The Bad Things Can't Be Done Only by Senior Sister Three

Northern Ju Continent, Cloud-Dream Marsh.

Cui Hao stood before the teleportation array constructed by the Cloud-Dream Pavilion, his face beaming with an especially bright smile as he watched batch after batch of core members—at minimum in the Spirit Transformation stage—gathering under the Pavilion’s mobilization, with even some cultivators at the Unity stage among them.

As for cultivators at the Mahayana stage, the cost of teleportation was too great, so they were already traveling under careful concealment, making their way cautiously to this location.

For this operation, Cloud-Dream Pavilion had covered up all news.

The purpose of these arrivals, naturally, was to prepare for a strike against the Evil Spirit Sect.

After all, if a true purge were to be carried out, it couldn’t rely on the forces of Cloud-Dream Marsh to do the dirty work—the Evil Spirit Sect was by no means a soft target that the Marsh could squeeze.

Regardless, as far as Cui Hao was concerned, these people had come to help.

He still maintained the appropriate attitude.

Zheng Zhaoling stood nearby as well, recognizing almost all the newcomers. Whenever someone arrived, she would clasp her hands and offer a polite greeting. Cui Hao would follow her lead: if Zheng Zhaoling called someone “Uncle-Master,” he would echo the title; if she addressed them as “Senior Brother” or “Junior Brother,” he would act as though they were old acquaintances.

To an uninformed observer, one might genuinely believe that Cui Hao was also a cultivator of Cloud-Dream Pavilion.

With over a dozen cultivators from the Pavilion in position, the task of reception fell naturally to the God of Yunze.

After finishing the round of greetings, Cui Hao gazed into the distance, watching a group of cultivators clad in battle armor, their expressions solemn and serious, as they followed behind the God of Yunze.

One had to admit—the discipline of disciples from the Eighteen Immortal Sects was beyond reproach.

Once on a mission, no matter where they were, they maintained a state of wartime readiness. Even when Zheng Zhaoling offered her greetings, they responded only briefly. Not a single person idly inquired about the situation; they simply stood ready, awaiting orders.

“Impressive,” Cui Hao murmured as he observed the fully prepared Cloud-Dream Pavilion disciples. He raised an eyebrow and turned to Zheng Zhaoling, saying,

“This time, Cloud-Dream Pavilion was really straightforward. The reinforcements they sent far exceed what I ever imagined.”

“It seems your influence is no small thing. You once said you might need to submit some kind of approval report.”

“And yet here they are, delivered with just a word. Those who couldn’t come via teleportation are even making the journey on foot.”

“Could it be, Zhao Ling, that you’ve been playing the fool to catch the wise—and now you’ve managed to thoroughly humiliate me? Well, I have to say, you’ve succeeded perfectly.”

Zheng Zhaoling’s expression remained unchanged. Watching Cui Hao’s smug demeanor, she felt a trace of confusion.

According to the rules, to mobilize such a group of core sect disciples—especially since she herself had only recently become a core member—she would still have to file a report, explain the situation, wait for the sect to review and approve, and then finally receive a notice on how many could be dispatched.

How was it that this time went so smoothly…

Zheng Zhaoling answered truthfully: “I’m afraid it’s your influence. My current prestige is nowhere near enough to accomplish this.”

“My influence?” Cui Hao said, looking unconvinced. “The last few times I tried to mobilize Cloud-Dream Pavilion personnel, if you hadn’t nodded in agreement to help, I probably couldn’t have even directed the old gatekeeper sweeping the entrance. It’s more likely that your status has finally been recognized within the Pavilion. I’d bet that when you go back now, you’ll be treated with the same top-tier honors as the Daoist Yuyang.”

Zheng Zhaoling did not respond to that remark.

The Daoist Yuyang could command half of the Grand Dao Sect, and if he called out for help from Tribulation Transcendence seniors, some would genuinely step in to assist.

Every sect had its own style. The Daoist Yuyang was born with extraordinary origins, and his progress in divine arts was astonishingly rapid—far beyond ordinary standards. The high-ranking members of the Grand Dao Sect were almost certain that he could reach the pinnacle of divine cultivation.

As a result, the Daoist Yuyang had become the absolute core figure of the Grand Dao Sect, and naturally, his treatment was entirely different.

Zheng Zhaoling knew deep down that she would only wield such authority if she herself became the sect leader.

