Chapter 78: Sect Master Li Qiushui

“Congratulations on your successful Foundation Establishment, Senior Brother!”

Li Meng chuckled softly and returned the bow with a cupped-fist salute.

“Just a stroke of luck, nothing more!”

“Senior Brother, please!”

It was merely a passing greeting. Li Meng continued his walk toward the main sect hall, but whispers followed him.

“That Elder is truly fortunate!”

“Indeed, to achieve Foundation Establishment right before his Lifespan Limit!”

His blue robe marked him as a recent Outer Disciple from the Qi Condensation ranks, now transformed. This drew envious glances from the many disciples practicing in the plaza.

The steps leading to the main sect hall were numerous and steep, yet no matter how high the staircase, one eventually reached its end.

Clad in his blue robe, Li Meng entered the grand hall.

It was quiet inside, almost serene. Only a single figure occupied the vast space.

She wore a magnificent purple palace gown, and the hair ornaments adorning her head were exquisitely crafted. An aura of dignified elegance emanated from her entire being. A faint smile graced her beautiful face as she sat behind a desk, reviewing a mountain of jade slips.

Li Meng halted his steps.

“Outer Disciple Li Meng pays his respects to the Sect Master!”

Those who managed sect affairs were typically Golden Core cultivators who had lost hope of advancing further on the Great Dao. Even the Sect Master was no exception.

Li Meng raised his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over the woman behind the desk.

[Name: Li Qiushui] [Age: 437] [Luck: 700] [Cultivation: Late Golden Core Stage] [Aptitude: Water-Wood Dual Spirit Roots] [Favorability: 0]

Li Qiushui looked up. Seeing an elderly, white-haired Outer Disciple who had just reached Foundation Establishment, a flicker of surprise passed through her eyes.

“Token.”

Her soft voice echoed gently within the grand hall.

With a flick of his sleeve, Li Meng sent his sect identity token flying from his storage pouch toward her.

Li Qiushui caught it deftly.

“For one with the wasted physique of Five Spirit Roots to achieve Foundation Establishment speaks of immense perseverance. That is no easy feat.”

Her slender, jade-like fingers brushed over the token, erasing its previous information. With another graceful wave of her hand, a storage pouch flew toward Li Meng.

Li Meng caught it.

“Foundation Establishment disciples may select any unclaimed mountain peak within the Inner Sect for their personal cave abode. You may go.”

“Yes. This disciple takes his leave.”

Li Meng stored the pouch and turned to leave.

As he walked, he glanced inside the pouch with his Divine Sense. It contained five Maze Formation flags, a set of yellow Inner Disciple robes, a mid-grade magic sword, and 500 Spirit Stones.

The monthly stipend for Inner Sect Foundation Establishment disciples was tiered: 100 Spirit Stones for early stage, 200 for mid, and 500 for late. Five hundred stones wasn’t a small amount for a starter pack.

So poor, Li Meng sighed inwardly, maintaining an unhurried pace as he exited.

Although he had earned a considerable sum at the auction, all those Spirit Stones were gone. Not only were they spent, but he also owed the Ancestor a significant favor. Over a hundred thousand Spirit Stones was no trivial debt.

After leaving the main hall, Li Meng proceeded to the neighboring Archive Pavilion. This was where all records were kept, including the Soul Lamps of every disciple on the upper floors.

“Halt! The Archive Pavilion is a restricted area. Entry is forbidden without the Sect Master’s token!”

Security was tight. The guards at the entrance were all Inner Disciples at the late Foundation Establishment stage. Seeing Li Meng dressed as an Outer Disciple, the guard barked at him without courtesy.

Li Meng produced the Supreme Elder’s token.

“A… Supreme Elder’s token?”

The guard’s face paled dramatically. He hastily bowed.

“Please enter, Junior Brother!”

Li Meng stored the token and entered the gate with complete composure. The guard wiped cold sweat from his brow.

Could he be a True Disciple of one of the Supreme Elders? he wondered. But that didn’t seem right. The man was clearly advanced in years, indicating poor aptitude. Weren’t all True Disciples supposed to possess Heavenly Spirit Roots?

Inside the Archive Pavilion.

“Disciple Li Meng pays his respects to Elder.”

An elderly man sat behind a desk, perusing a jade slip. He looked up.

“What is your business?”

With a flick of his sleeve, Li Meng sent the token flying toward the old man.

The elder caught it. The three characters “Masked Moon Peak” inscribed on the surface made his pupils contract. He immediately rose and walked over with a hearty chuckle.

“There’s no need for such formality, Nephew!”

The elder returned the token with a beaming smile.

Li Meng accepted it.

“This nephew wishes to inquire about someone’s information: Outer Disciple Yuan Baobao.”

“One moment, Nephew.”

The elder swept his Divine Sense over the shelf housing Outer Disciple records. Shortly after, a jade slip flew into his hand.

“Here you are.”

The slip released a pulse of spiritual power, and a string of golden characters materialized in the air.

So Junior Sister Yuan has taken Elder Wen as her master?

The information displayed that she had been accepted as a Registered Disciple by Golden Core Elder Wen Huanhuan one year prior. It wasn’t unusual; Golden Core Elders often took on disciples to expand their influence.

Three months ago, Yuan Baobao had left the sect to undertake a mission for a cultivation family—the Qian Family Fortress.

“My thanks to you, Elder.” Li Meng bowed respectfully.

“You are too polite, Nephew.”

Li Meng took two steps back, turned, and walked out.

Junior Sister Yuan had not yet returned, indicating her mission was not proceeding smoothly.

Could something have happened?

A look of grave concern settled on Li Meng’s face as he emerged from the pavilion.

I should visit the Foreign Affairs Hall.

The Foreign Affairs Hall handled all external missions. Disciples registered there upon departure and return.

As he walked briskly down a long corridor, voices drifted to his ears.

“Senior Brother… are you alright?”

“I… I’m fine… Junior Sister… don’t let your thoughts wander… maintain our Soul Connection…”

Li Meng glanced toward a stone platform near the cliff edge visible from the corridor.

A man and woman sat facing each other. Yin and Yang energies intertwined between them as they engaged in Dao Exchange.

After one glance, Li Meng withdrew his gaze.

Dual Cultivation was delicate work. Yin and Yang were fundamental forces. If one failed to achieve true Soul Connection and forced the exchange… at best, one’s Dao Foundation could be damaged. At worst, Qi Deviation would follow.

Indeed… that pair seemed on the verge of damaging their foundations due to a misalignment of intent.

He ignored them, his figure gradually receding into the distance.

Half an hour later.

On the plaza before the main sect hall, Li Meng rose on the wind, then summoned a sword light to carry him faster.

Inner Sect, Moon Gaze Peak.

Li Meng approached from the distance. As if guided by the Dao itself, the clouds swirling around Moon Gaze Peak parted, forming a clear path inward.

He flew straight to the summit, descending into the courtyard of the lakeside pavilion.

Upon landing, he strode quickly toward the entrance doors. He had preparations to make.