Chapter 140: Master’s Heart Demon

Li Meng was never one to be overly polite when opportunity knocked.

If he could raise Sect Master Li Qiushui’s Affection to the maximum, he wouldn’t just walk through the Sect—he would walk sideways, untouchable and unchallenged.

He already had the formidable backing of Masked Moon Peak, allowing him considerable freedom. But to conquer the Sect Master herself? That would grant him unparalleled influence and resources within the Joyous Union Sect.

No matter how one calculated it, this was a highly profitable venture.

Seeing the serene confidence on Junior Nephew Li’s face, a flicker of doubt passed through Li Qiushui’s eyes.

Where does a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator find such arrogance?

To promise a Flawless pill was absurd. Even a Ninth-Grade Alchemist wouldn’t dare make such a guarantee. Flawless pills were not merely crafted; they were gifts from the Heavenly Dao, miracles of luck and fate.

Li Meng flicked his sleeve, and the seven rare spiritual plants vanished into his Sword Nurturing Gourd.

“Then I will not disturb Junior Nephew Li any longer.”

The seductive charm on Li Qiushui’s face vanished instantly, replaced by the dignified grace of a Sect Master. She stood, her purple robes settling around her. As the leader of the Sect, she had no time for idle dalliance.

Li Meng stood as well, bowing respectfully. “Farewell, Sect Master Senior.”

Li Qiushui turned and walked out. She stepped onto the wind, soaring upward in a streak of azure light that vanished into the clouds.

Li Meng stood in the courtyard, silent for a long time. His expression was contemplative, his mind churning.

“It is time to visit Masked Moon Peak.”

It had been over a month since he received the token. He wasn’t a fool; he understood the Ancestor’s silent message perfectly.

His Master, Ruoshui, was nearing her lifespan limit. If her Dao Heart wasn’t repaired within twenty years, she wouldn’t have enough time to attempt the breakthrough to Nascent Soul.

Cultivation was a race against time. Qi Condensation to Foundation Establishment took months. Foundation Establishment to Golden Core took decades. But from Golden Core to Nascent Soul? That required a century of preparation. And for higher realms, a single seclusion could last hundreds of years.

Li Meng stepped onto the wind, rising into the air.

Below, Yao Ning glanced up at her departing Senior Brother. She didn’t pause. Her fists continued to fly, each strike generating a fierce gale that whipped through the courtyard.

…

Joyous Union Sect. Inner Sect Territory. Masked Moon Peak.

It took less than the time to drink a cup of tea for Li Meng to arrive.

He hovered outside the peak’s barrier. The majesty of Masked Moon Peak dwarfed his own Moon Gaze Peak; its summit pierced the clouds, existing in a realm above the mortal world.

Li Meng flicked his wrist, and the Formation Token floated before him, emitting a soft light. The mist parted, revealing a passage.

Li Meng flew through.

“A magnificent landscape painting indeed,” he murmured.

Below him lay a pristine lake, the water aura so thick it felt like liquid silk against his skin. The feng shui here was perfect, suggesting a massive spiritual vein beneath the mountain.

He landed in the square before the largest pavilion, a structure of jade and gold that exuded ancient power.

Li Meng bowed deeply. “Disciple Li Meng pays respects to Ancestor!”

Click.

The massive doors swung open instantly. An invitation.

Li Meng straightened his back and walked inside.

Bang!

The doors slammed shut behind him.

Unfazed, Li Meng ascended the stairs to the second floor. He walked down the main corridor until he reached the room at the end.

Standing outside, he bowed again. His voice was clear and resonant.

“May I ask Ancestor: Why did Master’s Dao Heart shatter?”

Click.

The door opened.

Xue Ruyu stepped out, dressed in a vibrant purple rainbow dress. She blinked playfully at him, then turned to close the door behind her.

“Senior Brother,” she said with a beaming smile, “let me take you to find Senior Sister!”

Before he could react, she stepped forward and hugged his arm, pressing her soft body against him with intimate familiarity.

Li Meng’s mind wavered for a moment as he felt the astonishing softness against his arm. Junior Sister Xue has grown even more exquisite, he noted. Her face was like carved jade—flawless and cold, yet warm to the touch.

“Junior Sister,” Li Meng asked as they walked, “do you know the reason?”

Xue Ruyu smiled sweetly. “Yes, I know.”

“Then you must tell me.”

“Let’s find a quiet place to talk.”

They left the main pavilion and settled in a secluded lakeside gazebo. Xue Ruyu waved her hand, and a tea set appeared on the stone table.

“Senior Brother,” she began, her tone turning serious. “Senior Sister’s Dao Heart shattered because of a man. His name was Ruo Song.”

She poured him a cup of tea.

“Ruo Song was a distant relative of Senior Sister’s mortal family. He was a prodigy with a rare Dark Spirit Root. He reached Foundation Establishment at twenty-five and Golden Core at eighty-five. The Sect groomed him heavily.”

Li Meng sipped the tea. It was bitter, with a lingering aftertaste.

“They became Dual Cultivation Fellow Daoists,” Xue Ruyu continued. “Master said that if Ruo Song had persisted for another hundred years, they would have become true Dao Companions. But then… the war happened.”

“The Righteous Sects of Zhao and the Demonic Sects of Yue clashed in the Thousand Cloud Mountain Range. To prevent mutual destruction, they agreed to a gambling battle to determine territory.”

Xue Ruyu’s eyes darkened.

“The Righteous side was winning. They needed just one more victory. But on the night before the final battle, Ruo Song surrendered without a fight. He defected to the Ghost Spirit Sect and assassinated the prodigy of the Qingxu Sect.”

Li Meng’s eyes narrowed. Betrayal.

“The Righteous side lost. They had to cede the territory. To appease the Qingxu Sect’s rage, a Golden Core Elder of the Joyous Union Sect was forced to marry a Foundation Establishment disciple of Qingxu. She used herself as a human cauldron, spending fifty years to help him form his Golden Core. That Elder was expelled from our Sect.”

Li Meng set his cup down. The bitterness of the tea suddenly made sense.