence, she saw a streak of purple blade light flash by. Then she felt her surrounding defenses shatter, her magical treasures disintegrate, and subsequently, her vision seemed to soar before starting to tumble. Her mind went blank, and suddenly, she saw her own body, still in the motion of turning around. And she was headless. Fang Jin found it somewhat unbelievable. At that moment, she saw a person standing behind her body. He held a silver-white long saber, which had an unparalleled aura. It seemed capable of cutting through all things in heaven and earth. But when she saw the face of this person, her pupils constricted, unable to believe it. Wasn¡¯t this the person who was at the Foundation Establishment stage earlier in the day? Why, why did this happen? ¡°Senior, what a coincidence to meet again.¡± Jiang Hao held the Heavenly Saber, gently lifting it. The second form of the Heavenly Saber, Mountain Suppressor. The saber intent was like Myriad Great Mountains pressing down. ¡°You killing me is tantamount to offending...¡± Before she could finish her sentence, the Heavenly Saber had arrived. Suppressing all things. ¡°Be more careful in your next life; the night roads are unsafe.¡± Boom! The Mountain Suppressor completely descended. When the breeze blew, Fang Jin¡¯s body began to shatter layer by layer. In her astonishment, she completely lost her breath. This was her main body; at the early stage of Nascent Soul, it was highly probable that she had no clone. Meaning she was completely dead. Even if she had a clone, it would be difficult to resurrect through it. But with a Corpse Heart, it might be possible. And the Corpse Heart was most likely only possessed by those who had reached the peak of their realm. He glanced at her storage magical treasure. Jiang Hao hesitated for a moment but eventually gave up. Killing a disciple of a great sect and taking their belongings could easily lead to complications. If the people from the Corpse God Sect noticed, it would be more trouble than it was worth. He just wondered if the disciples of the great sect were wealthy. In the end, Jiang Hao disappeared into the night. When he returned to his residence, he resumed his normal activities, starting to make talismans. He still needed to earn spirit stones. Perhaps he was a bit worried that he would have to compensate with spirit stones. ...... The next day. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The sun rose in the east. Jiang Hao collected the energy bubbles in the courtyard and left. But as soon as he stepped out, he saw turbulence in the sky above the sect. Then came an angry voice. ¡°Search at all costs and find out the truth!¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao was completely stunned. The death of a Corpse God Sect disciple had such a big impact? Surely they wouldn¡¯t use the Tianyuan Shaping Divine Mirror, would they? This mirror was supposed to be a divine object, and he most likely couldn¡¯t avoid it. For a moment, Jiang Hao was worried. But he also found it strange. When he killed a true disciple before, the Enforcement Peak did not react like this, but they were surprisingly quick to act and they came early in the morning. But this time... Jiang Hao looked around and saw no trace of the Hall of Enforcement. As someone who was often investigated by the Hall of Enforcement, he felt something was off this time. However, he didn¡¯t dare to be careless; perhaps they were now using the Tianyuan Shaping Divine Mirror. Killing an important person in the sect indeed had a big impact, no wonder even the Pavilion Master was reluctant to act rashly. ...... He arrived at the Spiritual Medicine Garden. After dealing with the spiritual medicine, Jiang Hao would sit on the side and check the spiritual field. He also listened to the rabbits and others chatting. ¡°Recently, it seems that all the Spiritual Medicine Gardens have been humiliated by people from the Corpse God Sect, and there¡¯s no way to refute it. Make sure you don¡¯t offend anyone,¡± Cheng Chou warned. ¡°Rabbit, are the people from the Corpse God Sect friends of yours in the road?¡± Xiao Li asked curiously. ¡°Master must work hard,¡± Rabbit said. ¡°What does this have to do with Senior Brother?¡± Xiao Li asked. Jiang Hao sat on the side, ignoring them. It was noon, and no one from the Hall of Enforcement had come. Nor had anyone from the Corpse God Sect come to see the Corpse Realm Flower. ...... The third day. Liu Xingchen arrived. Chapter 271 - Dare to Confront Directly Chapter 271: Dare to Confront Directly ¡®Finally, he¡¯s here.¡¯ Jiang Hao had a feeling that the efficiency of the people from the Enforcement Peak had declined. Otherwise, why would it take three days for them to come? ¡°Junior Brother, we meet again. This time I¡¯ve come for official business.¡± Liu Xingchen seemed to have been waiting for a long time in front of the courtyard gate. ¡°What is it?¡± Jiang Hao pretended to be puzzled. However, Liu Xingchen was now covered with a strong aura of blood qi. It was much denser than before. It seemed that the Blood Demon was about to complete its final possession. That is to say, Liu Xingchen would soon advance to the mid-stage of Nascent Soul. For a moment, Jiang Hao felt a sense of urgency. The feeling of being caught up in cultivation was not pleasant, but fortunately, in a little over a month, he would be able to advance to the late stage. He should still be able to maintain a distance. ¡°Junior Brother doesn¡¯t know?¡± Liu Xingchen thought for a moment and then realized. ¡°Right, the news hasn¡¯t spread widely, and most people are unaware. After all, it¡¯s not a good thing.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Jiang Hao appeared quite curious. ¡°Have you had contact with the disciples of the Corpse God Sect?¡± Liu Xingchen asked. ¡°I have,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°How did it feel?¡± Liu Xingchen asked again. ¡°It felt like a major sect,¡± Jiang Hao said diplomatically. Hearing this, Liu Xingchen smiled. ¡°So they looked down on Junior Brother?¡± Jiang Hao nodded slightly without speaking. ¡°Which one was it, do you remember?¡± Liu Xingchen continued. ¡°It should be Senior Fang Jin.¡± Hearing this, Liu Xingchen smiled. ¡°That¡¯s the reason I came to see Junior Brother. Fang Jin was killed on the night he met with Junior Brother.¡± ¡°Killed?¡± Jiang Hao was shocked, showing just the right amount of surprise. ¡°Shall we talk inside?¡± Liu Xingchen gestured towards the courtyard. It was then that Jiang Hao realized, and with an apologetic tone, he said, ¡°Please come inside, Senior Brother.¡± Liu Xingchen walked in, quite surprised. ¡°Junior Brother really likes to plant some unique things. It seems there are even more now.¡± ¡°Senior Brother is joking,¡± Jiang Hao was not worried. The Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower was already known to the other party, and the rest were not significant. The two sat at a wooden table, and Jiang Hao even brewed some tea. ¡°Did Junior Brother remember of the Enforcement Peak¡¯s anger a few days ago?¡± Liu Xingchen asked while sipping his tea. ¡°Is that the reason?¡± Jiang Hao countered. He indeed thought so; could there be other hidden reasons? He hadn¡¯t heard any news recently. ¡°Not entirely,¡± Liu Xingchen said with interest. ¡°It¡¯s said that at that time, many from the Corpse God Sect were disrespectful to the various branches. And then...¡± Liu Xingchen paused, and under Jiang Hao¡¯s curious gaze, he continued. ¡°Thirty-two disciples from the Corpse God Sect came this time, and ten were killed overnight, including Fang Jin.¡± Jiang Hao was stunned. He had not expected this at all. It turned out that he was not the only one who had acted; he had worried for so long. He thought that by killing one person, he had angered the Enforcement Peak. But weren¡¯t the others afraid of being investigated? ¡°Did they find out who did it?¡± Jiang Hao asked. The Corpse God Sect was a real major sect in the north; those people were truly bold. For a moment, Jiang Hao remembered that the Tianyin Sect was a Demon Sect. When they were poor, they would do anything. ¡°The first one they suspected was Man Long,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a smile. ¡°But Man Long said he was seriously injured in the challenge match and couldn¡¯t possibly have acted, which is well-known. Moreover, his Master checked and confirmed he was indeed seriously injured.¡± His master checked... ¡°And then?¡± Jiang Hao asked again. ¡°Our sect relies on evidence, and although Man Long is no longer one of the chief disciples, he is still a true disciple of Hengliu Waterfall with great achievements. Of course, he cannot be arrested arbitrarily.¡± Liu Xingchen continued: ¡°The second suspect was Senior Sister Ye Yaqing from the Hundred Bones Forest. She ranks fifth among the head disciples, but she said she was always taking care of an injured Junior Brother.¡± ¡°Senior Brother Bai Ye and Junior Sister Lian Qin can both testify. And Senior Sister Ye Yaqing is also of the chief; she can¡¯t be apprehended without solid evidence. The methods of others are more covert; it¡¯s been three days and nothing has been found.¡± Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He was stunned; this was completely beyond his expectations. Aren¡¯t these people afraid of offending the Corpse God Sect? It¡¯s unlikely; they must have been instructed to do so. There must be both overt and covert actions. ¡°Didn¡¯t you use a magical treasure to investigate?¡± he tried to ask. ¡°Magical treasure?¡± Liu Xingchen chuckled. ¡°The dead aren¡¯t from our sect, so why would we use a magical treasure?¡± Jiang Hao realized that within their own sect, everyone was cautious about killing. Because hardly anyone could escape the scrutiny of the Hall of Enforcement, not even the chief. But when it comes to killing people from other sects, there are no such restrictions. However, such actions would definitely offend the Corpse God Sect. Going to the north would be a death sentence. In the future, once they are free, they might even come to crush the Tianyin Sect. But that¡¯s all in the future; the priority now is to suppress them. Even if they are strong in the north, that¡¯s only in the north. Their influence hasn¡¯t extended to the south. Whoever is more arrogant now will have the upper hand in future collaborations. Having roughly guessed this, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t care anymore. There should be no problem with him taking action himself. He might not even have to compensate with a single spirit stone. ¡°I came to find Junior Brother because you had contact with Fang Jin, so I wanted to ask. Where were you that night?¡± Liu Xingchen asked. ¡°I was in my room making talismans,¡± Jiang Hao replied. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then Junior Brother has nothing to worry about,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a smile. Jiang Hao fully understood now; the fury of the Hall of Enforcement was just for show. And the fact that they took so long to come to him was simply because they weren¡¯t focused on investigating. Otherwise, with the strength of the Hall of Enforcement, the culprit would have been found in a day. Jiang Hao was curious, though. Did they take the storage magical treasures of those people? He didn¡¯t dare to ask this but instead asked something else. ¡°Will the people from the Corpse God Sect really let this go?¡± Liu Xingchen shook his head: ¡°Who knows?¡± ...... Tianyin Sect, guest resting area. Here, there are many courtyards filled with abundant spiritual energy. In the most concentrated of these courtyards, two middle-aged men and a beautiful woman sat in high seats, with about twenty disciples standing beside them. Gu Cheng was among them, but the arrogance in his eyes was gone. Clang! A tea cup was slammed heavily onto the ground by a middle-aged man, his tone extremely angry. He was the leader of this trip, Daoist Han Yu, a high-status elder of the Corpse God Sect, with strength comparable to Zhuang Yuzhen. ¡°Evidence, evidence, how can they, a Demon Sect, have more rules than a righteous sect? What evidence? It¡¯s a joke. It¡¯s simply a cover-up, saying they will investigate thoroughly, but after so many days, we haven¡¯t seen any investigation.¡± At this moment, another middle-aged man with some white at his temples frowned. ¡°I¡¯ve said it before, we should be humble here. Not only do you underestimate them, but you even teach them how to do things. Do you think this is your own sect? Haven¡¯t you realized? They have no intention of investigating. Do you really think this place is a righteous sect that will care about reputation and give us an answer?¡± ¡°What does Senior Brother plan to do?¡± the beautiful woman asked. ¡°Give them three more days. They must give us an answer in the end, otherwise where is the dignity of our Corpse God Sect? Be prepared,¡± Daoist Han Yu said coldly. ¡°They only dare to ambush. Otherwise, how could they be our opponents? A bunch of country bumpkins,¡± said a young man with cultivation far surpassing the Nascent Soul stage, who was standing below. He didn¡¯t just say this here. He even issued a challenge outside, daring anyone to face him head-on. ...... The next morning, his body was found in a river. At that moment, Daoist Han Yu¡¯s aura instantly spread, filled with extreme anger. It was as if he was ready to have a showdown with the Tianyin Sect at any cost. Chapter 272 - Have the two of you calmed down? Chapter 272: Have the two of you calmed down? By the river, Daoist Han Yu was extremely angry. His aura soared into the sky, his powerful force sweeping in all directions. This was too much, far too much. The people of the Tianyin Sect had no intention of holding back. Not investigating the killings was one thing. Especially since they couldn¡¯t locate anything in the storage magical treasures. What did this imply? It was either someone with special means or the involvement of a powerful individual. The former, one or two people, would be normal, but there were more than one or two who took action to kill. That meant a powerful individual was involved. This Demon Sect really didn¡¯t hold back at all, showing such disdain for others. A powerful aura swept across all directions, causing many to tremble with fear. It seemed as if a great battle was about to erupt. And it was within the sect itself. This meant that there was no natural formation advantage, and the intense battle could cause significant damage to the Tianyin Sect. Facing the wrath of Elder Han Yu, a white figure descended. Bai Zhi arrived at the scene immediately. ¡°Elder Han Yu, there¡¯s no need to rush to anger.¡± ¡°Are you joking? How do you expect me to calm down?¡± Elder Han Yu stared at the newcomer with a cold voice. This person was the acting Sect Master of the Tianyin Sect, with respectable strength, but that was all. If their sect leader in seclusion was also like this, then the Tianyin Sect was nothing special. He began to doubt whether Elder Zhuang was really in their hands. Perhaps the Corpse Realm Flower was just a misunderstanding. ¡°I heard Elder Han Yu has been here for a few days and hasn¡¯t seen our Tianyin Sect. Let me show you around, it might help you calm down,¡± Bai Zhi said calmly, sensing the other¡¯s pressure. She was trying to calculate her chances of winning against this elder. Although this person was not as strong as Zhuang Yuzhen, he was still extremely powerful. It wouldn¡¯t be easy for their twelve branches to detain these three people. As for the other disciples, they were not a concern at all. ¡°A tour?¡± A middle-aged man nearby sneered: ¡°A tour will provide an explanation?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, our Tianyin Sect is sincere in cooperation, after all, we know very little about the Corpse Realm Flower,¡± Bai Zhi said softly, then gestured invitingly. ¡°Elder Han Yu, please.¡± Elder Han Yu frowned, then said, ¡°Junior Sister, come with me, and Junior Brother, take the other disciples to rest.¡± Although somewhat puzzled, the two did not say anything. ...... After a short while. Bai Zhi led the two along the mountain path, where they could see a tall tower upon looking up. ¡°This is the Lawless Tower, ordinary disciples cannot enter, nor do they have the qualifications,¡± Bai Zhi introduced at the entrance: ¡°This tower is used to enhance cultivation and nourish the surrounding mountain range. The environment of the Tianyin Sect wasn¡¯t this good before, it improved after the tower was built.¡± ¡°Where did you get this tower from?¡± Elder Han Yu asked. In his eyes, this tower was extraordinary, and he couldn¡¯t see through it. It was no ordinary object, but he had never heard of the Lawless Tower. Bai Zhi smiled slightly but did not answer. ¡°Right, to avoid being affected, you need to wear something.¡± After handing over the items to Elder Han Yu and his Junior Sister, the three entered the Lawless Tower. At this moment, Elder Han Yu¡¯s brows were slightly furrowed, always on guard. If there was any problem, he would act immediately. ¡°Are we going to look at each floor?¡± the beautiful woman Lan Qing asked. ¡°No, we¡¯ll go directly to the fifth floor,¡± Bai Zhi said with a smile. ...... On the fifth floor. In the first prison cell. Bai Zhi asked the two to stand aside while she approached the cell. Inside the cage, there was only a disheveled man with a weak aura. Seeing this scene, Elder Han Yu¡¯s pupils shrank. Although he could hardly sense it... He recognized the person before him. How could he be tortured to this extent? ¡°Zhuang Yuzhen, we meet again,¡± Bai Zhi said with a smile. This brief statement heavily struck the hearts of Elder Han Yu and Fairy Lan Qing. It made it hard for them to breathe. At this moment, Zhuang Yuzhen looked up at Bai Zhi and said, ¡°Your coming is useless, I won¡¯t speak, I want to see that person, I want to see him. Bring him to me, this time I will tell everything.¡± ¡°He is not a disciple of my line, so it¡¯s not easy for me to command him,¡± Bai Zhi said with a smile. ¡°Get lost, filthy Demon Sect. As the acting Sect Master, how could you possibly not be able to command him?¡± Zhuang Yuzhen said angrily. ¡°It seems you¡¯ve always been resentful about your situation,¡± Bai Zhi remarked. ¡°All of you together are no match for me,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen said coldly. ¡°Are you saying you want to see the person who is your match?¡± Bai Zhi asked in return. Hearing this, Zhuang Yuzhen suddenly froze. Even subconsciously fearful. Then he angrily said: ¡°Get lost, I want to see that person, I don¡¯t want to see anyone else right now, just that person. Bring him to see me.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go ask for you,¡± Bai Zhi said politely. Then she turned and left. Soon, she led the people out of the Lawless Tower. At this point, the two were still in shock. They had felt Zhuang Yuzhen¡¯s fear... Who could it be that even seeing them was too frightening? ¡°After a tour, have the two of you calmed down?¡± Bai Zhi asked with a smile. Daoist Han Yu: ¡°...¡± Fairy Lan Qing: ¡°...¡± S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Bai Zhi smiled and said again, ¡°Shall we talk about cooperation?¡± ...... In the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao was somewhat distracted. At dawn, he felt an overwhelming pressure. It must be coming from the Corpse God Sect. Such a terrifying aura reminded him of the previous encounter with Zhuang Yuzhen. If such a person were to take action, he might not even be able to escape. So he could only adapt to the situation as it unfolded. Fortunately, there were no further developments until noon. ¡°It must be the higher-ups of the Tianyin Sect negotiating with them. I wonder if they can reach an agreement.¡± If an agreement is reached, subsequent cooperation would go smoothly; if not, a major battle might erupt. Even if the Tianyin Sect were to win, they would suffer great losses. Unless they could resolve the conflict silently, like what happened with Zhuang Yuzhen. But the silence back then was because the fight took place high in the sky, out of sight and beyond perception. No one knew the magnitude of the forces that clashed up there. And now, the battlefield is within the Tianyin Sect. The consequences are unpredictable. The afternoon passed without further incident. Three days later, the sect announced that it had entered into deep cooperation with the Corpse God Sect and would also protect the disciples of the Corpse God Sect visiting the Tianyin Sect. If any trouble arose, the Hall of Enforcement would intervene. After seeing the announcement, Jiang Hao knew that the two sides had reached an agreement, and he could no longer kill people from the Corpse God Sect. This time the Hall of Enforcement would truly get involved. Anyone else who dared to make a move would be accurately identified upon investigation. But Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t afraid of a normal investigation; he was worried about the Tianyuan Shaping Divine Mirror. Regardless, it was best to keep a low profile for now. In a month and a half, he would need to find Bai Ye. ...... One month later. During this period, no one disturbed Jiang Hao. The people from the Corpse God Sect were busy preparing things and had not made contact with him for the time being. In mid-September. Jiang Hao sat cross-legged in his room, feeling the changes around him. At this moment, the Seven Stars Seal technique manifested around him. He discovered that this sealing technique could encase him. Thus forming a defense, and the defensive effect was not at all inferior. Unfortunately, the range was fixed, and it wasn¡¯t easy to leave it, requiring higher control. He should be able to manage it after further comprehension for some time. Going to the courtyard, Jiang Hao saw that the peach tree had begun to bear fruit. This indicated that time was getting on. He casually checked the panel. It was time to schedule the matter with Bai Ye. Chapter 273 - Someone Has Already Handled It Chapter 273: Someone Has Already Handled It ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 25¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Mid-stage Nascent Soul¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind, Hidden Spirit Manifestation, Divine Might, Withered Tree Meets Spring¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 100/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 99/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 0/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ ¡°Just a bit more cultivation needed.