As the blood vitality and spiritual energy surged into his body, Jiang Hao felt that the purple energy had no impact.

The Hongmeng Heart Sutra continued to run smoothly.

At this moment, spiritual energy flowed toward the Tianhui and then descended to his dantian.

Within the dantian, the spiritual energy gathered and compressed, as if it were striking a barrier.

Crack!

Boom!

Under intense compression, the spiritual energy became even more pure and massive.

Jiang Hao finally sighed in relief and continued to circulate his energy.

The remaining twenty or so points of spiritual energy and vitality were absorbed into his body.

He needed to consolidate his cultivation to be prepared for anything that might come.

The next day.

Jiang Hao opened his eyes, raised his hand, and clenched his fist. The strength he felt delighted him. After so many years at Tianyin Sect, only strength gave him a sense of security.

Here, without power, one could only be slaughtered by others, without the ability to say "no."

Now, having reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment, although he was still not very strong, he had taken one more step toward becoming powerful.

His trip to the Demon Cave would now be slightly easier.

However, it was still not enough—he had too few advantages.

He went to the courtyard and collected several bubbles.

[Cultivation +1]

[Vitality +1]

[Strength +1]

The strength came from the Blue Lotus Flower.

He stepped outside and tested his punches.

Boom!

The boulder cracked apart.

This was the power of his physical body.

It came from his vitality and the daily strength he had gained.

“Looks like, even if I lose all my cultivation, I’ll still have decent fighting power.”

Day after day of collecting white bubbles had indeed brought significant benefits.

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He practiced the Demon Sound Slash for a while, then went to the spiritual herb garden, continuing his routine.

For the next month, no one disturbed him.

During this time, he spent almost all his time in his residence.

While mastering the Demon Sound Slash, he also read the unnamed manual. Now he was much more adept at controlling his power.

His strength had improved slightly.

He had to admit that the manual that woman gave him was a treasure.

At night, he began crafting talismans.

The most common ones were 凝神符 (Focus Talismans) and 神剑符 (Divine Sword Talismans).

He also frequently crafted the Ten Thousand Sword Talisman, though he hadn’t sold any yet.

These talismans had good attack power and might be helpful when he went to the Demon Cave.

He had prepared fifteen of them.

The rest he sold.

In a month’s time, he had accumulated 723 spiritual stones.

It wasn’t a lot of money for the month.

Business hadn’t been great, and some of the Ten Thousand Sword Talismans were used up as well.

Today, after leaving the spiritual herb garden, Jiang Hao planned to buy a magic weapon.

“Seven days left before the Demon Cave. I can't wait any longer.”

In the last seven days, he needed to refine his magic weapon, or it wouldn’t unleash its full potential.

But there was one thing he hesitated about.

He glanced at his status panel.

[Name: Jiang Hao]

[Age: 20]

[Cultivation: Late Foundation Establishment]

[Cultivation Techniques: Tianyin Bai Zhuan, Hongmeng Heart Sutra]

[Divine Powers: Nine Turns of Death Substitution (Unique), Daily Identification, Empty Mind Clear Heart]

[Vitality: 46/100 (Can Cultivate)]

[Cultivation: 51/100 (Can Cultivate)]

[Divine Powers: 1/3 (Unavailable)]

His vitality and cultivation were both nearly halfway full. Should he wait until they're full to attempt a breakthrough, or should he cultivate now?

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Hao decided to wait.

His cultivation was already solid, and trying to cultivate now wouldn’t help much.

“The chances of them taking action directly in the Demon Cave are low. That gives me time to clear out demons and continue to accumulate my cultivation.”

With his decision made, Jiang Hao headed to the Sect’s market.

He stood in front of Xingchen Tower for a moment, observing. It seemed much more grand than Xuelian Pavilion.

“Foundation Establishment grade magic weapons?”

Upon hearing Jiang Hao’s request, the guiding fairy led him inside.

“Senior Brother, follow me.”

After a moment, the guiding fairy displayed three blades before Jiang Hao.

The first one was entirely crimson, about three fingers wide, with a blade length of three feet.

The second one shimmered with light, about two fingers wide, a short sword about one foot long.

The third one was entirely black, about three fingers wide, with a blade length of two feet.

“First is the Lièyáng Sword, which contains immense fiery power. Its blade emits intense heat, making it extremely deadly. It costs 888 spiritual stones.”

“The second is the Qīcǎi Zhǎn Yuè Sword, a sword that leaves no trace, containing seven-colored sub-blades that can kill silently. It costs 1,100 spiritual stones.”

“The third is the Dark Shadow Sword, which is invisible and intangible at night. It’s difficult to track. Its power isn’t as great as the first two, but it’s extremely durable due to its material. It costs 830 spiritual stones.”

Jiang Hao picked up the Dark Shadow Sword since it was the cheapest.

What he really wanted was the Qīcǎi Zhǎn Yuè Sword.

But it was too expensive.

In the end, he bought the Dark Shadow Sword for 723 spiritual stones—this was his limit.

He couldn’t afford more.

After purchasing the sword, he sold some talismans and managed to keep around 20-30 spiritual stones on hand.

Afterward, apart from tending to the spiritual herb garden, he focused entirely on getting used to the Dark Shadow Sword.

At night, he swung the sword, creating a massive shockwave.

Boom!

The blade swept across, causing massive destruction.

Looking at the power of the Demon Sound Slash, Jiang Hao felt that the sword was worth it.

However, the two techniques didn’t quite match.

The Dark Shadow Sword was suited for assassination.

The Demon Sound Slash was too flashy.

But the power was indeed strong.

“Put it away. I can surprise them with it.”

With that thought, Jiang Hao sheathed the sword.

He glanced up at the sky, where the sun was slowly rising.

Today was the day he would enter the Demon Cave.

Whether he would come back was still in question.