[Name: Jiang Hao]
[Age: Twenty]
[Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Completion]
[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: 49/100 (Cannot cultivate)]
[Cultivation: 54/100 (Can cultivate)]
[Divine Abilities: 1/3 (Cannot acquire)]
“Halfway there. At this point, I hope readers remember our domain name.”
Jiang Hao strolled through the Spirit Herb Garden, absorbing the bubbles around him.
His strength and spirit were increasing bit by bit.
This kind of life, continuing endlessly, was what Jiang Hao wished for.
But a month later, he felt a malevolent gaze upon him.
Whenever he walked in the Spirit Herb Garden, there was always a feeling someone was watching him.
It was faint, yet noticeable.
He turned his head but only saw some disciples in the Qi Refining stage gathering spirit herbs.
Some looked unfamiliar.
“Who are they?”
Jiang Hao called over an outer sect disciple who often worked there.
“Senior Brother, they are people from other main branches here to help.” Cheng Chou replied respectfully.
“Really?” Jiang Hao looked at the five people over there and asked again:
“Which branch are they from?”
The five indeed seemed to be in Qi Refining.
But that was just the appearance.
Jiang Hao, having practiced the Nameless Secret Manual, could hide his cultivation and naturally knew how to discern others’ cultivation comprehensively.
Among these five, one had just broken through to the early Golden Core stage.
Yet, outwardly he appeared to be at Qi Refining Layer Five, resembling a wandering cultivator who had joined the Heavenly Sound Sect.
“Appraisal.”
The individual was a robust man with a bushy mustache, his Vital Qi abundant.
In the blink of an eye, information from his divine ability appeared.
[Jin Zhouheng: Inner sect disciple of the Falling Sunset Sect, undercover at Thunder Fire Peak. Years ago, while cultivating together with his junior sister Yun Ruo, he became infatuated with her beauty. Upon hearing of Yun Ruo's death, anger filled his heart, propelling him to break through to the early Golden Core stage. He has come seeking revenge on you, even if it costs him his life.]
Jiang Hao was taken aback upon reading the appraisal.
Everything preceding didn't bother him much, but the last sentence was distressing.
Even at the cost of his life.
That meant the person intended to take him down with them.
Facing such an individual, no matter how strictly the Heavenly Sound Sect enforced rules, it was of no avail.
Because the person wasn't afraid of death.
What was so special about Yun Ruo? Worth risking a Golden Core stage cultivator's life?
Golden Core cultivators lived long, had high status; why head down a path of ruin?
And just to kill someone in early Foundation Establishment.
"In the Demonic Sect, people know to survive by any means. Yet here, an immortal sect disciple with great prospects runs after romance?"
"Among the Foundation Establishment disciples, is there truly no one more beautiful than Senior Sister Yun Ruo?"
Jiang Hao sighed softly, with little emotion.
While pondering, Cheng Chou's voice reached him:
“They are likely from Thunder Fire Peak. The specific list is outside, do you want it, Senior Brother?”
“Let's go see.” Jiang Hao nodded almost imperceptibly.
He dared not linger here now, fearing the other might suddenly attack him.
He was at Foundation Establishment Completion and couldn't withstand more than a few attacks from someone at the early Golden Core stage.
There was no need to take such a risk.
However, with more cultivation and vital energy, he would soon be able to attempt a breakthrough in a few days.
Yet
Since the other had seen him, they would likely find out where he lived, and any attack could occur soon.
"Since they haven't made a move, perhaps they also wish to leave alive." Jiang Hao thought.
If the assailant found him at night, killed him on site, and fled the Heavenly Sound Sect, returning to the Falling Sunset Sect, there’d be nothing the sect could do.
After obtaining the list, Jiang Hao left the Broken Hearts Cliff.
Gazing towards the Law Enforcement Peak, he sighed heavily.
He was here to seek out Liu Xingchen. Though both were undercover, not everyone wished him dead.
So he could only look to Liu Xingchen for help.
“Do you have trouble, Junior Brother?” Liu Xingchen was a bit surprised upon emerging.
Jiang Hao was famous for staying put at the Broken Hearts Cliff, especially after offending the Heavenly Joy Pavilion.
He scarcely left, almost guarding the Spirit Herb Garden with his life.
Naturally, everyone knew Jiang Hao dared not leave the sect.
Inside the sect, killing was a matter of merit and demerit.
Outside, it depended on moods.
“There’s something I’d like to discuss with you, Senior Brother.” Jiang Hao handed over a list:
“One of these five might be a traitor.”
“Are you certain?” Liu Xingchen took the list, expressionless.
“Not very sure.” Jiang Hao didn’t promise anything.
Liu Xingchen didn’t say whether he'd investigate, only asked:
“Where did you see them?”
"At the Spirit Herb Garden on the Broken Hearts Cliff," Jiang Hao answered truthfully.
Hearing this, Liu Xingchen pondered briefly, then said:
"I'll look into it. Best be extra careful in the coming days, Junior Brother."
Jiang Hao nodded, grateful. Though he hadn't spoken much, Liu Xingchen would likely suspect the traitor was aiming for him if true.
Returning home, Jiang Hao began reviewing the First Form of the Heavenly Blade. Over the month, he had mastered it.
Just not yet proficient.
Into the night, he took out the crescent moon blade, starting to swing it.
Boom!
The blade light swept down like moonlight, carving a deep groove into the ground.
"A little force, and it's almost no weaker than the Demonic Sound Slash. What if I went all out, how strong then?"
Holding the blade, Jiang Hao briefly entertained the thought of testing it against a Golden Core stage cultivator.
That idea was quickly extinguished.
Far too dangerous.
"Strength can be so deceiving."
Jiang Hao was alarmed; he had advanced too rapidly recently, and with this technique, arrogance almost got the better of him.