The moment he saw her, Jiang Hao’s previously calm heart rippled with unease.

It wasn’t that he wanted to see the woman before him, but her presence confirmed something: the other half of the Gu poison was indeed with her.

The woman standing there was the same one he had spent a night with before.

Her beauty surpassed anyone he had ever encountered.

"Her figure was perfect: a fraction more would be too much, a fraction less too little; powder made her too pale, rouge too red; her brows were like emerald feathers, her skin like snow; her waist was as slender as a silk ribbon, her teeth like pearly shells."

Seeing her again and observing her closely, Jiang Hao could only think of this description.

“It seems you don’t quite remember me,” Hong Yuye said, lifting her head to look at the man in front of the house.

Her frosty gaze and cold demeanor sent chills through him.

“I wouldn’t dare,” Jiang Hao quickly lowered his head and replied respectfully, “Your presence here is an honor; this humble one is unworthy.”

“Foundation Establishment mid-stage. It seems your advancement has been smooth,” Hong Yuye remarked casually, her words exposing Jiang Hao’s secret.

Jiang Hao was stunned.

When they first met, he had been at the ninth level of Qi Refining. Now, in just about three months, he had not only reached Foundation Establishment but had already advanced to the mid-stage.

If she started probing, he was finished.

Moreover, with the Hongmeng Purple Qi concealing his cultivation, how had she noticed?

“Confused?” Hong Yuye sneered as she looked at him, her tone laced with disdain.

“While cultivation levels can be hidden, the body does not lie—your strength’s circulation speed, the depth of your breath control, and the extension of your spirit. From these, it’s clear you’ve been at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment for quite some time.

Of course, your body and spirit are inherently stronger than most, but there are limits. Combining all the signs, it’s easy to deduce your level.

More importantly, you advanced right under my nose. Do you think I’m blind?”

Jiang Hao was at a loss for words.

So concealing cultivation involved this much complexity?

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It seemed he needed to study it further.

However, he was more worried about her intentions, especially since she had been standing near the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower this entire time.

Fortunately, she didn’t seem inclined to interrogate him further.

Unfortunately, it appeared she was indeed interested in the flower.

“Senior, is there something you need from me?” Jiang Hao asked cautiously.

Hearing this, Hong Yuye glanced down at the flower.

“Did you plant this?”

“Yes,” Jiang Hao nodded, answering calmly, “Just a small thing.”

“How do you grow it?” she asked again.

“I water it once a day,” Jiang Hao replied honestly.

“Just that?” Hong Yuye asked incredulously.

“That’s it,” Jiang Hao confirmed.

Though it sounded too simple to be believable, it was the truth.

After a long silence, Hong Yuye crouched and lightly touched the tender sprout. Her expression unreadable, she said, “This plant smells nice. When it matures, I’ll be taking it. Do you have any objections?”

“This...” Jiang Hao hesitated, trying to refuse.

But before he could finish, Hong Yuye snorted coldly, “Hmm?”

“N-none at all,” Jiang Hao stammered.

Yet, as his words fell, a surge of immense power swept through the air—boundless, earth-shattering, and seemingly capable of erasing everything.

With a loud bang, Jiang Hao was pushed back, barely managing to steady himself.

“I have no objections,” he quickly reiterated.

For such a terrifying display of power to result in only minor injury clearly meant she didn’t intend to kill. However, her authority was absolute and not to be defied.

How strong was she, exactly? Jiang Hao was both shaken and awed.

Seeing him comply, Hong Yuye refrained from pressing further.

Retracting her gaze from him, she looked back at the flower and said, “This flower is mine now. Take good care of it.”

“Senior, when do you plan to take it?” Jiang Hao asked.

“When it blooms and bears fruit,” Hong Yuye replied calmly.

Her voice was exceptionally pleasant. Regardless of her mood, to Jiang Hao, it was like a gentle breeze in spring.

Unfortunately, she was also a robber. Jiang Hao sighed inwardly.

Her answer, however, did ease his anxiety.

After all, the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower’s maturity was still far off. That meant he had ample time.

At least he wouldn’t be punished for losing it prematurely. Of course, Elder Bai Zhi’s true intent was for him to use it as bait…

Bait?

Suddenly, Jiang Hao recalled that such a remarkable item wouldn’t have been given to him for mere baiting—it was likely meant to attract someone extraordinary.

That…

Wouldn’t it be the woman standing before him?

Her unparalleled beauty and immense power left no doubt.

Perhaps the entire purpose of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower was to draw her out.

For a moment, Jiang Hao dared not speak further and pretended to know nothing.

Hong Yuye rose and walked into the house, sitting down. Jiang Hao could only stand aside and wait for her instructions.

“I won’t have you help me for free.”

As she spoke, a piece of paper appeared on the table.

“This is a formation diagram. You don’t need any expertise; just follow the instructions. It’ll help prevent spiritual energy from dispersing. With that flower, it’ll increase the spiritual energy around you, aiding your cultivation.”

Jiang Hao was tempted. He had been considering doing something similar to avoid trouble.

As for those traitors, they wouldn’t make any moves for now, though he didn’t know why.

Thinking of this, Jiang Hao suddenly remembered his divine ability. If he could appraise the woman before him, he might uncover her true intentions.

But she was too strong, and he worried about being caught.

After some hesitation, Jiang Hao decided to use it.

His divine ability activated quickly, and the result left him stunned.

[???]

Jiang Hao: “???”

“Is there something you want to ask?” Hong Yuye’s cold voice interrupted his thoughts.

“No, thank you for your generosity, Senior,” Jiang Hao replied hurriedly, trying to mask his shock.