Chapter 35 – Seven Forms Of Heavenly Blade
Chapter 35 Seven Forms of Heavenly Blade
Jiang Hao was worried about being in the limelight. In the Devil's Sect, he wasn't valued much. If he was strong, it would be fine, but he was still weak.
He just wanted to cultivate peacefully without unwanted attention from others. The outcome of the sparring match with Han Ming was of no consequence to him.
But he couldn't tell her all this. So, he said, "Planting a flower as important as the one here, I don't dare attract unnecessary attention."
Hong Yuye chuckled. "What's your cultivation level?"
"Middle stage of the Foundation Establishment Stage," Jiang Hao replied.
Hong Yuye walked to a corner and looked at him. "I thought you were an honest man, but it seems I was mistaken. A good man can never lie so calmly."
Jiang Hao lowered his head and didn't say anything. He didn't know if she was deliberately provoking him. When facing someone as monstrously strong as her, silence was the best method.
Hong Yuye turned to look at Jiang Hao. "I'll give you another chance. Tell me what your cultivation level is."
"Middle stage of the Foundation Establishment Stage," said Jiang Hao again.
Whoosh!
Hong Yuye frowned. An invisible force whistled like a gale, striking Jiang Hao. He crashed onto the wall unable to withstand it.
He was really curious about this woman's cultivation level.
Hong Yuye snorted derisively. "Fine. I will take that answer for now."
Jiang Hao exhaled. He wondered whether she could see through his concealment.
"You use a saber?" Hong Yuye picked up the Shadow Blade.
"I do intend to." Jiang Hao nodded. He did want to focus on sword techniques in the future.
"I've met quite a few people. They all practice with the swords instead." Hong Yuye calmly looked at Jiang Hao. "You don't practice with a sword?"
"No." Jiang Hao shook his head.
"Why?" Hong Yuye asked.
"I'm a disciple of the Devil Sect. Practicing with the sword makes people think of disciples of the Immortal School. That's why it's good to place the Dharma treasure on the saber instead," Jiang Hao replied.
When he talked about the immortal sect, he usually thought about the fluttering white clothes and the long swords. There were all kinds of strange dharma treasures in the demonic sect.
Hong Yuye sneered and walked into the room. She sat at a table. "You are not very much valued in the Heavenly Note Sect, are you?"
Jiang Hao followed her in. He lowered his head and did not say anything. It was true. He wasn't really valued. He was just… passable.
As for the Heavenly Joy Pavilion…
One day, when he surpassed them, he would definitely make a trip there.
Hong Yuye continued, "There are neither powerful magic treasures nor powerful spells that are of any consequence."
"There are still very powerful magic treasures," Jiang Hao retorted.
He was referring to one of the Nine Heavenly Battle Armors on his body. Although this item was only a Foundation Establishment magic treasure, it was part of a set. If all parts were gathered, it would be quite powerful.
Jere
Hong Yuye stared at Jiang Hao for some time. "I have a saber technique here. Do you want it?"
"What conditions do you have, Senior?" Jiang Hao asked curiously. It was impossible for her to give it to him for free.
"Aren't you going to spar with someone tomorrow? If you win, I will give you the technique," she said and looked at him with a smirk.
Jiang Hao didn't respond instantly. He was thinking of what he would gain from the offer and what else he would lose. 'What will happen to Han Ming if I win?'
He would definitely pester Jiang Hao. It would raise suspicion. But it wasn't impossible to explain. Devil's Den provided many opportunities. He was there for two months. So, it wasn't strange for him to become stronger at that time. But would the Cliff Master believe him?
There was a certain risk. 'Should I refuse and give up on the saber technique?'
He recalled the secret manual she had given him. It had helped him a lot. The things that this woman had given him had always come in handy.
He made up his mind. He would win the sparring match and obtain the saber technique. Then, he would push all the blame to the Devil's Den for the increase in his strength.
"Alright." Jiang Hao agreed.
He didn't know when he would be able to obtain a good saber technique. He couldn't learn any of the techniques in Hong Meng's Heart Sutra. He could not pick up anything above purple bubbles unless he obtained another Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower seed. That was impossible. He could only seize the opportunity that he was presented with.
