Chapter 765 - 766: Even Stupid Things Can Sometimes Be Remarkable

Chapter 765: Chapter 766: Even Stupid Things Can Sometimes Be Remarkable

Cui Hao spoke freely and drank freely — but after finishing, the freeness evaporated.

The spirit energy around Cui Hao began to twist and churn as if it had broken free of all control.

Zheng Zhaoling understood at a glance — Cui Hao was about to break through. Advancing from Golden Core to Nascent Soul didn’t require much spiritual energy. Within Yunmeng Pavilion’s grounds, it was more than sufficient.

Cui Hao’s foundation was solid to an absurd degree. The breakthrough should have been a natural culmination long ago — she simply couldn’t understand why he’d put it off this long.

She raised her hand and several treasures flew out, setting up a protective formation around the area.

Though they were safe enough within Yunmeng Pavilion, a little extra precaution couldn’t hurt. At least it would earn some goodwill.

"Fellow Daoist Cui, take two days to break through properly." Zheng Zhaoling’s expression was calm. "I’ll guard you."

"I thought you were just boasting about this Yunmeng Liulu..." Cui Hao sat cross-legged, a bitter smile on his face. "I didn’t expect the effects to be this dramatic. I suppose I’ll have to wait to share the Chunnuan with you later."

Zheng Zhaoling didn’t reply — she simply nodded, indicating he should proceed with the breakthrough first.

Cui Hao said no more. He closed his eyes and began his earnest breakthrough.

Though in all seriousness, he shouldn’t have been breaking through in another sect’s territory. But he trusted Zheng Zhaoling, and he trusted that she would truly guard him.

In this world, if you took every relationship and questioned it to the bitter end — questioned whether you could really do this or that — it would become far too tedious.

A little carelessness made the world more interesting.

After Zheng Zhaoling saw that Cui Hao had begun his breakthrough, several jade tokens flew from her hand, shooting outward through Yunmeng Pavilion.

Before long, several Mahayana and Tribulation Transcendence cultivators arrived, their divine senses sweeping the area. They temporarily sealed off the location, prohibiting passage and spiritual probing.

Only after everything was done did Zheng Zhaoling slowly turn her gaze to Cui Hao, his eyes gently closed.

Gone was his usual cheeky grin. Gone was that arrogant swagger from earlier.

Cui Hao’s face was now devoid of expression, giving an entirely different impression — his first appearance suggested a stern Confucian scholar.

If he were always like this on the outside, perhaps she wouldn’t need to be so wary of what tricks he might be plotting.

Zheng Zhaoling pondered for a moment, then gently shook her head, her gaze drifting beyond the formation.

Well, a little interesting couldn’t hurt either.

The bright moon hung in the sky. Warm sun passed through the day.

Zheng Zhaoling spent three unhurried days at Cui Hao’s side.

Watching the waterfall. Gazing at the scenery.

When boredom struck, she’d stroll around, pick up stones and toss them at the waterfall, sending up bursts of spray.

Until Cui Hao’s aura suddenly surged to a new level.

Zheng Zhaoling resumed her serious demeanor, standing to the side observing his state, feeling the increasingly wild and violent spirit energy coalesce into tidal surges.

Boom!

A tremendous burst of spirit energy erupted from Cui Hao’s body and shot skyward. Light blazed bright as day, and the aura of Nascent Soul began to spread outward in all directions.

Gold laced with a thread of fire swept through the formation array.

The energy of the breakthrough crashed against the surrounding formations, but was smoothly absorbed.

Within the radiance, Cui Hao’s calm voice rang out:

"A thread of heaven’s will enters my true self — henceforth, my fate belongs to heaven no more."

Zheng Zhaoling’s eyes were half-closed. She held back from speaking, waiting until Cui Hao fully revealed himself, his aura gradually steadying. Only when she confirmed his realm had stabilized at Nascent Soul — and his expression began to show a hint of smugness — did she finally speak:

"That line — even Mahayana cultivators wouldn’t dare say it so casually."

Cui Hao drew his aura inward and chuckled, producing a jar of Chunnuan from his spatial ring:

"Then consider it a preview of what I’ll say when I reach Mahayana. Borrowing from my future self — that’s allowed, right?"

