Two hours later.

Li Meng’s eyelids twitched. A trace of bright red blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, staining his lips.

He opened his eyes, a bitter, self-deprecating smile on his face.

“Too impatient.”

He took a deep breath, wiping away the blood with his thumb. A Golden Core cultivator’s Sea of Consciousness was a vast ocean compared to his own pond. Even though Leng Yiyue was comatose, her subconscious defenses were formidable. He had merely tapped the surface, and the backlash had shaken him to his core.

Li Meng formed a seal with one hand. Two Flawless Second-grade Soul Nourishing Pills flew out from the Sword Nurturing Gourd on the floor, popping into his mouth like candy.

The medicinal energy dissolved instantly, soothing the ache in his soul.

“Painful,” Li Meng mused, his eyes gleaming with ambition. “But pain is instructive. This is a rare opportunity to use a Golden Core cultivator as a whetstone for my Soul Refining Art.”

His soul was already monstrously powerful for a Foundation Establishment cultivator. If he could refine it further against the pressure of a Golden Core mind… his proficiency with Divine Firmament Talismans would skyrocket.

He closed his eyes again, ignoring the lingering throb in his head, and began to circulate the Soul Refining Art.

The next morning.

Click.

Li Meng opened the door to the guest room.

Leng Yixue was standing right outside, her hand raised as if to knock. She had clearly been waiting for a long time.

Li Meng smiled lazily. “What, is Senior Sister afraid I’ll take advantage of Senior Leng?”

Leng Yixue’s face flushed slightly, and she lowered her hand. “Junior Brother… I…”

She stopped. If Li Meng had wanted to do anything untoward, he had had the entire night. Being “afraid” now was pointless.

“Senior Sister believes in Junior Brother,” she said softly, lowering her gaze.

Li Meng chuckled, stroking his chin. “Junior Brother is very pleased to hear that.”

He stepped aside, allowing her to enter. Leng Yixue rushed to the bedside. Seeing that her Master’s wife was breathing steadily and her aura seemed more stable than before, she let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding.

She glanced back at Li Meng, curiosity warring with gratitude. How exactly had he treated her? She had wanted to use her Divine Sense to check last night, but the fear of offending him—of breaking that fragile trust—had held her back.

He is the only hope.

She pushed the curiosity down. Results were all that mattered.

In the courtyard.

Whish! Whish!

The sound of tearing wind greeted Li Meng as he exited the pavilion. Yao Ning was already at it, her body moving in a blur as she practiced her stance and fist forms under the persistent thunderclouds.

Li Meng smiled. Diligent girl.

Days turned into a routine. Li Meng cultivated his soul by night and his sub-professions by day. Yao Ning tortured herself with lightning. Leng Yixue watched over her Master’s wife, her icy demeanor slowly thawing in the peaceful atmosphere of Moon Gaze Peak.

One noon.

Li Meng sat by the tea table, watching Yao Ning punch the air. The lightning struck her, but instead of making her flinch, it seemed to slide off her condensed Astral Qi.

“Junior Sister,” Li Meng called out, sipping his tea. “You’ve gotten used to the medium-grade talismans. How about we upgrade to a High-grade Lightning Attraction Talisman?”

Yao Ning stumbled mid-punch, nearly face-planting into the dirt. She steadied herself, wiping sweat from her forehead, and walked over to the table. She grabbed a cup of tea and downed it in one gulp.

“Senior Brother,” she said, giving him a flat look. “That could kill someone.”

Li Meng chuckled. “It won’t. I’m here. At most, you’ll have your skin torn and flesh lacerated. A little pain builds character.”

Yao Ning’s eye twitched. A little pain?

“Senior Brother… let’s wait until the Seventh Layer of Bone Tempering,” she bargained, her voice losing some of its bravado. “I’m close. Once I break through… I should be able to handle it.”

Should.

Li Meng poured her another cup of tea, his expression indulgent. “Very well. But when the time comes, if Junior Sister tries to run… Senior Brother will catch you.”

Yao Ning raised her chin, crossing her arms over her chest. “I won’t run!”

Li Meng smiled, hiding his amusement behind his teacup. We’ll see.

Suddenly, his brow furrowed.

He glanced toward the sea of clouds surrounding the peak. A Message Flying Sword pierced through the mist, heading straight for the pavilion.

Li Meng raised a hand, guiding the sword to hover above his head. He tapped it with a finger.

A Divine Sense message echoed in his mind.

“Should I call you Nephew Tie, or Nephew Li? Nephew, I am waiting for you at Mirror Lake.”

The voice was unmistakably Senior Wen’s.

Li Meng’s expression darkened.

Senior Han and Senior Wen. The Dao Companion pair who had a grudge against his Master—and by extension, him. The killing intent Senior Wen had shown him previously was no joke. If his Master hadn’t intervened, things would have turned ugly.

Mirror Lake…

It was a scenic spot within the Sect, neutral ground. But with these two, nothing was truly safe.

“Senior Brother, who is it?” Yao Ning asked, sensing the shift in his mood.

“An acquaintance,” Li Meng said casually, standing up. “One I don’t get along with.”

He flicked his sleeve, sending the flying sword back into the clouds.

“Junior Sister, I’ll be back soon.”

He didn’t fear them. He had the Divine Firmament Earth Shrinking Talisman. As long as his feet touched the ground, even a Golden Core cultivator couldn’t catch him. If Senior Wen tried anything within the Sect, the Enforcement Hall would have a field day. Her lifespan was already short; imprisonment would be a death sentence.

Li Meng stepped onto the wind, soaring upwards and disappearing into the clouds.

Yao Ning watched him go, puzzled. If you don’t get along, why go?

Click.

The pavilion door opened. Leng Yixue walked out, her eyes following the streak of light that was Li Meng.

She walked over to Yao Ning and bowed politely.

Yao Ning froze, then hurriedly returned the bow, flustered.

“Senior… is there something you wish to ask?”