"You are quite decisive." Hong Yuye was bored and threw the book on the table. She then walked out of the house like a gust of wind. "If I see that the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower has not grown in any way the next time I come, I will hold you responsible."
She disappeared without a trace after that. Jiang Hao bowed respectfully.
After she was gone, he picked up the book. This time there was a title on the cover of the book. He wasn't in a hurry to read it. He glanced at the courtyard and saw that the corner where he had placed his Shadow Blade was empty.
'The woman stole my saber?' Jiang Hao found it unbelievable that she could do such a thing.
Shaking his head, he opened the 'Seven Forms of Heavenly Blade'. However, the book was so difficult to understand. The difficulty is much higher than the Demonic Sound Slash. I know the name of the first form!'
The First Form of The Heavenly Blade: Moon-Slaying.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Jiang Hao planned to use his Clear and Pure Heart ability tonight to read the book. But first, he needed to go to the Spirit Herb harden and sell some talismans.
Han Ming returned to his house eager for tomorrow to come. He was around the same age as Jiang Hao and he really wanted to beat him.
After all, he was a True Disciple and Jiang Hao was just an inner sect disciple. As long as he could beat him, Han Ming could call him "Junior Brother' and nobody would care.
There weren't so many rules in the Devil sect. If the disciples didn't kill other disciples and indulge in unnecessary fighting, there wasn't a problem.
Chapter 36 One Slash Was Enough to Defeat Him
"Junior Brother?" said a tall and handsome man. "Did something happen? You certainly look very happy."
"Senior Brother Mu," Han Ming said with a smile. "It's not that big of a deal. I am just looking for Senior Brother Jiang. He agreed to spar with me."
"Oh?" Mu Qi said with some interest. "Junior Brother Jiang. He has a quiet personality and only knows how to manage the Spirit Herb Garden. Does he know you have advanced to the middle stage of the Foundation Establishment Stage?"
"I think he does," said Han Ming. "I didn't really hide my cultivation. So, he might have noticed."
"Then Junior Brother, you have to be careful." Mu Qi kindly warned him. "He just recently came back from the Devil's den. There are many fortuitous encounters in the Devil Den. He must have found some. Otherwise, he wouldn't have sparred with you. It's always better to be careful."
Senior Brother Mu Qi left after that. Han Ming frowned. There was no chance to win by a fortuitous encounter.
But caution was necessary. As fellow brothers, their age and cultivation were almost the same. Looking down on someone might be a very bad idea. Han Ming decided to be careful but still believed that he could win easily.
The next day.
[ Lifeblood + 1]
[ cultivation level + 1]
[ cultivation level + 1]
( strength + 1]
Jiang Hao absorbed the bubbles and waited at the door of his house. He was waiting for Han Ming.
Yesterday, he went to sell his talismans. But unfortunately, he couldn't sell much. The profit was less than 100 spirit stones. He had a feeling that he will sell even fewer today.
He decided not to go to the market so frequently. In about three or five days, if he went once, it would be enough. When he finished selling the talismans, he had bought a passable saber for 100 spirit stones. It was a silver-white long saber. He planned to use it to cultivate the First Form of The Heavenly Blade.
The previous night, he had used his ability, Clear and Pure Heart, to understand the first form. The progress wasn't very significant, and he needed more time to comprehend it.
He wasn't in a hurry. The Demonic Sound Slash had taken time to learn so he guessed that a style as complicated as Moon-Slaying would take even more time. He needed to be patient.
"Senior Brother!" said Han Ming, walking towards Jiang Hao. He held a spirit sword in his hand. He looked extraordinary.
"Junior brother is really early," said Jiang Hao. Han Ming really seemed very eager and full of energy.
"I don't dare to make my Senior Brother wait for too long." Han Ming smiled. "Where do you want to spar?"
"Here would be fine," said Jiang Hao.
"Here?" Han Ming looked at Jiang Hao's house at the back. "Aren't you worried about damaging your house?"
Jiang Hao shook his head.
"Well, it's fine with me," said Han Ming, holding his sword at the ready. "Then I'm sorry for offending you, Senior Brother."
Zap! Han Ming's long sword was covered in lightning. Right from the start, he used his strongest move, Heavenly Thunder Sword.
He had listened to Senior Brother Mu Qi's warning yesterday. He had decided to use his strongest move no matter how weak or strong his opponent was.
