Top Talent - Cui Hao

East Victory Divine Continent.

Li Yingling rested her chin on one hand, lightly tapping the information jade slip in her grasp. After a moment, this senior sister, who had already gained some renown in the East Victory Divine Continent, couldn't help but sigh softly.

As expected, compared to herself, her fifth junior brother was far more adept at stirring up trouble.

It seemed Cui Hao had truly gained the trust of the other side and was now being entrusted with certain tasks—such as the experimental plans for test subjects.

Whether it was infiltrating and subsequently absorbing demonic cultivator organizations, sowing chaos among local factions to create openings for Donggua, or leaking information externally, Cui Hao was handed practically every task that could be thrown his way.

Naturally, all these matters inevitably fell onto Li Yingling’s shoulders as the senior sister temporarily responsible for coordination.

Initially, it was said that she could be approached for any insurmountable difficulties, but no one could have anticipated there would be so many "insurmountable" problems.

After all, even the most capable Foundation Establishment cultivator like Cui Hao had his limits. To Li Yingling, many of these tasks seemed designed to leave him halfway to death.

Most of these matters weren’t particularly difficult for Li Yingling.

The real challenge lay in ensuring that every action was carried out logically and without loopholes.

But rather than actually completing the tasks, it was simpler to just become the one issuing them.

If they needed to manipulate a demonic cultivator organization, Li Yingling would simply use the Taidao Sect’s resources to create one for Cui Hao to infiltrate.

Since the entire organization consisted of their own people, he could wreak havoc to his heart’s content.

The guiding principle was simple: whatever he lacked, Senior Sister would provide.

As for Donggua’s current test subject project… even the Taidao Sect and Tianyan Sect had genuine researchers working on it.

Moreover, these individuals were nominally under Donggua’s command. The first-hand updates went to their master, the second-hand reports reached Li Yingling, Cui Hao received third-hand information, while Donggua was left with only the most superficial updates.

Yet, judging by the limited intel Donggua currently had access to, she seemed to believe the progress was astonishingly rapid.

At this point, the organization under Donggua’s name was almost entirely composed of their own people.

Rather than Donggua absorbing the organization, it was more accurate to say the organization was on the verge of absorbing her.

Even her closest aides were all insiders.

Unless Donggua witnessed something with her own eyes, everything else was left to Cui Hao’s embellishments.

The only problem was that some of these fabrications needed to be realized—and that was where Senior Sister’s torment truly began.

Li Yingling had made up her mind: once this affair was concluded, she would make sure her fifth junior brother, who had grown far too smug, experienced the full force of her wrath.

"Leader! Leader!" Zhang Miaoyu’s voice called from outside the door.

However, since the door was shut, her voice stopped at the threshold, followed by a light knock and a reminder:

"Leader, it’s me."

Li Yingling’s eyes brightened slightly. With a flick of her wrist, she used her spiritual power to open the door and looked at Zhang Miaoyu standing outside.

"It’s been a while. You’re dressed far more elegantly than before."

Zhang Miaoyu’s expression faltered as she stepped inside. "Leader, are you teasing me for living in comfort? That’s only because you didn’t take me along."

Li Yingling toyed with the jade slip in her hand and raised a brow.

"Wasn’t it so you could focus on your cultivation and shore up the basics you’ve neglected? Or do you want to be stuck at the Nascent Soul stage for the rest of your life? What you lack now isn’t experience—it’s dedicated training. With Master in the sect, many things are already taken care of."

Zhang Miaoyu could only pout slightly at this before walking over to her leader’s side. With practiced ease, she picked up the teapot and refilled the half-empty cup.

Li Yingling chuckled and shook her head. "Alright, I’ve brought you here now. There’ll be plenty to keep you busy this time."

Zhang Miaoyu’s expression wavered with uncertainty, and she murmured hesitantly:

"Leader, before coming here, I stopped by the Fuyao Immortal Pavilion. Daoist Yuyang was there, and even core disciples from the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect were handling similar matters. Their discussions sounded incredibly profound."

"With my mediocre Golden Core cultivation… can I really manage something this important?"

Li Yingling said nothing. Instead, she silently handed Zhang Miaoyu the jade slip she had just deciphered.

This particular slip was a Tianyan Sect specialty—only those who understood its internal spiritual pathways could reveal the information within.

Though these items were sold at a premium outside, for the Tianyan Sect, they were little more than practice pieces for novice artificers.

Zhang Miaoyu accepted it carefully and scanned the contents.

A moment later, her uncertainty gave way to utter bewilderment.

The message read:

"Requirement: Sabotage Second Senior Brother’s plan. Ensure he makes an appearance and takes a few hits. Must appear plausible, leave traces, and withstand scrutiny. Donggua’s vindictiveness is extreme—truly terrifying. This woman cannot be kept around!"

What in the world… was this?

Li Yingling’s voice was calm yet resigned. "No matter how grand the scheme, it’s always built upon one small task after another. It’s these minor actions that drive the larger plot forward. Have some confidence."

"Still, don’t let the simplicity of the letter fool you. Demanding only results is easy—but creating a trail that’s both reasonable and verifiable is anything but."

"You’ve arrived at just the right time. Your job is to pick a fight with Second Senior Brother."

"After years of cultivation, rumors in the East Victory Divine Continent claim you’ve offended countless people with your sharp tongue and were beaten half to death. Consider this a chance to boost your reputation."

Zhang Miaoyu fell silent before nodding solemnly.

Who would have thought that she, once a rumor-monger, would now find herself on the receiving end of gossip?

In a humble farmhouse courtyard…

Cui Hao barged through the door without a care, ignoring Donggua, who sat at the desk frowning at a jade slip.

"Exhausting work, day in and day out—everything falls on me," he declared loudly.

Donggua’s voice was icy. "Must you always enter without knocking?"

Cui Hao snorted and flopped onto a nearby chair. "Why bother? Short of warming your bed, there’s nothing you haven’t had me do. What’s left to hide?"

Donggua was momentarily speechless, unable to refute him.

Initially, most tasks assigned to Cui Hao were time-consuming but relatively safe—after all, keeping Lin Luoyu in check depended entirely on Cui Hao’s survival.

But who could have guessed…? Despite his infuriating demeanor, Cui Hao was frighteningly competent.

No matter the task, he swiftly identified the critical point and executed it flawlessly.

From petty errands like gathering spirit stones and delivering messages to major operations like recruiting manpower and dirty work—he excelled at all of them without a single misstep.

She had assumed Cui Hao would be deadweight, only to discover he was a prodigious asset.

Sometimes, Donggua couldn’t help but wonder—was Cui Hao some kind of Chosen One, bending fate to his will?

She had once believed Lin Luoyu would be the ultimate assistant.

Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined…

Cui Hao is truly a top-tier talent.

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