What exactly is wrong here

Li Junzi looked at Cui Hao with surprise in her eyes.

Putting everything else aside, just the tone of Cui Hao’s voice alone made his words feel genuine.

And yet… for some reason, when those words came from Cui Hao’s mouth, people couldn’t help but feel a hint of suspicion—are you sure you’re not just bluffing?

Though Li Junzi didn’t speak, Cui Hao could still detect that faint trace of doubt in her gaze.

Without elaborating further, Cui Hao lightly raised his hand and wrote in the empty air—gentle breeze.

A refreshing wind swept past, soothing the heart.

Writing without material was indeed an ability one could only attain after reaching the Tushu realm.

As much as she didn’t want to admit it, this seemingly carefree and unserious Cui Hao might truly be a prodigy among Confucian cultivators.

Li Junzi asked, “So, are you at the Mingli realm now, or the Rusheng realm?”

Cui Hao chuckled softly and shook his head.

Li Junzi’s eyes widened in shock. “You’ve reached Daru?!”

Is this really how the world works?!

Cui Hao spread his hands and replied, “No, I’m still at the Tushu realm.”

Li Junzi was momentarily speechless. Now she understood why her disciple had told this young man to keep his mouth shut.

With a way of speaking like his, it was indeed hard for people to hold back.

But if Cui Hao was telling the truth, then the man before her was undoubtedly a genius in Confucian cultivation.

In terms of talent alone, he might even surpass Lin Luoyu.

If he were willing to immerse himself in study, his chances of becoming a Yasheng would likely be even higher.

Though whether the world needed another Yasheng skilled in flattery was debatable—would it be a boon or a bane for the Confucian path?

Li Junzi studied Cui Hao carefully once more and asked,

“If you have such talent, you shouldn’t be stuck at the Tushu realm. Why haven’t you continued your studies?”

“Because studying isn’t what I want. Having talent doesn’t mean I’m obliged to pursue it,” Cui Hao replied with a cupped-hand salute. “The world is vast, and I want to travel everywhere, to see the customs and cultures of different lands. Books alone can’t fulfill that desire.”

“If it’s not what I truly want, then I won’t force it. Life offers many paths, and binding oneself to a single road because of expectations is exhausting. So after reaching the Tushu realm, I stopped cultivating the Confucian way.”

Li Junzi smiled bitterly. Those who could become Yasheng disdained the path, while those who wished to study remained trapped in books.

The world always seemed to play tricks on people—what one struggled to obtain, another could grasp effortlessly.

And yet, it was impossible not to envy them.

Seeing Li Junzi fall silent, Cui Hao spoke up:

“I assume you’ve encountered some difficulties, Master. Why not share them with me? Though my Confucian cultivation isn’t as advanced as yours, I do have some talent. Since you don’t want your disciple to know, I’ll keep it confidential.”

After a pause, Li Junzi said, “I’m burdened by an obsession, unable to put brush to paper.”

“Is it related to your disciple?”

“No, it’s my own unresolved thoughts.”

Cui Hao nodded lightly. “So, you’re trying to resolve this problem through writing?”

Li Junzi confirmed, “In a way. After all, idleness serves no purpose.”

“That’s precisely the issue,” Cui Hao said with a soft laugh. “How can you expect to understand the matter if you haven’t even set the books aside?”

Li Junzi was taken aback. “What do you mean…?”

“I have some talent when it comes to studying. For me, whenever I encounter a problem I can’t solve, I set it aside. As I gain more life experience, the answers naturally surface in my mind.”

Cui Hao gestured toward the door. “To truly understand, Master, you must first step away from the problem. Besides, I’ve always believed that Confucian cultivation isn’t just about reading.”

Li Junzi seemed moved by his words, but when she looked out the window, her expression turned lost.

Where could she go now?

Her mentor no longer replied to her letters, and Gentleman Mountain was no longer an option.

At this moment, the world felt so vast, yet this small mountain village seemed the only place where she belonged.

Should she choose to wander?

Cui Hao studied Li Junzi’s expression, sensing that his words might not have fully resonated with her.

Was it because she thought he was boasting, or did she dismiss his advice due to his lower cultivation level?

He cleared his throat. “How about this—let me put on a little demonstration. Then you’ll see whether my words hold merit.”

Li Junzi withdrew her gaze. For some reason, she felt an urge to decline Cui Hao’s offer.

Something told her… his “demonstration” wouldn’t be much of a performance.

But under the weight of his earnest gaze, she hesitated before finally nodding in reluctant agreement.

Cui Hao closed his eyes, quickly recalling the books he had skimmed in the past.

He had reached the Tushu realm when he was still a young boy.

Years had passed since then, and though he hadn’t continued studying the works of the great sages, summarizing what he had learned would suffice for now.

He wasn’t aiming to break through to the Rusheng realm on the spot—just reaching the Mingli realm would be child’s play.

A moment later.

Li Junzi was utterly defeated. Cui Hao had come solely to crush what little confidence she had left.

The man had stood there with his eyes closed for a brief moment, saying nothing, and yet he had directly advanced from the Tushu realm to the Mingli realm.

At the very least, he could have muttered something like, Ah, I’ve had an epiphany!

But no—he just stood there and broke through without a single word.

And judging by his lingering expression, it seemed that if he stood there a little longer, he might even surpass the Mingli realm and reach Rusheng.

She knew comparisons were unfair, but the gap between them was simply too vast.

All those years she had spent studying now felt almost like a joke.

Cui Hao stretched slightly. “Even after years of neglecting my studies, I can still break through to the Mingli realm with ease. Surely you believe me now, Master?”

Li Junzi nodded mechanically—she was exhausted.

“It’s not that I don’t believe you,” she said. “It’s just… I don’t know where to go.”

Cui Hao grinned. “You could visit Yuzhou City. If your thoughts are still unclear, you might find it helpful to speak with my master. Though he doesn’t cultivate the Confucian path, I’ve always felt that if he wanted to, he’d be even more formidable than me. Perhaps he could help resolve your inner conflict.”

“And if that doesn’t work, you could at least see how my senior sister’s sect operates.”

His master was a master of… ahem… persuasive reasoning.

If this seemingly rigid Li Junzi were subjected to his master’s labyrinthine debates, she’d surely attain enlightenment on the spot.

She’d grasp the ultimate truths of existence in an instant.

Moreover, his master had a way of making people feel at ease just by being around him.

Even if he didn’t “cure” her, he’d at least talk her into submission.

Honestly, even Cui Hao sometimes struggled to resist his master’s grand promises.

Besides, he had a rough idea of the relationship between this master and his senior sister. At the very least, he owed it to his bewildered senior sister to make some amends on her behalf.

Li Junzi hesitated.

His suggestion sounded reasonable, even appealing.

And yet, for some reason, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was… off. As she looked into Cui Hao’s sincere eyes,

Li Junzi couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was.

But it was definitely off!