Jiang Hao looked at his opponent. His expression didn't change. He brandished his saber and used the Demonic Sound Slash.
Rumble!
Han Ming swung his word. Heavenly Thunder Sword resisted the Demonic Sound Slash for a while. But the shadow pierced through the Heavenly Thunder Sword in the next moment. There was an explosion and the Heavenly Thunder Sword shattered into pieces.
The shadow surged towards Han Ming. He used his spirit sword to block it. But the force was so high that Han Ming was sent flying backwards. He used his sword to help him stand. His long sword was full of cracks that it pricked at his heart.
Han Ming realized that the difference between them was too vast. It was like heaven and earth.
"Junior Brother Han, thank you for letting me win," Jiang Hao said politely and withdrew his saber.
He had intended to put on a show of barely winning the match. But he was worried that it would send the wrong message. Those who were slightly stronger than him would approach him with ideas in their heads, and those who were much stronger than him would want to get rid of him easily. Therefore, he decided to defeat Han Ming in one hit.
That way, Jiang Hao thought that he would not be challenged repeatedly. The only drawback was that if the Cliff Master found out, he would be suspicious. But having the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower made him feel at ease.
If there was a problem, he could just say it was because of the flower. If that didn't work, he would just tell him to meet Elder Baizhi to clear any misunderstanding about the flower.
After a long pause, Han Ming raised his head to look at Jiang Hao. His gaze held a tinge of fear and also reverence for him.
"Senior Brother Jiang, you have already advanced?" he asked bitterly.
"Yes. I had some fortuitous encounters in the Devil's Den," said Jiang Hao. "I just got lucky."
y.
"Thank you for showing mercy, Senior Brother," Han Ming said gratefully. He could feel that Jiang Hao's cultivation at the middle stage of the Foundation Establishment Stage was more stable than his.
"This is just a private sparring session," said Jiang Hao. "I hope Junior Brother won't take it to heart. I won't mention this to anyone as well."
"Thank you, Senior Brother." Han Ming thanked him before turning around to leave.
As he watched Han Ming leave, Jiang Hao activated his Daily Appraisal ability to evaluate him.
(Han Ming: True Disciple of Heavenly Note Sect's the Cliff of Broken Hearts. His talent is top-notch. He's 18 years old and is in the Early Foundation Establishment Stage. He is favored by the spirits of mountains and rivers and has the inheritance of a mighty figure. He was unwilling to be defeated by you. He wanted to defeat you after advancing.]
Jiang Hao was speechless. 'I hope he knows I am not showing off.' Shaking his head, Jiang Hao walked to the Spirit Herb Garden. There were a lot of things to do. The heavenly Joy Pavilion and the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower were like a knife hanging above his head.
The only way to safety for him was to become stronger and get rid of those two knives.
Chapter 37 The Man in the Golden Core Realm of The Sunset Sect
[Name: Jiang Hao]
(Age: 20)
(Cultivation: Perfect Foundation establishment]
[Cultivation Method: Heavenly Sound Hundred Revolutions, Hong Meng Heart Sutra]
[Divine Ability: Nine Revolutions Death Substitution (unique), daily Appraisal, Clear and Pure Heart]
[Lifeblood: 49/100(cannot be cultivated)]
(Cultivation: 54/100(can be cultivated)]
[Divine Ability: 1/3(cannot be obtained)]
Jiang Hao walked in the Spirit Herb Garden, absorbing the bubbles around him. His strength and spirit were increasing bit by bit. He wanted his days to be this peaceful. But that was wishful thinking. A month later, he felt an unfriendly gaze on him as he tended to the Spirit Herb Garden.
Someone was staring at him. It was very faint, but he could sense it. He turned to see a few disciples in their Lifeblood Refinement Realm collecting some spirit herbs.
They looked unfamiliar.
'Who are they?' wondered Jiang Hao. He called over some outer sect disciples who worked in the Spirit Herb Garden to ask them about it.
"Senior Brother, they are from other main sects who are here to help out," said Cheng Chou.
"Is that so?" Jiang Hao looked at the five people again. "Which bloodlines are they
from?"
The five people did indeed seem to be in their Lifeblood Refinement Realm. But maybe it just seemed like that.
