"Brother Qi."
Jiang Hao turned to greet respectfully.
Qi Yang, an inner disciple of the Thunder Fire Peak, currently at the early Foundation Establishment stage.
He was a companion of Jiang Hao when they were both outer disciples, living under the same roof, maintaining a fairly good relationship.
However, since they embarked on different primary paths, their meetings became rare.
"What? You've reached Foundation Establishment? Already?" Qi Yang exclaimed suddenly as he approached Jiang Hao.
The two people nearby also seemed surprised.
So young, yet in Foundation Establishment.
"Just got lucky with it," Jiang Hao replied with a smile.
This is the trouble without having a concealment technique; his cultivation level was immediately seen through.
He needed to find a way to get one, but right now, the priority was to earn a thousand spirit stones.
No matter the reluctance, he had to meet the compensation demands.
Otherwise, the Heavenly Joy Pavilion might make a move, which would be a real disaster.
Broken Hearts Cliff might not be able to protect him.
He couldn't understand why the Heavenly Joy Pavilion would go to such lengths for an inner sect traitor.
Could it really be just as Senior Sister Yun Ruo said, that someone coveted her body?
Jiang Hao disregarded the thought since Senior Sister Yun Ruo wasn't that beautiful.
Compared to the one who attacked him, there's no comparison at all.
"Brother and Sister, let me introduce you, this is Junior Brother Jiang Hao, who shared a roof with me when we were both outer disciples," Qi Yang introduced.
"Two outstanding disciples from the same place, that's truly rare," the man beside them said with a friendly smile, "I'm Xu Feng, and this is my junior sister, Liang Yue."
"Brother Xu, Sister Liang," Jiang Hao bowed in greeting.
"So, Junior Brother, which main path are you from?" Liang Yue asked with a smile.
Both seemed eager to befriend Jiang Hao, acknowledging such a young Foundation Establishment cultivator as a genius.
"The Broken Hearts Cliff," Jiang Hao replied.
At his words, Xu Feng and Liang Yue were both taken aback. "Broken Hearts Cliff?"
"Junior Brother, do you know who it was that killed Yun Ruo of the Heavenly Joy Pavilion?" Xu Feng probed.
This sudden question left Jiang Hao a bit speechless, but he still managed to say:
"It was me."
At that moment, not just Xu Feng and Liang Yue, even Qi Yang was shocked.
Especially Xu Fang and Liang Yue, who subtly distanced themselves.
After more exchanges, Xu Feng left with his companions.
Jiang Hao said nothing, perhaps because the Heavenly Joy Pavilion was not to be trifled with.
He himself had no intention to foster too much camaraderie with others, especially within the Demonic Sect, where most relations were mutually beneficial.
But he felt wronged, it should have been seen as eliminating threats for the sect, yet he was treated as a criminal of the sect.
Avoided by all.
...
In a corner.
Xu Feng looked at Qi Yang curiously and asked:
"Junior Brother Qi, having known Junior Brother Jiang, do you know how talented he is?"
After a moment of thought, Qi Yang said:
"Seemingly above average."
"Above average?" Hearing this, Liang Yue was surprised:
"How old is he?"
"About nineteen or so, two years younger than me," Qi Yang replied truthfully.
"Above average talent, nineteen, how did he reach Foundation Establishment?" Xu Feng asked the question he most wanted to know.
"Because he had an opportunity, so his cultivation rose sharply, Foundation Establishment was likely related to that opportunity," Qi Yang said curiously:
"Do you think there's something wrong, Brother, Sister?"
Knowing the specifics, Xu Feng and Liang Yue had already made up their minds.
Discussing Jiang Hao once more, their eyes hinted a bit of dismissal.
"Junior Brother, better keep a bit of distance from him," Xu Feng advised, looking in Jiang Hao's departing direction, speaking quietly:
"At first, I was curious as to why Broken Hearts Cliff wouldn't protect him fully, turns out it's because he rose through an opportunity, indicating that his future path might be difficult.
Limited value.
Having angered the Heavenly Joy Pavilion, he may be safe for now, but trouble's bound to come later.
Thus, Junior Brother, don't get too close to him, or you might put the Master in a tough spot."
Initially, Xu Feng did want to befriend Jiang Hao; even knowing Jiang Hao had offended the Heavenly Joy Pavilion, he still had such thoughts.
Because a talent of reaching Foundation Establishment at a young age was rare.
Sometimes, talent alone could overcome any obstacle.
But upon discovering the other relied merely on luck, Xu Feng lost interest in engaging further.
Even a hint of disdain arose.
Wasn't everyone at Foundation Establishment anyway?
Qi Yang looked in the direction Jiang Hao left, choosing to remain silent.
...
Taking a stroll, Jiang Hao realized that the high-paying tasks either required him to leave the sect or had exceedingly high demands.
With his current strength and limitations, he could only handle minor tasks.
Yet he found that alchemy, forging, and talisman making were the most lucrative.
Unfortunately, he was proficient in none.
Perhaps... he should learn one?
Without enough spiritual stones, alchemy and forging seemed out of reach, not to mention the difficulty of starting and acquiring recipes or forging methods.
If only he had knowledge of spirit herbs, he would have some foundation.
Since alchemy and forging were not feasible, only talisman making remained...
Simple to start, and methods could be easily purchased.
"Maybe I should buy some materials and try."
Having decided, Jiang Hao planned to take on an easy task to earn some spirit stones.
At present, accumulating small amounts was his only feasible approach, and though it seemed far off, time shouldn't be wasted.
He could think of ways while completing tasks.
Aiming too high could easily lead to failure.
Finally, he undertook a task to care for the spirit herb known as Purifying Sunflower.
Seven days for twenty spirit stones.
A decent reward, yet demanding, but Jiang Hao met the qualifications due to his experience in the Spirit Herb Garden.
The task originated from White Moon Lake.
Where talents gathered, under the care of a guardian elder.
He's never seen this elder before.
The elders of the guardian sect, peak lords, and pavilion masters were figures he rarely encountered.
Even his master, Broken Hearts Cliff Master, wasn't easily seen.
Let alone the other elders.
"Let’s get some materials and instructions for talisman making, then check the situation."
"The Purifying Sunflower is said to be a holy herb, perhaps tending to it might produce a purple bubble."
If bubbles could bear spirit stones, he wouldn't need to fret over it.