Cui Hao: You're really underestimating me

Inside the peak, at the training grounds.

Li Yingling held a spiritual treasure sword in her hand, her body enveloped in faint blue watery currents as she spoke with a calm tone:

"Junior Brother, there’s no need for this match. The outcome is already decided."

Li Xingtian gripped his spiritual treasure greatsword, its aura blazing like a rainbow, while his body radiated a blood-red energy that far surpassed Li Yingling’s in sheer intensity.

Currently, their master had said that the situation outside was uncertain, so their travels had been temporarily suspended. Aside from wandering and cultivating within the Tianyan Sect, there wasn’t much else the disciples could do.

For someone like Li Xingtian, who was somewhat of a silent and brooding type, ordinary pastimes held no appeal. Only sparring with fellow disciples could truly ignite his interest.

Li Yingling didn’t particularly mind—letting her junior brother experience the profound skills of his senior sister could be amusing, couldn’t it?

Seeing Li Yingling’s expression of absolute confidence, Li Xingtian felt a faint sense of wariness rise within him.

Though his senior sister lacked extensive combat experience, her innate talent was undeniable.

Especially now, with her divine abilities condensed to an even greater degree, Li Xingtian could sense a dangerous aura emanating from her.

Even so, Li Xingtian didn’t believe he would necessarily lose.

He asked, "We haven’t even begun. Why is Senior Sister so certain of victory?"

Li Yingling chuckled lightly, her voice brimming with righteousness:

"Because evil has never triumphed over justice!"

Li Xingtian remained silent, tightening his grip on his greatsword as he made up his mind—no matter what, he would defeat this arrogant senior sister today!

The two stood apart, their overflowing spiritual energies already clashing in the air.

Li Yingling’s ethereal azure energy consistently suppressed Li Xingtian’s blood-red aura by a slight margin.

Li Xingtian’s expression remained composed. Who would win or lose? That was still undecided.

Just as they were about to strike—

A ripple of spiritual energy emanated from the secluded cultivation chambers.

Li Yingling paused mid-swing, her gaze shifting toward the gradually receding energy fluctuations. Frowning slightly, she muttered:

"A breakthrough? Cui Hao or Green Snake? This formation is a bit troublesome—can’t sense it clearly."

Li Xingtian held his greatsword, staying silent for a moment before asking:

"Are we still sparring?"

"Sparring can happen anytime. Let’s go check first." Li Yingling sheathed her spiritual treasure sword. "Otherwise, our fifth junior brother might write another complaint, saying Senior Sister lacks camaraderie."

Li Xingtian hesitated briefly before retracting his weapon, feeling a slight pang of regret.

Still, his senior sister’s reasoning made sense. Compared to sparring, checking on their junior brother was the natural thing to do.

Yet, he couldn’t shake the stifling feeling of being scolded without being able to retort.

The two swiftly made their way to the secluded cultivation chambers.

Li Yingling strode ahead, pushing open the door and scanning the interior.

She didn’t see Cui Hao, nor did she see Green Snake. Instead, there was a humble-looking youth in green robes sitting with their master and junior sister, sipping tea.

Li Yingling grasped the situation at a glance. She stepped forward, eyeing Yun Li as she remarked:

"You took human form at the Golden Core stage?"

Hearing this, Yun Li quickly stood and cupped his hands in greeting:

"Senior Sister, Second Senior Brother."

Though not officially a disciple yet, most within the sect referred to Li Yingling and the others by these titles.

Initially, Ning Qianqian had also struggled with how to address them, but eventually settled on "Senior Sister" for simplicity.

Zhang Miaoyu only called Li Yingling "Captain," but referred to Li Xingtian as "Second Senior Brother."

It was an unspoken convention—a more convenient way of addressing one another.

Li Xingtian gave a slight nod. "Congratulations on reaching Golden Core."

"Thank you," Yun Li replied hastily.

Li Yingling glanced toward Cui Hao’s closed chamber before turning her attention back to Yun Li:

"Not bad, little Green Snake. You’ve got a decent face after taking human form."

