"Eat people?"
Cheng Chou was somewhat surprised.
The Spirit Herb Garden did have a number of ordinary people; it wasn’t impossible for spirit beasts to devour them. In other regions of the Demonic Sect, indeed, such spirit beasts existed. At that moment, Cheng Chou was deeply worried.
"Yes, eat people," the rabbit declared with its head held high, dignified and proud. "Go and fetch me some nobles and officials."
"Does it have to be nobles or officials?" Cheng Chou cautiously asked. "Can’t it be ordinary folks?”
"No," the rabbit shook its head.
"Does Lord Bunny have particular preferences?" Cheng Chou curiously inquired.
“They lack flavor," the rabbit seriously stated while glancing at the ordinary people within the Spirit Herb Garden. "Ordinary folks have too much bitterness."
Cheng Chou: "???"
Jiang Hao, who had just arrived, caught the conversation, giving the rabbit a sideways glance. The gaze startled it, prompting the rabbit to suddenly assert to Cheng Chou, "Today it’s all about carrots. Apart from carrots, I—Lord Bunny—eat nothing else."
Cheng Chou: "..."
Jiang Hao paid no heed to the rabbit but instead inquired if Cheng Chou had any updates. Upon gathering information, he learned that the Heavenly Sound Sect seemed to be pushing back Azure Sky Mountain, capturing many of the Azure Sky Mountain disciples in the process. They were thrown into the Lawless Heaven Tower, only to be later transferred to the mines. Hearing this, Jiang Hao felt it felt even more cruel than simply killing them.
After acquiring sufficient understanding, he returned to his dwelling. He had been quite exhausted of late; any incident at the Spirit Herb Garden would invariably lead to questioning, and any troubles elsewhere in the Spirit Herb Garden shifted pressure onto him. He feared those puppets would strike again. But now, it seemed things were okay.
He left the rabbit in the Spirit Herb Garden. Despite everything, it was at the initial Foundation Establishment stage. It was somewhat helpful.
At the most relaxed moments, danger often lurked. Although the Heavenly Sound Sect was in conflict with Azure Sky Mountain, Jiang Hao didn’t feel any external pressure, just the usual workload stress.
Overall, this period was relatively stable. Although he didn’t have time to earn spirit stones, he did manage to enhance his cultivation.
Name: Jiang Hao
Age: Twenty
Cultivation: Early Gold Core
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: 47/100 (Non-cultivatable)
Cultivation Level: 49/100 (Cultivatable)
Divine Abilities: 1/3 (Non-acquirable)
"Halfway there, in a few months, I should be able to attempt advancing to mid Gold Core,” Jiang Hao pondered as he looked at his status panel.
He was unsure whether the next few months would continue to be as peaceful as the present. The advantage of cultivators was their prolonged lifespan, but the downside was that enemies lived just as long, harboring grudges for extended periods. Seeking tranquility in cultivation on Broken Hearts Cliff wasn't so simple.
Without dwelling too much on it, he retrieved the "Seven Forms of the Heavenly Blade," intending to delve into the second form, Town Mountain.
The first form, which he'd recently been comprehending and had nearly grasped, involved the Moon Slash, a purely offensive move with a sharp, unstoppable edge. What he lacked now was combat experience; actual combat would hone the blade in his hand and the intent behind its strikes. Pure contemplation couldn't achieve this.
Having reached this stage, he began exploring the second form. Unlike the first, initial contemplation over several days led Jiang Hao to discover that Town Mountain focused on suppression.
With formidable energy, akin to the heft of mountain and sea, it quelled adversaries.
Upon reaching preliminary understanding, he retrieved the poem to begin nurturing and refining his blade.
The Primordial Heaven Blade possessed a certain weight, well-suited for the second form of the Heavenly Blade.
A month later.
Jiang Hao opened his eyes, gathered the bubbles in the courtyard, and proceeded outside. The rabbit, lying near the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, was the first to follow.
"Master, where are you headed so early? Take me with you; everyone on the path respects Lord Bunny," the rabbit suggested, tagging alongside Jiang Hao.
"If you’re heading out to stir trouble, don’t claim to be my companion," Jiang Hao softly replied.
He had not anticipated this rabbit to exhibit such a disposition; had he known, he would have found a way to suppress its emerging intelligence.
"Never mind, in future Lord Bunny will have your back, just rest easy as the master," the rabbit boasted, unashamed.
At that moment, Jiang Hao halted, quietly standing by the brook. Moments later, his aura surged.
He held the Primordial Heaven Blade gently in his hand, then slightly lifted it.
Initially curious, the rabbit immediately sensed from the blade a vast, boundless aura.
In the instant the blade descended, it seemed to perceive endless mountains crashing down in suppression.
The domineering and terrifying energy pressed it down immediately.
Jiang Hao, facing the brook, swung his blade downward.
Boom!
A deep sound erupted; at first glance, the brook appeared unharmed, but on further inspection, it had ceased flowing.
With a loud crash, the stream shattered into countless droplets, then recoiled skyward due to the energy’s repulsion.
After a long while, the stream resumed its normal flow, cleansed of debris and stones.
Everything was pristine.
Watching this, Jiang Hao smiled.
Town Mountain was more powerful than he'd anticipated.
However, the need to gather energy made it impractical for emergencies. Then again, the blade could be pre-charged, mitigating this concern somewhat.
Nevertheless, he didn’t allow arrogance to swell, ensuring his mind remained steady.
Soon after, he put away the Primordial Heaven Blade and headed for the Spirit Herb Garden.
Having initially mastered the second form of the Heavenly Blade, his focus would now be on diligently earning spirit stones.
Besides purchasing tea leaves, he'd need to buy a new blade.
The Crescent Moon Blade couldn't endure the Heavenly Blade's power; cracks had appeared again.
...
Nearing the Spirit Herb Garden, Jiang Hao halted, noticing Liu Xingchen waiting for him ahead.
Something was probably about to happen; an unsettling feeling overcame him.
"It's been a few months, Junior Brother; I heard you've made contributions again," Liu Xingchen greeted with a smile.
"Just doing my duty, not much of an achievement," Jiang Hao shook his head.
Liu Xingchen motioned for Jiang Hao to walk with him toward the Spirit Herb Garden and seriously said, "Mu Qi got injured at the mines."