¡± After pondering the time, he felt he could obtain the blue bubble the day after tomorrow. These few days, he needed to see if advancing to the late-stage Nascent Soul would have any impact. It was also good to take precautions in advance. He had now saved up three thousand spirit stones, enough to cope with various changes. Recently, probably frightened by the previous aura, talismans had sold quite well. But such an amount of spirit stones was not enough for the peach tree¡¯s nirvana. And he wasn¡¯t sure if it was just his perception, but he felt that the growth of the peach tree was slowing down. He had appraised it, and there was no change for the time being. It still needed to undergo nirvana six more times. He could only appraise it again after it matured. ¡°Master, this bamboo is so tall.¡± The rabbit, hanging from the bamboo with its ears, said to Jiang Hao. Looking at the bamboo that had grown taller than the surrounding walls, Jiang Hao wondered whether to let it spread. Normally, bamboo could spread, but Jiang Hao had prevented it, as it would easily cover the surrounding area. Now with only one bamboo, it indeed wasn¡¯t suitable. After hesitating, he decided to keep it as is. Let the bamboo grow well for a while, and once it became extraordinary, he would dig up a shoot and plant it outside, encircling the yard with two rows. At this moment, bamboo shoots had already appeared under the bamboo. ¡°Dig it up and send it to Xiao Li, let her give it to the people in the canteen,¡± Jiang Hao told the rabbit. The people in the canteen would naturally prepare it well for Xiao Li. For years, the canteen had been handling things with spirit stones without any issues. ¡°How am I supposed to dig this?¡± the rabbit asked as it hopped down from the tree and squatted next to the bamboo shoot. ¡°Use your claws,¡± Jiang Hao replied indifferently. With an ¡°oh,¡± the rabbit began to dig at the bamboo shoot with its claws. The rabbit, on the verge of completing its Foundation Establishment, could make its claws as sharp as it wanted. Naturally, digging was a piece of cake for it. However, Jiang Hao was somewhat surprised that the rabbit was about to complete its Foundation Establishment. Although its potential had been released for a while, there should have been a process to it. Such rapid advancement was indeed a bit too quick. ¡°What cultivation level has Xiao Li reached?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Qi Refining, sixth level,¡± the rabbit answered. ¡°And Chu Chuan?¡± ¡°With Lord Rabbit¡¯s guidance, he has reached the fifth level of Qi Refining.¡± ¡°Did you give him the stuff?¡± ¡°I did. Friends on the road all know that Lord Rabbit is a rabbit who always delivers on his promises.¡± The rabbit was good at handling matters, so Jiang Hao entrusted it with delivering subsequent items to Chu Chuan. As for what the rabbit said, Jiang Hao always maintained a skeptical attitude and would take time to check in occasionally. Only when he was certain there were no issues would he feel at ease. However, Chu Chuan reaching the fifth level of Qi Refining in three years was indeed impressive. His progress showed he had superior talent. But with the Dao Discussion Conference of the Mingyue Sect approaching, it was uncertain whether he could advance to Foundation Establishment. ¡°How is Lin Zhi doing?¡± Jiang Hao inquired further. ¡°Lin Zhi¡¯s cultivation level isn¡¯t increasing much, but everything else is improving rapidly,¡± the rabbit said, twisting the collar around its neck. ¡°Friends on the road respect Lord Rabbit and have made a fair suggestion for Lin Zhi to learn footwork techniques next.¡± ¡°Footwork techniques?¡± Jiang Hao asked curiously. ¡°What do you plan to teach him?¡± At that moment, the rabbit picked up the bamboo shoot it had dug up and said, ¡°Just let him dodge; there¡¯s no need to teach anything.¡± Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± After pondering for a moment, he didn¡¯t offer any objections but simply inquired about the progress of Lin Zhi¡¯s Star Moon Qi Refinement Technique. It was still at the third stage. That was somewhat slow. If he reached the ninth stage, he would soon be able to store the necessary star energy. But there was no rush; slow and steady was best. Lin Zhi didn¡¯t need to make huge leaps; a solid and steady approach was preferable. ¡°By the way, Lin Zhi¡¯s friends seem to be busy deciding whether he should stay,¡± the rabbit said, holding a bamboo shoot nearly its own size as it followed Jiang Hao. They had left the yard and were heading towards the Spiritual Medicine Garden. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter; let them figure it out,¡± Jiang Hao said nonchalantly. ¡°And, and...¡± The rabbit stretched its neck and said, ¡°Master, I feel this collar won¡¯t last much longer. Is it time to prepare a new one for me?¡± Jiang Hao chuckled. No money. A Golden Core level collar was expensive. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With the current rate of saving money, it was far from enough. ¡°Master, I¡¯m going to find Xiao Li,¡± the rabbit said, holding the bamboo shoot and heading in a different direction in front of the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Jiang Hao continued towards the Spiritual Medicine Garden and upon arrival, noticed two people from the Corpse God Sect waiting. Seeing them look his way, he knew they were waiting for him. He just didn¡¯t know what he would encounter this time. He hoped there wouldn¡¯t be any trouble, as it would affect his plans to find Bai Ye. ...... Baiyue Lake. Zhao Qingxue said with some difficulty, ¡°Senior Sister, is there really no way left?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t there still half a year left?¡± Zhou Chan said with a smile, ¡°Maybe he can advance to the second level of Qi Refining by then.¡± ¡°But I feel that the changes in Lin Zhi¡¯s spiritual energy are too slight,¡± Zhao Qingxue pondered, ¡°Half a year might not be enough.¡± By this time, Zhao Qingxue had reached the fifth level of Qi Refining and had grown quite a bit, standing tall and graceful, lively and beautiful. She was completely different from the ordinary Lin Zhi. ¡°I went to ask before, and this time they¡¯re not even taking spirit stones, saying that there will be arrangements naturally. There¡¯s nothing they can do,¡± Zhou Chan said helplessly. ¡°Then I asked Elder Qian Xu, and she suggested giving Lin Zhi some spiritual medicine to help him advance to the second level. If even spiritual medicine doesn¡¯t work, then there must be a problem with him. Whatever the problem is, it¡¯s not something that can be solved with a simple price.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Zhao Qingxue felt somewhat disheartened. ¡°Why are you helping him so much, Junior Sister?¡± At this moment, a fairy in white clothes approached, her cold and extraordinary temperament making her exceptionally beautiful. ¡°S-Senior Sister Leng,¡± Zhao Qingxue immediately greeted with her head bowed. ¡°Senior Sister, weren¡¯t you in seclusion?¡± Zhou Chan asked with a smile. ¡°I came out to check on the Corpse God Sect¡¯s matters.¡± Senior Sister Leng said with a light laugh, especially gentle towards Zhou Chan. Then she turned to Zhao Qingxue. ¡°Junior Sister, I¡¯ve heard a bit about your involvement with that Lin Zhi. However, you two are not from the same world. The way you¡¯re helping him, he might not be able to bear it. It could lead to endless troubles.¡± ¡°I just wanted to help him simply because I felt he was having too hard a time. It was like this in his childhood, and it¡¯s the same now,¡± Zhao Qingxue said. ¡°Your way of helping is not right.¡± Fairy Leng gently shook her head and said, ¡°It¡¯s best to help him secretly so as not to bring him trouble. But it¡¯s normal for you to be like this since you¡¯re still young. I happen to be going to Duanqing Cliff. I can ask for you on the way.¡± ¡°Senior Sister, let us go too,¡± Zhou Chan immediately said. Senior Sister Leng glanced at her and finally nodded in agreement. ...... Soon they arrived at Duanqing Cliff. The male disciple in charge said anxiously upon seeing them. ¡°Senior Sister, no, it¡¯s not that I didn¡¯t want to help, but in fact, Lin Zhi has already been removed from the list.¡± Chapter 274 - This Person is Too Clumsy Chapter 274: This Person is Too Clumsy ¡°He¡¯s already been removed from the list?¡± Fairy Leng was somewhat puzzled. ¡°When did this happen?¡± ¡°It should have been a year ago,¡± the other party replied hastily, not daring to hesitate. ¡°A year?¡± Zhou Chan pondered for a moment and said, ¡°So, it was before I came?¡± The other party nodded awkwardly. Fairy Leng didn¡¯t care about these details and asked the key question, ¡°So, does this mean Lin Zhi doesn¡¯t need to leave the sect? Who did this?¡± The other party hesitated, then honestly said, ¡°It was the Cliff Master.¡± This surprised everyone. The Cliff Master of Duanqing Cliff personally intervened? The three of them did not stay any longer. ¡°Senior Sister, did that Senior Brother just now recognize you?¡± Zhou Chan asked with confusion after they left. She remembered that since she had joined, Senior Sister rarely went out. ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± Fairy Leng said indifferently. ¡°But he felt my cultivation level.¡± Zhou Chan nodded; she had also felt it before, and it was terrifying like the sky was falling. ¡°Does Lin Zhi have anything special about him?¡± Fairy Leng asked curiously. ¡°Stable cultivation?¡± Zhou Chan said. ¡°Has he encountered any strange events?¡± Fairy Leng asked again. ¡°Lord Rabbit? I remember he mentioned it, but he didn¡¯t go into detail,¡± Zhao Qingxue said. ¡°Lord Rabbit?¡± Zhou Chan thought for a long time before saying, ¡°There¡¯s only one rabbit spirit pet in Duanqing Cliff.¡± ¡°Whose powerful Senior Brother is it?¡± Zhao Qingxue asked excitedly. ¡°It belongs to Junior Brother Jiang Hao, the one who brought Lin Zhi into the sect,¡± Zhou Chan explained. Hearing this, Zhao Qingxue¡¯s excitement disappeared, and she felt somewhat disappointed. She had thought it was a powerful Senior Brother who had taken notice, but it turned out to be just an ordinary inner sect Senior Brother. ¡°Since there¡¯s no problem, then Junior Sister Zhao, you should focus on cultivating from now on. Your cultivation is improving rapidly, but your foundation is not stable. To do anything, you need sufficient cultivation. Top talents are not so rare in the sect; how far one can go still depends on their own efforts. Some with top talents become true disciples, while others with the same talents end up ordinary. Junior Sister should recognize this early on.¡± Fairy Leng said indifferently to the two of them, ¡°Let¡¯s go back.¡± Zhou Chan bid farewell to Senior Sister Leng and took Zhao Qingxue back. Fairy Leng then headed towards the interior of Duanqing Cliff to attend to her own matters. ...... ¡°Do the two seniors need anything?¡± In the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao asked the people from Corpse God Sect respectfully. ¡°You jest, friend. We should still address each other as fellow daoist,¡± Gu Cheng replied with a wry smile. He had thought carefully for a long time; Junior Sister Fang Jin hadn¡¯t offended anyone else except for the unremarkable-looking disciple before him. The night she proposed to nourish the Corpse Realm Flower with blood, Junior Sister Fang Jin was brutally murdered. It was impossible to say it had nothing to do with this person. Of course, it¡¯s not likely that the person in front of him did it himself; it¡¯s more probable that someone took action on his behalf. No matter how much he looked down on him, he couldn¡¯t show it. This was also something Elder Han Yu had instructed. Although they didn¡¯t know what had happened, after Elder Han Yu was taken away by the Deputy Sect Master of Tianyin Sect, his attitude changed. No matter how dissatisfied or disdainful they were, they had to hide it. ¡°Let¡¯s just keep it this way; I¡¯m also used to it,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. These people¡¯s sense of superiority couldn¡¯t be wiped away, and he didn¡¯t want to cause more trouble. If he had insisted on calling them senior last time, things might have been much better. As a Nascent Soul, not many people are willing to address a Foundation Establishment as a fellow daoist. Especially if they are not from the same sect, it¡¯s easy to invite unnecessary trouble. Particularly from a sect that is called a great sect by the Records of Mountains and Seas. What is a great sect? Jiang Hao had carefully read that book; sects above great sects are called immortal sects. For example, Haotian Sect, Mingyue Sect. Tianyin Sect has only barely entered the ranks of first-class sects in the past few decades; it is a sect lacking in heritage. So, how can we compare with the other party? According to Liu Xingchen, the Mingyue Sect could take on the Xuantian Sect, Luoxia Sect, Fenglei Sect, Tianyin Sect, and so on together with just one hand. And all these sects combined could probably only exchange a few blows with the Corpse God Sect. It¡¯s hard to be specific. But if a disciple of the Tianyin Sect goes to the north, once their presence is known, it¡¯s likely a one-way trip. Therefore, it¡¯s best to avoid conflict if possible. Jiang Hao was in this situation, and Gu Cheng had no solution. ¡°This time, I¡¯ve come to see Daoist Jiang about the Corpse Realm Flower.¡± ¡°Corpse Realm Flower? Is it for nourishment?¡± Jiang Hao asked. This matter again? Because it¡¯s not just a simple matter of bloodletting; the Corpse Realm Flower can easily absorb one¡¯s essence, energy, and spirit. That¡¯s absolutely unacceptable. With a promotion imminent, any damage to one¡¯s essence, energy, and spirit could easily lead to failure. ¡°No, no, no,¡± Gu Cheng hurriedly explained. ¡°The Corpse Realm Flower will bloom after a while, and Daoist Jiang may need to enter it. We¡¯ve come to teach you some formations to cope with the situation inside. Other details will be provided later.¡± ¡°The Corpse Realm Flower is going to bloom? I need to go in?¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat astonished. The former was feigned surprise, while the latter was genuine concern; such a dangerous place posed too great a risk. ¡°We are acting on orders,¡± a fairy by his side said softly. She had been standing aside, with a cultivation level at the peak of Golden Core. With delicate features and a well-proportioned figure, she was like the girl next door. ¡°Yes, we are simply following orders, and Daoist Jiang happened to be on the list, so we came to find you,¡± Gu Cheng explained. Jiang Hao was puzzled but did not ask further. He would have to inquire with his master about this matter. Afterward, they arrived at the edge of a wooden hut in the Spiritual Medicine Garden. ¡°First, you need to become familiar with a grand formation called the Three Elements Formation. This formation is vast and boundless, difficult to decipher. It consists of the Heaven Element, the Earth Element, and the Human Element.¡± ¡°What we really need to learn is a part of the Human Element. I will first draw out the necessary formations and then explain them to you. I hope you can get a basic understanding today,¡± the fairy named Qing You explained while drawing the formation on the ground. Jiang Hao did not ask questions but listened quietly. Gradually, he began to understand. This formation was part of the passage to the Corpse Realm Flower. Mastering these formations would allow one to control their landing point. Even in the face of danger, one could use the formation to protect oneself. If one entered unprepared, they would be randomly sent somewhere. If problems arose during the process, it was highly likely they would never return. These were conclusions drawn by the Corpse God Sect at a great cost. ¡®It seems I am qualified to enter a special realm, but why me?¡¯ The people from the Corpse God Sect were either at the peak of Golden Core, in the Nascent Soul stage, or even at the Spirit Refining level. What was a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator doing there? He did not rush to ask but instead tried to understand the formation. Unfortunately, it was too obscure and difficult to comprehend. During the teaching process, Qing You felt somewhat helpless. This kind of talent was indeed quite ordinary, or rather, too ordinary. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even if one¡¯s talent for formations was poor, a high cultivation talent would bring a certain agility, making it easier to understand the basics of formations. But this person in front of her was just too ordinary. There was no such agility. This indicated that his cultivation talent was not high either. She didn¡¯t understand why such a person was going to the Corpse Realm. It wasn¡¯t that she looked down on Foundation Establishment cultivators, but rather that he really wasn¡¯t up to par. With his talent, Golden Core might be the limit. Going to the Corpse Realm was a waste of a spot. Of course, teaching him was also exhausting. It was like teaching a clumsy student. Chapter 275 - Sealing Technique Chapter 275: Sealing Technique Jiang Hao spent the whole day learning the formation. He could faintly sense the other party¡¯s frustration. It seemed his talent was giving her a headache. He had already tried to ask fewer questions, but even then, she still felt there were too many questions and his understanding was too poor. Jiang Hao sighed inwardly; he had done his best. When it came to formations, his understanding was indeed too limited. This kind of knowledge was highly dependent on talent. Sometimes it required even more talent than alchemy. Alchemy, formations, forging, talisman making. All were special professions, among which formations were probably the most difficult to follow. Fortunately, after nightfall, she had successfully completed the explanation of the formation. ¡°You need to master this formation within a month, and we will start explaining other formations next month. You must learn all the necessary formations before the Corpse Realm Flower matures,¡± Qing You reminded him. ¡°Thank you, senior,¡± Jiang Hao expressed his gratitude. Afterward, Fairy Qing You and Gu Cheng left the Spiritual Medicine Garden. ...... Walking outside, Gu Cheng asked, ¡°Junior Sister, what do you think?¡± ¡°It¡¯s too mediocre,¡± Fairy Qing You said with some disdain. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen someone so difficult to teach. I think it¡¯s a waste of a spot for such a person to enter the Corpse Realm. He probably even thinks highly of himself.¡± ¡°I¡¯m also curious why someone at the mere Foundation Establishment level would be on the list,¡± Gu Cheng said with a frown. ¡°Perhaps he has someone backing him, or there might be another reason. I¡¯ll ask around these next few days; maybe I¡¯ll find an answer. However, I feel that the other inner disciples don¡¯t seem to care much about him. His status here must not be very high.¡± ¡°With mediocre talent, not a pill refiner, and spending all day in the Spiritual Medicine Garden, it¡¯s a waste of time and energy, and he¡¯s not even valued by his peers. How could such a person get a spot? It¡¯s not only a waste of a spot but also puts him in danger. Even if he learns formations and is safe for a while, if he offends someone, it could easily lead to deadly trouble,¡± Fairy Qing You shook her head. ¡°Let¡¯s not worry about it for now; I¡¯ll ask around. Regardless, Junior Sister, you still need to give it your all next month,¡± Gu Cheng said. ¡°Now, just seeing him gives me a headache,¡± Fairy Qing You rubbed her temples and sighed. ¡°I¡¯m afraid that after a month, he won¡¯t have learned even the most basic formations. What am I supposed to do then? If it really comes to it, we might have to have another Senior Brother or Senior Sister come to teach him.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll help you ask around,¡± Gu Cheng offered. Afterward, the two left Duanqing Cliff to go back and report on their work. ...... At this time, Jiang Hao was looking at the formation with a headache. He could naturally sense the attitudes of those two people. However, he had seen plenty of such attitudes before and didn¡¯t care. After memorizing the formation, he began to tend to the spiritual medicines. Otherwise, there would be no bubbles tomorrow, which would mean wasting an opportunity to get stronger. Once the bubbles are wasted, they¡¯re basically impossible to recover, so it¡¯s better to be diligent. After taking care of the spiritual medicines, he returned to his residence. He didn¡¯t rush to continue studying the formation. He had more important things to do at the moment. For this task, he needed to be in the best possible condition. He planned to be at his peak for the next two days. On the third day, Jiang Hao approached the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. At that moment, a blue bubble flew into his body. ¡¾Cultivation+1¡¿ Seeing this, Jiang Hao glanced at his panel. ¡¾Vital Energy: 100/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 100/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡°It¡¯s full. I can advance tonight, and then I can take action tomorrow night.¡± That day, he went to the Scripture Pavilion to check if there would be any anomalies during his advancement. After returning, he sought out his master to inquire about the Corpse Realm Flower. ¡°Enter the Corpse Realm Flower?¡± Ku Wuchang explained in a deep voice, ¡°It¡¯s a reward from the sect. Whoever grows it gets a spot.