Ever since encountering Senior Sister Yun Ruo, Jiang Hao had developed a habit of appraising particularly outstanding individuals.
He often felt they were undercover agents.
Before long, the appraisal result for the junior brother before him appeared in Jiang Hao's mind.
[Han Ming: True Disciple of the Tianyin Sect's Duanqing Cliff. Exceptional talent. Early Foundation Establishment at eighteen. Favored by the Spirit of Mountains and Rivers.]
"A true disciple? His status is higher than mine," Jiang Hao thought to himself.
Fortunately, there was no rule here requiring one to address true disciples as "Senior Brother." Otherwise, it would have been awkward.
However, the sect did have the "Top Ten True Disciples" ranking. Once someone became one of the Top Ten, most people would have to adjust how they addressed them.
Although Han Ming had exceptional talent and was favored by the Spirit of Mountains and Rivers, Jiang Hao wasn’t overly concerned.
As long as he wasn’t an undercover agent, Jiang Hao could handle it calmly.
Currently, undercover agents approaching him always had clear motives and were difficult to shake off.
If all undercover agents were like Liu Xingchen, Jiang Hao wouldn’t mind having more around.
Although such relationships would inevitably backfire eventually, Jiang Hao believed that as long as he grew stronger than them, he could handle any fallout.
After all, even the worst betrayal couldn’t compare to that woman’s power.
Moreover, he didn’t need to worry about implicating these people.
"Senior Brother Jiang, my name is Han Ming. I hope you can guide me," Han Ming said politely, then asked curiously, "Is it true that Senior Brother is nineteen years old?"
"Yes," Jiang Hao nodded.
"I hope I can surpass you someday," Han Ming said with a smile.
"You will," Jiang Hao replied simply.
Han Ming was a genuine prodigy, while Jiang Hao was seen by his master as someone who had reached this stage purely by luck.
"I’ll show you around. But there’s no need for you to come here often. I’ll handle things. You should focus on cultivating," Jiang Hao advised sincerely.
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As a true disciple, there was no reason for Han Ming to waste time here. His presence today was likely just to familiarize himself with the area.
"Thank you, Senior Brother," Han Ming said with a smile.
Jiang Hao nodded and spent some time showing Han Ming around the Spirit Herb Garden.
"Senior Brother, do you always manage this place? Isn’t it a waste of time?" Han Ming asked as he sat under the simple wooden pavilion.
"It’s not too bad," Jiang Hao replied casually.
Han Ming seemed unconvinced.
"I feel like spending time here doesn’t benefit your cultivation at all. I want to become one of the strongest in the sect, one of the Top Ten True Disciples," Han Ming declared.
Jiang Hao didn’t discourage him. He smiled sincerely and said, "Then I wish you success in achieving your goal."
"Senior Brother, how long do you think it will take for me to surpass you?" Han Ming asked again.
"Probably just a few years," Jiang Hao replied without hesitation.
Under normal circumstances, that was indeed the case. In a few years, Han Ming would reach mid-Foundation Establishment, while Jiang Hao might still be at the early stage—unless some miraculous opportunity arose.
After that, Han Ming left, seemingly satisfied that Jiang Hao acknowledged his greater potential.
Jiang Hao merely smiled faintly.
Others avoided staying here because they didn’t see any significant benefits. But for Jiang Hao, this place was different—it provided a steady supply of bubbles.
Leaving would be a huge loss for him.
Even though white bubbles seemed insignificant, their cumulative impact was substantial.
With his mastery of concealment and control techniques, Jiang Hao could feel his progress every day.
"He probably thinks I’m only at the early Foundation Establishment stage at nineteen and wanted to size me up. For now, there’s no danger. In a few years, he likely won’t care about me anymore," Jiang Hao mused silently.
He then began tending to the spirit herbs around him.
At noon, he set up a stall to sell talismans.
In the afternoon, he returned to his residence to draw more talismans. Occasionally, he would study a manual to improve his skills and deepen his understanding.
The Next Day.
[Cultivation Energy +1][Cultivation Energy +1]
After collecting two bubbles, Jiang Hao headed to the Spirit Herb Garden for more.
[Mental Energy +1][Mental Energy +1][Strength +1][Vital Energy +1]
By noon, Jiang Hao had sold some more talismans.
He now had 135 spirit stones and planned to buy a seed. However, he wasn’t sure what kind of seed to purchase.
He hadn’t bought one the previous day, not because he lacked spirit stones, but because he wanted to use his divine ability to appraise it before buying.
At Snow Lotus Pavilion.
The sect’s largest spirit herb and elixir marketplace.
Some of the spirit herbs sold here came from Duanqing Cliff, and Jiang Hao had handled such orders before.
"Looking for seeds?" a young guide dressed in uniform with twin ponytails asked politely.
"What kind are you looking for?"
"Something difficult to cultivate—not because of environmental conditions, but because of the herb’s nature," Jiang Hao replied.
"And your budget?" the guide asked.
"Around 100 spirit stones," Jiang Hao said.
"For 100 spirit stones, you can get some excellent seeds. I know one that would suit you perfectly," the guide said, gesturing politely. "Please follow me, Senior Brother."
A purchase of 100 spirit stones wasn’t particularly large, but it wasn’t insignificant for someone at the Foundation Establishment stage.
Soon, at the seed counter, Jiang Hao saw a pure white seed lying quietly in a box.
"This is a Snow Lotus seed—a top-grade spirit herb for healing and enhancing cultivation. It grows best in snowy environments but can still grow elsewhere, albeit more slowly.
"The price is 99 spirit stones. Does this meet your requirements?" the guide asked.
Jiang Hao activated his divine ability.
He trusted its appraisal more than anything else.