"The second arena, Law Enforcement Peak's Ning Wanping." As Jiang Hao looked at the scroll, he was a bit surprised to see someone from Law Enforcement Peak listed.
However, he knew that people from Law Enforcement Peak came in many kinds, so he didn't worry much about offending the wrong person. In the sect, Jiang Hao had offended only a few, with the most significant being Heavenly Joy Pavilion, which felt like a mountain pressing down on him.
Rumor had it that the person from the pavilion had still not found a new enchanting physique partner. If things continued like this, it seemed that person might come to hassle him just to vent out frustration.
Shortly after, Jiang Hao found himself at the second arena. Today, there were four arenas for the competition. All four stages of the Foundation Establishment were being conducted simultaneously. After it ended, participants could choose treasures, and tomorrow would be for the four stages of the Golden Core, with the following day for Nascent Soul.
The treasures were awarded on the day results were revealed. Just as these thoughts settled in his mind, a young man appeared on the stage. The man was clad in black and exuded a cold demeanor, seeming to disregard anyone around him.
Upon closer inspection, Jiang Hao sensed that though the man was in the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, he was incredibly strong. There was a bone-chilling coldness that emanated whenever his spirit energy spread out. This person was not ordinary. After all, who could make it this far and be easily dismissed?
People like Han Ming, who had big accomplishments and the blessings of the mountain and river spirits, hadn't made it into the top three. Although he hadn't had the time to grow fully, it still showed how talented the other participants were.
"Name?" The golden core senior brother asked again. Jiang Hao found it curious that he encountered this same judge every time. Unlike other places where judges often rotated.
"Law Enforcement Peak's Ning Wanping," the man stated impassively.
"Jiang Hao from Broken Hearts Cliff," Jiang Hao responded courteously.
As the match began, Ning Wanping didn't rush into an attack. Seeing this, Jiang Hao also didn't hurry, choosing to remain standing on the spot. Soon he realized that his opponent was gathering momentum, much like when he would prepare to use the second form of the Heavenly Blade.
A soft breeze swept over as Ning Wanping’s aura surged toward Jiang Hao. In response, Jiang Hao stood firm with his blade, countering the momentum with his blade intent. The two of them stood still for a while, each one's intent pushing against the other.
Meanwhile, the onlookers began to feel bored.
"It's Ning senior brother from Law Enforcement Peak again. Every time I watch his matches, I can't understand them. He just stands there and wins," someone remarked.
"Who isn’t like that? How long do you think this Broken Hearts Cliff senior brother will hold out?" another asked.
"Don't know. Shall we go elsewhere? It’s not crowded here—everyone else left when they saw it was Ning senior brother," someone suggested.
With that, a few people decided to leave. But just as they turned to go, a sudden booming sound erupted, and waves of power shook the area, causing everyone to quickly turn back.
What they saw left them astonished—Ning Wanping from Law Enforcement Peak was down on one knee, clutching a broken sword to keep himself upright.
He coughed up blood, his whole body trembling.
"What just happened?" The onlookers were stunned, realizing they had missed the most thrilling part just by turning around. They all glared angrily at the person who suggested they leave, feeling they’d missed a crucial moment.
How had Ning senior brother lost? And how had the opponent secured his victory?
Jiang Hao sighed inwardly; the opponent's force forced him to end the match quickly, as dragging it out could expose his cultivation level. His opponent's aura was such that victory and defeat were decided in a split moment.
In that brief instant, they had exchanged three moves each. His opponent had used a sword while Jiang Hao wielded his blade. Each blade strike was the Moon Slash. The first made the opponent falter, the second broke the opponent's sword, and in the third, Jiang Hao had held back. Otherwise, his opponent would have certainly died.
"Thanks for the match," Jiang Hao said softly.
"Thank you!" Ning Wanping was clearly aware of the grace he’d been given. With his rising momentum, it was either victory or death. He was alive only because Jiang Hao had stayed his hand at the last moment; otherwise, he’d be a corpse right now. He would definitely repay this favor.
Jiang Hao then turned toward the judge, a senior brother who appeared to be in his late twenties, sporting some faint stubble. Though not particularly handsome, the man carried a distinct style and a steady demeanor.
"When do you plan to pick your reward?" Zhan Lie smiled and asked. Having watched Jiang Hao win match after match, he thought this junior brother was underplaying himself. His foundation seemed firm, his treasures remarkable, and his blade techniques outstanding. Though a lot of luck played into his success, his skill was evident.
"Can I go now?" Jiang Hao thought he had to wait for everyone to finish.
"Yes, others have to wait after ending, but you, who secured an early victory, have priority," Zhan Lie explained.
Guided by the senior brother, Jiang Hao arrived at the display stand.
"You can choose now," Zhan Lie opened a gap for Jiang Hao to enter.
At the display stand, Jiang Hao pretended to hesitate as he circled around, but eventually picked a box containing seeds.
After closing the box, he stepped back.
"Are you sure you want to choose this?" Zhan Lie couldn't help but ask, "Other choices might be better—remember, these are sect rewards. Even if someone wants them, they'll think twice about causing a mess over it."
It was as if he saw right through Jiang Hao's intentions and offered his advice.
After expressing his thanks, Jiang Hao replied, "This will do; perhaps it suits me best." What he truly needed were those seeds; they appeared to have the most potential and usefulness. The other items might be useful in the short term, but nothing could match the value of the seeds.
Zhan Lie had no more to say and respected his choice.
Finally, Jiang Hao turned to leave, heading back to Broken Hearts Cliff. He needed to plant the seeds beside the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower to nurture them, and seven days later, would need to transplant them to a more spacious place, costing more spirit stones.
These things always seemed to add complications to his life.
Watching Jiang Hao depart, Zhan Lie couldn't help but marvel at the luck of others. The least useful item had been picked first. The next in line was probably overjoyed.
He didn't ponder it too long; everyone had their choices. Perhaps picking such a thing could ensure a longer life? Who could say?
"Alright, it's just seven days to wait."
Jiang Hao dusted off his hands and rose from the garden. There was still time in the day, so he planned to visit the Spirit Herb Garden to tend to it. Tomorrow he would collect the bubbles, which otherwise would be few and far between.
Gaining cultivation was already a slow process, and he couldn’t afford further delays.
Reaching the Spirit Herb Garden, Jiang Hao saw Cheng Chou and others looking worried.
"Is there trouble?" he asked.
A few days ago, he'd asked Cheng Chou to investigate a Spirit Field. It seemed there had been developments.
Upon seeing Jiang Hao, Cheng Chou seemed to find his backbone and promptly replied, "Reporting to Senior Brother Jiang, we found the Spirit Field issue was caused by the Bone Flower from the Hundred Bone Forest."
"Why do you say that?" Jiang Hao inquired.
He had encountered many Bone Flowers from the forest before without issue.
"This morning, Lord Rabbit discovered a second Spirit Field with problems. When we investigated, the only commonality was the planting of Bone Flowers. Checking further, we found the Spirit Field's nutrients were declining. We wouldn’t have noticed without a thorough look," Cheng Chou explained.
"Lead me there to take a look," Jiang Hao insisted without delay.
Running most of the Spirit Field affairs was his responsibility, so if there were ongoing issues linked to nurturing spirit herbs there, it would be his oversight.
Failing at his job could have a significant impact on him.