Upon hearing these words, Jiang Hao became silent. At this point, I hope the readers can remember our domain.
Senior Sister Yun Ruo had such an effect; if he had known earlier, he might have hesitated to kill her. But hesitation was all it would have been. Let her go, and it would be him who ended up dead.
So though he felt emotional, he had no regrets.
"You might not believe it," Liu Xingchen continued after giving Jiang Hao a moment to think.
"Asking you for a thousand spirit stones is not targeting you. On the contrary, it's to help you to keep the one at Heavenly Joy Pavilion from acting against you.
As long as the compensation is normal, he won't be able to touch you for now. Be cautious, and as soon as you show your worth, Broken Hearts Cliff will likely protect you.
Besides your suspicion, another reason for not letting you out is that some from Yun Ruo's sect were enamored with her, people with not so low status. It's said that if not for her special role, she would have been taken back by that person.
Now that she's dead, you've been watched by people from the Falling Sunset Sect. In truth, Junior Brother, you're in a precarious situation."
Jiang Hao was speechless. He contributed to the sect but received no reward. Instead, he had to provide compensation, all while being told it was for his good. And he found he couldn't argue against it.
The Demonic Sect culture was such that if a Pavilion Master really wanted to target a disciple, it wouldn't be difficult.
"Thank you, Senior Brother, for informing me," Jiang Hao said gratefully.
"Be careful, Junior Brother. If you hear any news about other traitors, do inform me." Liu Xingchen waved his hand and left.
With nobody else around, Jiang Hao glanced at the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. He understood that this Senior Brother had come with a purpose.
Otherwise, why would he explain things so kindly and redirect his resentment toward the Law Enforcement Hall into gratitude?
"Did he fail to recognize me, or is he waiting for an opportunity?" Jiang Hao pondered in confusion.
Afterward, he resumed collecting bubbles and selling talismans.
It was only from that day forward that the Spirit Herb Garden at Broken Hearts Cliff seemed to have a few unfamiliar faces popping in—deacon elders as well as other inner disciples.
At first, Jiang Hao paid it no mind. But when a Senior Sister kept questioning him about spirit herbs, he realized this was not someone with good intentions.
Sure enough, a week later, she came to his place, claiming to have obtained some remarkable spirit herbs, and wanted his opinion on them.
"Do you have visitors, Junior Brother? If you do, I can leave," Fairy Mingyi poked her head into the courtyard.
"I don’t, but you think too highly of me, Senior Sister. I’m not very knowledgeable about spirit herbs," Jiang Hao admitted honestly.
Lately, he had focused on making talismans, hardly improving his knowledge of spirit herbs.
Fortunately, his talisman crafting was progressing steadily, reaching a success rate of ninety percent. He could now attempt more challenging talismans.
Over a week, he had earned 150 spirit stones, putting him at 450 in total. He was halfway to his compensation with just over two months to go.
This Senior Sister before him hailed from Misty Cloud Peak and had recently concluded a long seclusion, knowing only a few people, which is why she approached him.
Despite her words, Jiang Hao didn’t believe it. He promptly utilized his divine ability.
In the blink of an eye, he received feedback:
[Ming Yi: Candidate Saintess of the Heavenly Saint Sect, early stage of Gold Core cultivation, an undercover at Misty Cloud Peak of the Heavenly Sound Sect, seeking the cause of their rise. As instructed, she investigates your courtyard, appearing amiable but hiding ruthlessness.]
Seeing her cultivation, Jiang Hao could only bow his head in silence.
These undercover agents seemed to be Gold Core experts one after another, always a True Disciple or a Saintess.
What's more surprising, though, was that the cause of Heavenly Sound Sect's rise lay in his courtyard. Could it be the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower?
This was supposed to be something of the acting sect master, yet it was linked to the sect's rise?
Jiang Hao was utterly puzzled, considering consulting the sect’s records.
However, for such a significant item to be left for him to tend—they clearly were baiting a trap. His situation seemed dangerous.
Fairy Mingyi didn’t linger. She casually looked around before handing Jiang Hao one of the spirit herbs for appraisal.
Indeed, it was an impressive spirit herb, yet Jiang Hao did not recognize it.
Unbothered, she thanked him and politely took her leave.
Sighing, Jiang Hao returned to his routine of collecting bubbles and crafting talismans.
A little over a month later...
In his room, Jiang Hao counted his spirit stones with joy.
"Nine hundred and twenty-six, so close. Within a few days, I'll have the thousand spirit stones."
For over a month, he had focused on talisman crafting to earn money.
He wished to craft more advanced talismans, but the low success rate limited those attempts to infrequent occasions.
Still, accumulating spirit stones wouldn’t hurt, especially given the abundance of undercover agents. Even if he had to pay each time he dealt with one, it was worth the security.
Setting aside these worries, Jiang Hao opened his status panel to check.
[Name: Jiang Hao]
[Age: Nineteen]
[Cultivation: Early Foundation Establishment]
[Martial Arts: Hundred Revolutions of Heavenly Sound, Primordial Chaos Heart Scripture]
[Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Substitution (Unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear and Pure Heart State]
[Vital Qi: 100/100 (Can be Cultivated)]
[Cultivation: 100/100 (Can be Cultivated)]
[Divine Abilities: 0/3 (Cannot be Gained)]
The Purple Gold Legend was gone, but he gained the Primordial Chaos Heart Scripture.
Most notably, both his Vital Qi and cultivation were full, entirely thanks to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, and the spirit herbs had matured, yielding plenty of bubbles.
This awaited day had long been anticipated. With the Primordial Chaos Purple Qi masking his cultivation, he no longer feared progressing too quickly.
Without hesitation, Jiang Hao began extracting vital qi and cultivation, simultaneously activating the Primordial Chaos Heart Scripture.
Theoretically, he should be able to break through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.
Vital qi surged, and spiritual energy coursed through him.
Purple Qi flowed within, absorbing and refining spiritual energy and vital qi.
The Purple Qi expanded, then moved towards his dantian.
Jiang Hao’s cultivation advanced visibly.
Bang!
The barrier between early and mid-Foundation Establishment shattered under the force of Purple Qi, successfully propelling him to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.
"It worked," Jiang Hao muttered, the surge of strength reassuring him.
After calming himself, he thought of watering the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower.
But as he stepped into the courtyard, his eyes narrowed.
There stood a woman, cloaked in red, her profile lit by the sun, exceptionally beautiful.
"It’s her."