¡± Jiang Hao was stunned for a moment. He was unaware of this and would have avoided it if possible. ¡°Master, I feel that my cultivation is still shallow. It would be better to let other Senior Brothers and Sisters enter,¡± Jiang Hao said softly. Giving away the spot was the safe thing to do. Where the Corpse Realm Flower led was still unknown. It was too dangerous for him, a Nascent Soul, to enter. Hearing this, Ku Wuchang was silent for a long time. Finally, he handed over a piece of wood the size of a thumb, which looked ordinary but contained considerable power. ¡°Go on with your tasks.¡± After handing the item to Jiang Hao, he didn¡¯t say anything more. Jiang Hao knew he had no choice but to go. It wasn¡¯t appropriate to ask further questions. However, he was quite curious about the piece of wood. After leaving his master¡¯s residence, he activated the identification. ¡¾Jade Ruyi: When subjected to a powerful attack, it will automatically activate a defense that can withstand a strike from a Nascent Soul and will perform a random teleportation beyond a thousand li.¡¿ Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± A good item. Not only was the defense strong, but it also allowed for a quick escape. The only question was how much beyond a thousand li it could go. ¡°It¡¯s a pity; it¡¯s not very useful to me. I have the Nine Heavens Battle Armor for Nascent Soul-level defense and the Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman for teleportation. But for someone at the Foundation Establishment level, it indeed could block any danger once or twice.¡± After putting the item away, Jiang Hao headed to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. It seemed he had no choice but to enter a special realm. Logically, there should be a suitable place for Foundation Establishment to settle down, otherwise there¡¯s no need to enter. Having understood the basics, it¡¯s time to prepare for these things. ...... The following night, the bright moon shone high, casting silver veils over the forest. At this moment, a figure appeared under the moonlight, flickering in and out of sight as if walking with the aid of the night light, elusive. He made his way to the Hundred Bones Forest, standing outside the valley. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Some locations are uncertain.¡± Jiang Hao stood on a tree, looking ahead. That area was Bai Ye¡¯s territory, and he dared not enter. So it was best to take action right here. Normal perception couldn¡¯t capture the opponent, but his spirit was strong, not to mention he was bolstered by the nameless secret manual. Given enough time, he should be able to pinpoint the opponent¡¯s location. Then Jiang Hao closed his eyes, beginning to sense everything around him. For a moment, the spiritual energy around him became visible, like points of light in the darkness, increasing in number and expanding in range. The fluctuations and interweaving of spiritual energy were all perceptible. Shapes of spiritual herbs and trees slowly took form in terms of spiritual energy. After a long while, at a great distance, he saw two figures standing. One had thick spiritual energy yet carried a hint of weakness, the other was weaker but flowed smoothly and orderly. ¡°Found them.¡± Jiang Hao opened his eyes, looking towards the valley. At that moment, he grasped a long spear and then made a throwing motion. Purple Qi began to cover everything, with spiritual energy surging along. The immense power of the late Nascent Soul stage was infused into the long spear. Following that, the divine ability Hidden Spirit Manifestation was activated, and an even more tremendous force enveloped the spear. At this point, the ordinary spirit spear was full of cracks and on the verge of shattering. Simultaneously, Jiang Hao threw it with all his might. Whoosh The sound of tearing through the air was emitted, quickly enveloped by the Purple Qi. The long spear whistled through the air; this thrust carried no intent to kill, but it was meant to cause serious injury. Watching the spear fly, Jiang Hao did not stay to observe. Instead, he turned and left. After that, he would return every six months. From now on, Bai Ye would be under the coverage of his own ¡°Sealing Spirit Technique.¡± Without breaking this technique, advancement was out of the question. Chapter 276 - Where Did I Go Wrong? Chapter 276: Where Did I Go Wrong? Hundred Bones Forest. In a somewhat dilapidated valley, many spiritual herbs were planted. Each herb seemed to be placed deliberately, creating a pleasing sight with a faint fragrance. The scent spread throughout the valley like a net covering the area. And at the center of the spiritual herbs, there was a courtyard. Bai Ye stood in the courtyard, contemplating the surrounding spiritual herbs. ¡°Senior Brother, you should go back and rest. Master said you need to rest at this time,¡± said Fairy Lian Qin. ¡°No rush,¡± Bai Ye shook his head, his brows slightly furrowed. ¡°I don¡¯t want to wait anymore, let¡¯s go to Duanqing Cliff tomorrow. I need to confirm that matter; otherwise, I always feel uneasy.¡± ¡°Do we need to be in such a hurry?¡± Fairy Lian Qin asked in confusion. ¡°The curse has been lifted, and Master has helped you break it. Shouldn¡¯t you rest and recover to your peak first?¡± Bai Ye shook his head, serious, ¡°I can put aside other things, but I need to see this matter for myself. I am puzzled and need an answer. My intuition tells me that this answer is very important to me.¡± Lian Qin Fairy was somewhat puzzled, but she didn¡¯t press the matter further. She pondered for a moment and then said: ¡°The Corpse God Sect seems to be entering the Corpse Realm Flower with our people. Senior Brother, you had the chance, why did you refuse? Such opportunities are rare.¡± ¡°Because...¡± Bai Ye was about to explain when he suddenly looked towards the valley entrance. In an instant, his pupils shrank. He immediately activated the formation, then raised his hand, and various defenses appeared around him, with treasures positioned in front of him. As Lian Qin Fairy looked on in confusion, a streak of purple light raced toward the courtyard from outside. Its speed was astonishing. Then the purple light struck the formation. Bang! The formation shattered on the spot. Only then did Lian Qin Fairy see that it was a purple long spear with its incredible speed and strength far surpassing that of a Golden Core. Whoosh With just a whistling sound, the purple spear had already reached in front of Bai Ye. Boom! In the moment the purple long spear struck, Bai Ye¡¯s defenses crumbled like clay tiles and disintegrated instantly. In the blink of an eye, Bai Ye watched as his defenses and magical treasures were all destroyed. And under his gaze, the spear pierced through his belly. ¡°Pfft¡± He felt a sharp pain. His body was lifted off the ground. However, after the spear had pierced through him, it did not continue forward but shattered with a loud bang, and countless Purple Qi covered Bai Ye in reverse. Then it merged into his body, wreaking havoc at will. The Purple Qi began its destruction from his limbs, surging into his inner body. Flesh was torn, meridians were crushed, and the Nascent Soul was assaulted. Blood dripped from his skin, and the intense pain made him scream. His bodily strength crumbled continuously in the face of the Purple Qi. With a loud thud, Bai Ye fell to the ground. Blood stained the earth red. His vacant gaze fixed on the night sky, he could clearly feel that the other party did not intend to kill him. Otherwise, this spear could have destroyed everything. ¡°Where did I go wrong? Which step was mistaken?¡± In his weakness, Bai Ye could not figure it out. There was definitely a mistake somewhere. But where exactly? As he was about to lose consciousness, he heard the cries of Fairy Lian Qin. ...... At the same time, a figure outside the Hundred Bones Forest paused under the moonlight, looked back once, and then disappeared into the night. ...... Back at his residence, Jiang Hao¡¯s thoughts were clear. Bai Ye would be severely injured for a while. At most, he would be unable to cultivate for a year, at least four months. So for safety¡¯s sake, he would need to make a trip every five to six months. He could not damage Bai Ye¡¯s foundation or kill him. Otherwise, given Bai Ye¡¯s achievements and status, the Hall of Enforcement would make a big move. That would truly be a case of both sides losing. There was no need for that. It was enough to seal Bai Ye¡¯s cultivation. It didn¡¯t matter if he didn¡¯t come out; sealing him for a hundred years meant there was no need to worry. Bai Ye would likely let go of the grudge in his heart. If he couldn¡¯t let go, by then, Jiang Hao should be qualified to take action. After a hundred years, within the sect, he should be qualified to contend with the leaders of the various factions. By then, the person from Tianhuan Pavilion would also have to let go of their hatred. It¡¯s just that he didn¡¯t know if the other party could wait a hundred years. Because there was no news from the Charming Body, the person from Tianhuan Pavilion could act at any time. It was like having a knife hanging over Jiang Hao¡¯s head, making him uncomfortable. It was a pity that he was not yet a match for them. But there was also no need to think too much about it for now. At least the danger from Bai Ye was gone, and he could deal with the rest one by one. The future was promising. At this moment, he glanced at his panel. ¡¾Name: Jiang Hao¡¿ ¡¾Age: 25¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: Late Nascent Soul Stage¡¿ S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡¾Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Hundred Revolutions, Primordial Heart Sutra¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Replacement (unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Heart and Pure Mind, Hidden Spirit Manifestation, Divine Might, Withered Tree Meets Spring¡¿ ¡¾Vital Energy: 3/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Cultivation: 4/100 (can be cultivated)¡¿ ¡¾Divine Abilities: 0/3 (cannot be acquired)¡¿ Late Nascent Soul Stage. Things were going smoother than expected. Afterward, Jiang Hao began to recover his state, as this time severely injuring Bai Ye had consumed a lot of his divine powers. He needed to return to his peak condition. ...... Early in the morning, Jiang Hao took advantage of a gap in time to take out a formation and began to comprehend it. He activated his divine ability, Clear Heart and Pure Mind. However, it was still difficult to comprehend. The formation was surprisingly difficult, and without any basic knowledge, it was extremely hard for him to learn. And with formations, comprehension alone was not enough. But was it practical to ask those two to teach him again? It would only bring their dissatisfaction. For a moment, Jiang Hao took out the Secret Whisper Slate. ¡°Speaking of which, isn¡¯t it almost time for the gathering?¡± It had been more than half a year since the last gathering, so it should be soon. Probably within the next one or two months. ¡°I wonder what task Senior Dan Yuan will assign this time.¡± Jiang Hao was actually somewhat looking forward to it, hoping it would be something he could complete or knew about. This feeling was somewhat good. Of course, the important thing was that ¡°Liu¡± (Willow) should also be giving an answer by now. What exactly is the End of All Things? This way, Hong Yuye won¡¯t ask too much about the progress. At this moment, the stone tablet showed the characters ¡°¹í¡± (Gui/Ghost), ¡°Áø¡± (Liu/Willow), and ¡°ÐÇ¡± (Xing/Star), with the three discussing matters of cultivation. ¡°Liu¡± mentioned that his Myriad Beings Form had already been cultivated. Now, all that was left was to determine the complete cultivation pathway and then use the Stellar Transformation. Jiang Hao hesitated for a long time before finally putting away the stone tablet. In fact, he wanted these people to teach him about formations. It must be said that his talent in the area of formations was truly average. Without relying on the stone tablet, who else could he ask? And they must also understand formations. After pondering for a long time, Jiang Hao thought of someone. ¡°Come to think of it, it¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve seen him.¡± At this moment, he took out a Corpse Heart and added another layer of sealing to it. The Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead was also taken out and sealed with another layer. Both of these items were terrifying to him; there could be no slip-ups. Today, after dealing with the spiritual medicines and selling the talismans, he planned to seek advice on formations from Zhuang Yuzhen. He wondered if Zhuang Yuzhen would be willing to talk properly. But no matter what, he had already completely grasped the other party¡¯s lifeline. If Zhuang Yuzhen really didn¡¯t cooperate, he could simply hand over the Corpse Heart to Elder Bai Zhi. In that case, Zhuang Yuzhen would have no chance at all. ...... In the afternoon. Jiang Hao arrived at the Lawless Tower. Upon arrival, he saw two Senior Brothers escorting someone inside. It was a man with a big beard. Looking closely, the man¡¯s cultivation was profound and not easy to discern, but he was seriously injured. His flesh was somewhat blurred. ¡°A mere Tianyin Sect dares to ambush us; just wait, once all our people are here, we will completely annihilate you.¡± ¡°You think a mere tower can hold me, Hai Luo? You¡¯re simply foolish.¡± Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± He wondered if this person would still be so tough after entering. Making way, Jiang Hao greeted the two Senior Brothers with a bow. The two did not look over but continued to escort the person into the Lawless Tower. Chapter 277 - Threatening Zhuang Yuzhen Again Chapter 277: Threatening Zhuang Yuzhen Again On the fifth floor of the Lawless Tower. Jiang Hao stood in front of the first prison cell. He saw that Zhuang Yuzhen was weak and covered in many wounds. But even such severe injuries had not caused him any substantial harm. Surface wounds were just that¡ªsurface wounds; they couldn¡¯t touch the core. Thump, thump- Jiang Hao knocked on the wood and said softly. ¡°Are you awake?¡± Hearing the sound, Zhuang Yuzhen lifted his weary head, and his lifeless eyes became spirited after reflecting Jiang Hao¡¯s figure. He leaned back and said. ¡°You finally came.¡± ¡°I have some questions I want to ask you,¡± Jiang Hao said straightforwardly as he sat down and took out a book: ¡°Here are some questions I¡¯ve recorded. Since I¡¯m not very bright, I was hoping you could help me answer them.¡± ¡°Not very bright? Answer?¡± Zhuang Yuzhen laughed. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m your master? To teach you cultivation? Would I teach you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not about cultivation; it¡¯s about formations.¡± Jiang Hao picked up the book to show Zhuang Yuzhen. Upon seeing the formation, Zhuang Yuzhen¡¯s eyebrows furrowed, and he said with some disbelief, ¡°Where did you get this formation?¡± ¡°If you teach me, I might tell you,¡± Jiang Hao said with a smile. The matter of cooperation was not a secret; there was no harm in telling. ¡°Did the people from Corpse God Sect come to you for cooperation?¡± Zhuang Yuzhen directly stated the truth. Then he resignedly said, ¡°Well, it¡¯s about time for the Corpse Realm Flower to bloom.¡± Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± The other party wasn¡¯t surprised at all, it seemed he had never expected the people from Corpse God Sect to come to his rescue. But thinking about it, Jiang Hao felt something was off. It was normal for the Demon Sect not to save people, but the Corpse God Sect was also a sect of immortals. Would such a sect really not save their own? With this thought, Jiang Hao activated his appraisal. ¡¾Zhuang Yuzhen: Teaching Elder of Corpse God Sect, his cultivation has been dissolved and absorbed by the Lawless Tower, leaving only the power of the early Nascent Soul stage. Seeing the formation in your hands, he knows that people from his sect have arrived. When his disciples make contact with the people from the sect, the Corpse Heart will be transferred out. As long as those people observe the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower in the name of the sect, there is a chance to release the Corpse Heart and be reborn. He is now planning to stall for time with you. As long as you are not by the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, others will have a better chance.¡¿ Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± So there was this aspect to consider. Jiang Hao smiled faintly and gestured to Zhuang Yuzhen with a beckoning hand. Seeing this gesture, Zhuang Yuzhen¡¯s face turned somewhat ugly; he felt as if he had been seen through. Indeed, Jiang Hao put down his hand with a hint of regret and said: ¡°I forgot you can¡¯t come over, so let me tell you something else. After I say it, you will be very willing to teach me about formations.¡± Here we go again, Zhuang Yuzhen already had a psychological shadow. ¡°I heard...¡± Jiang Hao moved closer to the cage and whispered. ¡°Before the people from the Corpse God Sect arrived, an undercover agent from their sect died outside our sect¡¯s gates.¡± Hearing this, Zhuang Yuzhen was stunned. His eyes widened in anger as if he was about to explode. Seeing this, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but smile wryly. He then gathered his books, planning to leave. ¡°It seems you no longer wish to teach me, so let¡¯s meet again if the opportunity arises.¡± Since it wasn¡¯t working out here, he could only go back and continue his studies. For him, there was no loss; at the very least, he had dealt another blow to Zhuang Yuzhen. Letting him continue to live in agony. ¡°I¡¯ll teach, I¡¯ll teach!¡± Zhuang Yuzhen said loudly as if he was afraid that Jiang Hao would leave without looking back. It was always like this. And each time, the separation lasted longer than the last. If he left this time, it might be years before he could see him again. So, even though he was angry and wanted to know what was going on, he had to hold back. ¡°It¡¯s quite surprising, but since that¡¯s the case, make sure you teach me well. It¡¯s fine if you want to delay for time; it¡¯s useless anyway,¡± Jiang Hao said with a smile. Zhuang Yuzhen: ¡°...¡± He knew he had been seen through. This person obtaining the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower was no coincidence. Afterward, he took Jiang Hao¡¯s books and began to read them, frowning after a moment. ¡°Is this just the beginning of the formation? There¡¯s much more to come. How long have you been studying it?¡± ¡°I just started not long ago,¡± Jiang Hao replied. Zhuang Yuzhen nodded, then looked at the formation with questions. The more he looked, the more he frowned. He turned to Jiang Hao and asked: ¡°Do you have any foundation in formations?¡± ¡°None,¡± Jiang Hao shook his head. In truth, he had a little, but it wasn¡¯t very useful. Zhuang Yuzhen didn¡¯t say much more and began to instruct Jiang Hao in the formation. Not wanting to reveal anything, he didn¡¯t activate his divine abilities. The more Zhuang Yuzhen taught, the more shocked he became at how poor this person¡¯s talent for formations was. Jiang Hao wasn¡¯t embarrassed; the formation was related to his future safety, and he had to master it thoroughly. After an entire month, Jiang Hao finally mastered the formation completely. He would ask Zhuang Yuzhen for guidance during the day and use his divine abilities to study at night. For safety, he even had Zhuang Yuzhen simulate various scenarios. To prevent any accidents. As a repayment, when Zhuang Yuzhen asked about the specific situation of the Corpse God Sect disciple, Jiang Hao gave him a sentence: the main body is on the run. The other party seemed to see hope again. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t care. And Elder Bai Zhi from his side also needed an explanation. Zhuang Yuzhen revealed the method to break the seal of one of his magical treasures, and thus the Tianyin Sect obtained a complete and powerful magical treasure. In this way, Jiang Hao also made a contribution. Coming here often for a month, he wouldn¡¯t be nitpicked. Afterward, he would study a new formation. ...... Mid-October. Jiang Hao stood in the courtyard, where the peach tree had already matured. The rabbit would occasionally bring Xiao Li to steal peaches. Every time, they acted like thieves. The rabbit told Xiao Li that peaches picked this way were sweeter. And Xiao Li said they really were sweet. The rabbit indeed didn¡¯t lie. Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± However, he always felt something was strange, feeling that the peach tree was growing more slowly, and then he activated his appraisal. The answer he got was that it needed to mature three times before it could undergo nirvana. Meaning it couldn¡¯t undergo nirvana this year. Once every three years, would it be golden or purple? From what he could see, purple represented divine abilities, Golden Legend was for magical treasures, and Purple Gold Legend was for cultivation techniques. Actually, he preferred purple. Divine abilities could always be used, while some magical treasures were too powerful, and he had no chance to use them. But undergoing nirvana once every three years indeed gave him enough time to accumulate spirit stones. However, the bubbles appeared too late. They didn¡¯t come out normally, and it felt like a waste to grow them. ¡°Master, you need to go to the Spiritual Medicine Garden,¡± the rabbit urged from the side. ¡°Why are you in such a hurry to go today?¡± Jiang Hao asked as he walked out of the courtyard. ¡°Today there are newcomers, and I have to let them know who¡¯s in charge of the Spiritual Medicine Garden,¡± the rabbit said proudly. ¡°Friends on the road all know that in this area, Lord Rabbit is the only one in charge.