Though Jiang Hao couldn't appraise anything this time, he was relieved not to have been discovered. I hope the readers will remember our domain name here for future reference. Using this divine ability, there's less need to worry.
Jiang Hao felt his heart finally settle. However, he didn't know why his appraisal came up empty. Was the opponent's cultivation too high, or was it something else? He could only try again in the future.
"You seem very keen on hiding your cultivation," Hong Yuye said, glancing at Jiang Hao with calm eyes.
"Junior just wishes to avoid drawing too much attention. The flowers in the courtyard are unusual and could bring trouble," Jiang Hao replied, not exactly lying.
His cultivation had been rising too fast, especially after acquiring the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, and it would continue to increase. If he didn't hide his cultivation, countless people would target him soon enough. Forget about defeating them; even a late-stage Foundation Establishment or consummate Foundation Establishment cultivator might be hard for him to escape from.
"Then take this." Hong Yuye casually placed a book on the table. "If the flowers aren't well taken care of, you know the consequences."
"I understand, Senior," Jiang Hao quickly answered, nodding.
He cast a glance at the book on the table. There was no title on it, indicating it was not a typical cultivation manual.
As Hong Yuye slowly stood up and walked out, she turned at the door, giving Jiang Hao a cold glance that sent a shiver down his spine.
"Is there anything else Senior wishes to tell me?" Jiang Hao asked, bowing his head to avoid her terrifying gaze, a force that filled him with dread.
"About what you know of me..." Hong Yuye began.
"Junior will never speak a word of Senior's matters to anyone, even at the cost of my life," Jiang Hao immediately promised.
"You'd best remember that," Hong Yuye said, giving him another look before stepping away.
"I will check on the growth of the flower regularly. If anything goes wrong, you'll face my wrath," her icy voice lingered in Jiang Hao's ears.
After waiting a while, he confirmed she had completely gone and let out a heavy sigh of relief. Her gaze had terrified him so much that cold sweat covered his body. And yet, seeing her caused his heart to stir, leaving him with a sense of restlessness that only quieted once she left.
He was uneasy.
"What did she leave behind?"
Jiang Hao moved to the table, picking up the nameless book and flipping it open. It contained no preface, diving straight into detailed explanations on spiritual energy, the spirit, the body, and breath regulation.
The handwriting seemed casual yet elegant. He didn't pay much attention to that; instead, he began to read carefully.
Soon he discovered that it detailed ways of controlling one's breath, extending one's spirit, and mastering strength. Mastering it would allow him to perfectly conceal his cultivation level.
It also explained how to understand others' cultivation levels through breath regulation and spiritual extension.
Not just that, but having these skills would make cultivation progress much quicker.
"This book is practically a top-tier cultivation manual, a real treasure. It seems this woman is determined to obtain the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower," Jiang Hao realized. White Elder Bai Zhi had entrusted the flower to him, and initially, he thought about having Elder Bai Zhi take it back. But now, that thought was out of the question.
As for that woman's desire for the flower, he couldn't refuse; he could only hope the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower would mature later and that Elder Bai Zhi would not reclaim it.
The talk about traitors had yet to yield any action; it was still uncertain.
After roughly absorbing the contents of the book, Jiang Hao examined a formation diagram he'd acquired.
Setting up the formation was quite straightforward, though it initially required several hundred spirit stones. Fortunately, he wasn't short on spirit stones right now, sparing him from worrying about a future compensation.
He had a month to earn a bit more.
Having set up the formation, it was close to noon. Jiang Hao hurried over to the Spirit Herb Garden.
As usual, there weren't many people at the Spirit Herb Garden. Most came to procure some spirit herbs, especially the emotion-severing grass.
During this time, even the inner disciples from Broken Hearts Cliff knew about his skirmish with Heavenly Joy Pavilion and often avoided him, fearing he would ask them for money.
Of course, it wasn't just about borrowing money, as no one would lend it anyway. They worried that associating with him might lead Heavenly Joy Pavilion's people to misunderstand them as allies.
This made Jiang Hao realize that Broken Hearts Cliff did not command the same respect as Heavenly Joy Pavilion.
It also meant that only those with ulterior motives approached him, albeit always with valid reasons.
"The big fish has taken the bait. I hope Elder Bai Zhi won't ask too soon, or else..."
Telling the truth wasn't an option; the woman's strength seemed far beyond Elder Bai Zhi's. Or perhaps Elder Bai Zhi had just not revealed her true aura yet.
With his current strength, there was no way he could handle either of the powerful entities.
Clearing his thoughts, Jiang Hao began assisting with managing the Spirit Herb Garden.
That day, the bubbles he absorbed had already merged into his body.
[Spirit +1]
[Strength +1]
[Endurance +1]
[Dagger +1]
There was no improvement in cultivation or Vital Qi. But Jiang Hao didn't mind; after reading that book, he felt more attuned to his strength and spirit.
He could notice the subtle enhancements from the bubbles, and it felt quite good.
In the following days, Jiang Hao didn't rush to sell talismans but focused on studying the book. Fully understanding it would allow him more freedom of movement, lest a capable expert sense his cultivation during an inspection.
During his study sessions, Jiang Hao activated the Clear and Tranquil Heart, speeding up his progress.