That nameless secret manual had taught him many things. Since Jiang Hao now knew how to successfully conceal his cultivation, he knew how to detect other people's cultivation level as well. Among those five, one of them had just advanced to the early stage of the Golden Core Realm.
However, that one concealed his cultivation level to make it seem as though he was like at Lifeblood Realm.
Jiang Hao quietly activated his Daily Appraisal ability on the muscular man with a full beard.
(Jinzhou Heng: An inner disciple of the Sunset Sect, undercover in the Thunder Fire Peak. Many years ago, he cultivated together with his Junior Sister, Yun Ruo, and was obsessed with her beauty. When he heard the news of Yun Ruo's death, he was furious. He broke through to the early stage of the Golden Core Realm and came here to seek revenge even at the cost of his own life.]
The result of the appraisal chilled Jiang Hao to his spine. He didn't really care about the man's infatuation with Senior Sister Yun Ruo, but the last line worried him:
"Came here to seek revenge even at the cost of his own life."
In other words, he didn't mind killing himself if it meant taking Jiang Hao with him. No matter how strict the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Note Sect, all security would be useless if he had to face him on the sect grounds. He wasn't afraid of death.
Jiang Hao didn't understand. What was so good about Yun Ruo? Was she worth risking his life for?
People in the Golden Core realm had long life spans because not everyone wanted to offend them. They also had a high status. So why would they seek their own death?
'Everyone in the Devil Sect lives an ignoble life,' thought Jiang Hao. 'But a disciple of an immortal sect was different. He has a bright future ahead of him. Why throw everything away for an infatuation? Is there really no one as beautiful as Senior Sister Yun Ruo? Everyone seems obsessed with her.'
Jiang Hao sighed inwardly. "I think some of them are from Thunder Fire Peak," said Cheng Chou. "There is a list outside, Senior Brother. Do you want to have a look?"
Jiang Hao nodded. He got up and left the Spirit Herb Garden. He didn't dare to stay inside longer than necessary. He was worried that the man at the Golden Core Realm would attack him suddenly.
Someone at the peak of the Foundation Establishment Stage couldn't possibly withstand even a few blows from someone in their Golden Core Realm. He didn't want to take a risk.
His cultivation and lifeblood were about to be fully accumulated. If everything went well, he would be able to attempt to advance in a few days.
However, since the man had already seen him and probably knew his name, it wouldn't be difficult for him to find Jiang Hao's house. It was likely that he might attack soon.
'Since he hasn't taken any action yet, he probably wants to leave this place alive,' Jiang Hao thought to himself.
But if the man found him and killed him in the dead of night, he would have enough time to leave the Heavenly Note Sect undetected and return to Sunset Sect. The Heavenly Note Sect would have no way to deal with him then.
After getting the name list, Jiang Hao left the Cliff of Broken Hearts and headed to the Law Enforcement Hall. He was there to look for Liu Xingchen. Although they were all spies, not everyone was looking to kill him outright.
He knew Liu Xingchen didn't want him dead, so he wanted to ask for his help.
"Junior Brother, is something the matter?" Liu Xingchen was a little surprised to see him.
Jiang Hao was famous for not leaving the Cliff of Broken hearts unless he badly needed to. He had ventured out even less after he offended the Heavenly Joy Pavilion.
Everybody also thought him weak. His function was to guard the Spirit Herb Garden. He didn't dare leave the sect. Killing within the sect was based on merit. Killing outside the sect was based on one's mood. He didn't want to die on somebody's whim.
"There's something I want to tell Senior Brother." Jiang Hao took out the name list and handed it to Liu Xingchen. "I think one of these five people might be a traitor."
"Junior Brother, are you sure?" Liu Xingchen took the name list and looked at it.
"I'm not really sure but…"
"Where did Junior Brother see them?" asked Liu Xingchen.
"The Spirit Herb Garden of the Cliff of Broken Hearts," Jiang Hao answered truthfully.
Liu Xingchen thought for a moment."I'll check it. Junior Brother, you'd better be careful."
Jiang Hao nodded and thanked him. Liu Xingchen would definitely be able to find out about the traitor.
Jiang Hao returned to his house and began to read about the Moon-Slaying saber technique. It had been a month, and he had almost mastered the move. It was just that he wasn't skilled enough to use it efficiently.