¡± Jiang Hao smiled without saying a word. ...... At this time. Gu Cheng and Fairy Qing You also headed to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. ¡°I asked around, and the reason Jiang Hao occupies a spot is that he was the one who planted the Corpse Realm Flower,¡± Gu Cheng said. ¡°He planted it? Really?¡± Fairy Qing You was quite surprised. ¡°I don¡¯t know, but it¡¯s said that the flower bloomed at Baiyue Lake, so there¡¯s a possibility that it was the intention of the person in charge of Baiyue Lake,¡± Gu Cheng pondered for a long time. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Upon hearing this, Fairy Qing You was astonished: ¡°What do you mean? Does this person have something to do with the acting Sect Master of the Tianyin Sect?¡± ¡°It¡¯s hard to say. If he really is from Baiyue Lake, there are roughly three possibilities. First, Jiang Hao might truly possess the talent to cultivate spiritual herbs, and it just so happened that Baiyue Lake took it to experiment. Second, Jiang Hao might be related to the acting Sect Master. Third, Duanqing Cliff might be related to the acting Sect Master. The first guess would demonstrate his talent, the second would suggest his identity is extraordinary, and the third is rather inconsequential. But regardless of which it is, we still need to fully commit to guiding the formation,¡± Gu Cheng said. ¡°However, no matter which possibility it is, his understanding of formations is really quite basic,¡± Qing You sighed, then curiously asked: ¡°Senior Brother, which do you think is most likely?¡± ¡°It¡¯s hard to say, but the other Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters think the third is most likely. It¡¯s said that Jiang Hao has no background and was even used as a sacrificial pawn before. But...¡± Was the death of Junior Sister Fang really just a coincidence? Gu Cheng hesitated, then sighed. ¡°Let¡¯s just focus on completing our task and not worry about the rest.¡± Qing You nodded; the priority was to finish the task. There was no need to dwell too much on the other speculations. It was only Foundation Establishment after all. But the thought of having to teach him gave her a bit of a headache¡ªif he couldn¡¯t grasp the earlier formations, the later ones would be increasingly difficult. One day might not be enough. Chapter 278 - Feeling Humiliated Chapter 278: Feeling Humiliated On the way to the Spiritual Medicine Garden. Jiang Hao once again encountered Liu Xingchen. He wasn¡¯t surprised by Liu Xingchen¡¯s arrival. With Bai Ye severely injured, the Hall of Enforcement would likely get involved. Normally, he had no interaction with Bai Ye, but to the overly bored Liu Xingchen, it was highly probable that he would become suspicious. It was already late for him to come now. ¡°Junior Brother has become more composed,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a smile. ¡°Senior Brother Liu flatters me, I am no match for you,¡± Jiang Hao replied softly. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Liu Xingchen was different from before. The dark red aura around him had disappeared, and with it, his cultivation level had changed. Previously at the early stage of Nascent Soul, he had now entered the mid-stage of Nascent Soul. It seemed he had taken a bite of the Blood Demon. Perhaps those three had already gathered, planning how to strike back. After hesitating, he still activated the appraisal. ¡¾Liu Xingchen: A true disciple of the Haotian Sect, born with the aura of Dragon Slaughter. Undercover at the Tianyin Sect¡¯s Enforcement Peak. He recently sensed that the Blood Demon had become aware of the other two companions, becoming cautious. Bored while watching the others¡¯ possession attempts, he was greatly disappointed; to hasten the trio¡¯s collaboration, he consumed half of the Blood Demon¡¯s in one bite and advanced to the mid-stage of Nascent Soul in one fell swoop. Bai Ye¡¯s severe injury piqued his interest because he couldn¡¯t find out who was responsible, and he immediately suspected you. He is currently looking forward to seeing how things unfold.¡¿ Looking forward to seeing how things unfold... Jiang Hao found that as time passed, not only did Liu Xingchen not lose interest in him, but his interest seemed to grow. In recent appraisals, the other party didn¡¯t even seem to pay attention to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. But after the Blood Demon was bitten, Liu Xingchen indeed advanced to the mid-stage of Nascent Soul. Unfortunately, it wasn¡¯t revealed whether the three had joined forces. He could only try to find out next time. ¡°Recently, Senior Brother Bai Ye was severely injured, have you heard about it?¡± Liu Xingchen suddenly asked. Jiang Hao shook his head: ¡°No.¡± This news hadn¡¯t spread throughout the sect, only a few knew. Liu Xingchen sighed. ¡°It¡¯s said that someone pierced through Bai Ye in an instant outside the valley. The strength was so formidable that it¡¯s unthinkable. The people of the Hundred Bones Forest were furious, and the Hall of Merits pressured the Hall of Enforcement. This time, the Hall of Enforcement is really suffering.¡± ¡°Fortunately, Bai Ye¡¯s foundation wasn¡¯t damaged, or it would have been serious. As a true disciple with great achievements, if Bai Ye were to die within the sect or his foundation was destroyed, the Hall of Enforcement would enter a new state of alert.¡± ¡°Is the opponent that cunning?¡± Jiang Hao said with a palpitation. He was genuinely alarmed. Because he suddenly realized, this also applied to him. ¡°Indeed cunning,¡± Liu Xingchen said with a smile. ¡°Nobody else could do such a thing.¡± Jiang Hao understood; with the Hall of Enforcement involved, no one could hide. ¡°I heard that after this incident, the formations around Senior Brother Bai Ye have been greatly strengthened,¡± Liu Xingchen said. Jiang Hao nodded: ¡°They should be, otherwise it would be too dangerous.¡± Liu Xingchen then talked to him about the matter of the chief, mentioning that many were vying for the tenth spot of the chief. Anyone at Nascent Soul had the qualifications to compete. However, one¡¯s age had to be verified, and the verification involved a magical treasure. Jiang Hao also wanted to try, but unfortunately, he wasn¡¯t ready yet; he needed some more time. He was curious whether Liu Xingchen would go. If the mid-stage of Nascent Soul was eligible, then probably no one could compete with Liu Xingchen. However, Liu Xingchen shook his head, saying that he had just advanced and his foundation was not stable, so he would pass. Jiang Hao heard the underlying meaning. Being the chief wasn¡¯t as interesting as his current pursuits. ...... After bidding farewell to Liu Xingchen, Jiang Hao arrived at the Spiritual Medicine Garden. As expected, he met the two from the Corpse God Sect. ¡°Greetings to the two seniors.¡± ¡°How is your study of formations going, Daoist Jiang?¡± Gu Cheng greeted with a smile. ¡°I have a general understanding,¡± Jiang Hao said modestly. ¡°That¡¯s good. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. I often have free time,¡± Gu Cheng said generously. Jiang Hao expressed his gratitude: ¡°Thank you, senior.¡± He knew in his heart that the other party was just being polite. If he really went to ask questions, it would show that he didn¡¯t understand how things worked. It¡¯s important to understand the subtleties of courtesy. To avoid causing trouble for oneself. ¡°Then let me explain the next part to you,¡± Fairy Qing You said. ¡°Okay,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. They then entered a small building within the spiritual field. The new formation was quickly drawn out, and the explanation began. Since he had already grasped the previous formation quite well, this one was much easier to understand. Jiang Hao only asked a few questions occasionally. This caused Fairy Qing You to frown slightly, feeling that Jiang Hao was pretending to understand. She didn¡¯t point it out; just continued explaining. After all, they were strangers; how he chose to act was his own business. After spending a day, she finally finished explaining everything and added one last piece of advice. ¡°This formation is a matter of life and death for you. If you can¡¯t learn it, I advise you not to enter the Corpse Realm.¡± Did I ask too many questions? Jiang Hao was puzzled but still expressed his thanks. After seeing off the two, he recorded the formation. Although he could understand it generally and didn¡¯t see too many issues, he still felt his understanding was superficial. For something that concerned life and death, it was better to have a thorough understanding. Starting tomorrow, he would have to go to the Lawless Tower to find Zhuang Yuzhen. After dealing with the spiritual medicine, he returned to his residence. As soon as he arrived, he felt a vibration from the Secret Whisper Slate. It was a message from Dan Yuan about a gathering. The gathering was in fifteen days, at midnight. ¡°Fifteen days. It seems I need to prepare.¡± Every time he had to find a way to deal with the people there, afraid of revealing any flaws. However, with no one in Youyun Prefecture, he felt much safer. In theory, there should be a locking ability between slates. Once they come close to the same range, they would be detected. But many people would block this detection. His was the same. Out of curiosity, he tried to sense it. As expected, there was no discovery. ...... The next day. Jiang Hao arrived at the Lawless Tower. ¡°Are you starting to learn the second formation?¡± Zhuang Yuzhen asked. ¡°I feel like I can¡¯t fully grasp it,¡± Jiang Hao said as he sat down. ¡°Do you have any wine?¡± Zhuang Yuzhen looked haggard. ¡°Give me some time,¡± Jiang Hao stood up and left. Seeing him leave, Zhuang Yuzhen felt a bit scared, worried that he might not return. However, half an hour later. Jiang Hao came in with three jars of wine. Zhuang Yuzhen picked up a jar and started drinking, only to complain afterward: ¡°It tastes bad.¡± One spiritual stone for ten jars should be quite good, Jiang Hao glanced at the wine jar and then said, ¡°Let¡¯s talk about the formation.¡± ¡°This formation isn¡¯t difficult,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen put down the wine and continued/ ¡°But to fully grasp it, you need to understand the formation of the Human Element Formation. Heaven Element can control the heavens. Earth Element can control the terrain. Human Element can control the variables.¡± ¡°The unity of the three Elements is the evolution of all things and can deduce the beginning of heaven and earth. Human Element is the beginning of all variables, situated between heaven and earth, able to connect with the heavens above and touch the terrain below. ¡°Thus, it can harmonize with the cosmos, comply with the Dao, and create life. Therefore, the Human Element Formation you¡¯re learning can actually connect with Heaven Element above and draw upon Earth Element below. A slight carelessness can lead to destruction. To understand these changes is to completely master these seemingly simple formations.¡± Simple. Jiang Hao sighed. He always felt humiliated because of the formations. Chapter 279 - The Undercover Fairy Gui in the Tianyin Sect Chapter 279: The Undercover Fairy Gui in the Tianyin Sect For half a month, Jiang Hao studied formations with Zhuang Yuzhen. The Three Element Formation was much more complex than he had anticipated. Because it was so profound, Zhuang Yuzhen¡¯s explanations were just skimming the surface. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Mainly because Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t understand, which was a disappointment to him. Aware of his limitations, Jiang Hao still studied diligently for the sake of his future safety. His foundation in formations had indeed become much more solid. ¡°Now you¡¯ve learned quite a bit, but you¡¯re still lacking some finesse, which requires innate talent and can¡¯t be forced. However, you can continue to practice the various changes to make up for the lack of experience,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen said. Jiang Hao closed his eyes, and in an instant, the formations he had learned during this time began to appear in his mind. As the formations evolved, they became increasingly complex in his mind. Looking at these formations, Jiang Hao felt a stiffness. He had memorized them rigidly, unable to allow for any unknown variations. His talent in this area was indeed average. However, learning talismans was not the same. ¡®Does this mean that I actually have a decent talent for making talismans?¡¯ Jiang Hao gave a wry smile. It seemed that making money through formations was not going to be possible. When he opened his eyes, he heard Zhuang Yuzhen¡¯s voice. ¡°How does it feel?¡± Jiang Hao shook his head slightly and then wanted to ask some questions. It was evening now, and he still had plenty of time. At that moment, he heard noises from the side; someone was being brought down in the distance. ¡°Let me out! You beasts, if you want to kill or skin me, just do it, why torture me like this? Kill me, you Demon Sect beasts!¡± Jiang Hao saw a weak, bearded man struggling frantically. His face was pale, and his body was emaciated. But Jiang Hao recognized him at first glance; wasn¡¯t this the powerful practitioner who had boasted that not even a mere tower could hold him? Now, he seemed to have only the strength of a late-stage Nascent Soul. It hadn¡¯t been that long. Bang! The man called Hai Luo was locked in cell number two, becoming Zhuang Yuzhen¡¯s cellmate. ¡°It looks like you¡¯ve got company,¡± Jiang Hao said with a smile. ¡°Why are you making a fuss? He isn¡¯t worthy to stay with me,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen said disdainfully. Jiang Hao chuckled. He remembered how Zhuang Yuzhen had struggled even more exaggeratedly than the other man when he first arrived. Bang! Bang! The Hai Luo man banged heavily on the ground, shouting madly. ¡°Let me out, let me out, you bunch of beasts! When my people come, you will all die. I will level the entire Tianyin Sect, you only dare to ambush me, come at me face to face if you have the guts!¡± Zhuang Yuzhen looked at the man from Hai Luo and felt that he was voicing his own thoughts. He also wanted to level the Tianyin Sect. They¡¯re a bunch of beasts. ¡°Appraisal.¡± Jiang Hao felt that the man posed a certain danger and decided to assess him. ¡¾Hai Luo: One of the Twelve Heavenly Kings of the Tianhe Sea, his cultivation absorbed by the Lawless Tower, leaving only the strength of a late-stage Nascent Soul. Came to the south for the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead but was discovered by Bai Zhi due to being too high-profile, which led to an ambush and his capture. His collaborators will soon arrive to continue the search for the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead.¡¿ One of the twelve kings of the Tianhe Sea? Jiang Hao felt confused, having never heard of this. However, it was certain that ¡°Liu¡± had mentioned that people from overseas were eyeing the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead, and they must be them. What he didn¡¯t expect was that the Tianyin Sect would take the initiative to capture people and bring them into the Lawless Tower. In the south, the Tianyin Sect was quite capable. They could handle the Xuantian Sect or the Luoxia Sect with ease. But when it came to the north or overseas, the Tianyin Sect seemed somewhat inadequate. Was it really okay to offend people like this? However, Elder Bai Zhi must have known about the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead; otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have acted so quickly. ¡°Where are you from?¡± Zhuang Yuzhen asked curiously. ¡°What are you? Do I have to tell you where I come from?¡± Hai Luo responded coldly. Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Why are these people¡¯s mouths so tough? But he didn¡¯t have anything to threaten the other party with, so it was better to ignore him. Although the other party came for the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead, no one knew the bead was in the Tianyin Sect. No one knew who had the bead either. Zhuang Yuzhen looked at Hai Luo as if he were looking at an idiot: ¡°So you¡¯re just a little bastard.¡± ¡°Say that again to me, we¡¯re all prisoners here, what are you so arrogant about?¡± Hai Luo said defiantly. In this tower, everyone was equal because they had all lost their cultivation. Beasts. Worse than animals, this sect. So cruel. Murderous and heartless. Watching him, Jiang Hao sighed inwardly and left the Lawless Tower. Tonight was the time for the gathering, and he needed to prepare. He could continue learning formations tomorrow. As he left, he saw a woman in a black robe entering. He quickly bowed his head in respect. This person came often, and it seemed that she interrogated all the important prisoners. He didn¡¯t know if she was a Senior Sister or a Senior Brother. She nodded slightly in return, acknowledging his gesture, and then went straight to the cells. Then came Hai Luo¡¯s cry of surprise. ¡°Is it you again? I told you...¡± Snap! The sound of a whip echoed. Jiang Hao quickly walked away. He dared not look, nor did he dare to know too much. ...... At midnight. Jiang Hao was ready and stepped onto the stone slab. The familiar scene, the original position. Seeing the other three in place, he followed suit and began to pay his respects. ¡°Senior Dan Yuan.¡± Dan Yuan indeed deserved their respect; so far, their gains had outweighed their contributions. Dan Yuan said with a smile. ¡°Do you have any troubles with your cultivation?¡± ¡°Senior, if I conceal my cultivation level, how should I act so as not to reveal any abnormalities?¡± Fairy Gui was the first to speak. ¡°After cultivation improves, it inherently brings about many changes, and even if you conceal it, some traces will remain. It depends on how good your concealment techniques are. If the technique is average, then you need to restrain the changes brought by the Nascent Soul,¡± Dan Yuan explained. It¡¯s not just these; there¡¯s also the aura in the spiritual energy, the influence of breathing, the flow of blood and qi, the peculiarity in one¡¯s gaze, the extension of the spirit, changes in behavior and movement. After taking action, one must also be wary of fluctuations in spiritual energy and physical changes to truly conceal one¡¯s cultivation level. Jiang Hao added. But these things he could not say; even if he did, they wouldn¡¯t be able to grasp it unless he gave them the nameless secret manual. But he would not hand over that manual. He could give away other secret manuals, but not this one. It was too terrifying. Fairy Gui nodded, asking no further questions. Liu and Xing were busy with his clone, learning secret techniques. Finally, Dan Yuan turned his gaze to Jiang Hao. After hesitating, Jiang Hao asked: ¡°What is needed to improve one¡¯s mastery of formations?¡± ¡°Mastery of formations?¡± Dan Yuan pondered for a moment. ¡°Talent, a good teacher, diligence, and enough time, as well as sufficient formations. Analyzing formations can help understand their structure, and with enough talent, one can infer other principles from one. Without sufficient talent, there¡¯s a lack of agility. If that¡¯s the case, there¡¯s only one path: spend more time analyzing formations, the more you understand, the higher your mastery will be.¡± ¡°Analyzing formations?¡± Jiang Hao thought for a moment and realized that the Tianyin Sect didn¡¯t have that many formations. There were many formation masters within the sect, but there wasn¡¯t a specific lineage dedicated to teaching formations. Even if there were, he probably wouldn¡¯t spend time learning. Learning basic formations was less valuable than continuing to study talismans, aiming for the heights that very few could reach. Seeing no further questions, Dan Yuan said, ¡°Then let¡¯s talk about your gains. Do you have any news about the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower or the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead?¡± Everyone shook their heads. ¡°Then let¡¯s discuss the new mission: enter the Corpse Realm to find something. Can anyone enter?¡± Jiang Hao felt he could try to complete this task. He just didn¡¯t want to say it now. However, Fairy Gui suddenly spoke up. ¡°I think I can try; I¡¯ve already obtained the qualifications to enter the Corpse Realm.¡± Hearing this, Jiang Hao was shocked. How was that possible? Fairy Gui was in the Tiannan Prefecture, and the Tiannan Prefecture was right next to the Youyun Prefecture. That meant she was in the south. But where in the south could one find a Corpse Realm Flower? As far as he knew, only the Tianyin Sect had it. ¡°...¡± Was Fairy Gui in the Tianyin Sect? Chapter 280 - We Must Find Out About Fairy Gui Chapter 280: We Must Find Out About Fairy Gui If Fairy Gui had the qualifications to enter the Corpse Realm, then it was highly probable that she was in the Tianyin Sect. But how did she obtain these qualifications? Jiang Hao thought quickly. Infiltrating the Tianyin Sect, there were two possibilities. One was to belong to the Tianyin Sect, and the other was to enter with the help of other forces. But regardless of the method, she definitely couldn¡¯t use her real identity. Because that way, she would never get the qualifications. With the large number of people in the Tianyin Sect, choosing one would be extremely difficult. But if one were to choose the Corpse God Sect, it wouldn¡¯t be certain, but at least there was an eighty percent chance. After all, there were only thirty-two disciples in the Corpse God Sect at the beginning. Now there were only twenty-two, and the probability jumped from eighty to a hundred percent. During these days, he had heard that all twenty-two disciples of the Corpse God Sect had entered, while the Tianyin Sect had twenty-six people. ¡®Perhaps Fairy Gui played a role in those deaths back then.