Sunny and Cheerful Big Boy

Inside the divine shrine.

Zheng Zhaoling watched Cui Hao's performance in silence.

Watching this man, who had devised strategies within this tiny temple and played the entire Yunmengze in the palm of his hand, now acting like a toddler who had just gained sentience.

"Uncle, can't you just let me look cool for once?"

"I've been nothing but respectful to you all along the way. Not only do I call you Uncle, but in my heart and in my actions, I treat you as the absolute granddaddy of all Uncles!"

"Uncle! Just think about it. When your divine light leaks out and leaves the person opposite us in absolute shock, that's not validating me, that's validating you!"

"On the surface, I'm the one looking cool, but in reality, you're the one looking cool!"

"How can you not understand my pure, innocent heart?"

Cui Hao's tone was sincere, and his expression was full of urgency. It would have been quite convincing if he didn't have one foot planted on the scabbard, both hands gripping the hilt, and veins bulging as he pulled with all his might...

Zheng Zhaoling felt that Cui Hao actually made some sense, or at the very least, he was quite earnest.

"Stop pulling," Zheng Zhaoling said, her tone laced with helplessness. "I know this is your master's divine weapon. Just tell me who it is. I'll believe you, okay?"

Cui Hao gritted his teeth.

"No! Even if it's my Uncle, it can't play me like this! The only one allowed to play me is my master!"

Seeing this, Zheng Zhaoling was somewhat speechless. Then she asked:

"Is your master Chu Xingchen?"

Everything was connected. If one carefully examined Cui Hao's plan, its core was to get her to come to Yunmengze, which perfectly aligned with Chu Xingchen's sudden, strange actions.

Moreover, recognizing a person through their divine weapon meant that besides the owner being famous, the weapon itself had to be unique enough.

Chu Xingchen's "Wanban" was extremely unique and impossible to replicate. To this day, outsiders had yet to figure out exactly what Wanban was forged from or how it was made.

Not only could it withstand immense spiritual energy and heavenly tribulations, but it could also constantly change its form, possessing a terrifyingly astonishing durability.

"Don't guess!" Cui Hao pulled at the sword even harder. "Once my Uncle reveals its true form, you'll know."

Zheng Zhaoling lightly rubbed her forehead at the sight. "You don't need to explain. I already said I believe you, didn't I?"

"There's a difference between just saying it and seeing it with your own eyes!" Cui Hao's spiritual energy surged around him as he continued through gritted teeth.

"Uncle! You son of a bitch! I have a temper too, you know!"

Watching this scene, Zheng Zhaoling actually chuckled aloud. Even she couldn't tell if it was a laugh of resignation or if she was genuinely amused by Cui Hao's antics.

No matter how hard Cui Hao pulled, Wanban remained completely motionless.

"Hiss! Phew!"

Cui Hao let go, his eyes fixed intently on Wanban.

Just when Zheng Zhaoling thought Cui Hao was about to give up.

She saw him stand up straight again. Looking mournfully at the divine treasure on the table, he said:

"Uncle, don't force my hand!"

Hearing this, Zheng Zhaoling's interest was somewhat piqued. What other tricks did this Cui Hao have up his sleeve?

"Uncle! If you force me, I'll drop to my knees right here and now!" Cui Hao said, pointing at Zheng Zhaoling. "You know how much my master cares about face. If I kneel, and she spreads the word!"

"His reputation will be completely ruined!"

"When master comes looking for trouble with you in the future, don't blame me for not warning you, Uncle!"

As Cui Hao spoke, his knees bent slightly, while he continued to dish out threats:

"Uncle! You know my master's temper! Face is very important, okay?!"

His voice fell.

Whether Wanban was truly afraid of Chu Xingchen or simply exhausted by Cui Hao's relentless antics, a speck of spiritual light surged from the scabbard.

Seeing this, Cui Hao immediately beamed with joy. He straightened up, grasped the scabbard with one hand, and placed the other on the hilt.

He looked at the somewhat dumbfounded Zheng Zhaoling in front of him:

"Since we are sharing our true intentions, you must witness it with your own eyes!"

With that said, as if nothing embarrassing had just occurred, Cui Hao gripped the hilt and pulled!

Wanban was unsheathed!