In the middle of the night, he took out his saber and waved it. The blade's light lit up like the moon, leaving a deep trench in the ground.
'If I use a little bit of force, it is even stronger than the Demonic Sound Slash. If I use all my strength, I wonder how destructive it would be,' thought Jiang Hao.
Looking at the saber in his hand, Jiang Hao suddenly had the thought of using this technique on that Golden Core Realm assassin who had come to kill him. He brushed the thought away. It was too dangerous.
'My strength is dazzling.'
Jiang Hao was shocked. During this period, he had advanced too quickly and obtained such a saber technique. He almost swelled up with pride.
Chapter 38 The Man in the Golden Core Realm Was Right in front of Him
After discovering Jinzhou, Jiang Hao didn't go to the Spirit Herb Garden anymore. He stayed at his courtyard and gathered bubbles there instead, waiting for his cultivation and lifeblood to reach a hundred.
Liu Xingchen also didn't arrive to update him on the situation. Jiang Hao didn't know if he had found anything. This worried him even
more.
The early stage of the Golden Core Realm wasn't something that someone in the Foundation Establishment Stage could compete with. He was worried that the man might not be able to restrain his hatred and would attack suddenly.
As for hiding somewhere else…
He had thought about that but there were too many spies who hated him and wanted him dead, so his house was the safest for him at the moment. If the man chose to attack, Jiang Hao would leave straight for his Cliff Master's place for help.
There was some hope that the master might help him. And the only thing he could depend on completely was his advancement to the next stage. 'Just a few more days will be enough.'.
Seven days passed in a flash. He consolidated his cultivation and lifeblood every day so that he could advance. This time, though, it was different.
He didn't know if 100 cultivation and 100 lifebloods was enough for him to advance. It was a big step into the Golden Core Realm. If they were not enough then everything would go to waste. He could only collect another 100 in three months.
But Jinzhou Heng had already discovered him. 'Would he wait another three months to attack?'
It was unlikely. Perhaps he had already scouted Jiang Hao's surroundings and was waiting to attack in a few days' time.
Jiang Hao looked at the interface.
( Lifeblood: 99/100(can be cultivated)]
( cultivation: 100/100(can be cultivated)]
'One more day will be enough.'
Jiang Hao took his saber and raised it.
He felt someone staring at him again. It was so direct that Jiang Hao balked. He wasn't prepared. He waited for the man to make his move, then he would try to escape. He didn't want to provoke him.
The Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower crossed his mind. There were still too many people who coveted it. Maybe Elder Baizhi or that woman would make a move if someone tried to steal it.
Jiang Hao waited but the gaze suddenly withdrew. He was puzzled.
"Junior Brother Jiang are you there?" said Liu Xingchen's voice from outside.
"Yes," Jiang Hao immediately replied. No wonder the traitor had retreated. But it was still daylight right now. The man might make a move at night.
Jiang Hao invited Liu Xingchen in and poured him a cup of tea.
"Junior Brother is right. It is indeed possible that he is a spy from another sect. He should be arrested by tonight." Liu Xingchen took a sip of the tea. "Be careful. The person is most likely after you. Since he dared to enter the sect, he plans on not returning alive. However, everyone wants to live, so he might now back off easily. But if we make a move, he will become even more aggressive."
Jiang Hao nodded to show that he understood. He didn't request for the Law Enforcement Hall to protect him, nor did he ask Liu Xingchen to arrest him quickly. Jiang Hao already had so many people who disliked him. He didn't want more enemies.
Liu Xingchen had already done a lot by informing him personally about the matter. Jiang Hao became curious as he looked at the empty courtyard. 'What if Liu Xingchen betrayed him? Should he look for Elder Baizhi instead? Or should he tell the woman in red?'
Jiang Hao shook his head, unable to think of a solution. He didn't want to encounter the person. He walked out of the courtyard intending to visit the Spirit Herb Garden. He was still lacking lifeblood. If the Spirit Herb Garden had some bubbles, maybe he can try to advance right now.
If he could advance fast, he might be able to face the danger that lurked around him. At the least, he would have a chance of escape.
Jiang Hao noticed that Han Ming was getting people to organize the spirit herbs.
