It was evening. As Jiang Hao moved in and out of the Spirit Herb Garden, he made sure everything was in order before leaving.
Normally, he would help with handling the spirit herbs; otherwise, it was rare for the bubbles to appear the next day.
Before he entered the Spirit Herb Garden, he relied on luck to pick up bubbles.
It took him several years to gather a hundred points of Vital Qi and cultivation.
Occasionally, only after becoming an inner disciple, did he have the chance to encounter divine abilities.
It seemed the better the spirit herb he encountered, the more likely he was to pick up good bubbles.
Returning to his dwelling, Jiang Hao carefully observed, ensuring there were no unwanted visitors, before entering his training room to cultivate.
The appearance of Senior Sister Yun Ruo today left him with an inexplicable sense of crisis.
Being cautious was never wrong.
Jiang Hao sat cross-legged and simultaneously invoked his Vital Qi and cultivation.
He had tested his talent upon entry, which was above average, with a normal cultivation path having him reach the Foundation Establishment stage by his thirties or forties.
Now, at twenty, he was unreasonably ahead, likely facing a bottleneck that would be easier to break through with both advancing together.
After a brief moment.
Jiang Hao's face twisted in pain as the Vital Qi surged within him, and spiritual energy swirled.
The Hundred Revolutions of Heavenly Sound was operating frantically, absorbing both Vital Qi and spiritual energy.
Crack!
A sound of transformation echoed within Jiang Hao's body as his flesh and bones underwent a tempering.
Enduring it would lead to successfully reaching the Foundation Establishment stage.
Crack!
The transformation lasted a long while until the morning when the sound ceased. Vital Qi calmed, and spiritual energy flowed through his meridians, returning to normal.
Everything had fallen into place naturally.
After cycling his cultivation for a complete cycle, Jiang Hao opened his eyes, sensing a newfound power coursing through his body.
Looking at his hands, he murmured to himself:
"I've reached the Foundation Establishment stage. Everything went relatively smoothly, and I'm a lot safer now."
With a long exhale, he glanced at his status panel. Upon his Foundation Establishment, the panel showed new changes.
[Name: Jiang Hao]
[Age: Nineteen]
[Cultivation: Early Foundation Establishment Stage]
[Technique: Hundred Revolutions of Heavenly Sound]
[Divine Ability: Nine Revolutions Death Substitution (Unique), Daily Appraisal (Learnable)]
[Vital Qi: 36/100 (Cultivable)]
[Cultivation: 41/100 (Cultivable)]
[Divine Ability: 1/3 (Not Obtainable)]
"Daily Appraisal can be cultivated now, but there's no reward?"
At first, he had the Nine Revolutions Death Substitution divine ability, so he had hoped for a technique upon reaching Foundation Establishment.
Although the Hundred Revolutions of Heavenly Sound was powerful, it wasn't enough for the long term. He needed a formidable technique.
"Forget it. I'll learn the Daily Appraisal before heading to the Spirit Herb Garden. As for a technique, that'll have to wait."
Jiang Hao took half an hour to grasp the Daily Appraisal, though its specific use remained unclear.
Curiously, he ventured outside and appraised his wooden house.
Soon, he received a result.
[Jiang Hao's Wooden House: Built three years ago using greenwood, sturdy and durable, constructed personally by Jiang Hao. Though it appears solid, many structural hazards exist within, posing a collapse risk at any time.]
Jiang Hao: "..."
So it was an appraisal tool.
With a general idea of its use, Jiang Hao proceeded towards the Spirit Herb Garden.
Along the way, he picked up bubbles, then began assisting with the tending.
Most of those tending the herb garden were ordinary people.
In the past, they feared the inner disciples guarding the herb garden, as any mistake could lead to death.
Since Jiang Hao took over, such danger disappeared.
Because of this, people believed Jiang Hao to be quite virtuous.
In the Demonic Sect, being deemed upright wasn't a good reputation he fancied, but he wasn't one to kill indiscriminately.
Fortunately, it hadn't caused any backlash.
Jiang Hao didn't share his Foundation Establishment breakthrough with anyone.
Three days later.
He encountered Senior Sister Yun Ruo again, at which point his breakthrough became known.
Luckily, it didn't stir much attention.
In the following days, Senior Sister Yun Ruo frequently visited, only to chat casually.
Sometimes, she talked about how being in the demonic path often left one without choices. She mentioned wanting to be a good person when she was young.
With her frequent visits, Jiang Hao's sense of crisis intensified.
During this time, he extracted all his Vital Qi and cultivation, solidifying his progress.
A month later.
Jiang Hao stepped out of his dwelling. Despite the clear skies, there was no warmth.
"These days, Senior Sister Yun Ruo hasn't visited. I wonder if that's a good sign or a prelude to trouble."
After contemplating, he headed toward the book pavilion.
Throughout the month, he realized something serious.
Senior Sister Yun Ruo belonged to the Heavenly Joy Pavilion, known for her enchanting presence, a jewel of the sect.
Yet, no matter how close she got, he felt no reaction.
Moreover, he couldn't even consciously evoke a response.
This felt ominous to him.
Although he was focused on the Dao and didn't want to be swayed by affairs of the heart, wanting was different from not being able to.
This started after meeting that woman. The only possibility was consuming something faulty.
In the book pavilion for two days, Jiang Hao found no answers.
Instead, he chanced upon a purple bubble.
[Divine Ability Fragment +1]
An unexpected delight.
Another divine ability fragment, and he could acquire a new divine ability.
"Lately, it seems they're checking the disciple registry. Did something happen?"
Leaving the book pavilion, Jiang Hao overheard some whispers.
There were rumors of the sect suddenly tallying disciples, as if searching for someone.
"Looking for a traitor?" Jiang Hao's first thought was of Senior Sister Yun Ruo.
After facing humiliation from that unparalleled beauty, he knew the sect was on the brink of something significant.
Unexpectedly, this potential event might drag him in.
"Senior Sister Yun Ruo has been at the Foundation Establishment stage for years. Against her, my odds aren't great."
Jiang Hao started contemplating the worst-case scenario.
He hoped he was just overthinking.