Jiang Hao naturally preferred to avoid drawing attention to himself.

Living in a demonic sect, being underestimated while harboring secrets was manageable—if one were sufficiently powerful, it wouldn’t be an issue. Unfortunately, he was still weak.

What he needed most was time, so cultivating peacefully was his top priority.

Winning or losing a sparring match didn’t matter.

However, he couldn’t share these thoughts with others, so he said instead, “For the sake of tending the flower for Senior, I dare not stand out too much.”

Hong Yuye chuckled softly, then asked calmly, “What is your cultivation level?”

“Mid-Foundation Establishment,” Jiang Hao replied.

Upon hearing this, Hong Yuye walked to the corner of the courtyard and commented, “I thought you were an honest and timid man. Now it seems you are not.

An honest man wouldn’t lie as smoothly as you do.”

Jiang Hao kept his head down and remained silent, unsure whether she was deliberately testing him.

When faced with someone of her caliber, silence was often the safest response.

Hong Yuye turned to him and said, “I’ll give you another chance. Tell me your cultivation level.”

“Mid-Foundation Establishment,” Jiang Hao repeated without hesitation.

Whoosh!

Hong Yuye furrowed her brow, and an invisible force roared like a gust of wind, slamming into Jiang Hao.

Bang!

The powerful force sent him crashing into the wall. Even at the peak of Foundation Establishment, he couldn’t resist in the slightest.

For a moment, he couldn’t help but wonder what her true cultivation level was.

With a cold snort, Hong Yuye said, “Then let’s just pretend you’re at mid-Foundation Establishment.”

Jiang Hao let out a silent sigh, curious if she had seen through his actual cultivation.

“Do you practice with a blade?” Hong Yuye asked as she pulled out the Shadow Blade.

“I’ve considered it,” Jiang Hao nodded. He indeed planned to specialize in blade techniques in the future.

“I’ve seen many people, and most of them practice sword techniques,” Hong Yuye remarked, her tone calm as she glanced at Jiang Hao. “Why don’t you practice with a sword?”

“I don’t,” Jiang Hao shook his head.

“Why not?” Hong Yuye asked casually.

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“As a disciple of a demonic sect, practicing with a sword easily makes people associate me with disciples of the righteous sects. It’s better to stick with a blade for my artifact,” Jiang Hao explained.

When he thought of righteous sects, he imagined flowing white robes and swords in hand.

Artifacts in the demonic sects were varied and eccentric. Swords existed but were often demonic swords.

Hearing this, Hong Yuye let out a cold laugh, walked into the house, and sat at the table. “You’re not very valued in the Tianyin Sect, are you?”

Jiang Hao followed her inside, lowering his head without responding.

Indeed, he wasn’t valued, but he didn’t mind.

For now, his situation was manageable.

As for Tianhuan Pavilion…

One day, when he surpassed them, he would certainly pay them a visit.

Seeing Jiang Hao neither confirm nor deny, Hong Yuye continued, “You don’t have any powerful artifacts or advanced techniques, do you?”

“I do have a decent artifact,” Jiang Hao retorted, referring to the Nine Heavens Armor. Though it was only a Foundation Establishment artifact, it was part of a set.

Once fully assembled, it should become a very formidable artifact.

Hong Yuye stared at him for a moment but didn’t press further on the artifact. Instead, she said, “I have a blade technique here. Do you want it?”

“What are your conditions, Senior?” Jiang Hao asked curiously. It was impossible for her to give it away for free.

“You’re about to spar with someone, aren’t you? Win the match, and I’ll give you the blade technique,” Hong Yuye said with a playful glint in her eye.

Jiang Hao didn’t respond immediately, weighing the pros and cons.

What would happen if he won against Han Ming?

It would undoubtedly cause Han Ming to become fixated on him, potentially even arousing suspicion.

Still, it wasn’t entirely unexplainable. The Demonic Cave was full of opportunities, and spending over two months there could reasonably result in some fortuitous gains.

But would his master believe it? There was a certain level of risk.

On the other hand, should he forgo the blade technique she offered?

Given her abilities, whatever she provided would undoubtedly be extraordinary, especially considering the unnamed manual she had previously given him—it was something the Tianyin Sect could never provide.

After a brief moment of thought, Jiang Hao made his decision.

He would win the sparring match tomorrow and attribute it all to the opportunities he had found in the Demonic Cave.

“Alright,” Jiang Hao nodded in agreement.

Good blade techniques weren’t something he could easily acquire.

He couldn’t practice any of the techniques from the Primordial Mind Sutra.

And he hadn’t found any purple-grade or higher energy bubbles, unless he stumbled upon another seed for the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower—which was clearly impossible.

This was an opportunity he couldn’t afford to miss.

“You’re quite decisive,” Hong Yuye remarked, though she seemed somewhat disinterested. She tossed him a book before leaving the room like a gust of wind.

“If I don’t see any progress in the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower the next time I visit, I’ll hold you accountable,” she warned.

With that, she vanished entirely.

Jiang Hao didn’t dare delay and bowed respectfully in her direction.

Only after a moment did he glance at the book in his hand.

The title read: The Seven Styles of the Heavenly Blade.

He didn’t immediately open it. Instead, he glanced at the corner of the courtyard where the Shadow Blade should have been. It was gone.

“That woman actually took my blade?”

Jiang Hao was stunned. He couldn’t believe she would do such a thing.

Shaking his head, he pushed the thought aside and opened The Seven Styles of the Heavenly Blade to start learning.

However, the content was obscure and difficult to comprehend. After studying it for a long time, all he managed to grasp was the name of the first technique.

The first style: Moon Slash.

With a sigh, Jiang Hao decided to clear his mind and try comprehending it again later that evening.

For now, he planned to visit the Spirit Herb Garden and sell some talismans.

Meanwhile, Han Ming returned to his residence, eagerly anticipating tomorrow’s sparring match.

He was around the same age as Jiang Hao and was determined to prove his superiority.

After all, he was a true disciple, while Jiang Hao was merely an inner disciple.

As long as he defeated Jiang Hao, even if he called him “Junior Brother,” no one would care.

This was the demonic sect—rules were minimal.

As long as it wasn’t outright killing or severe injury, most things were permissible.