Jiang Hao naturally wanted to avoid drawing too much attention. In the Demonic Sect, he's hardly noticed and carries secrets. It's alright if he's strong, but being weak is dangerous.
What he lacks is time, so all he desires is to cultivate peacefully. Winning or losing spars doesn’t really matter much. These things aren’t for others to know, so he can only say what he doesn't really mean:
“I'm just a gardener for the elders; I try not to stand out.”
Hong Yuye chuckled softly and spoke calmly, “What is your cultivation level?”
“Mid-Foundation Establishment,” Jiang Hao replied.
Upon hearing this, Hong Yuye moved towards the corner and casually remarked, “I thought you were an honest and timid good person, but now it seems not. Good people don't lie as calmly as you do.”
Jiang Hao lowered his head, remaining silent. He wasn't sure if she was trying to test him deliberately. Facing a formidable character like her, silence was the safest choice.
Hong Yuye then turned her head towards Jiang Hao, “I'll give you another chance. Tell me your real cultivation level.”
“Mid-Foundation Establishment,” Jiang Hao repeated without hesitation, giving the same answer.
Woosh!
Hong Yuye furrowed her brows, and an invisible force howled like a fierce wind, striking Jiang Hao. Bang!
Under the powerful force, Jiang Hao was slammed against the wall, completely unable to resist, despite being at the peak of Foundation Establishment. He wondered what her cultivation level truly was.
Hong Yuye snorted coldly, “We'll just say you're at Mid-Foundation Establishment then.”
Jiang Hao exhaled, curious if she had seen through his real cultivation level. “Do you practice blade techniques?” Hong Yuye asked, drawing the Shadow Blade.
“I do have such an intention,” Jiang Hao nodded. He indeed planned to focus on blade techniques in the future.
“I've seen a lot of people, and they all practice sword techniques,” Hong Yuye said calmly, glancing at Jiang Hao, “Why don't you practice swords?”
“I don't,” Jiang Hao shook his head.
“Why not?” Hong Yuye asked casually.
“As a disciple of the Demonic Sect, practicing swords easily associates you with disciples of the Orthodox Sect. So I prefer to stick with blade techniques,” Jiang Hao answered.
Mentioning the Orthodox Sect, he usually pictured figures in white robes with swords in hand. The Demonic Sect’s artifacts were diverse and peculiar; even if there were swords, they were magical swords.
Hong Yuye laughed coldly and walked into the room, sitting by the table, “You're not valued much in the Heavenly Sound Sect, are you?”
Jiang Hao followed her in, keeping his head down without speaking. It was true he wasn't valued, but he didn't mind. His current situation was manageable. As for the Heavenly Joy Pavilion... one day, when he surpasses them, he would undoubtedly pay them a visit.
Seeing Jiang Hao neither confirm nor deny, Hong Yuye continued, “No powerful artifacts, no impressive techniques either.”
“I do have powerful artifacts,” Jiang Hao countered.
He was referring to the Nine Heavens Armor he had. Although it was only a Foundation Establishment artifact, it was actually part of a set. Once complete, it should be an exceptionally potent treasure.
Hong Yuye stared at Jiang Hao for a moment and then ignored the topic of artifacts, “I have a blade technique here. Do you want it?”
“Does Senior have any conditions?” Jiang Hao asked curiously, knowing it wouldn't be a free offer.
“Aren't you going to spar with someone? If you win, I'll give you the blade technique,” Hong Yuye teased, looking at Jiang Hao mockingly.
Jiang Hao didn't reply immediately. He was weighing the pros and cons. Winning against Han Ming might have consequences. It would surely draw attention and possibly suspicion. However, it could be explained that there are many fortuitous encounters in the demon cave he had visited for over two months. Gaining an opportunity there wouldn't be surprising. But would his master believe it? There was some risk.
So should he give up on the blade technique from this woman? Her offerings were likely valuable, especially the Nameless Secret Manual that the Heavenly Sound Sect surely didn't have. After a moment's thought, he made his decision. Tomorrow, he would win the spar and attribute the victory to the demon cave.
“Alright.” Jiang Hao nodded in agreement. He wasn't sure when he might find such a good blade technique. The arts within the Primordial Chaos Heart Scripture weren’t something he could learn. The bubbles he gathered rarely reached higher levels, except if he found another Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower seed, which seemed unlikely. Hence, he had to seize this chance.
“You decide quickly,” Hong Yuye commented with a hint of disappointment, then tossed him a book before leaving the room like the wind.
“If I come back next time and see the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower hasn't grown at all, I’ll hold you accountable.”
With those words, Hong Yuye vanished completely. Jiang Hao dared not delay, bowing to see her off. Only after a moment did he glance at the book in his hand. The title read, Seven Forms of the Heavenly Blade.
He didn’t rush to read it, instead, he looked towards the corner of the courtyard and noticed that where the Shadow Blade should have been, it was empty.
“That woman even took my blade?” Jiang Hao found it unbelievable that she would do such a thing.
Shaking his head, he let it go and focused on opening the Seven Forms of the Heavenly Blade to try to study it. However, the book's content was difficult to grasp. After a long time, all he could understand was the name of the techniques.
“This is much harder than the Demonic Sound Slash. I only learned the name of the first form: Moon Slash.”
He exhaled and planned to revisit it tonight, opening the Clear and Pure Heart State for further insight. For now, he was off to the Spirit Herb Garden and perhaps to sell some talismans.
As for Han Ming, he returned to his residence, eager for tomorrow's spar. Being close in age to Jiang Hao, he was keen to outshine him. After all, he was a True Disciple, whereas Jiang Hao was merely an Inner Disciple. Defeating him would allow even calling him Junior Brother without objection. In the Demonic Sect, there are not many rules. As long as you don’t murder a fellow disciple or get into large-scale conflicts, things are quite permissible.