¡¯ Jiang Hao felt a bit uneasy, grateful that his Secret Whisper Slate was not easy to track, or else he might have been exposed. Now there was another problem. If Fairy Gui was found out, should he let Hong Yuye take action? He definitely wasn¡¯t a match for her, but Hong Yuye never took action himself. After thinking it over, Jiang Hao still felt it was not appropriate to act. The two stone slabs had no use alone; only three together would work. Moreover, if something happened to Fairy Gui, there was a certain chance he would be suspected. The undercover operation failed. We need to slow down a bit. The priority is to find out who it is and take the initiative. ¡°Can Fairy Gui enter the Corpse Realm?¡± Liu asked in surprise. ¡°I inquired about the Corpse Realm Flower before, and this Corpse Realm should be related to this flower. And in the south, only the place mentioned by Daoist Jing has it, right?¡± Fairy Gui smiled slightly and said to Jiang Hao. ¡°Did Daoist Jing manage to get the qualification?¡± Is she testing me? Jiang Hao didn¡¯t answer directly but said: ¡°It seems that after Fairy Gui heard about the Corpse God Sect, she started to take action.¡± Fairy Gui smiled without saying a word. ¡°Since Fairy Gui got close to that place, you must have seen the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, right?¡± Xing asked. This was a good question. Jiang Hao had actually thought of it too, but he didn¡¯t dare to ask, fearing suspicion. At this moment, he was just curious like everyone else. ¡°No,¡± Fairy Gui shook her head and sighed: ¡°I don¡¯t have the treasure to investigate the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, so I can¡¯t find where the flower is. However, the Tianyin Sect is quite dangerous. After over a hundred years of development, it has become increasingly formidable. Give them some more time, and they will be able to confront sects like Xuantian Sect head-on.¡± The others were surprised and didn¡¯t say much more. At this time, Dan Yuan finally spoke, ¡°After entering the Corpse Realm, go to Tianbei Mountain (Heavenly Stele Mountain) and record the content of the sixth stele from the bottom up. As for the reward, information, cultivation methods, secret techniques, medicinal pills, anything goes.¡± ¡°Senior, is the Snow God Pill acceptable?¡± Fairy Gui asked. ¡°Yes,¡± Dan Yuan nodded with a smile. This surprised everyone, as Snow God Pills were precious ¨C once consumed, one less remained in the world. They were extremely difficult to refine, which also indicated the importance of the sixth stele. ¡°But there¡¯s one thing you need to pay attention to,¡± Dan Yuan said to everyone. ¡°The content on the surface of the sixth stele is not the real content.¡± Jiang Hao had some realization; the person who commissioned the task could not get the real content of the sixth stele. He wanted to use others to obtain the real content to perfect his secret technique or cultivation method. Fairy Gui still nodded. ¡°Besides this task, there is another one, which is to find the person targeting the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead. Any list from overseas or other departments is acceptable,¡± Dan Yuan said indifferently. ¡°Finding the list will allow you to ask me any questions you have in mind.¡± That includes all sorts of questions, like how to make the land fertile or more details about the Red Feather Divine Pill. Jiang Hao knew of a list, so when he had questions, he could trade it. However, Liu had been paying attention to this; he probably knew more. ¡°I do know one, one of the twelve kings of the Tianhe Sea, Hai Luo. This person is very high-profile and has already taken the lead in entering the south, but I don¡¯t know the specifics,¡± Liu spoke up. It¡¯s already been broken, Jiang Hao couldn¡¯t help but answer in his mind. ¡°Actually, if we catch him, we can find out more information. The Sea King has a fatal weakness; every hundred years, he becomes infatuated with a woman. A few years ago, he fell for a Foundation Establishment woman, whom he hid very well. I happened to encounter her at the Tianxian Pavilion on Qingjing Island, and I even found out her name, Miao Anxian,¡± Liu said in a teasing tone. Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Liu looked burly and robust, and he seemed particularly interested when talking about women. However, this information could be put to good use to have a heart-to-heart with the Sea King. As for the list, Elder Bai Zhi should have already started working on it. He didn¡¯t need to intervene. If he could get one or two, he could ask some questions. Dan Yuan nodded and said softly, ¡°Okay, would you like to ask your questions now or later?¡± ¡°Later,¡± Liu immediately responded. He needed to rebuild, and some questions could be asked during the cultivation process, but many would come at a cost. It was better to save these questions for when they were needed. After the task discussion, it was time for everyone to trade. ¡°Do you want me to just say it, or do you want to see for yourself?¡± Liu was the first to speak. ¡°Let¡¯s see,¡± Jiang Hao said. Then the stone tablet appeared beside them, and after Liu withdrew his hand, Jiang Hao placed his hand on the tablet. Afterward, he saw many words. End of All Things, pursuing the ultimate in destruction, is a kind of existence similar to a sect. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t study it in detail; he just memorized it. He would write it down after returning to take a closer look at the specifics. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Is it about the End of All Things?¡± Xing suddenly asked. Jiang Hao nodded. ¡°I have different intelligence on the End of All Things,¡± Xing said. ¡°What do I need to offer?¡± Jiang Hao wondered, as this could easily expose him. ¡°I was pursuing a group of people before, most of whom were heavily injured and imprisoned overseas by Liu Daoist. Only one escaped alone to the south. I hope you can help me keep an eye out for this person named Gu Qing,¡± Xing said. ¡°Okay,¡± Jiang Hao nodded without hesitation. Although he didn¡¯t want to take it on, he had no choice but to do so. Fortunately, it was just about keeping an eye out for now. Otherwise, it would have been troublesome. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ve recently received a secret phrase, which is a handover code used by some disciples of End of All Things. We can use it to find the others,¡± Xing said, looking towards Dan Yuansenior. At that moment, the stone slab appeared again. Jiang Hao also successfully obtained the secret phrase. ¡°The heavens encompass all things, the earth meets its end.¡± Xing reminded: ¡°This secret phrase will likely change after some time, so if we need to use it, we should do so sooner rather than later¡ªpossibly as short as three months or as long as three years.¡± Jiang Hao nodded, acknowledging the significant gain. With no other trades to conduct, everyone began to discuss the situations in their respective regions. ¡°Do you remember I mentioned before that the Mingyue Sect had recruited a genius disciple?¡± Xing said to the group with a sigh. ¡°It¡¯s said that she¡¯s even more talented than expected, with exceptional aptitude, a unique constitution, astonishing comprehension, and surrounded by good fortune. To take her as a disciple, the higher-ups of the Mingyue Sect went to great lengths.¡± Chapter 281 - The Favor of Heaven and Earth Chapter 281: The Favor of Heaven and Earth A genius from the Mingyue Sect? The first person Jiang Hao thought of was Chu Jie. Was her talent really that high? Initially, he had only appraised Chu Chuan and had not assessed Chu Jie. If her talent was indeed that high, it seemed Chu Chuan would not be able to catch up with Chu Jie in a short time. Fortunately, he wasn¡¯t trying to catch up; he just wanted to enter the Foundation Establishment when he went to the Mingyue Sect. Although it was still difficult, it was not hopeless. ¡°Would the Mingyue Sect really fight over a single disciple?¡± Fairy Gui was somewhat incredulous. ¡°That¡¯s because you don¡¯t know how talented she is. It¡¯s said that on her first visit to the Starry Cave, she grasped the Sun and Moon Qi Refining technique in one night and directly reached the ninth stage. Foundation Establishment is as easy as drinking water for her,¡± Xing said with emotion. The Ninth Stage The Qi cultivation methods of the Mingyue Sect are divided into stages; the higher the stage, the faster the cultivation speed. Lin Zhi is currently at the third stage, still using the Star Moon Qi Cultivation Method. The Sun and Moon Qi Refining technique must be the most core Qi Refining technique. To reach the ninth stage in one go, compared to Lin Zhi and Chu Chuan, it¡¯s like heaven and earth. If it really is Chu Jie, it should now be extremely easy for her to have Chu Chuan join the Mingyue Sect. Once Chu Chuan goes to the Mingyue Sect, who knows if he will stay there. He wasn¡¯t worried about what would follow. As long as the Mingyue Sect was willing to take them in, they would handle all issues themselves. They would also take care of things on the Tianyin Sect¡¯s side. When he had spoken with them before, Jiang Hao could sense it. They usually didn¡¯t leave any loose ends. Unlike the Demon Sect, which dealt with aftermath differently, they convinced everyone with interests. No more troublemaking. ¡°When is the Dao Discussion Conference of the Mingyue Sect?¡± Fairy Gui asked. ¡°The time hasn¡¯t been set yet, but the invitations have been sent out. Each invitation will have a time on it. This time, the invitations have been sent to all four directions, and every first-rate sect will receive one.¡± Xing pondered for a moment and then said, ¡°I think they want to create momentum for that genius disciple, allowing her to gain the favor of heaven and earth.¡± The favor of heaven and earth? Jiang Hao was quite surprised. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He had seen such favor twice before. Once when Han Ming received the favor of the spirit of mountains and rivers, and another time when Xuanyuan Tai was a favored one of the mountains and seas. He had always thought these were innate, never imagining that one could gain it through momentum. The favor of heaven and earth was clearly beyond the favor of mountains and rivers and mountains and seas. ¡°I still have time. Once I come out of the Corpse Realm, I can go have a look. It just so happens that there¡¯s a Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead in the south, and I need to leave,¡± Fairy Gui said, looking at everyone. ¡°Do you have any news about the Corpse Realm? If you do, let me know. If I complete the Tianbei Mountain mission, I can share the reward.¡± ¡°How can you share the Snow God Pill?¡± Liu joked with a smile. ¡°It can be something else,¡± Fairy Gui said and then added: ¡°By the way, you should avoid causing trouble in the Tianyin Sect in the future. I feel there are many rules here. It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve seen such severe punishment for killing a fellow sect member, and this is still a Demon Sect.¡± ¡°It¡¯s different from what you think; it¡¯s not that there¡¯s no problem if you¡¯re not discovered. Their Hall of Enforcement is special and will find out. So although the Tianyin Sect is a Demon Sect, no one dares to kill fellow sect members at will.¡± ¡°On the other hand, if it were other sects;s disciples here, they would kill even faster than anything else. If this sect continues like this, the surrounding sects will definitely disappear.¡± Jiang Hao agreed; even he didn¡¯t dare to kill recklessly now. ¡°The Tianyin Sect is already that strong?¡± Xing was surprised. ¡°Not very strong because the most famous leader of the Tianyin Sect has been in seclusion, either to advance or to recover from serious injuries from decades ago. Whatever the reason, the Tianyin Sect is not very strong at the moment, but it should not be underestimated, and they have high potential. It¡¯s just a matter of time,¡± Fairy Gui said. Jiang Hao agreed once more. The Tianyin Sect indeed lacked a solid foundation. After all, it had only been a few decades since it had been established to this scale. The quality of the disciples was also very high, like the top ten disciples; they might not be the strongest in the Tianyin Sect, but they were definitely the most potential, powerful, and young disciples. And they were not recruited in recent years but disciples who had fought alongside the Tianyin Sect. Each one deserved their reputation. Even if Man Long threw a fight, he was still powerful. Xuanyuan Tai was chased and beaten by him. Everyone nodded, taking note of this matter. Liu continued to talk about overseas, where there were some movements. Something was indeed emerging from the seabed, and sounds were being heard. But for the time being, no one had figured out the situation at the bottom of the sea. Jiang Hao listened to their conversation. This time he was again an observer, wanting to burst out with important news but not getting the chance. Next time, he would have to see what was happening nearby and appropriately drop a bombshell. That way, he wouldn¡¯t seem superfluous. The impression of being solitary, powerful, and mysterious would be further solidified. After some time, Dan Yuan spoke up: ¡°Let¡¯s end the gathering here.¡± After saying goodbye to Dan Yuan, Jiang Hao left. Once outside, he took out a blank book and began to write silently; he wanted to transcribe the news of the End of All Things. He then wrote down the secret phrase. This secret phrase wasn¡¯t written in a normal way but was represented by symbols. To prevent others from understanding it. After memorizing the content, Jiang Hao began to organize the gains from this occasion. First was the intelligence on End of All Things. Second was information on the Sea King, which could be used to threaten him. Third was the fact that Fairy Gui was in the Tianyin Sect. The news about Chu Jie and overseas matters weren¡¯t significant gains. There were three tasks at hand. First was to enter the Corpse Realm and go to Tianbei Mountain to find the sixth stele and record its true content. Second was to find out the list of people searching for the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead. Third was to keep an eye out for someone named Gu Qing, who was involved in a transaction with the stars. Besides these, he also received a reminder from Fairy Gui, which was to clarify the situation in the Corpse Realm. The Corpse God Sect would definitely provide information, but more detailed insights could be obtained from Zhuang Yuzhen. In fact, during the gathering, he was curious about one thing: whether the Mingyue Sect would invite the Tianyin Sect. According to Xing, all the major sects would be invited. And the Tianyin Sect was indeed a major sect, both in scale and strength. Logically, they should be among the invited, but that remained to be seen. Afterward, he began to carefully review the information about End of All Things. ¡°End of All Things, pursuing the ultimate destruction, is an entity similar to a sect, with core members and countless outer disciples. From large sects to small sects with a few hundred disciples, as well as various family clans, they all have their people. They resent everything, are dissatisfied with their own status, and seek to find anything that can destroy living beings. This includes the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead.¡± ¡°End of All Things seeks various seals, aiming to release all living beings within them, hoping to bring destruction to the world. In recent years, they have been collecting various objects of calamity, likely for some purpose. Most core members of End of All Things are active overseas, seemingly to avoid being hunted by others.¡± ¡°There are also rumors that their most core member entered deep into the sea mist and has yet to return; their presence overseas is to find this important person. One of the twelve heavenly kings, Taomu Xiu, is likely one of the core members of End of All Things.¡± After reading the general information, Jiang Hao¡¯s brows furrowed slightly. Why would these people investigate the Tianyin Sect? The Great Thousand Divine Sect began investigating the Tianyin Sect using the stele, and the people behind it were End of All Things, but why would such extreme individuals spend so much effort investigating the Tianyin Sect? However, this also indicated that they were probably not the people behind the stone tablets. Hong Yuye was looking for the true mastermind behind the stone tablets. ¡°The Secret Whisper Slate might have been given to the Great Thousand Divine Sect by End of All Things; it¡¯s worth investigating where they got the slate from.¡± Afterward, Jiang Hao began to make talismans, planning to visit Zhuang Yuzhen the next day and also to check if the Sea King was still in good spirits. As for Fairy Gui, it wasn¡¯t suitable for him to actively investigate, as it was easy to fall into a trap. Chapter 282 - Are You Worthy? Chapter 282: Are You Worthy? The next day. After finishing his work in the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao headed to the Lawless Tower. He was going to learn about formations from Zhuang Yuzhen and also check on the Sea King. Whether to threaten him would depend on the circumstances. If he decided to threaten, he already had a reason in mind. He could just pin it on the past incident with Yan Hua, since at that time, he seemed to have a good relationship with Yan Hua. Especially in the mines, where it was easiest to hear some news. As for verification, how could the dead inform them of the truth? ¡°Still, it¡¯s a bit risky; I wonder what Elder Bai Zhi¡¯s stance is.¡± Up to now, Elder Bai Zhi has been sitting back and fishing, and it¡¯s unclear how much she has discovered. So far, the undercover agents close to him are Liu Xingchen and Senior Sister Ming Yi. These two seem to be fine. It¡¯s unknown whether they are not suspected or if they are suspected but have not acted rashly. Then there¡¯s Hong Yuye; it¡¯s uncertain whether Elder Bai Zhi has noticed anything. If she has, it would actually be easier to handle. Unfortunately, it¡¯s impossible to be sure, and it¡¯s not wise to act recklessly. He can only adapt to the situation as it unfolds. In fact, there¡¯s another problem: if Elder Bai Zhi has noticed Hong Yuye and later asked him to go undercover and report the other party¡¯s actions and words. What should be done then? Regardless, there would be no good outcome. Indeed, among the powerful, he, the weak, has no say. He should focus on becoming stronger first. ...... On the fifth floor of the Lawless Tower. Jiang Hao once again sat in front of the first prison cell. At this moment, he glanced at the cell next to him, where the Sea King leaned against the wall, looking utterly despondent. It seemed he didn¡¯t like it here. ¡°Senior, I¡¯ve come to learn about formations again,¡± Jiang Hao said calmly. ¡°Where¡¯s the wine?¡± Zhuang Yuzhen asked tiredly, slightly lifting his head. The Lawless Tower was like purgatory, where one had to endure despair. And yet, death was not an option. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Three jars of wine were placed in front of Zhuang Yuzhen. ¡°Actually, you¡¯ve learned almost enough about formations; it¡¯s more about variations, but you can¡¯t grasp them,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen shook his head and sighed. This was the limit of talent. Without talent, it¡¯s extremely difficult to reach new heights. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t mind this; he didn¡¯t have many aspirations. Compared to formations, he preferred making talismans. Because that could earn spirit stones. Currently, he had over four thousand spirit stones, and if he continued to save, reaching ten or twenty thousand was not impossible. Without the possibility of Nirvana, he might as well try something else. Like focusing on some powerful seeds. Buying them himself could draw unwanted attention, but he could help with the planting, even if it means losing some spiritual liquid. It could lead to achieving something and gaining the necessary energy bubbles. He just needs to find someone from the Candlelight Alchemy Court lineage. It used to be unlikely, but now, thanks to the rabbit, he has a bit of a connection with Senior Brother Lian Dao. This makes it possible. However, timing is crucial. High-grade spiritual medicine seeds are extremely valuable, and they wouldn¡¯t dare let just anyone plant them. ¡°Senior, you¡¯re too obsessed with talent,¡± Jiang Hao said softly, coming back to his senses. ¡°Do you really think that without talent, one can keep up through hard work? It¡¯s almost impossible. Sometimes, a spark of inspiration is what determines how high you can go,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen said with a bitter smile. ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant. For formations, talent is indeed extremely important.¡± Jiang Hao explained, seeing Zhuang Yuzhen¡¯s confusion, ¡°What I mean is, since we have other talents, there¡¯s no need to be fixated on acquiring more. When one door opens, a window must close. It¡¯s better to focus on the open door rather than chasing after the closed window.¡± Zhuang Yuzhen looked at the young man before him with some surprise, ¡°How old are you?¡± ¡°Twenty-five,¡± Jiang Hao replied. It was the beginning of November, and in two months, he would be twenty-six. Since his Foundation Establishment, almost six years had passed in the blink of an eye. He was at the eighth level of Qi Refining when he met Hong Yuye six years ago. It was from that time that troubles and opportunities both increased. In just over six years, he had reached the late stage of Nascent Soul. Apart from him, there was one other person whose cultivation speed was incredibly fast. That was Liu Xingchen. When he first met Liu Xingchen, he was at the peak of Golden Core, and six years later, he was already at the mid-stage of Nascent Soul. It¡¯s actually unbelievable. If he continued at this rate, reaching the late stage of Nascent Soul would only take a few more years. He was truly a disciple of the Haotian Sect. But the reason for his rapid progress might be precisely because of the Nascent Soul realm, which allowed for advancement through consuming divine souls. ¡°Twenty-five and already at the late stage of Foundation Establishment? No, the first time I saw you, you were already at that stage, which means you reached it one or two years ago. Is your talent really that good?