Chapter 126: Zhao Kuo and Leng Yixue

Yao Ning moved through the motions of her stance training, her fists cutting the air with sharp, disciplined strikes. She stole a glance at her Senior Brother seated at the tea table.

A faint blush colored her cheeks.

There were questions burning on her tongue—questions about the medicinal bath, about how she had gotten into it—but she couldn’t bring herself to voice them. It was better to bury the embarrassment deep down and pretend nothing had happened.

In the days that followed, Yao Ning became a permanent fixture on Moon Gaze Peak. By day, dark thunderclouds rolled over the summit, the relentless crack-boom of lightning serving as the soundtrack to her brutal training. Only when night fell did the peak welcome a fragile tranquility.

One afternoon, a pair of Dao Companions arrived.

They descended from the sky, riding the wind with practiced ease, their robes fluttering as they touched down in the courtyard. Both wore the insignia of Inner Disciples of the Joyous Union Sect.

“Greetings, Junior Brother Li!”

They bowed with clasped hands toward Li Meng, who was leisurely sipping his tea.

Li Meng set his cup down and swept his gaze over the newcomers.

‘Not bad.’

Both possessed Dual Spirit Roots—an aptitude second only to the Heavenly Spirit Root. The man, handsome and steady, was in the late Foundation Establishment stage. The woman, however, was at the Great Perfection of the same realm, her aura sharp and contained.

Li Meng’s eyes lingered on the woman. She was beautiful, certainly of superior quality, but her temperament was unique for this sect. She lacked the seductive, cloying aura typical of Joyous Union disciples. Instead, she carried herself with the cool detachment of a Daoist immortal—quiet, peaceful, and aloof.

‘The Path of Heartlessness?’ Li Meng mused, an amused glint in his eyes as he withdrew his gaze.

He waved his sleeve, and two stone stools appeared opposite him.

“Senior Brother, Senior Sister, please sit.”

The couple took their seats. The man, Zhao Kuo, glanced curiously at Yao Ning, who was still punching the air nearby.

‘Body Cultivation? And such a beauty…’

Sensing his gaze, Yao Ning turned her head. Her eyes were cold, her expression flat. She gave him a single, dismissive look before returning to her training.

Zhao Kuo smiled politely and nodded, unbothered by her frostiness.

“I am Zhao Kuo,” he introduced himself, clasping his fists again.

“Leng Yixue,” the woman said, her voice as cool as her name.

Li Meng returned the gesture with a casual smile. “Li Meng.”

Formalities exchanged, Li Meng got straight to the point. “What brings such distinguished guests to my humble peak?”

Zhao Kuo glanced at his partner. Leng Yixue met Li Meng’s gaze, her expression unreadable.

“Two years ago, our Master passed away in sitting meditation. Since then, his wife has been inconsolable, drowning her sorrows in wine and neglecting her cultivation. Ten days ago, she mistakenly consumed a jar of spirit wine our Master had treasured. She fell into a deep slumber and has not woken since.”

Her voice faltered slightly, revealing a crack in her icy composure.

“We have sought Alchemists from the sect’s workshops, but even the Golden Core masters were helpless. We heard rumors that Junior Brother Li is skilled in treating… unusual ailments of cultivators. We came to ask for your help.”

‘Skilled in treating unusual ailments?’

Li Meng blinked, keeping his face neutral while internally raising an eyebrow. Since when did he have that reputation?

He took a slow sip of tea to cover his surprise.

Cultivators didn’t get sick in the mortal sense. Their “illnesses” were almost always backlash from cultivation, cursed artifacts, or consuming something lethal. If a Golden Core cultivator’s wife was in a coma from drinking wine, it wasn’t just alcohol poisoning. She had likely ingested something meant for a higher realm—or something forbidden.

“Junior Brother,” Zhao Kuo added earnestly, “if you can awaken our Mistress, we will offer generous repayment.”

Li Meng set his cup down. “If a Golden Core Senior is in trouble, I naturally cannot refuse to help. However…” He looked at Leng Yixue. “I can accompany you to take a look, but I can promise nothing. Even Golden Core Alchemists failed; my abilities are limited.”

Leng Yixue nodded, her expression dimming slightly. “That is only natural. We understand.”

Truthfully, they were grasping at straws—a blind cat hoping to stumble upon a dead mouse. Li Meng was only at the early Foundation Establishment stage. If the experts failed, what could he possibly do? But they had run out of options.

Li Meng stood up, smoothing his robes. “Time waits for no one. Let’s go.”

Zhao Kuo and Leng Yixue rose immediately, relief evident in their posture.

As the trio soared into the air, riding the wind away from the peak, Li Meng called back over his shoulder.

“Junior Sister! I’ll be back soon. Don’t slack off!”