Attacked by the Female Demon at the Beginning

Chapter 282: Are You Worthy?

The next day.

After finishing his work in the Spiritual Medicine Garden, Jiang Hao headed to the Lawless Tower.

He was going to learn about formations from Zhuang Yuzhen and also check on the Sea King.

Whether to threaten him would depend on the circumstances.

If he decided to threaten, he already had a reason in mind.

He could just pin it on the past incident with Yan Hua, since at that time, he seemed to have a good relationship with Yan Hua.

Especially in the mines, where it was easiest to hear some news.

As for verification, how could the dead inform them of the truth?

“Still, it’s a bit risky; I wonder what Elder Bai Zhi’s stance is.”

Up to now, Elder Bai Zhi has been sitting back and fishing, and it’s unclear how much she has discovered.

So far, the undercover agents close to him are Liu Xingchen and Senior Sister Ming Yi.

These two seem to be fine.

It’s unknown whether they are not suspected or if they are suspected but have not acted rashly.

Then there’s Hong Yuye; it’s uncertain whether Elder Bai Zhi has noticed anything.

If she has, it would actually be easier to handle.

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to be sure, and it’s not wise to act recklessly.

He can only adapt to the situation as it unfolds.

In fact, there’s another problem: if Elder Bai Zhi has noticed Hong Yuye and later asked him to go undercover and report the other party’s actions and words.

What should be done then?

Regardless, there would be no good outcome.

Indeed, among the powerful, he, the weak, has no say.

He should focus on becoming stronger first.

......

On the fifth floor of the Lawless Tower.

Jiang Hao once again sat in front of the first prison cell.

At this moment, he glanced at the cell next to him, where the Sea King leaned against the wall, looking utterly despondent.

It seemed he didn’t like it here.

“Senior, I’ve come to learn about formations again,” Jiang Hao said calmly.

“Where’s the wine?” Zhuang Yuzhen asked tiredly, slightly lifting his head.

The Lawless Tower was like purgatory, where one had to endure despair.

And yet, death was not an option.

Three jars of wine were placed in front of Zhuang Yuzhen.

“Actually, you’ve learned almost enough about formations; it’s more about variations, but you can’t grasp them,” Zhuang Yuzhen shook his head and sighed.

This was the limit of talent.

Without talent, it’s extremely difficult to reach new heights.

Jiang Hao didn’t mind this; he didn’t have many aspirations.

Compared to formations, he preferred making talismans.

Because that could earn spirit stones.

Currently, he had over four thousand spirit stones, and if he continued to save, reaching ten or twenty thousand was not impossible.

Without the possibility of Nirvana, he might as well try something else.

Like focusing on some powerful seeds.

Buying them himself could draw unwanted attention, but he could help with the planting, even if it means losing some spiritual liquid.

It could lead to achieving something and gaining the necessary energy bubbles.

He just needs to find someone from the Candlelight Alchemy Court lineage. It used to be unlikely, but now, thanks to the rabbit, he has a bit of a connection with Senior Brother Lian Dao.

This makes it possible.

However, timing is crucial.

High-grade spiritual medicine seeds are extremely valuable, and they wouldn’t dare let just anyone plant them.

“Senior, you’re too obsessed with talent,” Jiang Hao said softly, coming back to his senses.

“Do you really think that without talent, one can keep up through hard work? It’s almost impossible. Sometimes, a spark of inspiration is what determines how high you can go,” Zhuang Yuzhen said with a bitter smile.

“That’s not what I meant. For formations, talent is indeed extremely important.”

Jiang Hao explained, seeing Zhuang Yuzhen’s confusion, “What I mean is, since we have other talents, there’s no need to be fixated on acquiring more. When one door opens, a window must close. It’s better to focus on the open door rather than chasing after the closed window.”

Zhuang Yuzhen looked at the young man before him with some surprise, “How old are you?”

“Twenty-five,” Jiang Hao replied.

It was the beginning of November, and in two months, he would be twenty-six.

Since his Foundation Establishment, almost six years had passed in the blink of an eye.

He was at the eighth level of Qi Refining when he met Hong Yuye six years ago.