¡± Zhuang Yuzhen asked curiously. Jiang Hao shook his head and said calmly, ¡°It¡¯s just due to some opportunities.¡± ¡°Resigned to mediocrity,¡± Hai Luo looked over disdainfully and said. ¡°If you lack talent, you must work hard and struggle. Many things are destined, but that doesn¡¯t mean they can¡¯t be changed.¡± ¡°What is the purpose of us cultivating immortals?¡± ¡°It is to change our weak and short-lived selves. To defy the heavens and claim victory over fate.¡± ¡°The Way of Heaven is elusive; how can we submit to it?¡± Jiang Hao looked at him and thought of a saying, ¡°Senior, have you ever considered the possibility that cultivating to become stronger might also be a means of ¡®heaven¡¯ giving you hope?¡± Upon hearing this, Hai Luo, the Heavenly King, was taken aback. For a moment, he felt like he was being played by ¡°heaven.¡± Zhuang Yuzhen looked at Jiang Hao, feeling more and more that the possession of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower in his hands was no coincidence. Soon, Hai Luo, the Heavenly Sea King, recovered and stared at Jiang Hao with a cold voice. ¡°Ridiculous, do you think a mere sentence can shake my spirit? What do you, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, understand? Even now, with my reduced cultivation, I could suppress you with one hand. If you disagree, let me out, and I¡¯ll show you with one hand.¡± Jiang Hao looked at him but did not respond. This displeased Hai Luo. ¡°Why don¡¯t you come and ask me for advice? Do you look down on me? Do you know who I am? You should understand that my status is exalted, and I know countless powerful beings. My connections reach the heavens.¡± ¡°Senior is?¡± Jiang Hao asked. It would be good to clarify the message. ¡°I am from the Tianhe Sea, one of the twelve Heavenly Kings, commanding countless powerful followers and ruling over a region. We are fated to meet, so you may call me Hai Luo, or you may call me Heavenly King; I can bear either title,¡± Hai Luo said proudly. ¡°Scum,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen said disdainfully. ¡°Old coot, say that to me one more time,¡± Hai Luo became agitated. ¡°Do you, a mere early-stage Nascent Soul, dare to shout at me, a late-stage Nascent Soul? Let me out, and I¡¯ll kill this old coot.¡± ¡°Heh,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen looked at him and coldly laughed. ¡°Just watch, in a few months I¡¯ll still be at the early stage of Nascent Soul, and you¡¯ll be at the peak of Golden Core.¡± ¡°Old coot, just admit that you¡¯re no match for me right now,¡± the Heavenly King Hai Luo taunted. Jiang Hao sighed inwardly; he was actually curious about what the twelve Heavenly Kings really were. But the pressing matter was to study formations. ¡°Senior, could you be quiet for a while? I need to study formations,¡± he said to the Heavenly King Hai Luo. ¡°Huh?¡± Hai Luo felt like he had heard wrong, disdainfully saying. ¡°Boy, who do you think you are? Do you think you have the right to ask me to be quiet?¡± Jiang Hao was taken aback, realizing that he was right. After all, the other party was one of the Twelve Heavenly Kings of the Tianhe Sea, and he was just an inner disciple of the Tianyin Sect; indeed, he had no right to ask. Then he smiled slightly, stood up, walked over to the second cell, and gestured with his hand. Seeing this action, Zhuang Yuzhen¡¯s face turned pale in an instant. He even felt somewhat afraid of Jiang Hao gesturing to him. For a moment, he was very curious if this Hai Luo would be the same as himself. Chapter 283 - Impossible, Absolutely Impossible Chapter 283: Impossible, Absolutely Impossible ¡°Forgot again, none of you can come close, but it¡¯s fine.¡± Jiang Hao lowered his hand and said softly: ¡°Now I will say two words, and after you hear them, your attitude towards me will change dramatically. Then you¡¯ll quietly let me study the formation.¡± ¡°What are you going to say?¡± Hai Luo sneered. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Are you here to be funny? Have you lost your mind?¡± ¡°Then listen carefully, senior,¡± Jiang Hao said. ¡°Come on, say it,¡± Hai Luo listened intently. ¡°Let¡¯s see what two words you can come up with.¡± Soon, the name of an island reached his ears. The moment he heard the name, he burst into laughter, and after laughing, he looked down on Jiang Hao with disdain. ¡°What a joke, a complete joke. You think with that you can threaten me? Make me shut up? Is it possible? How could it be? Are you the idiot or am I?¡± Jiang Hao was quite puzzled. It seemed that either the information was wrong, or this threat had no effect on Hai Luo. Just as he was about to verify this, Hai Luo suddenly changed his tone and said. ¡°So, you just want me to stop talking, right?¡± Then he closed his mouth and did not speak again. Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Originally, Zhuang Yuzhen thought that someone had finally broken through his psychological shadow, but now it seemed that Hai Luo was indeed a bastard. At least he had resisted. This guy just talked tough for a bit and then caved. Jiang Hao was also quite surprised; it seemed that Liu¡¯s information was very valuable. This time, he didn¡¯t even have to pay a price. The gathering was better than expected. ¡°Senior, we can continue now.¡± Jiang Hao approached Zhuang Yuzhen and said. ¡°Good.¡± Zhuang Yuzhen continued with the formation. All based on what Jiang Hao had learned, he began to dismantle and demonstrate variations. Once Jiang Hao had learned enough, Zhuang Yuzhen reminded him. ¡°The opening of the Corpse Realm is roughly at the beginning of the year; you don¡¯t have much time left, you need to master everything quickly. It will be convenient to go to various places then.¡± ¡°The beginning of the year?¡± Jiang Hao nodded. There were still more than two months left. He hoped the sect wouldn¡¯t cause him any trouble in these two months. ...... Half a month later. Mid-November. Jiang Hao once again welcomed Qing You and Gu Cheng. ¡°Greetings to both seniors.¡± ¡°Have you mastered last month¡¯s formation?¡± Qing You asked. ¡°I¡¯ve basically mastered it,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. A hint of skepticism flashed in Qing You¡¯s eyes, but she didn¡¯t dwell on it and instead said, ¡°Then we¡¯ll teach you the most important part. As long as you learn this part, you will be able to go to the safe area. Most of the people there are at the Foundation Establishment level. You just need to be careful, and you might find some opportunities. But to master this formation, you need the foundation of the previous two formations. Otherwise, whatever I say, you might not understand.¡± ¡°Thank you for the reminder, senior,¡± Jiang Hao said respectfully. Qing You felt she had said enough and began to draw out the formation and explain. This formation was a central part of the Human Element Formation. With too many variations, it was very difficult to master the basics. They estimated it would take two days, but it would probably take three here. ¡°This kind of change requires positional evasion,¡± Qing You pointed at the formation and continued. ¡°There are roughly three positions where you can avoid the influence of the formation and enter the safe area.¡± ¡°Three positions?¡± Jiang Hao pointed at a displacement in the formation and said. ¡°Isn¡¯t this also possible? Logically, the first three displacements require back-and-forth evasion, but after entering here, you can use the initial formation changes to jump to the safe area. Avoiding random teleportation.¡± ¡°It¡¯s possible, but once you enter, you will face the storm of the Human Element Formation. Things will get complicated then,¡± Qing You explained instinctively. ¡°Then you can find a weak spot in the storm and easily enter,¡± Jiang Hao said. This was based on what Zhuang Yuzhen had taught him. He subconsciously wanted to verify it. Upon hearing this, Qing You nodded slightly and then crouched down to ponder. But soon, she was stunned. Then she looked at Jiang Hao incredulously. ¡°Do you see a problem, senior?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°No, no problem,¡± Qing You quickly shook her head. At that moment, she was shocked. What was going on? Why was it like this? These few sentences were enough to show that the other party was not just putting on a show but had truly mastered the previous formations, not only mastered them but was also able to extrapolate from them. Not through extensive experience, then it must be an astonishing talent. She had some understanding of his talent; was it because he spent all his time here? But even with constant studying, it¡¯s impossible to improve this fast. She couldn¡¯t comprehend it. Yet, she still tried hard to teach. Throughout the entire day, their progress was swift, and they even conducted dissection and analysis. If at first they were teaching, by the end it had turned into a discussion. The two seemed to be evenly matched in their understanding of formations. ...... When Qing You left with Gu Cheng, she felt somewhat dazed. On the way, she looked at Gu Cheng beside her with a bit of panic: ¡°Senior Brother, do you think we¡¯ve been too arrogant? Seeing someone who was beneath us suddenly rise to our level, I feel fear. It¡¯s like realizing there are people beyond people, and heavens beyond heavens. And the horror of underestimating others. If this were not about formations but cultivation, and I made an enemy of him because of this, would I have already...¡± ¡°That¡¯s why the elder told us to be modest, not to underestimate anyone because of our sect. Or rather, to stay vigilant and make friends. In any case, it¡¯s best to avoid conflict if possible,¡± Gu Cheng said. Today, he was also quite surprised; he always felt that Jiang Hao¡¯s identity was extraordinary. His knowledge of formations must have been guided by a master. Jiang Hao watched them leave, tended to the spiritual herbs for a while, and then headed to Lawless Tower; he wanted to master new formations as soon as possible. Now, Sea King was very courteous upon his arrival. As soon as it was time for instruction, it was very quiet. Occasionally, when he spoke, he would share his insights on formations. Jiang Hao listened and felt they were indeed useful. He envied the proficiency everyone had in formations. After a month, he had more or less mastered three formations. Now he could steadily enter the Corpse Realm. As long as he didn¡¯t wander off, there was little danger. Fortune would depend on luck and competition. ¡°Starting tomorrow, I can tell you about the map of the Corpse Realm,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen said. Jiang Hao thanked him and once again mentioned that Qu Zhong was still on the run. As long as Qu Zhong was safe, there was hope for Zhuang Yuzhen. Leaving Lawless Tower, Jiang Hao went straight to Hundred Bones Forest. ...... It was now mid-December. Three months had passed since Bai Ye was seriously injured. And in about a month, the Corpse Realm might open. According to Zhuang Yuzhen, once you enter, you¡¯d have to stay at least half a year to come out. So, he wanted to seal it again in advance. Outside the valley, Jiang Hao held a long spear. He originally planned to use one, but for safety¡¯s sake, he decided to take out another. ....... In the valley, Bai Ye sat in the courtyard looking up at the starry sky, lost in thought. ¡°Senior Brother, your injuries haven¡¯t healed yet, why do you keep sitting in the courtyard?¡± Fairy Lian Qin was puzzled. Bai Ye withdrew his gaze and said softly, ¡°I need to confirm something.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Fairy Lian Qin asked in confusion. ¡°To confirm why I was attacked,¡± Bai Ye said seriously, looking into the distance. It was at this moment that his pupils shrank. A streak of purple light once again tore through the formation and whistled towards them. The strengthened formation was still no match for the opponent¡¯s long spear. Chapter 284 - The Sealing Technique Chapter 284: The Sealing Technique Watching the long spear whistling towards him, Bai Ye struggled to stand up and began to defend. He moved very quickly, and various defenses and treasures appeared once again. In the blink of an eye, the spear collided with the defenses. Bang! A crisp sound rang out, the defenses shattered, and the treasures turned to dust on the spot. The spear whistled past, piercing through Bai Ye¡¯s body. Boom!! Agonizing pain struck, and the Purple Qi began to seriously injure Bai Ye. Fairy Lian Qin cried out in alarm, and just as she was about to approach, the whistling sound came again. Bang! Another long spear pierced through Bai Ye with the speed of lightning. Screams of agony filled the air. Fairy Lian Qin¡¯s face turned pale, a sense of horror overwhelming her. She suddenly remembered the previous curse, relentless and debilitating. It had only been three months; why would the assailant strike again? Wasn¡¯t he afraid of being discovered? Fairy Lian Qin hurried to Bai Ye¡¯s side, anxiously saying. ¡°Senior Brother!¡± At this time, Bai Ye was gritting his teeth, enduring the pain. He occasionally let out pained groans. He lay on the ground, clutching Lian Qin¡¯s hand tightly, his voice filled with excitement: ¡°I understand now, I get it.¡± ¡°Senior Brother, what are you talking about?¡± Fairy Lian Qin looked puzzled. ¡°It¡¯s the ¡®spirit sealing¡¯ technique,¡± Bai Ye said, his pain mingled with a flash of realization: ¡°He wants to seal my cultivation and prevent me from making any progress to give me a taste of my own medicine.¡± Spirit Sealing Technique? Fairy Lian Qin felt a surge of fear. If that was true, how terrifying must this person be? To use such a method to seal someone¡¯s spirit. No, that¡¯s not right. Among their Spirit Sealing Techniques¡¯s victims, there was no one with such power. Nor should there be someone so formidable behind them. She had done some investigation into their backgrounds. ¡°It¡¯s definitely not a mistake.¡± Bai Ye murmured as he was about to faint. ¡°Let me go to Duanqing Cliff, to see... surely, some clues can be discerned.¡± ....... By this time, Jiang Hao had already left the Hundred Bones Forest. ¡°The array has indeed been strengthened, but thankfully not by much, otherwise it would have been troublesome.¡± ¡°This is the second attack now. Next time, they might just wait for me to come again.¡± ¡°I need to be more careful and change the timing again.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s make it a year later. Jumping from three months to a year should throw them off, and even if someone is waiting, they¡¯ll grow impatient over time.¡± Returning to the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao was also concerned about Bai Ye changing locations. It would be troublesome to find him then. It¡¯s a pity he didn¡¯t know the art of divination; otherwise, he could try to calculate it. But Jiang Hao didn¡¯t insist on this. It¡¯s too greedy. It¡¯s like having a natural talent for arrays¡ªif you don¡¯t have it, you don¡¯t have it. No need to dwell on it. As long as his cultivation improved quickly and he could earn spirit stones through talisman-making, that was enough. ¡°Master, the peaches are almost gone,¡± the rabbit said, pointing to the fruit on the tree as Jiang Hao returned. At this point, there were only a few peaches left on the tree. To have so many left in the twelfth month meant Xiao Li had been slow in stealing them. But they didn¡¯t dare to pick them all. From the beginning, Jiang Hao had said that a few must be left. After hesitating, he picked two: ¡°Take the rest down. I¡¯ll send them to Xiao Li tomorrow.¡± The rabbit responded and picked the remaining ones. Most of the peaches from the tree had gone into Xiao Li¡¯s stomach, with only a very small portion going to Cheng Chou and the rabbit. Although Xiao Li loved to eat, she was also a good child. She would share. Cheng Chou and the rabbit were people she was more familiar with, so she would occasionally share one with them. It was a little less, but only Cheng Chou and the rabbit made her want to share. Others shouldn¡¯t even think about it. Sitting in the courtyard chair, Jiang Hao took out a book to read. Next month, he would most likely enter the Corpse Realm. There were some things that needed to be done as soon as possible. Like the secret code given by ¡°Xing¡±. Originally, he wanted to wait for Hong Yuye to come and decide. Now he had to use it without waiting. The optimal time was passing, so he had to try. But with a ¡°Gui¡± in the Tianyin Sect, he was somewhat worried. So far, he had not seen any suspicious disciples of the Corpse God Sect. Mainly because the disciples of the Corpse God Sect were spread across the twelve branches, and apart from the commonly seen Gu Cheng and another, it was almost down to luck to see others. But actively seeking them out was risky. Unless there was a sufficient reason. So it was still uncertain who the Gui was. After hesitating, he decided to pass the secret code to the rabbit. ¡°Master, what¡¯s this?¡± the rabbit asked, looking puzzled after learning it. ¡°A secret signal,¡± Jiang Hao said calmly. ¡°When I go out sometime, find a place to write down the signal, and then, without being discovered, see who approaches the code. Remember, the premise is not to be discovered.¡± He emphasized it again. ¡°Leave it to me. Friends on the road will give Lord Rabbit some face; they won¡¯t discover me,¡± the rabbit declared confidently. The rabbit had the talent of Deceive the Heavens to Cross the Sea, making it well-suited for such tasks. It¡¯s just that its cultivation was indeed too low. Thinking of this, Jiang Hao planned to provide some protection. Soon, however, he realized he had nothing suitable for the rabbit. ¡°Never mind, I¡¯ll buy something in the next few days.¡± As for what to buy, he had no idea. He would see when the time came. ...... The next day. Leaving the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao began looking for something suitable for the rabbit at the sect¡¯s market. Arriving at the area for spiritual pets, he saw many items. Defensive treasures, offensive treasures, life-saving treasures. All of these were very expensive. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Jiang Hao arrived at a more affordable area, where techniques related to spiritual beasts were sold. They were akin to magical treasures, crafted from parts of spiritual beasts to enhance other creatures. After browsing, Jiang Hao picked up a feather of the Golden Core level. ¡°Junior Brother has a good eye. This was refined from the feather of a descendant of the great Peng bird. When used at full strength, it can reach the peak speed of the Golden Core level. It can last for half a day at full power or half a month if not fully exerted. It can be activated or deactivated at any time,¡± a middle-aged man at the initial stage of Golden Core explained with a smile. ¡°How much?¡± Jiang Hao inquired. ¡°The original price is 1,600, but seeing that Junior Brother¡¯s cultivation is lacking and you might be tight on funds, I¡¯ll let it go for 1,200,¡± the middle-aged man offered with a smile. Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± A one-time use item selling for 1,200? My healing, defense, and speed talismans, even at the Golden Core level, are only worth a hundred or two hundred spirit stones each. Jiang Hao set the item down and decided to look around some more. After a while, he returned to the middle-aged man¡¯s stall and began to haggle. Eventually, he purchased the Wind Feather for 980 spirit stones. It was a pristine white feather that could be concealed within the fur of a spiritual beast. As Jiang Hao put away his purchase, he couldn¡¯t help but lament the high cost of items for spiritual pets. Checking his spirit stones, he found he had only three thousands eight hundred left, which seemed insufficient. With no other choice, he set up his own stall, planning to visit Zhuang Yuzhen at the Lawless Tower in the evening. However, no sooner had he started than a familiar figure squatted in front of his stall: ¡°Junior Brother, I¡¯ll take all your Healing Talismans and Hundred Thousand Divine Swords Talismans,¡± said Senior Sister Leng Tian, whom he hadn¡¯t seen in a long time. ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Senior Sister,¡± Jiang Hao said as he handed over ten talismans and collected eight hundred fifty spirit stones, offering her a discount of fifty stones. Senior Sister Leng Tian seemed to be getting wealthier. After receiving the talismans, Senior Sister Leng Tian didn¡¯t leave but smiled at Jiang Hao and said, ¡°New goods.¡± Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Another talisman inheritance? For a moment, Jiang Hao was perplexed as to who was actually making a profit from whom. Chapter 285 - Accepting the Inherintance Chapter 285: Accepting the Inherintance At Jiang Hao¡¯s residence, Senior Sister Leng Tian took a seat in the hall and said, ¡°There¡¯s another stone talisman. Would Junior Brother like to take a look?¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Jiang Hao nodded. He was somewhat expectant since each stone talisman represented a different inheritance, often not ordinary ones and hard to come by in the market, commanding high prices. Talismans like the Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman and the Heavenly Secret Concealment Talisman were never seen for sale at the Tianyin Sect¡¯s stall. He also didn¡¯t dare to sell them. The Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman was down to one piece, and he was currently unable to produce more. The Heavenly Secret Concealment Talisman was less commonly used due to its significant side effects, but it could be quite valuable to the right person. However, it was generally not as sought after as the Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman. Now, he had a life-saving magical treasure from his master, which should allow him to move distances far surpassing the Thousand Li Teleportation Talisman, effectively giving him two escape tools. Upon receiving the box, Jiang Hao saw the familiar stone tablet. It seemed flawless at first glance. From its patterns, he could discern some intricacies. It bore some resemblance to the Heavenly Secret Concealment Talisman, but his expertise was too shallow to make a definitive judgment. ¡¾Qi Breath Concealment Talisman Inheritance: Dip a brush in water at midnight when the mind is clear, and begin to trace the upper half of the talisman to receive the inheritance and comprehend the Qi Breath Concealment Talisman. This item is a treasure obtained by Leng Tian and her Senior Brother and Sister after surviving life-and-death situations.