"He’s not called Green Snake anymore. He has his own name now."

"His own name? What is it?"

"Yun Li."

"Not bad at all." Li Yingling nodded, then sighed. "Cui Hao’s cultivation is still sloppy. Always bragging about his solid foundation, yet he’s slower to break through than Yun Li, who started two days later."

Chu Xingchen observed the increasingly turbulent spiritual energy fluctuations and chuckled:

"It won’t be long now. Probably just the time it takes to finish a cup of tea."

Hearing this, Li Yingling naturally took a seat at the table, pouring herself a cup as she said:

"In that case, we’ll wait a bit. I want to see firsthand just how ‘solid’ our fifth junior brother’s much-boasted Foundation Establishment really is."

She then glanced at Li Xingtian:

"Are you waiting too?"

"If it’s soon, then I’ll wait."

"If you’re waiting, why just stand there? Come sit."

Li Xingtian met Li Yingling’s slightly disdainful gaze and sighed softly before taking a seat as well.

The moment he sat down, Li Yingling pushed a freshly poured cup of tea toward him.

Li Xingtian looked up, only to see his senior sister already deep in conversation with their master.

Though her expression was mostly one of mock disdain, the care in her eyes outweighed the teasing.

A faint smile touched Li Xingtian’s lips as he took a sip from the cup.

Whether it was Bai Qing’s improved tea-making skills or the warmth in his heart, he couldn’t say.

The original trio of the sect was now gathered here—Senior Sister, Second Senior Brother, Third Junior Sister, and their master.

Their master was just as he had been back in the ruined temple, quick to retort when teased by Li Yingling.

Third Junior Sister wore the same subtle smile she had in the small courtyard of Yuzhou City, watching as their master and senior sister bickered.

Li Xingtian reflected silently—perhaps he had been too focused on cultivation in those days.

Outside of major events, he had spent most of his time in secluded training, failing to cherish those moments properly.

One pot of tea later, Cui Hao still hadn’t broken through.

Yet no one found the wait tedious.

Li Yingling laughed as she slapped Li Xingtian’s shoulder, recounting some of his embarrassing past mishaps.

By the time three pots of tea had been finished, the spiritual energy within Cui Hao’s chamber finally erupted violently, causing the formation’s light to flare brilliantly.

The idle chatter ceased as everyone turned their attention to the door.

Moments later, it slowly swung open.

Cui Hao strode out with his head held high, flicking his bangs as he looked at Chu Xingchen and declared:

"The Golden Core realm? A trivial matter—easily conquered!"

Li Yingling extended her spiritual sense, scanning him twice. Though his Golden Core was indeed well-formed, it still fell short of her own.

"Tch… you’ve got some nerve saying that."

She gestured for Cui Hao to look at Yun Li, who was seated at the table.

Cui Hao followed her gaze, puzzled.

He had begun his breakthrough first, with Green Snake starting his own seclusion afterward. Cui Hao had no idea the latter had also been advancing his cultivation.

After staring for a moment, Cui Hao found the youth familiar yet couldn’t place him. He asked in confusion:

"Who’s this kid?"

Yun Li quickly stood up:

"Fifth Senior Brother, it’s me."

"Fifth Senior Brother? Are you a new disciple Master took in?"

"N-no… I’m Green Snake."

Cui Hao froze, then turned to Chu Xingchen, who was calmly sipping his tea.

After a long pause, he suddenly burst into laughter:

"Hahaha! This trick is a bit too crude! Master, did you really think I’d fall for it?"

"Just throw on some green robes and expect me to buy it?"

"Master, you really think so little of me, Cui Hao?"

"A mere Green Snake—how could it possibly be faster than me?!"

Chu Xingchen's gaze shifted to Li Yingling:

"Your fifth junior brother's new form is in your hands now. As your master, I grant you permission to settle the score."

Li Yingling eagerly nodded in response:

"My thanks, Master!"

"Wait—you’re serious about this?"