The Oldest Disciple: Farming Intimacy to Become Immortal

Chapter 260: Refining the Fourth-Grade “Longevity Pill”

“Master, do not force Junior Brother Li anymore. Refining the pill is more important!”

Although Liu Ruyu felt disappointed, she didn’t dwell on it. Her desire to become Dao Companions with Li Meng wasn’t born of romantic love, but of intellectual compatibility. They were kindred spirits in alchemy. If they couldn’t be companions, they could still be colleagues. It was just… less convenient.

Liu Ruyan glanced at her eldest disciple, a trace of melancholy in her eyes.

I thought Ruyu had finally opened her heart to love. Turns out she just wants a research partner.

If Ruyu truly liked the boy, she would be heartbroken right now, not so calm.

“Forget it,” the Ancestor sighed, shaking her head. “I am not a matchmaker. Do as you please.”

She turned her gaze to Li Meng. “Little fellow, what do you need me to do?”

Li Meng straightened his back and bowed. “Ancestor and Senior Sister Liu only need to channel Qi into the Furnace. Leave the fire control and refinement to me.”

Liu Ruyan’s figure blurred. She transformed into a streak of firelight, reappearing on the other side of the Furnace.

With a wave of her withered hand, three meditation cushions flew from her Storage Bag, landing in a triangle around the bronze cauldron.

“Let us begin. Ruyu, assist us.”

Liu Ruyu smiled gracefully and took her seat.

“Senior Sister, Ancestor… begin!”

Liu Ruyan and Liu Ruyu formed hand seals simultaneously. A torrent of Qi surged from their bodies, flooding into the Bronze Mystic Cauldron. The ancient Dao patterns carved into the metal flared to life, and a roaring True Essence Fire ignited within.

Li Meng flicked his sleeve.

Over ten spiritual plants flew out from his Sword Nurturing Gourd, diving into the flames in a synchronized dance.

Li Meng closed his eyes. His Divine Sense expanded, covering every inch of the alchemy room. He entered the state of Heaven-Man Unity, his aura blending perfectly with the natural laws around him.

Liu Ruyan watched him, a small smile touching her lips.

His Divine Sense is strong—stronger than a Foundation Establishment Grand Perfection cultivator. And this Dao Rhyme… truly enviable.

Such a state was the dream of countless cultivators. Yet for Li Meng, it seemed as natural as breathing. If he possessed a Heavenly Spirit Root, even she might feel jealous.

She closed her eyes, focusing on feeding the fire.

Refining pills was delicate work. The higher the quality, the longer it took.

Refining spiritual plants wasn’t just about extracting juice; it was about refining the natural laws and karma embedded within them. Plants older than a thousand years developed rudimentary intelligence. To erase their existence required paying a price to the Heavens.

Time flew. On the mountain of cultivation, seasons blurred.

Since leaving the State of Zhao, the Heaven-Reaching Spirit Boat had flown steadily southwest, passing over dozens of mortal kingdoms.

Unknowingly, a year slipped away.

One Year Later

“Look! The sea!”

The deck of the Spirit Boat was bustling. Disciples gathered at the railings, pointing at the horizon where the blue sky met an endless expanse of azure water.

The ship left the continent behind, venturing deep over the ocean. Seabirds wheeled in the air, diving and calling, painting a picture of magnificent freedom.

Upper Pavilion

Qi Wei leaned her small chin on the windowsill, sighing heavily as she watched the waves below.

“When will Senior Brother come back?”

Life on the ship was boring. Since their return, she hadn’t seen a shadow of him. She knew he was refining pills with the Ancestor, but a whole year?

“Should I go look for him?”

She glanced at the door, hesitation warring with boredom.

“Forget it.”

She controlled herself. Disturbing a high-level refinement could cause a backlash. Senior Brother wouldn’t blame her, but she didn’t want to cause trouble. In his eyes, she was a good, obedient girl. She wanted to keep it that way.

“I’m so smart,” she giggled, swinging her feet.

Ancestor’s Anteroom

Han Li sat at the tea table, sipping his drink. Across from him sat Wen Huanhuan.

“Junior Sister, your makeup is light today.”

Wen Huanhuan usually favored heavy, enchanting makeup. Today, she looked almost bare-faced, her natural beauty shining through with a colder edge.

She rolled her eyes at him and looked out the window.

“It’s been half a year since we last saw him,” she said, her voice cool.

Han Li put down his cup. “Should Senior Brother go take a look?”

“Look at what?” She turned, her expression flat.

Han Li froze. A trace of guilt flashed in his eyes. Did she notice something? He had been careful about his deal with Li Meng.

“Nephew Li has been gone for a long time,” he said with an awkward smile. “To disappear under our noses… only Senior Liu could manage that.”

“So? Why go look for him?”

“Just curious,” Han Li said, pouring her tea to hide his nerves. “Aren’t you curious about what Nephew Li and Senior Liu are doing?”

Wen Huanhuan frowned.

How could she not be curious? She was dying of curiosity.

That brat had been with the Ancestor for too long. Were they refining pills? But Liu Ruyan was a Nascent Soul cultivator. No matter how monstrous Li Meng’s talent was, he couldn’t possibly be on equal footing with an Ancestor.