It had been seven days since the incident with Senior Sister Yun Ruo. During this time, no one had come looking for Jiang Hao. This experience made him realize just how potent his "Daily Appraisal" skill truly was, much more than he had initially thought.
In secret, he had appraised a few individuals, none of whom stood out as particularly noteworthy, so he didn't waste further appraisals. It was worth mentioning that he had used his divine ability on himself to assess his own condition.
The general diagnosis was that he had been afflicted with the Heaven Extinction Gu Poison, specifically the Yang Gu, which would force him into a "sage" state unless he was in contact with a woman who carried the Yin Gu.
Upon seeing these results, Jiang Hao sighed deeply.
He knew exactly how he had contracted this poison—it was from consuming something given to him by a certain woman. The recent changes in his body were all side effects of this poison.
Whether this was a blessing or a curse was unclear, for not long ago, Yun Ruo had attempted to use enchantment techniques on him, but they had no effect. This was thanks to the Heaven Extinction Gu Poison. Without it, things might have ended very differently.
There were many in the Demonic Sect skilled in such enchantment techniques, and perhaps, until his mind matured, this poison could be considered a small blessing. Beauty often proves to be a man's downfall, and Jiang Hao had no desire to test his own limits. A single failure could easily cost him his life.
Brushing aside these odd thoughts, he opened his door and headed to the Spirit Herb Garden to continue his diligent work. Every daily effort contributed to his strength, and missing any day was unacceptable. However, as soon as he stepped out, someone blocked his path.
Three young men stood there, each stronger than him in terms of cultivation. They wore stern expressions and emanated a chilling aura.
For safety, Jiang Hao activated his divine ability to appraise the leader of this group. The man wore black robes, had sword-like eyebrows, well-defined features, and a striking appearance.
[Liu Xingchen: True Disciple of the Vast Heaven Sect, possesses innate Dragon's Killing Qi, late-stage Golden Core cultivator, covertly embedded in the Heavenly Sound Sect's Law Enforcement Hall, seeking you to ease the tensions with Heavenly Joy Pavilion.]
The information left Jiang Hao in shock. The Vast Heaven Sect was known as the strongest immortal sect. Why was someone of this stature infiltrating the Heavenly Sound Sect? Could it really be out of boredom? He pushed down his astonishment and respectfully greeted the trio.
"We're from the Law Enforcement Hall and are here regarding the incident from seven days ago. We have a few questions for you and some updates to share," Liu Xingchen said, his expression unreadable.
"Please speak, Senior Brother," Jiang Hao replied, trying to maintain his composure.
Those words "Heavenly Joy Pavilion's anger" troubled him.
"Did you kill Yun Ruo, Junior Sister?" asked Liu Xingchen.
"Yes," Jiang Hao nodded.
"Why did you do it?" Liu Xingchen pressed.
"She betrayed our sect and attempted to make me join her. I tried to subdue her, but in the struggle, I accidentally killed her," Jiang Hao repeated his earlier explanation.
"She belonged to the Heavenly Joy Pavilion, and it wasn't for you or Broken Hearts Cliff to handle," Liu Xingchen stated coldly.
"This time, you've violated sect rules by killing a member of the Heavenly Joy Pavilion. Considering the circumstances, your cultivation resources will be revoked for five years, and you must compensate Heavenly Joy Pavilion with one thousand spirit stones within three months. Additionally, since Yun Ruo was a traitor, and her last contact was with you, you must remain within the sect for investigation. If you leave without permission, you will be treated as a traitor. We'll notify you once our investigation concludes."
Stunned, Jiang Hao stood there, hardly believing his ears. Instead of being commended, he was punished.
Assisting with the investigation was one thing, but being fined one thousand spirit stones was another. As an inner disciple during the Qi Refining stage, he only received ten spirit stones a month. Where would he get a thousand?
'Just like the Demonic Sect's twisted way of doing things—it's all for show in deference to the Heavenly Joy Pavilion,' he thought.
Seeing Jiang Hao's lack of response, one of the disciples beside Liu Xingchen spoke coldly, "Do you have any questions?"
Returning to his senses, Jiang Hao quietly said, "No questions."
The trio from the Law Enforcement Hall then said a few more trivial things before leaving.
Watching them disappear, Jiang Hao let out a heavy sigh, "Is it that Broken Hearts Cliff is too weak, or am I just not valued at all?"
"This is quite unjust—how can I possibly gather a thousand spirit stones in three months?"
"What happens if I can't pay? Will the Heavenly Joy Pavilion take action against me?"
"At nineteen, I've already achieved the Foundation Establishment stage, which is rare. I wonder if Broken Hearts Cliff will protect me."
With these anxieties, Jiang Hao made his way to the Spirit Herb Garden. He not only needed to improve his cultivation but also find a way to earn spirit stones.
He felt the implications of the saying "beauty's trouble" deeply, realizing that killing had not freed him from its lingering disaster.
Resisting was out of the question, given his opponent was in the late-stage Golden Core stage.
As for exposing the infiltrator...
That would be courting death.
In the world of cultivation, the hierarchy was Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Divine Transformation, and Void Return.
Jiang Hao had yet to learn about the later stages.
...
...
At the highest point of the Heavenly Sound Sect, on the center island of the Hundred Flowers Lake, Hong Yuye sat in contemplation, her gaze fixed on the lake.
A gentle breeze carried a white shadow behind her, who respectfully bowed, "Sect Master."
Without turning, Hong Yuye asked, "What is it?"
"I have compiled lists of suspicious disciples and potential traitors for your consideration," Bai Zhi said, handing over the documents.
Each list came with detailed records, including origins, cultivation levels, and points of suspicion.
Taking the list, Hong Yuye scanned through unfamiliar names until she reached a particular entry: Jiang Hao, inner disciple of Broken Hearts Cliff, residing by the stream at Broken Hearts Cliff, newly advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage.