Panic flashed in the eyes of Chen Hao and Yu Youwei. They stood frozen, cold sweat streaming down their backs.

Li Meng glanced at Senior Wen blocking their path, then turned to the trembling disciples behind him.

“You two go ahead.”

“Senior Li, Master she…” Yu Youwei’s voice shook with anxiety.

Last time, her Master had wanted to kill Li Meng outright. Even though they were within the sect’s territory now, Yu Youwei knew her Master all too well. Wen Huanhuan was unstable. Her actions were driven by a madness that bordered on paranoia.

“It’s fine,” Li Meng said calmly.

He walked toward Wen Huanhuan. He had come to Mirror Lake specifically to meet her, curious to see what game she was playing.

Stopping five meters away, Li Meng bowed respectfully.

“Disciple-nephew Li Meng pays respects to Senior Wen.”

Wen Huanhuan was a Golden Core cultivator. Etiquette was not optional.

Wen Huanhuan’s beautiful eyes swept over him, a playful smile touching her lips.

“Oh, Disciple-nephew Li, you really made your Senior wait a long time!”

As she spoke, her gaze flicked to Chen Hao and Yu Youwei in the distance.

Seeing their Master’s attention, the two disciples hurriedly bowed.

“Scram!”

A single, cold word cut through the air.

Chen Hao and Yu Youwei lowered their heads and fled, stumbling in their haste. Chen Hao wiped sweat from his brow, relief flooding him. Their Master hadn’t blamed them. If the Mistress didn’t blame them, the Master wouldn’t either.

Yu Youwei cast one last worried glance at Li Meng before disappearing down the corridor.

Li Meng watched them go, then took a few steps forward, coming to stand beside Wen Huanhuan at the railing.

They leaned against the wood, looking out over the serene beauty of Mirror Lake. A gentle breeze ruffled Wen Huanhuan’s hair, and she brushed a stray strand from her forehead with a graceful hand.

Li Meng glanced at her sideways. Despite her dangerous reputation, Senior Wen was undeniably beautiful.

“Is the Longevity Fruit in your hands?” she asked suddenly, turning to face him.

Their eyes met.

Li Meng was Iron Ox. Iron Ox was Li Meng. Who held the fruit was self-evident.

Li Meng chuckled, stroking his chin. “What, does Senior Wen intend to rob this Disciple-nephew?”

Wen Huanhuan smiled charmingly. Swaying her hips, she moved closer, her jade-like hands wrapping intimately around Li Meng’s arm.

“Disciple-nephew Li, look at what you’re saying. Is your Senior that bad?”

A rich, fox-like seductive aura radiated from her. Her demeanor was enchanting, full of mature charm. Li Meng felt the astonishing softness pressing against his arm, and a flash of heat passed through his eyes.

Truly worthy of being a Golden Core Elder. Her Charm Technique is perfection.

He felt an evil fire ignite within him, burning hotter by the second. Forcing it down, he maintained his placid smile.

“This Disciple-nephew almost died at Senior’s hands once. How could I not be afraid?”

Wen Huanhuan pursed her lips, her hand reaching up to caress his cheek. “Afraid? Your Senior feels that Disciple-nephew’s courage is quite big.”

His mouth spoke of fear, but his face showed none. Just a calm, polite smile.

A trace of jealousy flashed in Wen Huanhuan’s eyes.

Eldest Senior Sister really is lucky. A waste with Five Spirit Roots, yet a treasure in Alchemy and Artifact Refining. Why don’t I have such fortune?

Li Meng gently caught her hand and moved it away from his face. “Senior, please. I fear Senior Han will misunderstand.”

Wen Huanhuan spun gracefully, throwing herself directly into Li Meng’s arms.

Li Meng instinctively caught her waist to steady her. Her arms encircled his neck, and a bewitching smile played on her lips. She leaned close to his ear, whispering with a low laugh.

“The grievances of the previous generation should be resolved by them. Disciple-nephew Li, those were your own words. From now on, in my eyes, you are only Master Iron Ox, unconnected to your Master. As for the fruit… your Senior only wants one Longevity Pill.”

Her fragrance filled his senses. The heat in Li Meng’s eyes intensified, and his grip on her waist tightened involuntarily. Her body pressed flush against his.

“Disciple-nephew, you’re hurting me,” she murmured, her voice dripping with honey.

Li Meng’s eyes flashed with struggle. He forcibly pried her arms off him and pushed her away.

This woman’s Charm Technique is too potent. If my will were any weaker, I’d be her puppet.

His face hardened. “Senior, please have some self-respect!”

Seeing him reject her, a flash of anger sparked in Wen Huanhuan’s eyes. Her gaze turned cold and sinister.

“I just want to live,” she hissed, her voice like ice. “Whoever dares block my path, I will make them die!”

A cold wind seemed to sweep through the corridor. Li Meng felt a chill run down his spine.

Then, just as suddenly, the malice vanished.

She threw herself into his arms again, trembling like a frightened child.

“Disciple-nephew Li, your Senior didn’t mean to scare you!”

She hugged his waist tightly, looking up at him with wide, innocent eyes. The seductive enchantress was gone, replaced by a pure, apologetic girl.

“I’m sorry,” she whimpered.

Li Meng stared at her, bewildered.

What is wrong with this woman? Is she crazy?

Her actions were erratic, nonsensical.

Suddenly, her face twisted into a fierce scowl. “I only want one Longevity Pill! If you don’t give it, I’ll kill you!”

Then, she shrank back, hugging herself timidly. “One isn’t enough… need… need two!”

“One hundred thousand Spirit Stones! Sell it to me!”

“Do you like Senior Wen? It’s okay… I only want one pill!”

Li Meng watched the kaleidoscope of personalities flicker across her face.

Multiple personality disorder? Can cultivators even get that?

“No,” Li Meng muttered, realizing something was wrong.

He formed a hand seal, water-blue spiritual light gathering at his fingertip. He reached out and pressed it firmly against her Yintang acupoint.

Hum.

Wen Huanhuan stiffened. Her chaotic gaze slowly cleared, focus returning to her eyes.

Li Meng withdrew his hand, and she stepped back, composing herself.

They stood side by side at the railing again, silence stretching between them. Wen Huanhuan’s expression shifted, thoughtful and troubled.

Finally, she turned to him.

“I won’t give up,” she said, her voice weary but filled with a terrifying, stubborn determination.

Li Meng looked into her eyes, seeing the desperation of a dying woman.