Zheng Zhaoling could only shake her head with a look of mild exasperation.

There was no arguing with that. Given Chu Xingchen’s guidance, reaching Mahayana was something Cui Hao could certainly achieve.

"How long did my breakthrough take?" Cui Hao opened the Chunnuan and asked casually as he prepared to pour for Zheng Zhaoling.

Zheng Zhaoling answered truthfully: "Three days."

"That’s acceptable." Cui Hao smiled and handed a cup of Chunnuan to Zheng Zhaoling.

"Before I accept this drink, tell me what you came to see me about." Zheng Zhaoling glanced at the Chunnuan before her, her tone even. "I don’t believe you came back after forty or fifty years just to share a cup of Yunmeng Liulu."

"Well, there is something." Cui Hao’s other hand drew a jade token from his spatial ring and extended it toward Zheng Zhaoling. "This is why I’m here. Take a look."

Zheng Zhaoling hesitated slightly, but reached out and took it.

This jade token wasn’t intelligence — it was the mission Chen Baiqing had assigned Cui Hao, along with the reason for coming here. The main objective was to observe Yunmeng Pavilion’s true attitude and determine whether they could be relied upon.

The wording was still somewhat casual, with a pronounced skeptical tone toward Yunmeng Pavilion.

Obviously, this was an internal communication that shouldn’t be shown to outsiders — especially not the very target they were meant to observe.

Zheng Zhaoling struggled to describe her current feelings, her tone tinged with suspicion:

"You’re just showing me this outright? Aren’t you afraid your Third Senior Sister will skin you alive when she finds out?"

"Last time in Yunmeng Marsh, you trusted me. Why can’t I trust you here in Yunmeng Pavilion?" Cui Hao shrugged carelessly. "I’m showing you this token because I believe you’ll keep it confidential."

"Besides, I genuinely consider you a friend, so I don’t want to play any games with you."

"I think it’s better to just ask you directly."

"In a while, the formal documents will be delivered to Yunmeng Pavilion."

"What is Yunmeng Pavilion’s true attitude toward my master, toward this talk of the Great Calamity? And how far would this so-called support actually go?"

Zheng Zhaoling returned the jade token to Cui Hao, pondered for a moment, then sighed softly:

"With the Celestial Demons showing themselves, the talk of the Great Calamity is naturally believed to be real. But as for support — that’s not something I can guarantee."

"Compared to the other great sects among the Eighteen Immortal Sects, Yunmeng Pavilion is still somewhat isolated in its corner. We can’t claim to be in that top tier."

"The current situation is still far from stable. If you want the honest truth... Yunmeng Pavilion will at least ensure that its spirit veins remain unharmed, and that the pavilion’s legacy continues unbroken."

"After all, after the Great Calamity passes, the old principles will give way. And when the new Dao is discussed, it won’t be principles that matter so much as capability."

"I believe that, with the exception of a few sects, most of the Eighteen Immortal Sects think this way."

"Back when the spirit veins were divided, everyone paid too high a price."

Cui Hao raised his cup at these words: "This honest answer is enough."

The waterfall crashed against the base, sending up an endless spray of mist.

Zheng Zhaoling’s black-and-white robes fluttered slightly in the wind. She still reached out and accepted the cup.

Cui Hao poured himself a cup, drained it in one gulp, then spoke slowly:

"Everyone has their difficulties."

Zheng Zhaoling also drained her cup in one gulp, then gazed at the waterfall and said softly:

"You and I — until we reach the summit of the Great Dao —"

"Are nothing more than mortals with a bit of cultivation."

Cui Hao didn’t reply immediately. His gaze also turned to the waterfall. After a moment, he suddenly declared in a clear voice:

"Starting with me — that rule no longer applies!"

Cui Hao realized he’d said something nonsensical. He chuckled aloud and asked:

"Does that sound a bit foolish?"

Zheng Zhaoling answered quickly:

"No. Because sometimes I think that way too."

Cui Hao smiled with relief.

Sure enough, there were still plenty of fools in this world.

And fools always found other fools.

And then they would certainly do something remarkable.