Upon hearing the name Jiang Hao, Han Ming felt his head buzz.
He couldn't wrap his mind around how Jiang Hao, who was at the mid Foundation Establishment stage, could rank in the top ten for merit.
It just didn't make sense.
What made it even harder to swallow was that just during the day, he had gone to brag about his merits to Jiang Hao.
Only to realize in the evening that his merits paled in comparison to Jiang Hao's.
It left him with a sense of defeat.
Just when he thought he could surpass his rival, he was once again overshadowed.
When would he be able to step over this Senior Brother?
The more he thought about Jiang Hao's calm demeanor earlier, the more he wanted to reciprocate with equal measure.
"Jiang Hao? Who is that?" Jiu Wu asked with curiosity.
"I've heard of him," Fairy Fei Zhu said uncertainly. "He should be a junior brother at the mid Foundation Establishment stage. I've seen him in the Spirit Herb Garden."
"Yes, that's him," Mu Qi confirmed.
"Mid Foundation Establishment?" Jiu Wu said incredulously. "How could someone at that level rank in the sect's top ten merits?"
Han Ming's interest piqued. He also wanted to know why, or rather, how it was possible.
"A few days ago, the mining field was attacked. Powerful cultivators from Profound Heaven Sect, Wind Thunder Sect, and other forces launched a combined assault on the site. During the chaos, Barbarian Dragon of the Horizontal Waterfall Sect clashed with Xuanyuan Tai, the pride of Profound Heaven Sect," Mu Qi explained.
"Xuanyuan Tai was crucial in allowing many strong individuals to withdraw safely. If he escaped first, it would mean half the battle was won. The elders managed to drive away his protectors, giving Barbarian Dragon a chance. But in the end, Barbarian Dragon was restrained and could only watch Xuanyuan Tai flee. It was at that moment that Junior Brother Jiang stepped in alone and stopped Xuanyuan Tai from escaping, allowing Barbarian Dragon to capture him alive."
"Xuanyuan Tai was at least at the late Nascent Soul stage," Mu Qi added.
Everyone was taken aback upon hearing this.
The late Nascent Soul stage...
They didn't even have the courage to face someone at that level.
For a moment, everyone fell silent, each occupied with their thoughts.
Especially Han Ming, who knew he wouldn't have been able to do anything in the same situation.
"I remember Junior Brother Jiang's name was constantly mentioned at the Law Enforcement Hall. Is it still there?" Fairy Fei Zhu inquired.
"It was about to be removed, but Junior Brother Jiang got involved with the traitor Yan Hua, so the Law Enforcement Hall decided against it," Mu Qi said.
He suspected that the hall had done this on purpose, possibly to either protect Jiang Hao or prevent him from becoming a True Disciple.
In his eyes, Jiang Hao's performance and cultivation level were sufficient for becoming a True Disciple. The only lacking aspect was that his talent was above average, nothing extraordinary.
Yet given his achievements, there was a chance a master might make an exception.
But now, that seemed unlikely.
At this point, Ku Wuchang interrupted their conversation, instructing them, "This time you all benefited a lot. Continue working hard, as the internal competition among the fellow disciples will start in a few months."
"There will be opportunities to get good stuff. Each stage has five key items, and not many from Twelve Meridians will participate."
The group nodded in agreement.
Han Ming was determined to participate, at least to prove his own worth.
All night long, Jiang Hao finally mastered the Healing Talisman.
With his Golden Core-level cultivation, his success rate was now fifty percent.
After practicing for a few more days, it should reach eighty percent.
Once that happens, he'll be able to make them with ease.
Being at a higher cultivation level sure has its perks, but he couldn't sell too many of these talismans, or it might draw unwanted attention.
Only talismans for the late Foundation Establishment and Perfected Stage could be sold at the moment.
The top three premium talismans were among those types.
For now, practicing these three types of talismans should suffice. The Thousand Swords Talisman was also viable to produce and sell, considered normal for Foundation Establishment cultivators.
After a sigh of relief, Jiang Hao stepped into the courtyard.
Noticing the Crescent Moon Blade in the corner, he remembered he had no saber of his own.
Collecting two bubbles, he glanced at his status panel.
[Name: Jiang Hao]
[Age: Twenty-one]
[Cultivation: Mid Golden Core]
[Skills: Hundred Revolutions of Heavenly Sound, Primordial Chaos Heart Scripture]
[Divine Abilities: Nine Revolutions Death Substitution (unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear and Tranquil Heart]
[Vital Qi: 6/100 (Cannot be cultivated)]
[Cultivation: 10/100 (Can be cultivated)]
[Divine Abilities: 2/3 (Cannot acquire more)]
Pitiful numbers.
Since leaving the mining field two days ago, both his cultivation and blood qi had seen little progress.
"Right now, it's better to earn some spirit stones, buy a weapon and tea leaves, and then save spirit stones to feed the rabbit."
The rabbit would consume a lot of spirit stones, so he had to prepare in advance.
"I wonder how many spirit stones Senior Brother Mu Qi's reward will amount to."
Leaving the courtyard, Jiang Hao headed towards the Spirit Herb Garden.
The rabbit lying on the ground instantly jumped up and followed Jiang Hao outside.
Swinging the collar around its neck twice to its satisfaction, it was proud of having gained spiritual intelligence. It knew what the collar was but never thought of breaking it, feeling a sense of pride instead.
The rabbit felt it had a master waiting at home, needing its protection in life.
"Master, can I eat humans?" the rabbit asked on the way.
"Do humans taste good?" Jiang Hao countered.
"They taste good."
"Have you eaten any?"
"No, but all the great monsters love to eat humans. People around know that I, Lord Rabbit, am a great monster."
Jiang Hao looked down at the rabbit, pondering whether to let it go free.
A rabbit with such aspirations was unwelcome here.
He dismissed the thought as he made his way to the Spirit Herb Garden, saying nonchalantly, "I don't raise big monsters."
The rabbit shook its collar, declaring seriously, "I'm just an ordinary rabbit who loves to eat carrots. Master, isn't that right?"
Jiang Hao could only shake his head helplessly. This rabbit possessed no sense of shame.
A while later, Jiang Hao arrived in front of the Spirit Herb Garden and spotted Mu Qi.
Seeing this, a flicker of hope rose within him.
He had been living sparsely for far too long.