"Senior Brother Jiang, I haven't seen you for a few days," Han Ming said in respect. He was unwilling to lose to Jiang Hao, but he understood that he wasn't a match for him, at least not yet.
"Junior Brother Han is going on a long trip?" Jiang Hao pointed at the spirit herbs. Usually, Han Ming did not prepare so much spirit herbs in an instant.
Even if he was refining pills, he didn't need so many. So, the possibility was that he was going on a long trip. "Azure Mountain is holding a DAO conference, and everyone seems to be reluctant to leave since they have a conflicting relationship with our sect," said Han Ming. "I want to go out to train."
A confrontation between the righteous and the Devil? Jiang Hao didn't want to experience something like that.
"Then Junior Brother must be very careful," Jiang Hao kindly warned him. He also saw a blue air bubble in the garden. But he didn't know if they contained lifeblood.
"Will do, Senior Brother," said Han Ming. "When I come back after training, I will look for you to spar with."
Jiang Hao nodded. Next time, he would lose to him deliberately so that he can be left alone. After bidding farewell to Han Ming, he went to the Spirit Herb Garden.
He looked at the people who had come to help. None of them looked as formidable as Jinzhou
Heng.
After a while, the bubbles began to pour in.
( strength + 1]
( spirit + 1]
[ endurance + 1]
[ spirit + 1]
He was happy to feel the slight changes in his body. He had lost a lot of progress in these past few days because of the traitor.
Soon, the blue bubble also merged into his body.
[ lifeblood + 1]
'It's done!' Jiang Hao left the Spirit Herb Garden. He wanted to advance to the Golden Core Realm as fast as possible.
Chapter 39 Facing the Man in the Golden Core Realm
At night, in the Thunder Fire Peak, a spell lit up the forest. Boom!
The man in the Golden Core Realm merged into the darkness and left reluctantly. After coming to the Heavenly Note Sect, he had finally found that person and even knew his strength.
Tonight was perfect to make a move, but he was discovered by the people of The Law Enforcement Hall. He was going to be arrested. If it wasn't for the spy who notified him, he would be gravely injured.
If he was caught, the Heavenly Note Sect would definitely throw him in the Lawless Tower and suck out all his cultivation. He didn't care about dying. He only had one fear: that he would not be able to finish what he came here for.
'If I had known earlier, I wouldn't have hesitated. I should have attacked the first time I saw him,' thought Jinzhou Heng regretfully. He had stalled for time in vain. He had made every preparation. In fact, at a glance, he was only an outer disciple in the Lifeblood refinement Stage. The possibility of him being targeted had been zero. 'So, how did they discover me?'
11 Zen
Boom!
The spells kept on bombarding him. He did not try to escape. Instead, he went to find Jiang Hao. He would kill him first and think about escaping later.
Late at night, Jiang Hao sat on the floor with his eyebrows furrowed. He grimaced.
The purple energy kept churning and his strength surged in his meridians. The powers gathered in his energy center as though squeezing into one another. When the powers merged, it would create a change.
However, even after a while, the powers were unable to merge into one. This was the bottleneck.
Jiang Hao was not anxious about this. Instead, he circulated the Hong Meng Heart Sutra and sorted out the powers in an orderly manner, allowing them to merge quickly.
In the dead and silent night, Jiang Hao's entire body was surrounded by purple energy. When the spiritual energy and lifeblood were completely exhausted, a cracking sound came from within his body. It was the sound of the bottleneck breaking.
A tiny golden core gathered in his energy center and began to absorb all the surrounding energy. After a short while, a complete golden core floated in his energy center. A powerful aura overflowed and spread throughout his entire body.
Jiang Hao slowly opened his eyes. He clenched his fist feeling the new power that was emerging. He heaved a sigh of relief.
'The Golden Core Realm. It's unbelievable!' Jiang Hao was surprised. In the past it had taken a long time to accumulate cultivation bases. After encountering Yun Ruo, he was in constant danger even now after her death. But his advancement was becoming easier and faster.
'Maybe I should be thankful to her for putting me on this path,' thought Jiang Hao. He shook his head. The source of all this wasn't Senior Sister Yun Ruo.
It was that woman in red.