Piercing spiritual light radiated, accompanied by the terrifying pressure of the Great Dao.

Inside the divine shrine, spiritual light dotted the air, and Daoist rhythms swept through the space.

Zheng Zhaoling naturally recognized it at a glance; this was the genuine Wanban.

The spiritual pressure it emitted was almost identical to the recorded spiritual pressure of Chu Xingchen—pure and authentic.

Wanban's Daoist rhythm also subtly harmonized with Chu Xingchen.

This was proof of a deeply established connection between the spiritual treasure and its master.

Zheng Zhaoling looked quite gratified, and then she slowly began to clap.

Naturally, this applause was not for Wanban, but for Cui Hao.

To be able to put on such a performance and then automatically pretend that the previous words and actions had never happened, seamlessly transitioning back into acting cool.

Such a state of mind was far more worthy of admiration than merely revealing Wanban.

It had to be said that today had once again refreshed Zheng Zhaoling's impression of Cui Hao.

Cui Hao narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at the Wanban in his hand, and said in a solemn tone:

"As you can see, regarding my lineage, now that you've seen Wanban..."

Cui Hao paused, thought for a moment, and decided it was best to add the honorific as he continued:

"Now that you've seen the Wanban... Uncle... in my hand, you know my identity."

"I am Cui Hao, the fifth disciple of my master."

Hearing this, Zheng Zhaoling continued to clap:

"Truly, a great master produces a brilliant disciple. I believe that given your master's and your own status, you wouldn't be interested in the Soaring Snake. I won't misunderstand you on that point. I just have another small question, and I hope Fellow Daoist Cui can enlighten me."

Cui Hao reached out to gently stroke Wanban, wanting to properly experience the demeanor of a Sword Immortal that had ended before it even began. However, the next moment, his outstretched hand was swatted away by Wanban.

A wave of numbness washed over his hand.

Cui Hao coughed lightly and stopped trying to do anything else. This Uncle Wanban wouldn't let him do this or that; he would definitely complain to his master later!

He put on a serious expression and said:

"Fellow Daoist, please feel free to ask."

Zheng Zhaoling pursed her lips, pretending she hadn't seen Cui Hao's embarrassing display, and then asked:

"May I ask Fellow Daoist Cui, what is your purpose in coming to Yunmengze? Were you ordered here by your master?"

"Uh..." Cui Hao was at a loss for words upon hearing this, then he whispered, "To tell the truth, I actually took a mission to come here for experiential learning, to catch evil cultivators hiding in Yunmengze."

"It's just that after arriving, I discovered the situation in Yunmengze..."

Zheng Zhaoling didn't ask further, but gently nodded her head.

Rather than questioning Cui Hao—who had been so tormented by his own master's spiritual treasure that he had to resort to threats and bribery just to unsheathe it—she might as well ask Chu Xingchen face-to-face the next time she visited the Heavenly Evolution Sect.

Using her as a chess piece for a while, there was no way she would let that go so easily.

Furthermore, what Cui Hao had done actually suited her intentions quite well.

Zheng Zhaoling asked again: "Then, Fellow Daoist Cui, are your affairs in Yunmengze finished? Do you still need my help?"

"All done," Cui Hao said with an ingratiating smile.

Hearing this, Zheng Zhaoling nodded slowly. She then stood up, flipped her hands over, and said coldly:

"Then get out."

Cui Hao was taken aback. Then, he silently sheathed the Wanban he had worked so hard to draw, saying nothing. He just gave a light nod, turned around, and walked toward the exit.

Zheng Zhaoling watched Cui Hao's somewhat lonely expression as he walked to the door. She then spoke up again:

"You promised you were going to treat me to a meal. Later, when I go to the Heavenly Evolution Sect..."

"Understood." Cui Hao turned around, flashing a brilliant smile. "I know where master hides his Chunnuan wine. I'll steal it for you."

Zheng Zhaoling watched as a ray of sunlight slanted downward, illuminating Cui Hao's radiantly smiling face and reflecting in his joy-filled eyes.

Seeing this, she was slightly taken aback.

Cui Hao gave a smiling wave, then turned and walked away.

Hehe! Playing the pity card works like a charm!

Zheng Zhaoling remained standing where she was, gently pursing her lips.