Chapter 409: Are You Trying to Drag Me Down?

Returning to the Spirit Herb Garden, Jiang Hao began his peaceful days.

He still had three thousand spirit stones at hand.

He didn’t know how much it would take for another incarnation of the peach tree, but he wasn’t worried for now.

Because in a while, he would also head to the eastern region.

There were things he had to deal with there.

The Peach Blossom Tree still had two years left for the next incarnation, so there was time.

If time ran short, then he could wait an extra year.

There was no rush.

After all, both purple and golden bubbles were at zero right now, so it didn’t matter.

The next day, Jiang Hao watered the Immortal Peach Tree and the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower.

He noticed that the peaches were ripening, but Xiao Li wasn’t around to eat them.

‘Suddenly, I feel that Xiao Li wasn’t completely useless.’

Shaking his head, Jiang Hao went to the Spirit Herb Garden to start his work. This was a good opportunity to refine his state of mind.

His cultivation had now reached the Soul Ascension Realm. Even with the Heaven Extinction Gu Poison calming him, his state of mind was sometimes unreliable.

Tending to herbs and doing ordinary work relieved him. It reminded him to stay humble.

Power and spirit stones were both alluring. Only when one’s state of mind was aligned with their cultivation realm could one avoid trouble.

Every day, Jiang Hao would pick a peach from the tree for breakfast.

However, he couldn’t finish all the peaches on the tree even if he ate them every day. So, he gave some to Lin Zhi and Cheng Chou.

Since the beast wasn’t around, Jiang Hao occasionally went to guide Lin Zhi in his cultivation.

He was working hard.

Unfortunately, Lin Zhi felt hopeless.

Over these years, he watched fellow disciples around him gradually improve their cultivation, and each one surpassed him.

He lived with the new disciples, but many of them had moved on after advancing, while he still stayed behind.

Everyone knew about him. A cultivator who was still at the first stage of the Lifeblood Refinement Realm even after six years!

He was mocked and bullied by his peers.

But what bothered him the most were his two friends from the same hometown.

They were just like him. They had started as ordinary people, but he remained at the Lifeblood Refinement Realm while they had moved to greater heights. They had become inner sect disciples by now.

That night, Lin Zhi sat cross-legged on the ground and gazed up at the starry sky.

He was confused. “Lost in thought?” Jiang Hao walked up from behind.

It had been three months since Xiao Li and the others had left.

This was his third time coming to look for Lin Zhi.

But outside the sect, many ordinary people were striving to get through the winter.

“Greetings, Senior Brother Jiang.” Lin Zhi quickly stood up and bowed.

“What were you thinking about?” Jiang Hao nodded in acknowledgment. “I don’t really know.” Lin Zhi lowered his head. “Maybe I miss my mother a bit.” “Are you doubting the path of cultivation because you can’t advance?” asked Jiang Hao.

“No.” Lin Zhi quickly shook his head. “It’s just that things feel a bit strange. How can I change my current situation? I don’t want to stay in one place forever. ”

Jiang Hao fell silent for a while. “There’s no need to rush. You’re fine for now.”

“Is this really okay?” Lin Zhi was puzzled. “Will I ever achieve something if I don’t do anything about my current situation?”

A gentle breeze blew by as Jiang Hao looked up at the starry sky. His robes gently swayed in the wind.

“The Great Dao is simple. It’s unyielding when desireless, and all-encompassing when idle.”

Lin Zhi looked baffled, but he had learned something.

“Don’t rush it.” Jiang Hao looked at him. “Some people are born brilliant, while others are late bloomers.”

Lin Zhi still didn’t quite get it.

But Jiang Hao didn’t say anything more and started guiding Lin Zhi in his cultivation.

His learning was decent, and his comprehension was also quite good.

Jiang Hao noticed that Lin Zhi would always sweep the fallen leaves every day before starting his cultivation.

He stopped asking questions and didn’t seem perplexed anymore.

Lin Zhi’s path was destined to be different from Chu Chuan’s.

