[Snow Lotus Seed: Once mature, it's a top-tier healing spirit herb. It's difficult to plant due to existing cracks. If placed in extremely cold regions, there won't be any worries; otherwise, it's best surrounded by sixteen spirit stones and watered every three days.]
"Can I take a look?" Jiang Hao shifted his gaze to the guiding fairy.
The guiding fairy offered a flawless smile, "Of course."
Jiang Hao took the spirit herb and examined it closely. As expected, he spotted a subtle crack, then pointed it out to the fairy.
The guiding fairy maintained her smile, "Senior brother has a keen eye. I was just about to mention it. This seed has an inherent crack, so we're selling it at half price for fifty spirit stones."
So greedy, Jiang Hao thought to himself. If he hadn't noticed, that part wouldn't have been mentioned.
But it's normal for spirit herb shops to overcharge, not to mention the Demonic Sect. It's just that here, it feels more justified.
"I'll take this one, and get me another one around fifty too," Jiang Hao said.
He also bought a Blue Lotus Seed. Besides gathering more spiritual energy, it didn't have much use. Its only advantage was that if not properly cared for, it would easily wither.
As for why it's so expensive... probably got scammed. "I wonder if it can produce blue bubbles."
Looking at the seed in his hand, Jiang Hao pondered. White and green ones didn't hold much significance for him since the Spirit Herb Garden could provide those.
Returning to his residence, Jiang Hao planted the Snow Lotus Flower, costing him sixteen spirit stones. He was left with only nineteen spirit stones, barely enough to buy talisman-making materials.
Tomorrow, he would earn more spirit stones.
The next day. Jiang Hao woke up from cultivation and, first thing, he went to the courtyard. Besides the two blue bubbles from the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, there was nothing else.
The Snow Lotus Flower hadn't sprouted yet, so it provided nothing.
He took out the Blue Lotus Seed then. "Appraisal."
In a breath, feedback from his divine ability appeared in his mind.
[Snow Lotus Seed: Can gather spiritual energy after sprouting and growing roots.]
"That's it?"
Jiang Hao was stunned; he was indeed scammed.
After planting the seed, he left the courtyard and headed to the Spirit Herb Garden.
A month later. Jiang Hao set down his spirit pen and stored the successfully crafted Ten Thousand Sword Talisman. It was a commission from Senior Sister Leng Tian.
She needed ten, and this was the tenth one. Including failed costs, it totaled eighty spirit stones. Selling them would earn two hundred, a net profit of one hundred and twenty.
But he hadn’t cultivated in these days, losing progress in his cultivation instead.
After shaking off these thoughts, he checked his status panel.
[Name: Jiang Hao]
[Age: Twenty]
[Cultivation: Mid Foundation Establishment Stage]
[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: 88/100 (Can Cultivate)]
[Cultivation Level: 90/100 (Can Cultivate)]
[Divine Ability: 0/3 (Cannot be Obtained)]
"It’s a bit slow; it'll take another week to advance."
"Twenty years old now," Jiang Hao reflected on his age with some feeling.
The twenty years of his life hadn’t been smooth, lonely yet without much danger.
"Congratulations on surviving to twenty," Jiang Hao joked to himself and left his room.
In the courtyard, he saw there was finally a bubble at the Snow Lotus Flower's spot. After a month, he thought he might have to wait for months.
The Blue Lotus, however, showed no change.
So today, the bubble from the Snow Lotus was quite invigorating, especially since it was a purple bubble. This indicated future chances for a blue bubble.
As he approached, the surrounding bubbles started to float over.
[Cultivation Level +1]
[Vital Qi +1]
[Divine Ability Fragment +1]
"Still some Divine Ability Fragment?"
Jiang Hao had hoped for something else besides them from the purple, but it was still good. Divine abilities were quite helpful, though he currently lacked offensive power.
He didn’t have strong techniques or powerful artifacts. In another month, he might be involved in sect missions. He needed to raise not only his cultivation but also find powerful offensive techniques.
He could explore techniques in the Primordial Chaos Heart Scripture, but artifacts...
Everything he had was too ordinary.
"If worse comes to worst, I’ll buy one. Once the Ten Thousand Sword Talismans are sold, I should have almost four to five hundred spirit stones. I could buy a decent artifact."
Decision made, Jiang Hao left his residence and headed to the Spirit Herb Garden for another batch of bubbles.
Purchasing an artifact would be best after advancing. There would be time.
At the Spirit Herb Garden, Jiang Hao saw Han Ming standing by the entrance. As Han Ming looked over, Jiang Hao knew he was there for him.
"Senior brother." Han Ming quickly approached with a smile, "Do you notice anything different about me?"
"Your aura has strengthened." Jiang Hao was indeed a bit surprised. Han Ming had finished sharpening his foundation in the Foundation Establishment's early stage; it wouldn't be long before he advanced to the mid-stage.
So fast?
Curious, Jiang Hao appraised Han Ming again.
[Han Ming: True Disciple of Heavenly Sound Sect's Broken Hearts Cliff, gifted immensely, early Foundation Establishment Stage, favored by the spirit of mountains and rivers, carrying significant inheritance.]
He carries significant inheritance? Jiang Hao was shocked internally. Did his refreshed opportunities this month come from being favored by the spirit of mountains and rivers?
"In a few more months, I'll be advancing to the mid Foundation Establishment Stage. Then I might just surpass you, senior brother," Han Ming said with a smile, a hint of pride laced with subtle dismissiveness.
Jiang Hao acted as if he hadn’t noticed, replying slowly, "Congratulations, junior brother."
Seeing this, Han Ming seemed even prouder and then added, "Come that time, can I challenge you, senior brother? Within the sect, you’re closest to me in age."
"Sure," Jiang Hao nodded.
How to gracefully lose by then, he’d have to see. This junior brother seemed to only want to show off.
Let him have his moment.
"Great, it's a promise then. Don't be too upset if you lose, senior brother; after all, there's quite a gap between us," Han Ming suddenly remembered as he was leaving, adding with a smile, "I think I heard from the master that the sect mission arrangements are out, and senior brother is included."