¡¿ Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Again, a treasured possession obtained by Leng Tian and her Senior Brothers and Sisters after surviving life-and-death situations. Do they really have such great luck? Surviving life-and-death situations three times in a row without any mishaps seems improbable. After a moment of silence, Jiang Hao considered a possibility. Perhaps Senior Sister Leng Tian and her peers did indeed obtain treasures through life-and-death experiences, but not just one; they found a trove and have been selling them off bit by bit. Or, there might have been a seal on the treasures, allowing them to extract and sell items gradually. This seemed highly plausible; otherwise, how could they repeatedly survive such dangers? If they were able to avoid risks, it wouldn¡¯t be considered a life-and-death situation. So, they probably still had many such talisman inheritances. However, Jiang Hao didn¡¯t really need the Qi Breath Concealment Talisman Inheritance. With the nameless secret manual, such items were merely supplementary. Of course, he still wanted to buy it, as the nameless secret manual was only applicable to himself, and he was curious about the extent to which this person could conceal their presence. ¡°How does Junior Brother feel about it?¡± Senior Sister Leng Tian asked. ¡°How much are you thinking of selling it for, Senior Sister?¡± Jiang Hao asked directly. Based on the previous performance of the talismans, this inheritance is still invaluable. Therefore, he could accept anything within his capacity to endure. ¡°Is it possible to add a little more on top of the previous basis?¡± Leng Tian asked thoughtfully. ¡°How much does Senior Sister plan to add?¡± Jiang Hao did not agree immediately. Sometimes, it¡¯s not good to appear too generous. ¡°Three thousand five hundred?¡± Leng Tian Fairy tentatively asked. Jiang Hao lowered his head, pretending to ponder, then nodded and said: ¡°Can part of it be paid with talismans? Of course, it would still be below market price.¡± ¡°Deal.¡± Leng Tian Fairy quickly agreed as if she was afraid Jiang Hao would refuse. She knew the stone tablet was valuable, but for their current strength, three thousand five hundred was already a high price. The spirit stones they could obtain safely were what they needed. Other channels, even if more lucrative, would come with some risks. Thus, they only wanted to deal with Jiang Hao for the time being. After all, Jiang Hao had a talent for making talismans, and with spirit stones, he might be able to comprehend something new. It was a win-win situation. After paying three thousand spirit stones and some talismans, Leng Tian bid farewell to Jiang Hao. She would never inquire about the talisman stone tablet. As she left, she passed by the peach tree and saw a rabbit standing on a branch, arms folded, staring at her. ¡°...¡± S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This rabbit was somewhat strange. But she had seen it a few times before, so she wasn¡¯t too surprised. She just left quickly. Jiang Hao came out to send Senior Sister Leng Tian off, and when he returned, he heard the rabbit ask. ¡°Master, this female has come here many times, is she the most likely to become the mistress?¡± ¡°The least likely, I¡¯d say.¡± Jiang Hao replied. Compared to Senior Sister Ming Yi, Senior Sister Leng Tian was indeed an impossibility. After all, Senior Sister Ming Yi might be willing to sacrifice herself for the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. Of course, such sacrifice would be futile. Thinking of this, Jiang Hao felt a sense of melancholy. ¡°Master, why not take them all? I wouldn¡¯t mind having more mistresses,¡± the rabbit said seriously, jumping onto the table. Jiang Hao glanced at the rabbit and chuckled. After waiting a while, he left the courtyard to head to the Lawless Tower. Now, he was going to learn about the internal situation of the Corpse Realm. Along the way, he would also learn the Qi Breath Concealment Talisman Inheritance. Before leaving, he gave the Wind Feather to the rabbit. It excitedly wore it on its collar and started showing off. ¡°Master, do I look like a great demon with this feather?¡± ¡°...¡± Afterward, Jiang Hao, besides understanding the Corpse Realm, began to receive the inheritance. The inheritance went smoothly, but making the talismans was a bit troublesome. It took materials worth eight hundred spirit stones to make one. This talisman was similar to the Heavenly Secret Concealment Talisman, also having levels. The difference was that one was at the end, and the other was midway. It was for this reason that it took him half a month to comprehend. ¡¾Qi Breath Concealment Talisman Inheritance: Inferior quality. Can conceal one¡¯s own breath and hide cultivation level. If the power used exceeds the concealment range, the talisman¡¯s effect will break immediately. Valid for one month after use, a strand of spiritual energy or blood can activate it directly.¡¿ ¡°It doesn¡¯t say how much it can conceal.¡± Later, Jiang Hao tested it on the rabbit, and it indeed could conceal breath and cultivation level. Currently, his mastery of the nameless secret manual could still discern it, but it was somewhat blurred. It seemed that the finished talisman¡¯s effect would surpass his mastery of the nameless secret manual. This talisman was truly remarkable. For a Nascent Soul, the rabbit standing in front of them might not be sensed at all; they could only see it. Plus, with its Deceive the Heavens to Cross the Sea ability, it would be even harder to detect. With that in mind, Jiang Hao looked at the rabbit and said softly: ¡°Where¡¯s the Wind Feather?¡± ¡°What does Master want to do?¡± the rabbit asked curiously, taking off the Wind Feather. Taking the item, Jiang Hao smiled and said: ¡°I¡¯ll exchange it for something else tomorrow.¡± The rabbit looked puzzled: ¡°???¡± Jiang Hao didn¡¯t bother to explain, with the Qi Breath Concealment Talisman, the rabbit had enough for his needs. He could sell this to get some spirit stones back. Recently, he had spent a lot, leaving only nine hundred spirit stones. And that was without giving the peach tree its nirvana. Unknowingly, he had spent it all. Thinking about it, the cost of the Qi Breath Concealment Talisman was even higher than that of the Wind Feather. ...... Hundred Bones Forest. Bai Ye lay on the bed, having recovered somewhat. When there were no other people around, he spoke to Lian Qin: ¡°Junior Sister, take me to Duanqing Cliff, I need to confirm something.¡± ¡°No,¡± Fairy Lian Qin shook her head. ¡°Master has instructed that Senior Brother must not go out for the time being. The people from the Hall of Enforcement are already investigating; it¡¯s too dangerous to leave now.¡± Bai Ye fell silent for a moment before continuing, ¡°Junior Sister, please sneak me out.¡± ¡°Senior Brother, aren¡¯t you putting me in a difficult position? You¡¯re too weak right now,¡± Fairy Lian Qin shook her head. ¡°I must go. I need to understand why, why there are such powerful beings targeting me,¡± Bai Ye said. ¡°But why must it be Duanqing Cliff?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just a hunch. Perhaps if I go there, I can be certain. This is a matter of life and death for me.¡± Fairy Lian Qin was somewhat conflicted, ¡°Wait another month or so? Senior Brother¡¯s injuries are too severe.¡± After some silence, Bai Ye nodded, ¡°Okay.¡± Chapter 286 - I was just playing with you Chapter 286: I was just playing with you The next day. Jiang Hao returned the Wind Feather to the rabbit. He took it to be appraised, and the offer was seven hundred. Buying it back would mean a loss of three hundred, which made him feel like he was being ripped off. Upon reflection, the rabbit¡¯s stealth talisman was of no use at all; it would be better to use the Wind Feather. Then the rabbit got excited again. Later, Jiang Hao spent four hundred spirit stones to buy talisman-making materials and created five Qi Breath Concealing Talismans. He gave three to the rabbit for it to use when the time came. Although he had the Deceive the Heavens to Cross the Sea technique, the addition of this talisman would provide some extra benefit. The Wind Feather could increase his speed to that of a Golden Core at full completion, and given its unique nature, perhaps only a Nascent Soul could pose a threat to it. And for a Nascent Soul to be a threat, it would first have to detect the rabbit. ...... Half a month later, the sect sent down a message. The Corpse Realm Flower would mature in the middle of the month, and at the same time, a portal leading to the Corpse Realm would open. Twenty-six disciples would enter the portal to the Corpse Realm. Two from each of the eleven veins and four from Duanqing Cliff. The list was also announced. It was only then that Jiang Hao learned that because of him, Duanqing Cliff could send one more person. That is, if he entered, Duanqing Cliff could add one more person. This was the reward from before. A privilege for him and the entire Duanqing Cliff. He hardly recognized anyone from the other eleven veins. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But he knew a few from Duanqing Cliff. They were: Foundation Establishment late stage, Jiang Hao. Golden Core full completion, Mu Qi. Nascent Soul early stage, Ning Xuan. Spirit Refining early stage, Dongfang Ji. This was the list he received; the cultivation levels were not indicated in the public announcement. Among them, Jiang Hao had never seen or heard of Dongfang Ji. Senior Brother Mu Qi said he was a very strong Senior Brother who had once pursued the position of chief but unfortunately failed. Jiang Hao was surprised; it was rare for Duanqing Cliff to have such a strong true disciple. But it seemed there were also quite a few Spirit Refining in other places. It looked as if the quality of Duanqing Cliff¡¯s disciples couldn¡¯t match the others. He didn¡¯t dare ask Senior Brother Mu Qi about this; after all, he was just at the late stage of Foundation Establishment. Spirit Refining was an unreachable existence for him, and it would be abnormal to be concerned about this. ...... The next day. Liu Xingchen came looking for him, with a smile on his face. ¡°Congratulations, Junior Brother, on entering the Corpse Realm.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just luck,¡± Jiang Hao said helplessly. If he had a choice, he really wouldn¡¯t want to go in. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have been learning about formations these past few months. ¡°I heard Senior Brother Dongfang Ji is also going?¡± Liu Xingchen asked. Jiang Hao nodded curiously, ¡°What about Senior Brother Dongfang?¡± ¡°He¡¯s not a current disciple of Duanqing Cliff. He was saved by your master because of his exceptional talent. He¡¯s like the current Bai Ye, having the qualifications to challenge for the position of chief. It would have been a pity to kill him. Although he was saved, he¡¯s ultimately different from you all; no one knows what he¡¯s thinking now, so you need to be careful in dealing with him. I heard his dao companion died at that time,¡± Liu Xingchen said. Jiang Hao listened with a blank face. He didn¡¯t understand what Liu Xingchen was talking about. ¡°What do you mean by ¡®current Duanqing Cliff¡¯?¡± he caught the key point. ¡°Huh?¡± Liu Xingchen was somewhat surprised. ¡°Junior Brother doesn¡¯t know?¡± Jiang Hao shook his head; he really didn¡¯t know. ¡°Do you remember I told Junior Brother before about a lineage that creates conflicts, inciting battles among the various lineages?¡± Liu Xingchen asked. Upon hearing this, Jiang Hao was taken aback. ¡°Junior Brother must have thought of it too. It¡¯s the previous incident at Duanqing Cliff. Your master became the head of a lineage afterward. At that time, the entire Duanqing Cliff was besieged and nearly annihilated.¡± ¡°Senior Brother Dongfang Ji was also from that time, but he happened to be out on a mission. When he returned, everything had changed drastically. He was captured as well. After all, as an important disciple, some precautions had to be taken,¡± Liu Xingchen sighed. ¡°After investigation, he wasn¡¯t heavily involved, but he certainly had many suspicions. Back then, there wasn¡¯t a need for extensive investigations; having suspicions was enough to be thrown into the Lawless Tower. It¡¯s just that before he was thrown in, your master stopped it and brought him back to Duanqing Cliff, where he has been ever since. The only time he shows his face is when he suppresses his cultivation to fight Man Long. Although he severely injured Man Long, he still lost.¡± ¡°High-level cultivators have to suppress their cultivation to challenge the chief?¡± Jiang Hao felt this was somewhat unreasonable. ¡°Not exactly. Initially, they would look down from the top, but if someone from the top couldn¡¯t pass the chief¡¯s test, they would look for someone lower down. Moreover, they had to find someone who was stronger, younger, and had more potential than those above.¡± ¡°Those from above who wanted to challenge would have to suppress their cultivation and the conditions would be stricter, but the advantages were also clear,¡± Liu Xingchen said helplessly. ¡°Anyway, the rules for the chief are quite complicated. For example, now, if you¡¯re not at the late stage of Nascent Soul, you don¡¯t have the right to challenge. At the very least, the chief is one realm weaker than the tenth. If Man Long was previously at Spirit Refining, then Bai Ye wouldn¡¯t even have the qualifications to challenge.¡± Jiang Hao nodded, understanding. In other words, Senior Brother Dongfang was not only different from them, but the Tianyin Sect had also killed his Dao companion. This was indeed dangerous. Normally, fellow sect members wouldn¡¯t pose any danger, as there were no grudges. But Dongfang Ji might inherently bear hatred. If encountered, the other party might kill on a whim. At the early stage of Spirit Refining, let alone the cultivation he showed, his actual cultivation was not a match for the opponent. Indeed, the Corpse Realm was too dangerous; it was better to keep a respectful distance from these people. However, there were rarely others in the Foundation Establishment area, so there shouldn¡¯t be any danger. He just needed to avoid wandering around. ¡°Junior Brother is entering the Corpse Realm, and I have to go out on a mission too, not knowing how much time it will take,¡± Liu Xingchen said helplessly. ¡°What mission requires Senior Brother to spend so much time?¡± Jiang Hao asked curiously. ¡°Investigating people from overseas; it might lead to war again. It¡¯s said that many people from overseas have arrived, so we need to investigate thoroughly,¡± Liu Xingchen explained. Overseas? Jiang Hao thought it must be about people coming for the Heavenly Extreme Calamity Bead. Dealing with it was indeed a good thing, especially since the item was in his hands. After a few more words, Liu Xingchen bid farewell and left. Jiang Hao took care of the spiritual herbs and then went to the Lawless Tower to listen to more about the situation in the Corpse Realm. The Corpse God Sect had given him some information, but it was just a rough map with no details. Of course, Zhuang Yuzhen might not tell the truth, so he had to be cautious. Just as he arrived at the Lawless Tower today, Hai Luo called him over. ¡°Senior, is there something you need?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°It¡¯s about that place you mentioned last time...¡± Hai Luo spoke in a low voice. ¡°Senior, rest assured, I just made it up on the spot,¡± Jiang Hao said. ¡°A joke, you think I don¡¯t know you made it up? Do you think you threatened me? I was just playing with you,¡± Hai Luo said coldly, then handed over a piece of paper. ¡°I have a list here, take it, just take it.¡± Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± ¡°This bastard, to avoid lowering his cultivation, immediately sold out his accomplices,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen said disdainfully. ¡°Try to be arrogant with me again? Old coot, are you my match? With your early Nascent Soul stage, how can you fight against my late Nascent Soul stage?¡± Hai Luo taunted. Jiang Hao glanced at Hai Luo and realized that the effect of the Lawless Tower indeed greatly slowed down the process. So he sold out his people? No wonder Liu Xingchen had to go out to investigate. Chapter 287 - Going Mining Chapter 287: Going Mining Picking up the list, Jiang Hao opened it and saw eight names written on it. The first six names were grouped together, while the last two were separated. What did this mean? ¡°Appraisal.¡± ¡¾The paper Hai Luo gave you: It lists eight names. The first six were told to the Tianyin Sect, and the last two were specifically used to bribe you.¡¿ So that was it. After memorizing it, he casually threw it back. ¡°I don¡¯t want it.¡± Hai Luo looked bewildered. But after thinking for a moment, he ate the paper and remained silent. Afterward, Jiang Hao sat down in front of Zhuang Yuzhen. ¡°I need to trouble my senior again,¡± Jiang Hao said indifferently. ¡°Did they mention when the Corpse Realm Flower will bloom?¡± Zhuang Yuzhen asked. ¡°It will be soon,¡± Jiang Hao replied without giving specifics. Zhuang Yuzhen didn¡¯t mind the lack of details and began to describe the situation: ¡°The area you¡¯re entering is the Foundation Establishment zone, which is essentially a forest. This forest is known as the Blood Tide Forest. The most important thing to be aware of inside are some of the trees...¡± Until two days before the Corpse Realm Flower was due to open, Jiang Hao hadn¡¯t heard about Tianbei Mountain. He wasn¡¯t sure if the mountain was just too unique or if there was some other reason. However, he discovered that there were spiritual medicines and ores inside. If possible, he wanted to find a mine to dig in peace. But there were also many dangers. Some areas were dangerous at night, others terrifying during the day. The people from the Corpse God Sect provided very little information. Much had to be figured out on one¡¯s own. After Zhuang Yuzhen had explained most of it, he finally spoke softly: ¡°Then there¡¯s a special peak called Tianbei Mountain. Many people¡¯s goal is Tianbei Mountain. The Corpse Realm is vast and boundless; no one knows what lies at its deepest reaches or if there are beings similar to us.¡± ¡°If there are, then Tianbei Mountain is most likely to take us there and also most likely to bring them here. It¡¯s a mountain that moves. Every time it appears, one must be vigilant to prevent others from being on it. It appears in various regions, staying for about a month at a time.¡± ¡°Within the year that the Corpse Realm Flower is open, Tianbei Mountain will appear at least six times. Each time in a different region, but it rarely appears in the Foundation Establishment zone.¡± ¡°From past observations, the weaker the area, the less likely Tianbei Mountain will approach. It appears near those with high cultivation, strong talents, special physiques, or special abilities. The denser the concentration of such people, the more likely Tianbei Mountain is to appear.¡± ¡°You, having advanced to the late Foundation Establishment stage through opportunity, even with some uniqueness, won¡¯t have any impact. So, there¡¯s no need to worry too much.¡± ¡°...¡± Jiang Hao was somewhat speechless. His talent wasn¡¯t great, but his cultivation was too high for his age. What if Tianbei Mountain made a mistake and appeared in the Foundation Establishment zone? That would attract many people and could bring danger to him. However, being alone, it probably wouldn¡¯t matter much, and Tianbei Mountain might not even notice. ¡°Are all those entering young disciples?¡± Jiang Hao asked. ¡°Mostly, yes. Only the young have enough potential. There¡¯s not much benefit for the old folks to go in, but there are also strong individuals who enter. There was an incident where a powerful individual nearing the end of his life went mad and began slaughtering the younger generation as soon as he entered. In the end, he was suppressed and killed by Tianbei Mountain. It seems Tianbei Mountain does not allow such things to happen. But since it lacks consciousness, whether it¡¯s coincidence or something else, no one knows,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen said. Jiang Hao nodded, which meant that going on a killing spree inside was not permitted. ¡°What¡¯s on Tianbei Mountain?¡± Jiang Hao asked. This was something he had been wanting to ask. Zhuang Yuzhen spoke softly, ¡°There are steles, one hundred and eight of them. Thirty-six are of the Heavenly Gang, and seventy-two are of the Earthly Fiends. The Heavenly Gang are difficult to approach, the Earthly Fiends difficult to interpret. If one can approach or interpret them, what they gain is uncertain.¡± ¡°Cultivation techniques, spells, divine abilities, omens, residual souls, biographies, ancient maps, and so on. Almost anything you can think of can be seen, and what each person sees can be different.