[Snow Lotus Seed: Once mature, it becomes a top-grade healing herb. However, due to existing cracks, it is difficult to cultivate. In extremely cold environments, this issue can be ignored. Otherwise, it is best to surround it with sixteen spirit stones and water it every three days.]

“May I take a closer look?” Jiang Hao asked, retracting his gaze and looking at the guide.

The guide smiled flawlessly.“Of course.”

Receiving the seed, Jiang Hao carefully examined it and soon spotted the faint cracks. He pointed them out to the guide.

The guide, still smiling, responded,“Senior Brother has a sharp eye! That was just what I was about to explain. This seed has an innate crack, so we’re offering it at half price—for fifty spirit stones.”

So greedy, Jiang Hao thought.

If he hadn’t noticed the crack, the guide wouldn’t have mentioned it.

But it was common practice for herbal shops to overcharge customers—especially in the Demon Sect. Here, it was just done with more confidence.

“I’ll take this one. Get me another seed for about fifty spirit stones as well,” Jiang Hao said.

Afterward, he also purchased a Blue Lotus seed.

It had no special functions beyond gathering more spiritual energy. Its only merit was that it withered easily if neglected.

As for why it was so expensive...Definitely got overcharged.

“I just hope it can produce blue bubbles,” Jiang Hao thought as he examined the seed in his hand.

White and green bubbles weren’t very meaningful to him, as the Spirit Herb Garden already provided plenty of them.

Returning to his residence, Jiang Hao planted the Snow Lotus, spending sixteen spirit stones in the process.

Now, he only had nineteen spirit stones left—barely enough to purchase talisman materials. He needed to earn more spirit stones.

The Next Day.

Jiang Hao awoke from his cultivation and headed straight to the courtyard.

Other than two blue bubbles provided by the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower, there was nothing else.

The Snow Lotus hadn’t sprouted yet and couldn’t produce bubbles.

Taking out the Blue Lotus seed, Jiang Hao activated his divine ability.

[Blue Lotus Seed: Once it takes root and sprouts, it can gather spiritual energy.]

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“That’s it?”

Jiang Hao was stunned. He had indeed been scammed.

After planting the seed, he left his courtyard and went to the Spirit Herb Garden.

Time passed quickly, the days and nights blending into one another.

A month later, Jiang Hao put down the talisman pen in his hand and packed away the completed "Ten Thousand Sword Talismans."

Senior Sister Leng Tian had placed an order for ten talismans. This was the tenth.

Including the cost of failed attempts, he had spent a total of eighty spirit stones. Once sold, the talismans would fetch two hundred spirit stones, netting him a profit of one hundred and twenty.

However, he hadn’t cultivated much over the past few days.

I’ve lost a lot of progress in my cultivation, Jiang Hao thought, shaking his head to clear his mind.

He then checked his status panel.

[Name: Jiang Hao][Age: 20][Cultivation: Mid-Foundation Establishment][Techniques: Heavenly Sound Technique, Hongmeng Heart Sutra][Abilities: Nine-Turn Substitute Death (Unique), Daily Appraisal, Tranquil Mind][Vital Energy: 88/100 (Can be cultivated)][Cultivation: 90/100 (Can be cultivated)][Abilities: 0/3 (Unavailable)]

“Almost at 90. I’ll need about another week to break through,” Jiang Hao estimated.

He then glanced at his age on the panel and felt a twinge of sentimentality.

“Twenty years old, huh...”

The past twenty years had been anything but smooth—he’d always been alone. Thankfully, he had managed to survive unscathed.

“Congratulations on making it to twenty,” Jiang Hao joked to himself before stepping out of his room.

In the courtyard, he finally saw a bubble by the Snow Lotus.

It was purple.

The Blue Lotus remained inactive, but Jiang Hao wasn’t surprised; he hadn’t expected much from it anyway.

As he approached, surrounding bubbles began to drift toward him.

[Cultivation Energy +1][Vital Energy +1][Divine Ability Fragment +1]

“A divine ability fragment again?”

Jiang Hao felt that purple bubbles should offer more variety.

Still, divine abilities were helpful. He could use more, especially since he lacked strong offensive techniques or powerful treasures.

With a sect mission approaching, he needed to come up with a plan.

“If nothing else works, I’ll buy a treasure. Selling the Ten Thousand Sword Talismans will give me close to 500 spirit stones. That should be enough for something decent.”

Having made up his mind, Jiang Hao left his residence and went to the Spirit Herb Garden to collect the second batch of bubbles.

He decided to wait until after his breakthrough to purchase a treasure. There was still enough time.

At the Spirit Herb Garden.

Jiang Hao saw Han Ming standing at the entrance. When Han Ming noticed him, he smiled and approached quickly.

“Senior Brother,” Han Ming said cheerfully. “Do you notice anything different about me?”

“Your aura is stronger,” Jiang Hao observed. He was genuinely surprised. Han Ming had already refined his early Foundation Establishment stage. It wouldn’t be long before he broke through to the mid-stage.

That was fast!

Curious, Jiang Hao appraised Han Ming again.

[Han Ming: True Disciple of the Tianyin Sect's Duanqing Cliff. Exceptional talent. Early Foundation Establishment. Favored by the Spirit of Mountains and Rivers. Inherits the legacy of a great power.]

A great power’s legacy? Jiang Hao was astonished.

In just a month, his fortune improved again. Is it because of the Spirit of Mountains and Rivers’ favor?

“In a few months, I’ll reach mid-Foundation Establishment. By then, I’ll surpass you, Senior Brother,” Han Ming said with a smile, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance.

Jiang Hao responded calmly, “Congratulations, Junior Brother.”

Han Ming, clearly pleased, added, “When the time comes, may I challenge you? Among the disciples, you’re the only one close to my age.”

“Sure,” Jiang Hao agreed, already considering how he might gracefully lose the match.

Han Ming seemed to enjoy showing off. Jiang Hao decided to let him have his moment.

“Great! Don’t get upset when you lose, Senior Brother. After all, the gap between us is quite large,” Han Ming added smugly before walking away.

Just before leaving, he casually remarked, “Oh, by the way, I think I heard Master mention that you’ve been assigned to this sect mission.”