Chapter 121: Just a Step Away

Hua Biying’s cheeks were dusted with a alluring crimson hue. She looked up at Li Meng, her eyes shimmering with a mix of curiosity and hesitation.

“Senior Brother,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly, “is it true that those with the Five Spirit Roots waste constitution cannot engage in Dual Cultivation?”

Li Meng’s expression remained calm, his gaze deep and unreadable. “It is true.”

Hua Biying blinked, her long lashes fluttering. She hadn’t expected the rumors to be fact. In the cultivation world, the Five Spirit Roots were widely regarded as a dead end, a waste constitution with no future. Whether such a physique could engage in the intimate arts of Dual Cultivation was a matter of speculation for most, treated as mere legend. But if Senior Brother Li said it, she believed it.

A playful smile touched her lips. She stepped forward, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her body against his.

“Senior Brother,” she teased softly, “then if I cultivate together with Senior Brother Qian in the future, you must not get angry.”

Li Meng looked down at the gentle, lovely woman in his arms, a faint, indulgent smile playing on his lips. Her words were a test, a coquettish declaration that she already considered herself his woman.

“Junior Sister,” Li Meng said, his tone shifting to that of a sage imparting wisdom, “you and I have only just stepped onto the Path of Longevity. If we wish to be together for an eternity, not just a fleeting mortal lifetime, then we must cultivate with singular focus. Do not let yourself fall easily.”

Compared to the Great Dao of Longevity, romantic entanglements were merely a narrow, winding side path. If one did not wish to become a mere passerby in the long river of history, one had to walk the Great Dao without faltering. It did not matter if they could not walk in lockstep every moment; it did not matter that the road was endless. As long as both persisted, there would come a day when they stood side by side at the summit.

“Mhm.” Hua Biying buried her face in the crook of his neck, inhaling his scent. “Senior Brother, I will cultivate diligently!”

She tightened her embrace, her chin resting on his shoulder. In that moment, the rest of the world faded; she only wanted to be held by him.

When she was with Senior Brother Qian, she had never felt this sense of absolute security. Senior Brother Qian had been good to her, certainly. But between her and his cultivation, he would always choose the latter. Li Meng was different. Although he preached that cultivation was paramount, the sincerity and warmth underlying his words intoxicated her.

‘Cultivation is only for the sake of being together for a long, long time.’

A man who could utter such words was worthy of her life. He was worthy of her unlocking the shackles of her heart. The lingering guilt she had felt toward Senior Brother Qian evaporated completely, replaced by a resolute devotion to the man holding her.

[System Notification: Affection +3] [System Notification: Sub-profession Experience +15]

Li Meng smiled, his hand resting comfortably on her soft, slender waist. Her Affection had reached 98. Perfection was only a hair’s breadth away.

“Junior Sister,” Li Meng said, breaking the comfortable silence. He withdrew a hand from her waist and produced an exquisite wooden box from his sleeve. “Look at this.”

Hua Biying pulled back slightly, looking down at the box. “Senior Brother, is this for me?”

Li Meng chuckled. “Open it and see.”

With a curious expression, she took the box and lifted the lid. Immediately, a rich, verdant medicinal fragrance wafted out, filling the small courtyard. Inside lay a single pill, crystal clear and emitting a faint, pulsating green halo.

Hua Biying’s pupils contracted. She gasped, her voice barely a whisper. “A… A Flawless Ageless Pill?”

The purity of the aroma and the halo of light left no room for doubt. This was a treasure of Flawless Quality.

“Do you like it?”

She looked up, staring blankly at his handsome face, mere inches from hers. “Sen… Senior Brother, you… you prepared this for me?”

Li Meng nodded, his smile gentle yet carrying an undercurrent of opulence. “Naturally. I prepared it specifically for you.”

Hua Biying snapped the box shut, clutching it to her chest as if it were her life’s source. Her gaze locked onto him, the affection in her eyes turning into a scorching heat.

“Senior Brother!”

Her cry was filled with emotion. Suddenly, a visible wave of pink energy—the manifestation of her Fox Charm aura—erupted from her body.

Li Meng blinked in surprise. The air around them grew heavy and sweet. His skin flushed, and his own gaze toward her darkened with rising desire.