It was from that time that troubles and opportunities both increased.

In just over six years, he had reached the late stage of Nascent Soul.

Apart from him, there was one other person whose cultivation speed was incredibly fast.

That was Liu Xingchen.

When he first met Liu Xingchen, he was at the peak of Golden Core, and six years later, he was already at the mid-stage of Nascent Soul.

It’s actually unbelievable.

If he continued at this rate, reaching the late stage of Nascent Soul would only take a few more years.

He was truly a disciple of the Haotian Sect.

But the reason for his rapid progress might be precisely because of the Nascent Soul realm, which allowed for advancement through consuming divine souls.

“Twenty-five and already at the late stage of Foundation Establishment? No, the first time I saw you, you were already at that stage, which means you reached it one or two years ago. Is your talent really that good?” Zhuang Yuzhen asked curiously.

Jiang Hao shook his head and said calmly, “It’s just due to some opportunities.”

“Resigned to mediocrity,” Hai Luo looked over disdainfully and said.

“If you lack talent, you must work hard and struggle. Many things are destined, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be changed.”

“What is the purpose of us cultivating immortals?”

“It is to change our weak and short-lived selves. To defy the heavens and claim victory over fate.”

“The Way of Heaven is elusive; how can we submit to it?”

Jiang Hao looked at him and thought of a saying, “Senior, have you ever considered the possibility that cultivating to become stronger might also be a means of ‘heaven’ giving you hope?”

Upon hearing this, Hai Luo, the Heavenly King, was taken aback.

For a moment, he felt like he was being played by “heaven.”

Zhuang Yuzhen looked at Jiang Hao, feeling more and more that the possession of the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower in his hands was no coincidence.

Soon, Hai Luo, the Heavenly Sea King, recovered and stared at Jiang Hao with a cold voice.

“Ridiculous, do you think a mere sentence can shake my spirit? What do you, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, understand? Even now, with my reduced cultivation, I could suppress you with one hand. If you disagree, let me out, and I’ll show you with one hand.”

Jiang Hao looked at him but did not respond.

This displeased Hai Luo.

“Why don’t you come and ask me for advice? Do you look down on me? Do you know who I am? You should understand that my status is exalted, and I know countless powerful beings. My connections reach the heavens.”

“Senior is?” Jiang Hao asked.

It would be good to clarify the message.

“I am from the Tianhe Sea, one of the twelve Heavenly Kings, commanding countless powerful followers and ruling over a region. We are fated to meet, so you may call me Hai Luo, or you may call me Heavenly King; I can bear either title,” Hai Luo said proudly.

“Scum,” Zhuang Yuzhen said disdainfully.

“Old coot, say that to me one more time,” Hai Luo became agitated.

“Do you, a mere early-stage Nascent Soul, dare to shout at me, a late-stage Nascent Soul? Let me out, and I’ll kill this old coot.”

“Heh,” Zhuang Yuzhen looked at him and coldly laughed.

“Just watch, in a few months I’ll still be at the early stage of Nascent Soul, and you’ll be at the peak of Golden Core.”

“Old coot, just admit that you’re no match for me right now,” the Heavenly King Hai Luo taunted.

Jiang Hao sighed inwardly; he was actually curious about what the twelve Heavenly Kings really were.

But the pressing matter was to study formations.

“Senior, could you be quiet for a while? I need to study formations,” he said to the Heavenly King Hai Luo.

“Huh?” Hai Luo felt like he had heard wrong, disdainfully saying.

“Boy, who do you think you are? Do you think you have the right to ask me to be quiet?”

Jiang Hao was taken aback, realizing that he was right.

After all, the other party was one of the Twelve Heavenly Kings of the Tianhe Sea, and he was just an inner disciple of the Tianyin Sect; indeed, he had no right to ask.

Then he smiled slightly, stood up, walked over to the second cell, and gestured with his hand.

Seeing this action, Zhuang Yuzhen’s face turned pale in an instant.

He even felt somewhat afraid of Jiang Hao gesturing to him.

For a moment, he was very curious if this Hai Luo would be the same as himself.