It seems like you’ve always been ignoring what I told you.
Hong Yuye looked at Jiang Hao, with a presence that was astonishing and overwhelming, like the majestic Yangtze River rushing toward him.
"In the presence of a senior like yourself..." Jiang Hao quickly responded before any action was taken against him.
"I did not intentionally defy your instructions. It’s because the orders from my sect are absolute and cannot be disobeyed. Plus, this place is quite dangerous. That particular flower is hard to transplant, and it may not adapt well to this environment, affecting its growth."
Despite these explanations, Hong Yuye still wasn't inclined to let Jiang Hao off easily. Her piercing gaze pinned him against the wall with overwhelming force. Seeing that Jiang Hao was still able to speak, she decided not to dwell on those matters any further and instead, grabbed a hoe, asking, "Do you enjoy digging?"
"You could say that," Jiang Hao replied vaguely, standing upright. But as soon as he saw her scrutinizing gaze, he quickly corrected himself, "I enjoy it."
Hong Yuye casually tossed the hoe back to Jiang Hao and stepped away, walking leisurely as if she were strolling through a garden. "Follow me."
Jiang Hao, clutching the hoe, dared not hesitate and followed, uncertain of the senior’s intentions.
Shortly after, Hong Yuye appeared by the edge of the mining cliff. "Senior, there are quite a few people around here," Jiang Hao hinted.
Hong Yuye glanced over at the man beside her, speaking slowly, "Are you worried that I might be in danger if seen, or are you concerned that being seen with me might endanger you?"
"Naturally, the former," Jiang Hao replied, concealing his true feelings of self-preservation.
"Full of lies," Hong Yuye remarked, choosing not to quarrel with Jiang Hao over this. She directed her gaze toward the mine below, asking, "Did you encounter any special opportunity or inheritance inside?"
Jiang Hao hesitated for a moment but nodded, "Yes."
It wasn't a lie—he did have such an encounter. The reason for admitting it was that the woman appeared each time he reached a new level. Having ascended to the mid-Golden Core stage under her watchful eye, she would easily sense it unless she was blind. Still, it was risky; he couldn’t predict if she might later pry into his secrets.
"It's said that this mine was once the center of an ancient war, and many powerful beings fell here. Hence, sometimes mining presents opportunities," Hong Yuye spoke flatly, as though recounting an ordinary tale.
Jiang Hao, however, was shocked. He realized that those behind Situ Jian might be trying to validate this legend. He'd never heard such tales about the mine, suggesting that few knew of them, not even Situ Jian and his associates. But it was true that damaging the Heavenly Sound Sect and losing such treasures would be disastrous.
"Does Senior also desire the treasure within?" Jiang Hao asked, knowing that all powerful beings would likely covet it despite not knowing what it was. He himself had no desire for such a treasure, fearing the Law Enforcement Hall’s inquiries would bring trouble upon him. If he acquired it, he meant to hand it in immediately, showing he wished only to focus on mining or cultivating spirit herbs.
Hong Yuye silently gazed at him without a word but with a look of disdain. This left Jiang Hao in despair about how he might rid himself of this Female Demoness. He realized her interest wasn't just in him or the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower but possibly the Heaven Extinction Gu Poison.
This made him feel as if constantly watched by a sword ready to strike, presenting more danger than the Heavenly Joy Pavilion, the Falling Sunset Sect, and the Heavenly Saint Sect combined.
Unintentionally, he had antagonized many.
After a few steps, Hong Yuye vanished from sight, but her voice lingered, echoing with a warning: "Remember, your main task is to cultivate the flowers for me. If next time you’re found in the mine, you’ll know the consequences."
Jiang Hao had nothing he could say in return. He needed a strategy to free himself, though the Female Demoness only cared for results, not processes. Since the call for mining had come, he wasted no time heading into the mine.
Yan Hua kept his watchful eyes on him daily, her ever-present gaze made his scalp tingle, as if she would act against him at any moment.
"The progress in the Sixth Mine Cave under Junior Brother's leadership is impressively rapid. It seems placing him here was indeed the right decision," Yan Hua beamed.
The more thriving Jiang Hao's work, the happier she was, as any accomplishments promised future rewards that she already saw as hers.
After parting with Yan Hua, Jiang Hao resumed mining, striving to ascend further before unexpected events unfolded. From Hong Yuye, he also realized that strong individuals from the Profound Heaven Sect would certainly arrive, aiming to seize the treasure.
Nightfall arrived.
Situ Jian and his companions returned to their modest quarters, a cramped refugium barely sheltering them from the elements.
"Shouldn't it be about time?" Bei Xue, who sat cross-legged on the bed, emotionlessly inquired, her face void of any emotional fluctuation.
They need about seven or eight more days. Jing Ru sighed, explaining, "The one in charge of the talisman is infrequently on the move, slowing the process, though initially, I feared it might be discovered."
"Whipping it out right away is too risky; they'd likely retaliate," Shangguan Wen interjected.
"No," Jing Ru mused, "I could sense it, that Jiang Hao wouldn't deal lethal blows. He seems reluctant to stir trouble. Better for him to notice it himself, though it surprised me that he handed it over so quickly. He must be truly timid. But I’ve prepared for the worst; even if I die, I’d help rather than hinder you. If not for the need for a Golden Core level to destroy the talisman, it wouldn't be such trouble."
They refrained from utilizing their cultivation, lest they be discovered. Glancing at Situ Jian, Jing Ru asked, "How are your preparations coming along?"