Her appearance must have caused some changes in the Heavenly Note Sect. They began to search for spies and traitors very diligently. It was then that Senior Sister Yun Ruo had targeted him.
Most likely, it was then that the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower was handed over to him to fish out more traitors.
So, he had to thank that woman instead.
But…
It was also because of that woman that Jiang Hao was in danger all the time. He should be blaming her instead.
He shook his head and put his thoughts aside He then went to the courtyard and raised his saber. Whether something would happen to him tonight or not was something he had to find out by waiting patiently. He sat there for the whole night.
The first ray of sunlight emerged from the horizon. When Jiang Hao was sure that nothing was going to happen, he saw a figure approach.
'He's here.' Jiang Hao picked up his saber and walked out of the courtyard. He walked to the stream. The person was now across from him.
Both looked at each other. Under the rising sun, Jiang Hao could see him clearly. The man was muscular. His aura was weak. His clothes were torn. Fresh blood flowed out of the cuts and bruises on his arm and his waist as though he had just arrived from a terrible fight.
Judging from his aura, he could be considered quite powerful. Was he intentionally letting him go?
Jiang Hao immediately thought of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. Many people wanted to see what would happen if they touched it. That was why Liu Xingchen hung around him. He wanted a good show.
"You can't escape." Jinzhou Heng stared at Jiang Hao in malice. "I'm not running," Jiang Hao replied.
"Are you waiting for someone to save you? Don't even think about it. The person who captured me is currently trapped by my supernatural power. He won't be able to make it here before daybreak." Jinzhou Heng's face only showed resentment. "Why did you kill Junior Sister Yun Ruo?"
"She was a traitor," Jiang Hao replied calmly.
"Do you know how important Junior Sister Yun Ruo was to me? She was my hope to survive. When I was weak, she was the only one who stayed by me. She was like a ray of light that lit up my dark world. She gave me a goal and motivation. She allowed me to surpass everyone around me. But… you killed her!"
Jinzhou Heng became even more agitated as she spoke. His eyes were filled with intense hatred for Jiang Hao.
Jiang Hao looked at him and said, "I know now."
Jinzhou Heng scowled. "Then you also know I have come to kill you."
Jiang Hao remained indifferent. "Do you still remember how good Senior Sister Yun Ruo was to you?"
"I can never forget. Not in this lifetime, at least," Jinzhou Heng said angrily.
"Remember it for a while more," Jiang Hao said kindly. "Recall that beautiful memory and then come kill me."
Chapter 40 The Quickest Way to Earn Spirit Stones
Jinzhou Heng stared at Jiang Hao, not saying a word. Instead, he sank into his memory.
It was impossible for him to leave this place alive. Perhaps he wouldn't have the chance to remember Junior Sister Yun Ruo anymore.
The image of her accompanying and encouraging him flashed through his mind.
"Senior Brother Jin, if you defeat this demonic beast, I'll cook for you."
"How can no one like Senior Brother Jin? I like Senior Brother Jin very much."
"Senior Brother, do you think my sect's clothing is good?"
He couldn't help but smile at the memories he had of her. However, a saber glowing with light flashed at that time.
Whoosh!
The saber glowing like the moonlight cut everything. His lifeforce drained and everything returned to silence. Even Yun Rou's image faded.
He saw Jiang Hao was slowly putting away his blade.
"You…" He couldn't say anything for a moment because his lifeforce was rapidly draining
Jiang Hao put away his saber and looked at the man in front of him calmly. Jinzhou Heng's vision began to blur, and he fell backwards.
With a thud, he fell on the ground. His thoughts faded. That was it.
Jiang Hao heaved a sigh of relief. He didn't know if Yun Ruo had been kind to him or if she had only used her magical charm, but it didn't matter anymore. Truth and Falsehood didn't matter.
Jiang Hao wasn't a heartless person, but he also wanted to live. He did not put his saber down.He used a few of the Ten Thousand Sword Talisman to make sure the man was really dead.
He stood there for a long time. Advancing to the Golden Core Realm had felt unreal. In less than a year, he had gone from Early Foundation Establishment Stage to Early stage of the Golden Core Realm. It felt so dreamlike.
Jiang Hao calmed himself and went to find the Cliff Master.
