Chapter 11: Second-Rank Alchemist

“Senior Brother, is there any unfulfilled wish you have? If this Junior Sister can accomplish it, I will definitely help you fulfill it!”

Yuan Baobao was deeply aware of her shallow cultivation. Her aptitude wasn’t particularly good, either. Reaching Foundation Establishment was hopeful, but forming a Golden Core was a chasm almost impossible to cross. What she could do for her Senior Brother was extremely limited.

Li Meng looked Yuan Baobao up and down. Though not stunningly beautiful among the female disciples, she possessed a pleasing, above-average appearance.

Li Meng smiled warmly and took her small hand in his.

“Ah, perhaps it’s because my Lifespan Limit approaches. These past few days, Senior Brother has felt profoundly lonely. I wonder if Junior Sister could keep me company for a few days?”

Yuan Baobao looked at Senior Brother Li with confusion. What did Senior Brother Li mean by that?

She lowered her gaze, and her face flushed slightly. Senior Brother Li was holding her hand. Only then did Yuan Baobao grasp the implication of his words.

“Senior Brother, you… how can you be so improper with your Junior Sister?”

Yuan Baobao pulled her hand back. She shoved the storage pouch into Li Meng’s hand. Then, with a red face, she turned and fled from the room as if escaping.

Li Meng found an Earth Shrinking Talisman already in his hand. In the next moment, he vanished into thin air. An instant later, he reappeared at the doorway.

“Senior Brother, you… let me pass!”

Yuan Baobao felt her cheeks burning. She never imagined that Senior Brother Li, with one foot already in the grave, would set his sights on her. Although she liked Senior Brother Li very much, that fondness did not involve romantic feelings.

“Don’t be angry, Junior Sister. If you are unwilling, how could Senior Brother ever force you?”

Li Meng took two steps forward and pressed the storage pouch back into Yuan Baobao’s hand.

“Go now. Just don’t die before this old Senior Brother, or I truly would pass on with everlasting regret!”

Yuan Baobao looked down at the storage pouch in her hand, silent and conflicted. She raised her head, her expression complex as she gazed at Senior Brother Li’s kindly, benevolent face.

Yuan Baobao bowed respectfully with clasped hands. “This Junior Sister will not forget Senior Brother’s kindness!”

She accepted the storage pouch. Walking past Li Meng, she opened the door and stepped out.

A wave of fragrant scent wafted past him, and Li Meng’s face took on an intoxicated expression. He chuckled softly, shaking his head as he turned back toward the desk.

The door behind him closed with a soft thud.

Though he had failed this time, Li Meng wasn’t overly concerned. All he wanted was to raise Junior Sister Yuan’s Affection level. Since her Affection hadn’t decreased, it meant she didn’t truly reject him in her heart.

Outside, Yuan Baobao walked out of the room in a slight daze. Standing in the sunlight, she squinted up at the vast blue sky.

Whether this expedition to the Scarlet Forbidden Ground would bring fortune or disaster was still unknown. Even if they perished there, body and Dao extinguished, few would likely remember them. Such was the cruel nature of the cultivation world. The path to immortality was paved with countless bleached bones. Most cultivators were destined to become just another skeleton on that long road to longevity.

“Hah!”

Yuan Baobao took a deep breath, her face still faintly flushed. With a look of resolute determination, she turned and walked back into the house.

It was merely a physical shell. Why should she be so reluctant to part with it? If she didn’t fulfill Senior Brother’s wish, her thoughts would remain obstructed, her Dao heart unsettled.

Yuan Baobao pushed open the study door and entered.

“Senior Brother, I…”

Two distinct blushes appeared on Yuan Baobao’s cheeks. An alluring, almost vixen-like aura seemed to emanate from her entire person. Her eyes gazed shyly at the Senior Brother seated behind the desk.

[+15 Affection] [+75 Sub-profession XP] [Sub-profession Advanced to Second Rank]

The system notifications brought a surge of delight to Li Meng’s heart. Seeing Junior Sister Yuan return, he set down his talisman brush. A smile spread across his face as he looked at her.

“Junior Sister, come here.”

Yuan Baobao walked toward Senior Brother Li with light, graceful steps. Her lovely figure moved around the side of the desk until she stood beside him. Li Meng reached out and took hold of Yuan Baobao’s jade-like hand. Gently pulling her closer, he guided her to sit sideways across his lap.

As her soft form settled into his embrace, Li Meng’s heart blossomed with joy. Inhaling the natural fragrance that seemed to emanate from her skin, his expression grew intoxicated. One arm naturally found its way around her slender waist.

“Junior Sister, Senior Brother will take you to a nice place to… discuss the Dao together!”

Li Meng’s aged face beamed with a smile as he looked at the bashful Junior Sister Yuan.

Yuan Baobao blushed deeply but offered a charmingly coquettish smile in return. She blinked playfully at Senior Brother Li. “Senior Brother Li, you mustn’t bully me!”

Li Meng let out a hearty laugh and scooped Junior Sister Yuan up in his arms. “I won’t! How could Senior Brother ever bully you?”

Holding her securely against his chest, Li Meng carried Junior Sister Yuan out of the study.

“Senior Brother, put me down! I can walk myself!”

“It’s no trouble. This old Senior Brother can carry you just fine.”

Carrying Yuan Baobao, Li Meng left the study and entered the adjoining bedroom.

Outside by the fence gate, the wooden placard suddenly flipped over. Several large characters appeared on its surface:

[In Seclusion for Alchemy Today. Do Not Disturb!]

…

Half an hour later.

…

Creeeak.

The bedroom door opened. Yuan Baobao stepped out, her face still beautifully flushed.

“Senior Brother, this Junior Sister will come visit you again another day!”

Her clear, lively voice echoed softly in the courtyard. A trace of newfound allure flickered in the corners of her eyes and brows. With a graceful leap, she summoned her flying sword and soared away into the distance.

Once beyond Little Bamboo Peak, Yuan Baobao glanced back over her shoulder and gave a small secretive smile.

“Senior Brother really did just… sample a taste of something fresh.”

Her thoughts drifted to another person then, and the smile faded from her face. A deep-seated melancholy flashed deep within her eyes.

Though she also wished she could walk that path all the way with that Senior Brother Xuan, Dao Companions within the sect who managed to stay together until the end were exceedingly rare.

Whether male or female cultivators, they were all pursuers on that Great Road to Immortality. When you couldn’t keep pace with those beside you, you would inevitably be left behind. This was true for both herself and for Senior Brother Xuan.

Humans may have feelings, but the Great Dao itself is merciless.

Back within Little Bamboo Peak’s courtyard, Li Meng sighed as he reclined in his lounge chair.

“Junior Sister Yuan is truly good. She doesn’t look at me with contempt.”

He glanced idly at his own information panel.

[Name: Li Meng] [Age: 78] [Luck: 50] [Cultivation: Qi Condensation Seventh Layer] [Aptitude: Five Spirit Roots (Waste Physique)] [Alchemy: Second-Rank Alchemist] [Talismans: Second-Rank Talisman Master] [Artifact Refining: Second-Rank Artificer] [Formations: Second-Rank Formation Master] [Alchemy XP: 0/5000] [Talisman XP: 0/5000] [Artifice XP: 0/5000] [Formation XP: 0/5000]