‘Good heavens, did her Charm Technique break through just from emotional agitation?’

“Senior Brother…”

Her voice was now a dripping, honeyed croon. Hua Biying’s face was flushed a deep crimson. She blinked at him, her eyes swimming with seductive allure, while her curvaceous body began to writhe restlessly against him.

Looking at the bewitching creature in his arms, Li Meng swallowed hard. This girl was truly a cultivator’s tribulation.

‘No, I can’t let this continue.’

Her Charm Technique was clearly spiraling out of control. If left unchecked, she risked damaging her mind and foundation.

Li Meng’s expression turned serious. He formed a seal with his right hand, water-blue spiritual light flickering at his fingertip. He raised his hand and tapped her gently but firmly on the forehead.

Cooling Spirit Art.

The pink fox-charm aura instantly dissipated, shattered by the influx of cool Qi. Hua Biying shuddered, her eyes clearing as consciousness returned.

She froze, realizing what had just happened. Flustered, she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and glanced timidly at him.

“Senior Brother… my Charm Technique seems to have broken through. I… I’m sorry!”

Li Meng smiled, pulling her back into his arms to soothe her embarrassment. “Junior Sister, you cultivate your Charm Technique so diligently. Who exactly are you planning to seduce?”

Hua Biying pursed her lips, a shy smile blooming. How could she not know he was teasing her? She leaned her head against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.

“Senior Brother, I won’t waste energy on the Charm Technique anymore.”

Previously, she had cultivated it to secure resources and a strong Dual Cultivation partner. In the cruel world of cultivation, a female disciple needed the ability to attract a powerful protector. But now? That was no longer necessary. As long as Li Meng was here, she needed no one else.

[System Notification: Affection +1] [System Notification: Sub-profession Experience +5]

Li Meng chuckled, his hand sliding down to rest possessively on the curve of her hip. “Very good. Very good indeed.”

For the next few hours, they sat by the tea table, discussing the Dao and exchanging insights. The quiet peak echoed with Hua Biying’s charming laughter and soft voice.

It wasn’t until four hours later that she stood to leave.

“Junior Sister,” Li Meng said, taking her slender, jade-like hand. “The Ageless Pill has the effect of cleansing the physical body. Consume it before you enter seclusion to attempt your Foundation Establishment.”

Hua Biying nodded obediently. “I understand, Senior Brother.”

Li Meng waved his hand, and a heavy Storage Bag appeared on the table. “Take this as well. You will find it useful for your breakthrough.”

She opened it with her Divine Sense. Inside were piles of Spirit Stones and bottles of Flawless-quality pills suitable for Qi Condensation cultivators. There were also several Top-Grade Rank 1 Spirit Gathering Talismans.

Li Meng had deliberately withheld the Divine Firmament Talismans. It wasn’t out of stinginess, but caution. The karma associated with such powerful items might be too heavy for her to bear during her tribulation. The pills, however, carried no such risk.

Hua Biying did not refuse. She stored the bag away, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Senior Brother’s alchemy talent was truly heaven-defying, and his generosity… she felt overwhelmed.

‘I must cultivate harder. Even if I cannot catch up to him, I must remain close enough to see his back.’

“Senior Brother, thank you—”

Li Meng reached out, his finger gently pressing against her lips to silence her. He stroked her cheek. “Between us, there is no need for such politeness. Go.”

He withdrew his hand.

Hua Biying gave him a radiant, graceful smile. She summoned her flying sword and leapt onto it. Her figure, tall and curvaceous, soared into the sky like a celestial maiden returning to the heavens.

As she reached the edge of the peak, she looked back one last time. A teasing, promising smile played on her lips.

“Senior Brother, I won’t keep you waiting long. Soon… I will become your true Junior Sister.”

With a swirl of clouds and mist, she vanished into the distance.

Back in the courtyard, Li Meng sat alone at the tea table. He lifted his cup, taking a leisurely sip of the cooling tea.

“Women…”

He sighed, shaking his head with a cynical smile.

Just one point short of full value.

He could guess the condition for that final point. Affection would only reach 100—absolute, undying devotion—when he completely possessed her, body and soul.

He had already captured her heart. Now, only her body remained.