Chapter 59: The Price Isn’t Right Yet

“There are still many things left undone. I must wait a little longer!”

To ensure absolute success, he had to become a Tier 3 Alchemist before attempting to refine a Dustfall Pill. However, advancing an alchemist’s tier was an exceedingly difficult endeavor.

Qu Rou turned her gaze toward Li Meng. “There is no rush for the Dustfall Pill. You can wait until after you emerge from seclusion to—”

Li Meng chuckled, softly interrupting her. “Senior Qu, this nephew has a clear understanding of the situation in his heart!”

Qu Rou fell silent. She knew Li Meng would not agree to delay. After all, the likelihood of him achieving a breakthrough to Foundation Establishment was extremely slim, whereas if she had the Dustfall Pill, her chances of reaching Core Formation were very high. Li Meng enjoyed making deals; he would absolutely never engage in a losing business venture.

“Senior Qu, this nephew takes his leave!”

Li Meng rose to his feet. He did not retrieve the meditation cushion. His aged body soared into the air, and he flew off into the distance on his sword. Under Qu Rou’s watchful gaze, he disappeared into the sea of clouds and mist.

Soaring among the towering peaks and rugged mountains, Li Meng flew with evident delight. He had finally reached Peak Qi Condensation. The next step was figuring out how to cozy up to a Foundation Establishment Senior. Once he established his Dao Foundation, the Great Dao would be within reach. Having cultivated for sixty years, he now saw light at the end of the tunnel. How could he not be happy?

“Well now, if it isn’t Nephew Li?”

A streak of sword light swept over from the distance. The person had not yet arrived, but her voice reached his ears first. The soft, gentle tone made Li Meng turn to look. Seeing the newcomer, a flicker of surprise passed through his eyes. What a coincidence—he hadn’t expected to run into Senior Liu.

Li Meng chuckled and bowed in greeting. “Outer Disciple Li Meng pays his respects to Senior Liu!”

The two hovered on their swords between two mountain peaks. Liu Siyue looked at him with a smiling face. “Where is Nephew Li headed?”

“This nephew is preparing to return to his residence on Little Bamboo Peak!”

Little Bamboo Peak?

Liu Siyue’s expression shifted slightly. Could it be that Li Meng was the old man Su Can had mentioned? She glanced in the direction from which Li Meng had come, then turned back with a gentle smile. “Had Nephew Li been paying a visit to Senior Sister Qu?”

A trace of puzzlement flashed in Li Meng’s eyes. How did Senior Liu know? However, there was nothing about this matter that needed hiding. He had been visiting Cloud Peak quite frequently these past few days, and almost all of Senior Qu’s neighbors knew about this old man junior of hers.

“Yes, this nephew just came from Senior Qu’s place!”

Liu Siyue smiled gracefully. She looked at the little old man with some curiosity. “Might I ask what relationship exists between Nephew Li and Senior Sister Qu?”

Li Meng did not conceal it and answered truthfully. “Senior Qu is this nephew’s elder from the mortal world.”

It would have been strange to hide it, and besides, the story was fabricated in the first place. Liu Siyue’s face showed understanding. So, it seemed he had stayed overnight on Cloud Peak. If Su Can found out, he would probably die of anger.

And then there was Senior Sister Qu’s former Dao Companion, Senior Brother Chen… It was said Senior Brother Chen had never once visited Cloud Peak. Whenever they secluded themselves for cultivation, they conducted their “Dual Cultivation” at Senior Brother Chen’s cave abode.

Liu Siyue gave Li Meng an enchanting smile. She raised a slender hand and brushed aside a stray lock of hair. She threw him a flirtatious glance, and a fox-like allure emanated from her. Her graceful, delicate figure seemed to suddenly become even more sensual.

“Nephew Li, you haven’t forgotten what you promised your Senior Aunt, have you? How goes the alchemy?”

The Ageless Pill?

Li Meng narrowed his eyes as he appraised Senior Liu’s full, enticing figure. While her looks were slightly inferior to Senior Qu’s, her physique was lush and ample—the same type as Junior Sister Hua. Just looking at her gave one a sense of voluptuousness. The curves of her figure were faintly discernible beneath her robes, and her exposed skin was as smooth as white jade.

Li Meng chuckled and stroked his beard. “Then Senior Aunt will have to wait a while longer. This nephew is still making preparations.”

The Ageless Pill could not be given now. Even if offered for free, the price still wasn’t right. The only things that could move a Foundation Establishment cultivator were pills or magical treasures that assisted in breakthroughs. Li Meng needed time to prepare an offer that Senior Liu would be unable to refuse. Once he shattered her psychological defenses, wouldn’t the Affection points just skyrocket?

Liu Siyue wasn’t particularly disappointed. After all, gathering the spiritual plants for an Ageless Pill was no easy task. She smiled gracefully. “Just don’t forget, Nephew. Well then, I won’t keep you any longer. Please, go about your business.”

Li Meng bowed in farewell. “This nephew takes his leave!”

Watching his receding back, a flicker of helplessness passed through Liu Siyue’s eyes. Her Senior Brother Su Can was a troublesome fellow. His hostility toward Nephew Li was definitely related to Senior Sister Qu. Knowing full well that Li Meng was Senior Sister Qu’s junior, Su Can didn’t try to build a relationship; he even thought about crippling him. No wonder Senior Sister Qu looked down on him with disdain. Su Can had brought it entirely upon himself. If he weren’t her master’s descendant, she wouldn’t wish to have any dealings with him either.

Outer Sect, Little Bamboo Peak.

Li Meng descended gracefully and landed softly in the courtyard. He strolled toward his door. There were still three days until the auction in the Market City. He would still need to visit Senior Qu. Even though his cultivation could no longer advance, he could still gain experience in his sub-professions.

With a soft click, Li Meng pushed the door open and entered. He resumed pill refining in his alchemy room. Over the following days, he continued his routine commute between Cloud Peak and Little Bamboo Peak. Although life was monotonous, its hidden delights were known only to himself.

Three days later, early morning.

Click.

The door opened, and Li Meng emerged lazily. Bathed in the morning light, he looked up at the azure sky. “This time, I’m going to make a killing!”

Just as he was about to soar away on his sword, he saw a graceful figure approaching. The elegant form swept over from the bamboo forest and landed nimbly in the courtyard.

“Senior Brother!”

Upon landing, Chen Lan offered him a charming smile. She stepped forward, her jade-like hands grasping his arm. Li Meng chuckled. “Junior Sister, where have you been all this time?”

Chen Lan helped him settle into his reclining chair. With a wave of her hand, the meditation cushion beside the tea table slid beneath her. She sat down, leaning lightly against the armrest of his chair.

“I went down the mountain with a Foundation Establishment Senior to deal with some demons. It was just one yellow-marten monster that had gained sentience! It gave us quite a hard time—we were quite embarrassed and became a laughingstock.”