Seven days had passed since Jiang Hao killed Senior Sister Yun Ruo.
During this time, no one came looking for Jiang Hao. He began to realize that his daily appraisal ability was far more powerful than he had initially imagined.
He secretly used the skill to appraise a few people but didn’t encounter anyone particularly noteworthy, so he avoided wasting its use unnecessarily.
Notably, Jiang Hao appraised himself recently, uncovering his own condition:
[Self-Appraisal Result]: Infected with "Heaven’s Ultimate Gu" toxin—Yang Gu type. This condition enforces a "Sage State" unless interacting with a woman infected with Yin Gu.
Upon seeing this result, Jiang Hao sighed deeply. He understood the source of the toxin—it was the meal fed to him by a woman in the past.
The recent changes in his body were due to this Gu toxin.
Whether this situation was a blessing or a curse remained uncertain. However, the toxin had its benefits: it rendered him immune to Yun Ruo’s charm technique during their recent encounter.
Otherwise, the outcome of that confrontation might have been entirely different.
Many in the Demon Sect were adept at charm techniques. Until his mental fortitude fully developed, this unexpected immunity might actually be advantageous.
Beauty, after all, was often a man’s greatest weakness.
Jiang Hao had no intention of testing his own limits; any failure could easily lead to his death.
Pushing aside his wandering thoughts, Jiang Hao opened his door and set out for the spiritual herb garden.
Visiting the garden daily made him stronger bit by bit—a routine he was determined not to interrupt.
However, the moment he stepped outside, three young men blocked his path.
Each of them exuded a faint killing intent, and their cultivation levels far exceeded his own.
Sensing danger, Jiang Hao activated his appraisal ability on their leader.
The man was clad in black, with sharp, sword-like eyebrows, a chiseled face, and striking features—handsome, by conventional standards.
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[Appraisal Result]: Liu Xingchen—True Disciple of the Haotian Sect. Possesses innate dragon-like vigor and is at the late Golden Core stage. Currently undercover in the Tianyin Sect’s Enforcement Hall, assigned to pacify the anger of the Tianhuan Pavilion.
The information sent waves of shock through Jiang Hao.
The Haotian Sect, renowned as the mightiest celestial sect, had one of its disciples undercover in the Tianyin Sect? And just because he was bored?
Suppressing his surprise, Jiang Hao quickly bowed his head in greeting.
“We are from the Enforcement Hall,” Liu Xingchen began coldly. “We’re here to investigate the incident from seven days ago. There are a few questions we need to ask you and some updates to share.”
“Please go ahead, Senior Brother,” Jiang Hao responded calmly, though unease crept into his heart.
The mention of “Tianhuan Pavilion’s anger” made him wary.
“Did you kill Yun Ruo?” Liu Xingchen asked.
“Yes,” Jiang Hao admitted.
“Why?”
“She betrayed the sect and attempted to drag me into her schemes. I intended to subdue her but accidentally killed her in the process,” Jiang Hao replied, sticking to the story he had previously given.
“Yun Ruo was affiliated with the Tianhuan Pavilion. Her punishment wasn’t yours to deliver,” Liu Xingchen stated coldly. “You violated sect rules by killing her. Considering the circumstances, your punishment is as follows:
1. You will be stripped of your cultivation resources for the next five years.
2. You must compensate the Tianhuan Pavilion with 1,000 spirit stones within three months.
3. As the last person to interact with Yun Ruo, you are under suspicion. You are forbidden to leave the sect until the investigation concludes. Unauthorized departure will be treated as treason.”
Jiang Hao was stunned.
He had saved the sect from a traitor, yet instead of being rewarded, he was penalized.
Although he had no issue cooperating with the investigation, the demand for 1,000 spirit stones was crushing.
As an inner disciple, he only received ten spirit stones per month. Where was he supposed to find 1,000?
“This is the Demon Sect’s way,” Jiang Hao thought bitterly. “Everything is for appearances.”
“Any questions?” another disciple asked, his tone icy.
“No,” Jiang Hao replied softly, lowering his head.
After a few more formalities, the three left, leaving Jiang Hao to his thoughts.
“Is the Heartless Cliff truly this weak, or am I simply not valued?” he murmured. “They’re clearly bullying me. A thousand spirit stones in three months—impossible.”
He sighed and made his way to the spiritual herb garden.
Now, not only did he need to focus on cultivation, but he also had to figure out how to earn enough spirit stones to meet this unreasonable demand.
Tianyin Sect — Baihua Lake
At the center of Baihua Lake, on a secluded island, a woman sat silently in a pavilion, gazing at the water. Her flowing red robes and serene demeanor exuded an air of unmatched elegance.
A breeze stirred as a white-robed figure landed behind her and bowed respectfully.
“Master,” the figure greeted.
“What is it?” the woman asked softly, her voice calm and melodic.
“I’ve compiled a list of suspicious disciples and known traitors. I’d like you to review it,” the figure, Bai Zhi, replied, presenting a scroll.
The scroll contained detailed records of names, backgrounds, cultivation levels, and suspicious activities.
Taking the scroll, the woman—Hong Yuye—unrolled it and skimmed through the names.
Most were unfamiliar to her.
But as her gaze reached the final entry, she paused:
“Jiang Hao: Inner Disciple of Heartless Cliff. Resides near the stream below the cliff. Recently advanced to the early Foundation Establishment stage.”