Half a month after obtaining the nameless manual.
Jiang Hao had finally gained a rough grasp of the concealment method. Now, no matter how anyone looked at him, he was an ordinary foundation establishment early stage cultivator.
As he continued to improve, as long as no one could see through the primordial chaos purple qi, no one would know how much cultivation he had hidden.
In his room, Jiang Hao let out a breath.
Then he opened the panel to check his current status.
[Name: Jiang Hao] [Age: Nineteen] [Cultivation: Foundation establishment middle stage] [Cultivation methods: Heavenly Sound, Hundred Turns; Primordial Chaos Heart Scripture] [Divine abilities: Nine-Turn Substitute Death (Unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Mind, Pure Heart] [Vitality: 35/100 (Can cultivate)] [Cultivation: 38/100 (Can cultivate)] [Divine abilities: 0/3 (Cannot obtain)]
"It didn't show up under cultivation methods. Looks like it really is just a special technique."
"Advancing to the foundation establishment early stage consumed about as much cultivation and vitality as advancing to the foundation establishment middle stage. I wonder if I can make the next advancement in one go."
Jiang Hao could only test that next time.
In another two or three months, he could try again. If everything went smoothly, he would reach the foundation establishment late stage.
"The compensation deadline is almost here. I need to earn spirit stones."
Now that he had completely concealed his cultivation, he no longer needed to worry about that.
He was just a little curious whether he could fool that woman.
He would try after advancing.
For a moment, he found himself looking forward to her arrival.
Of course, she was far too powerful and had an eccentric temperament. He needed to be careful around her.
It would still be best not to see her if he could avoid it.
On a trip to the Spirit Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao saw some more bubbles.
[Strength +1] [Strength +1] [Spirit +1] [Cultivation +1]
After collecting bubbles for so many years, he had never encountered an intelligence +1.
It was a pity. Otherwise, he could make himself stronger faster and escape his current predicament.
Fortunately, although the increases in spirit and strength were minute, he could still feel them clearly.
Given a hundred years, perhaps only someone above the golden core realm would be able to shake his spirit.
That was assuming he never advanced.
At noon, he left the Spirit Medicine Garden and went to the sect market.
There were not many people here. That was how it usually was, so it was nothing strange.
Along the way, he spotted Qi Yang and was about to go over and greet him, but Qi Yang's senior brother noticed him and immediately pulled Qi Yang away.
Watching them leave, Jiang Hao did not chase after them and make a nuisance of himself.
Qi Yang had seen him. He lowered his head, seemingly somewhat ashamed.
Jiang Hao understood in an instant. He had been foolish. The Heavenly Joy Pavilion had set its sights on him, and going over to greet Qi Yang could easily drag him into trouble.
He could understand what Qi Yang's senior brother had done.
Putting the matter out of his mind, Jiang Hao found a stall and began selling talismans.
Most were those three types of spirit talismans: Blazing Fire Talismans, Focus Talismans, and Divine Sword Talismans.
Occasionally, he could produce a Myriad Sword Talisman, but unfortunately, the cost was too high. For now, it was better to play it safe.
He was still short about a hundred and fifty spirit stones.
At five spirit stones per talisman, he needed to sell thirty.
He had more than fifty on hand, but he only displayed a dozen or so.
If there were too many, they would lose their value.
Once I've paid the compensation, I'll start making Myriad Sword Talismans. They're powerful and worth good money.
Without that thousand-spirit-stone debt weighing on me, I won't have to worry too much about the cost, Jiang Hao thought.
"Junior Brother, we meet again. I've been holding off on buying spirit talismans just to wait for you," Fairy Leng Tian said with a smile as she approached Jiang Hao's stall.
"Do you still want Blazing Fire Talismans, Senior Sister?" Jiang Hao asked warmly.
He remembered this senior sister. She had bought dozens of Blazing Fire Talismans.
She had earned him a tidy sum.
Fairy Leng Tian shook her head. "Not anymore. Do you have any Myriad Sword Talismans?"
This senior sister cared a great deal about power. Jiang Hao looked slightly regretful.
"No. They're too difficult to make."
"Then Divine Sword Talismans it is. I'll take however many you have," Fairy Leng Tian said generously.
"Five. That's twenty-five spirit stones altogether, but I'll charge you twenty-two, Senior Sister," Jiang Hao said, handing over five spirit talismans.
"You know how to do business. Yours are good quality, and you're easy to deal with." Leng Tian readily handed over twenty-two spirit stones.
There was a fierce glint in her eyes, and her smile made her seem somewhat dangerous.
Putting away the spirit talismans, Leng Tian asked quietly:
"I heard you offended the Heavenly Joy Pavilion, Junior Brother?"
Before Jiang Hao could answer, she continued:
"You'd better be careful, Junior Brother. The people in the Heavenly Joy Pavilion have hearts overflowing with desire. There's very little they won't do.
"Don't leave the sect unless you have to. It'll be dangerous otherwise.
"I don't want to lose my place to buy such good spirit talismans."
Jiang Hao nodded and thanked her, giving her a few Movement Talismans, Fire Talismans, and other talismans he had been unable to sell.
She did not dare linger either and left at once.
Before long, Jiang Hao received another customer, a man with a slightly pale complexion.
Foundation establishment middle stage.
"Jiang Hao, Junior Brother Jiang? I've heard quite a few senior brothers and sisters mention you lately. You're the one who killed Junior Sister Yun Ruo?" Miao Qian asked in a snide tone.
Hearing this, Jiang Hao had a bad feeling. This was someone from the Heavenly Joy Pavilion.
Was this a coincidence, or did he deliberately come looking for trouble?
After a moment's hesitation, Jiang Hao still spoke respectfully:
"What would you like to say, Senior Brother?"
"Nothing. I'm just here to buy a few things. How much are these talismans?" Miao Qian bent down and picked up a Focus Talisman.
"Five spirit stones for a Focus Talisman, three for a Blazing Fire Talisman," Jiang Hao answered.
Hearing the prices, Miao Qian did not even furrow his brow. Smiling, he said in a cold voice:
"I'll take them all. How much altogether?"
All of them? Jiang Hao knew today would not go so smoothly.
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