By the shores of White Moon Lake, Jiang Hao followed behind Elder Qian Xu.

As they walked, he glanced at the calm lake surface and noticed the dense spiritual energy permeating the area. Cultivating here would undoubtedly yield twice the result with half the effort.

The contrast between this place and Duanqing Cliff was stark.

Before long, they arrived at a courtyard by the lake. The moment Jiang Hao saw it, an indescribable feeling washed over him. It was as though he stood before a slumbering beast, yet the courtyard also exuded an ethereal charm, akin to a paradise on earth.

“Come in.”

A calm yet authoritative voice emerged from within.

Upon entering the courtyard, Jiang Hao was greeted by the sight of an incomparably beautiful woman in white. Her simple bun framed a serene and noble demeanor as she sat gracefully in a pavilion.

The sheer force of her aura left Jiang Hao momentarily awestruck.

Only after Elder Qian Xu gently reminded him did Jiang Hao hurriedly bow and greet her:“This junior, Jiang Hao, pays respects to the Elder.”

Elder Qian Xu then presented the Pure Sunflower and explained the purpose of their visit.

“Is that so?” Bai Zhi’s gaze lingered on Jiang Hao, a faint smile curving her lips.“It seems you have some skill. Coincidentally, I have a task for you. Accomplish it, and there will naturally be rewards for you.”

An empty promise, Jiang Hao sighed inwardly.

“And if you fail, you know what consequences await,” Bai Zhi said with a smile.

“Yes,” Jiang Hao nodded.

Casting a sidelong glance at the Elder, Jiang Hao couldn’t help but feel a mixture of helplessness and absurdity.

Twice now, his contributions had been overshadowed by implicit threats.

This Demonic Sect truly operated without rhyme or reason.

After some time, Jiang Hao emerged from the courtyard with a seed in hand.

Senior Sister Zhou Chan later escorted him away from White Moon Lake.

What surprised Jiang Hao most was the identity of this Elder.

Bai Zhi was one of the sect’s Four Guardian Elders, the acting Sect Leader of the Tianyin Sect, and wielded absolute power over life and death.

When he learned this from Senior Sister Zhou, Jiang Hao could scarcely believe it.

The stunning Elder he had just encountered turned out to be the acting Sect Leader, second only to the Sect Master in authority?

When had he ever been so fortunate as to meet such a person?

Still, this caretaking task wasn’t without its perks. Elder Qian Xu had rewarded him with forty spirit stones—double the usual amount.

As for the seed… its purpose was puzzling.

Stolen novel; please report.

When Bai Zhi handed him the seed, she merely instructed him to plant it.

No precautions, no specific outcomes to achieve, no criteria for success or failure.

This was highly unusual.

“As the acting Sect Leader, why ask me to plant this seed? There should be plenty of people more capable than me…”

“There must be more to this. Asking me to plant it might serve another purpose.”

Curious, Jiang Hao decided to appraise the seed to uncover its true nature.

But that would have to wait until tomorrow.

After all, his ability “Daily Appraisal” could only be used once per day.

And so, he had no choice but to wait.

Fortunately, despite Bai Zhi’s unparalleled beauty, Jiang Hao’s heart remained as calm as still water.

Yet he could take no comfort in this.

This curse-like venom—he had no idea when or if it would ever be broken.

As for the woman who had cursed him… avoiding her was undoubtedly the safest option, as she was far too dangerous.

That afternoon, Jiang Hao returned to his quarters.

After meditating briefly, he opened his status panel.

[Name]: Jiang Hao[Age]: Nineteen[Cultivation]: Early Foundation Establishment[Techniques]: Tianyin Hundred Reincarnations[Divine Abilities]: Ninefold Substitute (Unique), Daily Appraisal[Vitality]: 27/100 (Trainable)[Cultivation]: 32/100 (Trainable)[Divine Abilities]: 3/3 (Obtainable)

Both his vitality and cultivation had increased significantly, bringing him closer to the cap of one hundred.

The most notable change, however, was the last line: his divine abilities were at their maximum, allowing him to obtain a new one.

After ensuring his surroundings were safe, Jiang Hao chose to acquire a new divine ability.

In an instant, the number of divine abilities dropped from three to zero, and a radiant light emerged within his body. Something was forming.

There was no pain—only a sense of comfort, coolness, and clarity.

Feeling the changes within, Jiang Hao knew this was the influence of a new divine ability.

When he had obtained “Daily Appraisal,” the experience had been vastly different.

Moments later, the light dissipated, and the soothing sensation faded. Observing the panel again, he saw a new divine ability listed.

[Divine Abilities]: Ninefold Substitute (Unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear Mind and Pure Heart

“Clear Mind and Pure Heart?”

Jiang Hao could sense the ability’s presence but had no idea what it did.

“Let’s test it.”

After a brief moment of thought, he activated the ability.

Instantly, he felt as though a bucket of ice water had been poured over him, washing through his entire being. His body felt cold yet invigorated.

Each breath carried the chill deep into his mind.

A newfound clarity emerged in his consciousness, as though every impurity in his brain had been thoroughly cleansed.

His thoughts became sharp and vivid, like standing atop a lofty peak.

The sensation took Jiang Hao by surprise—it was unexpectedly pleasant.

Surveying his surroundings, everything seemed clearer, more detailed.

It was as if his mind was eager to absorb new knowledge.

Inspired, he retrieved a manual on talisman crafting.

When he revisited the “Focus Talisman” section, newfound insights emerged.

A spark of understanding ignited in his mind.

For the first time, he didn’t need to calm himself to start crafting a talisman.

Before long, he stood at his desk.

Picking up the talisman brush, he dipped it in cinnabar and began to craft.

The brush flowed effortlessly under his control, each stroke smooth and precise.

It felt as though he were guided by divine forces.

Finally, the last stroke was completed. Light flashed briefly before the talisman returned to its inert state.

The talisman was complete.

“This divine ability came at just the right time.”

Setting down the brush, Jiang Hao beamed with satisfaction.

He spent the rest of the night crafting talismans.

Using ten sets of materials, he successfully crafted five talismans: two Focus Talismans, two Spirit Sword Talismans, and one Flame Talisman.

After deducting costs, he could profit by more than ten spirit stones.

And this was just the beginning. With time, his success rate would only improve.

In less than two months, he might accumulate a thousand spirit stones.

“Good progress, but exhausting.”

Seated on his balcony, Jiang Hao watched the sunrise with weary eyes.

Taking out the seed, he noted that today was the perfect time to appraise it.