After killing the two disciples from the Heavenly Joy Pavilion.
Jiang Hao had consolidated his cultivation, using up all his accumulated cultivation and blood essence.
If he faced them now, he could kill them both with perfect ease.
During his last month in the Demon Grotto, he had barely encountered any Demonfolk, so he had gained little additional blood essence or cultivation.
His greatest gain from this mission was probably his advancement to Foundation Establishment Perfection.
It also bought him a brief period of peace.
As long as he continued staying here, he could quickly grow stronger.
That confidence came from the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower.
Looking at the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, which still had only two tender leaves, Jiang Hao could not help feeling wistful. This flower had given him an opportunity, but it would also plunge him into an even greater crisis.
He just did not know when that crisis would arrive.
After staring at the flower for a long time, Jiang Hao began assessing his shortcomings.
The Protective Armor had indeed helped him a great deal with defense.
For now, his defenses were adequate.
But he had neither spell arts nor an offensive magical treasure.
Demonic Sound Slash was reasonably powerful, but his master might not be willing to teach him anything better.
An inner disciple was still only an inner disciple.
He needed to find a way to obtain something better.
As for a magical treasure...
A saber, then. It feels quite natural in my hand.
But his next purchase would have to be suitable for the Golden Core Stage.
The spirit stones needed would number far beyond a few hundred or a thousand. To him, it was an astronomical sum.
He was still poor.
He would have to keep making talismans to earn money in the days ahead.
Seven days after his return from the Demon Grotto.
Liu Xingchen came to see him and delivered his reward for the Demon Grotto mission.
Three hundred spirit stones in total.
He also mentioned that the Heavenly Joy Pavilion disciples had not returned, and that he needed to ask Jiang Hao a couple of questions.
"These are just routine questions. Simply answer truthfully, Junior Brother.
"That way, we can give the Heavenly Joy Pavilion an explanation," Liu Xingchen said evenly.
"Please ask, Senior Brother." Jiang Hao's expression remained unchanged.
"Tell me about your experiences in the Demon Grotto, Junior Brother," Liu Xingchen said casually as he entered the courtyard.
"At first, I traveled with several senior brothers and sisters. After about a month, we decided to split up so we could clear out the Demonfolk more efficiently.
"Along the way, I did nothing other than hunt Demonfolk," Jiang Hao replied.
Hearing this, Liu Xingchen turned to look at Jiang Hao.
"Did you see those two Heavenly Joy Pavilion disciples during that time?"
Jiang Hao shook his head and explained,
"I was avoiding them the whole time, so I never encountered them."
"That makes sense." Liu Xingchen nodded, then smiled.
"Then there's nothing else I need to ask.
"The Heavenly Joy Pavilion will probably suspect you, but without evidence, they're unlikely to take a desperate gamble.
"You can cultivate in peace at Heartbreak Cliff for the time being, Junior Brother.
"I'll take my leave."
With that, Liu Xingchen stayed no longer.
As he saw this senior brother off, Jiang Hao used his appraisal divine ability once more.
[Liu Xingchen: A true disciple of the Haotian Sect, born with dragon baleful aura. His cultivation is at Golden Core Perfection. Bored and with nothing better to do, he went undercover in the Heavenly Sound Sect's Law Enforcement Hall. He has befriended you to get close to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and enjoy a good show along the way. He strongly suspects that you killed all three Heavenly Joy Pavilion disciples and has developed a keen interest in you.]
Jiang Hao: "..."
Although the man's interest left him feeling helpless, Liu Xingchen posed no danger for now.
That meant his assurance that Jiang Hao could cultivate in peace for a while was most likely true.
At that thought, Jiang Hao breathed a sigh of relief.
At last, he could continue accumulating cultivation and growing stronger.
One month after his return from the Demon Grotto.
Han Ming came to his door.
"We meet again, Senior Brother." Han Ming looked at Jiang Hao with a broad smile.
"Did you need something, Junior Brother?" Jiang Hao asked in puzzlement, though Han Ming's cultivation astonished him.
Foundation Establishment Middle Stage. Having an inheritance really did make a difference. He had advanced so quickly.
It might also have been thanks to heavenly treasures.
"Have you forgotten, Senior Brother? I said before that I wanted to spar with you. I'm ready now." Han Ming looked eager to try.
"Would you prefer a private match or a public one?"
Jiang Hao remembered. They had indeed discussed it.
"In private," he said without the slightest hesitation.
A private match would have little impact. It would not matter how he lost.
"When?" Han Ming asked.
"Tomorrow," Jiang Hao said after a moment's thought.
Today, he could think about how to lose and sell the talismans he had made recently.
Then he would need to buy a better talisman compendium.
He had already learned all twelve talismans in his previous one. Apart from the nine he had learned earlier, the remaining three were utility talismans of little use.
They were the Cleaning Talisman, Strength Talisman, and Pain Relief Talisman.
He could clean clothing directly with spiritual energy. Even Qi Refining disciples did not want to use Strength Talismans, while Pain Relief Talismans offered only a slight healing effect, with high costs and low selling prices.
After making a few, he had rarely made any more.
"All right. I'll come find you tomorrow morning, Senior Brother. How about holding the match by the creek?" Han Ming asked.
Once Jiang Hao nodded, Han Ming turned and left.
After tomorrow, he would no longer need to concern himself with this senior brother.
A defeated opponent was not worth his attention.
Watching him leave with a somewhat dismissive air, Jiang Hao did not mind.
After tomorrow, this junior brother should stop keeping his sights on him. That would be better for everyone.
"From the look of you, are you planning to lose to him?"
A melodious yet cold voice suddenly sounded behind Jiang Hao.
He turned and found a woman in red standing in the courtyard, her gaze lowered toward the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower.
Her profile was breathtakingly beautiful.
It was her again. Jiang Hao stepped into the courtyard and bowed.
"Greetings, Senior."
Although he did not want to see her, every encounter made him feel like a normal person.
Gu poison truly did no small harm.
Yet it had also helped him considerably. When he faced the two Heavenly Joy Pavilion disciples, his mind had remained entirely unaffected, almost wholly thanks to the gu poison.
"You seem very afraid of drawing attention to yourself." Hong Yuye turned to look at Jiang Hao.
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