¡± Different? Jiang Hao was somewhat astonished. If what each person saw was different, what use was there in seeing the content of the sixth stele from the bottom up? ¡°There¡¯s also a theory that the contents of the steles are a whole, just divided into countless parts for people to see. So, what each person sees is different. Once someone collects them all, they can obtain the most complete thing. What exactly that is, remains unknown. At least the Corpse God Sect, which holds most of the secrets, doesn¡¯t know,¡± Zhuang Yuzhen said. Jiang Hao nodded, feeling that Zhuang Yuzhen¡¯s last statement might be false. If someone wanted the sixth stele, then that person might have almost completed the collection. They might even be missing just the last piece. If it really was the Corpse God Sect, Jiang Hao felt that even if he saw it, he couldn¡¯t hand it over. That would be strengthening the Corpse God Sect, which wouldn¡¯t be a good thing for him. After discussing a bit more, Jiang Hao left the Lawless Tower. ....... The next day. He drew some more talismans, still breath-concealing ones. He gave two to the rabbit as well. Just in case the rabbit took Xiao Li on an adventure, having enough talismans would be safer. His preparations for entering the Corpse Realm were now complete. Healing pills, talismans, tea leaves, and so on. The healing pills were for emergencies, and the tea leaves were just in case. With these preparations done, the only issue was what would happen after he left. First, he instructed the rabbit on the secret code. After giving a few instructions, he found Chu Chuan to confirm his strength. His progress was fast, but he had many injuries, especially on his face. Xiao Li hit him. ....... Lin Zhi was as stable as ever. Jiang Hao took some time to explain the Star Moon Qi Refinement Technique to him, reassuring him to cultivate in peace. There was no need to think too much about other things. Hard work would pay off one day. ...... Later, Jiang Hao found Cheng Chou. ¡°Do you have any problems with your cultivation, Junior Brother?¡± Knowing that Jiang Hao would be leaving for a while, Cheng Chou immediately voiced his concerns. His talent was not enough, and his comprehension was lacking. Jiang Hao didn¡¯t mind and explained patiently. ¡°As long as you have a solid foundation and cultivate diligently, reaching the Golden Core is hopeful.¡± Cheng Chou was overjoyed; he had always been working hard. Foundation Establishment had been difficult before, but now the Golden Core seemed within reach, which was almost unbelievable. But soon, he felt something odd; sometimes he would forget that Senior Brother was in the late stage of Foundation Establishment. Thinking about it, a twenty-three or twenty-four-year-old at the late stage of Foundation Establishment was naturally extraordinary. ¡°You should take the outer sect seriously, Ning Xuan Senior Sister mentioned it,¡± Jiang Hao reminded. Once he left, the affairs of the outer sect Spiritual Medicine Garden would fall almost entirely on Cheng Chou. ¡°If you have any issues, you can ask Senior Sister Miao and Junior Brother Han for advice. Just say I sent you; they will help out a bit,¡± Jiang Hao instructed. ....... S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The next day. The day they entered the Corpse Realm. Jiang Hao followed Senior Brother Mu Qi to the location of the Corpse Realm Flower. He thought he would see everyone and check who had hidden their cultivation level. If he found someone, that person was very likely Gui. But after arriving, he discovered there were only two people. Each sect entered the Corpse Realm from their own Corpse Realm Flower location. And each flower was for four people. Their group included Gu Cheng, Qing You, along with him and Mu Qi. After the four met, Gu Cheng said, ¡°The flower is about to bloom; I will open the path ahead. Just follow the formation when the time comes. You decide which area you want to go to.¡± Jiang Hao and Mu Qi both nodded and thanked him. Then a fragrant scent appeared, the Corpse Realm Flower bloomed, and at the same time, a void gateway opened. ¡°Be careful,¡± Gu Cheng said as he entered first. Jiang Hao was the last one to step in. ....... Hundred Bones Forest. Bai Ye sat up, coughed lightly twice, and said, ¡°Junior Sister, should we go to Duanqing Cliff now?¡± ¡°But...¡± Fairy Lian Qin said with downcast eyes: ¡°But even if Senior Brother goes, he won¡¯t see that person; he¡¯s entering the Corpse Realm today.¡± ¡°Is it today?¡± Bai Ye was not surprised and said in a calm tone. ¡°Let¡¯s go, I¡¯ll make a trip.¡± At this point, Lian Qin Fairy couldn¡¯t refuse. She could only bring the wheelchair and push Bai Ye there. Chapter 288 - Only one can save oneself Chapter 288: Only one can save oneself The sun shone brightly, and a gentle breeze blew. There seemed to be a slight chill in the air. But it didn¡¯t affect anything. At this moment, a woman pushing a wheelchair arrived at Duanqing Cliff. They came out covertly without letting anyone know for safety and convenience. The man sitting in the wheelchair with a pale face was Bai Ye. He held a jade stone in his hand, a treasure used to stabilize his injuries. Without this jade stone, his condition would start to deteriorate. Given his current situation, a complete recovery might take a year. But when the person in the shadows would make a move was unknown to anyone. It could be at any time. ¡°Senior Brother, can you really see anything?¡± Fairy Lian Qin asked doubtfully. At this moment, they arrived at the riverside; following the river upstream would lead to Jiang Hao¡¯s residence. Bai Ye shook his head and said softly: ¡°Let¡¯s take a look first.¡± ¡°Why not wait for him to come back and then take a look?¡± Lian Qin was puzzled. ¡°It¡¯s different. To get a comprehensive view, you need to observe both when the person is here and when they¡¯re not,¡± Bai Ye said calmly. ¡°Sometimes, you can¡¯t see certain things when the person is present.¡± ¡°If it really is related, what will Senior Brother do?¡± Fairy Lian Qin asked with some concern. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Bai Ye shook his head, gazing at the river in a trance before slowly speaking. ¡°Let¡¯s take a look first.¡± ...... After a while, they saw a courtyard in the distance, now covered by a formation. It wasn¡¯t a powerful formation, but one that could shield aura and gather spiritual energy. The formation was clever, but it wasn¡¯t enough to prove anything. They still needed to take a closer look. ¡°Should we go in?¡± Fairy Lian Qin asked, pushing the wheelchair. ¡°No need, just take a look from the doorway,¡± Bai Ye said. Responding with a nod, Fairy Lian Qin pushed the wheelchair with large strides toward the entrance of the courtyard. Once there, she stopped and positioned herself at an angle that would allow Bai Ye to observe the inside. Out of curiosity, she too peered into the courtyard. ¡°I¡¯ve been here before. If you look closely, aside from some spiritual herbs, there¡¯s nothing particularly special...¡± Clang! A crisp sound suddenly emanated from the ground. Fairy Lian Qin looked down to find a jade stone had fallen and struck a rock. This took her by surprise. How could Senior Brother be so careless? However, when she turned to look at her Senior Brother, she was taken aback. The always calm and collected Bai Ye had changed. He was staring intently into the courtyard, his eyes wide with fear replacing his usual tranquility, his body trembling non-stop as if he had seen something terrifying. Fairy Lian Qin followed his gaze, which landed on a young sprout, just an ordinary spiritual herb. ¡°S-Senior Brother?¡± she called out, frightened. At that moment, Bai Ye, sitting in the wheelchair, grabbed his face, his voice trembling. ¡°Why... why didn¡¯t you tell me? Why didn¡¯t anyone tell me about such an important thing?¡± ¡°If someone had informed me, I wouldn¡¯t have ended up on this path of no return...¡± ¡°Senior Brother, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Fairy Lian Qin was confused. What on earth was Senior Brother talking about? ¡°Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower,¡± Bai Ye murmured in horror, his head bowed. ¡°It¡¯s the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, it must be. I¡¯ve seen records of it in some ancient ruins... And he¡¯s actually cultivating such a divine object...¡± Bai Ye turned to Fairy Lian Qin and said, ¡°Do you know what this means in the Tianyin Sect? It means he is a person of Elder Bai or the Sect Leader.¡± Upon hearing this, Fairy Lian Qin felt as if she had been struck by lightning. The Sect Leader... In the Tianyin Sect, as long as one lived long enough, they would know how terrifying the Sect Leader was. Beneath that figure, there would be a field of corpses. Offending the Sect Leader was no different from courting death. ¡°What do we do now?¡± ¡°Save oneself. I need to save myself. I must come up with a way to save myself before the next spirit sealing arrives.¡± Bai Ye never dreamed that one day, because of a trivial matter, he would personally push himself into the vortex of death, especially after being unaware for so many years, leading to a serious situation. At first, the other party only intended to break the formation, not wanting to cause additional trouble. But he kept provoking them, and only then did the other party begin to retaliate. If this continued, he would surely die in the Hundred Bones Forest. No one could save him. He had to save himself. ...... In the south, by the coast, a woman dressed in a gray robe blended into the crowd, trying to leave the place. Upon closer inspection, one would notice that this woman had a delicate appearance and exquisite features, a rare beauty. At this moment, she looked exhausted. ¡°Where in the south can I hide? The Mingyue Sect¡¯s influence is vast, but they will not make a big move this time. It¡¯s unlikely they can affect this area.¡± ¡°Damn, I didn¡¯t expect them to have such strong power overseas.¡± ¡°Where to go in the south? I can¡¯t go to the Immortal Sects; they must be under the influence of the Mingyue Sect.¡± ¡°Tiansheng Sect? They are too mad; I cannot join them. Ghost Shadow Sect? They are too cruel; I would surely be tortured if I entered.¡± After considering several Demon Sects, she still wasn¡¯t satisfied. Out of options, she took out a book and began to flip through it. Too small wouldn¡¯t do, too twisted was also not an option. Finally, she saw a rarely mentioned name. ¡°Tianyin Sect?¡± ¡°I remember this is a second or third-tier small sect, but it has developed rapidly in recent years and can now rival the Fenglei Sect and Xuantian Sect. This sect seems to have no other issues besides its unrestrained behavior. So, I can hide there and take a look.¡± ¡°Moreover, in the Demon Sects, anything goes. With my cultivation level, once I enter, as long as I kill those in the sect who spy on me, I can secure my footing. Even if they know I have secrets, they won¡¯t act against me for the time being.¡± ¡°Tianyin Sect it is.¡± With that thought, the woman put away the book and started heading in the direction of the Tianyin Sect. ¡°We¡¯re about to enter the Human Element Formation. Think carefully about where you want to go. Leaving the area that suits you rashly can lead to danger,¡± Gu Cheng reminded everyone in the passage. Jiang Hao walked at the back, having already decided on his destination¡ªthe Foundation Establishment area. Perhaps the Corpse Realm had countless opportunities, but he needed none of them. As long as he could mine and cultivate spiritual herbs there in peace, he could give up any chance. At this point, he lacked nothing. Inheritance, cultivation techniques, spells, divine abilities, and magical treasures. Whatever it was, he had it. There was no need for adventure then; it was better to find a place to cultivate in peace. Ore veins were a matter of chance; it was great if you found them, but if not, just let nature take its course. In any case, being a Nascent Soul in the Foundation Establishment region would be much safer. In other regions, not to mention Nascent Souls, even those who had reached Spirit Refining were present. And if there happened to be a Return to Void... S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. For a mere Nascent Soul to go there, wouldn¡¯t it be akin to seeking death? At this moment, Jiang Hao felt as if he had entered an endless starry sky with the sun and the moon above, mountains and rivers below, and countless opportunities for fortune in between. ¡°Alright, the Three Elements Formation has appeared. After we enter the Human Element Formation, we will have to split up, and you¡¯ll choose your own place to land,¡± Gu Cheng reminded. ¡°Remember the details of the formation and its variations, to prevent any problems,¡± Qing You added her reminder. After thanking Jiang Hao and Mu Qi, the four of them went their separate ways. Mu Qi and Fairy Qing You were of the same realm, but since there were multiple related regions, they also acted independently. The Foundation Establishment region only had the Blood Tide Forest, so there was no need to choose. After a short while, Jiang Hao disappeared into the Human Element Formation. Chapter 289 - Actually Found an Ore Vein Chapter 289: Actually Found an Ore Vein In an instant, the formation enveloped his entire body, and just as he had chosen a landing spot, he suddenly felt a summon. In the void, Jiang Hao saw countless lines around him. These were extensions of the formation, which seemed simple but contained infinite power. A closer look would reveal countless runes interwoven within them. Not something ordinary people could comprehend. Jiang Hao glanced at it once and then paid no further attention. Instead, he watched the formation¡¯s changes and slowly moved his body. Only in this way could he successfully enter the Blood Tide Forest. At the same time, that summons came again. It seemed to urge him to abandon the Blood Tide Forest and head over there. Jiang Hao turned to look. After some calculations, he figured that place should be the Myriad Stones Forest. It was a Golden Core region. ¡°This is the second time now, what is summoning me?¡± Jiang Hao was puzzled. He could sense that this summons originated from within himself and was not due to any magical treasure. But he chose to ignore it. The Golden Core region was too dangerous; it was better to go to the Foundation Establishment region. Ordinary and simple. Let others fight over opportunities. Everyone who entered this time was after opportunities, and even if the people from Tianhuan Pavilion wanted to avenge Senior Sister Yun Ruo, they wouldn¡¯t easily give up on fortune. Afterward, Jiang Hao settled on the Blood Tide Forest and quickly made his way there. Even as the summons came again midway, he disregarded it. He had not heard anyone mention such a summons before, so he did not understand what it was. Jiang Hao arrived above the Blood Tide Forest, and after making one more choice, he would land completely. It was at this moment that the fourth summons appeared, different from the others. It seemed to open up a stable passage, allowing him to enter smoothly. ¡°To receive such treatment, it seems that place is indeed extraordinary.¡± Since that¡¯s the case, I choose the Blood Tide Forest. At this moment, Jiang Hao unhesitatingly entered the Foundation Establishment region. Unwarranted kindness is either treachery or theft. Even if it wasn¡¯t the case, he had no need to take risks. He would stick to the original plan. If he wanted to walk an invincible path, he could do so after becoming invincible. Whoosh. The sound of the wind whistled by his ears. Jiang Hao felt dizzy for a moment, finally landing steadily on the ground. Before him was an extremely vast forest. There were open spaces and dangers. Naturally, there were also opportunities. After observing his surroundings, Jiang Hao noticed three other people nearby. Two men and one woman. Their clothing styles were very different, but their temperaments were exceptionally good. At a glance, it was clear they were not ordinary disciples of any sect. However, it was impossible to know which sect they belonged to. According to Zhuang Yuzhen, the Corpse Realm Flower was not only possessed by the Corpse God Sect. It was just that most of them were with the Corpse God Sect. Jiang Hao had once asked whether the Corpse God Flowers could suddenly increase in number, but the answer he received was that they would not. Once the flowers matured, they would revert to seeds. They just needed to be planted again when the next opening was imminent. This way, there was no need to worry about the Corpse God Flowers being stolen or destroyed. If something suddenly appears, it must have been passed down from before. ¡°All three are at the peak of Foundation Establishment,¡± Jiang Hao observed the trio in silence. He took a careful look. The woman seemed to be in her late teens, one man was gentle and refined, and the other indifferent and aloof. They each held a spiritual sword in their hands. Most likely, they were all from immortal sects. ¡°Late stage of Foundation Establishment?¡± At this moment, the refined man smiled at Jiang Hao and said: ¡°Let¡¯s join forces, the four of us. You can do the menial tasks for us. What do you all think?¡± sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°I have no objections,¡± the young girl nodded in agreement. ¡°What¡¯s your worth?¡± the indifferent man asked. Jiang Hao looked at the three of them but did not make a move. Because he noticed that the surrounding area was filled with the kind of plants Zhuang Yuzhen had mentioned. Bloodthirsty trees. Any careless movement would provoke an attack, and eventually, one would become nourishment for the trees. Jiang Hao was naturally not afraid, but he could easily reveal a cultivation level beyond Foundation Establishment. He feared causing a commotion. Unless necessary, it was better to keep quiet. ¡°Worth?¡± The refined man asked with an amused smile. ¡°Why don¡¯t you come over and test my worth?¡± No one spoke again. The four of them just stood there. Silent and still. ¡°Come on, make a move.¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± The refined man was the first to introduce himself: ¡°My name is Gu Wen. What about you?¡± ¡°Zhuge Zheng,¡± the indifferent man said. ¡°Murong Qingqing,¡± the girl followed. Jiang Hao did not plan to give his name, as he intended to act alone by evening. ¡°And you, Late stage of Foundation Establishment?¡± Gu Wen asked with a smile. Glancing at him, Jiang Hao finally spoke: ¡°Jiang Hao.¡± There was no need to use a fake name, as he didn¡¯t need to exert much cultivation to kill these three. ¡°Then you can do the menial tasks for us afterward. The Blood Tide Forest has many spiritual herbs. These herbs need care after being transplanted, and you¡¯ll be responsible for that. We¡¯ll ensure your safety during this time,¡± Gu Wen declared, not giving anyone a chance to refuse. Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Just to look after the spiritual herbs? Searching alone would indeed be slower than with three people. After hesitating, he asked: ¡°Are there any mines nearby? I can also mine.¡± The three were taken aback. This was the first time they had encountered someone like this. ¡°Are you from a small place?¡± Murong Qingqing asked. ¡°It doesn¡¯t seem likely. Someone from Foundation Establishment entering the Blood Tide Forest and knowing to stay put doesn¡¯t seem like they¡¯d be from a small place,¡± Gu Wen commented. ¡°The quota for entry is limited; they wouldn¡¯t let a coward in,¡± Zhuge Zheng said with a cold gaze at Jiang Hao. Jiang Hao: ¡°...¡± Why were these people so wary? But he didn¡¯t care, as he was telling the truth. He did want to mine. ¡°Speaking of mines, I do know of a place, but it doesn¡¯t produce anything good. A Senior Brother of mine mined there for half a year and only found some useless stuff. At most, some rarer ores,¡± Gu Wen said. ¡°Is that place safe? Is it suitable for planting spiritual herbs?¡± Murong Qingqing asked. ¡°Compared to other places, it¡¯s alright,¡± Gu Wen nodded. ¡°Then let¡¯s go there,¡± Zhuge Zheng looked at Jiang Hao. ¡°He wants to mine, right? Let him mine.¡± Jiang Hao remained calm towards these people. Regardless, the current situation was more advantageous than disadvantageous for him. For now, he would let them lead the way. ...... Evening. ¡°Let¡¯s go, I¡¯ll take you to see the spiritual mine,¡± Gu Wen began to lead the way. As night fell, the bloodthirsty trees would fall asleep. They would wake up again the next day. However, these trees were not common. Not long after they set out, the surrounding trees were already ordinary Blood Tide Trees. Jiang Hao walked at the back, the three in front seemingly unconcerned about him attacking or running away. But in reality, he could feel that all three were on guard. If anyone made a move, they would be able to counterattack swiftly. These people had good talent and strong vigilance. They were much stronger than the Bingyue Valley¡¯s Ye Shan and the others he had encountered before. ¡®Are they all disciples of major sects?¡¯ Jiang Hao had some guesses. Normally, once the Corpse Realm Flower is discovered, it would certainly be snatched away by some major sects. The reason why Tianyin Sect still had it was that Tianyin Sect itself was a first-class sect. If the item was seized from a major sect, ordinary sects had no way to compete. There are major sects in the south, but they might not yet know of this news. Of course, the probability of them snatching it should also not be high. There¡¯s a decent chance they might choose to cooperate. Their journey took a whole day, mainly to determine the direction. During this time, they encountered some people, but everyone kept to themselves. Everyone was here for opportunities, and before seeing any, no one wanted to make a move. Along the way, they also found some spiritual herbs, which were divided among the three of them. Jiang Hao got nothing. ¡°We¡¯re here.¡± Standing in front of a pitch-black cave, Gu Wen pointed to the entrance and said to Jiang Hao: ¡°The mine is here. If you want to dig, go ahead; we¡¯re not interested. But of course, we¡¯ll have a share of the harvest. Naturally, you¡¯ll also have a share of the spiritual herbs. Do a good job as a helper, and we won¡¯t shortchange you.¡± Jiang Hao looked at the cave with furrowed brows. He felt danger from this mine.