This time, he had used the strength of the Middle Foundation Establishment Stage. The knife technique was the First Form of The Heavenly Blade: Moon-Slaying. If it hadn't been a sneak attack, it would have been difficult to deal with.A
After a while, Cliff Master Ku Wu Chang arrived. He looked at the dead man and was silent for a long time. He looked at the saber and then at Jiang Hao.
"You killed him?" asked the Cliff Master.
"Yes." Jiang Hao nodded.
"You are in the Middle Foundation Establishment Stage?" Ku Wu Chang asked.
The cultivation Jiang Hao had revealed was that of the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. "Yes. It was a fortuitous encounter in the Devil's Den."
"What about the saber technique?" Ku Wu Chang asked again.
"A nameless saber technique I obtained in the Devil's Den," Jiang Hao answered.
If his master wanted to see proof, he could probably write it down somewhere and give it to him. However, Jiang Hao realized that he shouldn't use fortuitous encounters as an excuse any longer. The master might start having doubts.
Fortunately, his master did not ask any more questions. He only asked him to tell him in detail about the incident. Jiang Hao told him everything truthfully. Except the matter of his cultivation level.
"You were not confident, so you still chose to launch a sneak attack?" Ku Wu Chang stared at Jiang Hao.
Jiang Hao nodded 'Yes."
Master Ku Wu Chang took away the corpse with him and told Jiang Hao to be more careful. He also said that the people from Law Enforcement Hall might come looking for him again.
Seeing his master leave, Jiang Hao sighed in relief. He felt a little regretful. If the Master could accept him as a True Disciple, he would be so much safer. The people of Heavenly Joy Pavilion would think a hundred times before bullying him.
But he could only rely on himself. He returned to the courtyard and looked at the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower. Jiang Hao frowned. There were no bubbles. He had thought that it would give him bubbles once the sun came out. It was daylight now and still there were no bubbles.
'What is going on?' He was curious now. 'Does Master know I planted the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower in my courtyard?'
He gave up thinking about it. There was no other way to find out unless he asked his master directly.
The next day, Jiang Hao looked at the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower in his courtyard, but he still didn't see any bubbles.
On the third day, a bubble appeared.
[ cultivation + 1]
[ lifeblood + 1]
'So, it only bubbles every three days now?'
Another three days passed, and the bubbles appeared. That proved the fact that it would give bubbles only once every three days.
Even the Snow Lotus took longer to give him bubbles these days. Only green and white bubbles appeared on the third day. It wasn't until the ninth day that there were a few blue bubbles. Jiang Hao was stunned.
One month after advancing to the Golden Core Realm, Jiang Hao looked at his cultivation and lifeblood that had already exceeded ten points and began to extract and cultivate. He wanted to see if the current ten points were any different from the previous ten points.
After extracting his cultivation, a huge amount of spiritual energy surged into his body, much denser and more majestic than the previous ten points.
Not daring to think too much about it, Jiang Hao began to consolidate his cultivation. He circulated the Hong Meng Heart Sutra and absorbed the spiritual energy and lifeblood.
After a long while, Jiang Hao slowly opened his eyes. He had completely consolidated his cultivation. He also understood that the decrease in air bubbles was related to his realm.
The speed had suddenly become slower. If he had accumulated it four times, he would be able to attempt an advancement to the next level. The speed had decreased but the amount of accumulation had increased drastically.
With knives hanging over his head, he felt it was dangerous for him to not advance as soon as possible. He walked to the courtyard and looked at the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and thought that it would be great if it could grow three stalks. If not, he could always buy other spirit herbs to replace it.
But he was short of spirit stones. He had earned about 500 from selling talismans. Including the previous ones, he had earned a total of 1000 spirit stones.
1000 spirit stones sounded a lot until he went to look at the Golden Core Realm magical treasures. Even a small and simple saber costs 8000…
He would have to earn around 10,000 to 20,000 spirit stones if he wanted to buy anything. 'How long would that take me?' wondered Jiang Hao. 'How do the others in the Golden Core Realm manage it?'
When he went to the Spirit Herb Garden, he asked Chen Chou if he knew how. "Rob someone," was the only thing he had said.
"Oh, Senior Brother, we need your help," said Chen Chou. He pointed in a direction in the spirit field. "There seems to be a spirit beast running loose around the field. We can't catch it."