On the stage, Jiang Hao quietly waited. Around him, there were not many spectators. He wasn't someone famous, and neither was Xin Yuyue from Thunder Fire Peak, so only a few were watching. Most people went to see the fights between renowned experts. If it was Jiang Hao, he would have done the same. Fights between unknowns in the Foundation Establishment stage weren't something to watch.
After waiting for a moment, a woman appeared across from him. She had a ponytail and determination in her eyes, ready to fight to the death. Jiang Hao was surprised by her drive. There must be something among the five prizes she really wanted. Unfortunately, he coveted something from the prize pool as well, and others would have to be disappointed.
"Sister Xin," Jiang Hao greeted.
"I didn't expect you to advance so quickly, Junior Brother Jiang," Xin Yuyue replied bitterly. She came full of confidence, only to face the last person she wanted to meet. It was this very person who made her feel fear back in the demon cave.
"Just lucky," Jiang Hao said humbly.
At that moment, Jiang Hao heard voices cheering for Xin Yuyue from below, urging her to defeat him with a lightning strike. He paid no mind to them. Then a Golden Core stage senior brother arrived on the stage and sternly said, "State your names."
"Xin Yuyue from Thunder Fire Peak," she answered respectfully.
"Jiang Hao from Broken Hearts Cliff," he said.
"Then let’s begin," said the senior brother, retreating from the stage.
In an instant, Jiang Hao sensed a spirit sword slicing through the air towards him. With the clang, his crescent moon blade met her attack. There was no gap as she launched another swift assault from the side, forcing Jiang Hao on the defensive. She didn’t let up, moving faster each time. Her movements were not ordinary.
The clash of blades continued, Jiang Hao was all defense. He stood his ground, not moving an inch, or perhaps she didn’t give him the chance. The rumble of thunder filled the air. While attacking, she was also summoning the Lightning Sword Technique.
Thanks to the nameless secret manual, Jiang Hao could control his body’s power well and sense the flow of surrounding spirit energy. It was a curious feeling, reacting to attacks without needing constant vigilance, always aware. He could discern the intensity of her strikes and counter effectively.
For Xin Yuyue, however, it was a struggle. Jiang Hao didn’t need to move, yet she was using all her might. At that moment, she felt like she was facing a stone wall—immovable no matter how hard she tried. Her relentless attack gave him no chance to strike but allowed her preparation time.
The sky crackled with thunder as she charged with her sword. Jiang Hao didn’t hold back either. With a slash, he unleashed the Demonic Sound Slash. The demonic sound roared; his slash broke through her spirit sword and continued towards her.
Boom!
The blade stopped beside Xin Yuyue's cheek, the energy sweeping the empty space behind her. Once the noise settled, a scar remained on the stage.
With a clang, the broken sword tip fell to the ground. Gripping the broken blade, Xin Yuyue looked terrified. She took a deep breath and respectfully bowed to Jiang Hao.
Jiang Hao returned the courtesy with a nod and softly said, "I appreciate your acknowledgment, Sister."
With a lowered head, Xin Yuyue turned to leave, her companions following quickly behind.
The Golden Core senior brother returned to the stage, announcing, "Jiang Hao from Broken Hearts Cliff is victorious."
He gave Jiang Hao a curious gaze, surprised by his solid foundation.
After returning the courtesy, Jiang Hao left, knowing he would have another match in the afternoon. The top four would be decided, then the top two the day after, concluding with the victor the day after that. Jiang Hao calculated he needed to fight three more times.
Moving forward, the victories shouldn't be too overwhelming.
Sister Xin's win over her faction might have been partly due to luck. She was possibly on par with Han Ming.
"Thank you for yielding, Senior Brother," a familiar voice called. Jiang Hao turned and realized he was passing Han Ming's stage, where Han Ming had also defeated his opponent. Observing Han Ming, Jiang Hao noted his junior brother had improved considerably, likely stronger than Sister Xin.
Without dwelling, he returned to the Spirit Herb Garden to gather bubbles.
[Vital Qi +1]
[Spirit +1]
[Strength +1]
[Endurance +1]
Feeling the subtle changes in his body, Jiang Hao was content. Though the changes were minor, over time, they accumulated. So far, the most significant impact was on his spirit.
His spirit strength exceeded that of his peers, nearing late Golden Core levels.
Afterward, he tended to the spirit herbs, knowing they were the foundation of his strength and couldn’t be neglected.
"Did Senior Brother fail the competition?" Cheng Chou cautiously asked when he approached Jiang Hao.
"No," Jiang Hao replied simply.
"Then why not rest for the afternoon match?" Cheng Chou inquired curiously.
"No need, there are some tasks you can’t handle alone, so I’ll do them," Jiang Hao shook his head.
Seeing this, Cheng Chou refrained from speaking further and went off to work. Jiang Hao treated those in the Spirit Herb Garden well—or at least wasn’t harsh—which was greatly appreciated. They hoped for Jiang Hao’s success to avoid returning to harsher times.
Jiang Hao paid little mind to their concerns unless misconduct occurred, and for now, everyone performed their duties well.
With a swoosh, a rabbit darted out beside him.
"Master, something’s wrong with the spirit field," the rabbit said as it shook dust from its fur.
Jiang Hao’s expression shifted, "Where?"
A moment later, the rabbit led him to a corner of a spirit field. Observing, Jiang Hao discovered the soil's nutrients were depleting, not through natural spread but seemingly absorbed faster by something.
"Let Cheng Chou investigate what was planted here before," Jiang Hao instructed.
If the spirit herbs planted were valuable, they absorbed soil nutrients and surrounding spirit energy before maturity. While Cheng Chou checked, Jiang Hao returned to the main square, checking his match location and opponent for the next round.
"Stage One, opponent is Zhou Chan from White Moon Lake."
"Senior Sister Zhou Chan?"
If it was the Zhou Chan he knew, Jiang Hao found it hard to believe. It turned out Senior Sister Zhou was the strongest mid-stage Foundation Establishment in White Moon Lake.
Arriving at Stage One, he found Senior Sister Zhou already there.
"So it's you, Junior Brother Jiang. I thought it was just a name coincidence. Last time we met, you were early Foundation Establishment, and now you’re mid-stage," Zhou Chan greeted with a smile.
Jiang Hao acknowledged her with a slight nod, respectfully saying, "I was fortunate to advance. But Senior Sister Zhou is impressive. I've heard White Moon Lake is full of talents, and I didn't expect you to be the strongest mid-stage."
Zhou Chan laughed, a bit embarrassed, "Actually, there are few at White Moon Lake, and I'm the only mid-stage Foundation Establishment."
"Is that so," Jiang Hao responded awkwardly.
"Please register," the Golden Core senior brother appeared again, the same one from the morning.