White Moon Lake.
Situated in a higher part of the Heavenly Sound Sect, the spiritual energy here is dense, much denser than in other areas.
Entering this place as a disciple means one's cultivation speed can be faster than in other main branches.
Geniuses gather here, and it rarely accepts new students.
Broken Hearts Cliff is not the same; located lower with a slightly lower threshold, although there are many people, hardly any famous ones come from there.
"Whew, here we are."
After purchasing the talisman-making tools, Jiang Hao arrived here, feeling quite emotional.
If it weren't for the trouble with Heavenly Joy Pavilion, he thought Broken Hearts Cliff wasn’t that bad either.
Shaking his head, he found the overseeing personnel and explained why he was here.
"Checking on the Pure Yang Flower?" The supervising fairy looked at Jiang Hao, scrutinizing him closely, and asked:
"Do you have experience in this area?"
"I'm an inner disciple of Broken Hearts Cliff, Jiang Hao. I've been working in the Spirit Herb Garden there for several years." Jiang Hao replied honestly.
"Then follow me." The overseeing fairy led the way.
"I should remind you, the Pure Yang Flower is about to bloom, which is why we need someone to look after it. This isn't an easy task; failing will result in punishment." The fairy with a simple bun kindly warned.
"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Sister. I understand." Jiang Hao looked at her with gratitude.
Her eyes were clear, not exceedingly beautiful, but comfortable to look at.
At least she seemed more natural compared to Senior Sister Yun Ruo.
She didn't seem cold nor overly friendly, perhaps a bit naive.
Indeed, not everyone in the Demonic Sect appeared fierce and evil at first glance.
As for her true character, Jiang Hao couldn't fathom it—faces are easy to see, but hearts are hard to know.
"My surname is Zhou, and my name is Zhou Chan. Since you've taken this task, you'll need to come by every day for the next few days. Just find me, and I'll let you in." Zhou Chan led Jiang Hao into a courtyard.
Under Senior Sister Zhou’s guidance, Jiang Hao met the caretaker of the courtyard.
Elder Qianxu, a middle-aged beautiful woman, wearing a floor-length green fairy dress with a light blue sash around her waist, and a light veil covering her shoulders.
There was no excess expression on her face; she seemed extremely cold and was the steward elder of White Moon Lake.
Like she was owed money, Jiang Hao mumbled in his heart.
Such words were not to be said aloud.
A moment passed.
Jiang Hao saw a large white spirit herb covering a significant area, with what seemed like white frost around it.
At the edge of the frost, there was a crimson gourd, emitting a warm aura.
"The gourd contains magma. Your task is to pour some of it on the white frost edge every half hour after noon, six times a day," Elder Qianxu instructed, looking at Jiang Hao:
"Today's getting late, begin your duties tomorrow."
"Understood." Jiang Hao responded respectfully, then stepped back and left.
...
Returning to his residence, he checked his status panel.
[Name: Jiang Hao]
[Age: Nineteen]
[Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Early Stage]
[Techniques: Hundred Revolutions of Heavenly Sound]
[Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Substitution (Unique), Daily Appraisal]
[Vital Qi: 16/100 (Cultivatable)]
[Cultivation Power: 20/100 (Cultivatable)]
[Divine Ability: 2/3 (Cannot Acquire)]
"Although it's low, the progress is fast."
"Maybe it won’t be long before I advance to the Foundation Establishment mid-stage. It's just that being burdened by a thousand spirit stones is quite troublesome. I'll see if I can earn some from talisman-making."
Talisman-making, alchemy, crafting.
Talisman-making has the lowest entry but is also the cheapest unless one can make mid-level or high-level talismans.
Otherwise, a thousand spirit stones can’t be earned even with nonstop drawing.
Alchemy is the fastest way to earn spirit stones.
But it has high entry barriers, large investments, and is time-consuming.
In his room.
Jiang Hao took out the talisman-making guide he bought and began reading.
It detailed twelve types of talismans.
The simplest being the Speed Talisman, which can increase speed.
There are also the Purity Talisman and Fire Talisman.
These three are needed during the Qi Refining stage.
Once reaching Foundation Establishment, one can fly with a sword, stabilize the mind, and wield spells with ease.
So normally, these low-level talismans aren't needed.
However, these three talismans are best for practice; as for their price...
Being able to sell three for one spirit stone is already a blessing.
Need to sell six to make it viable.
Relying on this can't earn big; need to aim higher.
After reviewing the Speed Talisman's creation method, Jiang Hao sat cross-legged, calming himself. After some time, he reached his optimal state.
He picked up the talisman brush, dipped it in vermilion ink, and began crafting the talisman.
Every stroke was even and strong, smoothly flowing, and spiritual energy manifested on the talisman paper.
After some time, the final stroke slowly settled.
A subtle light flashed over the talisman before it returned to normal.
"Did it succeed?"
"So easy?"
Thinking further, a Foundation Establishment cultivator making Qi Refining talismans should succeed without much trouble.
Throughout the night, Jiang Hao practiced Speed Talismans, Purity Talismans, and Fire Talismans.
He only stopped when all materials were used up.
"A total of thirty-one talismans, subtracting costs, I can profit three spirit stones.
Three a night, ninety a month, only two hundred seventy in three months. With day work, it's five hundred forty."
Jiang Hao calculated closely, finding there was hope to gather one thousand spirit stones.
As long as Heavenly Joy Pavilion doesn't act within three months, he should be able to hand over the spirit stones within the deadline.
But...
After trying to sell them, he realized his thinking was too naive.
These talismans indeed sold six for one spirit stone.
But there was no market demand.
After placing them for a long time, he got only one spirit stone, which wasn’t even enough to cover costs.
Sighing, Jiang Hao could only purchase more materials and try practicing talismans needed for the Foundation Establishment stage that night.
Afterward, he once again headed to White Moon Lake. Starting today, he would need to care for the Pure Yang Flower.