Although both had been beaten up over the years, their experiences were entirely different.

One was beaten up in a test for progress, while the other was bullied.

Three more months passed in this way.

In early March, Jiang Hao stood by the riverside and watched the ripples in the water. He closed his eyes and felt the changes in the water’s flow.

His thoughts seemed to follow the sound of the water. He felt calm and serene.

Over the past half-year, he had come to understand something: peace alone wasn’t enough. What was needed was a firm state of mind. It should be full of vitality yet tranquil.

The mind should be like a creek where water poured in constantly but didn’t cause any huge ripples.

Suddenly, he felt someone standing beside him. A faint fragrance wafted up to his nose.

Hong Yuye.

Her image appeared in Jiang Hao’s mind.

He opened his eyes and saw a woman dressed in an orange and red gown. She stood beside him and looked at the water.

“Senior, greetings.” Jiang Hao greeted her respectfully.

Her sudden appearance had disrupted his state of mind. The Heaven Extinction Gu Poison had lost its effect. It made his heart restless. “What have you been up to lately?” Hong Yuye looked at the water’s surface.

“Waiting for news,” Jiang Hao said.

He had been refining his state of mind during this time, but he had also been paying attention to information about the Heavenly Fate Misfortune Pearl.

Fortunately, there hadn’t been any rumors circulating yet.

So, he could maintain his calm for a while longer.

As he interacted with the outside world, his future would be exposed to everyone’s eyes. It was unavoidable.

However, if he surpassed everyone in strength before that happened, everything would work out naturally.

“Waiting for the clues I mentioned earlier?” Hong Yuye turned to look at him.

“Yes,” Jiang Hao said with a brave front.

Being stared at like this made him feel stressed.

Hong Yuye chuckled and walked into the courtyard. “Did the stone tablet have any gathering?” she asked.

“Yes, once.” Jiang Hao nodded.

“Tell me what happened.” Hong Yuye sat on a wooden chair in the courtyard.

Jiang Hao followed suit and prepared some tea. “Things are a bit complicated.”

“Complicated?” Hong Yuye sounded intrigued.

Jiang Hao didn’t plan to hide the matter regarding the Heavenly Fate Misfortune Pearl.

This was an important issue, and perhaps she could advise him. However, he wasn’t in a rush to explain everything. He started from the beginning.

He began by talking about the matter with the Saint Bandits.

Hong Yuye looked at Jiang Hao. “The so-called unique technique involves the blood energy you absorbed from the Saint Bandit? The Blood Wish Path?” “Your insight is extraordinary, Senior,” said Jiang Hao in praise.

He had only touched the gourd once. Why was the aura still on his body?

It should be quite faint. Otherwise, Hong Yuye wouldn’t be speaking to him so amiably.

Then, Jiang Hao continued with his explanation.

He talked about his intention to go to the Bright Moon Sect.

“The appearance of the Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment indeed has its benefits. When the time comes, I can go take a look,” Hong Yuye said. “Senior, are you planning to go as well?” Jiang Hao was surprised.

If Hong Yuye went along, it would be advantageous for him.

First and foremost, his identity wouldn’t be easily exposed.

However, Hong Yuye didn’t answer him. She just gestured for Jiang Hao to continue.

After that, Jiang Hao began to talk about his own matters.

“I informed them that the Heavenly Fate Misfortune Pearl is in the hands of “Jiang Hao,” which I, as “Jing” handed over,” he said.

Hong Yuye, who was sipping tea, paused for a moment. Then, she lifted an eyebrow as she looked at him.

She placed her teacup down and smiled. “Tell me more.”

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Hao told her that someone had spied on him. Therefore, he had to expose himself as a representative from the Heavenly Note Sect.

The fictitious Jing would serve as a smokescreen.

Furthermore, when danger arose, it could also implicate the Bright Moon Sect.

“Now that you’re telling me this, are you also trying to drag me down with you?” Hong Yuye asked with her eyebrows raised. Then, she chuckled..