After discovering Jinzhou Heng’s presence, Jiang Hao refrained from returning to the Spirit Herb Garden. Instead, he stayed quietly in his courtyard, collecting bubbles each day and waiting until his cultivation and vitality reached their maximum values of 100.

Liu Xingchen hadn’t come to inform him of any developments, leaving Jiang Hao uncertain if any progress had been made in the investigation.

This lack of information caused him slight unease.

A cultivator in the early Golden Core stage was not someone a Foundation Establishment cultivator could contend with. He worried that, should Jinzhou Heng see him again, the man might fail to suppress his thirst for revenge.

As for hiding elsewhere...

Jiang Hao had considered it but found no suitable place to stay for long. Crowded areas brought their own risks, making his courtyard the safest option.

If Jinzhou Heng did show up, Jiang Hao planned to head straight for his master’s residence—there was still some hope in doing so.

His greatest reliance, however, was on his impending breakthrough.

“Just a few more days,” Jiang Hao murmured to himself.

Seven days passed in a flash, during which Jiang Hao focused on consolidating his cultivation base, preparing for the advancement.

This time, the situation was different. During the Foundation Establishment stage, reaching 100 in cultivation and vitality was sufficient for a breakthrough.

But stepping into the Golden Core realm was a giant leap forward. It was uncertain if 100 points in both categories would be enough.

If it wasn’t, things would become troublesome. Gathering another 100 would take three months.

Would Jinzhou Heng wait three months? Highly unlikely.

He had probably already scoped out the surroundings and would act within the next few days.

Exhaling deeply, Jiang Hao checked his status panel:

[Vitality: 99/100 (Cultivable)][Cultivation: 100/100 (Cultivable)]

"One more day should do it."

Today, Jiang Hao took out his Crescent Blade and began to nourish it.

The closer he was to a critical moment, the greater the danger.

Sure enough, that faint sensation of being watched returned, more intense this time, carrying a burning weight.

“Has he arrived?”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

It was far too soon, catching Jiang Hao unprepared.

Startled, he kept calm, waiting for his opponent to make the first move so he could flee.

Of course, another possibility lingered in his mind—the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower.

Many coveted it. Perhaps Elder Bai Zhi or the woman targeting it would intervene if they suspected someone trying to take what belonged to them.

After a while, the oppressive gaze suddenly disappeared.

“Hm?”

Jiang Hao frowned. No attack?

At that moment, Liu Xingchen’s voice came from outside:

“Junior Brother Jiang, are you here?”

“I’m here,” Jiang Hao replied immediately.

So it was Liu Xingchen. No wonder the threat had withdrawn.

Still, it was daytime. The attacker could very well wait until nightfall.

Jiang Hao invited Liu Xingchen inside and poured him a cup of tea.

“You were right—there’s likely an undercover agent from another sect. We plan to capture him tonight,” Liu Xingchen said after taking a sip of tea. “You should be cautious. He’s almost certainly after you.

“If he’s willing to come, he’s probably prepared to never return. That said, everyone has a survival instinct. If there’s a chance to escape alive, he won’t want to die here.

“Right now, he’s not completely desperate. But once we act, he may become irrational.”

Jiang Hao nodded, indicating his understanding.

He didn’t demand protection or insist that Liu Xingchen succeed in the capture. Such demands were excessive and would only breed resentment. Liu Xingchen’s reminder alone was already a kindness.

After delivering his message, Liu Xingchen left, seemingly having come just to relay this information.

Gazing at his now-empty courtyard, Jiang Hao found himself curious.

If Liu Xingchen ever tried to sway him to defect, how would he approach it?

Would he feign agreement, report it to that woman, or seek out Elder Bai Zhi?

Jiang Hao shook his head, unable to answer.

He didn’t want to face such a choice—it was too dangerous.

Afterward, Jiang Hao stepped out of the courtyard, intending to visit the Spirit Herb Garden.

If the confrontation was to happen tonight, then everything would unfold tonight.

He was still short one vitality point. If the garden held what he needed, he could complete his breakthrough now.

If he acted quickly, he might gain enough strength to face the danger—or at least escape.

Spiritual Herb Garden.

Jiang Hao saw Han Ming organizing spiritual herbs with others.

“Senior Brother Jiang, haven’t seen you these past few days,” Han Ming greeted him respectfully.

Though he still felt dissatisfied after losing to Jiang Hao, he knew he was currently no match and wisely refrained from provoking him.

“Junior Brother Han, are you preparing for a journey?” Jiang Hao asked, gesturing toward the herbs.

It was unusual to gather so many herbs, even for alchemy. Traveling seemed more likely.

As a core disciple, Han Ming could take whatever he needed with proper registration.

“Indeed. Recently, the Dao Debate Conference at Azure Mountain has caused some tension. Many people seem reluctant to leave. It’s created some friction with our sect, so I thought it’d be a good time for some training,” Han Ming explained.

Righteous and demonic clashes? Jiang Hao wanted no part of that—it would make his situation even harder to navigate.

“Be careful,” Jiang Hao advised.

As he spoke, he spotted a blue bubble in the herb garden.

Would it be vitality?

“Thank you, Senior Brother. When I return, let’s spar again,” Han Ming said resolutely.

Jiang Hao nodded.

Next time, I’ll just lose to him, he thought. Being constantly targeted was exhausting.

After bidding farewell to Han Ming, Jiang Hao entered the herb garden.

Of course, he glanced around at those helping. Jinzhou Heng wasn’t among them. That was a relief.

Soon, the bubbles began merging with him:

[Strength +1][Spirit +1][Endurance +1][Spirit +1]

Feeling the subtle changes in his body, Jiang Hao was delighted. He had missed out on much growth by avoiding the garden these past days.

At last, the blue bubble merged into him.

[Vitality +1]

“It’s done.”

Jiang Hao left the herb garden immediately, not even stopping to tidy up.

The sky was still bright. He needed to break through to the Golden Core stage without delay.