“Big trouble?”

Xin Yuyue furrowed her brows, her expression filled with curiosity as she awaited her senior brother’s explanation.

“Indeed,” Zheng Shijiu said, gazing into the distance. “If those three encountered each other, only one side would have made it back. If the two from Tianhuan Pavilion returned, that wouldn’t be surprising; it’s only natural. But if Jiang Hao is the sole one to return… what do you think that means?”

“Could it be that Tianhuan Pavilion failed?” Xin Yuyue asked.

“It’s far more than just a failure. If those three crossed paths, there’s almost no chance all of them made it back. If only Junior Brother Jiang returns, it’s obvious... the two from Tianhuan Pavilion were killed in retaliation.” Zheng Shijiu’s tone was serious.

“That’s impossible. How could someone at the early Foundation Establishment stage kill one at the late stage and another at perfection?” Xin Yuyue shook her head in disbelief.

“Exactly. If that’s what happened, wouldn’t it be an enormous problem? It would mean that Junior Brother Jiang is capable of killing a Foundation Establishment perfection cultivator. Now tell me—wouldn’t he take measures to keep such a secret? Perhaps even silence us here and now? After all, killing us—a mere early and late Foundation Establishment pair—wouldn’t be difficult for him.” Zheng Shijiu chuckled as he spoke.

But before he finished, Xin Yuyue’s face turned pale with fear. She tugged at her senior brother’s sleeve and stammered, “Senior Brother, l-look over there.”

Zheng Shijiu turned to where she was pointing, puzzled by her sudden change in demeanor.

What he saw made his pupils shrink. His heart began pounding as if faced with an overwhelming threat.

A young man was emerging from the forest with calm, steady steps. His aura was tranquil, devoid of any obvious emotion or fluctuation.

It was Jiang Hao.

“Senior Brother, what do we do?” Xin Yuyue whispered anxiously.

Before hearing Zheng Shijiu’s analysis, she hadn’t been concerned. But now, seeing Jiang Hao approach, her instincts screamed that she was in danger.

Jiang Hao, his injuries fully healed, continued to walk toward them.

“Stay calm, keep your distance, and don’t linger in the demonic lair. The sooner we leave, the safer we’ll be. Also, let’s not stand too close together. If one of us can escape, he won’t risk taking action.” Zheng Shijiu advised, stepping slightly away from Xin Yuyue. With a composed expression, he greeted Jiang Hao with a smile.

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“Junior Brother Jiang, how was your harvest this time?”

“The demonic beasts have mostly been cleared out,” Jiang Hao replied flatly.

As he approached, he noticed the subtle unease between the two. It wasn’t hard to guess why. His safe return, contrasted with the absence of the two from Tianhuan Pavilion, was enough to raise suspicions.

But Jiang Hao wasn’t concerned. Without evidence, no one could confirm what had occurred.

As for killing these two to eliminate witnesses? That would only invite greater suspicion. It was unnecessary.

“They’re not back yet? The senior brother and sister from Tianhuan Pavilion?” Jiang Hao asked.

“They might have been delayed by something. The agreed-upon time is almost up. No need to wait; we should leave first,” Zheng Shijiu said with a smile.

Under normal circumstances, he might have waited a day or two, but not now. The longer they stayed, the greater the danger.

“After all, they’re not children. They’ll return to the sect once their tasks are complete,” Xin Yuyue added.

Jiang Hao nodded in agreement.

After more than two months in the demonic lair, he was eager to check on the state of his Heavenly Fragrant Dao Flower.

A short while later, the three left the demonic lair.

The moment they exited, both Zheng Shijiu and Xin Yuyue visibly relaxed. Now that they were outside, any murder would trigger an investigation. No one would act recklessly here.

Still, they didn’t lower their guard completely.

Who could have imagined that the greatest pressure they faced during this mission would come from someone they had previously underestimated?

After parting ways with the pair, Jiang Hao submitted his mission report.

Follow-up inspections of the demonic lair would determine the final reward. Jiang Hao estimated he’d receive a few hundred spirit stones, which was a decent haul.

As for the bodies of the two from Tianhuan Pavilion? They had long been devoured by demonic beasts.

Without an investigation by the Enforcement Hall, no one could prove anything. Jiang Hao wasn’t worried, though he couldn’t be sure if Liu Xingchen might privately investigate.

Regardless, after a month, any evidence would have been erased.

Leaving the Enforcement Peak, Jiang Hao greeted his master and returned to his residence.

His master had been surprised to see him return unharmed but merely nodded without commenting further.

After more than two months away, Jiang Hao finally stepped back into his courtyard.

The first thing he noticed was two blue bubbles on his Heavenly Fragrant Dao Flower.

* +1 Cultivation

* +1 Vitality

The Snow Lotus had no bubbles and appeared withered. The Blue Lotus seemed close to wilting as well, let alone producing bubbles.

After tending to the plants, Jiang Hao watered them with creek water.

“No one’s been here. It seems no one dared touch the Heavenly Fragrant Dao Flower for now,” he murmured, relieved after a thorough inspection of his property.

Taking a moment to rest, Jiang Hao retrieved his Shadow Blade.

The blade was covered in cracks.

The battle against Qingxue from Tianhuan Pavilion had pushed the weapon to its limit. Though it had killed her, it had sustained irreparable damage.

“The reward from this mission isn’t even enough to replace this artifact,” Jiang Hao sighed, placing the blade in a corner as a decoration.

He then opened his panel to check his current status.

* Name: Jiang Hao

* Age: 20

* Cultivation: Foundation Establishment (Perfection)

* Techniques: Heavenly Melody Reversal, Primal Chaos Heart Sutra

* Divine Abilities: Ninefold Substitute (Unique), Daily Appraisal, Clear and Tranquil Heart

* Vitality: 9/100 (Non-trainable)

* Cultivation: 11/100 (Trainable)

* Divine Abilities: 1/3 (Non-trainable)

“In just nine months since starting Foundation Establishment, I’ve already reached perfection. For the first time, I feel like the Golden Core stage is within reach.”