Half a month had passed since Jiang Hao obtained the nameless secret manual. By now, he had mostly grasped the method of concealing himself. No matter how one looked at him, he appeared to be a typical cultivator at the early Foundation Establishment stage.

As he planned to continue improving, as long as no one could see through his Primordial Chaos Purple Qi, no one would know how much of his true cultivation he was hiding.

In his room, Jiang Hao let out a breath.

He then opened his status panel to check his current condition.

Name: Jiang Hao

Age: 19

Cultivation Level: Mid Foundation Establishment

Techniques: Hundred Revolutions of Heavenly Sound, Primordial Chaos Heart Scripture

Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Substitution (Unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear and Tranquil Heart

Vital Qi: 35/100 (Can cultivate)

Cultivation Level Progress: 38/100 (Can cultivate)

Divine Ability: 0/3 (Cannot obtain)

"It doesn't show the techniques, so they must just be special skills."

"Advancing from the early to mid Foundation Establishment consumed about the same amount of techniques and vital qi. I'm not sure if it could be done all at once next time."

Jiang Hao could only try experimenting with that next time.

In two or three months, he could attempt it again. If all went smoothly, he might break through to the late Foundation Establishment.

"The debt payment is also coming due, need to earn more spirit stones."

Now that he completely hid his cultivation, there was nothing to worry about.

But he was curious whether he could deceive that woman.

He planned to test it out after advancing.

For the time being, he was a bit eager for her to visit.

Of course, she was extremely powerful and had an unpredictable nature, so he had to be careful.

It was best not to meet her if he could avoid it.

He went to the Spirit Herb Garden and noticed a few more bubbles.

Strength +1

Spirit +1

Cultivation Level +1

After collecting bubbles for so many years, he had never encountered an Intelligence +1 bubble.

A pity, as that might have helped him strengthen quickly and improve his current situation.

Luckily, the increase in spirit and strength, though slight, was noticeable.

Given a hundred years, his spirit might surpass even those in the Golden Core stage.

That's under the assumption of not advancing further.

Around noon, he left the Spirit Herb Garden and headed for the sect's market.

There weren't many people there, which was usual, and didn't seem strange.

During his walk, he spotted Qi Yang and intended to greet him, but his senior brother noticed and promptly led Qi Yang away.

Watching them leave, Jiang Hao chose not to pursue.

Qi Yang had glanced at him, his head hung low, looking a bit ashamed.

In a flash, Jiang Hao understood—he was being foolish. The people from Heavenly Joy Pavilion had set their sights on him. Approaching would only invite trouble for Qi Yang.

He understood Qi Yang's senior brother’s actions.

Shaking off these thoughts, Jiang Hao set up a stall to sell some talismans.

Mostly the three types: Fire Talismans, Spirit-Strengthening Talismans, and Divine Sword Talismans.

He occasionally managed to make a Thousand Swords Talisman, but its cost was too high; stability was safer for now.

He still needed about a hundred and fifty more spirit stones.

Each talisman fetched five spirit stones, so he needed to sell thirty.

So far, he had over fifty talismans but only displayed a dozen or so.

If there were too many, their value would drop.

"After I make the payment, I’ll start producing Thousand Swords Talismans. They're powerful and sell well.

Without a thousand spirit stones pressing down, I won’t need to worry about costs so much," Jiang Hao thought to himself.

An hour later, Senior Sister Leng Tian approached him, smiling as she said, "Junior brother, here you are again. I've been holding off buying any talismans elsewhere just to wait for you."

"Senior Sister, are you still looking for Fire Talismans?" Jiang Hao asked warmly.

He remembered this senior sister; she'd bought dozens of Fire Talismans, making him a decent profit.

Leng Tian shook her head, "Not anymore. Do you have any Thousand Swords Talismans?"

This senior sister favored powerful talismans, Jiang Hao regrettably replied, "No, they’re a bit difficult."

"Then I'll take the Divine Sword Talismans. How many do you have? I’ll take them all," Leng Tian said without hesitation.

"Five of them, twenty-five spirit stones in total. For you, Senior Sister, I'll say twenty-two," Jiang Hao offered, passing her five talismans.

"You drive a hard bargain, but your talismans are quality and you’re nice. Here are twenty-two spirit stones," Leng Tian praised, her gaze slightly menacing, making her smile a touch intimidating.

Having received her talismans, Leng Tian lowered her voice and asked, "I heard you’ve caught the attention of the Heavenly Joy Pavilion?"

Before Jiang Hao could respond, she continued, "You should be cautious. The Heavenly Joy Pavilion people have heavy desires and are capable of anything.

Stay within the sect if you can; it's safer. I’d hate to lose my source of excellent talismans."

Jiang Hao nodded and thanked her, then gifted her a few unsold Speed Talismans, Fire Talismans, and others.

She didn't linger, leaving promptly.

Not long after, another customer approached Jiang Hao's stall, a slightly pale-faced man.

Mid Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"Jiang Hao, Brother Jiang? I've been hearing some Senior Brothers and Sisters mention your name. Are you the one who killed Sister Yun Ruo?" Miao Qian sneered coldly.

Hearing this, Jiang Hao felt uneasy; it was someone from the Heavenly Joy Pavilion.

‘Is this a coincidence, or are they intentionally causing trouble?’

After hesitating, Jiang Hao greeted respectfully, "What would this Senior Brother like to discuss?"

"Nothing much, just here to buy some stuff. How much for these talismans?" Miao Qian asked, picking up a Spirit-Strengthening Talisman.

"Spirit-Strengthening Talismans are five spirit stones each, Fire Talismans three," Jiang Hao replied.

Miao Qian, unfazed by the prices, smirked, "I'll take them all. How many are there?"

Take them all? Jiang Hao realized this wouldn’t be a smooth day.