Seeing this, Cui Hao chuckled softly and said, “Regardless, as long as they’re willing to come, it’s infinitely better than not having them at all.”

Zheng Zhaoling gave a slight nod, then spoke in a quiet voice:

“Your provocation was convincing enough. The Evil Spirit Sect has already gathered its forces and is heading toward Northern Ju Continent, planning to first wipe out a batch of prominent Incense Gods and then impersonate them in their stead. When do you want to make your move?”

Cui Hao understood exactly what Zheng Zhaoling was implying—whether he preferred to wait for the Evil Spirit Sect to kill off a group of Incense Gods first, throw the whole situation into chaos, and even draw the Incense Gods into an alliance to help crush the Evil Spirit Sect together.

Cui Hao pondered for a moment, then spoke calmly:

“I intend to step in at the closing stage.”

Hearing this, Zheng Zhaoling’s gaze flickered with doubt.

Meeting her eyes, Cui Hao explained:

“Incense Gods aren’t good people. Choosing between something rotten and something even worse doesn’t mean we have to hold our noses and pick one. If I let them keep winning, they’ll think this game can trample over everything.”

“Because of past obligations, most of us have had to turn a blind eye to the Incense Gods. If we acted too harshly, there would inevitably be accusations of us being in the wrong.”

“But now, there’s an Evil Spirit Sect that was already in the wrong, and they’re willing to make a move. So this time, I won’t let the Incense Gods win—they’re no match for the Evil Spirit Sect, not by any stretch.”

“If the Evil Spirit Sect can help me break the backs of these Incense Gods, that would be doing me a huge favor. And if that happens, I’ll be more than happy to avenge them and claim vengeance on their behalf.”

Zheng Zhaoling did not reply. She narrowed her eyes slightly.

Cui Hao suddenly asked, “Is this different from the person you imagined you knew? No mercy anymore, nothing like my usual style, right?”

“A little,” Zheng Zhaoling admitted honestly.

“Someone has to do the dirty work. If I don’t, then sooner or later it’ll be Third Senior Sister who does it in our Master’s stead,” Cui Hao said, his gaze drifting toward the direction of Myriad Flower Ridge.

Mount Chummy Family might have abundant spiritual energy and all the safety in the world, but in the end, it wasn’t their own sect.

Only that ridge, blanketed in ten thousand blooming flowers—the place he had designed and built with his own hands—could truly be called his sect.

Cui Hao understood the First Senior Sister’s insistence on maintaining moral boundaries, but he also grasped the Third Senior Sister’s practical approach to knowing when to let things go.

Neither side was inherently right or wrong—both had their reasons.

The Third Senior Sister’s kindness was relative. She was good to her own people, which meant she was ruthless to outsiders.

Cui Hao was, without a doubt, one of her own, so she treated him well. Even though he was occasionally scolded, whenever there was a genuine benefit coming, she never forgot to set aside his share.

The Third Senior Sister would never allow their Master to bear the burden of any negative repercussions.

That was why she would take care of these problems herself.

But the role of the villain shouldn’t have to fall solely on Third Senior Sister’s shoulders—at least, Cui Hao couldn’t simply stand by and let her bear that weight with a clear conscience.

If there were unpleasant deeds that had to be done, Cui Hao was willing to do them for everyone.

If doing so could protect them all, then he would willingly play the villain.

And Third Senior Sister was certainly one of the people he wanted to protect.

Cui Hao let out a carefree laugh and continued,

“But it’s better that I take this on. If Third Senior Sister were doing it, she’d probably make a complete mess of things again.”

“But don’t you worry—none of this will affect you. I’ll take all the credit and all the blame. This time, I’ll bask in the spotlight all by myself.”

Hearing this, Zheng Zhaoling raised her gaze to look at his profile. After a moment of thought, she spoke:

“Since it’s the right thing to do, then why should you get all the glory alone?”

“I happen to be a core disciple of Cloud-Dream Pavilion. If it comes to stealing the show, there’s no way I’ll be overshadowed by you.”

Zheng Zhaoling had once been willing to stand firm in Cloud-Dream Marsh against the pressure of Cloud-Dream Pavilion for the sake of her own convictions.

Surely, the time she had lived through since then hadn’t dulled that resolve.

Having reached the position she now held, Zheng Zhaoling understood better than ever the meaning of holding to one’s principles.

How far can someone who lacks perseverance in their heart truly go?