She Really Was a Traitor

The next day.

Jiang Hao followed his usual routine, going to the Spirit Medicine Garden and returning in the evening.

He had gained little today; he had barely seen even a few basic bubbles.

No one had come asking him for spirit herbs, either.

Senior Sister Yun Ruo had not appeared, though he had heard some rumors along the way.

They said there were traitors in the sect, and many had already been discovered.

The purge was underway.

"Fortunately, I don't have anything here. Otherwise, a traitor would surely take a desperate risk and come after me."

Back at his residence, Jiang Hao inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

He neither wanted to become a traitor nor wanted to hunt traitors down.

Neither side was easy to offend.

The Heavenly Sound Sect was a demonic sect, and demonic sects were hounded by everyone in the cultivation world. One day, they would be wiped out.

He did not want to happen to strike at a traitor who turned out to be an important pawn of an immortal sect, earning its hostility.

After that, it would be hard to clear his name, and he would have no hope of abandoning the darkness for the light.

Shaking his head, Jiang Hao tended to the spirit herbs in his courtyard.

They were only ordinary healing herbs, meant to add a little spiritual energy to the courtyard. If they could produce bubbles, all the better.

Unfortunately, he could neither obtain better spirit herbs through an application nor afford to buy them.

"My cultivation is still too weak, but standing out too much would only invite trouble."

"Looks like I need to keep thinking of a way. Should I go out for a while, then say I encountered a fortuitous opportunity that made my cultivation soar?"

"Or should I leave and never come back?"

"Neither is a good solution." Jiang Hao shook his head.

Going out was dangerous in itself, and constantly claiming fortuitous opportunities was no solution. Betraying the sect would be even more dangerous.

The Heavenly Sound Sect never tolerated traitors. Shortly after joining, he had heard of a disciple who had been converted by an immortal sect. At first, the Heavenly Sound Sect had neither expressed a stance nor paid any attention to it. Only ten years later, when that disciple went out and was killed by the Heavenly Sound Sect, did everyone learn that the sect had lain in wait for a decade just to cleanse its ranks.

Thoughts came crowding in, leaving Jiang Hao bewildered. In the end, he cast them all aside and settled down to tend the spirit herbs.

His immediate priority was still to grow stronger and gain more trump cards.

He dared not raise his cultivation too quickly, but increasing his vitality and basic strength posed no problem. He could also keep acquiring divine abilities.

A short while later.

Having finished tending the spirit herbs, he planned to return to his room to cultivate.

But just as he took a step, someone called to him from behind.

"Junior Brother." It was a gentle female voice.

Turning his head, he saw Senior Sister Yun Ruo's slightly pale face.

At the sight of her, Jiang Hao inwardly sensed trouble.

They had always met in the Spirit Medicine Garden before, yet this time Senior Sister Yun Ruo had come all the way to his residence.

She had not come with good intentions.

"Are you here for spirit herbs, Senior Sister Yun Ruo?" Jiang Hao asked calmly.

"Can we talk inside?" Yun Ruo gave him a sweet smile.

No, Jiang Hao refused inwardly, but he dared not say it aloud. He dared not rustle the grass and startle the snake.

"Please, Senior Sister." He gestured for her to enter.

He began putting up his guard. His instincts told him something was wrong with Senior Sister Yun Ruo. Carelessness would surely bring disaster.

Inside the room, Senior Sister Yun Ruo's calm expression turned serious. She stared at Jiang Hao and said:

"Junior Brother, can I trust you?"

Then she immediately shook her head, correcting herself:

"No, I should say you're the only one I can trust, Junior Brother.

I've observed you for years, and I'm certain you don't belong among the people of a demonic sect."

Jiang Hao was alarmed. Does she suspect I'm an infiltrator? Or is she deliberately trying to draw me out?

Feigning panic, he lowered his head and explained:

"Senior Sister, I grew up in the Heavenly Sound Sect. I have no other identity."

"I know. I just think you shouldn't stay in a demonic sect. Your temperament isn't suited to this place. You should go to an immortal sect.

For example, the Sunset Glow Immortal Sect, with its ten-thousand-year legacy and the reverence of the world." Fairy Yun Ruo looked at Jiang Hao and said earnestly:

"I know your heart is set on goodness, and you want to leave the demonic sect to join an immortal sect. This is the best opportunity I've found. This is your one chance to step out of the darkness and into the light."

"S-Senior Sister, could you be..." Jiang Hao began, somewhat shocked.

He truly was surprised. Senior Sister Yun Ruo really was a traitor.

And she wanted to drag him into the mire with her.

"That's right. I'm a True Disciple of the Sunset Glow Immortal Sect. I came here on a mission.

Now I've completed my mission, but I was exposed at the critical moment. With no other choice, I could only come to you for help. Help me hide what I obtained, then deliver it to my sect.

You'll also have a chance to join the Sunset Glow Sect.

The reward meant for me will go to you as well. I know I'm certain to die this time." Fairy Yun Ruo displayed a resolve that welcomed death as though it were a homecoming.

At that moment, she seemed prepared to sacrifice herself, asking only that Jiang Hao take the item out.

The look in her eyes moved Jiang Hao. She did not seem to be lying, but he still did not want to get involved.

What if it was a trap?

"I know you have reservations, Junior Brother. How about this? I'll leave the item with you.

If I die, you can decide whether to report me. I've already been exposed, so there's no reason to drag you to your death with me.

After all, that would do me no good." As she spoke, Fairy Yun Ruo took out a Jade Pendant engraved with mysterious symbols.

One glance was enough to tell it was no ordinary object.

Jiang Hao's brows knitted tightly at the sight. Accepting it would land him in trouble, but if he refused, would this senior sister kill him to silence him?

Would a disciple of a righteous sect be as ruthless as one from a demonic sect?

Jiang Hao could not be sure, though the scent around Senior Sister Yun Ruo really was lovely.

"Junior Brother?" Fairy Yun Ruo bit her lip as she looked at Jiang Hao, appearing pitiful and vulnerable.

For a moment, Jiang Hao felt she was worthy of his trust.

Just as he reached out to accept the Jade Pendant, reason told him again that something was definitely wrong.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him, and he had an idea.

He immediately activated his divine ability, Daily Appraisal.

"Appraise Senior Sister Yun Ruo."